Who I help

AAB leadership, internal stakeholders and acquired businesses.

How I help

Leading strategic initiatives and transformation programmes to deliver AAB’s 2030 strategy.

“People are at the heart of our group.”

Derek Mitchell is an Executive Director at AAB Group, with over 20 years’ experience across the business. He has held a number of senior leadership roles, including Head of Private Client, Aberdeen Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer.

In his current role, Derek leads group-wide strategic initiatives, working closely with leadership teams and stakeholders to deliver AAB’s long-term growth ambitions. This includes supporting the integration and scaling of acquired businesses, ensuring alignment across the Group, and driving operational excellence as AAB continues to expand.

Collaboration is key

In my role, it’s essential that we’re aligned on what we’re trying to achieve and how we get there. That comes from taking a genuinely collaborative approach—listening first, then deciding.

Open and honest communication is critical. It’s about building trust, creating clarity, and addressing challenges early so we can move forward together.

Opportunity in challenge

I’m energised by complex challenges. Problem-solving is a big part of what I enjoy—bringing the right people together, looking at things from different angles, and finding a way through.

The more challenging something looks, the more opportunity there is—whether that’s a better outcome or a valuable lesson.

Technology is pivotal for us

The technology available to us today is fundamental to how we operate as a Group. It allows us to collaborate effectively, wherever we are, and to deliver a responsive, high-quality service to our clients.

With so many services and specialists across the AAB Group, technology gives our clients seamless access to the right expertise, wherever it sits in the business.

That said, it’s not a substitute for face-to-face interaction. We are, and always will be, a people-based business. Technology helps us work smarter and remove barriers, but real conversations are what drive the best outcomes for our clients and our people.

Giving back to great people

The most satisfying part of my role is creating opportunities for people within a fast-growing and evolving business. AAB has given me incredible opportunities over the years, and I’m motivated to give that back by supporting others to develop and succeed.

Growth brings constant change, and we’re continually evolving how we operate to meet the demands of a changing market. Having worked in both client-facing and people-focused roles, I’ve seen first-hand how important it is to stay adaptable while keeping our core values front and centre.

Through every stage of that journey, one thing has remained constant—our people are what drive AAB forward.