September 2024 Business Bulletin - Marketing & Business Growth

North-east marketing gurus pick their top trends for 2025

People buy from people, or so the saying goes, so what does the rise of AI mean for marketing?

Page 18

Big-name business baroness joins UMF 2024 line-up

Leading British tech entrepreneur to headline Aberdeen business dinner.

Page 22

The Torry loon bringing global brands back to life!

Aberdeen-born Lorenzo Moretti on becoming one of Europe’s leading marketers.

Page 60

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce

The Hub Exploration Drive

Aberdeen Energy Park

Bridge of Don Aberdeen AB23 8GX

T 01224 343900

E info@agcc.co.uk www.agcc.co.uk

Affiliated Chambers Moray

Team

Editor

Ryan Crighton

T 01224 343926

E bulletin@agcc.co.uk

Advertising

Pauline Western

T 01224 343919

E pauline.western@agcc.co.uk

Design & production

Andrew Taylor

T 01224 343934

E production@agcc.co.uk

Journalist

Finlay Jack

T 01224 343939

E finlay.jack@agcc.co.uk

Editorial

Cody Mowbray

T 01224 343936

E cody.mowbray@agcc.co.uk

Editorial

Rebecca Henderson

T 01224 343907

E rebecca.henderson@agcc.co.uk

“Let’s take

Aberdeen to the world and bring the world

here”

This is a line from the Chamber’s updated promotional film which you can view by scanning the QR code. It’s entirely shot featuring just a few of our 1,300 members. If you like it, please feel free to share!

And never has the sentiment been truer. If this region is to achieve its ambitions, we have to attract people to work here, entrepreneurs to base their companies here, investors to see a return here, young people to choose to study here and tourists to make the North-east of Scotland their destination of choice.

To do this, we need to overcome the negative perceptions of a far away, soon to be post-industrial city region in decline. We need to up our proactive inward investment game and use the compelling narrative that we have to make these folk to want to come here. Don’t wait for them to call us, we need to call them.

I am regularly struck by how pleasantly surprised ‘incomers’ and visitors are about Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire…. once they get here. Yet, we don’t help ourselves as there remains a small but vocal minority that choose to talk the place down. The silent majority needs to regain their voices to drown them out and spread the word far and wide.

We are recognised as one of Europe’s most important centres for life sciences with globally leading health related research taking place on our doorstep. We are home to food and drink brands and produce that’s enjoyed right across the planet. Our digital businesses are at the cutting edge of developing a range of smart tech. The North-east is becoming

Scotland’s fastest growing tourism region.

And the place that has, for 50 years, been known as Europe’s oil and gas capital is now at the forefront of leading the energy transition to a lower carbon world.

At the time of writing, we don’t yet know if the new UK Government will make the right choice - to headquarter the newly formed Great British Energy in Aberdeen at the heart of a globally unique energy focused eco-system. But they should.

That doesn’t sound too shabby to me for a small but beautifully formed region of just half a million people. Let’s take a look at what else we know.

FACT Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire were recently voted the best places to live in the UK in a national poll of 6,000 people and the population here enjoys an unrivalled quality of life.

FACT Households in this region have, on average, the highest net disposable income in the country and Aberdeen has been identified as the ‘least expensive’ city in the UK for first-time buyers to get on the property ladder. It’s also the cheapest city in Scotland to rent.

FACT The city is well connected with frequent direct rail services to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, London and other major cities. And our international airport provides regular connections to London, Manchester, Birmingham, Durham Tees Valley, Amsterdam, Dublin and other hubs.

FACT The Chamber’s latest Investment Tracker tells of £6.5billion of major infrastructure

and regeneration projects delivered here since 2017. And a future pipeline in excess of £16billion.

FACT The City Centre Masterplan - a multi-million pound programme that has so far delivered Marischal Square, a museum at Provost Skene’s House, a refurbished music hall, an art gallery voted the best building in Scotland and amazing new green space at Union Terrace Gardens. With work underway on a new international food market, streetscaping of Union Street, Queen Street, Castlegate and the transformation of our beach.

FACT Through Our Union Street, we have probably the most attractive high street start-up packages in the UK and exciting ongoing plans to increase city living through new, high quality and contemporary residential developments.

FACT There’s always something happening here. A packed programme covers everything from sport to contemporary art and music to light installations and dance. Our iconic theatre regularly hosts international touring companies, nationally renowned artists and Scottish and homegrown talent. And a stroll around the city will reveal our incredible street art collection Nuart - voted among the very best in the world.

FACT There are a range of top-class events such as the 2025 Tall Ships Race, professional golf and Premier League football at Aberdeen FC; the only Scottish team to have won two UEFA European trophies. And our world class events venue P&J Live regularly hosts major concerts, events, international exhibitions and conferences.

FACT Aberdeen has the lowest crime rate of Scotland’s four largest cities - a purple flag confirming Aberdeen as one of Scotland’s safest night time destinations.

FACT With a climate that is warmer than the Scottish average, we have some of the longest summer days - and only half the rainfall of Miami - giving plenty of opportunity to get outdoors and explore.

FACT Our countryside offers a theatre for activities with some of the world’s best golf courses, beaches, stunning walks and opportunities for skiing, climbing, water sports, cycling and motor sport. The Cairngorms National Park and a stunning coastline was rated one of the most iconic landscapes in the world by National Geographic. We have more castles per acre than anywhere else in the British Isles, with the royal residence of Balmoral on our doorstep- the ‘favourite place on the planet’ of our late Queen.

Collectively these facts mean that Aberdeen is a great place to live, work, invest, study and do business. And also makes the region a great place to visit as evidenced by our tourism economy growing strongly since 2019 - a sector now worth over £1billion to the local economy - with further growth forecast, partly due to the huge growth in cruise calls.

Aberdeen. A small European city region with a big personality, punching well above its weight.

So if Great British Energy does “come home” (and even if it doesn’t) we need to ensure that we are telling the story far and wide about why the best people and businesses should choose to come here. Marketers, recruiters, developers, property agents, our universities, local authorities and the Chamber all have a role to play. We need to come together as a regional partnership to do exactly this.

This month’s Bulletin is themed around marketing and business growth. Very apt. I’m confident that, between us, we can use the fantastic skills we have to help grow North-east Scotland plc for a bright future.

Let’s take a look now at how NHS Grampian has been playing its part with an innovative recruitment campaign “Wish You Worked Here” aimed at attracting staff to work in the North of Scotland. A stunning example of what can be achieved by thinking

SCAN HERE TO VIEW THE CHAMBER’S UPDATED FILM

differently and focusing on the amazing assets of our region as a place to live and work, rather than ‘just a job’.

The campaign’s main objective is to address critical workforce shortages at Dr. Gray’s Hospital in Moray; in particular to enable a newly enhanced, consultant led maternity service to be established in the area.

As Chamber members from all sectors will be aware, our geographical location creates challenges - whether real or imagined - that can be a big barrier to attracting the right staff.

Realising that traditional methods weren’t cutting through, NHS Grampian formed a dedicated working group to devise a fresh

recruitment and communications strategy using funding from Scottish Government to help achieve its aim.

Launched only in January, it recently hit the major milestone of capturing the attention of over 1 million people. That’s a million people who now have greater knowledge of the region on which to base career choices.

The heart of the campaign focuses on the region’s incredible lifestyle and natural beauty rather than the hospital itself.

“We realised that Dr. Gray’s Hospital, while important and unique in its own way, is much like any other hospital,” says Stuart Humphreys, Marketing and Communications Director for NHS Grampian.

“What sets us apart is the lifestyle that Moray offers – the quality of life, the beautiful surroundings and the supportive community. That’s our unique selling point.”

The campaign showcases the stunning landscapes, outdoor activities and the promise of a balanced work-life dynamic that this area can uniquely offer.

outside work,” he explained. “We felt that our campaign tag line of “make a life, not just a living” helped encapsulate that for healthcare professionals who value both their career and a high quality of life.”

To support this initiative, NHS Grampian put together a dedicated communications and engagement team. This group includes marketing, media, public engagement, social media, video and design specialists, which has greatly boosted their outreach and strategic planning efforts.

The team conducted extensive research, including staff consultations and surveys, to identify the ideal candidate profiles.

“Understanding what potential recruits value has been crucial in shaping our campaign,” said Fiona Gardner, Marketing Coordinator at the Board.

“We identified common interests inside and outside of work and used those to produce a highly targeted campaign using platforms and outlets that you might not necessarily expect to see the NHS advertising in but we knew from the research we did that our target groups used. On Sky TV for example, the people we are looking

We made lots of decisions like that which helped make our limited budget go as far as possible.”

NHS Grampian has teamed up with prestigious national platforms like BBC Wildlife, Google, SKY and Mountain Biking UK. The campaign also targets major cities in England through TV and social media platforms like Snapchat and TikTok.

The campaign website, which aims to provide a one stop shop for interested applicants for vacancies and to answer their questions on things like housing, education and the Moray area more generally, has drawn nearly 90,000 users and over 300 speculative enquiries.

The campaign’s success at professional events, where so far over 250 healthcare specialists have shown strong interest in relocating to the area, highlights the effectiveness of a proactive, face to-face recruitment approach by going out to meet potential recruits where they are.

Since the campaign’s launch, NHS Grampian has already successfully filled almost two-thirds of the roles needed for the new maternity service, two years out from the late 2026 aim for achieving a full consultant-led obstetric service.

Our premier partners

The Chamber sits at the heart of the North-east business community and one of our core aims is to help create the economic conditions and business environment which will allow this region to flourish.

Our premier partners see the value of a strong regional Chamber and choose to engage with us at this level to reinforce their ongoing commitment to the region and its economy.

Without their support we would not be able to undertake much of the work that we do. Their engagement is hugely valued and appreciated.

If you are interested in joining them, we’d love to talk to you!

Welcome to the Chamber

Halcyon Spirits

Halcyon Spirits is a family-owned independent whisky bottling brand, based in Udny. Halcyon endeavours to bottle only the highest standard of whisky casks, presented in luxurious packaging with a feel and taste of superior quality.

T 01358 747470

W www.halcyonspirits.com

E daniel@halcyonspirits.com

C Daniel Milne, Co-Founder and Managing Director

Grouse Lettings

Provision of residential letting agency services in Aberdeen City, Shire and around the North-east. Grouse Lettings are answering the call of North-east landlords.

T 01224 607007

W www.grouselettings.co.uk

E info@grouselettings.co.uk

C Ross Watt, Managing Director

PD&MS Group

A leading multi-discipline engineering company servicing onshore and offshore energy.

T 01224 282900

W www.pdms-group.com

E info@pdms-group.com

The Aberdeen Dyce Hotel

An independent hotel offering easy access to Aberdeen city centre and conveniently located moments from Aberdeen International Airport and P&J Live. Featuring eight refurbished meeting rooms ranging from syndicate rooms seating up to 12 delegates to the Pitmedden Suite seating up to 400 delegates.

T 01224 394194

W www.aberdeendycehotel.co.uk

E reception@aberdeendycehotel.co.uk

C Helen McLoughlin, Cluster Director of Sales

Camm-Pro

A project management and integration company, focused on major capital projects across upstream, midstream and energy transition sectors. Track record in delivering EPC and EPCM solutions from concept, through FEED, execution and into operation.

T 01651 863636

W www.camm-pro.com

E info@camm-pro.com

C Simon McBain, Managing Director

474 by Cup

Locally owned independent café and takeaway. Specialist Square Mile coffee and unique freshly made on-site food and drinks including Açai bowls, matcha’s, freshly squeezed orange juice and smoothies.

T 07455 391128

W Instagram@474bycup

E 474bycup@gmail.com

C Angela Bradbrook, Owner

MHA

As a firm of chartered accountants, audit, tax and business advisers, MHA act for clients ranging from entrepreneurs, individuals, SME’s to multi-national corporations.

T 01772 821021

W www.mha.co.uk

E lucy.kennedy@mha.co.uk

Granite & Gold

Independent marketing consultancy working in partnership with their clients to help bring brands to life, tell compelling stories and achieve increased return on investment.

T 07870 674485

W www.graniteandgold.com

E Erin@graniteandgold.com

C Erin Burke Campbell, Director

Electra

Electra Learning is a leading provider of change management and learning solutions. Electra collaborates with the individual to plan and implement the rollout of the new or upgraded software; delivering comprehensive learning strategies to support business goals.

T 01224 295050

W www.electralearning.com

E info@electralearning.com

C Beth Milne, Managing Director

Storage Den

Storage Den provides highly secure self-storage for business and personal use through utilising keyless technology. It has a variety of individually alarmed units ranging in size from 25 sq. ft. to 200 sq. ft. that are accessed from a smartphone.

T 07746 251648

W www.storageden.co.uk

E support@storageden.co.uk

C Brian Barbour, Founder

GS-Hydro

GS-Hydro is the original provider of non-welded piping systems. Its leak-free piping solutions are in the offshore, marine and land-based industries such as pulp and paper or steel industries. The reliability of GS systems can be utilised in numerous high and low pressure applications with media such as water, oil, air, gas and mud.

T 01224 772111

W www.gshydro.com

E sales@gshydro.co.uk

C Sandy Flett, Sales and Business Development Manager

Customised Coatings

Customised Coatings specialise in alloy wheel refurbishment, including diamond cut Finish, wheel straightening and weld repairs. With over 10 years’ experience it has a great reputation with both trade and private custom.

T 01651 869497

W www.customisedcoatings.co.uk

E info@customisedcoatings.co.uk

C John Wilson

Industrial Coating Services

Industrial Coating Services specialise in delivering premium industrial painting and powder coating solutions for the oil and gas, subsea, agricultural, construction and manufacturing industries across the North-east of Scotland.

T 01651 869497

W www.icsaberdeen.co.uk

E info@icsaberdeen.co.uk

Thistle Tavern

A new immersive hub and retail space for tabletop roleplay gamers and trading card enthusiasts, the venue is located in the former Virgin Money bank at 395 Union Street. Friends and former colleagues Stuart Robb and Andrew Rayner have expanded into physical premises after successfully trading online for more than a year and branching out to include board games and dungeons and dragons miniatures.

T 07810266621 W www.thistletavern.com

E support@thistletavern.com

C Stuart Robb, Co-Owner

Integrated Catering Equipment (UK) Ltd

Integrated Catering Equipment (UK) Ltd, known as ICE formed in 1993, initially providing catering and laundry equipment for the offshore sector. ICE now offers comprehensive services for offshore and marine living quarters, including accommodation design, procurement and refurbishment. It prioritises quality, craftsmanship and exceptional customer service locally, nationally and internationally.

T 01224 294665 or 07379 346769

W www.iceukltd.com

E Kieran.whiffin@iceukltd.com

C Kieran Whiffin, Business Development Manager

Skills Development Scotland

SDS are Scotland’s national skills body. It contributes to Scotland’s sustainable economic growth by supporting people and businesses to gain and apply their skills.

T 01414 291999

W www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk

E allison.carrington@sds.co.uk

Ruune Logistics

Ruune Logistics is a provider of high-quality logistics, external and internal storage, a 3PL and heavy lift frame rental for most sectors within the UK and has many years’ experiences within.

T 01224 872821

W www.ruune-logistics.co.uk

E mike.pennie@ruune-uk.com

C Mike Pennie, Director

Brimmond Financial Planning

Brimmond Financial Planning, where financial wellbeing is the top priority. BFP prides itself on enabling its clients to achieve their financial goals and secure a prosperous future. For over two decades, BFP have been committed to providing expert independent across the North-east and wider regions of Scotland. Its mission is to provide straightforward expert advice, whether it’s for pension, investment, or protection guidance, it will work with you every step of the way to help you navigate the complexities of wealth management with confidence and peace of mind.

T 01224 330530

W www.brimmond.co.uk

E kris@brimmond.co.uk

C Kris Urquhart, Director

Laings

Established in 1862, Laings is one of the largest independent retailers of luxury kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms in the UK. Over 160 years in business, Laings have a long history of delivering for its customers across Scotland and beyond.

T 01467 620311

W www.laings.com

E info@laings.co.uk

Process Safety Solutions

Process Safety Solutions can supply bespoke solutions integrating control systems, safety instrumented systems, HMI/SCADA systems, networking solutions, cyber security solutions, alarm management and functional safety consultancy.

T 01224 586288

W www.processsafetysolutions.co.uk

E kbarclay@pssuk.co.uk

KR Group makes significant progress with distillery projects worth £1.5million

Aberdeenshire-based steel and cladding company KR Group has made significant progress with two major distillery projects, both of which are nearing completion.

The two projects have generated nearly £1.5million for the construction and engineering firm, further enhancing its track record in distillery work ranging from upgrades to new builds.

The team have worked on over 25 distilleries across Scotland previously, however recent projects at Glenfarclas Distillery and two new contracts in 2024 amassed significantly higher value.

The largest project, where KR Group was contracted to undertake over £1million worth of steel and cladding work, is due to be complete this autumn. For this particular project, KR Group handled all steel, cladding and flat sheet metal products, as well as consulting on various design aspects with the client.

The team have also now entered the second phase of works at Glendronach Distillery near Huntly, which involves the fabrication and erection of structural steel and installation of cladding for the extension and upgrade of the existing building. Phase one saw the team construct a new steel frame boiler house, complete with cladding, louvres and internal stairs.

In 2022, Glendronach Distillery announced over £30million investment to increase production facilities in the Valley of Forgue since global demand for Glendronach had tripled since 2016.

Ice cream brand defies market trends during soggy summer

The UK’s fastest growing premium ice cream brand has bucked the trend amidst a difficult summer for ice cream sales due to unusually wet and cool weather.

Research found the overall market value of ice cream sales had fallen by 8% compared with last year and the volume of litres sold declined by 10% compared to the same period in the previous year.

However, Mackie’s of Scotland has enjoyed a fruitful period, recording an 18% increase in both volume and value growth, showcasing the enduring appeal of its premium ice cream products.

Driving factors include the brand’s recent expansions in national distribution of its Honeycomb, Strawberry Swirl and Raspberry Ripple flavours, which have proven popular with English consumers.

Will Dixon, Head of Sales at Mackie’s of Scotland, said: “Our focus on maintaining high quality standards while maintaining competitive pricing in challenging market conditions has resonated with consumers.

“With the temperature finally starting to rise across the UK, we’re confident we can build on these strong sales and see even more ice cream lovers trying and enjoying our delicious range of flavours, which are more easily available than ever.”

The growth spurt comes after Mackie’s landed products in an additional 1,000+ UK stores this year across Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco in deals worth more than £1million.

The increased distribution of its diverse range of flavours has further solidified its market position.

Dixon added: “Our goal is to maintain high Scotland sales, where we remain the nation’s favourite and best-selling ice cream and expand across the rest of the UK where there is so much room for growth.

“That is where our focus is as a brand, to continue to get more Mackie’s flavours out there for people across the UK to enjoy.”

Mackie’s produces luxury ice cream at its fifth generation Aberdeenshire farm from ‘sky to scoop’, with wind and sun-powered renewable energy powering the dairy where it makes its ice cream using fresh milk and cream from its own herd.

The brand has become a household name in Scotland and aims to replicate this success across the UK, leveraging its reputation for quality and affordability.

As well as being the largest independently owned ice cream manufacturer in the UK, Mackie’s is one of the UK’s top ice cream brands, with its one litre Traditional tub among the best-selling premium ice cream products in the UK.

Amy Liptrott, Director, Aberdeen Arts Centre

Give us the elevator pitch for your business.

Our mission is to provide the people of the North-east of Scotland with an exciting and welcoming venue, where they can experience and participate in everything the performing arts has to offer. We are committed to making these experiences accessible

Steven Burnett, Marketing, Logistics and Stakeholder Communications Manager, Aberdeen Laundry Services

Give us the elevator pitch for your business.

Aberdeen Laundry Services is Scotland’s premier independent textile rental and laundry provider, offering comprehensive services to the hospitality, oil and gas, insurance

and enriching for all in our beautiful, iconic building in the heart of Aberdeen.

Who are your customers?

They are many and varied! Performers. Audiences. Workshop participants developing skills to be the workforce of the future. The young at heart taking part in something new. Local businesses hiring space for events. Local professional creatives developing new work. In our 60th year, we are building our successful legacy to develop our offer for young people, families, local performers and professional creatives in Aberdeen and the North-east.

What is the biggest challenge and opportunity your organisation is facing right now?

Our biggest challenge isn’t a unique one: cuts in cultural sector funding when we are still in a critical period of recovery post pandemic. Our most exciting challenge is taking our pioneering legacy into the future.

restoration and healthcare sectors. With strategically located facilities in Aberdeen, Keith, Inverness and East Kilbride, we ensure prompt and reliable service tailored to our clients’ needs.

Who are your customers?

Our clientele includes businesses in the hospitality industry, oil and gas companies, insurance and healthcare facilities throughout Scotland. We provide them with high-quality textile rental, restoration and laundry services, enabling them to maintain cleanliness, hygiene and operational efficiency.

What is the biggest challenge and opportunity your organisation is facing right now?

Currently, our biggest challenge is adapting to evolving industry regulations and market dynamics while ensuring the highest standards of service and sustainability. However, this challenge also presents

We are focused not only on building a new pioneering creative learning programme, but also a capital refurbishment of our much loved but tired building. A challenging time and one which is also full of opportunity.

What is your word of advice for fellow Chamber members?

Take part in the cultural life of Aberdeen. Join us for a show, a workshop, a band, a blether and contribute to the local cultural scene. It will thrive even more with you there. I’d love to welcome you for a tour of our amazing buildings and share our exciting vision for the future.

What is the best thing about being a chamber member?

The best thing about being a Chamber member is having the opportunity to meet and share experiences with so many different people from different sectors. The sausages butties at a morning meeting aren’t bad, either!

an opportunity for innovation, efficiency improvements and expanding our market reach through strategic partnerships and technology integration.

What is your word of advice for fellow Chamber members?

My advice to fellow Chamber members is to prioritise collaboration and networking. By leveraging the collective expertise and resources within the Chamber, businesses can overcome challenges more effectively, discover new opportunities and foster long-term growth and success.

What is the best thing about being a chamber member?

Being a member of the Chamber offers invaluable networking opportunities, access to industry insights and resources and a platform for advocacy and representation.

Gavin Sim, Managing Director, Alba Gaskets Limited

Give us the elevator pitch for your business.

Alba is the only company in Scotland who design and manufacture reverse integrity gaskets. Our patented Alba-RIG™ range has become an integral part of the energy sector’s leak testing methodology and is now the market leader.

Lucy Nicoll, Associate Director, Eden Scott

When was your business established?

Eden Scott (Aberdeen) was established in 2009

What does your business do?

Eden Scott is one of Scotland’s leading recruitment and executive

Who are your customers?

Our customers are predominantly in the energy sector including major oil and gas operators and subsea contractors. Our AlbaRIG™ product has been supplied to over 30 countries since its launch in 2020 including China and we are seeing a lot of interest from overseas clients.

What is the biggest challenge and opportunity your organisation is facing right now?

Transitioning from being an Aberdeen focused distribution business to a globally focused manufacturer has been a big challenge. This wasn’t an easy process and it was an achievement to get there so quickly. We are working on many exciting opportunities from new markets and sectors. We are particularly proud to have received our first order in the carbon capture sector for a project based in Asia. We

hope that our early engagement in CCS can lead to a long-term future in this market.

What is your word of advice for fellow Chamber members?

Never be afraid to ask for advice. There are lots of individuals and agencies who are willing to help and we have had great assistance from the likes of Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) and the Global Scots Network.

What is the best thing about being a Chamber member?

As a new member we are looking forward to utilising the experience of the Chambers international documentation support teams and taking advantage of the various networking events and staff training programmes.

search businesses. We are a multisector recruiter supporting the very best talent to find the best businesses to grow with. We cover temp, contract and permanent recruitment, as well as delivering assessment centres and creative digital recruitment campaigns.

What sort of companies do you do business with?

Eden Scott works with various organisations within the energy industry, covering renewables, oil and gas, decommissioning and energy transition. Our reach extends to a diverse range of industries, including property and construction, hospitality, food and drink and life sciences. Our Talent Spark offering positions us strongly in the dynamic ‘start-up’ market.

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

The biggest challenge in the recruitment industry at the moment is the volume of candidates. We are working with some of the most exciting businesses in the North-east and many find candidate attraction difficult, which is where we can help.

And the biggest opportunity?

There is tremendous opportunity within the energy transition market to support our clients in finding the top talent with the transferable skills to help their businesses prosper.

What are you most passionate and proud of when it comes to your business?

I’m incredibly proud of the reputation our team at Eden Scott has developed for first-class service levels and reliable delivery.

Forsyths are exhibiting at Floating Offshore Wind 2024 at P&J Live on the 9th & 10th October 2024

Come see our team at Stand F50, to see what Forsyths can do for you!

Forsyths are a key resource to Scotland’s energy security, focusing on fabrication for the energy sector, engineered with a lifetime of skills. Local fabrication, energising Scotland. Local and Strategically Global.

AM Sci Tech lets further office suite at Aberdeen Energy Park

AM Sci Tech, a subsidiary of Hurstwood Holdings, the owner of Aberdeen Energy and Innovation Parks, has let a further office suite at the Energy Park in Bridge of Don.

Scot-Tel-Gould has signed-up for a small first-floor office suite at the Enterprise Centre. The office will initially accommodate two people, with plans to add two more within the next year. The company also has a storage base in Peterhead.

Established almost fourteen years ago, Scot-Tel-Gould works across the North-east Scotland to provide fast reliable wireless and fibre broadband.

Georgi Hristov, Technical Director of Scot-Tel-Gould commented: “The pandemic delayed our plans to open a new office for three years, but we are now confident in moving forward. The new space is ideal for our current needs and also provides room for future growth and expansion.”

Aberdeen Energy & Innovation Park estates manager, Cherry Paton added: “We are experiencing strong interest in our office solutions at the Parks. It is really encouraging to see another suite leased at the Enterprise Centre. We wish Georgi every success.”

Northfield Academy pupil wins top prize from Oxford University

A pupil at Northfield Academy is the Scottish winner of level two French of the prestigious Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators 2024.

Over 16,000 pupils in the UK took part in the creative translation competition, which was across four levels in five languages, covering all year groups at secondary school from age 11 to 18 years old.

Robyn Rodgers, who is in year five at Northfield Academy, used her language skills to translate a text from French into English using a list of vocabulary provided and a bilingual dictionary. The Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators is an initiative of The Queen’s College Translation Exchange, University of Oxford.

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky releases two rare aged Macallans

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Ltd has announced its ‘Rarest Reserve’, a series of ultra exclusive expressions from its most revered casks.

The first two inaugural editions of this prestigious collection are a 52-year-old and 33-year-old Macallan, each bottled at 100ml and presented in an elegant gold bar design, limited to 500 per edition. Both have a lustrous glow, befitting the aged cask strength whiskies and packaging, while the volume appeals to a broader market of connoisseurs.

The company presented HM King Charles III and HM Queen Camilla both with a dram of the 52-year-old Macallan at the 900th anniversary event at Edinburgh Castle. Launching these spirits from the Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky portfolio has also been timed to celebrate The Macallan’s illustrious 200th anniversary.

The journey of the 52-year-old Macallan Single Malt began in 1969, when the liquid was originally laid to rest. For decades, the liquid aged in a traditional American Oak ex-bourbon barrel until it was extracted from its original resting place and transferred into first fill ex-Oloroso Sherry Casks.

The 33-year-old has a multi layered complexity, offering facets of over-ripe tropical fruits, indulgent dark chocolate and a rich spiciness. On the palate is a creamy toffee with a finish that is elegant and rich, this whisky is one to be savoured, appreciated and celebrated.

Storage Den’s grows to 50% occupancy in the first four months

Storage Den, a modern self-storage company based in Bridge of Don, has passed over the 50% occupancy mark since opening in March this year with the new keyless self-storage solution being popular among business and domestic customers.

Storage Den provides highly secure self-storage units for personal and business use in Aberdeen. It has a variety of premium internal storage units ranging from 25 sq. ft. through to 200 sq. ft., all of which are individually alarmed with motion sensors and monitored by CCTV.

The facility uses keyless technology that allows customers to access the facility between 5am and 11pm, seven days a week from their smartphone and share access to their unit with colleagues, family or removal companies.

Green light for Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub

bp Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy Limited – the joint venture between bp and Aberdeen City Council – has announced that the final investment decision for its Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub project has been agreed, supporting the region’s energy transition ambitions and its drive to become a leader in lower carbon energy.

The planned hub will feature a hydrogen production, storage and distribution facility, located at Hareness Road, Aberdeen which will be powered by electricity generated at a solar farm to be installed on the former Ness landfill site.

Dr Oliver Taylor, Chief Executive for bp Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy Limited, said: “This is an exciting milestone for the project, Aberdeen and its people. Not only does the hydrogen hub support bp and Aberdeen City Council’s shared ambition for the city’s future, it also presents a growth opportunity for the region’s supply chain and skills development.”

Aberdeen City Council Co-leader Councillor Ian Yuill added: “This investment by the Council and bp is an important step towards the delivery of the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub project. Aberdeen has been a leader among cities in bringing hydrogen to market for public transport and council fleet vehicles. This project is central to our vision to increase the supply and demand for hydrogen as a fuel in support of the city’s net zero vision.”

bp Senior Vice President Europe, Louise Kingham, said: “Aberdeen City Council deserves a huge amount of credit for showing leadership as they progress their plans to deliver lower carbon energy solutions and, for bp, this is further evidence of how we are backing Britain by investing in support of today’s energy needs and those of tomorrow.”

Following this decision, the joint venture intends to proceed towards commencement of construction activities, which are expected to begin before the end of 2024. Targeting production from 2026, once operational the hub will have the potential to deliver up to around 300 tonnes of green hydrogen a year through the initial phase of the project, enough to fuel 25 buses and a similar number of other fleet vehicles per day.

Dedicated to making an impact.

Stand out with tailored strategies that deliver real results. Reach your ideal customers with impactful, no-nonsense marketing.

Ready to elevate your brand? Drop us an email info@mearns-gill.com or call +44 (0)1224 646311 to get started.

Rise of the machines?

The marketing trends to look out for in 2025

People buy from people – or so the saying goes – but that could be about to change as machines assume a greater role in our day-to-day communications.

People working in the marketing sector are widely considered to be most at risk from the AI revolution. However, marketers here in the North-east of Scotland say they are harnessing the powers of artificial intelligence to deliver bigger and better results for clients.

Some are even describing it as their “secret weapon” for delivering more immersive and innovative experiences.

With the right data, generative AI can help predict consumer behaviour

What once would take days or weeks to analyse can now be done in minutes and it is revolutionising marketing strategies, making them smarter and more efficient.

A helping hand

Weronika Ptaszynska, Junior Account Manager at Mearns & Gill, said: “Imagine having a constantly learning, continuously optimising marketing assistant.

“It may sound too good to be true, but it’s the reality and who wouldn’t want that?”

She added: “Think of AI as your secret weapon, empowering you to craft campaigns that are not only efficient but also incredibly effective.

Ashleigh Walker, Marketing Manager,

“In 2025, embracing AI-driven tools will be essential to stay ahead of the

Weronika’s words are backed up by data – and Google searches for ‘AI marketing tools’ have increased by 967% over the past 24 months.

“AI won’t replace a marketer, but a marketer who understands AI will replace one who doesn’t,” said James Donaldson, Communications Director at Engage PR.

He has over 25 years’ experience in his field and has seen traditional marketing tactics come and go.

Instead of pretending it doesn’t exist, he suggests marketers should be embracing the qualities artificial intelligence has to offer. It’s reshaping the sector and its influence is set to become even more significant by 2025.

He added: “AI can generate high-quality engagement, as demonstrated in the English Premier League with various marketing initiatives to enhance fan experience.”

But it’s not the be-all and end-all of marketing.

“It accelerates early-stage ideation, competitor analysis and research - before letting humans take over,” James continued.

Ultimately, marketers will still make the final decision and marketing will always be human-centric, according to James.

Instead, it’s the “combination of human ingenuity supported by technology that will make strategies resonate and drive engagement.”

Prospect

Let’s get personal

Whilst artificial intelligence continues to dominate most aspects of marketing, another marketing trend to watch in 2025 is the rise of personalised content.

Ashleigh Walker, Marketing Manager at Prospect 13 said: “Post-pandemic, people want to feel connected therefore face-to-face experiences will be valued above wading through digital content.”

Becky Orlinski, Brand and Design Manager at ThinkPR agrees: “With the continued rise of artificial intelligence-based algorithms, we expect a drastic increase in personalised content delivered directly to users.”

Tailored content matters now more than ever. Weronika argues that consumers are fed up with generic messages and it’s personalised marketing that drives loyalty and engagement.

She said the use of artificial intelligence will “analyse realtime consumer behaviour, creating personalised content that deeply resonates with each individual.”

Becky agrees: “AI based procedures will enable businesses to optimise their ad spend. These tools analyse user preference and behaviour in even more detail than ever before.”

Ashleigh also suggests that “AI and voice-activated SEO will spark a rise in hyper-personalised content.”

Keep it simple

While this may seem like a winwin situation, there’s a danger of overcomplicating your message. The foundation to succeed needs to be strong and too many options will confuse your audience.

James said: “Understanding cultural nuances, interpreting emotions, applying contextual awareness, setting the tone and crafting compelling narratives are crucial to distinguishing first-rate campaigns from the mundane.”

Becky added: “The foundation to succeed in marketing is having a strong message and having it to be consistent.”

As James reinforces, artificial intelligence won’t take our jobs, but we need to learn how to use it efficiently. Don’t overuse it or cast it aside, but a fine balance will increase your proficiency and skills.

Setting the scene, James said efficiency is a key benefit for users of artificial intelligence and learning to use it correctly will save time and money.

“For instance, bringing back Carrie Fisher in Star Wars once took months and cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, but now similar creativity can be achieved by one person in a week.”

What once was a tool to be feared, it seems marketers are using AI more efficiently to revolutionise their marketing strategies.

Becky Orlinski, Brand and Design Manager, ThinkPR

Weronika Ptaszynska, Junior Account Manager, Mearns & Gill

Richard Pirie, Service and Asset Manager, Hunting Energy Services Limited

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

There are too many people in multiple countries to name who has impacted my career. They taught me the importance of strategic thinking and detailed planning, which are skills that have served me well in my career. Additionally, the need for empathy in leadership, which has helped me build stronger relationships with my team and promote a great work atmosphere. I still go to their perceptive and creative approach to problemsolving for guidance as I work through challenges in my current role.

What’s the most effective piece of training or personal development you have undertaken?

One of the most impactful personal development experiences I’ve had was a Business Leadership Development course I completed in London several years ago. This provided valuable insights into financial concepts, such as the time value of money and strategies for capital replacement. It also significantly enhanced my ability to analyse financial statements and understand how cash flow impacts shareholder value. More importantly, the course equipped me with a toolbox of leadership skills and techniques, making me a more effective leader.

What’s the biggest lesson you have learned in business?

In business, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is the crucial balance of optimism and preparedness. It’s about striving for success while anticipating potential pitfalls. This means having robust contingency plans and risk management strategies in place. This proactive approach allows me to stay agile and adaptable when unexpected challenges arise.

What’s been your proudest career achievement to date?

My proudest career achievement to date has been the opportunity to work in multiple countries around the world. This experience has allowed me to meet and learn from industry leaders across various markets and cultures. It has broadened my perspective, my understanding of global business practices and enhanced my ability to navigate diverse environments.

What’s the best thing about doing business in the northeast of Scotland?

The best thing about doing business in the North-east of Scotland is the strong sense of community and collaboration, the supportive network of organisations and resources available provides a solid foundation for success.

What was your first job?

Dishwasher at the Park Hotel Montrose.

Who or what inspires you most?

People that push themselves to leave their comfort zones and accomplish remarkable things. These people frequently take chances and persevere in the face of adversity. Their willingness to take risks and follow their passions inspires me to constantly aim for greatness in my personal and professional life. Their experiences serve as a reminder that when we embrace the unknown and have the courage to dream large, we develop.

What word or phrase in businessspeak exasperates you?

The term “synergy” is overused and frequently has no real meaning. Simple language with a clear meaning is what I like.

How do you relax?

To relax, I enjoy spending quality time with my family. Also, I can be found on the golf course, but the latter I wouldn’t exactly call relaxing.

ONE OF BRITAIN’S MOST INSPIRING BUSINESS LEADERS IS HEADING TO ABERDEEN TO SHARE STORIES OF HER REMARKABLE CAREER.

Baroness Martha Lane Fox is the latest big name to head north for the Ultimate Masterclass Festival, which was created by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce to boost city centre footfall.

As one of the darlings of the dotcom boom, Baroness Lane Fox rose to prominence with the creation of holiday website lastminute.com in the 1990s, a business which was later sold for $1.1billion in 2005.

However, after securing her big exit, everything changed. A horror car crash in Morocco left her with 28 broken bones and close to death. She spent two years in hospital and is still recovering from her injuries nearly 20 years on.

However, she fought back and has since returned to the top of British business, going on to serve on the boards of WeTransfer, fashion house Chanel and latterly Twitter; a role she left in 2022 during the controversial Elon Musk takeover.

North-east business leaders will be able to hear her incredible story in person at a special dinner taking place at Union Kirk on September 19th.

More than 8,000 people have attended the Ultimate Masterclass Festival since it was launched by the Chamber in 2023.

The festival was created to inspire the region’s business community and to support the recovery of the city centre with exciting events which bring footfall.

Its headline acts to date have included ‘Diary of a CEO’ star

Steven Bartlett, podcaster Elizabeth Day, global AI expert Nina Schick, footballer turned entrepreneur Gary Neville and television great Davina McCall. Broadcaster Louis Theroux will join the festival later this year.

UMF: A Dinner with Baroness Martha Lane Fox will be hosted by Ryan Crighton, Policy and Marketing Director at the Chamber and one of UMF’s founders.

He said: “The Ultimate Masterclass Festival was created to inspire our business community and there is nobody with a more exceptional story than Baroness Martha Lane Fox.

“Her remarkable resilience is inspirational and her ability to seize business opportunities, particularly in the digital space, remains unmatched in the UK.

“This is a one-off opportunity to hear the wisdom and stories of a truly exceptional and inspirational business leader. Don’t miss out!”

“The feedback for UMF so far has been incredible and this promises to be another memorable night.”

The Baroness, as her title suggests, is also now a member of the House of Lords where she sits as a crossbencher and is she also President of the British Chambers of Commerce.

PCL Live expands into new warehouse, reflecting major growth and success

In a significant leap forward, PCL Live, a leading name in the audiovisual (AV) industry, has expanded into a new warehouse.

This strategic move is a testament to the company’s remarkable success and growth over the past year, marking a new chapter in its journey of excellence.

To stay ahead in the ever-evolving AV sector, PCL Live invested over £500,000 in innovative technology. This substantial investment underscores the company’s commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions to its clients. Among the new assets is an impressive 120 square metres of video wall, bringing the company’s total to over 200 square metres. This new addition has proved to be a game-changer for many of PCL Live’s recent projects.

PCL Live’s expansion goes beyond its physical space as the company welcomed Dan Baker to its team. The addition to the team marks another milestone in PCL Live’s journey towards excellence.

Over the past years, PCL Live has successfully delivered several massive projects in the North-east of Scotland. These include world-first installations like the 162” Touchscreen LED video wall and custom video walls for some of Aberdeen’s largest events.

Alex Sherman, Business Development and Technical Manager at PCL Live, commented on the company’s growth, saying: “The growth we have seen over the past year has been fantastic, a real testament to the team and the quality of work they deliver day in and day out.”

ONLINE

Aberdeen Science Centre on course to hit event targets

Aberdeen Science Centre is on course to exceed its targets for corporate events, with bookings already almost 10% ahead of last year.

The centre has hosted 25 events in the first six months of the year, bringing more than 650 people to the unusual venue, with others scheduled for the coming months. Several organisations have held multiple events at the venue, ranging from boardroom meetings to major conferences using each of the centre’s exhibition and event spaces.

Aberdeen Science Centre underwent a multi-millionpound transformation in 2020 and is now equipped with high-tech AV for both in-person and hybrid events.

Erin Flett, Head of Business Development at Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “We hosted 46 events in the last financial year and so far this year we have hosted 25 corporate events in our versatile events space. We are seeing an increase in bookings via agencies, as well as educational charities like ourselves.

Northwood launches new regional office in Banchory

Leading estate and lettings agency Northwood opened the doors to its new premises on 57 High Street, Banchory.

The launch of the new office marks a major and exciting development in the multi award-winning company’s growth strategy as it celebrates its 15th anniversary. Banchory is Northwood’s third regional office, the others being in Aberdeen’s Rosemount and Inverurie High Street.

Branch Manager Ali Clark said: “After months of preparation, the much-anticipated opening of the Banchory office has been very exciting and already we have been made very welcome by our new neighbours.

Northwood Owner and Director Laura Mearns and her husband Steven launched the company in 2009 and in the 15 years since have seen it acquire a rapidly expanding portfolio of properties and an annual turnover of £950,000. The aim this year is to exceed £1million turnover.

Turner & Townsend’s turnover rises to £1.5billion after year of growth

Turner & Townsend published its annual review for 20232024, reporting double-digit growth across all its three core segments – real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources.

The global professional services company’s worldwide turnover and net revenue for the twelve months to 30 April 2024 rose to £1.5billion and £1.3billion – increases of 25% and 22% respectively – while global EBITA, showing core profitability, grew by 21% to £192million.

Net revenue in the UK, where Turner & Townsend is headquartered, rose by 20% over the year to reach £483million. The growth reflects a greater call for expertise across complex programmes, and success right across the business’ diverse areas of work. 202324 is also the first full year of trading since Turner & Townsend announced its merger with London-based cost management business alinea, further bolstering the collective offer to clients across key growth sectors such as tall buildings and life sciences.

Local Chef named finalist for National Chef of the Year

Award-winning Aberdeen Executive Chef Orry Shand, who leads the kitchen at Entier Ltd, has been named as a finalist for the Craft Guild of Chefs prestigious title of National Chef of the Year.

Orry who previously won the Scottish Chef of the Year award, is not only a highly celebrated chef but also the current team manager of the Scottish Culinary Team, who recently took home two silver medals at this year’s IKA Culinary Olympics in Stuttgart.

Orry’s latest achievement as a finalist for National Chef of the Year, along with Entier’s recent sweep of top prizes at the North-east Chef and Restaurant of the Year awards, solidifies Entier’s reputation as the leading catering company in Scotland.

Macpherson,

New report highlights the economic impact of Robert Gordon’s College in the local community

A new report has been published by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce which examines the contribution that Robert Gordon’s College makes to the city and wider region through employment, expenditure in the local supply chain, public benefit, outreach and public sector savings.

The report highlights that Robert Gordon’s College (RGC) provides a GVA contribution of £6.14million annually to the North-east economy with the following key points:

• Robert Gordon’s College is a registered charity with significant impact locally and regionally

• The equivalent cost of educational provision across the public sector for RGC’s 1,500 pupils would be £10.6million per year

• 1 in 7 RGC pupils are supported by the bursary programme with 39% reaching the most highly deprived areas of the region

• As a large city centre employer, Robert Gordon’s College directly employs 388 staff

• 99% of RGC salary expenditure is within the North-east region

• 35% of RGC’s annual expenditure is with suppliers in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire

• As a large school community with campuses in the city centre and at Countesswells, additional benefits are being realised through pupil and parent expenditure due to their attendance at RGC

Robin Macpherson, Head of College, said: “This report highlights just how much value Robert Gordon’s College adds to the local economy and how integral we are to businesses across the region.

“Our financial sustainability as a school is dependent on Aberdeen’s future prosperity, so we do everything we can to work with multiple local stakeholders to support economic growth.

“Robert Gordon’s vision, set out in 1729, was to create a school that

supported the local community and we are proud that our public benefit footprint today continues to fulfil that founding purpose.”

Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, added: “This report demonstrates the force for good that independent schools are in their communities across the UK.

“Not just in terms of providing excellent education for our young people but in the direct and positive impact they have on their places. Robert Gordon’s College provides employment for almost 400 people and contributes over £6million annually to the regional economy.

“Additionally, by educating their 1,500+ pupils outside of the state system, this provides an effective cost saving to our local authorities of over £10million every year.

“Robert Gordon’s is an active player in Aberdeen life, bringing footfall and vibrancy to our city centre, supporting local good causes and much more and the Chamber is proud to have them as one of our partners.”

Robin

Head of Robert Gordon’s College

AGS airports ranks top in CAA passenger accessibility report

AGS Airports which owns and operates Aberdeen International, Glasgow and Southampton airports, welcomed the findings of the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) annual accessibility report.

The CAA published its annual Airport Accessibility report, which ranked every airport in the UK – with an annual passenger volume of more than 150,000 – on its accommodation and treatment of passengers with reduced mobility and disabilities.

Glasgow and Southampton airports both achieved a ‘very good’ rating and Aberdeen achieved a ‘good’ rating.

In additional to their overall survey provision, all airports were recognised for “effectively engaging with disability organisations through an Accessibility Forum”.

Aberdeen science breakthrough could treat arthritis

The discovery of a new regulator affecting immune cells could lead to new treatments to reduce inflammation in diseases including arthritis and severe CV19.

A large research collaboration, led by the University of Exeter and involving a team from the University of Aberdeen’s Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health, focused on how immune cells sense their environment. This activity triggers responses which are finely balanced, to protect against disease and infection and to reduce cell-damaging inflammation.

The new research, published in Nature and funded by the Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust and Versus Arthritis, looked at the behaviour of a receptor known as MICL and its role in both preventing inflammation and protecting against infection.

Most receptors in the immune system sense their environment and send signals to cells, telling them to activate in response to changes such as infection or tissue damage. The team’s work revealed that MICL does the opposite, inhibiting the activation of the cell. The team went on to demonstrate the essential role that MICL plays in regulating inflammation in severe CV19, as well as arthritis and some other autoimmune diseases.

Ashtead Technology expands Norway operation with new hub

Ashtead Technology, a leading provider of subsea technology and services, has further invested in the Norwegian market by opening a new facility in Stavanger.

Norway’s rich history of innovation in offshore energy presents significant opportunities for Ashtead Technology to enhance its service offerings for customers locally, building on strong foundations having previously supported the region remotely for many years.

The new facility serves as a strategic hub, initially offering a comprehensive suite of ROV tooling and subsea survey technology. This expansion follows the acquisition of ACE Winches in 2023 which provided Ashtead Technology with its first facility in Stavanger for managing lifting, pulling and deployment services.

Ithaca Energy open sensory garden at Linn Moor School

VSA, the social care charity supporting the people of Aberdeen and North-east Scotland, officially opened a new sensory garden at its Linn Moor School facility, supported by Ithaca Energy.

Ithaca Energy not only provided a five-figure sum to enable the complete renovation of the garden space but 259 members of Ithaca’s team gifted 1,813 hours of volunteer time over a 12-month period transforming the space.

The sensory garden now features an outdoor education space, strawberry planter areas, specialist flora and fauna which support smell and touch, musical play and dedicated seating areas for the children to enjoy the outdoor space.

New Aberdeen HQ expansion for Zenith Energy

Zenith Energy expanded its UK headquarters with the acquisition of additional space at No. 13 Bon Accord Square in Aberdeen city centre.

This strategic growth reflects Zenith Energy’s commitment to supporting its increasing workforce and enhancing the organisation’s capabilities to better serve its clients.

The independent well engineering consultancy and project management company also has offices in Aberdeen, Australia, Senegal and Abu Dhabi.

Williams Shipping team celebrate 130th anniversary

In June, the Williams Shipping team along with family and partners, came together to celebrate the milestone 130th Anniversary of Williams Shipping and raised £2,400 for the charity Mind.

The evening began with a refreshing glass of fizz and a chance for the Williams Shipping team to mix with colleagues from the various divisions including marine, logistics, cargo, lubricants and willbox containers.

Staff enjoyed a summer BBQ and live music before a raffle to raise funds for the charity Mind. With such a deserving charity that makes such a difference to the lives of people suffering with mental health and thanks to some prizes generously donated by wonderful business partners, a total of £2,400 was raised on the day.

Aberdeen second in Scotland for student satisfaction in national survey

The University of Aberdeen has been ranked second in Scotland for overall student satisfaction and 15th in the UK for positive responses in the National Student Survey (NSS).

Measuring student feedback across a broad range of areas related to their learning experience and support, the 2024 survey has seen both Aberdeen’s overall student satisfaction and average positivity scores continue to climb, rising to 85% and 84% respectively.

Out of 122 higher education institutions, the NSS places the University in the UK top 10 for teaching, academic support, learning resources and organisation.

At a subject level, the University of Aberdeen is first in the UK for Earth Sciences, History of Art, Architecture and Design, Human Geography and Linguistics.

Aberdeen

firm

expands into four new cities with major

acquisition

Aberdeen equipment rental specialist First Integrated Solutions has completed a major acquisition which will expand into four new cities and extend its services across multiple sectors.

The fast-growing firm has sealed a seven-figure deal to buy Tusk Lifting, which has depots in Middlesborough, Liverpool, Hull and Glasgow.

The combined business will have a turnover of nearly £20million and employ around 125 people across its five sites, serving a joint customer-base spanning the construction, manufacturing, oil and gas and renewable energy sectors.

Tusk Lifting has been acquired from parent firm Mammoet - part of the Dutch conglomerate SHV Holdings, which also owns retail chain Makro.

All Tusk Lifting staff have transferred over to First Integrated Solutions and the combined business is looking to invest an additional £3million over the next five years to ensure it offers “the best and safest equipment at the most competitive rates”.

Martin Suttie, Managing Director at First Integrated Solutions, said: “First Integrated has been successful at growing its market share in Aberdeen through continual investment in new equipment and the hard work of our dedicated team.

“By coming together with Tusk Lifting, we will now be able to grow our market share throughout the UK and this deal allows us to diversify the industries which we serve. It also brings additional services to Tusk, allowing it build on its industry-leading lifting business.”

Tusk Lifting Managing Director Kevin Chalmers said: “I am truly delighted with the new ownership and it was clear from the moment that we started this journey that both companies have aligned missions and goals.

“There is a long-term vision in place which is hugely exciting and with the backing of First Integrated Solutions we will have access to more resources, equipment and a broader network.

“This partnership will enable us to innovate faster, serve our clients better and expand our horizons.”

BGF’s Glacier Energy investment to further shape energy services landscape

BGF, one of the largest and most experienced growth capital investors in the UK and Ireland, has announced a multi-million-pound investment in Glacier Energy, joining Averroes Capital as investors in the business.

BGF took a minority stake in the Aberdeenheadquartered energy services company after following its growth and expansion into the broader renewables market for a number of years.

With the support of Averroes and BGF, Glacier Energy will now continue the rapid growth delivered in the last two years and is investing in additional manufacturing capacity and establishing a technician training academy. It will also pursue further strategic acquisitions.

Glacier Energy is a specialist provider of products, services and engineered solutions for a wide range of industrial and energy markets. Its core capabilities include heat transfer and pressure vessels, machining, welding and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and inspection services. These specialisms are well suited to the energy transition and Glacier Energy has been instrumental in advancing in-demand hydrogen, carbon capture, and energy storage technologies.

Founded in 2011, the business has completed 11 acquisitions and has been an early-mover in leveraging its engineering and technical expertise to support lowcarbon technologies. It directly employs 220 people plus 20 contractors and is now recruiting further capacity.

Building on strong growth and to realise further ambitions underpinned by new investment, the company recently welcomed Nick Horler as Non-executive Chairman and Mark Ritchie as Group Chief Financial Officer.

volunteer@befriendachild.org.uk 01224 210060

Befriend a Child are looking for volunteer mentors to be a positive, trusted and fun role model for local young people who need additional support due to living in challenging home circumstances.

Volunteers will meet with their young person twice a month to provide guidance, support and encouragement that will make a positive and lasting difference to their lives.

Agilico moves to a new expanded energy-efficient

office in Aberdeen

Agilico, a leading provider of workspace, IT and telecom solutions, opens its new, purpose-built office facility with an EPC rating of A/A+ in Aberdeen.

In a significant move that highlights its commitment to sustainability and growth, Agilico celebrates the move to City South Business Park from Grampian House after nearly two decades.

Located around five miles from the city centre, the new expanded sustainably rated office officially opened on June 27, 2024, by Bob Keiller, former Chair of Scottish Enterprise – Scotland’s national economic development agency.

Bob Keiller said: “It is encouraging to see Agilico investing in Aberdeen and expanding their cost effective an environmentally responsible approach.”

As the UK’s pioneering circular-first managed print services business, the new Aberdeen workshop is at the forefront of refurbishing the range of multi-functional devices, making it the only supplier leading sustainability with its extensive capabilities in the area.

Additionally, the new office is equipped with energy efficient smart lighting and insulation reflecting Agilico’s dedication to sustainability and responsible business.

Bumper year for Brimmond as turnover soars by 74%

North-east Scotland based engineering specialists, Brimmond have announced a 74% increase in turnover for the year 2023 - 24, reaching £11.4million, far exceeding their forecast of £10million.

A number of high-value contract wins across multiple sectors have contributed to this exceptional financial position.

Situated in Kintore, Aberdeenshire, Brimmond specialises in the design, manufacture, rental and repair of lifting, mechanical and hydraulic equipment for industry.With customer demand accelerating business growth, Brimmond embarked on an extensive recruitment campaign, increasing the firm’s headcount from 40 to 52 in the space of a year.

Managing Director of Brimmond, Tom Murdoch, said: “Whilst we anticipated growth for the company over the past financial year, the extent of that growth has far exceeded our expectations. I am extremely grateful to our incredible team for their hard work and commitment to delivering exceptional equipment and services, as well as welcoming new team members and helping train them to the highest standards of the ‘Brimmond way’.”

ZynQ 360 announces usage by ExxonMobil

ZynQ 360, a global provider of asset visualisation software and services, announced that ExxonMobil reached a significant milestone with the use of its asset visualisation software, ZynQ.

ExxonMobil now boasts over 5,000 active users across 27 assets, who have collectively surpassed five million hits using ZynQ.

Austa McKendrick, Sales Director at ZynQ 360 said: “This is a testament to the visual way of working our platform brings to ExxonMobil and we are looking forward to continuing to grow the value we bring to them.”

Brian Scott, QHSE Manager, Hydro Group

Give us the elevator pitch for your business

We design, manufacture and test complete subsea electrical and optical interconnect packages for the oil and gas, marine renewable energy and defence industries. Our bespoke cables and connectors are designed, precision-engineered, manufactured and tested to withstand the harshest environmental conditions.

Tell us about your management style and how it has worked for you?

I follow the democratic management style, which puts the voice of the team at the forefront of decisionmaking and project planning and execution. I seek input from my team and other stakeholders to drive the vision and direction for projects and opportunities. It works for me because the team know their ideas and suggestions will be heard, discussed and incorporated, giving them the confidence that they need to make a difference regarding business development and progression.

What is the biggest barrier you overcame in the workplace and how did you tackle it?

In many workplaces, the biggest barrier they face is communication and I am no different. I increased the frequency of communication with my team by holding weekly meetings, ensuring they knew exactly what was expected from them and when it was required to be completed and they knew they had my full support. I also redefined standards that reinforced my team’s goals and objectives.

What is the best bit of business or life advice you have ever received?

Don’t make assumptions. If you don’t know the situation fully, you can’t offer an informed opinion.

Tuesday Stevenson, Creative Director, Fine Day

Give us the elevator pitch for your business

We’re a creative studio building brands, digital experiences and beyond. We help ambitious businesses, people and organisations shine. As a full-service studio, we provide the technical, visualisation and production skills needed to take your project from concept to delivery. We’ll develop compelling content that leaves a lasting impression, today and every day.

Tell us about your management style and how it has worked for you?

When managing brands, we highly recommend building

a strong foundation, verbally and visually. As you grow, your message still resonates wholeheartedly and there is flexibility for it to evolve with you.

What is the biggest barrier you overcame in the workplace and how did you tackle it?

Brand identity is still being mistaken for logo design, but it truly is so much more. Your brand is who you are and what you stand for; your personality, vision, goals and all the touch points in between. That’s why we focus on your identity first so everything going forward helps you achieve your goals.

What is the best bit of business or life advice you have ever received?

Listen to clients. As you know your field best, we see projects as a true collaboration and it’s an honour to learn so much about different sectors, products and services.

What’s your top tip for someone joining your organisation today?

Understand the power of motion! Motion can sound costly and time consuming but you don’t need to invest in a full explainer video to benefit. From logos and social media assets to interactive web content and ads, there’s no need to miss out on an opportunity to tell your story more effectively.

The Human Touch

Why People-Focused IT Services Providers Are Essential for Modern Businesses

Graeme Gordon, CEO, IFB Ltd.

Technology is often the star of the show so it’s easy to overlook the importance of the real human - colleague, customer, supplier and relationships of what we do in business. For an increasing number of decision makers, the need for a managed IT services provider (MSP) that can prioritise human connections is more critical than ever.

Technology works

Key to remember though –whatever you are creating, you are the expert prompting the technology to do something for you.

The human element in technology

It might seem obvious, but the days of not being connected, or able to access applications or streams, or indeed your message not being delivered are largely gone. Technology has become so reliable, dependable and accessible that we are no longer wary of it.

It’s easy to see why new technology, such as AI, offering to automate mundane tasks or deliver sophisticated data analysis without the perceived need for any “Geek skills” is deeply attractive. With simple prompts and setup tools like Microsoft Copilot assist users practically with the everyday stuff, such as drafting and improving documents, generating reports and suggesting research resources as you type, in one place.

All this tech talk has an impact though. We are seeing many businesses experiencing “Tech Fatigue,” overwhelmed by the relentless wave of new technologies, driven by corporations and the purveyors’ of jargon, without an end in sight and most importantly not clearly seeing the relevance and benefits of easily applying these to their business. You shouldn’t be buying technology, the next box or software update or faster fibre. What you do want to buy is a relationship with a company for great service - to be clear that’s service – not services - there is huge difference.

That’s where the essential role of a people-focused managed IT services provider comes into play.

The future is human

In an era where technology often seems to dominate every aspect of business, the human touch remains invaluable.

People-focused MSPs bring a balance of technical and business expertise along with operational intelligence, helping businesses and their teams not only survive but thrive. They help companies cut through the noise of “Digital BS” and focus on what truly matters: leveraging technology in a way that improves their business using its greatest resource – people.

IFB offers more than just support for the technical services we offer - the connectivity, security, communications and protection. Our team leans more toward relationship, having the ability and taking the time to understand customers enough to help with direction and to guide and move forward with them.

Marketing has greatest impact before you are ready to go to market

Steve Milne, Group Director of Strategy, Fifth Ring

Marketing can contribute to business growth in a host of ways and the biggest way isn’t always obvious and is often missed. The good news is that it’s relatively easy to harness, as it’s a natural consequence of how marketeers think.

that these moves will improve that customer connection.

This confidence translates into pace.

A good marketeer will always demand one thing. Clarity. Clarity as to where the business delivers value for customers. Obvious, huh?

A great marketeer will translate this clarity into a story that lodges in the customer memory, a story that drives customer appetite, a story that carves a specific part of the market out for you, one where you are the perfect and obvious fit for the customer.

Why do many businesses fail to maximise the benefit of this clarity? Because they only bring marketing into the room ‘once we are ready to go to market’, so this clarity only has influence on the marketing function, not the wider business where it can also provide great benefit.

Most notably, with this customer focussed certainty comes confidence. Confidence to change a product or service. Confidence to invest in new people or new equipment. Confidence to commit to more ambitious targets. Even confidence to target a whole new segment or region. Confidence

Businesses that move faster tend to grow faster and nothing powers fast pace like the confidence that comes from real clarity of customer need and clarity of where the opportunity lies to provide customer value.

Once you know precisely where your unique value to the customer lies, you can look at all operations and activity through that lens. “Does this change help us to deliver that unique value?”. If so, we make it. If not, what will?

Why is marketing clarity so powerful?

Where other forms of clarity often fall is that they are internally focussed, rather than focussed on the customer. Revenue and so growth, always begins and ends with the customer. If the customer doesn’t buy the story, they won’t buy the product.

Marketing can test messages with customers quickly, largely uninhibited by the many (and there will be many) reasons why something may be difficult to deliver. Once we have certainty that the market values what we are proposing, we can commit to overcoming those barriers, turning them into product development milestones on the journey to growth.

While those milestones are being achieved marketing and sales can be actively telling the new story, building awareness and building demand. Marketing and sales are creating the market space in readiness for the product.

Turn everything on its head. So what’s the secret to maximising the contribution that marketing can make to growth?

Stop waiting until you are ‘ready to go to market’ before bringing marketing into the conversation. Stop trying to fit your marketing story around what you do. Bring marketing in early and fit what you do around the marketing story that customers will buy.

MDL opens new European hub

Maritime Developments Ltd (MDL) has expanded its European footprint with the opening of a new office in Paris.

The new location further strengthens the company’s ability to provide focused support to clients based in Europe, by delivering personalised solutions with MDL Integrated Project Services.

Heading the new office is El Hadji Gano, who joined the company as Key Account Manager for Europe. El Hadji brings with him over 16 years of experience in winch and lifting solutions, with a proven track record of managing key client relationships and driving business growth in the offshore sector.

El Hadji commented: “I am thrilled to have joined MDL and I am impressed by the company’s advancements in technology and the development of new solutions for the energy sector. Our management’s commitment to continuous improvement is truly inspiring.”

Landmark project takes Caber Coffee to Balmoral Castle

Coffee from a renowned family run supplier is to be enjoyed at the Highland home of the Royal Family, thanks to a landmark project for an Aberdeen-based company.

Caber Coffee has proudly announced that its products will feature on the menu of the newly refurbished restaurant at Balmoral Castle on Royal Deeside which launched on July 1.

The news represents the culmination of nine months of work by the Caber Coffee team to develop a bespoke package of equipment and products.

SeaFest Peterhead to make its welcome return in 2025

Following a successful inaugural event, the SeaFest Peterhead committee has announced that the Northeast festival will return in 2025.

The event took place for the first time in September 2023 welcoming around 14,000 attendees to Peterhead’s Port and Harbour.

As a result, the voluntary committee have decided that to ensure the event continues to prove successful, it will be held biennially to give more time to planning an event of this scale.

SeaFest Peterhead is expected to take place on Saturday, September 14, 2025 and aims to expand into the town centre to encourage more businesses to get involved.

The celebration of local seafood was organised within the space of seven weeks by a small team of volunteers.

It won Best New Food and Drink Tourism Experience at the North East Scotland Food and Drink Awards 2024 in May due to the committee’s efforts to bring a unique event to the masses that showcased the region’s outstanding seafood industry.

Local businessman Jimmy Buchan, the Owner of Peterhead’s Amity Fish Company and Chairman of the festival thought up the idea and never dreamed the event would be as successful as it was.

He said: “After much discussion and taking into consideration feedback from last year’s festival to make the event bigger and better, the current committee has reached the decision that SeaFest Peterhead will return in 2025.

“Thousands of people showed up to support the festival and we’ll be forever grateful to all who came to celebrate our excellent fishing communities. We also can’t thank our sponsors enough for helping us pull off an event of this scale. We have a lot of ideas for our next event, some of which require a little more time for planning and as a result we’ve decided to make the event biennial so everyone experiences the best version.

“We have a small committee who volunteer their time to organising the event. They have busy full-time roles and families and we felt this decision was the right decision for all parties.”

More than 60 businesses and local groups took part in the market area alone last year.

Activities that took place in 2023 included live cooking demos from leading north-east chefs, wild cooking workshops, free children’s entertainment, filleting demonstrations, Men United charity raffles and an emergency services showcase to name a few.

20 years of Business 20 years of ThinkPR.

Annabel Sall, Founder and CEO, ThinkPR

2024 marks 20 years of ThinkPR and it has made me reflect on what it means to be a woman in business. I’ve run my company through a recession, oil price crash (twice) and pandemic and experienced the (slow) shift in perception for females in senior roles. My interest in diversity, equality and inclusion has led me to be a co-founder of ‘Women in New Energy’ (W.I.N.E) and I continue to educate myself on how important it is to support DEI initiatives in the corporate world.

Think Back

Starting in the world of PR was exciting and a huge learning curve – I was lucky enough to get a placement through my degree at Robert Gordon University.

When I started working in PR, fax machines were a key tool in the office and we didn’t have software or digital design applications to do our job. Social media was non-existent so a ‘breaking story’ involved press conferences and having your evenings and weekends dictated to by your ‘on call’ phone. I thrived on the excitement and adrenaline and loved meeting different people from all walks of life during my job.

Think growth

Over the years, my business expanded, and my first handful of clients grew along with ThinkPR both in Aberdeen and internationally.

Diversifying our offering was important as ‘traditional’ PR required a bigger strategy around the ever-evolving media landscape. Building a skillset around design, digital and marketing offerings meant we could provide an important ‘full service’ to our clients that needed it. Although we remain ‘ThinkPR’ we are a full-service agency and have created some amazing brands, websites, events and campaigns for businesses of all sizes.

Think Forward

As a business, we are more aware than ever that the media landscape has undergone significant changes – the rise of social and video media continues and how we communicate and consume news has transformed our lives. I continually try to foster an environment that is inclusive, supportive and of course, fun. As a graduate myself, I have helped many of my team develop and grow professionally in their own roles within marketing. I want to ensure the younger generation learn from

us all so we support local schools and initiatives as much as possible to inspire the next workforce.

I continue to learn and develop in areas that empower not only myself but those around me – my recent Board Director position for the wonderful charity Autism and Neurodiversity North Scotland (A-ND) has triggered a passion for ensuring awareness of embracing and nurturing neurodiversity in the workplace.

Our work with charities over the years is an important part of ‘giving back’ – the investment we have made in our time has been significant for the size of business we are and it’s something I’m incredibly proud of. Our work with A-ND has made a real difference and being recognised at the Northern Star Business Awards was a personal highlight for me this year

The strides taken to empower women in the industry and business as a whole continue to move forward but I hope I’ll continue to support and witness more over the next 20 years.

A subsea success: How Boskalis expanded through football

“I say it tongue in cheek, but I used to get in a taxi in Aberdeen and they never knew Boskalis. But if you get a taxi today and say you’re going to Boskalis the name is recognised.

“It’s a funny name to spell, but it’s amazing how many folk know how to spell it now!”

Boskalis Subsea Services has grown exponentially in their short history in Westhill.

Their dynamic Director, Stuart Cameron, has overseen headcount grow from six in 2018 to nearly 1,000 today, with hundreds based in the North-east.

“Boskalis had just bought two diving boats in the Netherlands - the Atlantis and Da Vinci - and they were struggling to get into the UK which is the place that these big boats can actually generate sufficient money to pay back what they paid.

“I was asked if I’d be interested in setting up our organisation here and building a company and I jumped at it.

“We had a little office, I think there was a team of two crewing, two technical people, somebody in business development and then myself.”

By Stuart’s own admission, Boskalis started off “fairly slowly” in the region.

With an extensive history in the industry, Stuart’s instruction upon joining the maritime services provider was to “build a sustainable company that could be here in 20, 30 years’ time”.

“We were seen as a Dutch entity, but we were told very firmly that we had to be here in Aberdeen,” he said.

“That proved true, we had to be here.

“I had 110 people working for me in the Netherlands and we gradually lowered that number down to about 50 at end of 2019 as we ramped up in Aberdeen and just moved the roles over here.”

As Covid hit and decimated businesses across the country, Stuart is open about how Boskalis was able to make the pandemic play into their hands.

“We had three competitors, Subsea 7, Technip and Rever.

“During the pandemic everybody had to hunker down, look after their money.

“We were a financially strong company, that’s one of the big strengths we’ve got being a global player.

“Yes, we had to take steps to preserve cash, but we were going to survive.

We wanted to build something slightly different. We had to be an organisation that was inclusive.

“And we were able to buy our competitor because they weren’t.”

Boskalis completed the acquisition of Rever Offshore’s subsea services business in 2021, creating employment for more than 300 staff as a result.

Despite the growing headcount, getting the Boskalis brand seen by people throughout the city was still a challenge.

“You have to convince clients, and importantly for us, you had to convince people to jump and join this new company from out of town.

“It was about brand recognition, getting that Boskalis name out there.”

Born and bred in Banff as an Aberdeen FC fan, the club was Stuart’s first port of call.

“We got a list through to us from their commercial director at the time and on this list was the newly created Aberdeen FC Women’s team and it really resonated with me.

“Aberdeen oil and gas has historically been male-oriented, certainly in leadership.

“We wanted to build something slightly different. We had to be an organisation that was inclusive.

“Building that team is difficult. So why would you alienate one half of the of the city?

“The Aberdeen partnership with the women was one way of killing two birds with one stone.

“It was about getting that message about what we wanted to be as a company, but it was about helping a group that were struggling to find a place in Scottish football.”

Working alongside the club has had extensive benefits for Boskalis, but the firm has enjoyed linear growth with Aberdeen FC Women.

“We’ve worked hard with the leadership at Aberdeen FC to make sure that the women are treated as equally as the men.

“You’ve got lots of money coming in one half at the men’s side, not as much in the women’s side, so there’s got to be a balance.

“But there are things that we can do to help grow.”

Since the sponsorship began in 2018, Aberdeen FC Women has climbed

You’ve got lots of money coming in one half at the men’s side, not as much in the women’s side, so there’s got to be a balance.

the ranks to the top tier of Scottish football, playing a handful of home games at Pittodrie and hired two managers on full-time contracts.

All of that in spite of a pandemic that put a halt to football for an extended period of time.

“Covid was really hard,” Stuart admitted.

“I get that the priority was to get the men’s team back playing football, because that generated the money.

“But the girls couldn’t get back playing because they couldn’t get tested for Covid.

“So, we were putting all the girls through our testing facility for our offshore guys for a couple of months to get them back training.”

When the sponsorship deal was struck in 2018, Stuart admitted some of the kit “wasn’t even new”.

But things have moved on drastically since then, so much so that the women’s side, and Boskalis, were at the centre of the recently launched Aberdeen FC 2024/25 away kit.

The video used by the club to launch the kit, which had Boskalis branding front and centre, has been viewed more than 325,000 times on X alone.

The partnership has had huge benefits for both Boskalis and the football club, but Stuart made it clear that the relationship is more than just a contract.

“We’ve been sponsoring them for six years, we’ve just signed a new three-year contract and we’ve said from the beginning if somebody wants to come in and put more money in, we’ll step away.”

“This is not about having a contract, it’s about trying to get what’s right for the women’s game.

“If somebody wants to come in and double down on the money, or they want to share sponsorship or whatever it is, we have to do it.

“It wouldn’t take that much more to get a separate stand at Cormack Park that’s for the women’s team and to get players full time.

“The girls play at four o’clock on a Sunday and there’s other things I’d be wanting to do at four o’clock on a Sunday than play football!”

This is not about having a contract, it’s about trying to get what’s right for the women’s game.

Speaking candidly and on a personal level, Stuart said it can be quite surreal seeing his company on the front of the shirts and advertised at Pittodrie.

“It’s a nice thing to be part of. And I think it’s something different.

“It’s nice to be able to go along and have seats in the main part of the stadium.

“For a boy growing up sitting in the beach end, it’s a bit different!

Another SRCN Solutions’ client goes from strengthto-strength

SRCN Solutions, a leading work management consulting firm, recently supported a client in executing a comprehensive, detailed review of all of its live, corrective work on one of its assets.

The project involved a systematic and comprehensive cleanse, review and re-prioritisation of all live, corrective work. SRCN Solutions then updated the client’s computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) to reflect all changes, which meant the promised improvement was delivered before SRCN finished the scope.

The review included in the region of 2,000 work orders, across multiple trades and took around six weeks to complete from start to finish, which was exactly as promised before the scope was agreed.

A maintenance backlog signifies operational challenges for an organisation in meeting maintenance demands, potentially impacting equipment performance and compliance with business and legal requirements.

Colin Wilson, Director at SRCN Solutions, stated: “Backlog review and cleanse projects are one of our core service offerings. We were delighted to collaborate with this North Sea operator to substantially decrease their crucial business backlog, clearly understand their risk and help them better prioritise their work.

“The work involved no short cuts or quick fixes. Every work order within the scope was reviewed individually, giving the client full confidence that the output of the work was accurate, robust and in-line with both internal and external standard expectations.”

Kuoni launch 20 new properties to their Turkey portfolio

Premium tour operator Kuoni has added 20 new properties to its current offering in Turkey.

Chris, Store Manager at Kuoni Aberdeen said “We’re ever-changing our offering to our customers and we are thrilled to be adding some amazing new beach hotels to our Turkey offering.

“Turkey is becoming more and more popular especially during the summer season as most Scottish airports offer direct flights”.

Communities empowered with grants from Vattenfall’s Unlock Our Future Fund

Over the last five years, Vattenfall’s fund has awarded a total of £662,526 to 68 successful projects, demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering a climate-smart future.

The Unlock Our Future Fund has supported important projects across the community including helping organisations to install energy efficiency measures and heat pumps and empowering local groups with the knowledge and tools to develop their renewable energy projects, further embedding sustainable practices within the community.

Since its inception in 2019, the Unlock Our Future Fund has been instrumental in promoting sustainability and community development across the region. With an annual contribution from the Vattenfall’s offshore wind farm in Aberdeen, the fund has provided vital support to a variety of projects that align with its core priorities.

The primary aim of the Fund is to back charitable activities that address climate change, enhance community facilities and support creative, sustainable solutions. As the Fund celebrates its fifth anniversary, the positive impacts on the region are clear. It has played an important role in supporting communityled initiatives that drive sustainability and economic growth, reinforcing the importance of renewable energy investments.

By supporting projects that reduce carbon emissions and enhance sustainability, the fund not only contributes to local community development but also underscores the benefits of offshore wind power and working for fossil-free living.

Lisa Christie, Vattenfall’s interim UK Country Head said: “This initiative embodies our commitment to supporting a greener future and highlights the remarkable achievements that can be made through collaboration and innovation.”

North-east companies ‘staffing up for economic growth’ according to new survey

Almost three-quarters of companies in the North-east are staffing up for growth amid signs that the economy is returning to prosperity.

More than half of companies (58%) located in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire expect their turnover to grow over the next 12 months, fuelled by demand from overseas.

To meet the opportunity, 71% are looking to grow their workforce, 12-percentage points ahead of the UK average (59%).

The North-east Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), launched by Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce in partnership with law firm Gilson Gray LLP, benchmarks key indicators in the region’s economy against the wider UK.

Established in 1989, QES is the UK’s longest running and largest independent business confidence survey and is referred to by governments, their agencies and the Bank of England.

THE SURVEY SHOWS

48% of businesses in the region are concerned about high taxes, compared with just 36% in the rest of the UK;

45% of companies in the region expect price of their goods or services to increase in the next three months; and Domestic orders continue to slide for Northeast companies, but international demand is soaring ahead of the UK average (39% of North-east companies are seeing international orders increase, versus 28% nationally).

However, there are still some headwinds facing companies in

the North-east, where the pressure from higher staffing and utility costs continues to squeeze margins.

THE NATIONAL PICTURE

Nationally, the survey shows 38% of firms (compared with 36% in Q1) said they had seen an increase in domestic sales over the previous three months, while 43% reported no change, and 20% a decrease.

After a static picture in Q1, business confidence has increased slightly in Q2. 58% of firms say they are expecting an increase in turnover over the next year compared with 56% in Q1. 29% expect no change and only 13% expect a decrease.

With inflation easing to target – the data also reveals that fewer firms (39% compared to 46% in Q1) expect to hike their own prices in the coming months.

REACTION TO THE FINDINGS

Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “We have written to the new Prime Minister

58% of firms say they are expecting an increase in turnover over the next year compared with 56% in Q1.

in the hope that his government can provide the much-needed economic stability that will create the conditions for business to thrive in every part of the UK; but selfishly our focus is very much on supporting our members and the wider North-east community.

“We need the PM to deliver on his commitment to forge a new partnership with business to boost growth and to work with his government to ensure that Aberdeen & Grampian is in pole position to deliver an energy transition that secures investment, jobs and creates the opportunities everyone covets in the clean industries of the future.

“We need a business environment that encourages enterprise, startups, scale-ups and sustainable multi-sector growth. The pressures of business taxes and spiralling costs has stretched many firms to breaking point over recent years and we are hopeful of an improved partnership between our UK, Scottish and local governments in seeking to address this - and a range of other matters - in a meaningful way.”

Findlay Anderson, Partner at Gilson Gray LLP, said: “Whilst domestic sales performance in the Northeast has lagged the UK during the last quarter, export performance has increased with 39% of local businesses seeing improvement during the quarter versus 28% elsewhere in the UK.

“This export potential appears to be a key factor in the 58% of local companies who are projecting growth over the coming 12 months. The North-east continues to be an export powerhouse in the UK and our governments must support this region’s industries to thrive in a period when we all (governments

included) need to see performance rebounding.”

Shevaun Haviland,

Director

General

of

the British Chambers of Commerce said: “It’s really encouraging to see positive shoots of recovery from businesses across the UK.

“Confidence has been improving among companies in recent months. Our data show the tangible impact of that positivity, as businesses report improved sales and cashflow. But investment levels remain an area of concern.

“Our message to the new Government is clear. We need a long-term economic plan that has the green transition at its heart, with a workforce fit for the future, living in thriving local places and powered by businesses that are globally facing and digitally enabled.

“Business stands ready to work in partnership with Government to capitalise on the positive signs our data is showing.”

Deborah Law, Partner – Dispute Resolution, Stronachs LLP

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

My first boss in dispute resolution. His approach to problem-solving, blending creative thinking with commercial pragmatism, has greatly shaped my own work. He was a master of balancing fierce advocacy with practical solutions. Beyond his professional expertise, he set a strong example with his work-life balance and leadership style. As a trainee, he made me feel valued, encouraged my input and inspired others around him. His mentorship has had a lasting impact on my career and the way I approach both my client work and style of leadership.

What’s the most effective piece of training or personal development you have undertaken?

For me, the most effective form of personal development is understanding the value of learning by osmosis - immersing myself in the work environment, listening, watching and learning from others. By observing different people’s thought processes and how they approach situations, I’ve gained valuable insights into various strategies and techniques. This hands-on learning has allowed me to absorb best practices naturally and apply them to my own work, enhancing my professional growth.

What’s the biggest lesson you have learned in business?

Always take opportunities. Even a small instruction can lead to a bigger opportunity or a valued connection and you never know what doors it could open for you in the future. It’s also taught me not to doubt myself—seizing these chances has often led to unexpected growth and success.

What’s been your proudest career achievement to date?

One that stands out is my first substantive court appearance. It was the hearing that set the foundation for all future hearings. As a law student I received minimal practical experience in advocacy and I often looked in awe at those practicing in court, it was difficult to imagine myself ever being skilled enough to be in that position. Realising that you have grown to have the capability to do something that you had always admired in others was a very proud achievement for me.

What’s the best thing about doing business in the northeast of Scotland?

I love the North-east’s entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude. As a city we are quick to seize opportunities, which creates a dynamic and innovative business environment to practice in. It’s also incredibly inspiring to see the adaptability of our city and the depth of talent and expertise present here. I think these factors really make the North-east stand out and puts us on the global map.

What was your first job? Starter in a golf shop.

Who or what inspires you most? My son.

What word or phrase in business-speak exasperates you?

Granular.

How do you relax?

Walks in nature, either along the beach or by the river.

If you had the power to change one thing in the world, what would it be?

People’s ability to communicate effectively.

SugarBird in the Gardens opens vineyard-themed pop-up

Popular wine bar SugarBird in the Gardens unveiled its latest addition to the two-storey venue, a gorgeous pop-up on its outdoor terrace.

Inspired by its core offering of wines, the space is aptly named Vineyard Vibe and offers an inviting setting for guests to enjoy alfresco drinks.

Open from 12pm until 10pm Tuesday to Sunday - weather permitting - SugarBird in the Gardens will continue to serve its impressive wine selection and food platters at the pop-up but will also be collaborating with local suppliers for a variety of surprises over the coming weeks.

Vineyard Vibe is Aberdeen’s latest summer hotspot and enhances the city’s café culture scene, providing a picturesque setting to take in the views of Union Terrace Gardens (UTG).

Ruth Grahame, Co-owner of SugarBird Wines said: “This year we’ve launched the space as a pop-up, and it’s the perfect opportunity to bring the essence of a vineyard party to Aberdeen, creating an idyllic escape for people to relax in.”

Bilfinger awarded contract to enhance efficiency for life science client in Scotland

Bilfinger has secured a significant integrated maintenance contract exceeding £20million with a life science client in Scotland.

The three-year contract with an option for extension aims to improve plant and maintenance operations and efficiency, marking the continuation of a long-standing global relationship with the client.

New Scottish whisky festival launched to celebrate nation’s drink

Scotland’s new premiere whisky festival, Whisky Week, is set to take Aberdeen by storm this autumn.

Running from September 5-15, 2024, this groundbreaking inaugural event celebrates the water of life while putting Aberdeen’s vibrant bar scene and whisky distilleries across Scotland in the spotlight.

Whisky Week has been organised by Charlie Bain of whisky merchandising firm Slanjj and Gregor Sey of Cocktail Events UK, the mastermind behind the successful Aberdeen Cocktail Week. Charlie is a renowned whisky specialist who provides exporting and importing services and both entrepreneurs bring a wealth of knowledge in the drinks and festivals sectors.

The vision of Whisky Week is to deliver a unique and immersive experience for attendees creating a walkable city-wide distillery tour. Each participating venue will partner with a distillery to share its story and liquid, and attendees can walk to the next ‘distillery’ to experience brands in a new way without having to travel to visit the distillery premises itself.

Julie Marples, General Manager of The Grill, a Union Street pub which boasts more than 500 whiskies on its shelves, said: “Aberdeen Whisky Week is a welcome addition to the city’s events calendar. Whisky lovers adore The Grill and we are equally excited to showcase some new additions to our 500 plus strong whisky collection.

Devona Spa at Hilton Aberdeen TECA wins again

The multi award-winning Devona Spa took part in the ninth annual Hospitality Awards and won the Premium Spa and Fitness Facility of the Year award in Scotland.

Gethin Griffiths, Health Club and Spa Manager, says: “I couldn’t be prouder of the teams achievements at Devona Spa. Having attained nine awards in 2023 to now have achieved six in 2024 with the last quarter of the year still to go.

“The spa continues to grow in reputation and success thanks to its fantastic team, loyal members and devoted spa guests.”

The 2024 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid

When an opportunity arises to test-drive a 2024 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid, you grab it with both hands. Arriving at the Porsche Centre Aberdeen in Wellington Road, I was a bit unsure what to expect, but the team there were clearly experts in all things motoring and the beautiful showroom was impressive with its wide range of high-performance vehicles. This car promised a sleek and sophisticated SUV that promised luxury, performance and eco-friendly credentials and it delivered.

With a packed itinerary that included a trip to Haddo House with our dog Murphy, a glamorous charity ball for Clan Cancer Support, and a jaunt to Marshall’s Farm Shop with my mother-in-law, I was eager to see if this sporty SUV could handle the diverse demands of family life. Spoiler alert: it did.

First impressions

From the moment I was handed the keys and shown around the vehicle by helpful Porsche staff, I was in awe. The design is quintessentially Porsche, with its iconic front fascia and streamlined body. As I settled into the driver’s seat, I was greeted by a meticulously crafted interior. The blend of leather, and high-tech displays immediately set a tone of sophistication. But, as any familyoriented driver knows, looks aren’t everything—functionality is key.

Taking the vehicle out to work at Aberdeen International Airport, I couldn’t help but drive to the top of the multi-storey car park to get the picture that was at the back of mind as soon as I signed up for the test drive. To say my colleagues were impressed with the car would be a complete understatement.

Adventure to Haddo House

The 2024 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid exceeded my expectations on all fronts.

House with our miniature schnauzer, Murphy, in tow. The Cayenne’s spacious interior made it easy to accommodate our energetic family member and all his paraphernalia.

While we didn’t need to use these in the end, the rear seats folded down effortlessly, but Murphy was content in the boot with view to all his surroundings on our drive. The unpredictable Scottish weather hit us on our walk with a downpour, however, not to fear, the Cayenne’s heated seats helped us warm up following our soaking.

Glamour and glitz at the charity ball

Following on from our outdoor fun on Friday night, the Cayenne was the perfect vehicle for all our messages before we switched gears and headed to the Aberdeen Alten’s Hotel for a charity ball in aid of fellow Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce member Clan Cancer Support.

Inside the car, the ambient lighting and premium sound system added to the pre-ball excitement. Picking up some friends along the way, who were delighted to be chauffeured, everyone remarked how much legroom they had available.

Practicality was also put to the test as one of the friends in the car was the DJ for the evening and had sound equipment that needed transporting and as I had experienced with Murphy, this was effortless.

As the master of ceremonies of the charity ball, arriving to the venue in style helped settled my nerves. It struck the perfect balance between elegance and authority.

Sunday at Marshall’s Farm Shop

Following a fantastic evening raising thousands for charity, the weekend was rounded off by a trip to Marshall’s Farm Shop to get breakfast on Sunday morning. Bringing along my mother-in-law, who, by her own admission, knows nothing about cars, I was still keen to hear her thoughts on the Cayenne E-Hybrid.

The first thing she noted was the ease of getting in and out of the car. The Cayenne’s height is just right—not too high to climb into but elevated enough to offer a commanding view of the road. As we drove, she commented on the smooth ride and luxury interior made it a lovely drive.

Final thoughts

The 2024 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid exceeded my expectations on all fronts. It’s a luxurious SUV that doesn’t compromise on performance or practicality. Whether it’s accommodating your family pet, impressing at a high-profile event, or simply making everyday errands more enjoyable, the Cayenne E-Hybrid handles it all with grace and style. It’s a true family car that makes every journey—no matter how routine—feel a little more special. For families looking for a blend of luxury, ecofriendliness, and versatility, the Cayenne E-Hybrid is a standout choice. It’s more than just a car; it’s a companion for life’s adventures, big and small. And, as Murphy would attest, it gets two paws up!

New shops on Union Street thanks to Aberdeen City Council grants

A total of six new traders – and four more to come shortly - have opened on the Granite Mile in the last year thanks to the £195,000 Union Street Empty Shops Grant Scheme, helping to bring the number of vacant units down from 47 to 38.

The Aberdeen City Council scheme has meant about 750sqm of vacant ground floor space on Union Street has been renovated and about £1.1million of private investment has been leveraged.

The new uses for these spaces have created increased employment opportunities on the street and will continue to do so as the businesses expand – almost 30 full-time positions and more than 40 part-time positions are due to be created.

Finance and resources committee convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “It is fantastic the Union Street Empty Shops Grant Scheme has helped to create these new stores.

“When beginning the Union St Empty Shops Action Plan work, there were 47 vacant ground floor units, we are now down to 38, with a further six of these under offer, in planning or undergoing renovations.”

Co-leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “We wish these new shops and businesses well and look forward to seeing what they achieve in the future.

“The Council is investing in Union Street and the surrounding area through this scheme along with the City Centre and Beach Masterplan projects to ensure that it remains an attractive place to live, work and visit.”

All applicants to the Union Street Empty Shops Grant Scheme have to demonstrate improvements being made to the accessibility and energy performance of the units through the project works.

There has been more than 85 inquiries received to the grant scheme to date: A further four grant awards are currently being made to support a cocktail bar, a crazy golf experience, a coffee shop and a hairdressing salon.

Apex Tubulars celebrates 40 years in the energy industry

Apex Tubulars has celebrated 40 years in business, having established itself as a trusted supplier of premium quality downhole casing, tubing and accessories to the global energy industry.

Since the company’s inception in 1984, Apex has prioritised reputation over scale and product quality over quantity. This, along with providing personal and efficient service, 24/7 customer support and the ability to source stock internationally while responding to some of the industry’s most complex project requirements, has enabled the company to build an extremely loyal customer base, resulting in year-on-year growth.

The close-knit, dynamic team of six at Apex Tubulars brings almost 100 years of combined experience to the table.

Smoke and Soul introduces gastro-style weekend experience at ‘The Old Smiddy’

Smoke and Soul has launched a new gastro-style weekend offering, featuring a showstopping Sunday roast at their second Aberdeen location, ‘The Old Smiddy.’

Since opening ‘The Old Smiddy’ in February 2024 for weekday lunch service, the team has been delighting customers with the same casual, high-quality street food that made their city centre venue, ‘The Firepit,’ a local favourite.

Known for their signature slow-smoked meats and hearty dishes like loaded fries, mac and cheese, smash burgers and sandwiches, Smoke and Soul is now set to elevate their culinary offerings.

‘The Old Smiddy’ will extend its hours and transform its menu for weekend service.

Smoke and Soul began as street food vendors in Northeast Scotland, gaining a reputation for their BBQ comfort food and casual cuisine. As they celebrate its seventh year, the owners are eager to showcase their culinary skills with more complex and artfully plated dishes.

Executive chef and co-owner Corey Milne said: “I’ve been wanting to bring some changes to our business for a while. We’ve experimented with upscale offerings at our events over the past few years and it’s time to make these a regular feature. While we’ve excelled in casual food since our street food days in 2017, I’m passionate about experimenting with flavours, techniques and presentation. Our new weekend menu at The Old Smiddy will reflect this passion.”

APTUS: Shaping the Future of Energy Through Skills and Innovation

Stephen Marcos Jones, CEO, OPITO

With the global energy landscape fast evolving, the need for a safe, skilled and competent workforce to navigate the complexities of this transition has never been greater.

This September, a new generation of apprentices will enter the fray through APTUS, an esteemed energy apprentice programme, previously known as Oil and Gas Technical Apprentice Programme (OGTAP), which is celebrating its 25th year.

The renaming of OGTAP to APTUS signifies a broader shift within the industry. APTUS, derived from the Latin verb adaptare meaning to adapt, adjust and be prepared, captures the essence of what is required in today’s energy sector. The world is moving towards more sustainable energy sources and the skilled workforce that is cultivated and grown through apprentice programmes such as APTUS, are pivotal in driving this transformation.

On behalf of industry, this innovative apprenticeship programme which is jointly managed by OPITO and ECITB, has demonstrated its success with a remarkable employment retention rate. Over 95% of apprentices receive employment offers from their sponsoring companies upon completion of their four-year apprenticeship; a

statistic that speaks volumes about the programme’s effectiveness in not only training apprentices but ensuring they are industry-ready.

In response to the pressing global challenges of climate change, APTUS has evolved to integrate specialised energy transition modules into its curriculum. These modules provide apprentices with a deep understanding of the technologies and practices driving the shift towards cleaner energy. By equipping the workforce of tomorrow with this knowledge and skills, APTUS empowers them to contribute to solving some of society’s most significant challenges, such as reducing carbon emissions and achieving net zero targets.

The success of APTUS lies in its structure - a blend of in-depth classroom education and handson, practical experience. The first 21 months are spent at college where apprentices receive extensive foundation training getting them ready for the work-site. This is followed by two years of on-the-job training with some of the world’s most innovative energy companies. Apprentices qualify from the programme with a Level 3 Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) at SCQF Level 7, ready to tackle the challenges of the real world.

The energy transition is not just a technological shift; it is a

human one. As we integrate new technologies and strive toward netzero, the role of people becomes more critical than ever. APTUS is designed to attract, develop, and retain this talent, ensuring that the industry has the expertise needed to meet its ambitious goals. It is not so much about filling jobs; it is much more about creating a safe and skilled workforce that is equipped to drive the energy transition forward for years to come.

As we look to the future, the APTUS apprenticeship programme will continue to play a critical role in shaping the energy workforce of tomorrow. It is an investment in the future, not only of the apprentices who will benefit directly but also to our evolving sector that relies on their skills and innovation. For more information on the APTUS programme, including how to become a sponsoring company, visit www.aptusapprenticeship.uk

Jamie Murphy, Managing Director, Namaka Compliance

Give us the elevator pitch for your business.

Namaka Compliance provides support to companies in the energy sector by helping their staff prove and establish their competency. This is achieved through our Outsourced Competence Assurance Support (OCAS) Service.

Sarah Smith, Founder, lightbulb.coach ltd

Give us the elevator pitch for your business.

We offer transformative individual coaching for anyone aged nine and upwards. Beyond our client services, we nurture the next wave of coaching talent through our ICF Level 1 Certificate in professional coaching. Using tools like virtual

Who are your customers?

We provide services to a wide array of companies in the energy sector, from large corporations to small businesses, spread across numerous countries worldwide.

What is the biggest challenge and opportunity your organisation is facing right now?

Our primary obstacle is aiding organisations in understanding the concept of ‘competence’. Our greatest opportunity lies in collaborating with global clients who need Competence Management Systems (CMS) implemented.

What is your word of advice for fellow Chamber members?

Utilise the advantages of AGCC public relations to their benefit.

What is the best thing about being a Chamber member?

The greatest advantage of Chamber membership is the exposure it provides among other members.

reality, lego and insights discovery, our team turns traditional learning into an immersive experience.

Who are your customers?

As well as coaching for individuals, we collaborate closely with parents, schools and businesses to enhance the profile and perceived value of coaching. As we work in the people development business, we work across all sectors and professions.

What is the biggest challenge your organisation is facing and the biggest opportunity?

Meeting increased demand for coaching due to growing awareness of the benefits in personal and professional development. Coaching is unregulated, anyone can call themselves a coach. The challenge becomes the opportunity as we train people to be professional, qualified coaches. We are accredited by the global coaching body, the ICF.

What is your word of advice for fellow Chamber members?

Building relationships is the key to success, ask for help when you need it and be generous with others.

What is the best thing about being a Chamber member?

The access to a wide and varied network is extremely beneficial and who doesn’t enjoy the Morning Bulletin!

Mark Gillespie, CEO, Recycl8

Give us the elevator pitch for your business.

At Recycl8, we’re tackling the challenges of sustainability headon. Our patented R8 Mix transforms waste into a lower-carbon concrete solution, addressing the global issue of high CO2 emissions in construction. By partnering with waste-to-energy and construction industries, we’re paving the way

Mark Bruce, Head of Sales – UK and Europe, NRG Marine Ltd - Sonihull

Give us the elevator pitch for your business.

Our antifouling systems use the power of ultrasound to protect critical assets, systems and structures from unwanted marine growth. Using over 16 years of maritime ultrasonic antifouling knowledge from our Sonihull Ultrasonics range we have

for a circular economy, breathing new life into waste materials and reshaping the future of construction sustainably.

Who are your customers?

Last year, we marked a pioneering milestone with our first pour of R8 Mix, partnering with Breedon for Barratt and David Wilson Homes. Since then, we’ve excelled, venturing into the marine sector with Ports of Aberdeen and Ardersier and tackling large-scale commercial projects for Aurora Energy Services, Haventus and Ace Winches.

What is the biggest challenge and opportunity your organisation is facing right now?

Our biggest challenge was the regulatory testing to reclassify our material. We’re proud to announce its successful completion, validated by SEPA in Scotland. Our greatest opportunity is scaling our low carbon R8 mix concrete. Concrete contributes 7-8% of global

launched our Agitate Ultrasonics range which is specifically designed for industrial use.

Who are your customers?

With the recent release of our ATEX range this has allowed expansion into the oil and gas industry where we can now install in explosive areas. In summary, any type of vessel that has a floating hull, drilling rigs, FPSO, fixed platforms, onshore terminals and also offshore wind structures.

What is the biggest challenge and opportunity your organisation is facing right now?

Our customers are trying to improve their carbon footprint and there is not one answer to solve this but working together with industry in partnership to achieve this. We are educating our industrial customers on how versatile our technology is and exploring the applications it can be applied, reducing the need for the use of harsh chemicals.

greenhouse gas emissions, making our solution vital for the industry’s net zero goals.

What is your word of advice for fellow Chamber members?

One of the best pieces of business advice I’ve received is to focus on building connections with clients, partners and co-workers for long-term success. Positive collaborations are built on transparency and respect, and if this can be achieved, steady business growth will follow.

What is the best thing about being a Chamber member?

At Chamber events, I’ve met many local businesses, making helpful connections and finding potential clients. Being a member gives access to workshops, reports and many opportunities for networking. R8 gets noticed through the Chamber’s website, events and marketing, helping more people learn about us.

Word of advice for your fellow Chamber members?

Be curious! Ask questions and listen to the needs of your customers, partners and colleagues.

What is the best thing about being a Chamber member?

The Chamber gives members a great welcoming environment to network, to learn and to be part of our regions voice.

Record-breaking cruise ship arrives at Port of Aberdeen

Port of Aberdeen today set a new benchmark for its capability and capacity as it welcomed the spectacular 290-metre long Costa Favolosa cruise ship, the largest vessel to visit the port in its 888-year history.

The Costa Cruises vessel, which has 13 decks and weighs 113,307 gross tonnes, arrived at South Harbour from Kirkwall for a day-long stopover before departing to Edinburgh.

The 4,000 guests and crew received an authentic Scottish welcome from the Robert Gordon College Pipe Band, Alba Bagpipes and VisitAberdeenshire’s ‘Welcome to Aberdeenshire’ volunteers.

Bob Sanguinetti, Chief Executive Officer, Port of Aberdeen said: “We are delighted to welcome the Costa Favolosa, its guests and crew to Aberdeen. This is the latest demonstration of how we’re driving diversification in energy, trade and tourism with our expanded infrastructure. Activity levels at South Harbour have exceeded expectations, as we compete for a new scale of opportunities with prospective and existing customers.

“As the UK’s oldest existing business, we know what it means to adapt and rise to the challenges of tomorrow. Together, in partnership with government and industry, we can drive sustainable economic growth and energy transition.”

Already well experienced in supporting renewables, the port is advancing plans to further enhance its offering, including a capital dredge project to deepen 750 metres of quayside to -14.5 metres chart datum. This will provide suitable depth for the majority of ScotWind and INTOG project turbine designs, positioning the port as a national

strategic hub for offshore wind.

Port of Aberdeen is now one of the UK’s largest decommissioning facilities with subsea infrastructure from North Sea assets regularly moving through the port, while timber and woodchip exports increased from 7,000 tonnes in 2022 to 150,000 tonnes in 2023.

Costa Favolosa is the latest arrival in a record-breaking season of 60 cruise calls, up more than 150% from 2022, delivering a multi-million-pound boost to the local economy.

Chris Foy, Chief Executive Officer, VisitAberdeenshire, said: “The increase in calls for the 2024/25 season is further evidence of the region’s growing reputation as a quality destination for cruise operators.”

Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is literally the biggest piece of evidence yet that the investment by Port of Aberdeen in the world class South Harbour facility and the work over the last few years by Team Aberdeen is seeing us established as a calling point of choice for UK and Northern European cruise operators.

“We are already welcoming tens of thousands of new visitors to the region every year as a result and this will grow exponentially by the end of the decade.”

Aberdeen City Council Co-leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “The arrival of the Costa Favolosa underlines Aberdeen’s growing importance as a cruise ship destination. Our city is being transformed – and both tourists and local businesses are enjoying the benefits.”

Yes it’s a big deal, but what about the intergration?

When it comes to mergers and acquisitions (M&A), too often it is the deal that gets all the attention, rather than the postdeal integration.

In many ways this is understandable. Any deal to bring two companies together must make good commercial sense. Owners and shareholders need to be satisfied with the terms. The balance sheet must be set to improve.

Yet a focus on the deal alone can often detract from where the real value is unlocked. It is the integration of those businesses – of getting them to function efficiently together – that is often the most difficult, but also the most critical, part of the process.

The price of getting this wrong can be significant, not least in terms of talent. The upheaval of the M&A process is often unsettling for staff, who fear the uncertainty and unfamiliarity of the coming new entity. These concerns can be effectively addressed if there is a coherent plan in place to combine the two entities together from the outset, but too often that is treated as an afterthought.

Certainly, if staff are left in limbo following a deal, morale will inherently suffer and many – rightly or wrongly assuming their job is on the line – will begin to look for work elsewhere. Once that process has begun, it is often difficult to persuade talent to stay, even if they are vital to your business going forward.

Equally, a lack of consideration about how the combination of companies itself will work can lead to business costs too. One of the main drivers of M&A activity is a desire to consolidate functions and improve the efficiency of the new business. But these savings are only theoretical without practical implementation.

For instance, having just one human resources department would theoretically provide the combined entity with a potentially significant saving. The problem, however, arises when due attention is not paid to how the integration will work in practice and – instead of one efficient human resources department serving a larger company – you get two competing departments working at logger heads. Far from leading to greater efficiency, such an arrangement will push up costs.

Many of these mistakes are understandable. Without experience, it is easy to assume that combining different businesses and functions together will be straightforward. This is particularly the case where businesses are in the same sector, such as energy and it is therefore assumed they will operate in the same or similar fashion, when in reality their systems are totally

different. Matters can be further complicated by different regulatory or cultural environments, too.

Fortunately, there are experts who can help businesses not only navigate the M&A process, but to ensure it is a success. Alba Partners is a bespoke, global management consultancy headquartered in Scotland. Across our teams in Edinburgh, London and the Middle East, we have decades of experience at helping companies –particularly in the energy and financial services sectors - undertake complex integrations successfully.

As industries such as oil and gas go through a period of change and renewal, there will naturally be significant consolidation in the market. That is a natural part of business, and it is vital companies do what is right for their owners, shareholders and staff. But it is also vital that those companies also look beyond the deal and really consider not just how they can make the deal happen, but also how they will make it succeed in practice. If they do so, the rewards will be significant.

Richard Jacobs, CEO, Alba Partners

Do you have staff who have been promoted due to exceptional technical skills and are now supervising a team? Give them the skills they require to effectively supervise their direct reports with our Essential and Advanced Supervisory Skills courses.

Essential supervisory skills

Unearthing the next generation of supervisory talent in an organisation is crucial for it to thrive in the long-term.

For those stepping up to a supervisory role for the first time, it can be a big leap. However, we have designed a course to equip them with the core skills that they need to succeed.

In this one-day session, we review the core roles and responsibilities of a supervisor and evaluate what qualities make a good supervisor.

It helps to bridge the gap between doing and supervising, and equips delegates with the skills required to effectively delegate, motivate and handle difficult situations such as discipline and grievance.

Who is it for?

The course is perfect for new or partly experienced supervisors, plus individuals whose development is moving them towards supervisory responsibility. Experienced supervisors wishing to refresh their skills may also benefit from attending. This course may be considered the foundation stage within management development.

Location and duration

This course lasts for one day and is delivered at the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Training Hub by our approved expert trainers.

Advanced supervisory skills

This course is the next level of learning for supervisors who have already developed and embedded the basics.

It takes supervising to the next level and includes coaching skills, conflict management and a deeper dive into what it takes to supervise high performing teams.

It gives the opportunity for enhancing personal development and learning how to deal with situations within a team to the benefit of both the individual and the organisation.

This course follows on from the very popular essential supervisory skills course that the Chamber runs regularly.

Who is it for?

A supervisor or team leader who wants to develop a deeper understanding of managing people.

Location and duration

This course lasts for one day and is delivered at the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Training Hub by our approved expert trainers.

Training tailored to your business

At the Chamber we understand companies are busy in our region, and often training your staff can be difficult when it comes to bringing everyone together.

This is one of the reasons we offer tailored training options. Our tailored courses are dedicated to your business, delivered at a venue of your choosing on a date that works for you. Our expert team will work with you to build a programme of topics that suits the need of your workforce. A typical full day tailored training course can support up to 12 delegates and for Chamber members is priced at £2,150 + VAT (the equivalent of £179 per delegate).

Talk to us today by emailing training@agcc.co.uk or ringing 01224 343900 to discuss your tailored training needs.

Don’t just take our word for it

Here are just some of the companies we are already supporting with our training offering.

THE 2024 ULTIMATE MASTERCLASS FESTIVAL KICKED-OFF THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR IN LEGENDARY STYLE AS THREE GREATS OF BRITISH SPORT JOINED ABERDEEN & GRAMPIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING AT THE MUSIC HALL.

Gianfranco Zola, Damon Hill and Colin Montgomerie appeared at the Music Hall, quizzed on their sporting careers by Ryan Crighton.

The trio opened up on the challenges they faced on their way to the top of their respective sports, the celebrations after winning major titles and what it takes to be a champion.

GIANFRANCO ZOLA

The Italian forward was the first to take to the stage, sharing stories and insight from training and playing with Diego Maradona at Napoli, before winning European glory with Parma and moving to join Chelsea.

Gianfranco left the London club in the summer of 2003, just as Roman Abrahamovic took over.

However, the diminutive forward already had a verbal agreement to ply his trade in Italy once more, this time with Cagliari.

“I suspected that when Roman was buying the club he didn’t know that I was not part of the deal,” Gianfranco said.

“I suspect that Ken Bates (then Chelsea chairman) didn’t say that.

“I didn’t sign any contract but had a verbal agreement with the chairman in Cagliari, so when I found out the club was bought by Roman I was very

pleased for them, but I couldn’t go back on my word.

“On top of that, I wanted to leave Chelsea at my top. That was my dream, actually.

“I had two dreams in those years; they were to leave Chelsea at my peak and the other one was to go back to Sardinia and still be able to give something to the team over there.

“When Roman found out that I was moving to another team and I know this because the chairman of Cagliari told me later, he phoned the Cagliari chairman and he said: ‘I know Zola is going to sign a contract for you, can you tell me how much it’s going to cost to buy him back?’

“The chairman said I was not for sale.

“Roman replied: ‘How much is it to buy Cagliari then?’”

Damon Hill

A legend of Formula 1, the former world champion has been involved in some of the sports most high-profile moments.

Hill was the teammate of Ayrton Senna when the Brazilian great died after an incident during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, which was just a day after the death of Austrian rookie driver Roland Ratzenberger.

It was that season Hill lost the title to Michael Schumacher during the last race in controversial circumstances.

The Williams man only had to wait another two seasons to get his hand on the title though, winning in 1996 even after he’d found out he was to be dropped by his team at the end of the season.

But even getting a seat in F1 proved difficult for Hill, despite his father being a former world champion himself.

“I was trying to get to Formula 1 aged 20 to about 29, up until about 1990.

“My son was born in 1989, he’s got Downs Syndrome. Me and Georgie had just bought a house and mortgage rates had gone up and we had our son and we developed a crack that went all the way up the house. Literally, our house was falling apart.

“But then I got these opportunities

“I’M A GREAT BELIEVER IN IF YOU ENJOY SOMETHING THEN YOU’RE USUALLY QUITE GOOD AT IT.”

COLIN MONTGOMERIE

The final guest to join Ryan on stage was golfing great and Ryder Cup legend Colin Montgomerie.

‘Monty’ is widely regarded as one of, if not the greatest player of all time never to win a major.

Colin also played the first round on the Trump International Golf Links course, alongside Donald Trump himself.

“I actually enjoyed it,” Monty said.

“And I’m a great believer in if you enjoy something then you’re usually quite good at it.”

But when asked about his tournament as captain, Monty said, in jest, “no I didn’t enjoy it at all”.

“It was going okay,” he continued.

“Got the guys out playing and then when they went off, when they started

“It was weird that I’d lost control. I hated that part of being captain.

“It was a pressure, as well. We have a record in Europe that we’re very, very proud of. It’s one of the great sporting records really.

“When we return to a home venue, which be Ireland in 2027, it’ll be 34 years since we’ve lost a Ryder Cup at home.

“I was in the middle of this in 2010 and

Aberdeen’s Fifth Ring stands tall as Scotland’s leading marketing and communications agency

International B2B marketing specialist Fifth Ring has been named the top-ranked independent marketing agency in Scotland for the third year in a row, according to a new report.

The Aberdeen-headquartered agency was listed as the highest performing Scottish firm in the B2B Marketing UK Agencies Benchmarking Report 2024 – rising four spots from last year to land at number 57 in what is the industry’s flagship report.

The company offers a range of services from brand to demand, fed by experts in creative, media, public relations and branding, while its digital teams focus on inbound and lead generation campaigns.

And with office locations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Fifth Ring was also ranked 16th among the world’s largest UK-headquartered B2B Marketing Agencies – a reflection of the company’s continued growth following the addition of 35 new clients across different markets and industries in the previous year.

Fifth Ring founder and Chief Executive Ian Ord said: “I am absolutely delighted with the news from B2B Marketing’s new benchmarking report. At Fifth Ring, we help clients craft the right stories for the right audiences and achieve remarkable results for a multitude of global clients operating across a range of industries including energy, maritime, technology and manufacturing. Everything we do is designed to help each client in their respective markets.

“Our rankings in this report represent the trust our clients place in Fifth Ring to serve their interests and we look forward to continuing to build on this success.”

This news follows a string of awards successes for Fifth Ring including winning gold at The Drum Awards for Marketing for developing the E-FWD brand for DC Thomson. In the past year, the company has also picked up three BBN Golden Bees and was a finalist at the AGCC Northern Star Business Awards for its work launching a new product for their long-standing client Expro.

Ord added: “Taking gold in the energy and industry category at The Drum awards is a wonderful way to cap off the work our people put into crafting the E-FWD brand. This is a testament to the talent we have here at Fifth Ring and the quality of work put forward – not only on this campaign, but in everything we do. It is a commitment that our people share, delivering quality service for every client, wherever they are located.”

Taking gold in the energy and industry category at The Drum awards is a wonderful way to cap off the work our people put into crafting the E-FWD brand.

RES’ growth recognised in Aberdeen Energy Supply Chain Awards

Gavin Shirley, Senior Development Project Manager, RES

Over the last 40 years RES has evolved from a small innovative wind turbine engineering team into the world’s largest independent renewable energy company.

RES, a British company, has a vision to create a future where everyone has access to affordable zero carbon energy.

The company employs over 4,500 passionate people across 24 countries and spans multiple technologies - delivering more than 26GW of projects globally.

Green business growth is at the heart of this journey and has been accelerated significantly over the last couple of years in particular through RES’ acquisition of Anemo Analytics, IM FutuRe and most recently, Ingeteam’s renewable service division.

These acquisitions add to RES’ distinctive breadth of services to the solar, wind, BESS and green hydrogen industries and expand the company’s reach into 10 new markets adding Brazil, Mexico and Spain.

As a result of these acquisitions RES is now the largest independent renewable energy services provider in the world, with over 41GW of

Operation and Maintenance and Asset Management contracts globally.

The company’s extraordinary growth has led to RES being shortlisted for the Green Business Growth Award in the upcoming Scottish Green Energy Supply Chain Awards which take place in Aberdeen on 22 August.

Gavin Shirley, RES Senior Development Project Manager, added: “We’re delighted to have been shortlisted for these awards.

The scale of our growth, together with our significant expertise

The company’s extraordinary growth has led to RES being shortlisted for the Green

Business Growth Award

and specialised services, will help accelerate the transition to the lowest cost forms of energy for consumers. The market for operational services in renewable energy is expanding rapidly and RES is leading the transition of energy and skills in this exciting industry.”

RES will couple its new scale with continued investment in its innovative technology-enabled ecosystems, data, analytics, machine learning and AI to further improve both maintenance and asset efficiency.

These innovative technologies will also carry through to RES’ significant portfolio of renewables projects such as the Hill of Fare Wind Farm proposal near Banchory in Aberdeenshire. If consented, the project could provide a £150million economic boost to the local area and offset the equivalent of 69,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

In addition to the Green Business Growth Award, RES has been shortlisted for the Green Energy Skills Award and the Diversity and Culture Award.

For more information on RES, please visit www.res-group.com

The Torry loon bringing global brands back to life!

Lorenzo Moretti: a name perhaps associated more with Turin than Torry.

But the Italian-named-Scot was born on Sinclair Road in 1970.

His journey since then is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s taken him from Torry to Thailand and pretty much everywhere in between.

Admittedly, Lorenzo “was not that particularly gifted in school”. Instead, he focussed on grafting, something he took from his parents.

“I believed, and I was right to believe, that hard work and dedication often trumps core capability,” said the President of Europe for the iconic brand Champion.

Lorenzo has swapped growing up above The Poppin to growing some of the world’s biggest businesses, including Tesco, Nike and Dr Martens.

His first port of call was a young management trainee scheme with Marks & Spencer. After an initial rejection, he got accepted at the second time of asking.

“It was the best thing that ever happened to me,” he said.

“I learned a lot from a commercial perspective but also it taught me about consumers and it led me to run my first store.

“I came back to Aberdeen and ran the food hall in the early ‘90s, but then in ‘97 I got the opportunity to go to Hong Kong and really start to learn about international consumers.

“From there, I went to Thailand and then in 2000 I joined Tesco.”

Travelling had long been a dream of Lorenzo’s.

He worked for the best part of a decade in central Europe for Tesco in leadership roles across the continent,

including in Hungary and Slovakia.

That led him to what he describes as a “bit of a disaster”.

“I was the CEO of Tesco in China, and it was about adopting and landing Tesco’s global operating model into the Chinese marketplace.

“That was one of those where I learned a lot of what not to do because they didn’t focus on the consumer.”

Lorenzo speaks openly about his time at Tesco and not being able to lead the brand to the roaring success they’d hoped to be in China.

He puts much of the failure down to one thing.

“I guess, a bit of an arrogant view of Tesco that time, was they were rolling fast and hard in the UK and also across European markets such as the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary, where they were the number one retailer. They’d grown fast by focusing, actually, on the consumer.

“But in China, they didn’t.

“They actually were arrogant enough to think they knew better.

“It was my job to land in the operating model, which was about IT, logistics, the capabilities that Tesco had used as its backbone in Europe and thinking that that was the right strategy to adopt that directly into China and it wasn’t.

“It cost a lot of money. We took a lot of expats into the marketplace to show the Chinese the Tesco way and completely lost sight of the consumer.

“The rest is a bit of a history. They created a bit of a financial black hole for themselves.

“From an integrity perspective, I don’t think they left that market in a particularly strong place.”

Lorenzo continued: “Tesco, back in the day, were obsessed by what was on people’s plates.

“What was on the Christmas plate of the consumer in Hungary? What was on the Christmas plate of the consumer in Slovakia? What was different about that from the UK? Or Easter? Or any of these key periods? And being the best at bringing that to life for the consumer whether it was quality or price or the equation of both.

“In China, it became about the operating model, rather than about obsessing and being the best at our logistics, or buying, or our supply chain.

“I actually accomplished landing the operating model, I did that for about 15 months and then took over the commercial running of East China, which was about 80% of the volume, but 100% the profitability of China was from this region.

“When I took that over, I found there was a black hole in the accounts of commercial income that had been brought forward.

“I had a decision to make, did I become part of that, or did I, from an integrity perspective, move away from that. I decided to move away.”

Lorenzo’s next step was a leadership role at clothing brand GAP.

“You learn a lot more through failure than through success,” Lorenzo said, referring to his time at Tesco.

“I was going to build a business based on Chinese capability and focus on the Chinese consumer for GAP, rather than just purely importing what GAP was in in the US.”

After GAP, his already unique career turned into “a boy’s dream come true”, admitted Lorenzo.

An avid Aberdeen fan, he was brought in to run Nike’s Direct to Consumer part of the business.

“After three years of building the house successfully across Europe they asked me what I wanted to do and I told him I wanted to run football.

“They laughed at me,” Lorenzo said. But he kept persistent and was eventually rewarded.

“I was sat on the board of, for example, Barcelona, their commercial boards. They were obviously our biggest team.

“It was everything from the sports marketing aspect of signing the deal and then managing the deal with a Barcelona or a PSG, or future signed teams like Chelsea and Spurs and working out what the commercial structure of that deal is.

“More importantly though, it was selling football boots or football shirts to Sports Direct or their equivalent across Europe.

“I took the category through Euro 2016 in France. The first time we would ever get two teams in the final, maximising that from a brand perspective, not just for Europe, but globally.

“What was important was the year after that. Normally you would see a massive sales dive because you don’t have the shirt sales of a tournament.

“But we actually grew for the first time in a post-tournament year, because during the tournament, we’d use it to launch Nike Football Training, from a clothing collection perspective and used all the Euro 2016 games and the event of the tournament to sell that into the biggest retailers across Europe.”

His boyhood dream came to an end a few years later when he was offered a role in the US but opted against going to remain close to his children.

His plan to start his own business was put on hold after being put on gardening leave from Nike, before

he joined Office and Offspring as CEO and latterly Dr Martens.

Four years at the leather boot specialist followed, before embarking on a new challenge at the start of last year with sportswear giant Champion.

It’s Lorenzo’s first foray working in Italy, the “other motherland” as he calls it.

“It’s had many highs and lows, but it’s got such incredible potential and I still believe in that potential today.”

As has been the hallmark of his career, he’s maintaining a “maniacal” focus on the consumer in an ever-changing commercial world.

“I think consumers are not spending as much on traditional footwear or apparel,” he said.

“They’re spending much more in a needs perspective, which could be cost of living, but I think it’s not, I think it’s a reset.

“What they’re spending money on is experience, so I think it’s

high streets being an experience again.

“It’s not about going shopping and then being told that the only way you can get your size is online, it’s about stocking stores so that you can have phenomenal customer service when you go there, but also doing things in a physical environment that you can’t do digitally.

“Fit size is so difficult to do digitally. Everyone’s trying to do these different apps to get your right fit and all the rest of it.

“Actually, things like that are about being in a physical environment or doing events. Bringing consumers back to stores for events and then surprising and delighting consumers and reassociating them back into retail.

“That, for me, is the job of the high street.”

To hear more about Lorenzo’s story and his insights on running small and largescale businesses, you can listen to the full interview on ChamberTalk, on Apple, Spotify and YouTube.

Colourful hoarding panels part

Union Street’s biggest change in 200 years

A set of colourful and informative hoarding panels were installed as part of works upgrading a section of Aberdeen’s main thoroughfare of Union Street.

The construction between the Market Street and Bridge Street junctions is part of the City Centre and Beach Masterplan. The works include new pavements with locally sourced granite, a road surface, and cycle lanes, and will help to create a plaza entrance to the new market building.

The hoarding panels have information about the major works to the area, lists of shops and businesses as part of the Open for Business campaign and locations of taxi ranks and bus stops.

Triple success for 3t Training Services in prestigious GWO awards

Global training pioneer 3t Training Services consolidated its position as the UK’s largest and leading training provider after it secured multiple finalist spots at the GWO Safety and Training Awards.

3t were nominated in three separate categories at the prestigious awards ceremony and its training services is one of only three companies nominated for ‘Training Team of the Year Northern Europe’.

As one of the most recognised and respected training bodies for the global wind industry, the Global Wind Organisation’s (GWO) annual awards recognise the best of the best amongst the international wind training providers.

Oak Tree Consultancy enjoys success in new premises

Aberdeen based QHSE consultancy, Oak Tree Consultancy UK Ltd, has been thriving in its new business premises after relocating in January.

The move marks a significant step for the company, enhancing it’s capacity to deliver high-quality services to its growing client base.

The new location has provided a fresh and inspiring environment, enabling the team to better serve clients and support business growth.

Scottish golf legend joins Maggie’s to celebrate cancer centre visits

PGA and European Tour Star Colin Montgomerie joined Maggie’s Aberdeen staff and supporters to celebrate the city’s cancer care centre’s milestone achievement of 80,000 visits since opening in 2013.

The World Golf Hall of Famer posed for photos and chatted with supporters during the intimate event Monday evening at Maggie’s Aberdeen centre.

Montgomerie, a longtime cancer care supporter who created the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation in memory of his mother, led Monty’s Maggie’s Appeal - a fundraising drive which helped establish Maggie’s Aberdeen in 2013.

Montgomerie said: “It’s wonderful to be back at this extraordinary centre marking 80,000 visits from people living with cancer.I have achieved a lot in golf but it’s the Maggie’s centres that fill me with the greatest pride. To know they are here for people at what is an incredibly difficult time is very powerful.

Vera Schroeter, Maggie’s Aberdeen Centre Head said: “We were delighted to welcome Colin back to the centre. We are keen to help men understand how we can support them and hope his visit might help raise awareness amongst men. We recognise that for many people it’s not easy to make the first step of asking for help.”

AAB rolls out brand consolidation as it approaches £100million turnover

Professional services firm AAB has announced a strategic consolidation of its five brands across the UK and Ireland, a cornerstone of its six-year plan to strengthen and expand its position as a leading provider in the mid-market.

Employing around 1,000 people across 12 office locations, AAB will bring FPM, Sagars and May Figures under its main brand title, AAB. Think People and SeeHearSpeakUp will become AAB People.

This strategic move is designed to optimise AAB’s robust brand presence, enhance market penetration and deliver a more integrated experience for clients.

Emma Lancaster, Chief Executive at AAB said: “By combining our diverse services under the widely recognised AAB brand, we are not only simplifying our structure, but also amplifying our ability to deliver integrated, innovative solutions to our clients.”

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2024 QUALIFICATION RESULTS

DELIVERING FOR LOCAL EMPLOYERS

Thousands of young people across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire recently received the results of their SQA qualifications. While for some learners their results support them in taking the next step in their education, for others, their results enable them to enter the workplace.

Whatever path they take, they – and you – can have full confidence in the standard and credibility of their qualifications.

Here we provide some information about the qualifications that you may see in job applications and CVs and how they could benefit your workforce.

Work-based learning

Foundation Apprenticeships give learners the opportunity to gain experience of the workplace and achieve a valuable qualification while still being at school, with 19 SQA centres in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire approved to offer them.

They are a work-based learning opportunities where learners spend time out of school with a local employer.

In the 2023-24 session, around 700 entries have been registered for Foundation Apprenticeships in SQA centres in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

August’s story

Duncan Curtis, Academy Lead at Alive Radio hosted student August Wildner as part of his Foundation Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media, focusing on audio production. Duncan said: “Providing the placement for the Foundation Apprenticeship has offered a route

for young people into our industry. It gives them the opportunity to gain experience of a working radio station and develop technical skills. They get a real sense of the sort of work we do in the studio, and if they love it, it will give them a real sense of direction for where they want to go next.”

August said: “My apprenticeship was timetabled alongside my other subjects, so it just became a normal part of my school day. The apprenticeship has really helped me decide on what it is I want to do after school.”

Qualifications for everyone

The total number of SQA National Progression Awards, National Certificates, Skills for Work, and Awards achieved has risen by 24.8% to 90,035. This marks a recordbreaking year as Scotland’s learners excelled in achieving valuable skills to build rewarding careers.

National Certificates (NCs) and National Progression Awards (NPAs) develop skills much sought

As the Regional Manager for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, Colette Connolly has extensive knowledge of SQA workplace-based qualifications. If you would like advice on delivering these, please contact Colette at colette.connolly@sqa.org.uk.

after by employers, and prepare people for employment, career development or educational progression. NPAs are linked to National Occupational Standards. There are NCs and NPAs in subject areas as diverse as Computing Science, Employability, and Hair and Beauty.

Skills for Work courses focus on generic employability skills needed for the workplace. The courses place emphasis on experiential and practical learning, giving young people an understanding of the workplace and are available in areas including Early Learning and Childcare, and Travel and Tourism.

SQA Awards are practice-based work qualifications for specific sectors, including British Sign Language, Customer Service, and Forestry/Timber Production.

Alison Cran, Director, Korero

Give us the elevator pitch for your business Korero sparks meaningful connections between businesses and their potential customers. Our strategic approach builds awareness, trust, and loyalty - combining digital marketing, media relations, and content creation. The stories we shape resonate with the people businesses want to work with. Our resultsfocused approach ensures that everything we do aligns with business objectives.

Dons brewing partnership with Fierce Beer

Aberdeen Football Club has announced an innovative new partnership with local brewery, Fierce Beer.

This collaboration saw the renovation of the iconic Gothenburg Lounge, transforming it into a modern offering that celebrates the club’s hugely successful 1983 season, while renaming it the Fierce Beer 1983 Lounge.

In 1983, Aberdeen FC achieved a historic treble, winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup, the European Super Cup and the Scottish Cup. This unique

Tell us about your management style and how it has worked for you?

I try to be authentic and open with the team while encouraging them to be collaborative and creative. Great teamwork is central to delivering quality marketing activity. I’m passionate about what we do and where we’re going. Inspiring the team and creating new opportunities benefits team members and clients alike.

What is the biggest barrier you overcame in the workplace and how did you tackle it?

Thinking bigger. I struggled in the early days to be ambitious enough. Coaching and having a circle of people championing us helped change my mindset. Supporting and inspiring the team to do the same and exceed their goals has also been critical. Now in our tenth year, we’re excited for the future!

What is the best bit of business or life advice you have ever received?

To stay focused on my business goals and not compare our journey to competitors’. We wanted to create an agency that offered a credible alternative and was rooted in the craft of writing. It’s advice that has stood us in good stead. I guess life advice is similar!

accomplishment will be commemorated through the reimagining of the former Gothenburg Lounge, creating a dynamic and inviting space for fans to relive and celebrate the glory of that iconic year.

The centrepiece of this partnership is the creation of a specially crafted lager range named “1983.” These new 4.2% & 0.5% Alcohol Free beers, developed in collaboration with Fierce Beer, are designed to honour and celebrate the successes of that unforgettable year.

The “1983” lager promises to deliver a premium and enjoyable experience for fans, merging the rich history of Aberdeen FC with the innovative brewing expertise of Fierce Beer.

Commenting on this new partnership, Robbie Hedderman, Commercial Director of Aberdeen FC, said: “We are delighted to partner with Fierce Beer to bring a new and modern twist to what was formerly known as the Gothenburg Lounge.”

Craig Cargill, Sales Manager of Fierce Beer, shared his excitement about the partnership, adding: “As a local brewery, Fierce Beer is delighted to be working with Aberdeen FC to deliver a fun and premium hospitality experience for its fans.

“From the very first conversation our mission was to keep the heart and soul of that famous night in Gothenburg and incorporate it into a new premium look lounge that compliments both AFC and Fierce Beer and we hope we have achieved that.”

Viaro Energy acquires Shell and ExxonMobil assets

London-based Viaro Energy has agreed a deal to acquire Shell and ExxonMobil’s assets in the Southern North Sea.

The independent North Sea operator said its main operating subsidiary RockRose Energy signed an aggrement with Shell and Esso Exploration, itself a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, to acquire full ownership of the assets.

Pending regulatory approval, the deal will see Viaro acquire a portfolio consisting of 11 offshore assets - Shamrock, Caravel, Corvette, Brigantine, Leman, Galleon, Skiff, Carrack Main and East, Cutter, Barque and Clipper - all of which tie back to the onshore Bacton Gas Processing Terminal.

Production from these fields accounted for around 5% of total UK gas production last year.

Its new operators sees “strong growth potential” through nearby exploration opportunities.

Francesco Mazzagatti, Chief Executive officer of Viaro

Energy, admitted the firm has “encountered more than a few challenges” to realise its initial strategy in the UKCS North Sea, though reaffirmed the role the company can play in the energy transition.

He said: “We are immensely grateful to the Shell and ExxonMobil teams for an exemplary collaboration on this major deal, which represents a crowning achievement of Viaro’s strategic vision in the North Sea to date.

“We have long emphasised our commitment to the UKCS North Sea and while we have certainly encountered more than a few challenges to realise our initial strategy, it is deals like this that make it evident why it is a worthwhile long-term investment.

“Shell and ExxonMobil’s Southern North Sea portfolio is not only the backbone of the UK’s energy production and security, but it also represents one of the best strategically placed solutions that have the potential to play an important role in the energy transition.

“With strong potential for wind farm synergies, electrification of upstream assets, CCS and hydrogen supply, this acquisition fits Viaro’s ongoing and planned activities across the energy sector perfectly.”

interocean.co.uk enquiries@interocean.co.uk

Highland Fish Bar opens at Macdonald Aviemore Resort

A new fish restaurant has opened its doors at Macdonald Aviemore Resort, serving authentic fish and chips alongside gourmet, seasonal catches. Located within the Aviemore Hotel, the Highland Fish Bar offers guests, visitors and locals alike a taste of the Scottish Highlands with freshly caught fish served every day.

Every fish served is caught daily, then delivered to Peterhead and Scrabster ports before arriving at the Highland Fish Bar.

Kenny McMillan, Managing Director at Macdonald Aviemore Resort, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome people of all ages to experience this fantastic, new dining concept located within the resort. The idea behind the Highland Fish Bar goes to the heart of what we stand for in terms of fresh, locally caught and sustainable produce.”

I’m confident it will prove to be a hit with guests and local people alike and look forward to the restaurant going from strength to strength.”

Let’

s bring your ideas to life

Aspect embraces employee ownership as growth continues

Leading integrated consultancy, Aspect: The Strategic Communication Experts has announced that 100% of the shares in the company has been acquired by a new Employee Ownership Trust on behalf of the firm’s employees.

Under the leadership of Founder and Chief Executive officer Andrew McCallum, Aspect’s revenue has grown by more than 250% since recruiting its first employee in 2019, accelerating through and beyond the global pandemic to deliver revenues of £3.1million in 2023.

Andrew remains as Chief Executive officer, with fellow board director, Yvonne McCallum, continuing to lead the firm’s finance, commercial and legal functions. They’ll work closely with the leadership team – Digital Director Ewan Duthie, Marketing Director Jenny Adams, Communication Director Leona Minellas and Public Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement Director Peter Smyth.

From its offices in the heart of Aberdeen and on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, Aspect’s talented team of 22 employees advise clients globally in complex, issue-rich sectors from energy, infrastructure and sustainability to technology, life sciences and the natural economy.

Andrew McCallum said: “The success of our business is built on the expertise, creativity and energy of our talented people. What we’ve achieved over the past five years would not have been possible without them and I’m very grateful for their continued support as I lead the firm into this exciting new chapter.

“We’re proud to have created an open, collaborative and supportive culture where people can develop and thrive. Becoming an employee-owned business empowers our

team to actively shape Aspect’s future and share in its continued growth and success, now and for many years to come.

“I believe this unique combination of employee ownership, inclusive culture and purpose-led work for our ambitious clients creates a platform for the future.”

The Aspect Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) will be chaired by independent trustee, June Boyle, a highly experienced chair, non-executive director and executive coach with a successful career spanning roles at bp, RBS, BT, Lloyds Banking Group and most recently, Edinburgh Napier University.

Following an internal election process, Jenny Adams, Marketing Director has been appointed to the role of employee trustee. Andrew McCallum is the Founder Trustee.

June Boyle, Chair of the Aspect Employee Ownership Trust, said: “Aspect is an excellent business with a strong team and impressive client portfolio in the UK and internationally. In my experience, businesses with a progressive culture where employees are engaged and involved in the direction of the company deliver better performance.

James de le Vingne, Chief Executive of the Employee Ownership Association, said: “It’s great to welcome Aspect to a growing sector that is Proudly Employee Owned. What a great way to mark EO Day!

“I look forward to seeing Aspect deliver greater levels of involvement and representation for its employees and the benefits it’ll bring to its local community.”

Stronachs LLP

The leading law firm with offices in Aberdeen and Inverness has promoted four Senior Solicitors and two new appointments amid financial success. Patrick Norris, Amy Breen, Hazel Grant and Jonathan Wemyss have been promoted to Associate while Sarah McPherson and Michelle Dargie join the firm as Associate and Marketing Manager.

OEG Energy Group has appointed Arran Mackenzie as its new General Counsel. Arran joins OEG with more than 19 years of corporate finance experience in the energy sector with a focus on M&A and private equity investments.

PDi has appointed Richard Leetham to the role of Projects Director as part of the company’s five-year growth strategy plan. With over 35 years of experience in the energy industry, Richard brings a wealth of experience to the role.

Robert Diver

Katie Butler has been appointed as an ambassador for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Scotland’s only dedicated asthma charity. The appointment bolsters the charity’s ongoing efforts to enhance health outcomes for adults and children living with asthma.

Integrity HSE has appointed Robert Diver as the new Head of Risk and Resilience. Rob is recognised as a leading global security expert and brings a wealth of experience to the role.

Ledingham Chalmers

The legal firm has marked continued growth in Inverness with the appointment of five new hires. Christina McKerrow, Amy Manson, Eve Cooper, Lisa Sime and Bethany Chisholm all bring a wealth of experience to their new roles at Ledingham Chalmers.

Arran Mackenzie

Richard Leetham

Katie Butler

Thuy Tien Le Guen Dang

ASCO has promoted Thuy Tien Le Guen Dang to the newly created senior role of Head of New Energy and Net Zero. After five years as group marketing and Communications Manager at the company, her new role will lead ASCO’s growth in the new global energy marketplace.

Kyle Gordon

Dundee-based accountancy firm Ashton McGill has appointed Kyle Gordon as a Senior Accountant, marking their first Aberdeen-based recruit. In his new role, Kyle will be responsible for the preparation and review of management accounts and year-end accounts.

William Cappello

Raccortubi UK has appointed William Cappello as Business Development Manager for the UK. Cappello brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Raccortubi, particularly in the sales sector of the energy industry.

Jehan Saeed

Westerton Access has appointed Jehan Saeed to the role of Regional Manager for its overall sales and operations in the company’s Middle East region. Jehan brings a wealth of experience to her new role.

Vishal Chopra

KPMG UK has appointed Vishal Chopra to lead the professional services firm in Scotland as their new Senior Partner and will be responsible for a team of more than 900 people across their offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Jacqui Alexander

The Russell Anderson Foundation has appointed Jacqui Alexander as the charity’s Education and Development Manager to further enhance RAF’s programme within its partner schools.

Hani El Kurd

Subsea7 has appointed Hani El Kurd as the Senior Vice President of UK & Global Inspection Repair and Maintenance (IRM). Hani brings over 20 years’ experience in the energy sector as an Executive Leader.

Vicki Miller

VisitScotland has appointed Vicki Miller to the role of Chief Executive Officer. Vicki joined the team in 2005 and has held a number of key positions including Head of Local Marketing before being promoted to Director in 2019.

Aberdein Considine & Company

A period of targeted recruitment sees the team expand with seven strategic appointments, which marks a major investment in the firm’s service offering. The appointments will see the team enhance the delivery of services across its private client practice.

Fiona Gorry and Lauren Wilson

Just Employment Law has promoted Fiona Gorry as the firm’s Head of Litigation and Lauren Wilson has been promoted to Associate. Both Fiona and Lauren bring a wealth of experience to their new roles.

Scott Douglas

AISUS has announced the appointment of Scott Douglas as their new Business Development Manager. Scott brings a wealth of expertise to the team with over 20 years of experience within the oil and gas sector.

SBP Accountants and Business Advisors

SBP has welcomed Ethan Booth, Holly Gammack and Jessica Stephen to the roles of Accounts Seniors and Accounts Assistant at their Aberdeen and Peterhead offices.

Matthew Gray

Odfjell Technology has announced the appointment of Matthew Gray as the new Sales Manager for its Well Services division in the UK. The appointment marks a significant step in Odfjell’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its services.

Stephanie Gillespie

Leading independent customs firm, Bethan Customs Consultancy has recognised dedication with the promotion of Stephanie Gillespie to the role of Operations Manager. The newly created role is designed to achieve the firm’s growth objectives.

Brian Scott

Hydro Group has announced the appointment of the new QHSE Manager, Brian Scott at their Aberdeen HQ. Brian is set to bring fresh ideas to the business and implement tactical decisions with his wealth of experience.

Scott Milne and Owen Jack

DF Communications has introduced Scott Milne and Owen Jack as their new apprentices in the mobile and hosted departments. The appointments underline the company’s dedication to fostering new talents.

Julia Maguire and John Maciver

Pinsent Masons has appointed Scottish partners, Julia Maguire and John Maciver as Global Sector Heads, underlining the depth of legal talent available throughout its offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Mother Technologies

Mother Technologies has appointed Rian Wilson, Alan Zaczek and Scott Grant as their new engineers as they continue to uphold their commitment to delivering excellent service to their clients.

Leanne Hill

Commercial Real Estate specialist, Leanne Hill, has joined Blackadders LLP as a Partner in Aberdeen. Leanne has 18 years’ experience in commercial property in the city and across the central belt of Scotland.

AAB

AAB has announced the promotion of five team members into key leadership roles. The newly appointed individuals bring a wide range of experience and the new roles will be critical as the company expands its team across the UK and Ireland.

Thomas Lynch

OEG Energy Group Limited has appointed Thomas Lynch as its new Regional Director (Americas) for its offshore wind division. In this role Thomas will lead the expansion of OEGR’s service and product offering in North America.

Ian Fergusson

Shepherd and Hardies has realigned to maximise its growth potential. Senior Partner Ian Fergusson has assumed the same position at sister firm, Hardies Property and Construction Consultants.

Dr. Louise Henderson

Bon Accord Care have announced the appointment of their new Managing Director, Dr Louise Henderson. The decision comes after a rigorous recruitment and selection process.

Sarah-Jane Hogg

Balmoral Group Holdings Limited has appointed Sarah-Jane Hogg as Non-executive Director. Sarah brings a wealth of experience from her current role as chief executive of Friends of ANCHOR.

Managing Director at Prospect 13, Cerri McDonald, has been appointed to the board of trustees at Aberdeen children’s charity, Lifestars. Cerri will support the development of the charity’s fundraising events and activities.

Cerri McDonald