Welcome to the Chamber

Integrity HSE

Integrity HSE provides efficient, effective, and sustainable solutions to the energy industry. They do this by delivering three services: outsourced HSE business partner, HSE consultancy and Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and International Institute of Risk & Safety Management (IIRSM) licensed training provider.

T 07908 458529

W www.integrityhse.co.uk

E enquiries@integrityhse.com

C Steven Harris, Managing Director

Engage PR

Award-winning Engage PR has worked with start-ups through to FTSE-listed firms to help raise their profile. By leveraging strategic communications, media relations and reputation management, Engage helps build trust, increase visibility and communicate value. Engage PR have delivered local, national and international projects across several sectors.

T 01224 914070

W www.engagepr.co.uk

E james@engagepr.co.uk

C James Donaldson, Communications Director

BME Services Ltd

Based in Aberdeen, but operating globally, BME Services Ltd offer their Helideck Refurbishment Service to deliver a fully certified helideck with the endorsement of the HCA. BME Services Ltd are the only business operating in the UK that offer the full A-Z service in-house. Its team are trained to the latest edition of CAP437 and the delivery of friction testing by the HCA. The company also utilise its equipment and highly trained employees to carry out offshore walkway maintenance, passenger/vehicle deck maintenance, and aircraft carrier flight deck maintenance.

T 01224 825320

W www.bmeservicesltd.co.uk

E sales@bmeservicesltd.co.uk

C Kristoffer Borland and Scot Borland, Directors

RES Group

RES is the world’s largest independent renewable energy company. At the forefront of the industry for over 40 years, RES has delivered more than 23GW of renewable energy projects across the globe and is active in 14 countries working across onshore and offshore wind, solar, energy storage, green hydrogen, transmission and distribution.

T 01414 045500

W www.res-group.com

E info@res-group.com

C Gavin Shirley

First Aid at Work Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire

First Aid at Work equips people from all industries with the necessary skills to save lives and prevent accidents in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Clients leave the courses feeling confident in their ability to respond to any emergency situation, from CPR to first aid. First Aid at Work is committed to delivering training that is fun, engaging, and memorable.

T 07908 400345

W www.firstaidatwrkaberdeen.co.uk

E sarahphillips@firstaidatworkaberdeen.co.uk

C Sarah Phillips, Owner and Trainer

Wellahead Engineering Ltd

Wellahead Engineering Ltd offer Sub Contract Machining Services to include 3,4,& 5 Axis Machining Capabilities. The company is ISO 9001:2015 Accredited. Wellhead Engineering Ltd has been in operation since 1998 and is celebrating 25 years in business this year.

T 01224 724478

W www.wellaheadengineering.com

E mike@wellaheadengineering.co.uk

C Mike Coutts, Director

Pittodrie House Hotel

Pittodrie House is a 27 bedroom hotel located in the heart of Aberdeenshire. Offering exclusive views of Bennachie, its rural location offers the perfect getaway in the heart of the Shire. With event space for up to 100 delegates, all manner of corporate functions and events can be hosted within the venue.

T 01467 622437

W www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/pittodrie-house

E events@pittodrie-house.co.uk

C Andrew Leggat, Hotel Manager

Viper Innovations

Viper Innovations’ mission is to use current and future proprietary technology to provide intelligence from data. The company provides award-winning electrical monitoring and asset integrity solutions for critical global industries such as subsea oil and gas and rail, where failures have significant production, service and financial impacts.

T 01224 519944

W www.viperinnovations.com

E enquiries@viperinnovations.com

C James Carnegie, Sales (Subsea) and Delivery Director

Asset ONE

Technical asset management consultants to the energy, industrial and maritime industries.

W www.Asset-ONE.org

E info@Asset-ONE.org

C Roy Milne, Managing Director & Principal Consultant

He added: “It’s a busy and fulfilling routine that keeps me on my toes.” But the chef said his biggest challenge is the difficulty in finding a balance between work and family time.

“While I am continuously improving, it can still be a struggle to switch off and prioritise personal time.”

So, what drives Kevin?

He explained: “My main drive in the business is ensuring that our customers have a great experience, not just in terms of the food but in every aspect.

“It comes naturally to me to focus on the culinary side, but I also make a conscious effort to be present outside the kitchen door, engaging with guests and ensuring their satisfaction with our restaurant.

“Word of mouth is incredibly significant, especially in Aberdeen, and knowing that our customers are enjoying their time at Amuse is what truly motivates me.”

But the chef conceded that – like most businesses across the country - the current cost-of-living crisis is having an impact on Amuse.

He said: “On one hand, people are cutting back on dining out as they have less disposable income.

“On the other hand, our costs have skyrocketed, from food and drink to utilities, VAT, tax rates, and more.

“Additionally, the outdated business rates system creates a considerable challenge, especially with the lack of support from the Scottish Government.

“It’s tough to run a restaurant just now.”

On the subject of new efforts to boost the fortunes of the heart of Aberdeen, Kevin feels the Our Union Street initiative led by Bob Keiller is a fantastic and much-needed move to revitalise the city centre.

The new community-led organisation has one mission - to bring businesses and people to the Granite Mile.

The chef commented: “This initiative holds great potential for breathing new life into the city and creating a vibrant atmosphere. It’s crucial to maintain the momentum and encourage participation from all individuals to ensure its success.

“Additionally, it’s even better to see someone like Bob, a fellow Borders native, taking the lead in this venture.

“His experience and passion will undoubtedly contribute to the positive transformation of Union Street and the overall rejuvenation of Aberdeen.”

So, what does the future hold for Kevin and Amuse?

He replied: “We are constantly exploring new opportunities, and the exposure from me being in the Great British Menu 2023 competition has opened up many exciting possibilities, and I have been asked to participate in many interesting projects.

“As for new ventures, while I can’t share specific details just yet, we are currently working on something truly exciting and hope to announce it in the coming months. Stay tuned for updates!”

City restaurants encouraged to sign up for Aberdeen Restaurant Week

Aberdeen’s foodie fortnight is set to make a return to the Granite City in August, with restaurants, bars and cafes being urged to sign-up to take part in the ever-popular Aberdeen Restaurant Week initiative.

Following a hugely successful event in January, which saw more than 50 venues taking part, Aberdeen Restaurant Week will return from August 7 to August 20.

The fortnight is the perfect opportunity for local eateries to highlight their offering. Delivering special offers to customers at several price points, the city’s cafés and restaurants can connect with new customers while also delighting their regulars.

More than 50 city centre cafés and restaurants took part in Aberdeen Restaurant Week in January, with the range of cuisine on offer including Scottish, Indian, Italian and Cuban.

All establishments signing up to Aberdeen Restaurant Week will be asked to create a unique set price dining offer which will be available throughout the fortnight. The range of experiences on offer will include lunch, dinner, afternoon tea and tasting menus.

Adrian Watson, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “We are really looking forward to seeing the additional buzz that a summer restaurant week will bring to the city. Lighter nights will hopefully combine with better weather and provide the perfect conditions to enjoy food with friends and family during the summer, and before the school summer holidays end.

“Aberdeen Restaurant Week has become a firm favourite in the Aberdeen calendar. The variety of price points offered by the restaurants and cafés means there is something to suit every budget.”

Interested restaurants should complete the sign-up form on the Aberdeen Inspired website.

Our Union Street reveals the 17 themes which emerged from 10,000 ideas

The Our Union Street Group has published details of the key themes which have emerged from the 10,000 ideas submitted to them by the public.

The community-led group has identified 17 key areas to investigate as it moves forward with attempts to revive the Granite Mile. They all fall under the five distinct challenges facing Union Street, which are: footfall, accessibility, the state of the street, empty shops and the narrative around it.

Over 1,000 volunteers have put their names forward to support the organisation, and 400 people joined a public meeting at the Music Hall at the beginning of June to hear more about the group’s next steps.

The meeting coincided with the launch of the group’s first whitepaper, which detailed all of the key themes the group will take forward, as well as the ones that it cannot.

To view the whitepaper and find out more, visit www.ourunionstreet.com.

Growth at Mearns & Gill

Aberdeen-based creative marketing agency Mearns & Gill has reported a surge in turnover for the year to the end of January.

Turnover at the Carden Place agency has grown by over 70% compared to the previous year - reaching £2.9million in 2022-23.

To manage this growth, Mearns & Gill has recruited four new members to the team in the last 12 months, taking the agency headcount to 20.

The Aberdeen agency has taken on 38 clients over the last 12 months, bringing the total number of clients supported by the business in 2022/23 to 85.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party and why?

It was fun thinking about this. Below are my choices, in no particular order. The first person who comes to mind is Thomas Reid (1710-1796), a former Church of Scotland Minister and Professor at King’s College, Aberdeen, Founder of the Scottish School of Common Sense and who was held in the highest esteem at home and worldwide – some of his work made its way into the constitution of the US. Why would I want to meet him? It would be to discuss whether his approach of common-sense realism would benefit the people of modern Aberdeen to reach the consensus on the best way to approach building the future of the city as opposed to the bickering that gets us nowhere. Be positive about our city and get things done. Secondly, I would like to greet Nan Shepherd (1893-1981). She was a Scottish modernist writer and poet, known for her seminal mountain memoir, The Living Mountain, based on experiences of hill walking in the Cairngorms. She was also a lecturer in English at the Aberdeen College of Education. Shepherd’s work brought out the sharp conflict between the demands of tradition and the pull of modernity - particularly in the nature of women’s lives in changing times. The third person on my list is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869–1948), an anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India’s independence from British rule. He inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women’s rights, building religious and ethnic amity, ending untouchability, and, above all, achieving swaraj or self-rule. He was imprisoned many times and for many years in both South Africa and India for leading non-violent protests across many causes.

John Wigglesworth of Common Sense Coffee House and Bar

If I were to invite three people to my dream dinner party, it would be a really difficult choice. There are so many inspirational people from the worlds of politics, leadership, business, entertainment, science and sports that I’d love to share stories and to spend time with. But if I had to pick a few then these would be them. I’d love to meet David Attenborough. His ability to captivate audiences, both young and old, with his narratives is inspiring and his devotion to environmental causes is admirable. As a consumer and a business leader, he reminds me constantly of our responsibility to protect the fragile environment we live in for the generations to come. Brewing beer is an energy-intensive process and there are lots of things we can do to improve our environmental sustainability. I think David would make a great dinner party guest and would have everyone captivated with his stories. Nelson Mandela is another character I’d love to see. I’m fascinated by his commitment to fighting against inequality. His endurance, tenacity and devotion to peace, equality and justice is admirable. I remember him coming to Aberdeen to receive The Freedom of the City following his release from prison and even at my young age I understood the impact he had on global politics. If I could meet him now, I’d love to understand his psyche more. And I’m sure he had a good sense of humour that would entertain the table. Finally, I’d love to meet Michelle Obama. She’s a great positive role model for women and girls and has done such a lot to champion women’s rights and to support programmes that help provide children with quality education. Diversity and equality is such a big topic in modern business and I think she’d have some good insights. I think she’s got a great sense of style and I’m sure a wicked sense of humour. She’d be a great person to have at the dinner table.

Hazel Meehan, Operations Director, Fierce Beer

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has one last roll of the dice before the next General Election, so can he get the British economy roaring again?

Ahead of the 2023 Autumn Budget, we’re bringing former Treasury insider Thomas Pugh back to Aberdeen to provide some exclusive insight on the current state of the UK economy.

Renowned for his ability the distil complex economics into simple data that business owners can use to inform decision making, Tom will share the inside track on everything from energy markets and global trade, to the labour crisis and the constitution.

If your business is being challenged by what’s happening in the economy right now, this is a business breakfast you do not want to miss.

About Tom Pugh

Tom is RSM UK’s economist. He provides economic insights from a middle market perspective, to both RSM and its clients. Tom works closely with RSM partners across the UK, as well as with colleagues in the US to monitor how changes across the pond could affect the local market.

After graduating from the University of Manchester in 2009, he went to work for HM Treasury. This was right in the middle of the financial crisis, so he was assigned to help redraft the banking regulations. He then spent eight years at Capital Economics, where he first covered commodities (mainly oil), then the UK economy in the wake of Brexit and the onset of the pandemic.

Date: October 5, 2023

Time: 7am-9am

Place: The Chester Hotel

Tickets on sale at www.agcc.co.uk/events