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.

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.

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.”