March 2023 Business Bulletin - Mergers and Acquisitions

Expro announces acquisition of DeltaTek Global Services firm snaps up well cementing specialist.

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Dealmakers looking to bounce back after tough 2022

What is in store for the North-east M&A market in 2023?

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SCF Partners completes acquisition of Global E&C New parent company for Aberdeen headquartered EPC firm. Page 38

workforce

“To go, or not to go: that is the (current) question.”

Many of the Chamber’s 1,100 plus member companies are SMEs operating in a wide range of sectors. Some of them family owned, some investor backed, others have grown organically from turnover.

One characteristic that they do share is that, at some point, the question of an exit strategy will have been on the agenda.

I hope the Bard excuses the artistic licence in the headline and keeping the theatrical theme going, that ever useful authority, the Oxford Dictionary defines the phrase exit stage left as ‘an orderly and uneventful departure, timed so as not to detract or distract’. Sounds about right, so how can this be achieved?

Business owners planning an exit strategy must be mindful of the fact that a successful result usually takes a longer period of time than might be expected. Unless they have had previous serious expressions of interest from suitors, the timing from start to completion can take up to three years.

The journey will involve assessing the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the business - not just as you lovingly see it but through the cold eyes of any potential acquirers. Be prepared for

the reality that this ‘health-check’ is likely to lead some adjustment to and re-configuration of company processes.

As well as being beneficial from an ongoing efficiency viewpoint, it also provides confidence that there are no nasty surprises lurking for any potential buyers that could trip you up, encourage them to reduce their valuation, or even cause them to withdraw from any deal.

As in any facet of life, timing is everything. When you decide putting the company up for sale is a critical factor too and needs to be aligned with a careful blend of business performance, external market conditions, availability and cost of funding if you are to maximise its value.

When the time arrives to solicit bids from prospective buyers, it’s important you are ready and willing to disclose appropriate information about the business. This will send a positive early message to them that you are dealing in good faith.

You should protect your own interests by getting any potential buyer to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before allowing them to access sensitive business data. This is particularly important where there is interest from suitors within the same industry sector as it’s not unheard of for competitors to indulge in a fishing trip without having any serious acquisition intention.

One of the most common points of failure in the process is deal fatigue which can result in a buyer eventually withdrawing their interest due to discussions becoming too protracted or onerous. You can mitigate this risk by carrying out thorough pre-sale preparations, having a good understanding of due

Business owners planning an exit strategy must be mindful of the fact that a successful result usually takes a longer period of time than might be expected.

diligence procedures, together with a commitment to turnaround and respond fully to buyers requests in good time.

Even better, you could demonstrate openness and professionalism by compiling a documentation pack with a comprehensive inventory of the business’s key indicators and assets and pre-empting the answers to questions that a buyer will be looking for including scalability (i.e. does a purchaser have scope to grow the business further?)

If you haven’t already done so, share your plans to sell the company with your accountants, legal and other advisers to ensure that the most appropriate structures are implemented to ensure you have the right advice and maximise tax efficiency on your eventual exit from the business.

The process will be very timeconsuming so in the meantime, regardless of whether you end up selling (or not), it’s 100% essential that you continue to manage and grow the business without allowing the significant focus you’ll need to have on preparing the exit strategy to become a distraction that can, in turn, damage performance and affect the basis of the company’s future valuation.

George Yule is a weel-kent business leader in the region. A past President of the Chamber, founding Chairman of Aberdeen Sports Village & Aquatics Centre overseeing its construction and former Executive Vice Chairman at AFC where his tenure included the club’s first silverware for 19 years!

He’s perhaps best-known however as Co-founder and CEO of Dominion Gas where he led a management buy-out and two subsequent acquisitions resulting ultimately in a satisfactory exit before joining ROMAR International as Executive Chairman to implement a growth strategy which also led to a successful exit for its owners.

Currently he is Managing Partner of BGE Consultancy providing non-executive director and exit strategy advice to SMEs.

The Chamber is currently considering adding this subject to our suite of training services.

Guest written by George Yule, Chamber Ambassador

If you are a business owner and this article chimed with you, please scan here to register your possible interest. This will be in total confidence.

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As well as helping our member businesses to be better through a range of activities, the Chamber is committed to investing a significant amount of energy in moving forward the economic growth agenda and lobbying for change on key issues to create the conditions for success. Our regional renaissance.

Without the support of our Premier Partners, we would not be able to undertake much of the good work that we do. Their engagement is hugely valued and appreciated.

Expro announces acquisition of DeltaTek Global

Energy services provider, Expro, has announced the acquisition of well construction cementing specialists DeltaTek Global.

The acquisition allows Expro to broaden its offering, capabilities, and technology portfolio within the well construction cementing sector, while accelerating DeltaTek’s international deployment ambitions through Expro’s global footprint.

Expro’s Chief Technology Officer Steve Russell said: “This is an exciting transaction for Expro that we believe will deliver real value to our combined customer base. The DeltaTek range of low-risk open water cementing solutions increases clients’ operational efficiency, delivers rig time and cost savings, and improves the quality of cementing operations for our clients.

“Today’s announcement expands our well construction cementing capabilities through DeltaTek’s open water cementing systems and techniques. These strengths, technologies and ambitions complement Expro and we are delighted to welcome the DeltaTek team to the Expro family.”

Aberdeen based DeltaTek has an experienced leadership team focused on developing and deploying cementing technologies to the offshore market, with operations across the UK, Norway, the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa and Asia Pacific.

Commenting on the acquisition, Tristam Horn, CEO and Founder, said: “The team and I are delighted to announce this milestone for DeltaTek. To join Expro, a leader in the industry, is a monumental moment for the company, our existing clients, and the wider industry as we continue to innovate and grow the Cure and ArticuLock portfolios to directly address well construction challenges. With Expro’s global footprint and strong customer base, we expect to deliver our technology to all operators across the entire well construction market through existing Expro channels, simplifying the global adoption of our value-adding services for our customers.”

STC INSISO secures £2million investment

Aberdeen-headquartered problem-solving company STC INSISO has announced a £2million investment from BGF to support a growth strategy focusing on the company’s everevolving suite of software products.

The firm’s products, which span culture, safety, and solutions to improve business processes and performance, are already used across industries including oil and gas, construction, marine and utilities.

Its COMET software platform, which will now receive an accelerated roll-out following BGF’s investment, generates high-quality input data to identify systemic risk and gives users a solid foundation for making sound decisions to ensure future incident prevention.

STC INSISO’s annual revenue for 2022 was £4million and that figure is predicted to grow significantly over the next two to four years.

The investment has already resulted in the creation of three new product development positions, and further recruitment will continue this year.

New discovery by North Sea Troll field

Equinor has made an oil and gas discovery close to the Troll field in the North Sea. This is the seventh discovery in this area since the autumn of 2019.

The name of the discovery is Røver Sør. According to preliminary estimates the size of the discovery is between 17 and 47 million barrels of recoverable oil equivalent, of which the majority is oil.

Equinor is operator of the production licence. The partners are DNO, Wellesley Petroleum and Petoro.

Geir Sørtveit, Equinor’s Senior Vice President for Exploration and Production West Operations, said: “Discoveries close to existing infrastructure are important to maintain oil and gas production from the Norwegian continental shelf. They need smaller volumes to be profitable and can be put on stream quickly with low carbon emissions. As this discovery is close to the Troll field and other discoveries we have made in the area, we can already now state that it will be commercial.”

Keith Barclay, Mark Rushton and Arrash Nekonam

Alistair Geddes and Tristam Horn

Welcome to the Chamber

Tyco Integrated Fire & Security (UK & Ireland)

Part of Tyco International Ltd, Tyco Fire & Integrated Solutions (UK) Ltd is headquartered in Manchester, North West, England and employs over 2,000 people across multiple locations in the U.K. and Ireland.

T 01224 295129

W www.tyco.no

E kai.webster@jci.com

C Kai Webster, Sales Coordinator – Sales Support, Global Product Sales

Aberdeen Local Wine School

Aberdeen Local Wine School offers fun and informal wine tastings and courses within Aberdeen City and the Shire. Aberdeen Local Wine School work with local businesses and venues to run events and offer a wide selection of courses, tastings and tailored wine tasting experiences for private and corporate groups.

T 01224 679187

W www.localwineschool.com/aberdeen

E aberdeen@localwineschool.com

C Anna Ferrier, Director, Owner and Chief Wine Tutor

Apollo Offshore Engineering

Apollo engineer smart, sustainable solutions for the energy sector, working across oil and gas, hydrogen and carbon capture, nuclear, and offshore renewables. Fuelled by a diverse and talented workforce, Apollo deliver transformational engineering projects.

T 01224 531777

W apollo-oe.com

E info@apollo.engineer

C Ryan Menzies, Managing Director

Kellas Midstream

Kellas Midstream is an independent energy infrastructure company that owns and operates critical midstream infrastructure, running it safely and efficiently while maximising return for its shareholders.

T 01224 084520

W www.kellasmidstream.com

E info@kellasmidstream.com

C Pauline Morrice, Senior Communications Advisor

Robert M Donaldson Ltd

RMD UK is an independent specialist in integrated power and cooling solutions. From small server rooms to cutting edge data centres, RMD is one of the few UK companies that can design, supply, install and maintain power and cooling.

T 01259 219362

W www.rmduk.com

E hello@rmduk.com

C Scot Docherty, Business Development

Womens Wellness Scotland

Women’s Wellness Scotland engage, educate and empower women in the community and women in business to be the best version of themselves. We all need to understand that the role of a woman in modern society is now emerging more powerful, fearless, confident, competitive, ambitious, zealous, and committed.

T 07968 606769

W linkaroo.me/donnachristie

E donnachristie64@yahoo.com

C Donna Christie, Wellness Advisor: Menopause Holistic Wellbeing Practitioner

ESWL Ltd

With strategic global locations and trained, dedicated account managers, ESWL allows you to align your internal resources towards a more strategic procurement approach.

T 01224 475770

W www.eswl-ltd.com

E sales@eswl-ltd.com

C Iain Dougary, Director

Moxy Communications

Moxy Communications help businesses develop the strategy and capabilities you need to deliver your organisation’s message with power, clarity and conviction.

T 07927 567888

W moxycommunications.com

E suzanne@moxycommunications.com

C Suzanne Edmond

Sealand Projects Limited

Sealand Projects brings together a combination of talents and skills working successfully over many years to support clients and projects worldwide. With experience in offshore and subsea engineering, Sealand Projects Limited have the skill-sets that are vital to meet the development needs of the present and future Ocean Economy.

T 01224 004999

W www.sealand-projects.com

E enquiries@sealand-projects.com

C Erika Lynch, Business Support Coordinator

Wallace Whittle Limited

Wallace Whittle is an independent consultancy, providing sustainable environmental building services engineering throughout the UK and beyond. Wallace Whittle was founded in 1964 on the guiding principles of providing excellence in Engineering Consultancy, including technical skill, communication, innovation, quality of service, value and client satisfaction. These principles have led the company to its position today as one of the UK’s leading providers of environmental building services solutions.

T 03304 605200

W www.wallacewhittle.com

E andy.forbes@wallacewhittle.com

C Andy Forbes, Director

Apache

North Sea Limited

Apache North Sea Limited’s mission is to grow a profitable global exploration and production company in a safe and environmentally responsible manner for the long-term benefit of its shareholders.

T 01224 505000

W www.apachecorp.com

E adele.howie@apachecorp.com

C Adele Howie, PA to UK Country Manager

Baxters Food Group

Since 1868, the Baxters family has dedicated itself to creating high quality products from their table to yours. What Baxters has grown together over four generations is an iconic brand that sits on shelves across the UK, maintaining our strong heritage while forging our future.

T 01343 820393

W www.baxters.com

E bill.king@baxters.co.uk

C Audrey Baxter, Chief Executive

Dana Petroleum

Dana Petroleum is an international oil and gas exploration company with operations in the UK, Norway, Netherlands, Egypt and Africa.

T 01224 616000

W www.dana-petroleum.com

E carol.reid@dana-petroleum.com

C Carol Reid, Executive and Team Assistant

Materials and Corrosion Protection Ltd

Materials and Corrosion Protection Ltd passionately care about the safety of our people and behave as safety leaders. The company provide people with the training, knowledge and tools to work safely and prevent accidents. They are also focused on assuring the safety of everything it designs, constructs, operates and maintains.

T 01224 465361

W mcpl.co.uk/home

E prab@mcpl.co.uk

C Patrick Rabindran, Director

Strachans Ltd

Established over 80 years ago, Strachans is now part of Wrist Ship Supply, a global leader in their sector with over 30 branches worldwide.

T 01779 485300

W www.strachans.co.uk

E stdo@strachans.co.uk

C Stuart Donaldson, Managing Director

Step Change in Safety

Step Change in Safety is a not-for-profit organisation established by the UK oil and gas industry, for the industry. For 25 years, the company has worked to positively influence offshore energy safety culture through active leadership, member collaboration and workforce engagement.

T 07817 667091

W www.stepchangeinsafety.net

E gillian@stepchangeinsafety.net

C Gillian Simpson

Harper UK

Working across various industries, including the oil and gas industry, food and drink and construction, Harper is committed to finding innovative solutions that enhance business performance and meet client specification. The company provides a range of services including mobilisations and demobilisations, design, equipment and project management.

T 01464 841304

W www.harperuk.com

E info@harperuk.com

C Kelly Murray

Passion 4 Social

Passion 4 Social’s mission is to create sustainable employment opportunities for disabled people and those with diverse backgrounds, which contribute to their feelings of inclusion, health, wellbeing, and quality of life.

T 01506 353625

W passion4social.com

E enquiries@passion4social.com

C Thiago Carmo

QHSE Scotland Ltd

QHSE Scotland are a new auditor training company, founded in January 2021, specialising in the ISO standards 9001, 14001 and 45001. The company offers the Chartered Quality Institute and International Register of Certificated Auditors (CQI & IRCA) certified auditor training to the energy and renewables industries here in the North East of Scotland.

T 01224 953255

W qhsescotland.com

E Caroline@qhsescotland.com

C Carole Stirton, Business Support Manager

Wood looking to grow Granite City workforce

The new boss of Aberdeen’s biggest company is predicting a bright future for the company and its home city.

Ken Gilmartin says that Wood, a leading engineering and consultancy group, is designing the future for many important industries all around the planet.

And all this is happening from the Granite City base, where the local workforce deal with projects from clients in dozens of countries.

Ken, who became Chief Executive last summer, said: “We are modelling tomorrow’s world from right here in Aberdeen.”

The CEO also predicted that the Granite City workforce could conceivably grow from 4,500 to 6,500 in the years ahead if enough workers with the right skill sets were available.

He said there are multiple benefits of Wood being based in the Aberdeen.

The boss explained: “We have proximity to key clients, access to a highly-skilled talent pool and our heritage as a long-standing member of a vibrant business community.”

The firm has come a long way since Sir Ian Wood saw the huge opportunity presented by the birth of the UK offshore oil industry in the 1970s.

The inspirational entrepreneur transformed the family-owned

fishing business into a multinational oil services company listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Wood now has an annual turnover of more than £4billion, and the order book for this year currently stands at nearly £5billion.

The worldwide workforce is now around 37,000, with more than 6,000 of them in the UK.

Over the decades, the group has continued to grow - and it may surprise many readers to discover that there is much more to Wood than just energy services.

Materials now makes up a third of the business, while energy services is responsible for the other twothirds.

Materials is a wide-ranging sector which takes in everything from designing facilities for pharmaceutical companies to delivering projects in the transportation and water sectors. But Ken was keen to highlight the continuing importance of the company’s North Sea operations, which have an offshore workforce of 1,100 - making up almost a quarter of the Aberdeen team. The CEO said: “Wood has a long heritage in Aberdeen. It’s where it all started, and it will continue to be a key hub moving forward.

“In 2022, we booked around £500million in contract awards in UK oil and gas upstream and midstream projects - the majority of which are in the North Sea, managed from our Aberdeen HQ.

“This part of our business was resilient through the pandemic and, with a growing backlog of work and pipeline of opportunities, we are focused on attracting and retaining skilled people.”

Asked if the North Sea windfall taxes on oil and gas producers had impacted Wood to date, Ken stated: “It has had little direct impact, but we are keeping a close eye on how it influences the capital investment decisions that our clients make on the UK Continental Shelf moving forward.

“Our heritage and track record in the UK remains - we had a 100% retention rate on all of our North Sea contracts in 2022, meaning it’s still a strong market for Wood.”

Cutting carbon emissions is a topic rarely out of the news headlines, and it is a subject very much in Ken’s mind.

He said: “Moving towards a lower-carbon and ultimately net zero future is an environmental imperative - and a tremendous business opportunity for Wood.

“It’s a growth driver in all our regions across the globe, including here in the UK.

“We’re working on multiple projects that support the journey towards net zero - these can range from technical solutions to reduce flaring on operational oil and gas assets, repurposing pipeline infrastructure to transport hydrogen, and processing minerals like copper and lithium that will be key to meeting

rising demand for electric vehicles, battery storage and solar panels.

“From an energy transition perspective, we are particularly focused on the opportunities in hydrogen, carbon capture and wider decarbonisation solutions.

“The latter will include the use of renewables to help power operational assets - a good example of this includes our work with Equinor on Hywind Tampen where we are modifying offshore platforms so they can be powered by an offshore windfarm.”

The CEO said Wood’s teams in Aberdeen are currently working on world-class projects in more than 50 countries.

“That ability to make an impact globally and to export our expertise is inspiring - and provides brilliant opportunities for our people.”

Ken said one impact of the pandemic was the upturn in international work for Wood’s Aberdeen teams.

He explained: “Before CV19, you had to be based locally in many countries to land professional services work. But all that has changed now.

“This is also helping us on the recruitment front - the first question we are often asked at interviews is: ‘What projects will I be working on? The more complex the work, the more it seems to interest potential new employees.”

But Wood - like many other British businesses - is still feeling the impact of skill shortages.

The boss said the group currently has around 1,000 vacancies across its UK operations. It is actively recruiting for a range of professional and technical roles, both onshore and offshore. Recruitment initiatives include early-careers teams working with universities and colleges to attract graduates to Wood.

So, what does Ken see as the biggest opportunities for Wood in the UK and internationally going forward?

He said: “There are tremendous opportunities across many parts of our business.

“At the end of last year, we set out a new strategy and identified a potential addressable market opportunity of around $230billion over the next three years across our core end markets.

“In energy, we are prioritising opportunities in oil and gas, hydrogen and carbon capture. In materials, we will focus on the chemicals, minerals and lifesciences sectors.

“Across both markets, we see significant growth potential linked to the themes of decarbonisation and digitalisation.

“From a geographic perspective, we are optimistic about the opportunities in many parts of the world, but see highest growth potential in North America, the Middle East and the UK.”

Wood’s current expansion plans have a focus on organic growth, instead of acquisitions.

The CEO also shared some of his views on the economy in the Aberdeen area.

On the unsuccessful North-east bid for a green freeport, Ken said it was disappointing.

Our heritage and track record in the UK remainswe had a 100% retention rate on all of our North Sea contracts in 2022, meaning it’s still a strong market for Wood.

Ken Gilmartin, CEO, Wood Group PLC

He added: “It was an attractive proposition and would have been an important building block. But Aberdeen is resilient and has come through much tougher moments.

“There are still plenty of other opportunities that the city can and should be excited about.”

The boss was keen to stress that Aberdeen continues to have a global reputation as a centre of excellence for the energy sector.

He said: “It has a great track record of innovation and entrepreneurship. That, more than government decisions (on taxation), is what will continue to make Aberdeen a thriving city moving forward. The future is in our own hands, and we should embrace it.

“We can and should be optimistic - the energy transition represents a significant opportunity for the local economy.

“With the right support, it could be a bright new dawn that delivers economic, social and environmental benefits to the region.

“The energy transition will create many other opportunities for Aberdeen.

“Aberdeen’s location, heritage and the expertise within the local economy means it can play a leading role across the energy value chain.

“Globally, the demand for energy is on an upward trajectory - so there will be exciting opportunities for the city across oil and gas, renewables and in fast-emerging areas like hydrogen, bio-based fuels and carbon capture.

“Many Aberdeen-based companies like Wood export talent, goods and services all over the world. We have an international economy and need to continue to capitalise on those opportunities.”

Ken Gilmartin might have been lost to the business world if his childhood dream had come true.

As a youngster growing up in Ireland, the Wood boss wanted to be a professional football player.

He said: “I played goalkeeper at a good level at college and also when I worked in Germany, but playing for Sligo Rovers remains an unfulfilled dream (for now).”

Ken joined Wood as Chief Operating Officer in August 2021 before his promotion to CEO last July.

He previously worked for nearly 15 years with American international technical professional services firm Jacobs, latterly as Executive Vice President based in Philadelphia.

The boss said he joined Wood because he could see the great potential in the company, knowing the value of the skills and expertise required to deliver complex and critical projects, operations, and consultancy solutions.

So, what is the best part about leading the Aberdeen group?

He replied: “The people - meeting our teams, hearing what drives them and learning more about the incredible work we are doing for our clients.”

And the worst part?

The CEO said: “I’m away from home a lot. I’ve travelled a lot throughout my career so as a family we are used to it, but it never makes it easier.

Ken said that he has always been hungry to learn and take on roles that challenged him.

“As I moved through my career, assuming executive leadership roles and ultimately becoming CEO, was a natural progression of this journey and that commitment to lifelong development.”

Ken now lives in Aberdeen, and he said: “It is a great city and there’s lots to enjoy in Aberdeenshire as well.

“I’ve managed to explore parts of the region over the last six months and a few things struck me.

“The proximity to the beach and the hills is a huge plus, there are plenty of fantastic golf courses, and the warm welcome from the local people reminds me of growing up in Ireland.

“In terms of the city centre, it’s encouraging to see the effort that’s going in to regenerating parts impacted by the pandemic.

“This is not a challenge that’s unique to Aberdeen, but the focus on reimagining the city centre in a way that reflects what local people want from the environment can be a real boost for the future of the city moving forward.”

Partnership with cancer charity

PwC Scotland has launched a partnership with Young Lives vs Cancer.

The professional services firm, which has offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, has entered into a two-year collaboration with the organisation North of the border, following a Scotland-wide staff vote to select a new charity to support.

Over the course of 2023 and 2024, PwC staff across Scotland will raise funds for the charity, as well as taking part in skills-based volunteering, offering relevant expertise to Young Lives vs Cancer and the families it supports.

The partnership represents one of Young Lives vs Cancer’s largest corporate partnerships in Scotland. The charity helps children and young people aged up to 25 years, and their families, with the things they need most while going through cancer - from financial support to help with living costs and hospital visits to advocacy, emotional and bereavement support.

Jason Morris, Regional Market Leader at PwC Scotland, said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Young Lives vs Cancer for the next two years and, given the charity was selected by a majority vote of our staff in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, we know everyone will put their full support behind the partnership.

“Linking up with Young Lives vs Cancer gives us a unique opportunity to make a real difference - going beyond simply raising funds - although that’s a massive priority. Our employees will also offer up their skills and expertise to the charity and the families it supports.”

CHAP back in black

Westhill based construction company CHAP Group, saw annual turnover increase by 21% to £45.7million during the financial year to September 30, 2022.

The firm also recorded pre-tax profits of £152,000 compared to losses of £705,000 previously.

CHAP Managing Director Hugh Craigie said: “We are delighted to see the Group return to profit after three challenging, CV19-affected, years. Year-on-year turnover growth is early evidence of our strategic plan beginning to pay dividends.”

Aberdeen planning consultancy refocuses

Owners of an award-winning planning consultancy have announced a refocus of their activities with sights set firmly on emerging technology and renewables infrastructure.

Aurora Planning’s Founding Directors Maggie Bochel and Pippa Robertson decided on the refocus as they embarked on their sixth year in business.

Maggie Bochel said: “We’ve had the pleasure of working on a very diverse range of projects from securing the first planning permission for a vertical launch spaceport in the UK, to consents for home improvements which significantly improve the quality of life that the people living in those homes enjoy.

“We live and breathe planning and have loved every minute of the diversity of the work we’ve been involved in but have now decided to focus on two core sectors.”

Pippa Robertson added: “As a new wave of technology and infrastructure comes we are there along with them ensuring the future of Scotland’s sustainability infrastructure.

“It’s really exciting to be part of building new frontiers and this reflects our commitment to ensuring that development delivers for tomorrow, as well as for today.

“At the same time, we will continue to support projects that deliver community and social benefits, including community-led development projects and charitable work.”

Help needed for UK energy supply-chain companies

British energy supply-chain companies are facing a variety of tough headwinds in today’s difficult economic environment.

Trade body Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) has highlighted that there is a lack of confidence across the sector.

Supply-chain contract margins are being eroded by high inflation, while firms have reported that operating costs have jumped by up to 20% since early 2021. And other woes include higher post-Brexit administrative costs.

Katy Heidenreich, OEUK’s Supply Chain and People Director, said: “We are seeing businesses battling to control inflation and, at a national level, we know Brexit has had an impact - making it harder to import and export goods and take advantage of business opportunities within EU countries.

“Most recently, companies or all sizes in our sector have been hit by the uncertainty created by the increase of the energy profits levy when we were already the most highlytaxed industry in the UK.”

OEUK says more action is now needed from both government and industry to support supply-chain firms in playing a critical role in sustaining oil and gas activity while helping to build the UK’s low-carbon future energy systems.

Katrina Murray, Carol Jones, Jason Morris, Scott Gibbins and Margo Connell

Last year was generally good for deals, although it tailed off somewhat towards the end. We all appreciate that investments can go up as well as down. Yet, even so, investors want as much certainty as possible. Therefore, with the political upheaval as prime ministers came and went, and a mini-Budget causing financial turmoil on top of already challenging economic conditions, it wasn’t surprising investors seemed to press pause. With the landscape becoming a bit more settled, it’s likely deal activity will pick up again. The motivations are still there for acquisitions. Complementary businesses continue to be packaged up as a group for subsequent disposal. There is consolidation for greater market share across all industry sectors - and not just oil and gas related - with dental practices, retail pharmacies and packaging seeing a lot of activity lately. However, it will be interesting to see whether oil and gas, for so long the major driver of deals in the North-east, will continue to be so dominant. Much is said about the energy transition, and certainly the move to renewables is gaining traction - as it must, given net zero targets. It’s likely we’ll see more diversification as traditional oil and gas sector players look to move into greener markets.

Jody Mitchell, Partner, Ledingham Chalmers LLP

Last year’s stand-out transaction was Ithaca Energy’s listing on the London Stock Exchange. It was fairly remarkable given the background of economic and political uncertainty we were navigating. However, Ithaca was in a strong position due to the quality of its management team and a superb track record of executing a number of well-considered acquisitions over the last decade, which transformed the business into one of the leading operators on the UK Continental Shelf. It’s unlikely we will see deals of a similar stature in 2023, certainly in the first half, with corporates more cautious about rushing to the markets because of continued economic uncertainty. On a positive note, the Ithaca listing did underline a renewed appetite for investing in oil and gas, and I think we will continue to see in 2023 a broader range of investment funds returning to hydrocarbons, with an uptick in takeover activity, especially in the oil services companies space where investors will feel they can extract value more efficiently in the private domain. The pivot by oil services firms to a more sustainable renewable energies-focused future is still in full swing and those companies which have demonstrated versatility in entering this lucrative market, and which can make full use of the transferability of skills and technologies from oil and gas to renewables, will attract the attention of investors.

Rosalie Chadwick, Partner and Global Head of Oil and Gas, Pinsent Masons LLP

Like most corporate practices, our team at Aberdein Considine had an extremely busy 2022 underpinned by a strong local M&A market. Activities we would highlight as notable in this regard for Q4 of 2022 would be advising Vulcan Completion Products on its equity investment from Sawafi, advising the shareholders of Cable Solutions in its disposal to Dron & Dickson and advising Porter Pharmacy on the acquisition from Lloyds of its Westhill operation. Despite the significant macroeconomic headwinds, this trend has continued into 2023, and we have a strong pipeline of activity through Q1 and Q2. Across the supply chain in the energy sector, there is a continued push to diversify - in particular to acquire or invest in businesses with green energy and renewables capabilities. That, combined with the bounce in the part of the supply chain serving the traditional oil and gas market, has certainly created a fertile environment for M&A discussions. There is no doubt, however a nervousness across the North-east, as to the potential ripple effect of some of the recent policy decisions coming out of Westminster and Holyrood. I think we would all welcome the confidence boost which would come with some long-term and strategic political support for the region’s business community.

Ritchie Whyte, Partner and Head of Corporate, Aberdein Considine

What are your thoughts on the mergers and acquisitions market in the Aberdeen area?

Financial planning experts win award for fifth year

Acumen Financial Planning has won the New Model Adviser award (Scotland and Northern Ireland) for the fifth time. Having competed against a variety of firms across the UK, Acumen Financial Planning was commended by the judges for their willingness to share best practice, client education and recruitment. They were also praised for their contribution to professional standards, employee development, investment propositions, client service propositions and good use of technology.

Keith Mackie, a Director of Acumen Financial Planning said: “Winning the New Model Adviser award for the fifth time is a huge honour.

“At Acumen Financial Planning we are advocates for financial planning and continue to ensure financial planning advice is accessible to all, be it those beginning their financial planning journey, through to those who are looking to pass on their accumulated wealth to loved ones.

“To be able to provide financial education to both clients and local communities is very rewarding.“Our work within local schools is something we are particularly proud of, and we look forward to continuing this in 2023. I would like to thank all our dedicated staff for their commitment, hard work and continued support.”

Local restaurant added to Michelin Guide

Aberdeen-based restaurant Amuse by Kevin Dalgleish has been featured in the 2023 Michelin Guide for Great Britain and Ireland.

Amuse is an informal restaurant complete with a contemporary bar, private dining space, and intimate outdoor area. His menus highlight the best local and regional Scottish produce available from land to sea, with a touch of classic French flavours.

Kevin Dalgleish has been one of the North-east of Scotland’s most prominent chefs for the last two decades. After training under the legendary Anton Edelman at The Savoy in London, he moved back to Scotland as Head Chef for 10 years at the exclusive Ackergill Tower. In 2012, Kevin joined The Chester Hotel in Aberdeen as Executive Chef before opening his first restaurant, Amuse, in Queens Terrace last July.

Project underway to deliver enhanced health services in Moray

A project team has been brought together to support the construction of an MRI facility and full refurbishment of the mental health ward at Dr Gray’s Hospital.

A project board was set up to progress work at a senior level on these interlinked plans at the end of last year and the project team met for the first time in January.

A working group bringing together colleagues from Royal Cornhill Hospital and Moray’s mental health services is also making progress, with a workshop planned for early February. This will look in detail at how best to maintain safe mental health service provision during the building works.

An initial site visit with architects and project team members took place recently at Dr Gray’s. A report will be presented to Grampian NHS Board in the coming months and the aim is for it to be possible for work on the MRI construction to begin in May this year.

Simon Bokor-Ingram, who leads the Moray portfolio for NHS Grampian and is Chief Officer for Health and Social Care Moray, explained: “These projects will be a huge asset to the community, and we are looking forward to working with a range of partners to deliver the very best facilities we can on the Dr Gray’s site. The MRI construction will be made possible through National Treatment Centre funding while the mental health ward work represents a capital investment by NHS Grampian. This joint project is just one example of ongoing investment and improvement works to ensure Moray health services are fit for the future.”

The MRI facility is a highly anticipated development; not only for radiology staff but also for patients waiting for treatment across Scotland.

Simon added: “We are making every possible effort to progress these works at speed. It is also essential we take the time to ensure those accessing mental health services continue to receive safe and clinically appropriate services during the construction period. The work in progress to ensure we maintain safe mental health service provision is extensive and demands the input and expertise of ward staff, senior clinicians and primary care professionals, as well as being appropriately informed by those with lived experience of accessing services and services we work in partnership with.”

Seaway7 awarded offshore wind contract

Seaway 7, part of the Subsea7 Group, has announced that it has been awarded a large contract for an undisclosed offshore wind farm project. The scope includes the transport and installation of inner-array and export power cables and respective cable protection systems. Operations on the project are expected to commence in 2023 and continue through 2024 and 2025. The contract is subject to final investment decision by the client.

David Gow, Rhian Morgan, Sandy Robertson, Kevin McKenzie and Keith Mackie

Property management and lettings business changes

hands

Oldmeldrum headquartered property management and lettings business, PMC, has been bought over by two of the firm’s Directors for an undisclosed sum.

Managing Director, Neale Bisset and Finance Director, Annette Hudson are now owners of the business, following their five-year tenure as Directors. The management buyout follows the death of the company’s previous owner, Martin Rochfort, in July 2020. Neale and Annette, will now both hold the title of Co-Chairman.

PMC Property Management & Lettings currently operates across Scotland, managing properties in areas including Inverness, Dundee, Glasgow, Perth, and Fife, along with a large number of developments across the North-east. Under the leadership of Neale and Annette, the company has experienced significant growth, with the factoring division growing by 20% to include both residential and commercial properties, and the lettings division doubling in size.

Neale said, “We have worked hard to establish ourselves as an independent and trustworthy property management and lettings company, operating throughout the country. As a business, PMC strives to support and form relationships with trusted contractors who are local to our properties, which has also enhanced our reputation amongst clients.”

PMC has recently rebranded to fit with their business mindset and set themselves apart as a bespoke, independent company within the property management sector. The team won several prestigious industry awards in 2022 and has recently recruited more staff to support their expansion.

Annette said “We invest in our staff, and offer training and wellbeing support, which is important to all of us as we plan to recruit further. I look forward to growing the business across Scotland this year and sharing our plans for more service offerings in the near future.”

Recent recruitment has brought PMC’s headcount to 27 across its four Scottish offices.

OPITO and NESA working together for a clearer, brighter future

Global safety and skills body OPITO and the National Energy Skills Accelerator (NESA) have announced a partnership which will provide clarity and support to both the workforce and employers looking to maximise the opportunities presented by the energy transition.

OPITO and NESA share a common purpose to ensure the skills system evolves and adapts at pace to thrive in the net zero era. The two organisations complimentary projects of OPITO’s Energy Skills Passport and NESA’s Just Transition and Scottish Funding Council Pathfinder pilots provide the foundations for building this natural partnership. Bringing together their collective knowledge, expertise, and experience, OPITO and NESA aim to prove the strength of collaborations in achieving a just energy transition.

Prof John Underhill, NESA Chair and University of Aberdeen’s Director of Energy Transition, said: “This partnership demonstrates both organisations commitment to collaboration. NESA strongly believes that the sum is greater than the parts, and we feel privileged to stand side by side with OPITO to address future energy skills needs. Together we will converge on a common, consistent platform that clearly communicates opportunities for the energy transition.”

John McDonald, CEO of OPITO, said: “In the North Sea Transition Deal’s Integrated People and Skills Strategy, we outlined that UK offshore energy jobs are forecast to grow to more than 211,000 by 2030. We recognise that there is much to do to streamline the skills landscape and ensure training is safe, effective and accessible to meet the demands of an integrated energy sector. Meeting this challenge will require renewed focus on collaboration and that is why our partnership with NESA is an important step to realising this ambition.”

Befriend a Child’s Big Kids Ball returns for 2023

Local children’s charity, Befriend a Child, has announced the return of their annual Big Kids Ball for 2023, and revealed that guests will enjoy a Willy Wonka-themed evening.

Those who purchase a golden ticket for the event on the May 19 will be immersed in a world of pure imagination at iconic Aberdeen venue, The Chester Hotel. Attendees will be welcomed by Befriend a Child to the wonders of Wonkaland, enjoying a three-course dinner, entertainment, and dancing.

The charity, which provides befriending and mentoring programmes, group activities and family support for disadvantaged children, confirmed that W M Donald will be headline sponsor of the Ball for the second year running.

Tickets can be purchased from Befriend a Child’s website.

Neale Bisset and Annette Hudson

Dougie Craighead, Managing Consultant and Lead Tutor, QHSE Scotland

When was your business established?

QHSE Scotland was established in January 2021.

What does your business do?

QHSE Scotland provide professional management systems and auditor training courses which are

independently certified by the CQI and IRCA. Our courses are designed and developed by our own tutors, all of whom are also practising auditors and consultants.

What sort of companies do you do business with?

Our clients are companies from all sectors who have, or are seeking to implement, one or more of the ISO management systems standards. Typically, they are organisations who are seeking to invest in the development and competence of their people by providing access to certified professional courses.

What is the biggest challenge facing your business at the moment?

Building the QHSE Scotland reputation and promoting our training partner approval with the CQI and IRCA which is our unique selling point in the North of Scotland.

And the biggest opportunity?

To offer businesses in the North of Scotland a cost effective and internationally recognised certified training solution provided by a company who understands the importance of supporting the local economy. Moreover, supporting our clients in their journey towards being carbon neutral by reducing or indeed eliminating the need to travel.

What are you most passionate and proud of?

In the space of 12 months, we have achieved certification for 75% of our course offering and trained over 200 auditors from foundation to professional level. In addition, we have successfully transitioned our professional level courses to the new examination format introduced globally by the CQI and IRCA.

Andy Watson,Operations Manager, Aberdeen, MRS Training & Rescue

When was your business established?

MRS Training & Rescue’s history is firmly rooted in the mining industry and the company can trace its origins in Scotland back to 1910, where it supplied a national mines rescue service. With a gradual decline of the coal mines over many years, the company has expanded and

diversified to meet the needs of today’s health and safety market.

What does your business do?

Drawing on more than a century of expertise gained working in complex and high-risk environments, we specialise in confined space training, consultancy and rescue arrangements along with a range of other health and safety related services.

What sort of companies do you do business with?

Our clients are drawn from a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, renewables, nuclear, aerospace, manufacturing and utilities throughout the UK and overseas.

What is the biggest challenge at the moment?

The principles of keeping people safe remain the same regardless of sector, yet the speed of the corporate journey and market entry often play a part in dictating what training may be selected. A key challenge is for employers to recognise that health and

safety training is a fundamental part of any safe system of work and to ensure all employees are not only trained but competent. It is vital that any training is not a box ticking exercise, but also gives the opportunity to test their new skills in a safe and controlled environment.

And the biggest opportunity?

We are well known in most of the UK but new to Aberdeen, so growing awareness of what we do, our expertise and skills and providing our services to the market here is our biggest opportunity. Now more than ever, it’s crucial for employers to ensure that their people lie at the heart of their energy transition aspirations by arming them with transferrable skills which are recognised, regulated and have a delegate’s name on them.

When was your business established?

Aberdeen Cyrenians was founded in 1968. We initially set up as a soup kitchen run and organised by students from the University of Aberdeen.

What does your business do?

We are a local charity and social care services provider, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

What sort of companies do you do business with?

We work for the Health and Social Care Partnership providing essential social care services, such as Care at Home and working with ex-offenders. However, as a charity, we offer a number of other services that are delivered by grant/trust/foundation awards and with the support of a number of different corporate partners who help us in a variety of ways. Shameless plug – we are always looking to build new corporate relationships and work with companies that share our values and who take ESG and corporate responsibility seriously, so if that’s you…. get in touch!

What is the biggest challenge at the moment?

Like every charity, we are being hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis. Our operating costs are spiralling, and we are having to work ten times as hard to secure the income that we need to provide vital services. That unfortunately leaves us in a position where we are having to regularly review the services that we provide and the

numbers of people that we support, making changes to ensure we are financially sustainable. That’s by far the toughest aspect of my job – having to make decisions based on finances and resources that I know will impact on people.

And the biggest opportunity?

We have seen the demand for some of our services increase by up to 600% and whilst the finances for those services haven’t necessarily kept pace, we have adapted and evolved, finding new and innovative ways of working to try and maximise our reach. I’m humbled by the work of our organisation and very lucky to work with some of the most talented and creative people in the third sector. Throughout CV19 and beyond, the organisation upped its game to respond to local need and that’s something that we are very proud of.

When was your business established?

DST-CHEMICALS were founded in 1987 in Kolding, Denmark. As a global company, our subsidiaries and sales offices are found in most of Europe as well as in India and the USA .

What does your business do?

We specialise in the production of

eco-friendly speciality chemical consumables. We have a wide product portfolio including products for degreasing, derusting and deburring.

What sort of companies do you do business with?

Our customers are across different industries from large blue chip industrial manufacturers to small businesses that carry out cleaning activities. We work with companies in the automotive, rail, oil and gas, manufacturing and remanufacturing industries.

What is the biggest challenge at the moment?

Our products support many different industries, all of which are present in the North-east of Scotland. Ensuring we make ourselves visible and available will be the biggest exercise initially as we are new to this part of the world.

And the biggest opportunity?

The wide range of industries that we can provide our eco-friendly products

to in the North-east and wider Scotland and UK makes it a very exciting time for DST -CHEMICALS.

What are you most passionate and proud of?

The company’s key value proposition is to provide a highly efficient product range combined with state-of-the-art service and unmatched technical knowhow, whilst reducing CO2 emissions and wastewater production.

What has been most valuable to you as members of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce?

Previous companies I have worked for always found the Chamber a great way of connecting and showcasing their products and services so as a new player in this area we believe it was a no brainer to get the membership in place and start to use it as much as we possibly can.

Chris Bennett-Taylor, Chief Executive, Aberdeen Cyrenians

Michael Muir, International Sales Manager, DST-CHEMICALS

Aberdeen property prices up 4%... but what happens next?

Aberdeen property prices bucked the national trend and rose by nearly 4% last year, newly released data has confirmed.

Despite substantial economic headwinds, new figures from the ASPC show that over the course of 2022, property prices in the Granite City increased by 3.9% amid a flurry of new activity in the North Sea energy sector.

They also show a recovery from the market slump experienced following the oil downturn in 2014/15, with prices now showing as being up 1.2% over a five-year period.

However, there are further signs of the post-CV19 property rush coming to an end, with the number of transactions in Q4 2022 falling by -20.6% on Q4 2021.

John MacRae, Chairman of ASPC, welcomed the data as “evidence of resilience” in the North-east market.

‘Better than expected’

“The report released by the Centre for Real Estate Research at the University of Aberdeen Business

School, for the fourth quarter of the 2022, while showing a slight downward shift in our local housing market, compared to the third quarter, in fact contains evidence of a degree of resilience,” he said.

“Bearing in mind the severe dislocation to money markets, caused by the Kwarteng mini budget, and the consequent reaction of mortgage lenders, most folk were expecting housing markets to be badly hit. There have been reports of serious dislocation in England, and we expected to see something similar here.

“What we have seen, however, is a market that has shown some signs of lessening activity, but other signs of maintaining, broadly speaking, the modest recovery shown throughout 2022.

“The fourth quarter is expected to be quieter due to perfectly normal seasonal fluctuations. What we see, therefore, this year, could be explained in those terms. I think we need to be careful not to read too much, either way, into the fourth quarter figures.

“I think we must expect there to have been some impact from the financial uncertainties, and we should acknowledge that, just at present, it is difficult to be able to say anything definite about the fourth quarter figures, other than they are, perhaps, better than we might have expected.”

Robust start to 2023

And Mr MacRae said the early figures for Q1 2023 suggest a robust start to the new year.

He added: “At the time of writing, January 31, 2023, our records show that 2023 is starting off in a fairly normal way, with insertions building and sales, naturally, lagging behind. So far so good.

“Purely on instinct, I feel our local market has performed reasonably well, given external factors, and I think we should expect activity to continue, at reasonably normal levels.”

Property breakfast

If you want to hear more about what the property market will do in 2023, join Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce for a special property breakfast this month.

The keynote speaker will be James Sproule, Chief Economist at Handelsbanken, who served as a Business Adviser to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

We will also be bringing together a panel of local property experts from both the commercial and residential property sectors.

Scan the QR code below to book your place!

Property Business Breakfast

March 09, 2023 | 07:00 - 09:00

With property prices predicted to tumble across the UK in 2023, can Aberdeen buck the trend once again? Join our panel of residential and commercial property experts, and financiers, to hear what this year has in store.

Energy Transition 37 Business Breakfast

May 23, 2023 | 07:00 - 09:00

The dash for gas triggered by Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine has moved energy security to the top of the government’s priority list – so what impact has this had on our energy transition?

How Westminster Works

July 5, 2023 | 07:00 - 09:00

Join us for this exclusive Business Breakfast where we will explore how power works in the UK with one of parliament’s most notorious figures (and voices), John Bercow. Orrrdduuuuuurrrrrr.......

2023 UK Economic Outlook

October 5, 2023 | 07:00 - 09:00

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.

Energy Transition 38 Business Breakfast

November 14, 2023 | 07:00 - 09:00

Two years on from COP26 in Glasgow, is the UK on the right path to hit its ambitious net zero targets? Or has the UK Government’s drive to produce more oil and gas domestically put the brakes on the energy transition?

Business Breakfast: Inside the BBC

December 14, 2023 | 07:00 - 09:00

Join us for this special Business Breakfast to hear how BBC boss Tim Davie has navigated some of the most difficult corporate challenges imaginable, whilst plotting a digital future for this pillar of British life.

Book your tickets at www.agcc.co.uk/events

New first minister must make the economy a priority…

The old saying goes that all political careers end in failure.

To apply that to a political giant like Nicola Sturgeon, who has won eight elections and spent 16 years in power, feels flippant.

In an age where integrity in public life has been eroded so much, she was seen as a leader with decency and humanity.

You can argue with many of her policy choices, but you cannot argue that she is motivated by anything other than a desire to make Scotland better.

However, as she made reference to herself, for everyone who will miss her, there is probably someone who won’t.

Her relationship with Scotland’s business community has been fraught in recent years, fractured in many ways by CV19 policies which placed such a heavy burden on companies as financial support faded away.

Repeated attempts since to “reset” the relationship between government and business have never lasted more than a few weeks before being undermined by policy decisions.

This is reflected in the fact that as she leaves office, she is at loggerheads with the two industries for which this country is best-known; the drinks sector and the oil and gas industry.

For someone who has always excelled at centre of many of this country’s polarising debates, in recent months she has made crucial missteps in areas where public opinion is binary.

The North Sea is clearly one. Almost nine out of 10 people believe that oil and gas used in this country should be produced here, rather than imported from overseas.

Despite this, Ms Sturgeon and her government have proposed a presumption against future oil and gas exploration in the UK Continental Shelf.

And I’d press you to find many people who think that the alcohol advertising ban is a good idea in a nation famed the world over for its whisky.

For all she has sought to do right by Scotland, I think it is a fair criticism to say that on these issues, she has been tin-eared to the concerns of business.

She was a tribal leader for tribal times - but we now need cool economic head to navigate difficult fiscal terrain.

Kate Forbes has shown herself to be a very capable Finance Secretary and at the time of writing appears to be an early contender to take the hotseat.

Sturgeon has herself privately intimated that Forbes, a Highlander and fluent Gaelic speaker, is the most talented of her potential successors. The outgoing first minister respects her finance minister’s clarity of thought, precision and rigorous attention to detail, according to commentators.

Alex Massie wrote that she is one of the very few members of the Scottish Government who instinctively appreciates the value and necessity of commerce.

“Economic prosperity is not an inevitability,” she says.

Language like that is refreshing to hear.

And comments she made last year during a dinner held by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce offer hope of a different approach to businesses here in the North-east.

She told business leaders there is as an “enormous opportunity” to attract investment in low carbon technologies, saying that COP26 had demonstrated the markets are

For all she has sought to do right by Scotland, I think it is a fair criticism to say she has been tin-eared to the concerns of businesses, particularly in recent years.

“serious” about investing trillions in renewables in the coming decades.

Several European nations – including Finland and Denmark – are seeking to become low carbon energy hubs as the world pivots towards new energy sources.

However, Forbes suggested that the skills, people and companies rooted in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire put it ahead in the race to become Europe’s net zero capital.

“The North-east is the perfect location,” she told guests at a leadership dinner we held in July 2022.

“Not just within Scotland, not just within the United Kingdom, but actually across the world in terms of bringing together talent, ingenuity, innovation and resilience.”

I agree – and wish this thinking had been reflected when Scotland Green Freeports were being selected, and the energy strategy was being drafted.

Whoever the new leader is, the economy must be their number one priority. And the North-east can be front and centre of delivering a prosperous new era for Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon

Ryan Crighton, Director of Policy and Marketing, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce

their potential ACTIVATE

If you want to keep your kids motivated to move in 2023 look no further than the world-class-facility ASV.

From Kids Lifestyle Memberships to taking part in Sports Camps or participating in a choice of activities from the Kids Programme - there is something for all! Children with a Kids Lifestyle membership benefit from 20% discount on all ASV Sports and Aquatics Camps during the school holidays.

at ASV with a range of sports and fitness activities to suit all children aberdeensportsvillage.com/asv-kids

EASTER HOLIDAY SPORTS CAMPS ON SALE

Companies are still being bought and sold, even in the current unsettled economic environment where Britain and other countries around the world are all going through uncertain times.

Times may be tough, but firms on an expansion drive may see this as perfect time to snap up toiling rivals at a bargain-basement price, while other businesses looking to slim down their operations may wish to offload non-core assets to free up muchneeded cash.

Deals come in all shapes and sizes, and we recently saw a notable achievement for Aberdeen’s Ithaca Energy when it became the largest company to float on the London Stock Exchange in 2022.

However, mergers and acquisitions activity in the UK did drop considerably last year from its recordsetting 2021 back to pre-pandemic levels.

It was also a year of changing fortunes in the M&A field in Britainactivity slowed down considerable in H2 compared to H1.

PwC reports that the UK had 4,232 transactions during 2022, compared to 5,033 for the previous year - a 16% decline.

Deal volume for H1 was also much higher than H2, with 2,394 transactions completed in H1 compared to 1,838 in H2.

There were £93.5billion worth of British deals in H1 compared to £51.4billion in H2 - bringing the total value for the year to £144.9billion. However, this figure was down 56% compared to the record £332.1billion in 2021.

The worldwide M&A market also experienced a sizeable M&A drop in 2022.

The value of transactions plunged to $3.8trillion (£3.15trillion) from $5.9trillion (£4.89trillion) in 2021 - a 36% drop.

Bain & Company commented that, after a blockbuster year for M&A in 2021, the first five months of 2022 reflected continued strong dealmaking activity around the planet.

The big turning point was said to have occurred on June 16, 2022, when an interest-rate hike by the US Federal Reserve Bank, combined with heightened macroeconomic uncertainty, put a chill on the deal market.

Megadeals greater than $10billion (£8.3billion) went on pause while smaller deals slowed. Deal multiples tempered. Yet volumes dropped by only 12%, suggesting resilience and commitment among dealmakers.

In April, Ithaca Energy announced it had reached an agreement to take over Siccar Point Energy for up to $1.46billion (£1.21billion) to position it as one of the leading exploration and production operators in the UK North Sea through the addition of

four of the country’s largest fields to its portfolio.

Then, in November, Ithaca defied volatile markets with Britain’s largest initial public offering of 2022.

Ithaca’s IPO gave the company an initial valuation of £2.45billion.

Other deals for North Sea assets could be on the cards for 2023, but they may be hampered by factors including uncertainty resulting from the UK Government’s new windfall tax on oil and gas operators and Labour’s opposition to fresh investment in the production of hydrocarbons.

Also, the Scottish Government’s “presumption” against new exploration for oil and gas will not have inspired confidence in investors who potentially wish to invest in the basin.

Earlier this month, CNOOC is reported to have paused a planned sale of its UK North Sea portfolio, which could have been valued at as much as £2.4billion in a deal. Initial offers failed to meet the Chinese oil giant’s expectations for the business, said sources.

They added that, while the deal has been put on hold for now, CNOOC could resume a sale once conditions improve.

Alasdair Freeman, a Partner in the corporate finance team at Burness Paull, said that Aberdeen’s M&A market was buoyant during 2022, particularly during the first half following on from a strong 2021.

He added: “From a Burness Paull perspective, a particular highlight was our role advising Incremental Group, a Scotland-headquartered company with a strong Aberdeen presence,

which was acquired by Telefonica Tech in a deal worth up to £175million.

“The second half of the year saw a slight softening in the broader market due to economic headwinds and uncertainty arising from the war in Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis, the UK government windfall tax, and rises in the interest rate.”

However, Alasdair said Aberdeen was partially insulated due to the increased focus on energy.

He went on: “We have continued to see strong deal flow and, while the wider economic landscape is undoubtedly more challenging than it was a year ago, the Aberdeen market remains fundamentally strong.

“For that reason, our expectation is that transaction levels will remain

robust during 2023, with a particular focus on technology and investment in renewables and carbon reductionalbeit the increased cost of debt may impact valuations.

“As a leading global energy centre, Aberdeen remains a hub for technological innovation in the sector, particularly in energy services.

“Whether it’s piece of hardware that makes a process more efficient and reduces costs, or software that can help with monitoring and data capture, Aberdeen contributes hugely to developing solutions that can be deployed globally - which are attractive to investors and trade buyers.

“There will also be opportunities created by the need to fund renewables and carbon reduction.

“While the big energy operators have to demonstrate value today and help ensure short-term energy security, they also need to tell a story about what the business looks like in 10-20 years’ time as the transition to renewables and clean energy takes place. There are different strategies for doing that.

“On top of this, we expect transaction activity will be fuelled by privateequity activity.

“The lifespan of most private-equity funds is 10 years, and many came into the market between 2012 and 2014.

“Therefore, they are reaching a point when they will have to make a decision about whether to hold onto the asset as part of a new fund or take advantage of a strong market to divest.

“All of these factors lead us to believe that there will continue to be an active Aberdeen M&A market during 2023.”

We have continued to see strong deal flow and, while the wider economic landscape is undoubtedly more challenging than it was a year ago, the Aberdeen market remains fundamentally strong.

Handy advice for selling your firm

Selling your business is a significant step to take.

Tom Boulton-Jones, Partner and corporate law expert at Brodies LLP, said preparing to sell may take several weeks or months - even before you enter the formal process. He added: “It is important to start the planning as early as possible and ensure all of your business affairs are organised and up to date. This will save money in the long run and make the business a more attractive prospect for buyers.

“Prior to the sale, you should also make sure you have a strong management team in place. This is a sign of a well-run company and is a good selling point. It is also important to appoint a team of trusted and experienced professional advisers at an early stage. Having a negotiator in place from the start helps to maintain relationships with the eventual buyer.”

Once the planning is done, Tom said there are five key considerations for anyone looking to sell their firm:

1. Do your diligence early

As a seller, you should carry out your own diligence on your company as early as possible to avoid any nasty surprises for buyers, and for you. Ensure that you have access to all key contracts with employees, customers and suppliers, and all other relevant contracts and information. Having this information readily available will make the diligence process less painful and allow any issues - such as change of control provisions - to be identified and addressed at an early stage.

2. Secure a letter of intent (LOI)

An LOI will show serious intent from a buyer, however it is usually drafted so that its terms are not legally binding with the exception of a few matters such as confidentiality, costs, and any period of exclusivity to which the seller agrees. A seller should ensure that the LOI is clearly drafted and covers as many key terms as possible to reduce the risk of the buyer trying to renegotiate the price or the nature of the deal at a later date.

3. Understand tax implications

There are many articles (and books) about the tax implications of selling your business. In short, this is a key consideration for all parties, and there will be different tax implications for both individual and corporate sellers to consider. Consideration should be given at an early stage as to how tax is going to be dealt with, and a good tax lawyer will be a crucial adviser in the structuring and timing of the sale.

4. Consider confidentiality

It is important to protect your “trade secrets” during a negotiation. The buyer should sign a non-disclosure agreement or confidentiality agreement before it receives the sensitive information - otherwise it may be difficult to protect this information further down the line.

5. Address transitional issues

A key consideration, often neglected during the course of the sale, is the transition process. The buyer may request that members of the management team remain in the business for a period of time after completion. Alternatively, the buyer may not want you around at all, preferring to bring in its own people. It is important to deal with this up front so that expectations are managed and, if necessary, to agree a transitional arrangement.

Success for Granite City firm at national awards

North-east estate and lettings agency Northwood Aberdeen is celebrating after winning a clutch of top prizes at the UK’s largest estate and letting agents’ award ceremony, the allAgents Awards.

The team at Northwood Aberdeen beat off stiff competition to win three golds in the categories of Best Estate Agent in Aberdeen 2022, Best Estate Agent in AB25 Postcode 2022, and Best Estate Agent in Aberdeen City 2022. They also picked up a further two silver awards celebrating the success of the lettings business.

Northwood Aberdeen was opened by Laura Mearns and her husband, Steven, in 2009.

Based in Rosemount Place and West High Street Inverurie the business is a franchise of Northwood GB, part of lettings group Belvoir, which has more than 90 offices around the UK.

New owner for Caledonian House

Standard Real Estate (SRE) has acquired Caledonian House on Aberdeen’s Union Street.

The 55,000 sqft building is fully let to Wood Group, British Heart Foundation and Pret A Manger.

This is a further strategic acquisition for SRE following previous acquisitions in the city. In 2019 the group acquired the Union Point Building, extending to 36,100 sqft at Blaikie’s Quay.

SRE Director, Hamish Munro, commented: “We view this acquisition as key to our continued success in Aberdeen. Our formula is simple – to provide bespoke office space for users large and small on flexible lease terms at an economic rental. The revitalisation of Union Street is key to the heart of Aberdeen and our plans for this building should provide the space for new and established businesses to be at the centre of the city complementing our other locations.

“In 2023 we will focus on Merchant Exchange and the limited remaining space at Union Point and Golden Square whilst in 2024 we will have available bespoke space within Caledonian House.”

Alan Burrows to join Aberdeen FC as Chief Executive

Aberdeen FC has appointed Alan Burrows as Chief Executive.

With over 15 years at Motherwell FC – nine as CEO – Alan has built up an enormous bank of knowledge, experience and credibility in Scottish football and was named Scottish CEO of the Year at the Football Business Awards in 2019.

Dons’ Chairman Dave Cormack said: “Alan has all the experience and qualities you’d look for in a Chief Executive. He’s got his finger firmly on the pulse of the Scottish game, is well-respected in footballing circles and is fully aligned with the strategy and vision we have to drive Aberdeen FC forward.

“When Alan announced his intention to step down at Motherwell FC we began a dialogue which, I’m delighted to say, has led to his appointment. Alan inherits a strong management team and staff, many of whom he has worked with on SPFL working groups over the years. I’d particularly like to thank Motherwell chairman, Jim McMahon, for his cooperation in ensuring we have been able to agree a smooth transition.”

Commenting on his appointment, Alan said: “It’s a real privilege to be asked to take up the position of Chief Executive at AFC. I’ve built up a good working relationship with the Chairman over the years and was very pleased when he got in touch.

“Aberdeen is an excellent football club with a rich and decorated history and ambitious plans for a successful future.

“There is much to do, on and off the pitch, and I am excited and eager to work with the many talented staff who I know are in place at Pittodrie. I am also keen to immerse myself as much as I can in the city and with the supporters, so I can best reflect the traditions and expectations of the Dons fanbase.”

‘Strong platform’ to build from

ACE Winches has announced a strong financial performance for the year to last March.

The company, which last year announced the opening of ACE Winches Inc in Houston, Texas, reported pre-tax profits of £4.5million on turnover of £28.3million.

ACE Winches Chairman Alfie Cheyne said the performance gave the company a strong platform to build from.

Laura Mearns

Business lessons I’ve learned

What was your first job?

Cutting grass in the summer for Aberdeenshire Council, before I went to university. I visited pretty much every water (and sewage) works they had!

When would you like to retire?

As Managing Partner, I am elected for three-year terms, so my job security is about that of an MP! Whatever I do next, though, I wouldn’t call it “retirement”.

What did you have for breakfast?

Porridge, but I cheat and add sugar as well as salt.

Who, or what, inspires you?

Nick Scott, Managing Partner, Brodies LLP

What does your company do that others don’t?

We are the leading law firm in Scotland measured by lawyer numbers, legal directory rankings, turnover and profit. We represent businesses, organisations and human beings across all key sectors of the Scottish economy, as well as providing an authoritative voice on our country and how its governments operate. Our office in Aberdeen opened in 2012; we now have more than 100 colleagues. Last year we opened an office in Inverness, where we have a dozen colleagues who call that office their home.

What are the most pressing challenges that your industry sector faces today, and why?

Law firms are people businesses. Attracting, and retaining, talented folk to work as lawyers and in the other core parts of our business – finance, marketing, people engagement, IT – is critical. Our profession could be a lot better at selling itself to talented young people and there is a lot more we need to do about access, and equality – talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.

What is the hardest lesson you have learned in your career to date?

It sounds trite, but the people I work with. We have 800 colleagues; every Friday I make a point of finding someone to thank for something they have done that week. I call it “the power of the unexpected thank you.” Every year thousands of things happen in our firm, big or small, often unnoticed or unremarked upon.

If you could make one thing happen tomorrow that would benefit North-east Scotland, what would that be?

You will never get everything right. The key is to do something about it, and not to let the fear of something not working out put you off trying.

What is the most valuable piece of business advice you have ever received?

Never try and do more than three things at once. Do three things, finish them, find three more, do them.

What’s been your proudest career achievement to date, and why?

That we have been able to prove, in the way we run our firm and the decisions that we make, that you can make progress, whilst still caring. In recent years we were able to turn those values into the decisions we made during the pandemic. I hope the decisions that we made left our colleagues proud of their firm, and the people who work within it.

That everyone who regulates, invests in, or commentates upon the energy market had as clear eyed an understanding of the energy market as those who live and breathe it in the North-east. Understanding that is one part of how we continue to attract investment, and talent, to the region and ensure that the whole economy benefits from decades of investment in the energy transition –something all economies surrounding the UKCS stand to benefit from for many years to come.

Written by Amanda McCulloch

How to ask for a pay rise (and get it)

How you approach a discussion about an increase to your salary can impact the outcome.

The first tip is to be ready to be your own biggest champion – to sell yourself:

• It would be a big mistake to ask for a pay rise because you’ve heard through the grapevine that someone else in your department, peer group or grade has received one. It is also not a great negotiating tactic to ask for an uplift to your salary because you haven’t received one in the last 12 months. Learn what the process for pay and reward is in your organisation (assuming of course that there is one!)

• You need to clearly show your line manager why your pay should increase based on the work you have done and the value you have added to the business. Make no mistake, your employer will consider your financial value based on your contributions.

• Think about how you’ve contributed, what you’ve achieved (or over-achieved), the knowledge or learning you’ve undertaken or how you’ve developed others. You are going to have to present all your recent successes as justification for a pay rise.

The second tip would be to know your facts. Do you know what the average industry salary or “going rate” is for your role, in a company of your size, with your responsibilities? A salary guide is a good place to start or talk with trusted peers in a like-for-like organisation or a recruiter with knowledge of your specialist work.

The third tip is picking your moment. The most professional way to approach this private conversation is to schedule a meeting with your manager. Grabbing them on the hoof when they will have many other things on their mind just isn’t appropriate, nor is tackling the issue in any social time you have together.

It is a serious topic, and the conversation will be much more productive if you create the right time and place to discuss it. If your line manager is not the primary decision maker, work with them to ensure they have all the information they need to make a case on your behalf.

Don’t expect an answer right away. Your manager probably does not have the authority to instruct changes to your salary without consultation with others, so it might take a little time. But that doesn’t mean you should give up. Try to establish a timeframe for receiving feedback – that way you can approach the conversation again without giving the impression that you are badgering your manager.

Does the change to your salary have to be a cash rise? There are many ways to value your total reward package. If a cash payment is not an option are there any benefits you could access instead? Or flexible working time you could request?

Finally, if the outcome disappoints you, it is really important that you remain professional. It’s OK to share your disappointment with your manager but do so in a way that maintains your dignity, placing you in the best position to maintain a good working relationship.

New initiative to help children get active

Aberdeen Sports Village (ASV) and Global E&C are collaborating to launch a new initiative that provides free sports opportunities to local school pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Recognising that not all children have the same access to sports programmes, the launch of Energise has been developed to change that. The program will provide access to a wide range of sports and fitness activities, including swimming, athletics, rugby and football. It will be open to pupils from local schools who don’t typically have access to extra-curricular sport, with the goal of encouraging regular participation in physical activity.

Graham Morrison, Head of Sports at Aberdeen Sports Village, said: “We believe that sport plays such a vital role in the development of children and we want to ensure that all children have the opportunity to experience the physical, mental, and social benefits that sports provides. Our Energise initiative will provide free access to sports facilities, kit, equipment and coaching to pupils across schools in Aberdeen. We’re excited to see the positive impact that this initiative will have on the lives of these children and their communities.”

The initiative is supported by the national lottery and Aberdeen energy service provider, Global E&C.

Michael McIntyre brings world tour to Aberdeen

Michael McIntyre is back on stage with his brand-new show MACNIFICENT! including a date at Aberdeen’s P&J Live on May 16, 2024. Much has happened in the five years since his last tour and Michael will be making mirth from the madness of it all.

Michael is the host of two of the BBC’s most successful entertainment shows, the BAFTA-winning Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and The Wheel, which he devised and also hosts for NBC in America. Michael McIntyre’s spot-on observational comedy and trademark mastery of turning everyday situations into masterclasses of human exasperation have struck a chord with millions of fans.

His previous tours have sold over four million tickets and broken box-office records around the world.

Kevin Coll

Lease renewals show confidence in city centre

Aberdeen-based Bridge House Investments has announced renewed long-term leases with two key tenants, securing the future of a landmark city centre building.

Bridge House at 56-58 Bridge Street is set to undergo a quarter of a million-pound investment to renovate and modernise the premises.

The six-floor office building forms part of the Aberdeen Conservation Area.

The site is home to business and marine travel specialist ATPI and Solab, an IT services and software company. Both these firms have confirmed their commitment to the city centre by extending their for 10 years.

Kevin Coll, Managing Director, Solab, said: “Solab is a proud advocate for city centre businesses operations in Aberdeen and the central location works well for our entire team. Bridge House has excellent digital infrastructure and its location and access to parking has made it an ideal base from which to grow our business over the last three decades. We hope our continued investment helps attract other companies into the city centre to secure its future.”

New planning rules

MSPs have signed off new planning rules for Scotland which aim to help hit climate-change targets while cutting the use of cars.

The new framework will give priority to planning applications for renewable energy schemes including wind farms.

And it will seek to cut car trips and boost city centres by opposing out-of-town retail parks and drive-throughs. The aim is to create “20-minute neighbourhoods” where all services are within walking or cycling distance.

Planning Minister Tom Arthur said the changes would “help build a fairer, greener Scotland” and transform the economy for future generations.

Opposition parties said more should have been included to promote the development of new housing, but the framework was approved by 88 votes to 30.

The largest ever vessel to visit Aberdeen

A jack-up rig sporting legs more than 200 metres in height has become the largest ever vessel to visit Port of Aberdeen.

The Noble Innovator offshore rig arrived at the new £400million Aberdeen South Harbour for a 60 - 90 day period of maintenance by Noble Corporation.

Once the maintenance is completed, it will go on contract with bp for decommissioning work in the central North Sea.

The maintenance work scope will benefit Aberdeen’s economy and job creation through a multi-million pound investment in local contract awards, where selected vendors will support the maintenance work such as diving, welding, inspection, painting, scaffolding, accommodation, catering, logistics and many more.

Operations at South Harbour are well underway with very high utilisation of berths and the operational quayside areas to date. Construction of South Harbour is scheduled to complete in Q2 2023, which will make Aberdeen the largest berthage port in Scotland.

Roddy James, Chief Commercial Officer, Port of Aberdeen, said: “It’s exciting to welcome new types and sizes of vessels to the port, be that from oil and gas, renewables, cargo, or cruise. South Harbour’s tidally unrestricted deepwater berths, extensive laydown space and heavy lift capacity, make Aberdeen an attractive option for larger vessels.

“The expanded Port of Aberdeen, across North Harbour and South Harbour, now offers customers even greater flexibility for their projects, with a focus on reducing risk, adding value, and minimising cost.”

Claus Bachmann, VP of Operations, Noble Corporation, said: “We are excited that the new South Harbour facilities have made it possible for one of our rigs to visit Aberdeen for the first time ever. The Noble Innovator is stopping by for a so-called special periodic survey which rigs must undergo every five years to ensure that we are able to operate safely, and which will involve multiple local suppliers in the extensive maintenance scope.”

Doris Reiter, Senior Vice President, bp North Sea, said: “The business decisions bp is taking today continue to positively impact the economy of Aberdeen, as they have for nearly 60 years. Our contract with Noble supports the supply chain to seize opportunities on our doorstep and demonstrate its world-class decommissioning capabilities.”

FirstGroup feature in S&P Sustainability Yearbook

FirstGroup has been ranked in the top 15% of more than 330 companies included in the ‘Transportation and Transportation Infrastructure’ sector of this year’s S&P Sustainability Yearbook. FirstGroup’s overall score improved from the previous year, increasing from 58 (out of 100) to 64, a score which outperforms the industry average of 39.

FirstGroup was one of only 716 companies who made it into the 2023 Yearbook and is the only UK bus and rail operator to be included.

The company scored strongly across each of S&P’s Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) criteria, most notably in Climate Strategy, Labour Practices and Human Capital Development.

Commenting, FirstGroup Chief Executive Graham Sutherland, said: “FirstGroup is committed to achieving the very highest sustainability standards that are set out in leading benchmarks such as the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment. As a leading private sector provider of public transport, we have a key role to play in creating a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future and we’re pleased that our activities and plans are recognised in this year’s S&P Yearbook.”

Kirkwood Homes launches showhome village in the North-east

Luxury housing developer Kirkwood Homes launched its first ever showhome village last month, at Strabathie Village in Blackdog, Aberdeenshire.

Comprising a mix of three and four bedroom detached homes, the showhome village has been created to help buyers experience the superior quality of the Kirkwood brand, explore the housetypes available and find a home which caters to their needs and lifestyle.

Thomas Fischer Interiors has designed the internal decor of the showhomes with creative flair, adopting a specific theme for each housetype, while embracing current trends. Rattan, wicker and wool elements strongly feature and are beautifully complemented by a colour palette containing subtle natural tones, shades of blue and dramatic monochrome.

Colin Crombie, Managing Director of Kirkwood Homes said: “We are delighted to open this exceptional showhome village at Blackdog, which will ultimately provide potential buyers with the opportunity to peruse and appreciate the quality of our luxury homes - all in one visit.

“The design concepts from Thomas Fischer are completely unique, showcasing the spacious interiors with superb styling so potential customers can visualise how they would live within their very own Kirkwood home.”

Area of expertise?

Strategic PR and marketing. During M&A activity we connect internal, external, and other stakeholder communications to build a consistent brand and culture. This helps businesses to quickly reestablish their presence in the market, focus on growth, and enhance overall performance.

What should people know?

Regular and consistent internal communications are just as important as external communications during M&A activity. Combining teams is never easy and it’s critical to business performance that people are fully engaged in the change, and that they understand the company’s vision and their role in achieving that.

What’s the biggest mistakes companies make?

Leaving communications to the last minute. While the confidential nature of M&A activity means minimising the number of people in the know, making sure one of those is your communications advisor makes all the difference. Taking time to plan communications activity and ensure internal, customer, sales, media, and investor messaging is aligned is vital.

What’s your top tip?

With so many people affected by M&A activity, make sure to take time to walk in everyone’s shoes. When the pressure’s on to get the deal done, it’s easy to forget that people won’t always see things the way you do. Often, their perspectives are driven by things you might not be aware of.

Area of expertise?

Intellicore specialises in creating and developing technology that solves specific challenges for our customers. We are your technical partner and extension to your team, ensuring your software and hardware are integrated and working harder, so your team are able do their job efficiently and your company is operating as proficiently as possible.

What should people know?

I think people don’t realise how transformational having the right integrated, bespoke technology can be for their business. By working with us, you have a full team of experts working with you. We create technology that will grow and scale with your business and with your business needs.

What’s the biggest mistakes companies make?

The biggest mistake we notice with companies is not understanding the importance of maintaining your technology, ensuring it grows as your business and your team grows. Once installed, it is often not updated and then companies are running inefficiently with an outdated system. Working with us, we remain part of your team, developing and supporting your systems thereafter.

What’s your top tip?

Keep it simple. Don’t overcomplicate technology. Approach the challenge in baby steps and make incremental changes, this means that you are only spending money that you need to and are likely to see an ROI at an earlier stage.

Alison Cran, Director, Korero PR

Barry Booth, CEO, Intellicore

Area of expertise?

Barwell are a specialist electrical wholesaler offering free surveys complete with cost saving analysis.

What should people know?

We specialise in lighting and electrical supplies for commercial, industrial and domestic premises. We have an extensive range to choose from at our Castle Terrace showroom, from LED lighting, microwave sensor lighting to Dimplex heating systems underfloor heating and everything in between.

What’s the biggest mistakes companies make?

Not recognising and implementing changes to improve and reduce their energy use and carbon footprint. Energy costs are soaring so changing to LED or microwave sensor lighting, and an energy efficient heating system can help offset costs.

What’s your top tip?

If you have a project, no matter how big or small ask the professional team at Barwell for their expert advice. We offer free surveys complete with cost saving analysis.

Area of expertise?

Business growth. We empower expert firms to grow their business. Investors, executives, and sales leaders hire us to create predictable revenue growth.

What should people know?

The sales function within any organisation is the engine that drives growth and yet, 66% of major sales initiatives fail. They fail because companies do not build a consistent and successful sales culture recognising the importance of accountability at all levels of the organisation.

What’s the biggest mistakes companies make?

Statistically 40% of tenders are won by an incumbent. 42% however will be won by a company the buying team know very well. In any tender the buying decision is 75% made prior to a tender release, supported by no less than seven key stakeholders. Buyers at best, only need three prices so if you have more then three competitor’s, and your relying on “ the guy you play golf with that’s boss said he likes you”, don’t hold your breath.

What’s your top tip?

Call us! We will allow you to re-think your strategy and sales process, work to remove internal bias and complacency and replace it with truth based, actionable insights that provide meaningfull growth to your top line.

Ellen Christie, Administrator, Barwell Enterprises

Finlay Johnston , Managing Director, 4C Global Consultancy Limited

Most Scots want domestic oil and gas

Nearly 90% of people in Scotland think the UK should aim to meet its demand for oil and gas from domestic production, according to research published by advisory firm True North.

The findings also reveal that energy companies operating in the North Sea are seen to have a positive impact on the UK economy by a factor of five to one.

With a strong focus on the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the findings of True North’s poll show overwhelmingly that the Energy Profits Levy, the so-called ‘Windfall Tax’, is viewed as an ineffective measure in reducing household energy bills or encouraging energy companies from diversifying away from fossil fuels into renewables.

True North Managing Partner Fergus Mutch said: “Our first True North issues poll of 2023 covers the political lay of the land, what Scotland thinks about delivery of public services, perceptions of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and key issues around energy policy.

“Its findings certainly throw up some challenges for both UK and Scottish governments, not least on how best to support an energy sector in transition through an ongoing crisis in global energy security.

“We hope our findings will stimulate some informed discussion on the outlook for businesses and the economy over the year ahead.”

Money for Aberdeen Minerals

Aberdeen Minerals has raised around £1.1million through the issue of shares to new and existing UK and international investors.

The funds will be used to advance the company’s work in Aberdeenshire exploring for, and evaluating, mineral deposits containing nickel and copper - metals essential to the energy transition in Scotland and the UK - as well as cobalt, palladium and platinum.

Chairman Patrick Murphy said: “I would like to thank existing shareholders for their support and welcome new investors to Aberdeen Minerals as we make this significant additional investment in developing the mineral potential of Northeast Scotland.

“Nickel, copper and cobalt are essential to the production of lithium-ion batteries and electrical infrastructure to support the rapid growth of renewable energy production and electrification of transport - yet Scotland and the rest of the UK currently rely entirely on overseas supply chains for these critical raw materials.

“Our Aberdeenshire projects therefore represent an important opportunity to potentially secure direct UK supply of these metals as part of a just transition, and the new funds raised will allow us to make major progress in their exploration.”

Aberdeen’s port expansion boosts cruise tourism

The expanded Port of Aberdeen will welcome a wide range of new cruise vessels to the city in 2023, which could boost the regional economy by more than £1.5million.

More than 25 cruise calls are currently scheduled from April and September, with up to 12,000 tourists visiting the North-east.

The benefit to local businesses this year and beyond could be significant with cruise visits to Scotland generating an average spend of £134 per passenger per call.

The first cruise call to the new £400million Aberdeen South Harbour is the AIDAaura on April 28 - a vessel which can carry more than 1,200 guests.

Bob Sanguinetti, Chief Executive, Port of Aberdeen, said: “We’re delighted to welcome a host of new cruise vessels to Port of Aberdeen in the maiden year of South Harbour. We expect to see year-on-year increases in the number of cruise calls as we ramp up our capacity and capability. It’s encouraging to see that major international cruise lines are already booking their larger cruise ships for calls to Aberdeen in 2024 and beyond.”

Port of Aberdeen has a proven track record of welcoming boutique cruise vessels and now extends that expertise to facilitating larger vessels at its transformational South Harbour development.

The new deepwater harbour, which is scheduled for completion in Q2 2023, significantly increases the port’s capacity for cruise calls and will be able to accommodate the majority of the world’s cruise ship fleet.

Mr Sanguinetti continued: “Cruise at South Harbour is often the first thing that people ask about so it’s incredibly exciting to see it taking shape. Port of Aberdeen is a gateway to the amazing attractions of North-east Scotland. Our investment in South Harbour will enable tens of thousands more guests to experience this incredible region every year.”

IT firm announces rise in turnover

An Aberdeen-based IT firm has announced that turnover increased by £100,000 last year.

Alto, founded in 2009 and solely owned by CEO Bruce Skinner, Alto is a Managed Services and Security Provider (MSSP) which currently employs a team of 12. That figure is set to rise by around five in 2023 as further project technical staff, including trainees, are recruited to join the ranks and meet growing demand for services.

They will be tasked with assisting in the delivery of an increased focus on cybersecurity support, which now accounts for almost one third of Alto’s business.

This year has also seen Alto take the ongoing development of its own, stringent internal systems a step further by becoming ISO 9001 accredited as part of an ongoing ethos of ensuring accountability to clients as well as quality and transparency of service.

With a team based in the North East of Scotland, Alto draws on many decades of experience to nimbly deliver high quality products and services to a growing portfolio of clients across manufacturing, food, energy services and healthcare. With teams ranging from 20 to over 100, clients are located throughout the UK and in overseas locations including Spain, France, Denmark, Canada, the USA and the Philippines.

Commenting on the growth, CEO Bruce Skinner said: “Recent figures suggest that more than 80% of UK organisations experienced a ‘successful’ cyberattack in 2021/22 and, once a business becomes vulnerable, it can take an average of 181 days to identify a data breach.

“In the next three to five years, I predict that we will deal with cybersecurity more than any other IT challenge so evolving our business, and expertise, in line with customer needs is crucial. This will ensure we can continue to step up as cybersecurity moves away from being seen as an addon service and becomes an increasingly integral part of business planning.”

Poll confirms overwhelming support for dualling of A96

The vast majority of people who took part in a poll say the A96 should be fully dualled from Aberdeen to Inverness.

The North-east public are getting impatient for a final decision on whether the vital road link will ever be fully dualled.

The SNP promised over a decade ago it would dual the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen by 2030, as well as the A9 between Inverness and Perth.

However, this was thrown into doubt when the Scottish Greens were brought into government in 2021.

Following latest news of a delay in the decision, the Press and Journal asked its readers if the A96 should be dualledand their response was clear.

Just over 1,300 votes were cast - and 1,221 said “yes” while just 87 said “no”.

Lewis Capaldi Aberdeen gig is a record breaker

Scottish singing sensation Lewis Capaldi delivered Scotland’s highest-ever selling indoor show when he took to the stage at P&J Live in Aberdeen in January, with 14,951 tickets sold.

This surpassed the previous record held by Gerry Cinnamon, who performed at P&J Live on November 23, 2019, and sold 14,805 tickets.

Lewis was in Aberdeen as part of his European and UK tour.

Louise Stewart, Interim Managing Director at P&J Live said: “This is a fantastic accolade for P&J Live and is exactly what the venue was built for. We would like to thank DF Concerts & Events for bringing Lewis up the North-east of Scotland and to his fans for all their continued support – we couldn’t do it without you. We look forward to continuing to bring a variety of world-class acts to the region.”

Bruce Skinner

SCF Partners completes acquisition of Global E&C from Global Energy Group

An Aberdeen firm looking to become a leading player in the decarbonisation of the energy sector has secured a major private equity investment deal.

SCF Partners has confirmed the purchase of Global E&C, which employs more than 1,000 people across the world, from Roy MacGregor’s Global Energy Group.

Mr MacGregor will remain on the board of Global E&C during the transition – and the companies will continue to partner on opportunities across the energy sector through a long-term strategic alliance.

Global E&C, which provides engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services, supports the offshore and onshore energy sectors, with 900 of its people based in the UK.

The deal, which has been completed for an undisclosed sum, will significantly bolster the company’s

ability to support the evolving energy markets and accelerate its deployment of digital solutions in the EPC space.

Global E&C Chief Executive, Terry Allan, said SCF was a “great fit” for the business as it moves to a new phase of growth.

“We have come a long way as a business, and this is an exciting milestone for us as we continue to develop and grow,” he said.

“SCF has a proven track record of working with management teams to build lasting companies and it was important for us to find the right partner who understood our culture, and market position.

“SCF is a great fit to support us in the next phase of our development and this investment will reinforce Global E&C’s position as the most digitally enabled EPC contractor in the market.”

SCF Partners helps entrepreneurs to build leading energy companies by providing capital and expertise. The firm, which is over 30-years-old, is headquartered in Houston, and has offices in Calgary, Aberdeen, Singapore and Adelaide.

Colin Welsh, Partner at SCF, said: “We invested in Global E&C because we believe the team has the energy, the capability, and the data management technology to become a leading player in the decarbonisation of offshore and onshore infrastructure.”

Mr MacGregor said: “Global E&C is a great business, the team have established themselves in a very competitive market. I am proud to have been part of their journey.”

Global Energy Group will retain its other Aberdeen-based energy businesses.

Roy MacGregor, Terry Allan and Colin Welsh

Eat on the Green celebrates its 19th birthday

Award-winning restaurant Eat on the Green in Udny Green, Aberdeenshire celebrated its 19th birthday last month.

Since opening in 2004, Chef and Owner Craig Wilson along with his wife and Company Director, Lindsay Wilson, transformed this former village pub into one of the most renowned restaurants in the north east, with a loyal customer base and dedicated team of young staff.

The restaurant was named ‘Best Eating Experience’ in Scotland at the 2019 Scottish Thistle Awards, in recognition of Eat on the Green’s commitment to working with local suppliers to access the freshest, homegrown ingredients in their dishes, something which remains a strong focus. Recently, Craig, Lindsay and the team also successfully retained their two AA rosettes for Culinary Excellence for the 15th year running, reflecting their dedication to deliver a high-quality food and drink experience.

Craig Wilson commented: “This is a significant milestone for Eat on the Green. After nearly two decades, it’s been an opportunity to pause and reflect on how things have changed and look at how far we’ve come since I first opened the door of the restaurant all those years ago.

“Delivering the best experience for our guests has always been at the heart of what we do, and we have been fortunate to share in several special occasions and memorable moments with our customers over the years. Many have become a part of the Eat on the Green story, almost like family, and we wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us. We would not be where we are today without our loyal customers.”

Green tech start-up takes tenancy at The James Hutton Institute

Fast-growing green hydrogen technology start-up sHYp has moved into offices and laboratory space at The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen with plans to expand to five staff on site by summer.

The move gives sHYp access to the institute’s specialist analytical equipment and expertise. This will help it to develop what could be the first electrolyser able to produce hydrogen from sea water, without the need for desalination, which traditional electrolysis techniques need.

sHYp says its technology, which splits seawater into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity, would also be able to extract by-products such as carbon dioxide and magnesium hydroxide, used in building and pharmaceuticals.

This means it could add valuable income streams and reduce the price to customers of its green hydrogen. The technology could then help any power users close to or at sea, such as ports and offshore vessels and facilities, to harness any surplus offshore renewable energy they produce by turning it into hydrogen.

Professor Deborah Roberts, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Science at The James Hutton Institute, says:

“We are excited to welcome sHYp to our Craigiebuckler campus. We believe that having leading-edge companies like sHYP co-locate with us, sharing our facilities and social spaces, will benefit both us and them and, ultimately, help to stimulate innovation for the benefit of Aberdeen and our wider society as a whole.”

Record turnover for financial advice firm

Award-winning, independent financial advisory firm, Phil Anderson Financial Services has reported that 2022 was a record year for the firm, achieving a turnover of £1.63million, a 22% increase from 2021 and their best financial performance since launching in 2010.

Commenting on the latest company accounts, Managing Director, Phil Anderson said: “The last year has been great for our business. We recently opened a new office in Wick and that has accelerated our growth plans. We have seen an increased demand for pension advice and retirement planning over the last year and I think part of that is due to people worrying about money and the cost-of-living crisis. We have a fantastic team in place to deal with both new enquiries and our existing clients. We have big plans in place for the rest of the year and it is an exciting time for the business.”

Business lessons I’ve learned

What was your first job?

A paper round delivering the Press and Journal Monday to Saturday before school.

When would you like to retire?

I turned 40 last year so that’s some way off just now!

What did you have for breakfast?

A bowl of Cheerios.

Who, or what, inspires you?

People who overcome adversity and leave a legacy. No better example than Muhammad Ali.

What’s the last book you read / film you saw?

Banshees of Inisherin.

Ritchie Whyte, Partner and Head of Corporate and Business Advisory, Aberdein Considine

What does your company do that others don’t?

As a full-service law firm we provide a holistic service to our clients covering the vast majority of typical legal requirements for businesses as well as private client matters for business owners. This sets us apart from most of our competitors and is something which our clients tell us they value, as not only does it save them time, it also offers a sense of reassurance that they have one or two key points of contact across the business who will manage the relationship and ensure they are looked after. In addition, we try and make sure our clients and other parties enjoy working with us. As a corporate lawyer, obviously first and foremost, our duty is to get the best result for our clients, and this often requires robust negotiation. We believe this can be done by working with and not against other stakeholders in an open, inclusive, and collaborative way. We are certainly not the only business with this approach, but we do place a high value on creating a positive working environment for our people and our clients.

What are the most pressing challenges that your industry sector faces today, and why?

The legal industry has faced acute staffing challenges over the last three years or so. A combination of not enough new trainees coming through, the pandemic accelerating retirements, the rise of new consultancy business models and the ever-present lure of in-house positions have combined to create a difficult landscape for traditional law firms, both in terms of talent recruitment and retention. Most firms have been extremely busy and so there have been many suitors chasing the same relatively small group of people. We continue to invest a lot of time and resource in seeking to create an attractive environment for our people encompassing several factors such as benefits, quality of work, environment, corporate social responsibility, and wellbeing, whereby our people are incentivised and motivated to help us continue to grow the business.

What is the hardest lesson you have learned in your career to date?

The value of time and learning about the cost of missed opportunities.

It certainly took me some time to appreciate the importance of carefully choosing what to prioritise and always being clear on why.

What is the most valuable piece of business advice you have ever received?

Don’t get carried away when things are going well and don’t get too down when you are in a challenging period. As a lawyer and business owner, maintaining perspective is crucial. I think this mantra has always helped me find a good balance in terms of making decisions – not that – I hasten to add – I get everything right!

What’s been your proudest career achievement to date, and why?

I tend not to reflect for too long on what’s gone before and prefer to look forward, but generally it would be the trust that our clients have placed and continue to place in myself and our wider team. Our job is hugely rewarding, and I am proud to be part of a growing business which puts our clients first.

Clan lunch raises £9,500 in the Blue Toon

Clan Cancer Support raised more than £9,500 at its North Lunch fundraising event in Peterhead, with all proceeds supporting people affected by cancer in the local area.

Individuals took part in various games, auctions, and raffles, which contributed to the total raised on the day.

Ruth McIntosh, Clan’s Charity Development Manager said: “It was fantastic to see so many people attend and it’s a true testament to the generosity of our supporters that we raised over £9,500 on the day. This will help ensure we can continue to provide free support services to people affected by cancer across the North-east, Moray, Orkney and Shetland for years to come.”

Mackie’s scoop record UK market share

Celebrated ice cream maker Mackie’s of Scotland has achieved its highest ever UK market share after adding almost half a million customers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The major breakthrough came despite a tough time in the ice cream sector, as the overall market contracted by 7.4% over the same period.

Mackie’s says the growth of UK customers outwith its traditional Scottish market and its early adoption of renewable energy has helped it offset rising cost pressures and to build for the future.

Mac Mackie, Executive Chairman and one of three family owners at Mackie’s, said: “It’s been a pivotal year in our history. We witnessed this encouraging step change in our sales and cut-through south of the border, predominantly as a result of us winning and building on second-line listings for our honeycomb ice cream with a number of supermarkets, including Sainsbury’s.

“For a long time, it’s been the case that our Scottish customers have been able to choose from a wide range of our ice cream flavours, but those in the rest of the UK could typically only reliably get their hands on our best-selling Traditional flavoured real dairy ice cream. We’re thrilled to be reaching new customers and determined to build on the success of these new listings.”

Newly appointed Managing Director, Stuart Common, commented: “Like all businesses we’re facing major challenges resulting from rising costs throughout our operations which has led to careful negotiations with our trade customers while we do our best to manage and absorb increases that may otherwise be passed on to the wider public.

“Despite the restrictions associated with the pandemic, we have maintained export sales of over £2million, which includes increased export to the US, which poses an exciting opportunity for growth.”

‘Exceptional’ first year for decommissioning firm

A decommissioning business has reported an exceptional first year in business with delivery of contracts worth £3million.

Phoenix Decom is based in Aberdeen and has operational outlets at Peterhead and Lerwick as well as Aberdeen.

It was set up during the pandemic by Craig Smith.

To date, the team has managed more than 20,000 tonnes of subsea decommissioned material from the North Sea.

Year two is also off to a flying start with plans to recruit up to 12 additional people to the team.

Ongoing £500,000 investment will further expand services and introduce electric vehicles to the company’s growing fleet.

Mr Smith said: “Business success will always rely on having the right people on our team - and we are confident we have the best personnel in place to exceed customer expectations.

“Our first year has brought accelerated growth ahead of where we anticipated being after 12 months of operation and we are now ready to face the future with confidence, optimism and excitement about what lies ahead.”

Mac Mackie

Craig Smith

Creating a Diverse & Inclusive Workforce

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Written by James Watt

Without more help, we’re sleep-walking towards disaster for the tens of thousands of businesses

Would you like to pay £27.50 for a pint of Punk IPA?

Nope, I didn’t think so. But that’s how much you’d be paying in BrewDog York, for example, if we’d put up prices in line with our soaring energy bills.

Or how about £48.75 for a burger and fries?

Businesses all over the UK are facing the crippling combination of the worst cost inflation for decades and squeezed consumer spending power. Jeremy Hunt will make the situation worse when he rows back support for business energy bills from April. We’re only in the foothills of a crisis which poses a far bigger threat to companies than CV19.

The sad reality is that there are many great businesses that simply will not survive 2023.

This climate is incredibly challenging for BrewDog. Fortunately, we have the scale and backing to survive. Many smaller businesses aren’t so lucky.

The Government threw the kitchen sink at CV19 but unless it acts quickly tens of thousands of businesses vital to employment and our economy will wither and die.

People inside government KNOW this. Not all of them are career politicians who’ve never done a day’s work in the ‘real world’ of business.

This government has no plan, no ambition. People talk about a lack of industrial strategy. It’s far worse than that. There is no strategy full stop.

Why would anyone start a business in the UK today? I’ve seen more breweries, bars and restaurants than I can name go out of business in the past few months and that trend is only going to accelerate.

Industry experts estimate that up to 70% of the UK’s bars, pubs and restaurants could be forced to close. Every one that fails is an arrow in the heart of the sector.

Here’s my starter for ten on what I would do if I were currently in government:

1. Business rates. Cut them in half for a year, or better still scrap them altogether? Business rates are antiquated, and we need a review anyway.

2. Tax policy in general has been a farce. The Government put up National Insurance in April, then cut it again in November. It needs to be cut further still – the employer’s contribution in particular is literally a tax on hiring and growth.

3. VAT holiday for hospitality for a year. Everybody will be cutting back on budgets but every little helps. Pubs and bars like ours are vital parts of a community and we need to protect them.

4. Get a grip on strikes. Cut a deal rather than trying to ban strikes. The knock on effect for hospitality from the rail walkouts came at exactly the wrong time. The strikes in December alone cost our business over £1million.

5. State-backed loans to protect the really small guys who could disappear completely with repayments starting in 12 months’ time.

If this means spending a bit more money to support business through this nightmare now, it’s better than spending the money on unemployment benefits if thousands of businesses go under.

Without more help, we’re sleep-walking towards utter disaster for the tens of thousands of businesses in the UK.

Chris Richardson

One of Scotland’s leading commercial real estate lawyers has switched firms to join Aberdein Considine. Chris Richardson, a commercial property practitioner with almost 20 years’ experience, has left Anderson Strathern for Aberdein Considine where he is now Head of Commercial Real Estate for England and Wales.

Stuart Common

Premium ice-cream brand Mackie’s of Scotland has appointed a new Managing Director as it eyes continued growth and development throughout the UK and abroad. Stuart Common has worked at the Aberdeenshire family business for more than 16 years, latterly as Sales and Marketing Director.

Duncan and Todd Group, Scotland’s largest independent optometrist and hearing care specialist, has appointed a Product Development Manager to help drive growth plans. Gillian Sibeth’s newly created role will see her travelling to branches across Scotland.

Quirke

An oil service company has announced the appointment of a key member of staff to play a central role in realising future growth ambitions. Alan Quirke has been named as Chief Operating Officer of HydraWell and brings to the role almost 30 years of experience gained in the UK and international markets. His most recent role was as Head of Wells for a UK operator.

Ross Gatt

Ross Gatt has joined Semco Maritime Aberdeen as UK Sales and Marketing Manager. He was group Marketing Director at Valor Energy Group for the past five years.

Gary Caunt

Power Jacks has named Gary Caunt as Manufacturing and Continuous-improvement Director. He will be responsible for overseeing the manufacture of all products on the shop floor whilst introducing lean methodologies. Mr Caunt worked with the business previously on a consultancy basis.

Joe Strachan

Bilfinger UK has announce a new Aberdeen Commercial and Business Development Director. Joe Strachan takes over from Mike Henderson, who has retired. Mr Strachan was previously a Senior Commercial Manager with Wood.

Calum Lawrie

Swire Energy Services has strengthened its UK commercial team with a new Business Development Manager. Calum Lawrie has joined from Robert Gordon University, where he worked in the business and economic development department for six years. He is responsible for managing the business growth and development across the rental, service and sales product lines.

Gillian Sibeth

Alan

Lisa Law

Private client lawyer Lisa Law has joined Ledingham Chalmers as Partner in Inverness, underpinning the firm’s ambitious growth plans. Mrs Law takes up this senior role as the firm looks to double its turnover to £25million by 2025. She is one of only 10 solicitors accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in incapacity and mental disability law.

Robert Holland

One of Scotland’s leading employment law specialists has been named as the new Head of Employment Law at Aberdein Considine. Robert Holland, a solicitor advocate (civil) - has joined the firm as a Partner. He was previously a partner with Balfour + Manson where he led the firm’s employment law team, and brings over 20 years’ experience in a range of legal disciplines.

John Brebner

Charlie House has appointed John Brebner as Chief Executive to lead its strategy and vision to support children with lifelimiting and life-threatening conditions and their families. His focus will be on the development and expansion of current and new services as well as helping to deliver the Big Build Appeal, an initiative to develop a dedicated support centre in the North-east.

Megan

Hine

Megan Hine, previously Account Manager - fixed gas detection systems, has now taken on the role of UK Business Development Manager Clean Energy at Dräger, with a focus on ensuring companies are aware of potential challenges and safety considerations as early in the process as possible.

Gillian Urquhart and Derek Mitchell

Member-led organisation Step Change in Safety has appointed two fresh faces to its senior leadership team. BP’s Gillian Urquhart and Global E&C’s Derek Mitchell take up the respective positions of Operator Co-chairperson and Contractor Co-chairperson. It marks a milestone for Step Change in Safety, with Ms Urquhart becoming the first women to hold such a senior position at the industry body.

Robb

Graham + Sibbald Chartered Surveyors and Property Consultants has announced the appointment of Alex Robb of AB Robb Chartered Surveyors to its Aberdeen-based commercial department. His emit will primarily involve negotiations, disposals and acquisitions of commercial properties on behalf of a range of clients across Aberdeen and the surrounding local area.

Shona Duthie

The Urban Wellness Hub and Urban Wellness Float, a wellbeing centre in Bridge of Don, are really pleased to announce that Shona Duthie has joined the wellness team.

Alex

Louise Smyth has joined Aberdeen based marketing powerhouse Prospect 13 as Digital Marketing Lead. Having worked in marketing and communications in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, Louise leads the agency’s creative team on strategy and digital content creation, as well as working closely with a diverse range of clients to deliver their digital marketing campaigns and projects.

Award-winning children’s charity, Denis Law Legacy Trust has welcomed two new graduates into their operations team. Greg Millar joins as Communications and Marketing Officer and Nikki Fyfe joins as Volunteer Officer. Both are graduates of the Robert Gordon University in Ba (hons) Communication Design and Bsc (hons) Sports Science, respectively.

Caitlin Burns joins the team at Recycle Scotland as Sales Support Executive to assist their growing clientele with sustainable furniture solutions for their workspaces. Along with the wider team, Caitlin will be working with a range of businesses from large corporates to SME’s, supporting organisations from all across Scotland to adopt a circular approach to their office furniture.

Ross McHardy

ICR Integrity, a technologyenabled provider of specialist maintenance, inspection and integrity solutions, has announced the appointment of Ross McHardy as Group Director. He will focus on supporting the global growth and diversification of ICR’s repair and maintenance business.

Nicolas Payer

French oil major TotalEnergies has named a new Managing Director for its UK North Sea business. Nicolas Payer takes up the role from Jean-Luc Guiziou who had been in the position for nearly five years. Mr Payer has held several management roles across the group, most recently leading TotalEnergies Global Procurement, which handles its purchasing services.

Eilidh Whiteford and Andrew Liddle

Strategic advisory firm True North has appointed two new Senior Advisers. Former MP for Banff and Buchan Eilidh Whiteford and award-winning author and former political adviser Andrew Liddle have joined the Aberdeen headquartered company, established last year by Managing Partners Geoff Aberdein and Fergus Mutch.

Louise Smyth

Caitlin Burns

Nikki Fyfe and Greg Millar

The Head of Education at Aberdeenshire Council has been appointed to the board of Aberdeen Science Centre. Laurence Findlay was a teacher of modern languages and held leadership and teaching roles with Moray Council before moving to Aberdeenshire Council in 2018.

Paul Young has joined Shepherd and Wedderburn as a Partner in the infrastructure team, bringing more than 10 years of expertise, with a particular focus on the energy, infrastructure and real estate sectors. Mr Young, further bolsters the firm’s capability and market strength in the infrastructure and energy sectors.

MRS Training & Rescue has appointed Tori Jennings as Assistant Operations Manager at its newest training centre at Bridge of Don. She was promoted to team leader last June, having joined the company in September 2020 as a Trainer and Rescue Operative at its training centre in Knottingley, West Yorkshire.

A senior oil and gas engineer has pledged to help ensure the industry has the skills for net zero after being named as the new Regional Chair for the North Scotland by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (EITCB). Steve Hamilton is Chief Technical Authority, EMEA, with Xodus Group in Aberdeen.

Angus Easton, Pamela Bursill and Gregor Sim

Mackinnons Solicitors has appointed three new partners across its property and marine commercial teams. Angus Easton, who has many years of experience in marine and commercial shipping work, has been promoted to Partner in the marine commercial team. Pamela Bursill, who has almost 30 years of experience in residential property work advising clients on Deeside and beyond, joined Mackinnons in 2021 and has now been promoted to Partner in the property team. Gregor Sim, previously a Partner with James & George Collie, has been promoted to Partner from Senior Associate in the firm’s property department, specialising in rural, residential and private client work.

Aberdeen-headquartered problem-solving company STC INSISO has announced a further change to its executive leadership team as it prepares for accelerated business growth in 2023. Steve Holmes has become Chief Operating Officer following two years as Chief Performance Officer.

Westhill-based construction firm CHAP Group has appointed Richard Stott to the role of Civils Director to help deliver ambitious growth plans. He joins CHAP having spent over 21 years with a local competitor, latterly as Managing Director.

Laurence Findlay

Paul Young

Tori Jennings

Steve Hamilton

Steve Holmes

Richard Stott

Burness Paull in Marischal Square move

Law firm Burness Paull is relocating its Aberdeen team to a new prime office in the Marischal Square development.

The firm will be in 2MSQ in the grade A building which is helping to regenerate the east end of the city centre. Burness Paull employs 650 people across Scotland and more than 100 in Aberdeen.

Aberdeen City Council Finance and Resources Convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “It is fantastic that Burness Paul is relocating its Aberdeen office to Marischal Square.

“It will join many other prestigious companies based at the development which provides high-quality office space with strong environmental credentials as well as fantastic bars and restaurants and is helping to regenerate the east end of the city centre.”

Tamar Tammes, Managing Partner at Burness Paull, said: “This is an exciting move for Burness Paull and an opportunity to bring our Aberdeen-based team together in a modern, flexible environment suited to the hybrid working era.

“The firm’s ambitious growth strategy is focused on attracting and retaining the right talent to strengthen and diversify key divisions, adding value in areas most impacted by the evolving economic and regulatory landscape and where we are seeing increasing demand for our advice.

“Key to this is ensuring we offer high-quality facilities across all our locations, where our people can work creatively and collaborate to deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients.”

Flying start for Loganair graduates

Trained on arguably the most diverse fleet of any commercial airline, six mechanical engineers have graduated following a four-year modern apprenticeship with the UK’s largest regional airline Loganair - and will now become full time members of staff.

The Loganair Modern Apprentice programme on Aircraft Maintenance (SCQF Level 6) is a four-year structured programme which allows apprentices to receive a salary while studying and undertaking on-the-job training. On completion, each apprentice obtains a UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Part 66 aircraft maintenance licence.

Aside from the technical skills gained, Loganair’s modern apprentices also build on their core skill competencies with oversight from the training department and local workplace mentors. Valuable transferable skills such as a practical understanding of health and safety, time management, and career development paths also supplement the vocational and academic elements of the programme.

Gordon Keary, Head of Engineering Training at Loganair, said: “It has been a stellar effort from all involved in the 2018 cohort to complete all the requirements for graduation. It’s a pleasure to now welcome them as full-time members of the Loganair workforce.

“Looking ahead, we’ll soon be welcoming applications for the spring 2023 intake of eight new modern apprentices –which will be our biggest-ever in one year.”

Fulkrum to leverage UAE opportunities

Fulkrum, a leading provider of inspection, expediting, auditing and technical staffing services to the energy industry, has received the prestigious ISO 17020 accreditation in the UAE, certifying Fulkrum’s technical competence, consistency, and impartiality in providing Type A inspection services.

This most recent accreditation from ENAS brings Fulkrum’s total number of offices with ISO 17020 accreditation status to five, including Brazil, USA, UK, Malaysia, and now the UAE.

Brock Falkenhagen, Global Vice President, said: “Fulkrum committing to and securing ISO 17020 accreditations in five countries is testament to the hard work of our talented team and provides clients with additional assurance of our integrity in everything we do. We strive to be recognised as the best-in-class partner for inspection, expediting, auditing and technical staffing services and these achievements are evidence that we are doing just that.

“The UAE is a key growth market for the business, and we are confident that ISO 17020 accreditation will open new doors for Fulkrum in the region.”

Alex McLellan, Bob Ruddiman and Tricia Walker

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