COMPASS: Emerging Maker Programme 2020

With over 30 years' experience in the accounting industry, Alasdair co-founded Ashton McGill with his son, Andy. As well as being the Accounts Manager for Ashton McGill, he is also a trained service designer, passionate about taking a human-centred approach to everything he does. He provides additional value to his clients through strategy sessions and design workshops. Alasdair is a lover of running, coffee and design. 

In 2013, Ashton McGill began life as a design agency. But the services they provide today were born out of a mutual need for change. As business owners, they were dissatisfied with the way the accounting industry operated. The traditional accountant wasn’t customer friendly or proactive, and they didn’t provide any additional value for their customers. There was no innovation and no desire for change, or for putting the customer first. So, they decided to do something about it. Using their co-founder Alasdair’s wealth of accounting and financial expertise, they decided to relaunch as an accountancy business back in 2017. With over 30 years of industry experience, they provide simple, smart and supportive accountancy services that help their customers to grow. 

Alasdair spoke about the key financial aspects of running a successful micro/small business at the Principles of Finance & Funding webinar on Tuesday 12 January and Tuesday 19 January 2021. Previously hosted this series in 2020. 

Photography courtesy of Alasdair McGill.

ANGUS ROSS furniture studio was founded in 1992 by award-winning designer Angus Ross. The studio combines traditional woodwork, the ancient process of steam bending and the latest cutting-edge technologies to bend, mould, sculpt and fold wood to make beautiful furniture and functional art. Based in the Scottish Highlands, Angus sources oak from ancient mixed woodland, providing local, ethical and sustainable wood. Working mainly to commission for private and public clients, Angus also produces a small range of micro-batch produced stools, chairs and tables. 

Angus spoke at the Maker Journeys in Focus webinar on Tuesday 4 August 2020. 

Photographer unknown

Jonny works at O Street, a designer-led studio founded in Scotland. They’ve spread out to London and Colorado but can still (mostly) fit in one fishing boat. They’re a family of adventurous spirits who balance process and play to get things right for the people we work with. Those people include breweries, distilleries, major digital and music corporations, banks, governments, and maybe even your cousin (do they need a new logo?).

Jonny spoke at the Brand Storytelling webinar on Tuesday 23 June 2020 about how O Street works with clients from start to finish to help them tell an engaging brand story. 

Photographer courtesy of O Street

Laura Spring is a textile designer/maker living and working in Glasgow creating bold graphic print designs that are transformed through screen and digital print into fashion accessories, homeware and stationery. After graduating from Glasgow School of Art, Laura began her career in costume departments within the theatre and film industry. Following a 2011 craft residency at Cove Park, Laura established her own eponymous label and print studio. With a passion for colour, print, pattern and process, Laura creates covetable annual collections of functional, vibrant homewares and accessories, and regularly collaborates with others in her practice. 

Laura will speak at the Maker Journeys in Focus webinar on Tuesday 9 March 2021. Previously spoke at the Maker Journeys in Focus webinar in 2020.

Photography by Caro Weiss.