Midlothian’s football clubs are setting their goals even higher for the new season thanks to two of Scotland’s leading restaurants.
Itihaas in Dalkeith and The Radhuni in Loanhead, winners of UK-wide awards, have announced sponsorship of five local teams and a bowling club as the latest moves in their widespread support of local and regional sports, cultural and social organisations.
“It’s very important for the club to secure sponsorships such as these as our day to day costs are ever increasing and we have to look at all revenue streams,” said Duncan Purdie, Secretary of Dalkeith Thistle who play in the East of Scotland Football League (EOSFL). “We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship going forward.“ Grant Fitzimmons, Vice-Chairman of Bonnyrigg Rose, said the restaurants’ logos would be on all 3 three strips home and away as well as on prominently sited boards.
The club, narrowly relegated from Scottish League 2 to the Lowland League at the end of last season, relied on local businesses and were looking to bounce back quickly after investing in improvements to its New Dundas Park pitch, he went on.
Penicuik Athletic Chairman Andy Penman said The Radhuni’s name and logo would appear on the back of all its strips across three teams: The Mens’ First team competing in the East of Scotland Premier Division, Mens’ U20’ competing in the East Conference and Women’s team in the Scottish Women’s East Division.
In addition the name would also appear on a selection of match day and training wear across the three teams with enhanced visual advertising around Montgomery Park.
Club President Andy Penman welcomed the deal, commenting: “We hope the support of this award- winning restaurant is matched by a winning team and enhanced facilities at the club. The support allows us to continue develop on all fronts as we strive to continue to be Midlothian’s premier EOSFL club’ His views were echoed by Keith Angus, Secretary of Loanhead Miners Welfare which has been promoted to Division One of the Lothian & Edinburgh Amateur Football Association Sunday section.
He commented: “We feel heartfelt gratitude at the renewal of Radhuni’s sponsorship for the 2025-6 season. This amazing restaurant has played a crucial role in our success, not only gaining promotion in our first season as a football club but we are now able to purchase new training kits.”
Keith went on: “The partnership not only empowers our players to achieve their personal best on the pitch but also strengthens our community as we strive for excellence both on and off the field. We look forward to continuing this partnership and achieving greater milestones together.”
He also thanked his son Blair, who plays for the team, for helping him run the club and Peter Frame who provides changing rooms for free.
Other clubs sponsored by Itihaas and Radhuni are Whitehill Welfare, which also competes in the East of Scotland League, and Loanhead Bowling Club.
Welfare Chairman John Quinn commented: “Itihaas and Radhuni have given us great support for several years. If it wasn’t for their support the club would find it challenging to survive.”
Founder and Executive Chef of both restaurants Matin Khan said he was committed to maintaining long term support of local communities. “Over the past decade or so we have donated around £100,000 to local and regional good causes,” he said. “Itihaas and The Radhuni will continue to do our utmost to help Midlothian be a great place to stay, play – and of course enjoy top quality food and service!”
Habibur Khan, his son and Managing Partner, added: “Sport is part of the lifeblood of many communities in Midlothian and around the world. We are proud to be playing our part in helping these local clubs thrive and wish them all even more successes in the year ahead.”
Full-service UK law firm Gilson Gray has appointed experienced solicitor Monika Haidar as Partner to lead its residential Conveyancing practice in London.
Monika brings over a decade of experience in residential property and inward investment, with a strong focus on the London market. She has advised overseas clients and played a key role in facilitating international capital into the city’s property sector. Her past work has involved a broad range of matters, including sales, purchases, transfers of equity, and remortgages. She is also highly experienced in real estate due diligence, having acted for private individuals, corporate investors, and Deputies appointed under Court of Protection orders.
In her new role, Monika will lead Gilson Gray’s Conveyancing division in the capital, overseeing transactions and supporting the development of the team. She joins from national property-buying company We Buy Any Home, where she spent five years as in-house solicitor and established and built its legal department.
Her appointment is the latest step in Gilson Gray’s strategic growth in the South East, following the acquisition of City of London-based PCM Solicitors in October 2024. It also follows a series of senior hires across England, including Rajan Shori as Partner and Head of Real Estate for England, Shuhel Ahmed as Partner in Real Estate, and Tim Harrison as Head of Private Client Services for England.
Glen Gilson, Chairman and Managing Partner of Gilson Gray, said: “Monika’s appointment is another important milestone in our expansion across England. Her expertise in residential property and international investment is a strong addition to the team as we continue to build momentum in the London market.”
Now with over 450 employees offering a full suite of legal services across offices in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, East Lothian, Aberdeen, Lincoln, and Angus, Gilson Gray is one of the fastest-growing law firms in the UK.
Monika added: ” I’ve always had a passion for residential property and love working closely with clients and agents to deliver top, hands-on service. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with my former clients, agents, and introducers. Joining Gilson Gray is a fantastic opportunity to support the growth of its bespoke residential offering in London. The firm’s energy, pace, and ambition really stood out to me, and I’m excited to be part of its next chapter.”
Greaves West & Ayre (GWA), one of the region’s leading accountancy firms and independent advisers, is pleased to announce three new Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) within their Wealth Management team.
Daniel Bullen, Matthew Brown, and Toby Douglas have recently completed their qualifications to become Independent Financial Advisers. After successfully passing exams, undergoing assessments, receiving additional training, and completing a supervised period, they are now fully practicing IFAs.
Toby joined GWA in 2021 after obtaining a degree in Business and Finance from Queen Margaret University. Commenting on his qualification he said, “I am pleased to become an Independent Financial Adviser within GWA and I look forward to maintaining and developing relationships with my clients, aiding in their financial journey to help them achieve their personal goals”.
Daniel has worked in financial advice since leaving school and joined GWA in 2022 following a role as a Paraplanner. He gained a Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning in 2023. Speaking to Daniel he said, “I am proud to have become an Independent Financial Adviser, something I’ve been working toward since starting my career in financial advice. I really enjoy building relationships with our clients and helping them plan for their financial future. It’s a challenging role, however it’s also incredibly rewarding and I look forward to continuing my journey with GWA”.
Matthew started his career in wealth management upon graduating from the University of Leeds in 2018. In that time, he progressed from his role as a trainee Financial Adviser to a qualified Financial Adviser in 2021. Matthew has a CII Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning and is currently progressing in his Chartered qualification. Matthew added, “I am pleased to continue in my role as an IFA at Greaves West & Ayre and to be part of a team that prides itself on providing quality advice and service to our clients”.
John Coats, Partner at Greaves West & Ayre, said: “We are thrilled to announce that Daniel, Matthew, and Toby are now fully qualified and authorised Independent Financial Advisers. Their appointment brings our Wealth Management team to eight IFAs, further strengthening the expertise we provide to our clients. It’s an exciting time for the Greaves West & Ayre Wealth team, as the addition of three new IFAs enhances our ability to pursue ambitious goals and continue delivering the Quality Advice and Quality Service we are renowned for”.
Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce member, Brand Satellite, has been named a finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards, shortlisted in the Creative Entrepreneur of the Year category. This award is kindly sponsored by Great Influence.
Known as “The Grammys of Entrepreneurship”, the awards celebrate the most exceptional and inspiring business stories across the UK. This year’s shortlist includes entrepreneurs from every nation and region of the UK, all recognised for their innovation, impact and resilience.
Past winners include the founders of BrewDog, Grenade, ClearScore, Zilch, and Unbiased, many of whom were recognised early in their entrepreneurial journey by the awards.
Giles Etherington, founder of Brand Satellite, said:
“I’m absolutely thrilled that Brand Satellite has been named a finalist. It’s an incredible honour to be recognised alongside some of the UK’s most exciting and ambitious businesses. This recognition is a huge testament to our hard work and our mission to give small, purpose-driven business owners the clarity, confidence and courage to go out there and grow successful, profitable businesses.”
Brand Satellite’s nomination comes on the back of an innovative new brand creation programme. Recognising small business owners’ challenges, Brand Satellite introduced a ground-breaking 28-Day Brand Launchpad. This is the only group brand creation programme of its kind in the UK, that brings together a small group of independent consultants and coaches who give each other feedback, advice and encouragement as they turn their business into a brand in just 28 days.
Participants engage in daily activities with regular group feedback sessions. This collective approach taps into the diverse knowledge, experience and perspectives of the fellow business owners.
The programme was nominated for the ‘Best Innovation in Business’ Award at the Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2024.
“Trying to create a compelling brand by yourself, without external perspectives is virtually impossible”, explains Giles Etherington. “This programme is like having a board of directors for 28 days, to support and encourage you as you create the perfect brand for your business.”
The help doesn’t stop after 28 days. Giles provides 12 months of ongoing support to hold you accountable and ensure you embed your new brand throughout your communications.
Participants attest to the transformative power of the programmme.
“Before working with Giles, I had tried a million different ways to get my work out there, and I’d really struggled to find the courage and confidence to let myself shine. Giles’ 28-Day Brand Launchpad was a game-changer for me!” explains Ruth Friedman, founder of Lead Being You. “This year, my work has reached new heights, and I’m super proud of what I’ve achieved. It is one of the best investments I have ever made in my business.”
The next 28-Day Brand Launchpad starts at the end of August.
For more information about Brand Satellite’s 28-Day Brand Launchpad (and an Early Bird Discount), please visit: https://brandsatellite.co.uk/28-day-brand-launchpad/
To learn more about the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, visit www.greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com.
For more information, contact:
Giles Etherington
Founder & Brand Creator
Brand Satellite
07940 544 804
Website: https://brandsatellite.co.uk/
28-Day Brand Launchpad: https://brandsatellite.co.uk/28-day-brand-launchpad/