We are a team of dedicated professionals, ready to do what ever it takes to make your business grow
United Capital is led by a vastly experienced and expert Board of Directors whose cumulative 200 years’ business experience in mergers and acquisitions, over 1,500 deals and £1billion worth of transactions, will drive the business to acquire companies with a combined turnover of £500million and EBITDA of £40million, within the next 3 – 5 year term.
Syd has over 20 years’ experience in non-executive roles and provides governance and oversight for the Group. In 1979 Syd was appointed Managing Director of the then failing RGC based in Methil Fife, a company owned by British Steel. Within a year Syd successfully restructured the company and returned it to profitability. The yard was sold to the Trafalgar House Group in 1984 for £6,500,000.
In June 1984 Syd was awarded the OBE for services to the oil and gas industry in Scotland.
As part of the sale of RGC Syd joined Trafalgar House where he was responsible for establishing a new division of the Group covering the entire Group’s oil and gas engineering, manufacturing and construction interest in the UK. The division was known as Trafalgar House Offshore Services Limited and he continued as managing director of the Division until his retirement in 1999. At its peak, the division recorded a turnover value of £450,000,000.
After his retirement in 1999, Syd worked with 3i Group to serve in a non-executive position on the board of many companies with which they held an interest including:
In December 2000 appointed NXD to the board of Sparrows Offshore Group International Ltd, a crane service company owned by 3i. The company continued to grow and acquired interests in the USA and following a successful trade sale resigned in March 2003.
July 2003 Syd was appointed NXD to the board of Motherwell Bridge Holdings Ltd. Following a successful insolvent restructuring and the formation of MB Engineering Services Ltd, he remained as NXD until the company was sold to a private investment company in 2009
In December 2003 Syd was invited to join the board of Pipeline Engineering Services Ltd a pipeline service and maintenance company, as NX chairman. In October 2009 Syd resigned following a successful trade sale, the company having continued to increase market share and profitability and having established new production facilities.
August 2000, appointed NX Chairman of International Tubular Services Ltd. Successfully grew the company, created new divisions and increased international activity. Resigned in April 2008 following a company restructuring.
Graeme Carling as majority shareholder and CEO, leads United Capital and brings significant expertise in acquisitions and delivering growth. Graeme specialises in consolidating fragmented markets and maximising value from corporate assets. Amongst Graeme’s other business interests are Scotland’s largest private residential landlord, Carling Property Group, a residential property investment organisation, Infinitas Investments and various other investment companies. Over the last 13 years, Graeme and his wife Leanne have been involved in over 1,000 property transactions, either buying or facilitating with a value of circa £200million.
Graeme acquired McGill directly from KPMG after it entered administration in February 2019. In the past 9 months, Graeme and his senior McGill Scotland team have re-built the business, won several significant public sector contracts and expect to turnover in excess of £5million in this financial year, £10million next year and over £20million in the following.
Graeme has successfully secured financial investment from UK and overseas family offices, HNW individuals and significant bank debt funding. Graeme’s ability to identify investment opportunities has allowed him to become one of Scotland’s more notable entrepreneurs. Graeme has built a reputation for growing value in companies.
Kevan has 20+ years’ experience as CFO in the Oil & Gas sector. A chartered accountant, Kevan specializes in strong financial management of organisations with project related revenues and has managed several corporate restructuring and M&A deals including the international merger of Rigblast, Mach-10 and McGregors, creating a single business with over £300million turnover.
Another notable experience includes the merger of Interocean, RIGMAR and RIGMAR Fabrication to create a single business with over £25million turnover. Kevan also oversaw the 2.5x multiplier disposal of Screw Conveyor, a company with £4million turnover and £2.2million EBITDA.
In addition to his significant M&A experience Kevan has managed the structure and finances of many significant projects and deals including; a £10million complete rig upgrade for Transocean, a major rig modification project for Songa Offshore with a £6million project value and a full tanker purchase and conversion into FPSO project worth £22million for Brovig AS.
Leanne has more than a decade of experience in the residential property sector where she identifies, manages and negotiates M&A activity to its completion. Having built a reputation early in her career for being able to find and negotiate deals, Leanne brings strong organisational skills developed in the logistics industry, to ensure that any and all opportunities are properly explored.
Over the past 13 years Leanne has grown her residential property company, Carling Property Group into the largest privately-owned residential landlords in Scotland. During this time Leanne has led the growth of the business by sourcing portfolio deals and securing the finance required.
Leanne has been involved in over 1,000 residential property portfolio acquisition transactions, either buying or facilitating with a value of circa £200million. The rapid growth of Carling Property Group is testament to Leanne’s talent for buying at the right price to maximise eventual sale value.
Fraser is an experienced and expert communicator who has developed and delivered marketing and PR strategies for businesses across Scotland for over 10 years. From start-up businesses to legacy family-firms, Fraser utilises a unique blend of marketing expertise and business management experience to drive rapid growth.
In addition to his position on the board Fraser leads United Capital’s in-house marketing agency, BlueLime Marketing to deliver a full-range of marketing services to all group companies. In addition to this Fraser also regularly lectures at University of Abertay, University of Highlands & Islands and Dundee & Angus College, plus donates his spare time to promoting business and entrepreneurialism in schools by volunteering with the Founders4Schools initiative.
Fraser has supported the growth of The Carling Group of businesses for over 5 years and previously led a PR and Marketing team as Head of Publicity & Client Development with top Scottish marketing agency, Volpa. Fraser, an expert in brand strategy, ensures that the assets of all group businesses are fully leveraged to add maximum value.
Ryan, who is the Head of Employment and a Partner at MML Legal, formerly known as Muir Myles Laverty Solicitors, offers support, guidance and expertise on all legal and HR matters for the group in addition to his current role with MML Legal.
Ryan has a well-earned reputation for being a fearless and forensic litigator often taking on some of the most challenging employment cases. He is a well-respected and successful solicitor who have a drive and passion for everything that he does.
In addition to his role at MML Legal, Ryan also teaches Employment Law at University of Dundee and was awarded Lawyer of the Month by Scottish Legal News in March 2020.