True North announces four new advisors in major expansion

True North has announced the appointment of four new expert advisors to expand its offer as a full-service communications, public affairs, business advocacy and marketing firm.

Ryan Crighton, the hugely respected Director of Policy & Marketing at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, will join the firm as a Senior Partner, launching True North’s new marketing division and taking an ownership stake in the business.

Prior to joining the Chamber, Ryan was Director of Marketing at UK law firm Aberdein Considine and led its PR, marketing and communication strategy throughout a period of rapid growth between 2014 and 2021.

He is also an award-winning writer, commentator and columnist across the Scottish and UK media, having previously served as Chief Reporter and latterly Business Editor at the Press & Journal.

He will be joined by two colleagues – True North’s new Senior Marketing and Events Advisor Cody Mowbray, and Senior Creative Advisor Andrew Taylor. Together they will deliver creative, digital, marketing and events services for the firm’s expanding client base.

All three will move in July and – under a new strategic partnership with the Chamber – will continue to provide expert advice and day-to-day support on a range of services in addition to the policy advice already delivered by True North.

Andrew Taylor, Fergus Mutch, Cody Mowbray, Ryan Crighton and Geoff Aberdein.

Ahead of the expansion, Allister Thomas has also joined True North as its newest Senior Advisor. The former editor of globally-recognised industry news platform Energy Voice, Allister will lead on communications, business engagement and public affairs activity for energy sector clients.

He brings over a decade of experience as a print, broadcast and multimedia journalist and is highly regarded by industry. He joins the team with immediate effect.

True North was formed by Managing Partners Geoff Aberdein and Fergus Mutch in 2022, and draws upon unrivalled combined experience working at the most senior levels of national government, global businesses and the media. The firm is chaired by Martin Gilbert, co-founder of global investment firm Aberdeen Asset Management.

The four new appointments join former MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford; award-winning writer and former Labour Party advisor Andrew Liddle, who leads on financial services advice, speechwriting and media training; and Aileen Easton, former features editor and senior civil servant of 15 years.

To accommodate the expansion, True North has moved its office headquarters to Neo House on Aberdeen’s Riverside Drive — a vibrant, flexible workspace and home to a growing hub of scaling businesses, including existing clients.

True North retains its Edinburgh office on the city’s Ferry Road, serving a growing base of financial and professional services, construction and third sector clients across the central belt.

Geoff Aberdein, Allister Thomas and Fergus Mutch.

Welcoming the new appointments True North Chairman Martin Gilbert said: “Under Fergus and Geoff’s leadership, True North continues to go from strength-to-strength and the appointment of these four expert advisors ideally positions the firm for future success.

“The model of hiring experienced advisors who have been there and done it at the highest levels of business, media, marketing and public policy provides our growing client base the reassurance that they are benefiting from very best in strategic advice and support.”

Senior Partner, Ryan Crighton, said: “I am hugely excited about joining True North as it launches new service lines and embarks on an exciting new chapter.

“Having worked with Geoff and Fergus for a number of years, I have seen first hand the impact that their strategic advice can have. They have made True North an economic force for good, and their aims align with those of the Chamber, which makes this partnership a really strong fit. I look forward to offering my own expertise and experience alongside the rest of the team for the benefit of our clients and the wider Scottish economy.”

Senior Advisor, Allister Thomas, said: “It’s been impressive to see the journey True North has been on since its inception and I’m delighted to be coming aboard as it moves into its next phase of growth.

“This is a crucial time for energy transition and I’m excited to help showcase and support the vital work being carried out by True North’s clients who are at the very vanguard of this transformation.”