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A warm welcome from the Chamber’s new President
As your recently elected President of the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, it is my privilege to introduce this Winter Edition of our magazine - a celebration of Ayrshire businesses and their many achievements.
The first celebration I would like to highlight is our now former President, Alison Somerville, who performed her final official duties in the role at our AGM in September. Alison served for some nine years on the board. Her service to the Chamber has been one of dedication, enthusiasm and ambition for Ayrshire, and the role that she has so ably fulfilled. Thank you and well done, Alison!
It is a time of change for the Board. We are delighted to welcome Angela Cox, Principal at Ayrshire College, Aimee Doole People, Brand & Culture Director at Booth Welsh and Iain
Greer Founding Director at Monarch Financial Services to the Board. Finally, I’m pleased to have existing board member Steven Easton move into the role of Vice President.
Turning to this Celebration Edition:
Our annual Ayrshire Business Week took place in October, and once again proved itself to be a superb success, with events including the DYW Leadership Lunch, and the extremely well attended B2B Exhibition.
We concluded the week in truly celebratory fashion with our Annual Business Awards Dinner – with thanks to our principal sponsor Business Gateway. A night of networking, glamour and of exceptionalism was enjoyed as we saw 62 formidable finalists compete for one of our 16 awards.
On behalf of all the Chamber team, I offer a
hearty congratulations to the finalists and our worthy winners on the night. Thanks also to our volunteer judges without whom the awards would not be possible.
As we all digest the outcome of the Chancellor’s Budget, it is both inspiring and comforting to know of, and to celebrate, the success of the ambitious, growing and resilient businesses we have right here in Ayrshire!
CRAIG JOHNSTONE
Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce President
Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce 2025 Friday 28th March 2025
Annual Dinner
6.30pm until midnight
Trump Turnberry Hotel, KA26 9LT
This prestigious event continues to be the perfect place to entertain clients and network with fellow Ayrshire businesses.
To book your tickets, visit https://bit.ly/AnnualDinner2025_Tickets
Keynote speaker: Judy Murray OBE
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 Craig Johnstone
Chief Executive Claire Baird
MAGAZINE
Editorial kate@ayrshire-chamber.org
Ad Sales .............. lstewart@ayrshire-chamber.org
Front cover image Karen Simpson Photography
Design/Typesetting adworks.scot
Print/Distribution brown-bros.com
Platinum Partners
Ayrshire Chamber is delighted to continue our association with our ever-growing Platinum Partners. A bespoke programme which sees our Partners as an intrinsic part of our membership, with access to additional benefits that add significant value to their relationship with the Chamber.
Partner membership is a strategic collaboration between the Chamber and your business, working together on shared aims and objectives, placing you firmly at the heart of the Chamber. Engagement with us at this level offers opportunities to build brand exposure, demonstrate commitment to the region, establish high profile connections to grow your network and influence regional and national decision makers.
New Members
The Board of Directors is delighted to welcome the following companies as recently joined members of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry:
BRIDGEND MOTOR GROUP
EACHA CUT AND CONNECT
LITTLE PRINTS
IN ONE
ENERGY SOUND THERAPY SCOTLAND
TAL SAFETY SOLUTIONS LTD THE LOGO FARM LTD
VISIONS LEISURE CENTRE
Help us to strengthen your business network by referring companies who would benefit from Chamber Membership! Call the membership team on 01292 678666 or visit www.ayrshire-
ALLOWAY, DOONFOOT AND ST LEONARDS
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
AYR SPORTS GAME VAULT AYRSHIRE
HEADS OF AYR NURSERY
HENRY HARVEY ROOFING HOSTED SCOTLAND
HUB INTERNATIONAL
HUGH STRAIN OF AYR LTD
KIRKMICHAEL COMMUNITY SHOP & CAFE
PERCEPTIONS CONSULTING
PRESTWICK AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE
SILVER FOX PRINT
SOUTH AYRSHIRE COMMUNITY TRANSPORT
SOVEREIGN CREDIT UNION
SPK CONSULTING SERVICE LTD
A celebration of life from Ayrshire Chamber
Brigadier Anthony ‘Tony’ Rickets
Former President of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, Brigadier Anthony ‘Tony’ Rickets, has passed away at the age of 93.
Tony was a Director of the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce from August 1991 to June 1997, also serving as Chamber President during this time.
Tony began his career serving in the Royal Engineers in 1949. When he left the army at Brigadier level in 1981, he became a steadfast member of the local business community, as the Managing Director of the Irvine Development Corporation until his retirement in 1995, and also leading the Irvine Housing Association for 5 years.
William McMillan MBE
We are also saddened to hear of the passing of William ‘Bill’ McMillan, aged 91.
Bill served as a Director of the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce from August 1991 to September 1998, including time as a prominent Chamber President.
Bill was a well-known face within the Ayrshire business community, serving as Managing Director of Ayrshire based textile development and manufacturing business, W&J Knox Ltd
In 1987, Bill was awarded an MBE for his dedication and contribution to Industry.
Ayrshire Chamber will remember both Tony, and Bill’s, time on the Board fondly. We thank them for their impact in shaping the Chamber.
Nearly £10,000 raised through ‘Around Arran in 30 Days’ challenge
In September, Crosshouse Children’s Fund launched a brand-new Facebook challenge, “Around Arran in 30 Days,” which encouraged participants from across Ayrshire to walk, run, or cycle 90km, the equivalent of travelling around Arran, to raise funds for Crosshouse Children’s Fund.
The charity supports local babies and children in hospital, throughout Ayrshire and Arran. Over 60 dedicated participants took up the challenge, raising an impressive £9,823!
The initiative saw families, NHS staff, local businesses, and patients come together for a cause close to home. Among those participating were members of the
Ayrshire Chamber, including The Park Hotel, and the Chamber’s very own Joan McMurdo, who took the challenge in her stride.
The challenge was a wonderful display of community spirit, with people from all corners of Ayrshire and residents of Arran joining the effort to help children and families in need.
The success of “Arran in 30 Days” is a testament to Ayrshire’s commitment to supporting its families. Crosshouse Children’s Fund is deeply grateful for the generosity and enthusiasm of everyone who participated and are excited to make Around Arran an annual event going forward.
www.crosshousechildrensfund.org
Chamber team member, Joan McMurdo
Land Energy sets standard for sustainable wood fuel production
Land Energy, based in Girvan, Ayrshire, is a renewable energy manufacturer producing 100,000 tonnes of wood pellets and 45,000 tonnes of briquettes annually. With nearly two decades of experience in the renewable energy sector, the company has built its reputation on the sustainable production of wood fuels, ensuring its operations leave a minimal environmental footprint.
The Girvan plant serves as the heart of Land Energy’s operations, where all its fuels are manufactured using 100% UK-sourced materials. The company’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its Grown in Britain certification and UNESCO’s Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, underscoring its dedication to local and eco-friendly practices.
To minimise carbon emissions, Land Energy prioritises short, efficient supply chains, and powers its entire production facility using self-generated energy. This integrated approach significantly reduces their overall carbon footprint. A recent environmental assessment by Auditel, independent carbon footprint experts, verified
Land Energy’s impressive performance.
The comprehensive study, unique in the wood fuel industry, analysed emissions across the entire lifecycle of the product— from seedling to final delivery. The findings revealed that Land Energy’s emissions are only 0.0331 kg of CO2 equivalent per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is significantly lower than the emissions from heating oil (0.3138 kg CO2 e/ kWh) and even the average imported wood pellet (1.4 times higher emissions).
A core part of Land Energy’s sustainability strategy revolves around their ‘feedstock’—the wood materials arriving at their Girvan factory. To maintain high standards of sustainability, the company sources its feedstock predominantly from within a 60-mile radius of the plant, using timber from responsibly managed forests. For every tree used, another is planted, ensuring a renewable supply while also protecting the local ecosystem.
Land Energy has also introduced Land Energy Soil, a 100% natural product that eliminates all synthetic fertilisers, which harnesses carbon, boosts nutrient content and revolutionises soil health — reinforcing their commitment to sustainable practices from the ground up.
Land Energy is acutely aware of the ecological impact of its operations, particularly in relation to peatlands, which play a crucial role in carbon sequestration. When timber was historically planted on deep peatlands (over 400mm depth), the company opts not to replant but instead restores the land by refilling drainage channels allowing natural waterways to return. This practice enables the peat to recover and resume its vital function of absorbing carbon, aligning with the company’s broader environmental stewardship goals.
Through these comprehensive measures, Land Energy exemplifies a model of responsible, low-carbon, renewable energy production, setting a benchmark for the industry in the UK and beyond.
www.land-energy.com
Ambitious co-founders recognised in LDC Top 50
Peter and Steven Easton, Co-founders of Green Home Systems, have been recognised as one of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Business Leaders for 2024, in partnership with The Times.
Created by trusted investment partner LDC – part of Lloyds Banking Group, The Top 50 celebrates entrepreneurs demonstrating remarkable ambition, and is now in its seventh year.
This year the programme received more than 700 nominations showcasing the exceptional individuals building successful and growing businesses right across the UK.
Peter and Steven collected the prestigious award at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly in central London – the iconic home of the world famous
arts academy – and are now profiled in the LDC Top 50 website. They also featured in a Times supplement published nationally to celebrate the achievement.
The business leaders featured in The LDC Top 50 for 2024 are making a real impact by creating jobs, promoting social equality, championing sustainability, expanding internationally and integrating purpose into their business practices. They operate from 39 towns and cities across the UK and span every sector of the economy, whilst collectively they employ 5,146 people and generate revenues of more than £1.1bn.
The Easton brothers founded Green Home Systems in 2014 as an energy efficiency specialist that operates throughout Scotland with ambition to scale UK-wide. It installs
Prestwick welcomes Jackton Moor to the heart of South Ayrshire
For over two decades Jackton Moor has provided a complete kitchen, bedroom and custom furniture service, from initial design/manufacture and installation.
On Monday 28th October they opened their doors to their new showroom in Prestwick.
Primely positioned on the corner of 64 Main Street, their brand new showroom showcases
thermal insulation, smart heating systems, renewable energy technologies, and electric vehicle charge points. The impact-driven company has completed more than 16,500 energy efficiency projects, lifted more than 7,000 families out of fuel poverty, and abated more than 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere.
www.greenhomesystems.co.uk
beautiful kitchen displays, boot room, bar area, home office, bespoke vanity and custom-made wardrobes.
Jackton Moor give thanks to the various Ayrshire businesses that came together at their grand opening to show their support. They had Taj Bar & Kitchen keeping their guests full whilst staff, clients, suppliers, family and friends raised a glass to Prestwick’s latest high street showroom.
Ayr United`s Scott Brown and Kilmarnock`s Derek McInnes joined in on the celebration and did the honours of cutting the ribbon to formally open the showroom.
Jackton Moor invite you to visit their new showroom on 64 Main Street, Prestwick and view their displays.
jacktonmoor.com
Another successful Business Week for Ayrshire Chamber!
Ayrshire Business Week, which ran from Monday 30th September to Friday 4th October 2025, launched with the highly informative ‘Digital Connectivity for a Sustainable Future’ panel at the Gailes Hotel, held in partnership with East, North and South Ayrshire Council.
On Tuesday 1st October, attendees joined us at the Chamber boardroom for a Members Only Update from the Bank of England Deputy Agent for Scotland, Adam McGeoch.
The highly popular B2B Exhibition, on Wednesday 2nd October, saw an impressive footfall across the morning. 80 local stand holders showcased their unique offering of products and services, at The Park Hotel. On the day, Dains Accountants also hosted an informative free session on ‘Harnessing Digital for Business Success’.
“The B2B Exhibition offered a valuable local networking experience enabling us to promote our brand to local organisations and explore synergies. We have taken away lots of valuable insights for future collaborations.”
On Thursday 3rd October, at Lochside House Hotel, guests from local schools and businesses enjoyed an inspirational Leadership Lunch hosted by the Developing Young Workforce team. Attendees heard from local business leaders, including Billy Bowie (Billy Bowie Special Projects Ltd), Linda Johnstone (Auchrannie Resort), Angela Cox (Ayrshire College), and Derek Pierce (J&D Pierce (Contracts) Limited), who all shared their business journeys.
Ayrshire Business Week closed with the exciting 2024 Ayrshire Business Awards At Ayr Racecourse, 16 winners from across Ayrshire were presented with their awards, in front of 500 attendees. We were thrilled to welcome magician Ben Hanlin as our host during the evening, for the second year.
The 2025 Ayrshire Business Week event programme is already under development. The Chamber team are already looking forward to BW2025!
Digital Connectivity for a Sustainable Future
30TH SEP
Bank of England Members Update
1ST OCT
B2B Exhibition
2ND OCT
B2B Dains Workshop
B2B Networking Lunch
Leadership Lunch speakers Mike Stewart and Derek Pierce
3RD OCT
2024 Ayrshire Business Awards at Ayr Racecourse with host Ben Hanlin
OCT
Chamber Events
Rachel Walker, Events Co-ordinator: events@ayrshire-chamber.org
Ayrshire Chamber runs a programme of informative events throughout the year. Our events allow your business to connect with other organisations, stay up-to-date with the latest business trends and upskill your workforce.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please email kate@ayrshire-chamber.org
Upcoming events:
Burns Day Connect Networking at The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
To keep up to date with all our upcoming events and to book, please visit www.ayrshire-chamber.org/events
Recent Chamber Events
GROW your business with the AMBITION programme
South Ayrshire Council’s business support programme, AMBITION, now offers additional types of support to help your business grow.
The AMBITION programme is specially designed to work alongside your business, providing the right support at the right timewhether you’ve just got an idea but need help in bringing it to market, are in the early stages of trading, or have a growth project to make your business more competitive, productive or sustainable.
As well as supporting your business ambition, the programme has its own ambition: to help businesses in South Ayrshire create less carbon, become more digitally competitive and increase their productivity.
In addition to the existing programme
AMBITION to Grow, specific support has been designed around these three themes:
• “Green AMBITION” can help your business transition to low carbon technologies, saving you money on energy bills, as well as supporting you to achieve net zero.
• “Digital AMBITION” can provide you with the tools and techniques you need to maximise your digital opportunities to compete, grow and project your brand.
• “Productivity AMBITION” can help you analyse your current processes, identify opportunities for improvement, and introduce measures that can increase your efficiency, cut your costs and provide data to help you reach a new level of competitiveness.
If you would like to become part of the AMBITION programme to grow your business, please apply at www.ambitionprogramme.co.uk
For general enquiries on the AMBITION programme and how it can support your business, call 01292 616 349. For more information see www.ambitionprogramme.co.uk
PLANNING ON GROWING YOUR BUSINESS?
We can help you take your business to the next level with possible funding, expert advice and connecting you to the right people and partners.
We also offer specific support to help you improve your productivity, be more digitally competitive or transition to low carbon technologies
To find out how our AMBITION to Grow programme can help your business, see ambitionprogramme.co.uk or call 01292 616 349.
Lean On Me Associates recognised with national award
Lean On Me Associates, a proud member of the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, has been honoured with the title of Most Innovative Management Consultancy (Scotland) 2024, by SME News. This prestigious award recognises the company’s commitment to driving business transformation and facilitating growth for businesses across the UK, including local enterprises in Ayrshire.
With a strong focus on collaboration and tailored strategies, Lean On Me Associates has become a cornerstone for businesses looking to navigate the complexities of today’s economic landscape. Their innovative approaches have empowered numerous companies to enhance operational efficiency, adapt to market changes, and unlock new revenue streams.
The consultancy has garnered praise for its unique ability to blend traditional Lean management techniques with innovative solutions, ensuring local businesses not only survive but thrive. By offering personalised support and strategic insights, Lean On Me Associates has significantly impacted the business community, fostering an environment of resilience and growth.
"We are thrilled to receive this recognition and grateful for the support of our clients and the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce," said Danny Gregory from Lean On Me Associates. "Our mission is to support and empower local businesses, and this award reflects our dedication to business transformation and excellence in consultancy."
As Lean On Me Associates continues to make waves in the consultancy sector, their innovative
strategies and unwavering client support serve as an inspiration for businesses throughout Ayrshire, encouraging them to embrace transformation and pursue growth. lomass.co.uk
Ayrshire College supports students to aim high with new strategic plan
A focus on delivering ‘Outstanding Experiences’ as part of its new Strategic Ambition (2024-2027) highlights Ayrshire College’s strong commitment to student success and enhanced learning opportunities. Key to this approach is promoting an environment where students are challenged to reach the highest standards while being supported with quality teaching and personalised, inclusive learning plans.
This year’s Ayrshire College graduation ceremony at Ayr Racecourse in September was a wonderful celebration of the achievements of its students and the collaborative spirit of the institution.
As well as acknowledging its students’ efforts, Ayrshire College’s dedication to equipping our emerging workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in today’s fast-evolving industries has also been recognised by a number of prominent visitors across all its campuses recently.
In November, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes toured its Aeronautical Engineering Training Centre in Ayr, showcasing the College’s pivotal role in building a skilled workforce to support Scotland’s aerospace industry and beyond.
College staff welcomed Oliver Mundell MSP to its Willie Mackie Skills Hub in Kilwinning in October, and Sharon Dowey MSP met third-year plumbing apprentices at its state-of-the-art Renewables Centre at its Ayr Campus earlier this year.
Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Employment and Investment, joined regional leaders at its Kilwinning Campus to reflect on the progress
of the Ayrshire Regional Economic Strategy.
Finally, an event welcoming leaders and experts from the aerospace, engineering, and advanced manufacturing sectors to its Kilmarnock Campus in October officially marked Ayrshire College’s membership with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and Scottish Engineering.
Ayrshire College’s Strategic Ambition for 2024-2027 builds on collective achievements as it strives to be a partner of choice, playing a key role in enabling the future.
Helping your business to trade internationally, with ease
Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce was delighted to lead an exciting trade mission to Dublin, in partnership with Inverness Chamber of Commerce, from Monday 11th to Wednesday 13th November.
Three fantastic Ayrshire businesses, along with five other Scottish based businesses, travelled over the water to Ireland for a packed three-day trade mission designed to strengthen links between the Scottish and Irish business community.
The visit gave our Ayrshire delegates, Blowin’ Free, Kelvin TOP-SET and SD Wind Energy, an ideal opportunity to showcase some of Scotland’s finest products and services to an Irish market.
Our International Trade team was kept busy processing documents in the third quarter of 2024. Our team were kept busy this quarter, with 627 documents processed, totalling over £155 million worth of goods!
Ayrshire goods travelled across the globe, to and from countries such as Latvia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, China and Saudi Arabia.
Trade Mission to Dublin International Trade Courses International Trade Services
“The initiative was a wonderful opportunity for three of our Chamber members to explore the Irish market and connect with potential partners. We were delighted to be able to facilitate the trip with our friends in Inverness and thrilled that the Ayrshire businesses wanted to take part.”
“We look forward to hosting our next trade mission in the future.”
Helping Ayrshire businesses to trade internationally
Our friendly International Trade team are happy to help in any way they can, as well as process Certificates of Origin, EUR1’s, Arab Certificates, Egyptian Documents, Verification of Trade Documents, Import and Export Declarations, Letters of Credit and ATA Carnets.
We also offer a brand-new Translation service and Consultancy Service!
We also run a number of regular International Trade events to provide you, your business and your staff with the invaluable information to export and import with ease. Each session features a guest expert from Exporter Services.
Our International Trade Services are available to members and non-members. A discount is available to Ayrshire Chamber members. T&Cs apply.
Further details on the International Trade services we offer are available.
Please contact our friendly team via ecert@ayrshire-chamber.org or visit www.ayrshire-chamber.org/ international
To view and book our upcoming courses, visit us online at www.ayrshire-chamber.org/events/international-trade
Sign up for our International Trade mailing to stay up-to-date with our International Trade services https://bit.ly/MailingList_SignUp
Claire Baird, Ayrshire Chamber CEO, said:
Chamber welcomes new Directors
Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to our Board of Directors.
At our Annual General Meeting, held at Neogen on 26th September, we welcomed Angela Cox, Principal and CEO at Ayrshire College, Aimee Doole, People, Brand & Culture Director at Booth Welsh, and Iain Greer, Director of Monarch Financial Services, as Directors.
Each of our new directors bring a wealth of experience and experience, from leadership and development, to cross sector growth and community work.
During the AGM, Alison Somerville stepped down as President of the Chamber. We thank Alison for her guidance and service throughout her term as President, and as a member of the Board, and wish her good luck in the future.
Craig Johnstone was welcomed as our new President, with Steven Easton as Vice President. We look forward to working with them, and our whole Board of Directors, over the next year as we develop and grow the Chamber, and it’s support for local businesses.
Are you ready to become a Connect Me mentor?
There are obvious benefits for an individual receiving coaching.
Research undertaken by the International Coaching Federation found that 80% of people who received coaching reported increased self-confidence, and over 70% benefited from improved work performance, relationships, and more effective communication skills.
By becoming a Connect Me mentor, you are…
Developing Your Leadership Style
A leader who also mentors delivers broader impact as they learn how to accelerate the development of their team members in a supportive way. This leadership style also enables you to engage, relate, collaborate and influence your team members, peers and your senior colleagues.
Encouraging Self-Reflection
A mentor’s role is to ask thought provoking questions of the mentee, giving
them time and space to consider and articulate their response along with how they reached that response. This process also encourages the mentor to self-reflect, asking the same questions of themselves and considering how they can be the best version of themselves.
Becoming More Adaptable
Mentoring encourages you to be not only curious about others, but also about yourself. Being able to observe others and a situation before making decisions, about what and how to change, is key to being effective at adapting.
Developing Your Resilience
At the heart of mentoring is the development of self-awareness. Recognising our strengths and areas for development. This process not only affects the mentee, it also encourages the mentor to develop their resilience, helping them to identify the different ways they can respond to change.
As we get ready for 2025, there has never been a better time to start your mentor journey!
To begin, please reach out via Membership@ayrshire-chamber.org or call 01292 678666
A hassle-free approach to staff loyalty with Salary Sacrifice
Business owners would be forgiven if they feel that running their company is just getting more and more difficult. The continual noise around the economy, changes in the budget, and increasing competition for the best employees, it is not easy! There are very few “quick wins”, but when it comes to attracting and retaining the best quality staff, those that will underpin your success, a Salary Sacrifice Scheme for Electric Cars is one way to really delight employees. A new EV paid from salary before tax, resulting in huge savings for the driver compared to sourcing a car personally.
Business owners would be forgiven if they feel that running their company is just getting more and more difficult. The continual noise around the economy, changes in the budget, and increasing competition for the best employees, it is not easy! There are very few “quick wins”, but when it comes to attracting and retaining the best quality staff, those that will underpin your success, a Salary Sacrifice Scheme for Electric Cars is one way to really delight employees. A new EV paid from salary before tax, resulting in huge savings for the driver compared to sourcing a car personally.
Not only is it an excellent way to attract and retain the best talent, the Business also benefits from improving their social and environmental credentials, whilst even saving some money, especially since the recent increases to National Insurance.
Not only is it an excellent way to attract and retain the best talent, the Business also benefits from improving their social and environmental credentials, whilst even saving some money, especially since the recent increases to National Insurance.
Automotive Scotland are an Ayrshire based Vehicle Business that specialise in implementing Salary Sacrifice schemes to businesses across the UK. With a consultative and knowledgeable approach, they can work with businesses of any size, and create a scheme to deliver maximum benefit to the business and its employees, whilst creating
Automotive Scotland are an Ayrshire based Vehicle Business that specialise in implementing Salary Sacrifice schemes to businesses across the UK. With a consultative and knowledgeable approach, they can work with businesses of any size, and create a scheme to deliver maximum benefit to the business and its employees, whilst creating
minimal hassle for its Directors, allowing them to concentrate on their businesses. All makes and models, and an online Portal for employees to browse. With over 20 years Motor Industry experience, Chris and the Team at Automotive Scotland can manage the process seamlessly from an initial enquiry, to the delivery of a brand new car to your employees door.
UK’s largest salt distributor celebrates
A fifth-generation family business is celebrating 150 years of salt-based success. Founded in 1874, Ayrshire’s Peacock Salt is the UK’s largest salt supplier, shipping more than 200,000 tonnes of salt annually and distributing it to over 40,000 destinations across the UK.
The business is now in its fifth generation of being family run, with Managing Director Gregorie Marshall having taken the helm from his father Harley in 2014.
Known for being ‘Serious about Salt’,
Peacock Salt has seen increased demand for its growing product range with over 100 different types of salt for over 14,000 different uses.
From humble beginnings as a ship’s broker on Glasgow’s River Clyde, Peacock Salt is now the largest salt business in the UK.
Gregorie comments: “We believe that the future is as important as the past. As we embark on the next 150 years, we remain committed to innovation, excellence, and making a positive impact on our community. That’s what will drive our strategy for the future as we aim to increase and diversify our market share, and to secure a more sustainable future for the company and its employees.”
Gregorie, whose great-great grandfather J.C. Peacock founded the company, has continued to expand and diversify the business since he became MD. The business has recently acquired water softening specialists Firenze in April 2024, allowing Peacock to expand its presence in the south of England, and added Peacock Turfscape to its portfolio in 2022.
Working with wife and business partner Whirly Marshall, the duo also created Blackthorn Salt in 2019, bringing something new to the Scottish culinary.
www.peacocksalt.com
The landscape of business IT support has evolved significantly. Have you?
Many businesses struggle to fully leverage technology due to outdated IT support that follows a reactive “breakfix” approach, normally billed per hour or limited time contracts. When systems malfunction, they must call for diagnosis and repair, leading to costly downtime and frustration.
Advancing from a traditional break-fix approach towards a managed service without time limitations or billing worries offers significant benefits and strategic advantages.
As a managed service provider (MSP), Active Business Technology offer comprehensive IT solutions that go far beyond the traditional
helpdesk model. Their MSP plans offer complete cybersecurity protection while empowering businesses to proactively identify and resolve potential issues before they disrupt operations.
Their provision includes 24/7 proactive monitoring and management of all IT systems, full patch management and deployment, critical application updates, equipment lifecycle management, security compliance oversight and should the unavoidable ever happen, thorough disaster recovery management.
Pricing is transparent, with a straightforward per-user subscription plans that are easy to understand. No more
unexpected high costs and time worries for unexpected support. By partnering with Active Business technology you’ll enjoy a fixed subscription, facilitating accurate financial planning.
In contrast to typical IT support providers, Active Business Technology also offers specialised assistance for business software. Clients can add low-cost optional addons for specific users, such as accounting, payroll, or CRM systems.
Maximise the potential of your business technology - contact Active Business Technology on 0345 565 1156 today. www.activeoffice.co.uk
Our team of specialists will provide friendly, proactive assistance quickly and without technical jargon.
Region shines at 2024 Ayrshire
On Friday 4th October, at Ayr Racecourse, business people from across Ayrshire came together to celebrate the resilience of businesses and organisations from across the
More than 60 finalists were represented at Ayr Racecourse, where 500 guests enjoyed an evening of entertainment from TV magician Ben Hanlin, alongside the award presentations.
Congratulations to all of
Apprentice of the Year Award: sponsored by Ashleigh Building
GE Caledonian Ltd - Louise Collins
Ayrshire’s Growth Business of the Year Award (0-10 employees): sponsored by Woodward, Inc. Ralston Contracts Ltd
Ayrshire’s Growth Business of the Year Award (11-50 employees): sponsored by Business Gateway Foundation Solutions HV Ltd
Ayrshire’s Growth Business of the Year Award (51 employees or more): sponsored by James Frew Ltd A&L Mechanical Installations Ltd
Charity of the Year Award: sponsored by Regency Facilities Management Ayrshire Cancer Support
Community Award: sponsored by GSK Bfriend
Community Wealth Building Award: sponsored by Booth Welsh The 9CC Group
Developing Ayrshire’s Young Workforce Award: sponsored by DYW Ayrshire The QTS Group Ltd
region.
Our host - Ben Hanlin
All images courtesy of:
Business Awards
A charity raffle on the night raised a fantastic £5,000 for our two beneficiaries Ayrshire Cancer Support and Christians Against Poverty. Thank you to our awards guests for their generosity on the night.
Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the 2024 Awards Principal Sponsor Business Gateway Ayrshire, Secondary Sponsor Rainton Construction (Scotland) Limited, all of our category sponsors, and our valued supporting sponsors.
Entrepreneur of the Year Award: sponsored by Dains (Scotland)
Hospitality Business of the Year Award: sponsored by Trump Turnberry The RAD Hotel Group Ltd Innovation Award: sponsored by Wallace McDowall Ltd Renewable Oil Services Limited Tourism Award: sponsored by Stagecoach Bus Jack’s Alt-Stays
Start-up Business of the Year Award: sponsored by SimpsInns Jack’s Alt-Stays
Workplace Health and Wellbeing Award: sponsored by Lighthouse IT & Network Services McTaggart Construction
Derek Dunlop Photography and Karen Simpson Photography
Ayrshire eye clinic makes a difference
Ayrshire Eye Clinic take great pride in providing consultant surgeon-led care, right through from the initial visit to aftercare and discharge. Founded by Prof. Sathish Srinivasan, the clinic provides personalised, patient-centred, state-of-the-art eye care.
Services include cataract surgery, corneal surgery, refractive surgery, laser vision correction, oculoplastic surgery, and treatments for glaucoma and macular degeneration. The clinic stays at the forefront of new technology and treatments, and is the
first facility in Scotland to provide a first line, non-contact laser treatment for glaucoma. For more details on the clinic and their services, please visit www.ayrshireeyeclinic.com.
Outside of the patient services, Prof. Srinivasan is also passionate about education and offers educational events to the local optometry community, as well as hosting and attending global events for his fellow Ophthalmologists. Prof. Srinivasan was also recently ranked by his peers as one of the top 100 Ophthalmologists in the world.
The clinic also has a sister charity, Ayrshire Eye Foundation, which was co-founded by Prof.
Srinivasan and Dr Sai Hanumanthu in February 2019. The original aim was to help eliminate common causes of curable blindness globally, namely cataract and corneal blindness and to support other causes of curable and treatable blindness. Due to the global Covid pandemic, the needs of the local community became the main focus of the charity. Since 2021, the charity has provided funded cataract treatment to vulnerable members of the community through a referral programme set up with local optometrists.
www.ayrshireeyeclinic.com/ayrshireeye-foundation
Bfriend receive vital donation from UKSE
Bfriend supports young people in South Ayrshire who are experiencing social isolation and difficulties by matching them with volunteer befrienders who offer their time to build meaningful relationships and confidence. This helps to create opportunities that aid young people in overcoming isolation and adversity. You may have seen the team at the recent Chamber of Commerce Business Awards where they won the Community Award sponsored by GSK.
As a small charity it is vital that Bfriend creates meaningful links and connections with others across Ayrshire to support the vital work that really does change lives. This was part of the reason for the charity becoming part of the chamber. Since doing so, a group of young people at the project have applied
for, and been awarded, funding from UKSE – a subsidiary of Tata Steel – to fund a community event and youth committee meetings.
The team is interested in hearing from other businesses that maybe interested in supporting Bfriend’s work or the Big
Befriending Brunch event that they will be hosting in February 2025.
If you would like to discuss the possibilities of working together, please contact the team on 01292 264000, info@bfriend.org.uk
www.bfriend.org.uk
Hillhouse Quarry Group expands reach with Skene Group Acquisition
Four months after joining Hillhouse Quarry Group, Skene Group Construction Services Ltd has cemented its place within one of Scotland’s leading independent suppliers of quarry materials. This acquisition has strengthened Hillhouse’s reach, now with nearly 400 employees, and aligns with its commitment to sustainable, community-focused growth.
Founded in 1907, Hillhouse has established an enviable reputation for high levels of customer service and quality in the supply of asphalt, aggregates, concrete and civil engineering services across Central and Southwest Scotland. The acquisition of Skene Group, a second-generation family business with a longstanding presence in the East of Scotland, brings additional expertise and reach, enhancing Hillhouse’s service offering
and regional impact.
Robert McNaughton, CEO of Hillhouse, remarked on the aligned values that have underpinned this smooth transition:
“Both Hillhouse and Skene share deep roots in family business, with a mutual commitment to service and community. This integration allows us to leverage our combined
strengths to deliver even greater value to the construction sector across Scotland.”
This acquisition reinforces Hillhouse’s position as a cornerstone of Scotland’s construction industry, supporting both businesses' dedication to quality, community, and sustainable growth well into the future.
hillhousequarrygroup.co.uk
Celebrating 40 years of service: A proud milestone in legal services
The McKinstry Company is proudly celebrating 40 years of dedicated legal service across Ayrshire, having grown from a sole-practitioner office to a leading firm with 45 staff across Ayr, Girvan, and Dalry. The evolution of the firm has been achieved by organic growth and key acquisitions; most recently in 2022 with the integration of Dalry firm, James Patrick & Muir.
Reflecting on the firm’s success, Managing Partner Robert Honeyman shared:
“Our continued success is rooted in the hard work and dedication of our colleagues, along with the loyalty of our clients. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us on this journey, and we remain committed to providing the highest level
of service to our clients and contributing positively to the communities we serve.”
With its “Law Firm for Life” approach, The McKinstry Company works earnestly to create long-term client relationships, offering expert legal services across all practice areas enabling it to serve individuals, businesses, and community organisations across Ayrshire and beyond.
In celebration of this milestone the firm hosted a gala dinner at Lochgreen House Hotel at the end of October for one hundred clients who have supported the firm over the past four decades. This followed an amazing teambuilding trip to Malaga for the whole office to recognise the people behind the firm who make it all happen.
As part of its community commitment for its 40th anniversary, the firm is partnering with
Ayrshire Cancer Support, Diabetes UK, and RNLI Girvan as its charities of the year.
Looking forward, The McKinstry Company is committed to continued growth, innovation, and excellent client service. Here’s to the next 40 years!
www.mckinstry.co.uk
(L-R) Chairman Andrew Sleigh and Partners Kirsty Leitch, Thiona McQuiston, Debbie Dunlop and Robert Honeyman
platinum
Wbg reach milestone with opening of Prestwick office Launch collaborates with DW Prints
DW Prints, are a new online business transforming cherished photos into stunning watercolour-style prints, ideal for family and friends or as a beautiful addition to your own home.
Working in collaboration with creative marketing agency Launch Digital, DW Prints offers a straightforward, enjoyable experience that allows users to design custom artwork in just six simple steps on an incredibly user-friendly website.
On DWPrints.co.uk, customers can easily select their preferred text, font, frame colour and style, size, and then upload a favourite photo to complete their order. Each print is carefully framed, packaged, and shipped—complete with free UK mainland delivery. For those looking to print at their convenience, DW Prints also offers a digital download option, adding extra flexibility for users who want to handle the framing themselves.
The simplicity and accessibility of DW Prints’ service is a testament to Launch Digital’s expertise. Known for their innovative and clientfocused approach, Launch Digital has crafted an online experience that’s as memorable as the products themselves. Their skilled team supports a wide array of services, from branding and graphic design to social media and search marketing, ensuring each project is visually striking and user centred.
This holiday season, DW Prints offers a unique gift idea, allowing customers to transform meaningful photos into timeless pieces of art, capturing memories in a beautifully creative way.
Wbg, one of Scotland’s specialist full-service accountancy firms, has opened a new office in Prestwick to support the local business community through expert business advice not readily available elsewhere in Ayrshire.
The new office is located at 104 Main Street and is serviced by a dedicated team led by Business Advisory Director, Andrew Flinn.
A consolidation of John Kerr & Co in Saltcoats and Nicolsons in Kilmarnock under the new unified brand of Wbg, Prestwick is part of a new office network that sees the firm now operate across six main locations – Aberdeen, Ayrshire, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, and Manchester.
Donald McKinnon, Chief Operating Officer of Wbg said:
“Our Prestwick office may be new, but we’ve hit the ground running with an established, fully functioning team based in Ayrshire supporting existing and new clients of all sizes with a range of business services advice. Ayrshire is supported by our Glasgow office with complementary services such as audit, advisory, tax, and insolvency.”
The opening of the Prestwick office follows Wbg’s joining of the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and its offering of R&D tax advice to member firms, as well as access to its Financial Wellbeing Programme aimed at employees of member firms. wbg.co.uk
CELEBRATING SUCCESS AND COMMUNITY: A SEASON OF
RECOGNITION AND REFLECTION FOR DYW AYRSHIRE
With the darker night’s drawing in and shops starting to fill up in preparation of the festive season, it seems fitting that this edition of the Chamber magazine focuses on ‘Celebration’.
DYW Ayrshire were delighted to sponsor the DYW Award at this year’s Chambers Business Awards. Congratulations to all finalists in this category - Ailsa Reliability Solutions Ltd, East Ayrshire Carers, and Ochiltree Community Hub and to QTS Training who won the award. It was great to hear the fantastic work that is going on across
THE AYRSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS
The Ayrshire Business Awards took place on Friday 4th October 2024 where winners across 16 categories were honoured for their achievements. Among these was the Developing Ayrshire’s Young Workforce Award, sponsored by DYW Ayrshire, recognising organisations that have fostered strong partnerships with schools, further/higher education institutions, or community groups to help prepare young people for the workforce. We are delighted to congratulate QTS Training on winning this prestigious award.
Ayrshire by our local business community.
We continue to celebrate the successes of our innovative projects and look forward to an event later this month to showcase the projects. More will be featured in the next edition.
Over the coming months we will be celebrating DYW turning 10! We will be celebrating many successes from the programme and putting a spotlight on some of our employer partners.
As this year draws to a close, I would like to thank all of our partners and employer
supporters. We know there are many challenges facing the business community but your dedication to supporting the future workforce is truly appreciated.
Gillian Longmuir, DYW Ayrshire Regional Lead
A special thank you also goes to our outstanding finalists:
• Ailsa Reliability Solutions Ltd.
• East Ayrshire Carers
• Ochiltree Community Hub
We were truly impressed by the exceptional quality and number of applications we received. Our sincere thanks to everyone who participated and contributed to making this award a success.
Lorna Gibson, Managing Director of QTS Training said:
We are so incredibly proud of our Rail Skills Academy and the young people who have gone through it and started their careers within the industry. To win this Ayrshire Chamber award is another great result for our team and is a real testament to the hard work that goes into each cohort.
PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS: DYW AYRSHIRE UNITES BUSINESS LEADERS TO INSPIRE FUTURE TALENT
On Thursday 3rd October 2024, DYW Ayrshire welcomed 104 guests to the Lochside House Hotel for an inspiring afternoon and a first of its kind event to shape part of the Ayrshire Business Week programme.
The “Audience With” brought together an audience of businesses who are committed to shaping and supporting the next wave of leadership. Featuring a diverse line up of guest speakers who have walked the path of success, each leader shared stories from their journey— both the highs and the challenges they faced along the way.
The event, forming part of the Ayrshire Business Week programme, welcomed apprentices, employers, employees and pupils of the senior phase to follow the inspiring journeys.
Featuring a panel of local entrepreneurs and leaders, Angela Cox (Ayrshire College), Derek Pierce (J&D Pierce), Linda Johnstone (Auchrannie Resort) and Billy Bowie (Billy Bowie Ltd) shared their journeys including the successes and the struggles. Each leader highlighted the importance of following your dreams to feel happy and successful.
Angela Cox, Principal & Chief Executive of Ayrshire College, shared her journey from studying Beauty Therapy Sciences to nearly 30 years in further and higher education. Angela spoke passionately about her commitment to transforming lives through education, despite starting her career without a clear path.
Derek Pierce, Managing Director of J&D Pierce Contracts, took us through the company’s growth and the challenges faced, including the 2008 recession and the pandemic. He emphasised resilience during tough times, noting the company now employs over 500 staff, including 56 apprentices, with an impressive £165/170M turnover.
Linda Johnstone, Co-founder & Executive Chairperson of Auchrannie Resort, began her hospitality career at 14 and opened Auchrannie in 1988 with no business experience. Last year, the resort hosted over 47,000 guests—and 3,017 dogs.
Billy Bowie, from Billy Bowie Special Projects Ltd, joined our Q&A session and gave insight into his business journey, which started with one truck in 1991 and has grown into a major operation with a larger HQ, awards, and exciting future plans.
Guests enjoyed a delicious lunch and dessert between the speeches before ending the day with a Q&A.
Empowering young people provides not only inspiration, but builds resilience, confidence and gives guidance to our leaders of the future. Through stories told at this event, we continue to encourage employers to engage with our local young people and encourage them to dream bigger, work harder, and believe in their potential.
BUILDING SKILLS FOR SUCCESS: NEW STUDENT-LED INITIATIVES LAUNCH AT KILWINNING AND QUEEN MARGARET ACADEMIES
Kilwinning Academy
Friday 1st November 2024 saw the launch of three new Innovative Projects at Kilwinning Academy: KA Cycle Maintenance, Roasters, and KA Nails.
Guests were warmly welcomed with drinks made by pupils working at the Roasters barista station. Deputy Head Teacher Chris Shaw then spoke about the positive impact of these studentled projects. Following his remarks, guests enjoyed engaging presentations delivered directly by the pupils themselves.
KA Roasters - Pupils shared their journey over the past few months, their plans to expand flavours, work towards their National 5 SPA Qualification, and keep up their impressive 100% customer satisfaction.
KA Cycle MaintenanceThis group, just a year into
their project, described the teamwork, skill-building, and hands-on experience they’ve gained by refurbishing donated bikes as part of their school timetable.
KA Nails - The young entrepreneurs discussed the skills they’ve developed through creating and managing their own beauty business, serving clients, and building a professional portfolio. They shared future goals of opening their own businesses with the knowledge and skills learned.
DYW Ayrshire Ambassador, Walter Smith MBE, spoke on the lasting value of these initiatives and his dedication to supporting youth projects. The event closed with remarks from Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran Sheriff Iona McDonald, congratulating the pupils on their achievements.
Queen Margaret Academy
On Friday 6th September 2024, DYW Ayrshire Ambassador Walter Smith MBE, along with Chair Mike Stewart, visited Queen Margaret Academy for the launch of their Innovative Project, Nature Nurtures.
This rural skills initiative expands on the school’s already impressive range of projects that equip young people with both sector-specific and transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving and leadership.
At the launch of the Nature Nurtures project, the school showcased a range of their innovative educational programmes. Guests received a tour whilst engaging directly with pupils to learn about the positive impact and future plans of the project.
Thank you to all who attended these events. We’re thrilled to support such projects across Ayrshire schools, helping pupils build employability and vocational skills.
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION AT DAINS ACCOUNTANTS
Dains’ Kilmarnock office welcomed 23 students from Greenwood Academy, Kilwinning and Marr College to an insightful Open Day, offering them a close-up look at potential careers in accounting. The event featured team members Stephen Bargh, Lorna Logan, Lynsey Bryden, Jordan Doolan, and Natalie Stevenson, who shared their personal stories of entering the profession, each highlighting the different pathways available.
One of the day’s highlights came from Charley Anderson, the firm’s newest Accounts Trainee, who attended Dains’ Open Day herself in 2023. Inspired by the event, she followed up with Dains, secured a summer placement, and ultimately joined the
team full-time in August. Reflecting on her experience she said:
Attending the Open Day last year really opened my eyes to the opportunities available. The support I received from the team encouraged me to pursue a placement, and I’m so glad I did—now I’m here sharing my journey with students just like me, and my advice to them is not to worry too much about grades and exams, as there is always a plan B.
Following this year’s event, Dains were pleased to welcome Blair Sutherland from Kilwinning for a short placement over the October break.
Emma Sloan, BD and Client Support Manager
STUDENT VISIT TO HAVEN CRAIG TARA HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN SHAPING FUTURE CAREERS
The recent student visit To Haven, Craig Tara, served as a timely reminder on the importance that businesses must put on community engagement.
It was truly a delight to see how engaged and excited our guests were and that goes for the teachers as well. Whilst it gives these young individuals an opportunity to see a workplace and ask questions ahead of making that first
step into employment it also allowed us to see what drew engagement, what drew questions and to better tailor our communication to prospective employees as a result. I highly recommend that other business’s join in on this wonderful programme.
Nick Livingstone, Head of Food & Beverage, Haven
Craig Tara
EMPOWERING FUTURE OFFICERS: AYRSHIRE POLICE DIVISION AND AYRSHIRE CHAMBER OFFER YOUTH WORK PLACEMENT PROGRAMME WITH POLICE SCOTLAND
Ayrshire Police Division support the Ayrshire Chamber work placement programme – providing a unique opportunity and insight with Police Scotland.
Campus Officers, who keep people safe within our schools, identify and encourage young people to apply for a placement opportunity. The programme gives young people of all backgrounds a means of engagement with the police service, and encourages positive participation in their community.
We vary the experience on each occasion. Historically, successful applicants have spent time with Roads Policing, CID, Custody, Mounted Branch, Mountain Rescue, and even the Air Support unit.
EMPOWERING FUTURE
The opportunity gives young people a chance to speak with police in a relaxed environment, gives them confidence to engage with officers, and gives officers an understanding of what motivates our potential future Constables.
Upon completion of the programme, those who show an interest in joining the police, leave with a knowledge and focus on the standards required in education, fitness and professionalism. We have examples of current serving officers whose first police experience was at an Ayrshire Police Division work placement.
Guy
Jenner, North Ayrshire Police Division
LEGAL
MINDS: SOUTH AYRSHIRE’S LEGAL WORK EXPERIENCE WEEK INSPIRES NEXT GENERATION OF LAW PROFESSIONALS
This year, we were delighted to run once again our Legal Work Experience Week, building on the successes of the initiative, which was rolled-out last year.
Students from across Ayrshire were invited to participate in a week of work experience, in terms of which they rotated through a number of local law firms, gaining an insight into how each business operated and getting to experience firsthand many different areas of legal practice. The students were also given the opportunity to observe proceedings at Ayr
Sheriff Court and to round-off the week, were lucky enough to have a Q&A session with a local Sheriff – an invaluable experience which hopefully, they will reflect on for years to come as they progress through their studies and careers.
It was a pleasure to host the students across our offices and we hope that in years to come, those that took part draw on their experiences from over the week and hopefully, consider a career within the thriving legal services sector in Ayr!
Keir Gilius, Partner
Pupil Jacob commented,
I really enjoyed the Law Work Experience because it was insightful and I felt that it gave a realistic impression of what the role would involved and not just what is portrayed in the media.
FAMILIES, AND YOUTH
COLLABORATION WITH SCHOOLS AND LOCAL PARTNERS
Ayrshire Cancer Support recently visited Ayr Academy and Girvan Academy to raise awareness of the charity by introducing their services and support for young people, enriching the Health and Social Care curriculum at both schools. If you would like to support a Health and Social Care class at a school near you, please get in touch.
Ayrshire Cancer Support provides free support to anyone in Ayrshire who is affected by a cancer diagnosis; not only the patient themselves but also children, family and friends who are also impacted. We offer a range of services in our centre, schools and the community, including one to one support, counselling, complementary therapy, patient transport, drop
in, family support, workshops and peer support.
The Children and Young People service is delighted to work in partnership with Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry and local schools to provide input into the Health and Wellbeing curriculum, as well as offering wider support to pupils and those working in education settings.
To access support please call 01563 538008 or visit our website www.ayrshirecs.org/ services. If you would like to have a chat about how our service can support you, your family or your organisation please get in touch, we are here to help.
Gillian Birrell, Children and Young People’s Services Lead
GREENWOOD ACADEMY INSPIRES FUTURE CAREERS WITH 2024 APPRENTICESHIP AWARENESS EVENT
Early October saw the return of Greenwood Academy’s popular Apprenticeship Awareness Event. This initiative has run successfully now in the school for a number of years. Around 800 Greenwood pupils from S3-S6 had the opportunity to attend the 2024 event to increase their understanding of apprenticeships from foundation to modern and graduate level. A mix of 21 local and national employers were in attendance, who offer various types of apprenticeship opportunities.
It was wonderful to see many past Greenwood pupils who are now completing an apprenticeship represent their company and speak to current students about their experience.
Emma McClymont, Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce
It was incredibly good, can’t rave about it enough. Pupils were very keen and engaged so well with myself and 2 colleagues, they asked loads of questions and the school had to print out an extra 150 school programmes for me which meant I gave out over 250 school programmes to pupils. I hope in some small way, we have managed to inspire them to come to college either as part of their timetable or full time. Greenwood staff and pupils were incredible.
Yvonne Adamson, North Ayrshire School-College Partnership Officer
MacKay Corporate Insurance Brokers: Proudly serving Ayrshire and beyond
MacKay Corporate Insurance Brokers, an esteemed independent insurance broker with chartered status, is delighted to celebrate 35 years of successful trading. Firmly rooted in Ayrshire, MacKay Corporate has expanded its reach, now proudly operating offices in Aberdeen and Glasgow, as well as Ayr, further solidifying its presence across Scotland.
David MacKay, Managing Director of MacKay Corporate Insurance Brokers, commented: “As a leading player in the
insurance industry, MacKay Corporate has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence, providing tailored insurance solutions for businesses and private individuals across the UK. Our Ayrshire roots are integral to our identity, and we remain dedicated to supporting the local community while expanding our services to meet the needs of clients across Scotland.
The new Glasgow hub is a testament to our growth strategy and ambition, and reflects our commitment to providing top-level tailored insurance solutions. It will enable us to
Working for a Healthy Economy
n Are you or any of your staff experiencing difficulties with: Mental and emotional wellbeing, Physical health and pain, Overwhelming circumstances
n Are you worried about staff attendance / absence and the impact on your business?
n Is health making it difficult for you / your staff member(s) to attend work?
n Do you wish that you could provide support but are worried about the cost?
better serve our clients, offering enhanced accessibility and a broader range of services.
We currently place circa £20m in Gross Written Premium and are targeting £25m over the next 12 months. The establishment of our new Glasgow broking hub earlier this year will accelerate us towards this goal.”
www.mcib.net
n We can help. The Ayrshire Growth Deal has invested in support for local business, providing rapid access to qualified and experienced NHS Case Managers. This service is fully funded with no charge to individuals or business.
n We provide holistic health and wellbeing support, including access to appropriate treatments including physiotherapy and counselling, to support individuals remain in / return to work
To find out more, please call us on 0808 196 3919 or you can make a secure referral for support at www.ayrshire.salus.co.uk
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Ellersley House 30 Miller Road Ayr KA7 2AY t: 01292 265071
Dains is a trading name of William Duncan + Co Ltd (Registered in Scotland. No. SC465227). Registered office: Ellersley House, 30 Miller Road, Ayr, KA7 2AY. William Duncan + Co Ltd is regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland. William Duncan + Co Ltd is part of the Dains group of companies.
Dains hosts insightful seminar on Autumn Budget at Ayr Office
Dains Accountants welcomed local business guests at their Ayr Office on Thursday, 31 October for an informative event discussing the Autumn Statement as delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and its potential impact on regional businesses. Attendees enjoyed a light breakfast before the presentation by Dains Tax Partner, Sarah White, who hosted the webinar element of the day.
The Chancellor pledged to ‘invest, invest, invest’ to drive growth and ‘restore economic stability’. Sarah’s in-depth analysis covered the key components of the budget, highlighting areas likely to influence
businesses in the coming months. With practical, strategic advice, she addressed ways for businesses to optimise their tax position, making complex policy updates accessible and relevant for those in attendance.
After the presentation, Managing Partner Graeme Bryson and Dains tax experts from Ayr and Kilmarnock, hosted a lively Q&A session to help guests in the room to digest the full scope of changes. Discussion topics included the increase in Employer National Insurance contributions, Inheritance Tax on pensions, changes to Agricultural and Business Property Relief, and higher Capital Gains Tax. Attendees had the chance to raise industry-specific concerns and receive tailored advice from Dains’ experienced team.
For a copy of the Budget Summary or to discuss the potential impact of these changes on your finances, visit www.dains.com or email ayr@dains.com
