Seldom has so much happened in the space of 12 months. In the last year, we've witnessed a great deal of change, not only in terms of technology, politics and economics; but in many other walks of life too.
For Deloitte, it has also been a truly transformational period. Our firm has grown at its fastest pace for a decade, increasing turnover by 13.6% and breaching £3 billion across the UK Group for the first time.
Among our highlights for the year, we had significant success in the audit market, with four wins in the FTSE 100; taking our market share to 23% among the UK's biggest companies.
The firm worked with a range of smaller businesses and SMEs too, investing in 30 disruptive start-ups – 20 of which were developed by Deloitte's own people, through our £25 million Innovations Investments Scheme.
Change, then, has been the name of the game – nowhere more so than in Scotland. In a landmark year, we've re-affirmed and re-emphasised our commitment to, and investment in, our offices across the country.
In Edinburgh, we announced plans to create a digital studio – part of a network of 26 Deloitte Digital studios spread around the globe – at our Castle Terrace office. Designed specifically to encourage collaborative and interactive working, it will enable our team to focus on developing and delivering a range of digitally-focussed services; while also helping our clients to work through their most complex business challenges.
Across the M8, we welcomed Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, to officially open our new Glasgow office at 110 Queen Street and sign Deloitte up to the Scottish Business Pledge. The 18,280 sq. ft. office represents a significant investment in our Scottish operations and reiterates our strong ties to the city.
Ms Sturgeon also announced the Scottish Government's plans to help women return to work after maternity leave, a move the firm supports wholeheartedly as we move towards our 2020 targets. Through initiatives such as our Working Parents Transition and WorkAgility programmes, our aim is to have 25% of our partner group comprised of women in four years' time.
Further north and, in Aberdeen, the team has continued to grow, with the promotion of a new director. We also sponsored the National Theatre of Scotland's Granite, a major arts production for the city and an initiative we were exceptionally proud to back. Despite the sustained low oil price, we're confident about what the future holds for the Granite City and the wider North East.
With all of this going on, it's safe to say the firm has evolved significantly. The firm has grown its headcount too – we now have 35 partners and 45 directors, and recruited for the future by taking on 53 graduates and 10 BrightStarts – our school-leavers programme.
Despite tailwinds in the wider economy, we want to build on this progress in the next 12 months. A number of industries – principally financial services, oil and gas and the public sector – are undergoing fundamental changes in the way they do business.
Through our investment in Scotland, we plan to be at the forefront of these sectors, helping them to make sense of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. We remain as confident as we have ever been in Scotland's future and committed to the companies we work with, and the places in which we do business, across the country.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
