summer 2021 £3
the magazine of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry
INSIDE: Chamber News
page 5
Kickstart Scheme
page 7
PLATINUM PARTNERS CONTACTS Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry, The Mezzanine, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Prestwick, KA9 2PL Mail enquiries@ayrshire-chamber.org Call 01292 678666 Visit www.ayrshire-chamber.org President.................................... Frank Gormanley Chief Executive.............................. Valerie Russell Development Manager...................Helen McBride
Ayrshire Chamber wishes to acknowledge the support of the following companies as sponsors of our Platinum Partners programme. The Chamber in Ayrshire represents businesses of all sizes and all sectors and is particularly effective in representing the voice of businesses at local, national and international level. The Partnership aims to cement the relationship that companies have with Ayrshire Chamber, making sure they get the most out of membership and in turn contributing to the work of the Chamber, so supporting other business in Ayrshire. Partnership members have access to a comprehensive package of benefits, while at the same time assist with the development of the Chamber movement. If you would like to discuss the mutual benefits of becoming a Partner for Business please contact Helen McBride our Business Development Manager.
MAGAZINE Editorial........... aclayton@ayrshire-chamber.org Ad Sales............lstewart@ayrshire-chamber.org Design/Typesetting........advertisingworks.co.uk Print/Distribution.......................brown-bros.com An Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry publication. No part of this magazine may be copied, scanned or reproduced without the express permission of the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed in editorial and/or advertising in "Your Business" are not necessarily those of the Editorial Committee of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Articles submitted for publication will be considered at the Committee's discretion and may be subject to editing. Publication is not guaranteed.
Please join us in welcoming our newest International Trade Platinum Partner Anderson Strathern. We are looking forward to working with you and sharing your knowledge and expertise in this sector with our Members.
Port of Ayr completes £2.2m investment strategy with new crane delivery The Port of Ayr, operated by Associated British Ports (ABP) has taken delivery of a new high-performance crane, which will optimise vessel discharge speeds for customers. Together with a number of other recently acquired pieces of port machinery, including two cranes purchased in 2013 and 2018, the Liebherr LH110 will help enhance port operations and deliver easier maintenance for ABP’s local engineering team. With the delivery of this machine, ABP marks the completion of a seven-year £2.2 million investment strategy to upgrade all front-line machinery at the port. Reflecting on the investment, Stuart Cresswell, ABP Port Manager for Troon, Ayr and Silloth, said: “I am delighted to see the arrival of this machine and the completion of our goal to standardise our fleet of front-line cranes. This strategy was developed in close partnership with all our font-line
colleagues, including both our crane drivers and the local engineering team. We are all confident it will allow us to retain our reputation as one of the quickest and most effective discharge ports in the UK. “In terms of discharge cycle time, the Liebherr’s LH series has proven to be super quick and will bring many longer-term maintenance benefits of the fleet, as our local engineers now only have one number to call if there are any issues. “ The Port of Ayr specialises in handling dry bulks, including salt, animal feed, heavy lift and forest products. Together with customers, ABP’s Scottish ports of Ayr and Troon contribute over £40 million to the UK economy every year,
including £28 million locally. Mike Hanlon, Material Handler Product Specialist for Liebherr-Great Britain, commented: “We are very proud of our long standing relationship with ABP and it has been great to see the expansion of the Liebherr fleet at Port of Ayr over the last few years. "Liebherr is renowned for providing bespoke solutions to many industries and our Ports machines are no exception. We worked closely with ABP to ensure that their material handlers were configured to their exact requirements so that they can, in turn, offer the most efficient and reliable service to their customers."
DOING OUR BIT FOR THE PLANET I am so pleased that after such a tumultuous time, we are all starting to see some normality return to both our business and personal lives. Certainly, in speaking with some of our members recently, there is a real sense of hope, excitement and opportunity in the air – let’s retain this optimism. The pandemic, rightly so, has been the focal point across the world since March 2020, with various other global concerns taking a backseat, including the Climate emergency. Like all businesses, Ayrshire Chamber are reviewing our own processes to see how we can support the ambitious Scottish and UK governments carbon targets, creating our own ‘Green Strategy’ and working with various partners to provide a suite of tools, resources and events to help our members with their own environmental objectives. The eyes of the world will descend on Glasgow this November as Scotland hosts the COP26 Conference, where world leaders will share their ideas and commitment to a global climate pledge. You can visit their website for a full itinerary of
ALISON SOMERVILLE Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce Vice President
the summit which starts on Monday 1st Nov and runs until Friday 12th Nov - www.ukcop26.org The Chamber will be delivering various events in the lead up to COP26. You can book and find out more about these and all our events on our website. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Alison Somerville, who has recently been appointed Vice President at the Ayrshire Chamber. Alison has been an instrumental board member for over five years and we all look forward to working together in the months ahead.
CHAMBER EVENTS Although our normal events diary is currently postponed, we are still providing opportunities for networking, training and business support online. To keep up to date with what we have coming up make sure to regularly check our events page at www.ayrshire-chamber.org/events If you have any topic suggestions or there is something you have a particular interest in, please email yvonne@ayrshire-chamber.org
FRANK GORMANLEY Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce President
Have a wonderful summer and when you can, explore some of the incredible places we have on our doorstep throughout Ayrshire. Now fingers crossed for some sunshine… #ForwardTogether
Frank Gormanley, President
FUTURE CHAMBER In 2018, Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce launched a new initiative to engage and support the next generation of business. Three years on and we have just enrolled our fourth cohort of Future Chamber members. ‘Future Chamber’ is one year’s FREE membership on the Enterprise tier which is fully funded by the Chambers Platinum Partners. This gives the successful applicants access to a wide variety of services such as HR and Legal advice, free networking and preferential member rates for training and events. The initiative is open to under 35-year-olds with a business based in Ayrshire that has been trading for a minimum of two years. In addition to all the benefits of Enterprise membership, there are special ‘Future Chamber’ events tailored towards the business’ needs. We look forward to introducing you to our Future Chamber members at our forthcoming events.
3 YOUR BUSINESS | SUMMER 2021
PRESIDENT'S WELCOME
MEMBERS NEWS
KICK STARTING GROWTH It’s been an extremely busy, yet productive and positive, few months for Training First Safety. The first biggy was the move into their new premises in Kilmarnock. This decision came at a time when there was an increasing demand for more local training courses to be delivered for clients and with the team beginning to grow, it was the obvious solution. The team have since been delivering courses such as First Aid, Work at Height, Manual Handling and Fire Safety to name a few from the new training space at Munro Business Park. Not only that, TFS welcomed Carly McCleary as a fantastic addition to the team through the government’s Kickstart initiative. As the company continues to go from strengthto-strength Carly has been helping the team with the ongoing - and ever-growing - administration responsibilities.
Carly joins the team on an initial 6 month placement and during this time TFS pledges to Commit, Invest and Engage in Carly’s development, with training and support being at the heart of this. In addition to learning the business, how TFS operates and how her role can be performed effectively to assist with business growth, Carly has also been attending training courses and completing e-learning in areas such as; Microsoft, Social Media, Objective Setting, Health & Safety, Mental Health Awareness, Customer Service,
Effective Communication and more. “Within my first month at Training First Safety I have learned so much already about the company and my role within it. Every day I’m learning something new and working on how I can improve not only as a person but as a part of the Training First Safety Team. I’m looking forward to furthering my knowledge of my role, learning new skills and improving on existing ones and seeing where this journey will take me” www.trainingfirstsafety.co.uk
YOUR BUSINESS | SUMMER 2021
Taps aff, Taps on.
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Saving your business money is a very good reason to save water. In fact, it might be your primary reason for using less water. However, water efficiency is not just about saving money and there are many reasons why it will benefit your business.
Businesses cannot afford to be complacent, so the more water we can all save, the less restrictions that may be enforced.
less water back into the system. This means, less pressure on the infrastructure, less maintenance issues and less repairs.
Jaws of Death
Start saving water and money today
With your business turning the taps back on after lockdown, it’s worth remembering the bigger picture when it comes to water efficiency.
The combination of climate change and the ever-rising population, referred to as the jaws of death, will mean we could reach the point when there isn’t enough potable water for everyone on the planet. Therefore, the more your business does to save water, the better it will be for us all going forward.
Preventing water shortages
Pressure on the water system
Castle Water is passionate about water and passionate about customers. We give free, practical advice to help your business use less water to become more sustainable and lower bills. Get an instant quote today and check out our free practical water efficiency resources at castlewater.co.uk/Scotland.
With the climate getting warmer, there is a high likelihood of nationwide imposed water saving measures, such as hosepipe bans.
By collecting rainwater and repurposing wastewater from sinks, showers, washing machines and dishwashers, you will be sending
AYRSHIRE CHAMBER - HELPING AYRSHIRE BUSINESSES GROW
The circumstances around us have changed business plans for all and no more so than for retail and tourism in communities large and small across Ayrshire. As part of our Restart | Rebuild| Renew programme and Forward Together strategy, we have been looking at how we can help by utilising digital assets. This has led to the introduction of some new digital services for all sectors in the region.
Connect Me Over the years, we have matched many local businesses with an experienced mentor. The journey has proven to be a very positive one and there continues to be a huge demand to support Ayrshire businesses in this way. Both our members and the wider business community can be connected with a mentor who will be there as a confidential sounding board if and when required with the introduction of a new and enhanced mentoring programme, Connect Me, supported by a new digital platform. This online software will highlight businesses development aims, objectives and ambitions and match them with a mentor that has the right skills and experience to add value to the organisation. Always looking to expand the extensive network of mentors available, contact us via mentoring@ayrshire-chamber.org to find out more about how you can help support local businesses to recover and grow. Mentoring can be anything from a couple of conversations to help guide a specific task or project, to a more in-depth commitment, at the discretion of both parties, for a period of up to one year.
Check & Trace An online service to securely check customers or visitors in and out of premises, anonymously collecting the data needed to support the NHS Test and Protect Programme #ProtectAyrshire Visitors simply scan a QR code with a smartphone on entry and input their contact information to be held securely for use if required by NHS Scotland. After first sign-in, visitors can check in easily and securely each time they visit any establishments using the service.
Ayrshire Connect Thanks to Scottish Town Partnership Resilience funding from the Scottish Government and in partnership with Chamber member Plan B – Ayrshire Connect has been developed. The aim is to create an Ayrshire wide digital presence built from the communities outwards and upwards with the ambition to cover as many town centres as possible.
The initiative is the latest measure rolled out by the Chamber team who have been supporting over 800 members since the start of the Covid-19 crisis. #ProtectAyrshire provides a safe and secure way of storing information to be used solely for the purpose of contact tracing and only should the need arise.
The content, managed by the Chamber, will give every business, not just member businesses, the opportunity to add their own details, offers and promotions to drive more footfall and tourists.
For more details and to sign up visit www.protectayrshire.org
This is just the beginning for Ayrshire Connect as it becomes much more than a website. Looking at the current situation facing all of us it will help create specific business development strategies along with businesses, community groups and councils.
We hope you like our front cover; some see weeds, we see wishes!
Get involved at www.ayrshireconnect.co.uk or contact connect@ayrshire-chamber.org for more information.
Please join us in congratulating Adrienne Howard, Finance Officer here at Ayrshire Chamber on her 20 years’ service. Here’s to many more to come.
5 YOUR BUSINESS | SUMMER 2021
CHAMBER NEWS
CHAMBER NEWS
New Vice President for Ayrshire Chamber We are pleased to announce Alison Somerville has been elected as Vice President of the Ayrshire Chamber Board of Directors.
Alison Somerville said:
Growing up in Ayrshire, Alison started her management career in textiles, but in 2000 she joined the family engineering business based in East Ayrshire. Alison’s interests span across arts and science and, in business, the ‘triple bottom line’ business sustainability model (promoting the theory that People, Planet and Profit must be considered together) is something which she aspires to, a model which is all the more relevant during a global climate and health crisis. Outside of work, Alison’s interests are generally in areas of the arts and entertainment. As well as a Board Member for the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and the Ayrshire Engineering Alliance, Alison volunteers as a member of the steering group for ‘Developing Young Workforce, Ayrshire’.
I am honoured to have been appointed as Vice President and look forward to working with Frank, the Board and of course Val and the team during such a pivotal time for many businesses. And I’d like to thank all those who have reached out to congratulate me and assure me of their support – that means such a lot to me.
Val Russell, CEO Ayrshire Chamber said: Alison has been on the Board of Directors for some years now and we are delighted that she has taken on this important role to support the work of the Chamber. The team and I are looking forward to building on our existing relationship with her.
On 1st January 2021, the way businesses export and import goods changed. ChamberCustoms is the customs advisory, training and brokerage service delivered through Chambers of Commerce across the UK. As part of this network Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce can help you and your team navigate the new rules and border controls.
We provide specialist customs advisory services A HMRC compliant brokerage service that you can trust for all your import and export declaration requirements. We’re the only customs broker in the UK to offer a ‘One Stop Shop’ with direct links to all sea, air, rail and road ports and terminals.
We can train your people ChamberCustoms has developed a range of training courses designed to prepare businesses and trade professionals for the future of trade. All our courses are eligible for HMRC Customs Intermediary Funding.
www.ayrshire-chamber.org/international/chamber-customs
chambercustoms@ayrshire-chamber.org
Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new jobs for 16 to 24 year olds The Government’s Kickstart Scheme will Grant Fund a 6-month work experience placement/s to Employers prepared to recruit person/s aged 16-24 who are on Universal Credit and aligned with a Work Coach. An additional grant of £1,500 will also be provided to help support the Employer towards set-up costs and to implement the required employability skills training for the placement/s. As an approved Gateway Organisation, we can help you apply for a Kickstart grant, by acting as a representative on your behalf, removing the administrative burden. We have already successfully applied for hundreds of placements and have first-hand knowledge of the procedures and what is required. We can also offer additional support for both the Young Person and the business once they have started work with access to employability skills and training if required. We at Ayrshire Chamber have taken on our own Kickstart employees, meet Martin and Laura (pictured). They have been with us just a few weeks but are settling in well and already becoming valued members of our team.
Utopia Computers in Kilmarnock are just one of our great success stories, having successfully accessed the scheme via the Chamber. Managing Director, Craig Hume has this to say: My understanding was that the process was to enable young people to gain experience while giving employers the opportunity to train potential employees in a low risk, low-cost manner. The whole process from start to finish has been very well thought out and seemed to me to be taking as much work off the employer as possible. We received a nice variety of applications, with some really interesting applicants. I would say you could almost split the applications into thirds. By that I mean, one third had simply done the minimum possible to apply, another third had a good application, but wasn't tailored to the post and the final third had gone the full way and submitted a good application with relevant information about how they would be a good fit for the team.
David Burns
Interviews were all conducted over a video call. These again progressed well. Once we had decided who we were offering a role to we gave feedback to the unsuccessful applicants. Our two successful candidates are now two months and one month into their roles respectively. Both are progressing well, with real enthusiasm to become a valued member of the team. I am hopeful that we will be able to offer both these candidates’ full-time roles at the end of their placements should they continue on the trajectory they are currently on.
For more information visit www.ayrshire-chamber.org/supporting-business
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7 YOUR BUSINESS | SUMMER 2021
CHAMBER NEWS
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MEMBERS NEWS
1825 providing quality financial planning and advice
PLATI PART NUM
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NOEL BUTWEL Chairman, 1825
‘Nobody has ever woken up in the morning and thought: ‘I need a financial plan’.’ By Noel Butwell – Chairman, 1825. This thought leadership piece was first published by Scottish Financial Enterprise as part of their ‘Insight’ series.
YOUR BUSINESS | SUMMER 2021
As the world begins the steady steps to recovery from the disruption of Covid-19 with the welcome rollout of vaccines, we have an opportunity to reflect on the landscape for both savers and investors. One key topic within that landscape that my colleagues and I at 1825, the financial planning and advice business of Standard Life Aberdeen, continue to see gather momentum is ‘financial wellness’.
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Financial wellness is a term that some would be quick to define as having a healthy bank balance or outperforming investment fund. In our view however, financial wellness represents engaging with individuals from every background to increase understanding and confidence, enhance financial capability and empower good financial decision making: ultimately, it’s about giving people peace of mind that their finances are in the best possible shape. Accelerated by the pandemic, three groups have emerged where harnessing financial wellness is essential from our perspective: those at risk of being forgotten about in the churn of change, those whose future has been brought into focus, and employers who want to do more to educate, engage and
empower their people. When lockdown hit in the UK in March 2020, the normal mediums of interaction between us were instantly disrupted and transformed. While home working has become commonplace and platforms such as Zoom and Teams have allowed businesses to repivot, it has become increasingly easy for people to disappear from everyday engagement, to feel isolated and worried about what the future will look like for them and their loved ones. For 1825, conversations on financial wellness can help with that re-engagement and through a wider lens, support good mental health. The interactions we have with individuals are underpinned by understanding the hurdles they are facing, personally, financially and professionally, and providing support during, what are for many, unsettling and uncertain times. Turning to the second of the three groups, even within the financial services community, there is a recognition that nobody has ever woken up in the morning and thought: ‘I need a financial plan’. However, alongside the seismic changes to the way we work, live, travel and spend, the question of identifying how we best arrange our finances both to maximise our own enjoyment of life and to support family and friends, has been brought into focus. As a
central pillar of financial wellness, equipping people with the information they need and options available to them is of significant importance for the team at 1825. Additionally, with the rise of environmental, social and governance considerations in financial planning and investing, we foresee financial wellness being only further defined by a more sustainable outlook for the future – in our actions alone and as groups. Finally, financial wellness is a topic which has an important place on the agenda of businesses large and small. In 1825’s experience, talking financial wellness has had as much resonance with staff at a major investment bank as those of a small distillery, particularly when it comes to supporting people to plan their financial future with confidence. It lies with employers to partner, listen and interpret the financial wellness needs of their employees and we are pleased to see continued positive moves in this space. In summary, 1825 and those we partner with are aware that the pursuit of financial wellness is not a destination, but a journey. Taking those steady steps to recovery in tandem with a financial wellness-led approach will deliver better outcomes to individuals, their families and employers well into the future.
MEMBERS NEWS
Without goin’ oot, Stayin’Inn raises £100k! In March 2020, just before the first official UK lockdown hit, Andy Dunlop popped onto his own personal Facebook page to host a quick quiz from his home in East Ayrshire as he tested some live streaming equipment. Little did he know that less than a week later the BBC would be inviting him onto the One Show and that would be the catalyst for what was to follow – The Stayin’ Inn online “pub”. 12 months later, and over 200 events under their belt – including karaoke, live music, comedy, cult hit dating show From Zoom To Groom and their weekly quizzes – The Stayin’ Inn hit the huge milestone of raising over £100,000 for various charities and good causes.
Andy, who also launched the fizzy-drink review podcast, Five Star Sodas, over lockdown, said: “It wasn’t something we set out to do, and to be honest it hasn’t quite sunk in, but we’re very proud of everything that we have achieved. The support The Stayin’ Inn has received has been fantastic. We’ve had support from all four corners of the globe! “ “Right at the start of lockdown we teamed up with the Beatson Cancer Charity and they’ve become part of the family now. Receiving more than half of what we’ve raised so far it’s been amazing to see the good work that has done.” Charlene Low from the Beatson Cancer Charity added, “Andy and his family have been fantastic this year. The support they, and the Stayin’ Inn Community, have shown the Beatson has been a huge highlight for us and we’re always excited to
INTERNATIONAL TRADE TRAINING COURSES Customs Procedures and A BEGINNERS PRACTICAL GUIDE Documentation 14th July TO EXPORTING
2nd April | 1 Full DayExport and A follow2on from Understanding Member: £200 inc. VAT | Non-Member: £250 inc. VAT Export Documentation course. Applicable to Aimedworking at beginners are new to their role this those in anwho export environment that course provides a high-level overview of the export now want further detailed export and customs process. A practical session is also included on how to create a commercial invoice from a pre-defined procedures information or are experienced and set of documents. require a refresher course. Providing further export procedure details whilst also looking at the Customs Procedures and Compliance requirements for successful international trade.
CUSTOMS PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION
14th July | 1 Full DayAugust Import Procedures 24th
YOUR BUSINESS | SUMMER 2021
Member: £200 inc. VAT | Non-Member: £250 inc. VAT
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A follow on from the Customs Procedures and Documentation course or can be provided standalone for those who are only interested in Importing Procedures. Suitable for those currently working in an import environment who have never had any formal training or those wanting a refresher course. The course provides an overview of the end to end import process and INCOTERMS reviews all the areas 2020that would be applicable to6tha new supplier, to include country October | 1/2 Day and supplier payment risk etc.£200 It will Member: £150risk, inc. VAT | Non-Member: inc.review VAT documentation requirements and how to ensure This course is suitable for those working in an export environment and it issuccessfully suggested that they have goods are imported to include already completed the Export course where Incoterms are introduced. The course provides an duty payments and an overview of the available overview of the changes that have taken place Special betweenProcedures. the previous 2010 terms and new 2020 A follow on from Understanding Export and Export Documentation course. Applicable to those working in an export environment that now want further detailed export and customs procedures information or are experienced and require a refresher course. Providing further export procedure details whilst also looking at the Customs Procedures and Compliance requirements for successful international trade.
Incoterms 2020 6th October UNDERSTANDING EXPORT AND
EXPORT This courseDOCUMENTATION is suitable for those working 3rd June | 1 Full Day in an export environment and it is suggested Member: £200 inc. VAT | Non-Member: £250 inc. VAT that they have already completed the Export Suitable beginners who are new their role or for courseforwhere Incoterms are to introduced. those working in an export environment that have The had course an overview of looks the at never any provides formal training. This course the end to end export process providing an changes that have taken place between the understanding of the export documentation requirements and terms shippingand using previous 2010 newfreight 2020forwarders terms. It and couriers. also provides a comprehensive guide on the obligations and costs that a Buyer and Seller have during a sale to include where risk IMPORT PROCEDURES passes 24th during the transaction from Seller August | 1 Full Day to Buyer. Member: £200 inc. VAT | Non-Member: £250 inc. VAT A follow on from the Customs Procedures and Documentation course or can be provided standalone for those who are only interested in Importing Procedures. Suitable for those currently working in an import environment who have never had any formal training or those wanting a refresher course. The course provides an overview of the end to end import process and reviews all the areas that would be applicable to a new supplier, to include country and supplier risk, payment risk etc. It will review documentation requirements and how to ensure goods are imported successfully to include duty payments and an overview of the available Special Procedures.
Methods of Payment & Letters of Credit 17th November
Suitable for those working in International Trade and are involved in the management and presentation of Letters of Credit. The course provides an overview METHODS PAYMENT & of all methods ofOF payment when trading LETTERS OF CREDIT internationally to include the risks and 17th November | Full Day benefits involved. It will then concentrate Member: £200 inc. VAT | Non-Member: £250 inc. VAT on the Letter of Credit aspect guiding you Suitable for those International Trade and through the working rules ofinmanaging a letter are involved in the management and presentation of Letters of Credit. The course provides an of credit, making sure documentsoverview are of all methods of payment when trading internationally to include the isrisks and benefits compliant and payment successful. involved. It will then concentrate on the Letter of
Image - (Are You Smarter than an STV Presenter Quiz) - Main - Andy, (top to bottom on r side) Sean Batty (STV Weather), Laura Boyd (STV Entertainment), Chris Harvey (STV Sport), John MacKay (STV News)
see what they come up with next.” Andy continued, “We don’t want to stop there, and we have plenty planned to continue our fundraising – including a few live events at SWG3. We’ve created some great partnerships over the past year, hosting events for the likes of STV, Bacardi and Gigs in Scotland. These partnerships will certainly continue and we’ve already got a few more events in the pipeline.” You can catch more events @thestayininn on Facebook, YouTube and Twitch as well as the @ fivestarsodas podcast every Sunday.
New International
PLATI PART NUM
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Trade Officer
The effects of Brexit are continuing to be felt and we at the Chamber have seen a marked increase in the number of export documents required. To cope with this demand we would like to introduce Gail McGivern, our new International Trade Officer. At the time of writing she is in the final stages of completing her training and becoming fully qualified. Anderson Strathern have joined us as our International Trade Platinum Partner. We look forward to working with them and sharing their valuable knowledge and expertise in this area. Along with our ChamberCustoms services (see page 6) we offer International Trade Training Courses, delivered by Exporter Services. Funding support may be available for these courses, visit gov.uk for information.
terms. It also provides a comprehensive guide on the Credit aspect guiding you through the rules of obligations and costs that a Buyer and Seller have managing a letter of credit, making sure documents during a sale to include where risk passes during the are compliant and payment is successful. For more information or to book, email: jcoulter@ayrshire-chamber.org Or, alternatively, visit: www.ayrshire-chamber.org/events/international-trade transaction from Seller to Buyer.
Funding support may be available for these courses. Visit gov.uk for information.
Digital Exclusion in a Post-Pandemic World The Covid pandemic has accelerated our reliance on technology, in what was already an increasingly digital age. As social distancing began and shared spaces were closed, our work, school, shopping, communication and healthcare shifted online, almost overnight. While many of us successfully streamed lessons, attended online meetings and shared family Zoom quizzes, the new use of IT during the pandemic has also thrown a spotlight on the digital divide. As an infrastructure solutions provider with customers across education, healthcare, charity and local government CAE have witnessed this more than most. Digital exclusion affects 10% of the UK population, often those who are older, lower income, unemployed, or living in rural areas. There are three broad barriers to digital inclusion, all usually linked to affordability or poverty: lack of suitable devices, secure, basic digital skills and consistent internet
connection – the element that the Scottish R100 programme should solve. Any one of those three elements can prevent online engagement, and the associated advantages. Internet users benefit from higher quality learning opportunities, improved employability and higher earnings, and access to cheaper goods and services. Without online connectivity, people may struggle to access government services, bank accounts, and even medical consultations. CAE think digital access should be a human right and digital exclusion due to poverty exacerbates an existing inequality. Those unable to engage are being left even further behind. Digital inclusion initiatives are underway, with companies and organisations collaborating to provide access to devices, connectivity, and skills training to those who need them, ensuring that the benefits of digital technology are available to everyone. This is a cause that is important to CAE. As an infrastructure solutions provider that is rapidly growing in Scotland, as well as a customer base
with some of the most recognisable enterprise and consumer brands in the UK, they feel they can contribute to the resolution of this issue and are already doing so in numerous ways. There is a simple way that you can help to. Be aware of the issue and as you and your organisation plan into the future build into this how you will provide your products and services to those on the other side of the digital divide. www.thisiscae.com
100k for Ayrshire’s children in hospital In 2019, Ayrshire welcomed Crosshouse Children’s Fund to the region – a new charitable fund aiming to raise funds for Ayrshire’s children in hospital. Crosshouse Children’s Fund was established by Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity to raise money to provide enhanced equipment, support services and resources to alleviate the worries of a hospital visit for families cared for across NHS Ayrshire and Arran. After just two years since its inception, and having faced the challenges of the pandemic which halted the majority of fundraising events, Crosshouse Children’s Fund has hit a significant milestone having now committed over £100,000 of support for Ayrshire’s children hospital. Funding awarded by Crosshouse Children’s Fund has been felt by families cared for in both hospital and community healthcare settings. This includes specialist cots for the Ayrshire Maternity Unit, a sensory garden at Ayrshire Central’s Rainbow
House, emergency care packages for families and frontline staff at University Hospital Crosshouse, bereavement support for families, resources to support child development, and technology to accommodate virtual ward visits. William McGowan, Head of Partnerships and Events, Crosshouse Children’s Fund said: “We are incredibly grateful to the individuals, schools and businesses across Ayrshire for their tremendous fundraising efforts – particularly during the pandemic. It has been humbling to see the lengths that our donors and corporate partners have gone to in lockdown to fundraise - their creativity and determination has been nothing short of inspiring. “It is wonderful to see the positive impact that Crosshouse Children’s Fund is having, and this is all thanks to our generous supporters. As restrictions begin to ease, there are lots of opportunities for businesses and individuals to get involved with our work to support Ayrshire’s children in hospital, and so we would encourage anyone looking for more information to get in touch.”
To show your support for Crosshouse Children’s Fund, please call 01292 435 197 or visit www.CrosshouseChildrensFund.org
11 YOUR BUSINESS | SUMMER 2021
MEMBERS NEWS
MEMBERS NEWS
S+C ENGINEERING OFFER BESPOKE SOLUTIONS Established in 1947, Smillie & Cuthbertson Ltd rebranded as S+C Engineering in 2012 to celebrate our 65th year in Business. This was the ideal opportunity to redefine our image with a fresh, modern logo and colourful branding which reflects the business as it is today – a highly skilled, multi-disciplined provider of turnkey engineering and manufacturing services to customers across the UK. Now in our 74th year and operating from our new 37,500 sq.ft premises in Ayrshire, we have continued to grow and develop our skills, staff, plant and services to offer bespoke solutions for our clients. We provide services to many industries including Rail, Energy, Defence, Food Processing, Pharmaceuticals, Textile Manufacturing, Local Authority, Health Boards, Environmental Waste Management, Plant Hire, Transport, Printing, Construction, Agriculture and Retail Services.
YOUR BUSINESS | SUMMER 2021
Specialising in fabrication, machining, welding and machinery maintenance, our aim is to work closely with our customers to find an engineering solution to every enquiry. Our team can provide innovative research and development skills
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to explore how our services can best fulfil our customer’s requirements. We have been able to consistently demonstrate our ability to satisfy our customers’ needs, especially where a tight lead time is required on specific parts, where we are able to turnaround small batches of parts at short notice at the same time as having the ability to schedule production runs of items required throughout a full long-term rolling stock refurbishment programme. We are experiencing an increasing demand from the rail sector for our R+D skills, where we can work with our customers to help them develop solutions to their on and off track plant and equipment challenges. This is acknowledgement of the flexible approach we have to customers’ needs and our ability to carry out very swift responsive design changes, taking them from initial idea, through to prototype and repeatable production. The McCulloch Group have recently completed the acquisition of S+C Engineering to form one of Ayrshire’s most pioneering engineering businesses. The acquisition enables The McCulloch Group to deliver a full solution provision to clients across a variety of sectors. These combined strengths allow the group to assess our clients’ challenges and develop solutions through concept, design, and development.
Alongside S+C Engineering, our sister companies within the McCulloch Group include • McCulloch Rail, a UK-focused rail company that specialises in rail handling and rail logistics that provide a highly successful range of services on the rail infrastructure, making it the UK’s number one company in its field: and • McCulloch International, a global rail-plant and innovation company providing customer solutions and servicing requirements. The McCulloch Group have collaborated on many rail innovations, some of which now have an international presence and are a vital part of keeping the worlds rail infrastructure on track.
If you’d like to hear more about what S+C Engineering can do for you, please call 01563 521819 or email info@s-c-engineering.co.uk
FABRICATION Welding
MACHINING Maintenance
Innovation Passion
Commitment results
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The McKinstry Company raises £10,000 for charity Kind-hearted solicitors at leading law firm, The McKinstry Company raised £10,000 for Whiteleys Retreat by running a Free Wills promotion during February. Despite it being so important to make a Will, many adults do not have one. This means it is much more complicated and difficult for the family dealing with someone’s estate when they pass. So as an extra incentive, if people made or amended their Will in February, the firm did not charge a fee. Instead, clients were asked to make a donation to Whiteleys Retreat. That way, clients could not only look after their own future but help secure the future of the Ayr-based charity, which provides free therapeutic respite breaks for children, young people and their families with cancer and life altering illness. Debbie Dunlop, Partner at The McKinstry Company, said, “We are delighted that our Free
Wills promotion was such a success. It’s no secret that Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on the ability of charities to fundraise in order to deliver their vital services. We hope this £10,000 donation will help Whiteleys Retreat to continue to help others.” Maxine Allan BEM, Chief Executive Officer at Whiteleys Retreat, said, “The McKinstry Company has been an incredible support to the charity
VATTENFALL CELEBRATES LOCAL SUPPLIERS AT SOUTH KYLE WIND FARM As construction continues at South Kyle Wind Farm, developer Vattenfall has launched a campaign to shine a spotlight on businesses from Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway and across Scotland who are helping build the major renewables project east of Dalmellington.
from 2016. As a team, they have helped with legal services, governance and fundraising events. 2020 and 2021 have been difficult years for many, with charities struggling to raise funds even though we remained open as an essential service. To know that local companies like The McKinstry Company specifically created initiatives in order to help the charity and the families who we support is overwhelming. On behalf of everyone involved at Whiteleys, thank you all kindly.”
‘Supplier Stories’ is a series of case studies and videos celebrating and highlighting just some of the many local companies involved in the project, both onsite and off, and from large engineering contractors to small family firms. The campaign focusses on social media, and the team behind it hopes it will encourage and inspire more local businesses to get involved in the thriving wind industry. Carol Kane, Vattenfall’s Regional Liaison Officer, said: “When Vattenfall builds a wind farm, we focus on bringing investment and opportunity for local communities, and here in South West Scotland both we and our Tier 1 contractors are putting this into practice at South Kyle Wind Farm. This campaign is a way for us to say thank you to those local businesses who are very much part of #teamsouthkyle, and inspire others to look into opportunities on this and further projects across the south west of Scotland such as our proposed developments at Quantans Hill and Whiteneuk.” To find out more, and join Vattenfall’s Scottish supplier register, please visit https://group.vattenfall.com/uk/what-we-do/ourprojects/south-west-scotland/supplier-stories Follow @VattenfallUK on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin
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MEMBERS NEWS
MEMBERS NEWS
WORKING TOGETHER: Launch Digital and Green Home Systems
Auditel help Star Refrigeration on path to Net Zero Working in consultation with Chamber member Auditel, Star Refrigeration are implementing an electric vehicle (EV) only salary sacrifice scheme for their 400 employees. The engineering company took the decision that only pure EVs will be available through the scheme in a bid to make all car journeys more sustainable – whether professional or personal.
YOUR BUSINESS | SUMMER 2021
Green Home Systems are an Energy Efficiency Company, passionate about saving energy. The company is a leading provider of energy efficiency services including thermal insulation, smart heating systems, renewable energy technologies and electric vehicle charge points. Green Homes’ mission is to eradicate fuel poverty and end climate change, by making communities energy efficient and carbon neutral, and they do this by creating warm, healthy and happy homes. Over the past few months, the team at Launch Digital have been working closely with Green Home Systems on developing a new, dynamic company website. Launch followed Green Homes’ brief and built a new website that is user-friendly, has clear navigation and encourages clients to engage with the company through various calls to action. Alongside this, Launch ensured the site was fully optimised with the correct meta tags, URLs and keywords, to ensure good organic search locally. Launch and Green Home Systems continue to work together on further marketing projects including TV Advertising, PPC Google AdWords Management, Google Re-Marketing and Social Media Campaigns, to ensure the new website is reaching a large, targeted audience. Launch is a Digital Marketing agency with Studios in Ayrshire and Glasgow. Launch focus on creativity and provide a vast amount of marketing services including branding, web design, graphic design, social media, and search marketing. Quality and customer satisfaction are priority and the team at Launch are proud of their many long-standing clients in the local area who they continue to work closely with. Check out the new website: www.greenhomesystems.co.uk
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Company car drivers will also be able to request a second car for partners or family members through the scheme through Lex Autolease. The company have also switched its fleet to a wholelife cost (WLC) policy. Auditel are a procurement and supply chain management consultancy, who were brought in by Star Refrigeration to review cost efficiencies across the business. Sean Connaughton, procurement and cost management specialist at Auditel, said: “Star Refrigeration brought us on board to review where savings could be delivered business wide, while ensuring any new contracts were aligned with its sustainability goals. “We’ve been working hand-in-hand with Lex Autolease on improving cash flow and the idea of moving towards a wholelife cost policy was a solid solution”
Star Refrigeration began electrifying its fleet last year, with an order of eight pure EVs from Lex Autolease. Seven of the Tesla Model 3 vehicles have already been delivered and are driven by senior managers and members of the sales team. Notably, a further 26 of its 88-strong fleet are alternatively-fuelled. To focus its wider sustainability efforts, Star Refrigeration signed up to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in March, which defines and promotes best practice in emissions reductions and net-zero targets in line with climate science. David Pearson, group sustainable development director at Star Refrigeration, said that Auditel & Lex Autolease had played an “integral role” in laying the policy foundations that will see its fleet become fully electric. “The salary sacrifice scheme helps us broaden this progress to other members of our teams’ families,” he added. “We’re hoping for a fossil fuel free society as quickly as possible, and by insisting on 100% EV where viable, we’ll do what we can to increase the subsequent second-hand market. Plus, any cost savings mean that we can look to make investments in other sustainable initiatives across the business.”
Do you have an online presence? – If so, then you are at risk. There are many misconceptions surrounding cyber security, with many wrongly assuming they are covered under their general business insurance - This is not the case. Cyber breaches can happen to any sized business, in any sector, at any time, and so it is important to stay vigilant. If your business relies on any form of electronic system or network to carry out your day-to-day operations, then we recommend cyber liability insurance cover. This will protect you against a data breach and will provide you with expert crisis management support, to get you back on your feet in no time.
Find out more about how Blue Rock Insurance Brokers can help you on 01292 269505 or visit us at www.bluerockinsurance.co.uk.
MEMBERS NEWS
New Recruits Show Signs of Optimism at Innovec Innovec, local IT Support and Business Telecoms Provider for Ayrshire and Glasgow were delighted to confirm the appointment of three new recruits since January this year, Aaron Coulter, Greg Mathieson and John Frew. The new additions bring the total staff count at the business to seven employees and represent some signs of optimism after a tough year for everyone. Each bringing a varied and comprehensive skillset from pretty different professional backgrounds, Aaron, Greg and John (all Ayrshire born and bred) join Innovec to help bolster the existing IT support desk, whilst bringing experienced extra sets of hands to deliver projects to Innovec’s growing customer base. Perhaps unsurprisingly, with numerous lockdowns over the last 12 months driving a need for every business to adapt to remote working, Innovec’s services have been in demand. In
particular, the business has seen an increased focus on Cyber Security, adoption of cloudbased technologies (such as Microsoft 365), and deployment of new telecoms and phone systems to ensure businesses can communicate effectively with staff, suppliers and customers alike. As with so many things, the processes for recruiting and on-boarding staff have been revolutionised in the last 12-months, with many businesses now employing staff they have maybe only managed to meet in person once, if at all.
YOUR BUSINESS | SUMMER 2021
Greg
Discussing the experience of hiring and inducting new staff remotely, Iain Wham, Managing Director at Innovec explains: “It has been an experience for sure. Taking on new staff is always exciting, and for us, the people side of things is just as important as qualifications. Our business relies on our team working well together, sharing knowledge, experience and providing solutions for customers. Fortunately, with the suite of technology we use, the guys have just plugged in (literally!) and between a lot of video calls and Teams chats, it has been a great success so far. That being said, I am looking forward to
SOUTH AYRSHIRE TO BENEFIT FROM SCOTLAND’S LARGEST SOCIAL MODULAR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
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Aaron
John
when we can all get together, and maybe even manage a night out.” With new customers already signed this month and projects scheduled throughout the summer, it hopefully won’t be long before Innovec are looking to add to the team again.
South Ayrshire is to benefit from Scotland’s largest social modular housing development which will deliver muchneeded new affordable housing by Summer 2022. The £9.8million project is being delivered by Irvine Housing Association (part of the Riverside Group) and Connect Modular, a division of The Wee House Company. The project is Irvine Housing Association’s first development in South Ayrshire, and will be an addition to their existing portfolio of 2,000 homes across North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. The Wee House Company, specialists in modular construction will design and fabricate all houses in their Ayrshire factory. Houses will be 90% complete when they depart the factory with kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing and electrics installed, facilitating a significantly shorter
www.innovec.co.uk build programme and earlier occupancy. Fabrication under factory conditions diminishes waste, improves quality, negates the impacts of adverse weather and allows for overlap of site preparation and build phases – a more efficient process all round. Jennifer Higgins, Managing Director of The Wee House Company, commented: “We’re thrilled to be working with Irvine Housing Association to create such an innovative housing development. The use of modular construction improves build quality and means homes will be available for occupancy earlier. Irvine Housing’s willingness to embrace this evolution in construction has been key to the scale of the project”. Paul Hillard, Managing Director of Irvine Housing Association said: “This is a really exciting development for us – our first in South Ayrshire and our first modular housing project - and we’re delighted to be partnering with the Wee House Company to deliver these much-needed, innovative and greener new homes for our tenants.
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ONE-STOP SERVICE FOR ALL YOUR ACCOUNTING NEEDS
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Life is on the up for Ayrshire Headquartered accountancy firm Parris & McNally. Their recent acquisition of Firstax, a company founded in 1991 and renowned for delivering quality accountancy and bookkeeping services to clients in Ayrshire and the Central Belt, consolidates Parris & McNally's growing reputation as a dynamic forward-looking Scottish accountancy brand. The firm, formerly based in the Ingram Centre, John Finnie Street, Kilmarnock is the sister company of CJM Project Financial Management. As the company has grown and developed, however, they have moved to more spacious premises at Crofthead Road, Prestwick. Parris & McNally take pride in their ability to communicate with their clients. They are a company prepared to listen to their customers' needs, so that they can understand the services required and deliver a second-tonone bespoke experience. What Parris and McNally offer is a wraparound service designed to the specific needs of each client looking to make progress in an increasingly digital world. As it says on their website: A one-stop service for all your accounting needs. This is no idle talk as a recent testimonial from a leading brand shows. “Thank you again,” the CEO of GO LEAN writes. “We are so glad to have the support of your team, this is perfect work and turned around in record time. “We look forward to growing GO LEAN significantly this year with the support of Parris & McNally and CJM.” In these difficult times it has never been more important to get the right people onside. Those with the experience and the know-how to help you develop and grow. To make contact simply go to the website https:// parrisandmcnally.co.uk or email lucy@parrisandmcnally.co.uk Companies like Parris & McNally are not only ready for the challenges of the 21st century but are also equipped for the digital age.
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Facing the new reality – restart, rebuild and reskill
As restrictions ease, businesses and organisations are regrouping, restarting and rebuilding for economic recovery. Across Ayrshire, businesses and organisations have been profoundly affected by Covid-19 in varying degrees and forms – many have been resilient, meeting new challenges and pivoting their business towards new opportunities; some have grown via acquisitions; whilst others have concentrated efforts on surviving and restarting. As we move through this next chapter, targeted upskilling and reskilling will be critical for economic recovery. A recent CBI report (October 2020) highlighted the skills employers and our economy needs over the next decade citing “for those in work today, 90% are expected to require significantly different skill sets by 2030”: • 21 million people will need basic digital skills • 16 million will need critical thinking and information processing skills • 15 million will need leadership and management skills • 14 million will need interpersonal and advanced communication skills
So, what are your training needs now and moving forward? The Flexible Workforce Development Fund, open to all levy payers and SMEs presents a significant opportunity for Ayrshire companies to access funding and invest in their workforce. Many companies have taken advantage of funding support and Ayrshire College has delivered hundreds of courses addressing the CBI themes, helping businesses and other organisations to build for the future. If you are a levy payer or a SME and have not utilised support, learn more about courses on offer and how to apply https:// www1.ayrshire.ac.uk/business-and-training/flexible-workforcedevelopment-fund/. The funds operate on a first come, first served basis and are time limited. Recovery will be based on those who can adapt to our new world, the fastest. Reskilling and upskilling are key to success and staying ahead of the competition.
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MEMBERS NEWS
Together, we ’re on the journey to keeping everyone safe. SAFELY
From extra cleaning on buses to keeping the air fresh by opening windows, we’re taking steps to keep us all moving together.
You must wear a face covering on all of our buses, unless exempt.
stagecoachbus.com
THE FUTURE OF THE OFFICE?
Document and Information Management in 2021 Times are tough for all businesses right now but hopefully we are beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel. One of the many things that has become apparent to even the smallest companies, is that the way we access our information is changing. Remote working, shared resources, task tracking, online collaboration with colleagues and customers. These were eventually going to be the way the world worked, the pandemic has just accelerated that change.
The last fifteen months has witnessed a profound change for the commercial property market in the UK. There have been winners and losers but the office occupier market is on the brink of its biggest shift in decades. The impact of the pandemic on the mainstream office market has been catastrophic with city centres turning into ghost towns overnight and early indications from the largest occupiers of offices across the UK suggest the impact will continue to be felt for some considerable time. Recent surveys undertaken by the BBC and The Fraser of Allander Economic Institute both report most office users do not plan to return their staff to the office full time, instead favouring a mix of home and office working with staff being encouraged to work from home two to three days a week. Consequently we will have to come to terms with a permanent move to home working at least for a few days every week. We may have adapted to working from the spare bedroom or the dining table but many will struggle to maintain this indefinitely. The answer for those struggling may be to take on their own local office or to team up with other local colleagues to share office space allowing them to escape the stresses of home working and where they can close the door at 5pm leaving work behind. Occupying an office can be an expensive and complicated undertaking but a room in The Ayr Business Centre offers a simple cost effective solution. With space ranging from one person rooms to suites for more than twenty staff, most requirements can be accommodated on short term licences with all-inclusive monthly rents covering everything – furniture, telephones, WiFi, broadband, heating, electricity, cleaning etc – leaving occupiers to concentrate on their work in a vibrant office setting. For full detail visit www.theayrbusinesscentre.co.uk
Most organisations have dipped their toe into cloud storage to allow staff to access files that would historically have been stored in the office and certainly Sharepoint can become the core of a very powerful document management system but not without considerable investment and development. Onedrive and Dropbox are more limited in their uses and are possibly more of a quick fix for the short term. The solution for a lot of companies moving forward is a dedicated online document management system which can handle security, retention controls, workflows, automated data extraction and document creation, all within an “off the shelf” product that can be scaled as you grow. Some of these systems can provide numerous integrations with other core systems including digital signature systems to allow for end to end automation of a documents lifespan. What’s more, for us the improvement in efficiency using this system has saved us recruiting two members of staff saving £40,000 annually in salaries. It’s an interesting world now, and although change is inevitable it needn’t be scary.
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MEMBERS NEWS
CHAMBER NEWS
UK Government announces £167 million green technologies boost to ‘future proof’ polluting industries Just part of the plans to create 60,000 jobs across the country and "future-proof" Scotland's polluting industries. The multi-million pound investment, which will be awarded to innovators, businesses, academics and heavy industry, will accelerate the delivery of the critical technologies needed to meet the UK’s climate targets. The £166.5 million package will develop technologies in carbon capture, greenhouse gas removal and hydrogen, while also helping find solutions to decarbonise the UK’s polluting sectors including manufacturing, steel, energy and waste.
Credit: Natalie Clayton
The funding package announced includes: l £60 million to support the development of low
carbon hydrogen in the UK and to identify and scale-up more efficient solutions for making clean hydrogen from water using electricity.
l £37.5 million to fund the largest government
programme of greenhouse gas removal methods, helping cement the UK’s status as a world-leader in this technology.
l £20 million to support the development of the
next generation Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) technologies so they can be deployed at scale by 2030.
l £20 million to establish a new virtual Industrial
Ministers hope the investment will “help put the UK at the forefront of the green technologies of the future” while supporting British industries to lowers costs, remain competitive and protect jobs as they improve their energy efficiency.
Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre run by Heriot-Watt University that will accelerate the decarbonisation of key energyintensive industries which currently make a significant contribution to UK emissions.
l £16.5 million through the Industrial Energy
Transformation Fund to develop new technologies and processes that help energyintensive sectors cut their emissions, while reducing their energy bills.
l £8 million for projects to develop innovations,
such as repurposing textile waste, new clay production techniques for the ceramics industry and concrete manufacturing that support the rapid recovery and sustainability of UK industry.
l £4.7 million will establish a new Transforming
Foundation Industries Research and Innovation Hub.
l £200,000 for Scotland’s Rural College, alongside
partners University of Strathclyde, Agri-EPI Centre and No Pollution Industrial Systems Ltd, to reduce the environmental impact of beef production.
At Ayrshire Chamber, we are reviewing our own carbon footprint and working to expand our Green Strategy for the benefit of all our futures.
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YOUR BUSINESS | SUMMER 2021
Post-Lockdown Digital Wins Every search online is local. Users want to know where they can get something quickly. That’s why ‘Local SEO’ (Search Engine Optimisation) is crucial. Cut the jargon - what does this mean for the average business? It’s about making their online presence as primed as possible for Google to see as valuable and relevant to present to its users. Here are some tips. Google My Business
Citations
Creating a GMB profile, verifying it, and optimising it for local search terms is vital. This profile is often what appears with a local map at the top of search results. To compete locally, a company ideally wants to be here. GMB, offers consumers accurate, real-time information that affects their access - like opening times; delivery policy; phone number; email address; social media profiles.
Citations help companies showcase their brand name; address; contact details; and website link. Local and national newspapers are great free sources for this - search online for their ‘directory’ to add a listing. Landing Pages Based on what a business sells, what are users in the local area searching for that this brand
can offer? Use a ‘keyword’ tool online to look at search phrasings and their popularity. Use these as inspiration to make location-specific website pages for products/services. Include targeted keywords in the page’s Meta Title and Description; H1 Heading; and naturally throughout the content. Want help with all this? Get in touch with Big Pond Digital, a specialist SEO agency based in Ayr.
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01292 678666 info@dywayrshire.com
MEET THE TEAM The Education/DYW team within Ayrshire Chamber have continued over the past year to support our local schools, young people and employers to link with each other, adapting to new ways of working in light of COVID. The team has also undergone a few recent changes in staffing and we would like to introduce you to the current team. The Education Team consists of our Business Liaison Officers (BLOs) who are responsible for increasing, sustaining and supporting our local schools with links to employers. Over the past year virtual/digital activity has been fundamental to help support our local young people to continue to link with the world of work. As the negative effects of the global pandemic hopefully start to ease off, the team will be looking to reintroduce more face-toface interactions in schools. The team are also responsible for the sourcing and checking of work experience placements, another area that has been moved online during the COVID era. Again as time progresses, we hope to get things back to some form of normality and would welcome discussions with our local employers on this. The DYW core team continue to work under the Scottish Government directive and the newly
Glenn Hays
Jane McFadzean
Danielle McPherson
DYW Ayrshire Regional Lead (Secondment Cover)
DYW Ayrshire Employer Engagement Officer (Maternity Cover)
DYW Ayrshire Communications & Marketing Officer
Christina MacDonald
Natalie Robertson
Steven McBlain
Business Liaison Officer
Business Liaison Officer
Business Liaison Officer
Stephen McNab DYW Ayrshire Employer Engagement Officer
Brooke McTaggart
Business Liaison Officer (Maternity Cover)
introduced Young Persons Guarantee. This team are responsible for supporting the BLOs with employer links, promotion of awareness campaigns and feeding into the national network. It is also a primary responsibility of the team to support our local employers in terms of signposting to local employability support, apprenticeship information and any other support they may require when taking on a young person.
YOUR BUSINESS | SUMMER SPRING 2021 2021
If you would like to speak to any member of the team then please email info@dywayrshire.com for more information.
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BRUACH DESIGN & CONSULTANCY
DYW VIRTUAL CHALLENGE
VIRTUAL VOLUMES
Eve McCann STEM Ambassador Eve McCann a service designer, kindly supported Ayrshire schools by recording a virtual challenge workshop video that young people can complete during home learning or in the classroom. The service design workshop takes young people through an end-to-end journey of a consumer. The story of Eliza’s Journey to School represents a customer’s journey map. In this instance, the journey starts from the moment Eliza wakes up to the moment she gets to school with problems along the way which require a resolution. This is a research task that may be very similar to a research task that is undertaken within the role as a service designer in the real world of work. These types of video resources introduce our young people to different and creative career pathways available to them. Identifying topics within the curriculum that can be brought to life by our business partners enhances the learning process greatly.
Colin Hastie -Bruach Design & Consultancy Colin Hastie architect and director of Bruach Design & Consultancy kindly offered to support Ayrshire schools by recording a Virtual Volumes video detailing his career pathway, providing an insight into the construction industry and the role of an architect within the industry. Our young people get a real feel of what it takes to become an architect and the broad opportunities within the profession. Colin also created a Virtual Challenge that can be completed in class or during home learning. The challenge is for young people to design a home for a client with various stipulations that must be incorporated into the design. This has been a great resource for our Ayrshire teachers. Directly relating topics in the curriculum with career types is key for motivating our young people into career routes they will enjoy and will find success in during their working lives.
For more information in the above please contact info@dywayrshire.com
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The past 15 months have affected every aspect of life as we know it, for businesses, it has been a challenging time. The history of previous economic downturns tells us that this can have a scarring effect on young people which remains evident throughout their working lives, and if we are to avoid creating a lost generation, we must take steps now to help them overcome the barriers they face. As the economy begins to take early steps to recovery, it is important that employers have the support and people they need to continue to flourish – that’s where the Young Person’s Guarantee comes in. Delivered in partnership through the public sector, third sector, education and – critically – Scotland’s employers, it promises every young person in Scotland between the ages of 16 and 24 either a job, an apprenticeship, study, or a volunteering placement. It is the most ambitious youth employment policy and strategy ever taken forward in Scotland to support every 16 to 24 year old the length and breadth of Scotland. Supporting young people from the early years of secondary school
l Ensure
a work environment which supports all young people and provides fair work. And support is there for you, whether that is taking on apprentices, taking advantage of the UK Government Kickstart scheme, or using the Developing the Young Workforce to help prepare young people for the world of work. By signing up to the Guarantee, employers can use that support to access a future talent pipeline, helping shape new talent and ensuring succession planning. Young people not only address skills gaps, they also offer a competitive advantage through a team with generationally diverse skills, insight and ideas. The delivery of the Young Person’s Guarantee is in some ways a reaction to the pandemic, but is also about collectively reshaping the employment landscape for young people in Scotland that lasts and is sustainable for the foreseeable future. Could you consider how taking on a young person could benefit your business as well as offering someone a valuable opportunity? Email info@dywayrshire.com for more information.
ENGIE ENGIE delivered their first virtual work placement week in Scotland at the beginning of December to 28 senior pupils attending schools in East Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, Glasgow and North Lanarkshire. The virtual work placement week was designed to give an overview of ENGIE, the construction industry and to showcase the various career opportunities. The initial session introduced ENGIE, its global reach and its local presence within the pupils’ communities which was followed by a virtual site induction for the pupils.
Julie McCormack, CSR Manager at ENGIE commented Each subsequent session focused on specific career areas including Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, HR and Corporate & Social Responsibility. 11 ENGIE staff ranging from Apprentices to Senior Managers actively participated sharing their experiences of school, how they secured their first jobs, interview tips and their career journey to date. The pupils responded with interactive Q&A sessions asking probing questions and putting many of the ENGIE team on the spot!
Sharing experiences of the construction industry with school pupils is vital to showcase the numerous and varied career opportunities that are available to young people. There are many entry routes including apprenticeships, university sponsorships and applying for trainee roles. We are also keen to encourage females into construction and disrupt the perception of the industry.
YOUR BUSINESS | SUMMER 2021
YOUNG PERSONS GUARANTEE
through to starting work, it works by bringing together tried and trusted support mechanisms that young people know and employers understand. The Guarantee signals a commitment to support young people but is also pivotal to businesses as we take further steps towards a lasting economic recovery. How you can get involved Young people bring enthusiasm, energy, creativity and diversity to a business and, most importantly, future-proof a skilled workforce for years to come. The five employer asks that have been developed allow businesses of all sizes to get involved. They take into account the current situation but also encourage businesses to do more when they can. There are options for employers of all sizes to get involved in the Guarantee, in up to five ways: l Inspire pupils and college students to gain the skills needed for the world of work l Create opportunities for young people who face the greatest barriers to work l Create jobs and apprenticeships suitable for 16 to 24-year-olds l Create work-based learning, training and upskilling opportunities for young people
MEMBERS NEWS
FACING THE POST-COVID FUTURE WITH POSITIVITY
VOTE OF CONFIDENCE FOR CONFIDA FM Leading facilities management firm, Confida FM, was recently commissioned by South and East Ayrshire Councils to provide bio fogging at local polling stations during the Scottish Parliament elections. Given the significant public health risk due to coronavirus, the local authorities needed a disinfection cleaning solution to keep poll workers and voters safe. For complete peace of mind, they turned to the dedicated Confida FM team. The company’s bio fogging service, which meets the highest health and safety standards, is an ultra-low volume disinfection method that dispenses microdroplets of a specialist cleaning agent to eradicate airborne and surface-based pathogens. By adding an electrical charge to the liquid droplets, surfaces attract the drops allowing them to reach places traditional disinfection methods cannot penetrate. The technique is quick to deploy, causes minimal disruption and kills 99.9% of known viruses.
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Confida FM’s Head of Operations and Commercial Manager worked closely with representatives from both councils to define the cleaning needs based on careful risk assessments. They then established a coordinated cleaning schedule pre and post-election day. As the country comes out of the latest lockdown, bio fogging can also help businesses deal with the continued threat of Covid-19. Whether it is a preventative measure or reactive to a case of infection, Confida FM’s disinfection programmes help ensure work environments are safer and healthier. Lorraine Brophy, Commercial Manager at Confida FM, said, “Election days are always important and none more so than during a pandemic. Our team of operators and managers worked alongside nominated council representatives to plan and coordinate a schedule of specialised cleaning services needed to maintain a safe environment in accordance with public health guidance in order to ensure polling stations were safe for public use.” www.confidafm.co.uk
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The long months of lockdown and accompanying restrictions created challenges for all businesses, none more so than the world of therapeutic mental health services, where interpersonal relationships, trust and direct communication are fundamental to practice. Ayr-based Enlightened Psychology & Counselling, founded in 2012 by entrepreneurial HCPC-registered psychologist Gemma Holmes, rose to the challenge. Careful nurturing of the business over the years had gained a strong professional reputation locally and fostered growth into satellite bases in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and Gemma was determined to maintain that success. Quickly adapting services to provide confidential support via telephone and Zoom, her team of qualified CBT and EMDR therapists was able to continue therapies for existing clients and meet the demand from new referrals. These come from private individuals self-referring, and professional agencies and employers who offer an Employee Assistance Programme in recognition of the benefits mental health support brings to their workforce. In these difficult times where furlough isolation, job insecurity and the stress of busy workplaces can impact negatively on employee mental health, there is an increased need for such provision. As the end of what we hope will be the final lockdown approaches, Enlightened Psychology stands ready for the future with an expanded team now including four highly qualified psychologists and additional accredited therapists. In May 2021, it launched a revamped website reflecting its growing services, and transformed the facade of its Wellington Square premises to their former glory. Plans to add a range of in-person professional training courses to their existing online offerings are under way, promising an exciting future for this Ayrshire business which continues to develop high quality services and enable clients to look to the future with positivity and hope. www.enlightenedpsyc.co.uk
The Board of Directors is delighted to welcome the following companies as recently joined members of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry: AMBIO MEDIA LTD Kilmarnock Aidan Brotherhood hello@ambio-media.com
FOOD AUDIT COMPLIANCE Mossblown Ann Stewart info@foodauditcompliance.com
PRIME DESIGN PROJECTS LTD Staines-Upon-Thames Gordon Mackellar info@primedesignprojects.com
THISTLE BUSINESS SERVICES Irvine Carolyn Fogarty info@thistlebusinessservices.com
AOFIES SENSORY BUS Monkton Michael Kidd info@aoifessensorybus.org.uk
HELEN SELINA SKINCARE Monkton Natalie Anderson info@helenselinaskincare.co.uk
SARAH LOUISE ARTIST Kirkmichael Sarah Plant sarahlouartist@gmail.com
VALKYRIE VA Irvine Victoria Frater Victoria@valkyrieva.co.uk
BALLANTRAE COMMUNITY PUB LTD T/A THE KING'S ARMS Ballantrae Dan Cunningham info@kingsarmsballantrae.co.uk
LITTLE BUNDLE BOX Kilmarnock Fiona Atchison info@littlebundlebox.com
SCOTTISH ENTERPRISE Kilmarnock Brian Connolly brian.connolly@scotent.co.uk
COMMUNITY OF ARRAN SEABED TRUST Lamlash Andrew Telford atelford@arrancoast.com
MEDICFORCE1 LTD Dalmellington John Ferguson info@medicforce1.com
SPECIAL SAUCE MARKETING & BRANDING Ayr Jack Connor Baird hey@specialsaucemarketing.co.uk
CUMNOCK TRYST (THE) Largs Jennifer Martin jennifer@thecumnocktryst.com
MORTON'S MILK Cumnock Gillian Morton gillian56@yahoo.com
SPEUR AVIATION LTD Troon Leigh Myhill info@speuraviation.com
ESCAPE RECRUITMENT SERVICES LIMITED Livingston Andrew Dow Andrew.dow@escaperecruitment.com
PARKER ENTERPRISE COMPANY LTD Kilmarnock Sharri Parker Info@parkerenterprise.co.uk
TCS-ECO LTD Irvine Alix Muir info@tcs-eco.co.uk
VICS IN THE COMMUNITY Maybole Andrew Downie vicsinfo1@gmail.com
We want to recruit more members to strengthen your business network and create more business opportunities for you. We are asking you to help by referring companies you know to us. When they join, we’ll reward you with a choice of special offers to help your business. Call the membership team on 01292 678666 or visit the referral page on our website.
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