Derek
Mair

WHO I HELP 

Start-ups. Owner Managed Businesses. Large Corporates. International Groups. 

HOW I HELP 

External Audit. Business Advisory Services. 

SECTORS/SUPPORT 

Food & Drink. Hospitality & Leisure. Shipping. Energy. Power & Utilities. 

“AUDIT, ASSURANCE & ADVISORY.” 

Derek Mair is Audit Partner and Head of our Food & Drink team. He specialises in delivering audit, assurance, and advisory services to a wide range of clients.  

Based in our Aberdeen office, Derek works extensively with clients across all sectors.  

Derek can advise you on a wide range of issues, from external audit and business advisory.  

SECTOR SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE 

“I am privileged to head up the Food, Drink & Hospitality team and we share knowledge and support clients in that sector. I enjoy attending industry specific events, meeting key people in the industry, and talking to clients about their business challenges. I listen to our clients and other people in the industry so that I truly understand them and build up knowledge and awareness of the challenges and opportunities in the sector. 

Being able to recognise the drivers, pressures, challenges, and the limiting factors on growth, means I can better advise clients. Do I have all the answers? No definitely not, but within our team and across AAB, we have a vast amount of experience and sector expertise. It’s very much a team approach to supporting clients.” 

A REAL TEAM ETHOS 

“I love the fact that in AAB we have a real team ethos, and everyone is important in the client service we provide. We’re all part of a team delivering the best we can to our clients.  

Auditors have the privilege of being in front of the client and often sitting in a client’s business premises, so how we approach the audit, our professionalism, our communication and how we behave is very important. I try and instil in the team that everyone in the team, whether they are a placement student or a partner or director, represent the AAB brand.” 

NO BARRIERS TO INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT  

“I find supporting clients hugely rewarding, but one of the most satisfying parts of my role is being part of the growth and development of the team. I joined AAB as a graduate and have built my career within the firm and I can now help others to do the same.  

I’m involved in our university placement programme. It’s fulfilling when we take on our placement students, they return to university and then join us as a trainee. I’m committed to helping all individuals grow and develop their skills, provide them with opportunities and help them to build their career. There are no barriers to what people can achieve at AAB.” 

BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS 

“The future of AAB excites me, the growth journey of the firm and the opportunities for individuals to also grow.  

That growth also provides me with the opportunity to talk to new businesses and to work with new clients. Whilst I’m experienced in the technical aspects of my role, what’s more important is the ability to build strong relationships with a huge variety of people. Whether that’s clients, people in my team or other people across the business, I enjoy building those relationships.”