Weatherbys can trace its roots to 1770, when James Weatherby started providing services to the horse-racing industry. The business remains family-owned, with Roger Weatherby, chairman since 2023, representing the seventh generation of stewardship.
The present-day Weatherbys Banking Group consists of four entities: Weatherbys Racing Bank, Arkle Finance, Weatherbys Business Bank and Weatherbys Private Bank. The last of these has had a presence in Edinburgh for more than a decade.
One reason why the Weatherbys name has survived and thrived for more than 250 years is that the business has always strived to move with the times. Today, arguably more so than ever before, a balance between the traditional and the cutting edge is imperative.
This ‘best of both worlds’ approach is central to Weatherbys’ ambitious plans to double in size by 2030. The bank sees Edinburgh – and Scotland as a whole – as having a vital role to play in its long-term growth strategy.
Weatherbys Private Bank expands its Edinburgh presence
“We opened this office in 2015 and expanded the premises within a year,” says Duncan Gourlay, deputy head of private clients, who oversees Weatherbys Private Bank’s activities in both Scotland and the north of England.
“Two years ago, to accommodate our growing team and create even more space for clients, we took on an adjacent building.
“That alone demonstrates that there’s a very healthy appetite for high-quality, cost-efficient, expert advice in this city and region. In tandem, it underlines the importance of our continued investment in both people and technology.”
Alongside Gourlay, Weatherbys’ Edinburgh team includes senior private banker Edmund Harvey-Jamieson, private bankers Graeme Buchanan, Hayley Robinson and Hannah Law and relationship manager Peter Kellock. All have strong local connections.
We want to grow with our clients. We want to help them on their financial journeys from the earliest point possible
Growing demand for private banking across Scotland
“Our clients include professionals, entrepreneurs, small business owners, landowners and estate owners, some of them from the far reaches of Scotland,” says Law.
“We’re now increasingly looking to attract clients living in other Scottish cities. We also have a steady stream of clients who have relocated from the US because of ancestral links, because they have children studying here or because they’re establishing second homes.
“All of this underlines our belief that no single part of the UK has a monopoly on success or growth. We recognise Edinburgh as a vibrant and thriving city in a region of enormous importance.”
Award-winning private banking and client service
Weatherbys has been named UK private bank of the year three times since 2021 in the prestigious Spear’s Awards, which are often referred to as ‘the Oscars of the private client industry’.
Its latest net promoter score – a measure used to gauge client satisfaction – is 84, which is thought to be the highest figure published by any UK bank and is significantly above the industry average of 30.
“Ideally, we want to grow with our clients,” says Gourlay.
“We want to help them on their financial journeys from the earliest point possible. This demands highly personalised, one-to-one relationships that are built on a detailed grasp of each client’s unique circumstances, needs and objectives.
The Weatherbys Way: combining personal service and technology
“We work hard to give all our clients the level of service they expect. In return, they clearly appreciate the human touch we provide. This is the fundamental purpose of what we call ‘the Weatherbys Way’ – an ethos that ensures clients are placed at the heart of everything we do.
“At the same time, crucially, we’re investing heavily in our digital banking offering. This can also be seen as a reflection of the Weatherbys Way, because we understand that embracing positive change is essential to maintaining client-centricity. Ultimately, we need both tradition and innovation in order to continue this long-running success story.”
Duncan Gourlay is Director, Private Bank at Weatherbys Private Bank in Scotland.
Weatherbys Bank Ltd is registered at Sanders Road Wellingborough Northamptonshire NN8 4BX. Registered Number: 2943300. Weatherbys Bank Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Financial Services Register number: 204571. Weatherbys Private Bank, Weatherbys Racing Bank and Weatherbys Business Bank are trading names of Weatherbys Bank Limited
FAQs
Q: What is Weatherbys Private Bank?
A: Weatherbys Private Bank is part of the family-owned Weatherbys Banking Group, which traces its roots to 1770 and provides private banking services in Edinburgh and across Scotland.
Q: How is Weatherbys Private Bank growing in Scotland?
A: Weatherbys Private Bank is expanding its Edinburgh presence as part of the group’s ambition to double in size by 2030, serving entrepreneurs, professionals, business owners, landowners and estate owners.
Q: What is the Weatherbys Way?
A: The Weatherbys Way combines highly personalised, one-to-one private banking relationships with continued investment in digital banking and technology.
Q: Who leads Weatherbys Private Bank’s activities in Scotland?
A: Duncan Gourlay, deputy head of private clients, oversees Weatherbys Private Bank’s activities in Scotland and the north of England.
This article is featured in the Autumn 2026 edition of The Business magazine.
Distributed with The Sunday Times Scotland.
Partner Content in association with Weatherbys Private Bank
