Mr Gourlay had been an associate director at Adam & Co for the past five years, having previously been associate director in HBOS’s Edinburgh private banking team.

In his new role at Barclays Wealth Mr Gourlay joins Henry Peterkin's team, which is headed by Craig Jamieson.

"Duncan is a significant hire for our private banking offering in Scotland and brings a wealth of experience to the Glasgow team. He will be a valued asset in the years ahead and help cement the firm's success north of the border,” said Mark Little, managing director of Barclays Wealth in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Barclays Wealth also revealed its Scottish private banking division had recently recruited three graduate trainees; as a result of the financial crisis a number of firms shuttered their graduate training schemes and so news that wealth managers are actively hiring graduates is an encouraging sign for the future of the industry.