---
title: Supporting Innovative Scottish Businesses April 23
image: https://discover.azets.co.uk/hubfs/Supporting%20Innovative%20Scottish%20Businesses%20-%20social%20card.png
---

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![Supporting Innovative Scottish Businesses ](https://discover.azets.co.uk/hubfs/CTrise.png)

# Supporting Innovative Scottish Businesses

Tuesday 23 April 2024

Azets are delighted to welcome Scotland’s Minister for Small Business, Trade and Innovation, Richard Lochhead, serial entrepreneur Brian Williamson, and a stellar panel of experts for an engaging and informative dive into the world of supporting innovative businesses to help them scale and succeed.

The Government’s vision is for Scotland to be one of the most innovative small nations in the world by 2033.

You can register and submit your question for the panel members below.

Event details

Date: Tuesday 23 April 2024

Format and timings:

Arrival: 4:00pm - 4:15pm

Welcome and steer from Richard Lochhead: 4:15pm - 4:25pm

Panel session followed by Q&A: 4:25pm - 5:00pm

Networking and refreshments: 5:00pm - 6:00pm

Location: Azets, 3 Semple Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8BL

Panel members:

![Untitled design (15)-1](https://discover.azets.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(15)-1.png?width=150&height=150&name=Untitled%20design%20(15)-1.png "Untitled design (15)-1")

## Gemma Monaghan, R&D Tax Partner at Azets

Gemma advises SMEs and fast growing businesses, including those creating cutting edge technologies and market-leading scientific innovation, on the increasingly complex area of R&D Tax Credits, Patent Box and tax efficient innovation investment. Having trained as an industrial chemist Gemma brings valuable insights into how businesses approach the funding of innovation and works with a wide variety of businesses across all sectors helping ambitious businesses drive growth and maximise their investment in R&D and innovation. 

![Untitled design (20)](https://discover.azets.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(20).png?width=150&height=150&name=Untitled%20design%20(20).png "Untitled design (20)")

## Craig Hutchison, Patent Attorney at Lawrie

Craig specialises in the drafting and prosecution of global patent families, due diligence reviews, freedom to operate opinions, infringement opinions and contentious proceedings before the Oppositions Divisions and Boards of Appeal of the European Patent Office. He has expertise in oil and gas technologies, sonar imaging, retinal imaging, robotics, prosthetics, automotive engineering, cycling and fishing componentry, advanced coated films, and construction technologies.

![Untitled design (16)-1](https://discover.azets.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(16)-1.png?width=150&height=150&name=Untitled%20design%20(16)-1.png "Untitled design (16)-1")

## Andrew Castell, Partner at Par Equity

Andrew is a CA with extensive corporate finance and corporate restructuring experience.  Andrew serves on various boards and industry bodies and has an MA in Jurisprudence from Oxford University.

![Untitled design (17)](https://discover.azets.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(17).png?width=150&height=150&name=Untitled%20design%20(17).png "Untitled design (17)")

Brian Williamson, award-winning entrepreneur 

Brian is an active investor in technology companies and sits on the Board of the 4icg group which develops business in 32 countries for some of the largest technology companies in the world. He also sits on the Board of Equity Gap the angel syndicate as well as being the Chair of Elevator, the largest private business support organisation in Scotland. Brian has also taken up the role as Chair of executive search specialist FWB in 2024.In 2022 Brian was recognised by the Institute of Directors as non-executive director of the year for 2021.

**Event Registration**

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