Business now issue 03 2015

February Issue 2015

February Issue 2015

Putting the Now in Business

BUSINESS NOW

Putting the Now in Business

Elevated to a Whole New Level In at the Deep End I Flying High at Aberdeen Airport I February Issue

Posh Porsche 2015

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Wireless presentation and collaboration systems. Allow any meeting participant to share content on the central meeting room screen at the touch of a button.

Use tablets and smart phones to share work.

“At Booth’s we strive to provide a unique unrivalled level of service to all our customers.”

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February Issue

DJ Robertson

2015 Manager business-now.co.uk Booth Multimedia Solutions

Wireless touch screen interactive projectors.

Allow you to annotate presentations in real time, save and share collaborative work.

MEETING ROOM SOLUTIONS • A/V Installations • Interactive Touchscreens & Smart Boards • Video Conferencing • Digital Signage • Collaboration Solutions

5 BURN LANE, INVERURIE T. 01467 620570 info@boothmultimedia.co.uk February Issue 2015 business-now.co.uk www.boothmultimedia.co.uk

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INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the February issue of BUSINESS NOW I remember reading an article in The Guardian last summer with the heading: ‘Aberdeen, the oil city where boom and bust happen at the same time’. It certainly rings true at the present time with reports suggesting it’s perhaps a little more ‘bust’ than ‘boom’!

In the heart of the city it seems very much business as usual, but in the outlying business parks, it’s a turbulent time with livelihoods on the line and calls for North Sea tax cuts. Have we become too complacent? Read what David Shand, general manager of Kongsberg Maritime, has to say as he reflects on the industry, company achievements and what lies ahead. Also commenting is Tim Martin, managing director of Ramboll Oil & Gas UK, which has recently established a presence in Aberdeen. He is in buoyant mood, as he believes his company has arrived at just the right time.

Editor Eric Farquharson editor@business-now.co.uk

Assistant Editor Judy Marshall judy@business-now.co.uk

However, the city has weathered the storm before and, as I am well reminded, has a lot more to offer than oil! I‘m delighted to receive a constant flow of positive reports on business expansion, contract wins and increased profits in the business sector. For example, I met up with Carol Benzie, managing director of Aberdeen International Airport, who also reflects on a very successful year at ABZ, and I visited the fantastic space at The Hub where Elevator is dedicated to attracting global talent to the city.

Design Mackintosh Media and House of Morgan Graphics

Advertising Enquiries Telephone: (01224) 865466 Steve Mackintosh steve@business-now.co.uk Simon M Morgan simon@business-now.co.uk

Published by HOMMAC Media Ltd 479 North Deeside Road, Cults, Aberdeen, AB15 9TJ (01224) 865466 www.business-now.co.uk Printed by Buxton Press UK

Also in this edition, Derek Mitchell, a tax director with Anderson Anderson & Brown, advises on how to make the most of the new pension reforms and, in Business Auto, I slide into the eight-way adjustable, leather sports seat of the Porsche Cayenne GTS. It’s captivating and the upgraded engine is enough to set any driver’s pulse racing.

Congratulations once again to company team members who have fastidiously been raising money for local charities: from sitting in a glass box with a tarantula to escaping from Alcatraz!

Business Now are grateful to all who have submitted articles and photographs for inclusion in this issue. Materials submitted are accepted in good faith. Adverts prepared on behalf of clients remain the copyright of HOMMAC Media Ltd, the publishers. Great care is taken to ensure accuracy of details but liability cannot be accepted for errors or omissions. Any views or opinions expressed by columnists or interviewees are their own and do not represent those of HOMMAC Media Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means without the written permission of the publisher.

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The next edition of BUSINESS NOW is available in early May. In the meantime, if you have a newsworthy story you’d like to share, please drop me a line at editor@ business-now.co.uk

business-now.co.uk

Eric W Farquharson

IT COMMENT

26

Any business of any size could fall victim to cyber criminals and in Aberdeen the threat posed by hackers looms large. Get advice on how to stop someone breaking into your IT system.

BUSINESS AUTO

44-45

On every straight and on every bend, the new Porsche Cayenne GTS makes a clear statement. It is muscular, athletic, powerful and challenging. Its uprated engine is enough to set any driver’s pulse racing.

CONTENTS

COVER STORY

24-25

Elevator, a beacon of entrepreneurship across Scotland, has been unveiled at The Hub in the city’s Energy Park, offering the best working environment and expertise to start an entrepreneurial journey.

CENTRE PAGES FEATURE 30-31

BUSINESS TRAVEL

David Shand, general manager

Aberdeen International Airport’s terminal

The Speyside Whisky Festival, which takes

Kongsberg Maritime, reflects on company

transformation project is well under way.

place in May in venues across Speyside,

achievements and what lies ahead.

Carol Benzie, managing director at the

the spiritual home of malt whisky, brings

airport, discusses life with new owners at

a significant economic contribution to the

ABZ and another hugely successful year.

area.

Have we become complacent in the UK?

Business News Energy News Make the Most of the Pension Reforms

16-21

Leisure and Tourism News

40-43

Get Patriotic – It’s 6 Nations time again!

43

COMPETITION P59

28 32-36

Community News

LEISURE AND TOURISM

6-15

Property News Corporate Social Responsibility

38-39

WIN a Sonos Speaker in our easy-to-enter competition.

46 47-49 50

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2015

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BUSINESS NEWS

ITC Introduces New Rental Division to Service Offering Move sees company take entire process in-house to dovetail with other services A north-east hydraulic solutions specialist has announced the addition of a new rental division to its growing service offering.

Aberdeenshire-based ITC Hydraulics has invested over £200,000 in the new division, which has been established in response to an increase in demand for the rental of equipment.

The move will now see the company take the entire process in-house having previously subcontracted various aspects of its rental work.

The rental range, which is to include a wide selection of equipment including both zoned and safe area hydraulic power units and hot oil flushing units, will dovetail with the company’s ability to service and maintain all types of hydraulic and mechanical units across a range of industries.

new, in-house rental division really is the next logical step in the growth of ITC and it’s exciting that things have finally come to fruition.

Ian Clark (pictured), managing director of ITC Hydraulics, said: “The creation of our

“The core ITC service will remain the design, manufacture and service of all types of

hydraulic equipment, but we believe the rental aspect will be a welcome addition to our service offering. It will allow us to be better placed to meet the varying needs of both our existing and future clients.”

RGU Student to Create Trophy for Awards Impressive design wins competition for new OAA trophy The brief was to design a trophy that encompassed the key themes of the Offshore Achievement Awards – innovation, creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.

The panel of judges were impressed by Alexandra’s award design, which was inspired by the underground pattern of deviated wells and will be made from a combination of stainless steel and granite.

The prototype will now be developed into a final product, which will be presented to winners at the black tie awards ceremony.

Alexandra Pate (pictured), a Robert Gordon University student, has won a competition to design the trophy for this year’s Offshore Achievement Awards, taking place in March.

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The challenge was presented to third year students studying 3-D Design (Ceramics & Glass, Jewellery, Product Design) at Gray’s School of Art in November by the organisers of the awards, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen Section.

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Ian Phillips, SPE Aberdeen board member and chief executive of the Oil & Gas Innovation Centre, said: “Once again, this competition has showcased the superb talent that Gray’s School of Art students have to offer.

“Alexandra’s trophy design was fantastic and really incorporates what the Offshore Achievement Awards are all about. We look forward to seeing the final trophy being presented to the winners.”

The black tie event will take place on Thursday 12 March, 2015 at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. Leading comedian/magician, Pete Firman, will provide the evening’s entertainment.

BUSINESS NEWS

Entrepreneurs Target Growth After BNI Acquisition Duo aims to set up new chapters in Inverness and Banchory which can lay claim to being part of the world’s largest networking organisation.

It was previously owned by Kinross-based businessman, Sid Grant.

on anything from advertising in local media to legal issues. It’s a business support network as well as a forum for business development and growth.

The North of Scotland region currently has eight membership chapters, featuring 170 members from Aberdeen to Dunfermline.

The new owners aim to have 14 chapters and 300 members by 2016 as they form plans to set up further groups in the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Tayside and Fife.

“Rob and I are aiming to breathe new life into BNI to reflect our focus on business and development. We see this as a huge opportunity to build the brand in the region and enhance BNI’s services to members.

Other regions in the UK are proving outstanding results can be achieved and we’re looking to bring that ethos to the North region.

Two north-east entrepreneurs have acquired the North of Scotland franchise of an international networking organisation for £140,000.

Rob Hamilton said: “Trevor and I have been members of BNI for more than five years and we believe in it. It has made a huge difference to our businesses.”

Rob Hamilton (right) and Trevor Mutch (left) have bought the North of Scotland network of BNI (Business Networking International),

Trevor Mutch said: “As well as meeting each week to pass on referrals, members can source advice from chapter colleagues

“Inverness and Banchory are among the areas where we’re looking to set up new chapters, and if anyone has any suggestions we’d be delighted to hear from them.”

Fuelling the Growth of a Local Business Work done in schools is integral and driving growth An expanded range of services and broadening geographical reach is fuelling the growth of a north-east business, with a focus on fostering enterprise throughout the country.

Ideas in Partnership, buoyed by contract wins worth in excess of £150,000 in the final quarter of last year, is preparing to strengthen its role in the business community in 2015.

The Aberdeenshire-based company was established 12 years ago and has grown to incorporate a range of services and specialisms. These include a focus on entrepreneurship and business mentoring, strategic marketing, market research, business events and a burgeoning schools programme. Projects include the Enterprise

Partnership Scotland initiative and the Aberdeen Entrepreneurs networking series.

All have a common theme, designed to support businesses and individuals as they aim to thrive in the corporate sector.

Managing director Carolyn Maniukiewicz said: “We have been successful in securing contracts across all areas of the business and they provide a wonderful foundation for the new year, with exciting plans for Ideas in Partnership.

integral part of the company and is one of the key factors driving growth. We have expanded our schools provision, which

includes

organising

careers

fairs and enterprise programmes, from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and we are now working across Moray as well as developing opportunities in Tayside, Fife and elsewhere.”

Carolyn believes her own company’s growth is an example of the possibilities

“Our market research, business mentoring and business events divisions are perhaps what the company is best known for – but there are other important pieces to the jigsaw.

for businesses willing to embrace fresh

“The work we do in schools is another

available at www.ideasinpartnership.co.uk

opportunities and is predicting 2015 will be a bright year for enterprise in Scotland.

Further information on the range of services offered by Ideas in Partnership is

February Issue

2015

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BUSINESS NEWS

Oil Capitals Get High-Speed Connectivity Partnership created in response to demands for technically better and more cost-effective solution

The first high-speed international ICT network between two key data centres in Aberdeen and Norway is to be delivered by a partnership between Aberdeen-based managed ICT services provider and data centre operator, IFB (Internet For Business), its Norwegian counterpart, Green Mountain AS, and the operator of the largest offshore high-capacity, low-latency communication network in the world, Tampnet. The project will deliver the first high-speed international network of its kind between Scotland and Norway, and will provide faster speeds between Aberdeen and Stavanger than

those currently between Aberdeen and London. The partnership can also offer considerable cost savings for businesses using technologies available to date.

The partnership has been created in response to demands for a technically better and more cost-effective solution to connect the two European energy hubs.

The linking of the data centres provides businesses with improved reliability and efficiency for data storage, backup, disaster recovery applications and cloud services, hosted and replicated easily and securely across both data centres.

Graeme Gordon, CEO of IFB (pictured, right, with Knut Molaug, left, CEO of Green Mountain AS, and Trygve Hagevik, centre, sales director at Tampnet), said: “We have seen a growing demand for improved connectivity to Norway, particularly from oil and gas businesses, and this is why we approached Tampnet and Green Mountain to create a solution. In addition to the increased connection speed and reliability, the link is much more cost-effective than the existing expensive point-to-point private line international circuits.”

Relief of pain

from

Back • Knee • Hip • Joints • Neck Sciatica • Whiplash • Sports Injuries Headaches • Muscular TM

R i v e r s i d e H o u s e , R i v e r s i d e D r i v e , A b e r d e e n , A B 11 7 L H • 0 7 5 2 7 2 7 6 3 4 1 • w w w. d r n i m a r t a p a u l c h i r o p r a c t i c . c o m

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BUSINESS NEWS

Optimus Seventh Generation Celebrates Record-breaking year for behavioural change consultancy Optimus Seventh Generation, an Aberdeen-headquartered behavioural change consultancy, announced 2014 as a record-breaking training year, including the successful completion of a new programme for one of the world’s top petrochemical companies.

In 2014, 5300 delegates across 15 projects in 13 countries attended an Optimus Seventh Generation training workshop, resulting in a growing demand for the company’s products and services from a range of industries.

The company also launched and completed the first of its new Induction Plus™ programmes, successfully rolling out the training for SABIC UK Petrochemicals, a

world leader in the petrochemical industry.

Optimus Seventh Generation chief executive, Derek Smith (pictured), said: “2014 saw the company achieve several key objectives, including our Coaching for High Performance programme receiving Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) endorsement.”

Induction Plus™ is a four-hour informative and motivational induction aimed at projects experiencing a large influx of new, often subcontracted, labour during construction projects or shutdowns.

Mr Smith continued: “The induction combines the information required to comply with the company’s safety rules, alongside a motivational element, to

ensure delegates leave with an awareness of the hazards specific to the asset or project. Those involved also obtain a heightened level of risk perception, as well as the clearly stated expectations of the leadership team, enabling them to actively influence their own and their team’s personal safety during the project.”

Organic Recycling Firm Continues to Grow Customer base triples A leading Scottish organic recycling firm has tripled its customer base since the introduction of new food waste recycling regulations affecting businesses across the country.

Keenan Recycling, which is based at New Deer in Aberdeenshire, has seen its client list rise from 600 to 1800, and now collects more than 60,000 tonnes of waste due to the Waste (Scotland) Regulations which came into effect on 1 January 2014. The regulations require businesses of all sizes producing more than 50 kg of food waste per week to separate it from landfill or they could face a fine.

Companies involved in the processing, distribution, preparation or sale of food also have to recycle their food waste. By January 2016, any businesses producing more than just 5 kg of food waste per week will need to recycle it.

In November 2014, Keenan Recycling signed Scotland’s Resource Sector Commitment, which is designed to set consistent standards for business waste collections and to help deliver the country’s zero waste targets. It has been developed by Zero Waste Scotland in collaboration with resource management industry and small business representatives.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Top Boutique Furniture Broker Reveals Business Boost “We are extremely proud to have completed these significant projects” A leading Scottish boutique furniture broker has announced the completion of key energy sector contracts worth an estimated value of £1.5 million since FY 2014/15 began.

Aberdeen-based Interfac – specialists in the procurement and supply of business furniture – landed almost 100 deals in 2014. They were also awarded further major contracts for the last quarter of the year, which will see its turnover increase by 20% from last year.

The completed contracts include a debut order from multinational oil and gas giant Sodexo for the provision of bespoke furniture solutions to improve its offshore accommodation – a significant project, which strengthens Interfac’s growing offshore portfolio.

Other recent key projects are Pavilion Two and Three at AMEC’s CityView Business Park, Proserv’s headquarters at Westhill, Apache’s offices at Prime Four Business

Park in Kingswells and Iona Energy’s Aberdeen headquarters.

Andy Davidson (pictured right, with director Christophe Chauvin, left), director at Interfac, said: “We are extremely proud to have completed these significant projects, which highlight our expertise in providing tailor-made furniture solutions in a competitive and honest way.”

The business, which currently employs 12 staff, contractors and consultants, has been working closely in the last quarter with a Norwegian manufacturer to offer the energy sector a different approach to their offshore accommodation.

Andy continues: “We’ve found increasing numbers of companies within the sector are waking up to the fact they must offer more comfort to their offshore staff to remain competitive. We’ve helped many of these achieve a fusion of work place, home place and leisure place by transforming their downtime spaces. It is early days, but

we’re very excited about these products which you may typically associate with your own lounge at home, due to the high level of comfort they offer.”

For more information on Interfac, visit www.interfac.co.uk or call 01224 453444.

Business Leader Appointed to JCI Board Steven also awarded accolade of Most Outstanding Vice President in Europe A former president of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Aberdeen has been appointed as one of just four global directors of the organisation. Following a vote of JCI members at its world congress in Leipzig, Germany, Steven Wilson (pictured) has joined the executive board. He now takes responsibility for the Europe region for a year.

Steven was also awarded the accolade of Most Outstanding Vice President in Europe. He was the first young person from Aberdeen to be elected as one of JCI’s vice-presidents at the 2013 annual World Congress in Rio de Janeiro. A qualified accountant who lives in the city’s west

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end, Steven also previously served as JCI Scotland National President.

Steven has been a member of JCI Aberdeen since 2008 and was local president in 2011. He said: “I am honoured to have been elected to the board. Even just to be nominated at such a high level was a great achievement, so I am delighted to have secured such a position.”

Steven and his colleagues will lead positive change in their assigned roles, with 17 Vice Presidents, four Executive Vice Presidents, the General Legal Counsel, the Treasurer, the Immediate Past President and the JCI President.

BUSINESS NEWS

Scots Trust Local Businesses More In Scotland, 85% of people trust ‘local businesses’ People in Scotland have a dramatically higher level of trust in businesses in their area than they do in UK business as a whole.

The CBI’s Great Business Debate (its campaign to increase public trust in business) has published a YouGov survey of over 4000 people, including 566 in Scotland. It shows that, when people’s feelings about businesses are determined by their direct experience, they are overwhelmingly positive but that this often fails to translate into support for business generally.

In Scotland, 85% of people trust ‘local businesses’ (firms in their vicinity, big or small, that they interact with) compared with 58% who trust business overall. That matches a pattern for the whole of the UK, where the figures were 81% and 57%.

The CBI is encouraging individuals to recognise that contradiction and calling on businesses to go further in strengthening their engagement with the areas where they operate. It is also calling on businesses to tell the bigger story of their contribution to communities, jobs and investment more

convincingly. Andrew Palmer, CBI Scotland director, said: “Businesses here have a job to do using the warmth felt for them at a local level to improve feelings about UK business as a whole.

“When people have direct experience of companies, for example as customers or employees, it’s overwhelmingly good and trust is high as a result. But opinions about business generally seem to have less solid roots. These views are more likely to be influenced by things people read or hear at second hand and are a lot less positive.

“As part of the CBI’s trust-in-business campaign, The Great Business Debate, we’re challenging individuals to think about the contradiction in how they perceive businesses locally and business generally.

We’re also calling on firms in Scotland to build on the positive engagement they already have in the areas where they operate and to tell more convincingly the story of their impact on jobs, investment and taxes which is felt in communities all over the country.”

In Scotland more than two thirds of people (67%) agree they are more likely to trust a

business with a strong presence in their area while only 6% feel local businesses don’t have a positive impact on their locality.

Other key findings for Scotland include: 59% agree local businesses often support other businesses in the area by sourcing locally – only 11% disagree 54% agree businesses in my area are proud to be part of the community – only 7% disagree Creating and supporting local jobs is the main thing people in Scotland say ‘local businesses’ should be doing more of to build trust (69%), followed by providing good customer service (64%).

The trust-building action they want more of from ‘national businesses’ (firms big and small operating across the UK) is similar – jobs 68% and service 68%.

The CBI’s Great Business Debate wants to hear the widest possible range of views. Anyone can go to the website greatbusinessdebate.co.uk to leave comments or follow on Twitter @bizdebate

Escape Group Purchase New HQ “It’s been an immensely successful few months for Escape” Aberdeen-based Escape Group, the energyfocused IT provider, has moved into a new north-east headquarters after a successful third quarter.

The new base, situated on Albyn Terrace in the city’s West End, has been purchased by the group for a seven-figure sum. The premises are run by experienced staff and form the hub for supporting Escape’s customers’ growing demands.

Escape has also successfully secured contracts with a number of new clients, including ANM Group, Siccar Point Energy, Rae Capital and Dron & Dickson.

Graeme Gammie (pictured), operations director for Escape Business Technologies, said: “It’s been an immensely successful few months for Escape, with our office move bringing an opportunity for further growth both in Aberdeen and as the base for our international operations.”

As a result of its growing portfolio of clients and to support the needs of client requirements, the IT provider has recruited a further six members of staff.

This includes new account management personnel, engineers and senior engineers, taking the total staff number to 35, comprising of consultants, engineers,

finance and account management staff across its offices in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Caithness.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Business Confidence in Europe Hit Companies under pressure as growth outlook drops 16% since Q1 2014 Executive confidence in Europe has dropped for the third consecutive quarter as expectations for company and industry growth continue to slide.

Fewer than six in ten (58%) of business leaders are anticipating top line growth in the next 12 months, down from 74% in the first quarter of 2014, according to research among over 1000 executives by memberbased advisory company, CEB. There are a number of factors behind the drop in confidence, including the rouble collapse and the impact of sanctions imposed on Russia, particularly in countries like Germany, which are dependent on Russian exports. Current EU sanctions include restrictions on trade with Russia’s energy, defence and financial sectors.

The energy sector has been the most badly affected, hit by investor uncertainty as oil prices continue to fall, while the telecoms and financial services sectors are close

behind. Companies are also putting the brakes on hiring new staff, with 24% of executives expecting total headcount to increase, compared to 30% last quarter.

This is significantly lower than in the US, where almost twice as many executives (43%) expect to see more new hires in the next year.

Paul Dennis, senior director at CEB, said: “The start of last year was the most optimistic we have seen European business leaders for the last three years. However, that confidence has been steadily eroded.

This is partly as a result of geopolitical tensions and sanctions on Russia starting to take their toll.

“Companies that depend highly on Russian exports, as well as those which are directly dependent on the oil industry – such as petrol services, are going to find the 2015 planning processes particularly challenging.”

There’s storage...

Finance departments are also expected to struggle with managing internal costs in this environment, especially as most overhead functional spend is currently growing faster than revenues.

Dennis continued: “It’s not just a case of a lack of confidence in one particular area – it’s really across the board. The outlook for new orders, production and capacity levels have all declined, while expectations for consumer confidence also deteriorated considerably this quarter.

“Today’s businesses are more nimble than ever when it comes to reacting quickly to wider economic signals. Agility is vital to success in these fast-paced times, but we must hope a drop-off in confidence on this scale does not become a self-fulfilling prophecy, making a double or even tripledip recession a reality for Europe.”

and then there’s really BIG

STORAGE

With over 15,300 sq ft of racked storage we probably fit into the latter category.

For anything that you need to store try Shore Porters’ commercial storage facility. With 15,300 sq ft of racked storage conveniently situated just a stone’s throw from Aberdeen Harbour, we’re ideally placed for all your storage needs.

If it fits on a pallet, we can store it.

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01224 569 569 shoreporters.com

BUSINESS FEATURE

Enterprising Conference Proves Delegates Can ‘Make It Happen’ ‘Making It Happen’ conference, one of four flagship events in UK for Global Entrepreneurship Week, saw five inspiring speakers talk to delegates about their experiences More than 600 small business owners, students

and

aspiring

entrepreneurs

gathered at the AECC for one of the North East’s biggest enterprising conferences.

This year’s Enterprise North East Trust (now

Elevator)

‘Making

It

Happen’

conference, which took place as one of four flagship events in the UK for Global Entrepreneurship Week, saw five inspiring speakers take to the stage to address the audience.

Keynote speaker, record-breaking roundthe-world

cyclist

and

ultra-endurance

adventurer Mark Beaumont (pictured), was joined by Ben Iravani, owner of Monkey Bars Aberdeen Ltd; Chris McCann, founder and chief executive of snap40; Grant Keenan, managing director of Keenan Recycling; and David Townsend of Town Rock Energy during the event. Andrew Devenport, chief executive of Youth Enterprise International and head of Global Entrepreneurship, also addressed the audience.

Each presenter gave informative talks about their business background, in between inspiring notes from host Dee Bleakley from Tree of Knowledge, and delegates were given the opportunity to ask the speakers questions and invited to take part in polls throughout the event.

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BUSINESS NEWS

NE Tech Firm Invests in Pioneering Product “This year, we have been focused on driving our Intrinsix product” The integrated software, which is available as a complete solution or in separate modules, provides a fully managed programme to record information, capture inspection and maintenance results, and manage and track clients’ materials and equipment across the world. The system is set to benefit a range of industries, including oil and gas, renewables, nuclear, petrochemical, chemical, utilities, pharmaceutical and manufacturing.

Arnlea Systems, which recently expanded by doubling its office space with a move to Johnstone House in Aberdeen, has built on the success of its existing products to create Intrinsix, a mobile and auto-ID technology system combining all the firm’s innovative products, enabling clients to manage their supply chain and operations more effectively and safely from warehouse to field operations.

It utilises mobile and AIDC (automatic

identification and data capture) technology to support inventory, logistics and operations management, and is aimed at transforming the process of capturing data and managing assets.

The comprehensive supply chain and operations management product set has been designed by Arnlea’s in-house team, which has tripled to 30 in the last year to support the growth and development of the company.

Arnlea Systems managing director, Allan Merritt (pictured), said: “This year, we have been focused on driving our Intrinsix product, which will help to provide tangible benefits for our clients, with more control of their assets, increased operational efficiency, regulatory compliance benefits and costs savings, whilst also improving safety.

“Intrinsix essentially helps to bridge the gap between clients’ office-based corporate operational data and the ‘coalface’, using handheld technology to transform the way operational tasks are performed, helping to optimise their inspection and repair process, ensure compliance with industry regulations and manage assets during the entire life cycle.”

Aiken Group Division Reports Overseas Demand Aiken Burke is actively seeking new opportunities in global markets Aberdeen-based Aiken Group has announced that its newest division is experiencing an upturn in overseas business.

The company’s Aiken Burke arm was launched in 2014 to further enhance the group’s synergistic approach to business.

Since becoming operational, Aiken Burke has experienced considerable interest from overseas markets, particularly Singapore, South Korea and Japan.

Aiken Burke specialises in commercial and contract consultancy, and schedule

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delay analysis. The core of the business is ensuring dynamic project controls to increase efficiency and avoid disputes, with a particular focus on the oil and gas and heavy engineering industries. It is headed by Richard Burke who brings to the role more than two decades of experience gained in numerous locations around the world.

Richard Burke said: “In line with Aiken Group’s ambitions, Aiken Burke is actively seeking new opportunities in global markets and we are very pleased with

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our progress so far. We look forward to continuing to build on our work to date, and to playing a part in the group’s future growth ambitions.”

Aiken Group managing director, Danny Donald added: “Aiken Burke is already proving to be a valuable addition to the company, further emphasising the importance of creating synergy between the various parts of our enterprise and underlining our ethos of being a ‘one-stop shop’ for the industry.”

BUSINESS NEWS

Key Ingredients for Success Skills development key priority for business and education in 2015 changers. This book comes at an important time, when skills have become all the more important for business, government and our communities.

With the publication of the Scottish Government report Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce, educational chiefs and business leaders have been thinking long and hard about how they can help more learners transition easily into the workplace and also help bridge skills gaps. Sir Ian Wood’s report was published just before a key book launched in Scotland to tackle that very issue. The Art of Achievement, launched in 2014, is already receiving praise and plaudits from readers in both education and industry.

Skills development is set to remain a key priority in 2015 for business and education.

A new book aims to bridge the gap by taking clear success stories demonstrating skill development straight from industry to learners, from school leavers to career

“Skill development had interested my co-author, Kevin Murphy, and I since we were at university,” explained Neil McLennan at a launch event for the book in Aberdeenshire. “We came through university and frequently commented on

the lack of job-ready skills that were being truly developed.”

Neil continued: “We had met restaurant owner and chef Craig Wilson at Eat on The Green at various charity events. After a meal there, we got talking with Craig about putting something back into the community and growing fresh talent. His enthusiasm and ideas immediately struck a chord.

On leaving the restaurant I immediately called Kevin to say we had our next case study lined up for our new book, The Art of Achievement.”

A year on and the book is now complete and has had successful launch events at the Gleneagles Hotel, Eat on the Green restaurant and in Edinburgh. The book is currently available for purchase at www. bit.ly/skills4success and is also available on Amazon and via US outlet Barnes and Noble.

Safety Leadership Conference a Great Success High attendance at International Oil & Gas Safety Leadership Conference at RGU, Aberdeen The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen hosted the International Oil & Gas Safety Leadership Conference on 28 January, with a little under 100 of the industry’s leading practitioners and academics in attendance.

The event, jointly run between oil and gas specialist, Embrion, and the university, saw nine professors from universities across the UK and Europe give keynote presentations together with industry leaders, including Carol Benzie, managing director of Aberdeen Airport, and Les Linklater from Step Change in Safety.

Subjects ranged from ‘Safety Leadership: What do we know works?’ to ‘The role of the OIM in safety leadership’.

Following the presentations, delegates attended a series of workshops, including ‘Measuring & developing safety leadership in practice’ presented by Professor Jonathan Passmore, managing director of Embrion, who co-organised the event.

He commented: “The event was a great success, with a high level of attendance and participation by delegates. The feedback following the event has been excellent, reflecting on the quality of speakers and subjects covered, aimed at improving safety outcomes across the oil and gas industry.”

Throughout the event, delegates also gained the valuable opportunity to network with colleagues from across the industry, in addition to talking directly with the experts

present, giving them valuable insights and alternate viewpoints on the subject of safety leadership in high performance cultures.

For more information, visit: www.embrion.co.uk

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2015

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15

ENERGY

£7 Million Contracts Boost for Maritime Developments Specialist back-deck equipment provider broadens product portfolio Specialist back-deck equipment provider

international client. It is the third winch

Maritime Developments has won contracts

package provided to the client to support

worth in the region of £7 million and

product handling at a number of locations

broadened its product portfolio.

around the world, with a fourth scheduled for delivery later this year. Each package

The company has secured the first order for

also features a Maritime Developments

its innovative portable overside vertical lay

10-tonne overbender tensioner.

system (PVLS) from a leading installation contractor. Maritime Developments will

The order brings the value of electrically

deliver a bespoke vertical lay system tower

driven items of deck machinery delivered

along with a four-track tensioner to support

by the business since it set up an electrical

a major North Sea field development.

department in 2012 to more than £12

The

business

has

also

delivered

million.

a

package of 10 winches, ranging from five-

For

tonne to 40-tonne specifications, for an

maritimedevelopments.co.uk

further

information,

visit

www.

Alphastrut Awarded Six-Figure Contract with Det Norske Alphastrut already installed in number of North Sea assets and global reach continues to grow access flooring on the Ivar Aasen Northern

David Lawson, managing director of

North Sea development.

Alphastrut, said: “We are pleased to be

The Alphastrut system will cover a total

awarded this significant contract with Det

of 450 m and was selected for its ability

Norske and it is extremely promising to see

to offer a sub-floor cable management

that the full potential and capabilities of

system. Alphastrut is the only raised access

Alphastrut are being recognised within the

flooring system in the world which allowed

industry.

2

for the requirement of three layers of cable management, each separated by a 30-mm

“Alphastrut has already been installed in a

gap, to aid air conditioning.

number of North Sea assets and its global

The system is being fabricated by SMOE

reach continues to grow. The potential weight and cost savings offered by the

Leading provider of aluminium support

in its Singapore yard and is expected to be

systems to the global offshore industry,

integrated into the asset in the first quarter

system are huge, and we are confident

Alphastrut, has been awarded a six-figure

of 2015. As part of the deal, Alphastrut will

that Alphastrut will fast become the go-to

contract with Det Norske to provide raised

also provide on-call support and training.

support system for the offshore industry.”

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February Issue

2015

business-now.co.uk

ENERGY

EFC Group Completes £1.3m Contract with Chinese Shipyard “EFC aims for this to be the start of a strong relationship with DSIC” EFC Group has completed a £1.3-million

upgrades and new-builds alike. It is also a

contract to design and build a BOP and

significant project that’s been supported by

diverter control system for China-based

our manufacturing base in Forres, which

Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Offshore Co (DSIC Offshore).

The system is installed onboard DSIC’s newbuild jack-up drilling rig, JU2000E-13. DSIC

gives us the additional capacity required to undertake projects of this scale.

“EFC aims for this to be the start of a strong

is supplying the rig to drilling contractor

relationship with DSIC. In the new-build

Apexindo, where it will be known as ‘Tasha’.

market as a whole, we know there is high

Bob Will, CEO at EFC Group, said: “This

demand on shipyards and their current

is a major contract for EFC, continuing

vendors to deliver on time and on budget,

our growth plan to become a world-class

and we have invested in our facilities and

leader in control systems for both rig

resources to support this.”

Leading Well Management Specialist Prepares for Expansion “Although 2015 is going to be challenging, there is a great deal of satisfaction in the foundations which have been set throughout the year.”

February marks one year since the

Contract wins and successful projects

Aberdeen-based business, Applied Drilling

with operators including Iona, National

Technology International Limited (ADTI),

Grid, OMV, JX Nippon, GDF Suez, Tullow

was acquired by private equity house Sun

Oil, Ithaca Energy, Parkmead Group and

European Capital Partners from Transocean and the well management market leader has ambitious plans for 2015.

ADTI plans to launch its first permanent overseas office in Norway early this year. A presence in Norway will allow the company to expand its international presence

Oranje-Nassau Energie in the last year have provided a springboard for 2015.

Andrew

Stannard

(pictured),

CEO

of

ADTI, said: “Although 2015 is going to be challenging, there is a great deal of satisfaction in the foundations which have

and the company is looking forward to

been set throughout the year. Our highly

working with existing customers as well

skilled and experienced staff will continue

as developing new relationships in this

to be at the heart of the business, ensuring

exciting market.

we deliver quality on every project.”

February Issue

2015

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17

ENERGY

SPE Aberdeen and Subsea UK Launch New Website “We are delighted to support the launch of Inside Industry” Careers guidance, along with maths and science teachers attended the launch event at the Drilling and Advanced Rig Training (DART) Facility in Robert Gordon University’s Riverside East building. The teachers received demonstrations of the Inside Industry website and also took part in offshore avatar rides and drilling experiences on the facility’s simulators.

SPE Aberdeen Section chairman, Ross Lowdon, said: “We are delighted to support the launch of Inside Industry. This is a fantastic tool for the energy industry and will act as a key support and knowledge source for attracting students to a career in this sector.”

More than 15 teachers from across north-

Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen Section and

east Scotland attended the launch of

Subsea UK, Inside Industry has been

Inside Industry in December, a new career

developed to provide students with first-

guidance website for secondary schools

class industry-driven careers information

and colleges across the UK, targeted specifically towards the energy industry.

Supported by the Society of Petroleum

and advice, providing an overview of jobs available and the entry routes to these career options.

Inside Industry is the only tool of its kind, focused on providing first-class industrydriven career information and advice, and is available exclusively to those working in academia. Over the coming months, additional industries and their career opportunities will be identified and added to the website following the initial energy industry launch.

Clearwater Fire Solutions Invest in New Headquarters “The opening of our Altens headquarters was a sensible strategic decision” Specialist

and

the team to conduct thorough research

affordable solutions to corrosion issues,

offshore deluge flow assurance services,

provider

of

onshore

and development of new deluge system

which ultimately cause nozzle blockages

Clearwater Fire Solutions, announced its

descaling processes, whilst also enabling

– now commonly seen in deluge systems

move to new Altens-based headquarters,

testing and upgrading of new tooling on-

aboard many of the North Sea’s ageing

which incorporates an on-site test facility

site.

assets. “Since then the business has

in order to conduct real-time mechanical and chemical descaling demonstrations and allow scope for future research and development with the company’s corrosion removal technologies.

The

to

Turl,

director

at

Clearwater,

comments: “The opening of our Altens headquarters was a sensible strategic decision, taken to accommodate the team as it grows whilst increasing our visibility in

of fire deluge services – from design, installation and testing to inspection, descaling and replacement, so we are rapidly expanding and actively recruiting to facilitate the work.”

the market, both in the UK and overseas.

2,000-square foot facility in Braehead

From the outset we identified a gap in

For more information on Clearwater Fire

Centre, Blackness Avenue, will allow

the market to offer clients practicable yet

Solutions, visit www.clearwater-fire.com

February Issue

the

actively progressed to offer a full range

approximately

18

move

Andrew

2015

business-now.co.uk

ENERGY

Reftrade UK Takes Market Lead as It Expands Fleet Reftrade UK is only supplier of refrigerated containers and temperaturecontrolled units owned and operated from Aberdeen

Aberdeen-based

Reftrade

UK

has

increased its fleet of refrigerated containers and temperature-controlled units for sale and lease to the offshore energy sector, following a highly successful period of international growth.

Reftrade UK has introduced 23 additional units to its rental fleet, which include four zoned containers that are available to the

European market, following an investment of over £500,000 by the Reftrade Group.

Greg Spence, managing director of Reftrade UK, said: “We have experienced significant interest in our range of refrigerated units across Europe, which has prompted us to increase our fleet by adding 23 new units this year to meet client demand.

Reftrade UK is the only supplier of

refrigerated containers and temperaturecontrolled units that is owned and operated from Aberdeen.

Greg continued: “The Reftrade UK product range is constantly evolving in line with client requirements. I am confident that our increased and improved range of containers will appeal to new and existing clients.”

Contract Win: Total E&P UK Limited “We are delighted to be working with Total again” Bibby Offshore, the leading provider

construction support vessel (‘CSV’) Olympic

of subsea installation and inspection,

Ares – to deliver the services between July

repair and maintenance (IRM) services

and September 2015. This is the latest

to the offshore oil and gas industry, has

of a series of subsea services that Bibby

announced a multi-million pound contract

Offshore has undertaken for Total in the

award by Total E&P UK Limited (‘Total’) for

North Sea since 2003.

services in the UKCS. The project, including associated project management and engineering, will be carried out on the Ellon and Grant field, located 270 miles north-east of Aberdeen and in water depths of up to 135 metres.

Barry

MacLeod

(pictured),

managing

director – UKCS, commented: “We are delighted to be working with Total again to support their operations in the North Sea. Our longstanding relationship of over 10 years is a demonstration of our ability

The scopes will see Total utilise two of

to consistently and successfully deliver

Bibby Offshore’s vessels – the dive-support

complex and challenging projects for our

vessel (‘DSV’) Bibby Polaris and the

clients.”

February Issue

2015

business-now.co.uk

19

ENERGY

Reef Subsea Completes £80m Installation Project Delivery of project also saw Reef Subsea award significant services to number of companies included some significant milestones. One of these was the £5-million investment in specialised subsea equipment, including a cable lay spread and an SMD-built HDIA Plough, which was designed, built and used in the first instance for the project. As a burial method, ploughing has often been overlooked in favour of other solutions but, by introducing the HDIA Plough and trusting in the technology, Reef Subsea demonstrated that ploughing is an efficient and effective method of cable burial.

Reef Subsea has successfully completed its campaign of installing and burying inter-array power cables on the Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm. The wind farm is owned by RWE Innogy and partners, and is one of the largest in the world, located 13 kilometres off the North Wales coast in Liverpool Bay.

of 124 inter-array cables over the course of 20 months. Gwynt y Môr is not only a landmark achievement for the UK renewables industry, but it is also the largest project Reef Subsea has completed to date and will be used as a benchmark against forthcoming offshore wind farm projects.

The work scope included project management, engineering and installation

For Reef Subsea, the project has been a fundamental part of the last two years and

In addition, the delivery of the project saw Reef Subsea award significant services to a number of companies, including the provision of crew transfer vessels, diving and cable installation support and supply of cable protection. The project employed upwards of 250 people per day at the height of construction and has made a significant contribution to the renewables subsea industry.

RWE expects that the wind farm will be fully operational in early 2015 and will supply power for up to 400,000 homes.

Cromarty Firth Million-Pound Contract for Scottish Civil Engineering Firm “This high-profile project is further proof of DFL’s increasing reputation for successful large civil engineering projects” Daviot Farms Limited (DFL) has secured a multi-million pound contract to assist in the expansion of the Invergordon Service Base.

The company, which is headquartered in Inverness, is progressing with the initial reclamation work on phase three of the Port of Cromarty Firth development.

energy sector. DFL, which employees over 150 personnel, was awarded the contract by McLaughlin & Harvey. DFL will be responsible for forming a rock fill and armour stone revetment to allow the creation of a heavy load quay and concrete deck.

The project includes the reclamation of nine acres of sea to increase capacity and facilitate the developing renewable

DFL will quarry in excess of 135,000t of rock and utilise its GPS-directed machinery to create a rock structure.

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February Issue

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DFL director, Ian Phillips, said: “This highprofile project is further proof of DFL’s increasing reputation for successful large civil engineering projects.

“The Invergordon Service Base expansion is an important development for the north of Scotland as the Port of Cromarty Firth continues its evolution to become a modern, high-functioning port capable of accommodating large vessels.”

ENERGY

New Kids on the Block “This model works for the client because they are able to have greater control of the costs, and also benefit from the experience and different perspective offered by a multi-national approach. That means that we always have the right people for the job.”

The company may be brand new to Aberdeen, but Ramboll is a household name in its native Denmark. From roads infrastructure to renewables to oil and gas, there is hardly an industry that Ramboll’s team of 12,500 engineers, designers and management consultants has not had experience in delivering.

With major UK projects, including the creation of the replacement crossing over the Firth of Forth and the Crossrail development to upgrade rail transport in London, it’s perhaps surprising that the company is not better known on these shores.

But with the launch of a permanent base for Ramboll Oil & Gas UK in Aberdeen, that could be set to change. The division may be small; however, managing director Tim Martin says that its connections to in-house consultants around the globe means that it can punch well above its weight.

He explains: “When we first arrived here in the North East, it was fair to say that, despite the scale of Ramboll as a global operation, very few people had heard about us. Ramboll has huge breadth of capability, such as designing over 50% of the world’s offshore wind projects, and designing the world’s deepest 36” offshore pipeline, but our name flies under the radar.

“It’s only been six months since we set up in Aberdeen, but people are now starting to sit up and take notice because they see that we can do things differently. We combine global knowledge with local presence: While the team here in Aberdeen will manage our operations in the UKCS and will be client facing, any number of consultants from our global team could be involved in delivery.

“This model works for the client because they are able to have greater control of the costs, and also benefit from the experience

and different perspective offered by a multi-national approach. That means that we always have the right people for the job.”

He believes that the firm’s arrival in Aberdeen has come at just the right time for the industry, with the future of work in the North Sea requiring reduced costs and increased collaboration – skills that Ramboll has already demonstrated in other global oil and gas arenas to deliver value.

“As we move forward into a new phase of activity in the North Sea, it is clear that there is a need to challenge conventional approaches to developing projects and performing modifications and maintenance, and provide clients with a choice away from having to perform all the work with overinflated costs,” continues Tim. “What we are offering – a local presence in Aberdeen, backed up by a worldwide workforce of over 12,500 people in 300 offices in over 30 countries, with deep capability across all phases of projects and expertise in topsides, subsea and onshore

– is unique. I do not believe that anyone in the city can offer this integrated service under one roof.”

An early success for the company in the Aberdeen office is the award of the detailed design contract for the Culzean wellhead jacket by Maersk Oil UK. It represents Ramboll’s first major involvement in the field, and is the largest substructure designed by Ramboll for the North Sea. The scope of work comprises the detailed design of the wellhead jacket, associated piles and appurtenances, including seafastening. The platform stands in 90m water depth.

Tim adds: “It’s a flagship project for Ramboll Oil & Gas, and shows the depth of experience and capabilities within the team.”

In addition to its new office in Aberdeen for the UK division, Ramboll Oil & Gas has bases in Denmark, Norway, Russia, India, Qatar, Abu Dhabi (UAE), and the USA. For further information, visit: www.ramboll.com/oil-gas

February Issue

2015

business-now.co.uk

21

Finalists Announced for the 2015 Offshore Achievement Awards

ENERGY

“These awards are a great platform for companies and individuals to gain recognition” Recognising some of the UK offshore industry’s strongest talent, the shortlist for the 2015 Offshore Achievement Awards has been announced.

Sponsored by TAQA in association with rigzone.com, the annual awards are organised and hosted by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen Section and recognise exceptional performance across a range of categories. The 12 awards celebrate individual achievements, company performance and significant innovations in safety and technology.

Ian Phillips, SPE Aberdeen director and chief executive of the Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, said: “The 2015 Offshore Achievement Awards have again attracted an exceptionally high calibre of entrants and we are delighted to announce the very strong line-up of finalists this year. Once again, judges were impressed by the talent and performance demonstrated in the UK offshore industry.

“These awards are a great platform for companies and individuals to gain recognition and this year we have had more entries than ever.

There was a particular increase

in nominations in the Emerging Technology and Small Company categories, which is extremely encouraging. It is vital to the longevity of the energy industry that new technologies are continually being developed and new, smaller players often play a key role in this innovation.” “We are also pleased to announce the shortlist for this year’s new category, Outstanding Graduate Programme, and are confident that the initiatives devised by each company will inspire others to ‘grow their own’ skilled personnel.”

The 2015 Offshore Achievement Awards finalists are: Innovator (sponsored by Maersk Oil) • Expro North Sea •Proserv • Return to Scene • WEB Rigging Services Emerging Technology (sponsored by Nexen) • Churchill Drilling Tools • Delphian Ballistics • Paradigm Flow Services Safety Innovations (sponsored by Met Office) • Nautronix • Senscient • The Survitec Group Environmentalist (sponsored by TWMA) • CETCO Energy Services • Paradigm Flow Services • Sureclean Export Achievement • Alba Power • Tekmar Energy • Wireline Engineering (pictured) Working Together (sponsored by OPITO) • Decom North Sea • Maersk Oil • Senscient Outstanding Graduate Programme (sponsored by Robert Gordon University) • ACE Winches • Maersk Oil • Petrofac Offshore Projects and Operations

Young Professional (sponsored by Nalco Champion) • Brendan Forbes, Sparrows Group • Rory Gregor, Petrofac • Murray Kerr, SengS Subsea Engineering Solutions Inspiring Leader (sponsored by MOL Group) • Murray Kerr, SengS Subsea Engineering Solutions • Mal Lowe, Petrofac • Dr Liane Smith, Wood Group Intetech Great Small Company (sponsored by Wood Group PSN) • ASET International Oil & Gas Training Academy • Merlin ERD • SengS Subsea Engineering Solutions Great Large Company (sponsored by Offshore Europe Partnership) • Aker Solutions • Proserv • Stork Significant Achievement (sponsored by Aker Solutions) Announced at the ceremony

More than 500 industry professionals are expected to attend the awards ceremony, taking place at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) on Thursday 12 March 2015.

For more information and booking details, please visit www.spe-oaa.org

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February Issue

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I.T.

Evoke Raises IT Standard Fast-growing company has passion for quality service Evoke IT is a young, fast-growing company with a passion for quality service, innovative products and a simple but effective approach. The fifteen-strong team has recently relocated to new offices in Carden Place, where they specialise in bespoke software development and have more SharePoint resources than any other company in Scotland. This ambitious team is the only IT company in the North East to offer services in Office 365, CRM, Yammer, Delve Azure and, of course, SharePoint. Skills include training, contracting, development and support to improve communications and workflow efficiency, primarily in the oil and gas sector, although they have the ability to work with all types of companies and industries.

Microsoft Gold partnership status, an award that recognises their Microsoft skills and ability, is evidence of their capability to execute their services to a very high standard. Testament to their approach can also be found in the high-calibre businesses they have worked with, such as Stewart Milne and Bilfinger Salamis.

Through training, Evoke IT will demonstrate how your staff will not only be more willing to use SharePoint, but they will also be much

more productive in their day-to-day jobs. A basic level of training can have teams working faster and more consistently together.

Team members can see and understand the benefits, which include making their jobs easier and helping them complete tasks and find information much faster. There is a variety of courses to suit all levels of knowledge and aptitude. Start with the basics, then move on to more specific training to suit individuals’ requirements, or choose a custom training programme that can be tailored to the needs of your business.

As part of their commitment to development, this company is offering a new two-year graduates programme commencing in May, allowing successful applicants the opportunity to become Certified Microsoft Developers. There will also be a second intake in September.

Evoke IT are equipped with a development, support, training and marketing team who have the ability, commitment and experience to overcome any challenge you can throw at them. As a team they make sure your product and system are efficient, effective and easy to use.

Evoke IT is a fast growing and ambitious company with a passion for quality service, innovative products and a simple approach. We have more SharePoint resources than any other company in Scotland and are the only IT company in the North East to offer services in SharePoint, Office 365, Yammer, CRM, Delve and Azure.

We offer the following services for these Microsoft Products: • Development • Contractors • Support • Training W e pride ourselves on our Microsoft Gold Partnership status, an award which recognises our Microsoft certified services and ability to execute our services to a very high standard.

To find out how we can help you with your Microsoft Application, contact us today!

46 Carden Place, Aberdeen, AB10 1UP T | 01224 531130

E | info@evokeit.com

W | www.evokeit.com

February Issue

2015

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23

BUSINESS FEATURE

New Centre is Elevator to Success

Elevator has created Scotland’s first Centre for Entrepreneurship as part of vision to build robust entrepreneurial culture in city, maximising individual and collective economic and social success on local, national and global scale they are the people who will go on to build companies of scale, creating employment and contributing to the growth of our local and national economies in the future.”

Elevator will host and deliver an innovative 20-week global business accelerator programme, one of the first of its kind in the UK, which will immerse high potential startups in an inspirational, entrepreneurial environment.

Targeting a range of industries including energy, technology and engineering, entrepreneurs selected for the Elevator Programme will have a range of access and support to recreate a year of learning in a few months, boosting and accelerating their growth potential.

Elevator’s Centre for Entrepreneurship boasts advanced technology, connecting it to 55 global accelerator programmes, allowing north-east entrepreneurs to participate in events and access help and advice on a worldwide scale.

The North East is set to become a beacon for entrepreneurship across Scotland with the launch of an outstanding £1 million project to propel early-stage global businesses onto a fast-track growth curve.

Professor of Entrepreneurship, Gary McEwan (pictured), has highlighted the creation of a Centre for Entrepreneurship as a key factor in safeguarding the future of the economy and further afield as the region continues to face the prospect of a declining oil and gas industry.

The new centre has been unveiled at The Hub in the city’s Energy Park at the Bridge of Don, alongside a fresh brand for leading Scottish business support and development organisation Enterprise North East Trust, which has been rebranded as Elevator.

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February Issue

2015

Elevator has created Scotland’s first Centre for Entrepreneurship as part of the vision to build a robust entrepreneurial culture in the city, maximising individual and collective economic and social success on a local, national and global scale.

With assistance from Aberdeen City Council, Elevator won a capital grant from the Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) as part of the super-connected cities initiative to create an outstanding space to encourage entrepreneurial spirit and attract global talent to the city.

Mr McEwan, chief executive of Elevator, said: “As challenges in employment arise in the energy sector, it is more important than ever that we work to create and develop top-class emerging entrepreneurs, as

business-now.co.uk

The centre will be the new home for employability programmes, communitydriven projects, and a space were school, college and university students can learn about enterprise and entrepreneurship. Mr McEwan, who was awarded an Honorary Professorship by the University of Dundee earlier this year, was inspired to create the Aberdeen facility and the accelerator programme to replicate the support offered to entrepreneurs through world-class facilities, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston’s Babson College of Entrepreneurship and Activa in Barcelona.

He continued: “It’s been estimated that, if the UK was as entrepreneurial as the United States, it would have nearly a million more firms, and we need to begin to realise the potential in our entrepreneurs and give them the support they need to grow

BUSINESS FEATURE and develop our economy. “All successful cities have a beacon of entrepreneurship at their centre. Previously, there was no such beacon in Aberdeen City or Shire.

We have now created a nucleus with the Centre of Entrepreneurship to develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem that will thrive in the future.

“We want to attract the best talent from across the globe to Aberdeen, and Elevator will offer them the best working environment and expertise to start their entrepreneurial journey.”

Elevator will also continue to deliver Business Gateway programmes for Grampian and Tayside, helping 2500 potential new starts a year launch a business.

The accelerator programme is set to welcome its first participants this month (February), and entrepreneurs and businesses are being urged to apply for selection as soon as possible. Email Accelerator@elevatoruk.com for an application form.

“All successful cities have a beacon of entrepreneurship at their centre.

Previously, there was no such beacon in Aberdeen City or Shire.”

Lift an Elevator Award

The Elevator Awards 2015, previously known as The Grampian Awards for Business Excellence, are open for registration for people eager to reach the highest heights in business recognition.

The awards, which are organised by Elevator, and supported by headline sponsors RBS Ahead for Business, seek to encourage enterprise and entrepreneurship by elevating companies and individuals that are capable of leading the future prosperity of Grampian.

If you would like to enter for one of the awards, registration forms can be completed online at: www.elevatorawards.com Application entries must be submitted online by 5pm on Friday 6 March 2015.

The black tie awards ceremony will be held at the Mercure Aberdeen Ardoe House Hotel on Thursday 25 June 2015.

February Issue

2015

business-now.co.uk

25

I.T.

Defending Business in Cyberspace “In general, clients are very surprised to find that they have been or could be the victim of a cyber-attack” the theft of intellectual property – a figure that should sound alarm bells ringing for Aberdeen’s energy-focused companies.

Innovation, particularly in relation to new technology and tools that exploit the North’s oil and renewable energy resources, is at the industry’s beating heart.

Mark adds: “Some people might question the logic behind setting up an operation like this in Aberdeen, but in actual fact there is nowhere more relevant than this oil-rich city. The level of IP being developed and the sheer volume of money going through Aberdeen is all open to huge amounts of fraud.”

FBI director Robert Mueller once boldly declared: “There are only two types of companies: those that have been hacked and those that will be. Even that is merging into one category: those that have been hacked and will be again.”

Businesses, particularly those within the SME sector, could be forgiven for dismissing the statement as irrelevant.

After all, why would cyber criminals be interested in targeting them when they could be waging an electronic war against high-wealth global operators?

But the truth is that any business of any size could fall victim at any time. And in Aberdeen, a city thriving as the centre of Europe’s oil and gas industry and renowned as a powerhouse of the UK economy, the threat posed by hackers looms large.

It is estimated that more than 400 companies of varying sizes are operating within the energy sector in Aberdeen, working together to generate the £50.8 billion in tax revenue forecast by the Office for Budgetary Responsibility for the period 2010-2015.

With these kinds of figures, it’s easy to see why cyber criminals see the Granite City as a target. It’s the reason that IT services company Skibo Technologies launched a new dedicated information division, Skibo Secure. The firm conducts digital forensic investigations and advises clients how

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February Issue

2015

to protect commercially sensitive data, and offers security awareness training, consultancy and auditing, and solutions.

“In general, clients are very surprised to find that they have been or could be the victim of a cyber-attack,” explains managing director Mark Mair (pictured).

“There is a feeling that, because we enjoy relatively low levels of crime within the community here in the North East, that somehow transfers to our business community too.

“Although there is a huge emphasis on investigation, our work is just as much about education.”

“But technology allows a cyber-criminal to operate from anywhere in the world and in reality every commercial operation has something of interest to them, whether it is customer data, competition-sensitive information or commercial plans.”

A report commissioned by the government’s Office of Cyber Security and Information Assurance put the cost of cyber-crime to business in the UK at an estimated £27 billion per annum.

Firms are thought to lose £9.2 billion to

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Skibo Secure has worked on a number of cases where the threat to IP has come from internal rather than external sources, and has been responsible for carrying out the investigations that have uncovered the digital fingerprints that have been pivotal in evidence.

“In terms of our investigations, we have in place processes that withstand scrutiny at the highest level. The majority of investigations that we are involved with will, if they reach that stage, end up in the civil court. The evidence in civil cases has to be proven against the balance of probabilities, but we look at it from the criminal court perspective where the evidence has to be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

“Although there is a huge emphasis on investigation, our work is just as much about education. The criminals that businesses are most likely to be targeted by are those who hide behind computers: just as a crime prevention officer would advise companies how to increase security of their buildings to stop criminals breaking in, we advise them what they can do to stop people breaking in to their IT systems,” says Mark.

Based at 5 Rubislaw Place, Aberdeen, Skibo Secure delivers digital forensics investigations carried out in accordance with thorough processes laid down by the Association of Chief Police Officers. It also provides consultancy and auditing, solutions and training. For further information on Skibo Secure, visit www. skibosecure.com or call 01224 793970.

FINANCE

Bullish SMEs Outnumber Bears

by Nearly Three to One One in six of those who are negative blame poor financial health on lack of credit from banks Nearly three times as many SMEs in the UK are bullish about their businesses’ health compared with those who are bearish, according to research commissioned by Fleximize, the alternative finance company focusing on funding growing small businesses. But one in six (17%) of those who are bearish blame the poor health of their businesses on having been refused credit by their banks.

More than half (55%) of SMEs are positive about the financial health of their businesses, with 31% describing it as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. This compares with one in five (20%) who say that the financial health of their businesses is ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’.

The age group with most confidence in their businesses is the over-65s, of which 88% are positive, closely followed by 79% of those entrepreneurs aged 18-24. Those aged 35-44 were least confident, with only 36% positive about their businesses’ financial health.

Fleximize believes that this can be explained to some extent by 35- to 44-yearold SME owners probably being more pessimistic, after having suffered the most from the 2008-2012 crisis when their businesses were quite young and unstable.

Businesses currently owned by over-65s were probably more seasoned and stable in 2008 and perhaps weathered the crisis better. Businesses currently run by 18- to 24-year-olds were unlikely to have been around in 2008 and therefore have not experienced ‘doom and gloom’ yet.

Max Chmyshuk (pictured), founder and Managing Partner at Fleximize, says: “It is great that the majority of UK SMEs are showing confidence in their business. It

demonstrates that the entrepreneurial spirit in the UK is alive and well, and ready to play a key role in helping the economy return to robust growth. But for SMEs to do that they will need finance to support their growth initiatives. Traditional banks are currently falling short of what is needed in terms of funding them.

Fleximize’s analysis of industry data reveals that between April and June this year, small businesses applied for around £2 billion of loans and some £419 million was rejected. The corresponding figures for medium-sized businesses are £4.558 billion and £410 million.

“It is a shame that many SMEs feel that their businesses could be healthier if they had access to a cash injection, but cannot find a lender or an investor. They are postponing potentially profitable projects and get stuck in a vicious cycle of underperformance. Far too often banks turn them down for finance because of rigid underwriting models, which result in a ‘no’ at the slightest sign of instability, even if that happened a few years ago. At Fleximize we developed our own credit scoring system based on a more holistic assessment of companies, where we combine traditional credit analysis with numerous new data points that became available recently, such as an online seller’s history, buyers’ reviews/feedback, social media footprint…”

Fleximize predicts that alternative financing in the SME sector will see substantial growth as banks continue to demonstrate unwillingness to lend, while more and more SMEs become aware of the availability of alternative sources of funding. This growth will accelerate if the government makes it obligatory for banks to provide the details of companies they have rejected for funding to alternative providers of capital. The government is conducting consultations on the details of implementation for this initiative and is expected to announce conclusions within the next three months.

For further information, visit: www.fleximize.com or call 020 7100 0110.

• Business Start-ups • Mergers and Acquisitions • Retirement Strategies • Accounting • Taxation • Bookkeeping • VAT I N F I N I T Y PA R T N E R S H I P | 3 7 A L B E R T S T R E E T | A B E R D E E N A B 2 5 1 X U | 0 1 2 2 4 6 1 8 4 6 0

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FINANCE

Make the Most of New Pension Reforms and Tax Planning Derek Mitchell, tax director with Anderson Anderson & Brown LLP (A2+B) 2014 was a year of major announcements on pension reform, with new rules applying from April 2015 which impact on both pension and tax planning. In the near future we will enjoy increased flexibility and improvements to the taxation of our pensions, but as always understanding the rules and their effect is a complex matter.

Flexibility: The way in which people can access their pension has changed drastically. You now have complete flexibility to decide how and when to spend your pension pot, allowing you to draw your whole pension at once should you wish to do so. You can also nominate who you wish to receive any remaining pension pot.

Taxation: From April this ‘death tax’ on crystallised will be scrapped, with tax determined by the age individual passes away.

year, the 55% pension funds charged being at which the

Pre age 75: All remaining pension funds will be paid to your nominated beneficiaries free of all tax. Any pension funds remaining when your nominated beneficiaries pass away continue to be passed on tax-free.

Age 75 and above: Lump sum death benefits will be taxed at 45%, or the beneficiary can receive a pension, paying their own marginal rate of income tax. From April 2016, all death benefits paid will be taxed at the beneficiaries’ marginal rate of income tax (which could be lower than 45%).

Inheritance Tax planning: Where conventional advice may have been to utilise your pension pot in priority and to top up your income needs from other investments, your pension pot may now be the most tax-efficient asset in your estate, and a review of retirement financial planning is advisable. In addition, your wills

may contain provision for a Spousal Bypass Trust (a common method of preventing death benefits being exposed to IHT in the hands of a surviving spouse), which may no longer be appropriate.

These pension reforms really open up the possibilities in terms of access to pension savings and make pension saving a more attractive proposition. Historic financial planning and tax advice should be reviewed to maximise the benefits of these new provisions.

Derek Mitchell qualified as a chartered certified accountant before specialising in tax, qualifying as a chartered tax adviser in 2004. He joined A2+B’s private client team in 2006 as a tax manager, and was promoted to director in 2013.

Personalised tax planning for your future

email privateclient@aab.co.uk • www.aab.co.uk • 01224 625111

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FINANCE

Growth and Investment Strategy Maintains Forward Momentum for Johnston Carmichael “The last financial year was one of record investment in our business” Scotland’s largest independent firm of chartered accountants and business advisers, Johnston Carmichael, has reported double-digit growth in revenues to £36.8 million on the back of record levels of investment. The firm’s latest financial results for the year ended 31 May 2014 show 10% growth in turnover from £33.4 million to £36.8 million and a modest rise in net profit before member’s remuneration, which is up to £10.75 million compared with £10.57 million last year.

Announcing the results, Sandy Manson (pictured), chief executive of Johnston Carmichael, said: “The last financial year was one of record investment in our business. We hired more people than ever before, taking our total headcount to

beyond 600 as we increased the capability of every part of our business. While this investment has impacted our short-term profitability, we now have an ever-stronger platform from which to serve the expanding needs of our clients, both at home and abroad. This will enable us to continue to pursue our ambitious vision of being the accounting and advisory firm of choice in all our markets.

“Our corporate finance team in particular saw strong revenue growth throughout Scotland, while our wealth advisory business, Johnston Carmichael Wealth, broke through the £3 million revenue barrier for the first time, as we continued to benefit from our growing reputation as a trusted advisor in this important market.”

Personal Savings is Preferred Source of Finance for Home Businesses Personal savings, credit cards, and family and friends preferred over loans New research from Direct Line for Business1 reveals that 39% of home businesses have dipped into personal savings to fund shortterm cash requirements for their business.

When it comes to funding, a quarter (28%) have relied on friends, family and their partner, whilst one in five (22%) have even resorted to using their credit cards to help with short-term cash flow requirements.

Only one in ten (13%) of home businesses have taken out a loan to fund their ongoing operations.

A similar theme appears when analysing initial start-up funding for home businesses, where personal savings are again the favoured source of finance, with almost two thirds (63%) of home businesses choosing this option. Only three per cent of home-based start-ups have

taken advantage of government grants.

Family is important to the initial funding phase for small businesses, with 15% of owners being supported early on by their partner and six per cent depending on a ‘family round’ of finance.

The survey also revealed only six per cent take on a loan to start up their business, the same percentage as those who used a credit card to get their business up and running.

Jazz Gakhal, head of Direct Line for Business, commented: “Many people starting a home business do not even consider investigating traditional bank funding options. Owners of businesses often need relatively little start-up capital, so turn to those around them for help.

“Home businesses should actively research the sources of funding available to them. While initial funding from friends, family and using personal savings can help a business get off the ground, it is not a sustainable source of finance to efficiently grow a business.

“Relying on a friends-and-family network for finance can have the added pressure of not wanting to let down those that are close to you. As such, it is very important that home businesses protect this investment and help put personal worries to rest, too, through having the right insurance in place.

“It would be a shame if their investment in an otherwise promising enterprise was lost as a result of something easily insurable, such as loss of stock through fire or flooding.”

1 Research conducted by Consumer Intelligence among a representative sample of 273 UK home businesses between 18 September and 2 October 2014.

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FEATURE

In at the

Deep End As part of the 200-year-old Kongsberg Group, marine technology specialist Kongsberg Maritime Ltd has seen just about every major milestone in the offshore industry Q. What is the latest technological innovation pioneered by your company?

As the UK subsidiary of Norwegian company, Kongsberg Maritime, the firm delivers innovative and reliable technology solutions for customers in the offshore, subsea, merchant and naval markets.

Kongsberg Maritime has gone from strength to strength in the last decade, having moved into purpose-built premises at Westhill’s fast-growing Arnhall Business Park two years ago in response to a period of unprecedented growth.

The move brought together the company’s offshore division and maritime training centre under one roof, and the building contains some of the most advanced technical innovations in the UK. A bespoke test tank designed to minimise hydro-acoustic interference for maximum accuracy during equipment assessment, along with one of the most advanced dynamic positioning simulator’s on the

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market – K-Sim – are in high demand at the Westhill premises. Dave Shand (pictured far right), general manager Offshore for Kongsberg Maritime, reflects on the company’s key achievements and what lies ahead.

Q. How does Kongsberg Maritime Ltd operating revenues compare with other sectors in the group?

Kongsberg Maritime Ltd is one of the strongest performing companies in the group which, given the fact that Kongsberg Gruppen is operationally active across a range of global locations, is a significant achievement. The buoyancy of the North Sea sector over the past decade has clearly helped to strengthen that position.

However, we address other market sectors in the UK, including merchant shipping, marine research, renewables and defence, all of which benefit from our technology.

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We have many technological innovations across several areas in the company, therefore it is difficult to focus on one.

However, one of our key innovations is Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), including the vehicle sensors. We have pioneered AUV technology, through technology we have developed ourselves and through companies we have acquired, such as Hydroid in the USA. Kongsberg AUVs, such as the Hugin and Remus, have been used commercially in seabed mapping within both the oil and gas sector and marine research, and in naval defence applications. Underwater inspection is an application of AUV technology that could have huge implications for the offshore industry, particularly in deep water where an AUV could potentially inspect a pipeline by being launched from shore, thus saving vessel costs. This requires innovative advances in navigation, sensors, and launch and recovery technology, which Kongsberg has developed both within the company and in collaboration with our partners and customers.

Q. The oil industry was a major topic during the recent Referendum. What’s your view of the state of this sector now and in the future?

The industry is facing up to what will undoubtedly be a difficult period, particularly in the North Sea where operating costs have risen significantly over the past few years and are higher than many other geographic locations. Oil prices have fallen to the lowest levels since 2009

FEATURE and this, coupled with the high costs in the UKCS, is certainly not going to motivate investors to support the exploitation of what oil remains in the North Sea. The industry in the UK has to think and work differently. I think that we have been complacent in the UK at all levels – from government, operators, engineering contractors, service companies, and suppliers to the individual. I have been around long enough to experience several downturns, some of which the industry in the UK has survived without much change.

However, I think this time we have to make significant changes.

A factor in the high costs in the UKCS is high wages due to increasing demand for a small highly skilled workforce, caused by lack of recruitment and investment in staff development and training. Is the industry entering the same cycle of staff shortages and high employment costs by laying off large numbers of employees? Training is often the easy cut to make when things get tough, but staff development will be key when the industry enters an upturn.

The drop in oil price and the high operating costs in the UKCS is an opportunity for technology companies such as Kongsberg.

In the good times perhaps there is less of a driver to use disruptive technologies such as AUVs, which can significantly save costs.

Additionally, incremental technological innovations, which reduce operational cost, and new ways of doing business will be important.

Q. You have a reputation for delivering high quality training courses. Is the demand mainly from local sources?

We have a global customer base for our technology and we have delegates from around the world. Our training centre in Aberdeen is one of several training centres within Kongsberg Maritime situated in key marine and offshore geographical locations. Our customers can chose to be trained in any of our training centres and will receive the same high quality training irrespective of location. We have many delegates from companies in the UK, but this is by no means our only customer base. We have customers who travel from all over the world to undergo training with our instructors here in Westhill, and see large numbers of delegates from Europe and the United States throughout the year.

Q. Kongsberg recently won major contracts for automation systems on offshore production facilities in the UKCS. What is the involvement of Kongsberg Maritime Ltd in these projects?

The contracts to supply Integrated Control and Safety Systems for the Statoil Mariner field and the BW Offshore Catcher FPSO (being leased to Premier Oil) have been significant for our operation in the UK. We have a team of project and support engineers supporting several operational production installations in the UKCS. This team is involved in the engineering and delivery phase of both the Statoil and BWO projects, and will be responsible for supporting the systems when in operation in the North Sea. Additionally, our training facility will provide training services for both field installations.

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COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Scottish Business Rates Increases 2014-15 Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney announced budget changes in mid-December, which will have an impact on non-domestic ratepayers in Scotland from 1 April 2015.

Commenting on the changes, Ken McCormack, head of business rates at GVA James Barr, says: “The increases in rates are in line with our expectations and the current Scottish Government’s commitment to match the English poundage rates. Whilst we continue to support the Scottish Government initiatives to support small businesses, in reality there is nothing in the budget on business rates for businesses that have subjects with a rateable value (RV) in excess of £35,000.

Like Westminster, the Scottish Government continues to adopt RPI rather than CPI inflation. If CPI inflation were adopted, it would represent a 1.2% rise (40% below the cap). Businesses will also have an opportunity to respond to the consultation paper, continuing the wider review of the rating valuation appeals system in Scotland ahead of the 2017 Revaluation.”

New UBR 48 pence per £ RV

Rates Relief 2015-16

The non-domestic Uniform Business Rate (UBR) for 2015-16 has been increased from 47.1p to 48p in the pound of rateable value effective from 1 April 2015 to match the position in England. The UBR has been capped at 2.0% inflation compared to the actual rate of 2.3%.

The Scottish Government has announced £12 million of allowances to assist businesses in Enterprise Areas under their rates relief scheme, with a further £168 million relief for businesses in 2015-16 to assist in current schemes available to ratepayers. Details and guidance on how these will operate in practice has still to be published.

Large Properties UBR 49.3 pence per £ RV The Large Properties supplement, which applies to properties with a rateable value over £35,000 and which is currently 1.1p, will increase to 1.3p in the pound of rateable value from 1 April 2015, again in line with the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement in England.

The Public Health Supplement introduced in 2012 for retail properties, where the rateable value is on or over £300,000 and which are licensed to sell alcohol and registered for the sale of tobacco, is to be abolished from 1 April 2015.

Council Tax As in previous years, there will be a ‘freeze’ with no increase to current Council Tax levies.

Review of Valuation Appeals System in Scotland The Finance Secretary announced the publication of a consultation paper, continuing the wider review of the rating valuation appeals system in Scotland ahead of the 2017 Revaluation, for which responses are to be submitted by 6 March 2015.

Relocation, Relocation, Relocation How to keep the lights on when moving your business More than £15,000 is lost in staff downtime alone during the average office move estimates commercial relocation experts, Corporate Moves. This figure does not take into account additional costs, including lost productivity, overheads and the risk of insurance claims for staff injuries if moves are carried out internally.

The firm successfully relocated more than 517 businesses in 2014, up 20% on the same period in 2013, and boasts a 98% zero downtime for its clients. It highlighted the statistics in a recent report to help managers prepare for a move.

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As market confidence continues to increase, so does demand for office space. Reducing relocation downtime has therefore never been more important to business owners who are achieving growth.

Corporate Moves commercial manager, Roddy Wylie, said: “The market is showing clear signs of growth and reducing downtime is quite rightly the main aim for any business when moving. The whole move needs to appear seamless to customers, clients and staff. Everything we do to relocate businesses starts with good planning, continuing with a smooth execution of that plan and then concluding

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with a proper debrief. We make sure we offer support and guidance in order to get everyone back to work as quickly as possible.”

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Knight Frank Concludes Deal with Bristow Helicopters Strong transport links and versatile accommodation key factors in deal that underlines demand for commercial space in Aberdeenshire Knight Frank represented the developer, Kintore Industrial Service Sites, in securing a tenant for the latest unit at the Kintore Business Park. Bristow Helicopters has committed to a new 20,000 sq ft base to supplement its existing workshop and office facilities in Dyce.

The 15-year lease enhances the strong performance of the Business Park and Bristow join occupiers including Darcy, MAN, Logan Oil Tools, Paradigm, Halliburton and Osprey3.

Claire Herriot, a surveyor in Knight Frank’s Aberdeen office, said: “With direct access to the A96 dual carriageway, Kintore Business Park is an excellent example of the out-oftown opportunities available in the market.

Dyce and Aberdeen International Airport are less than 10 miles away, with the city centre also easily accessible.

“We are delighted to have concluded the deal with Bristow Helicopters and to have

added another strong name to our client’s tenant list. The response to the expansion of the Business Park is an endorsement of the investment made by Kintore Industrial Service Sites in developing the building on a speculative basis.”

The Bristow Helicopters unit (pictured) incorporates a 10,000 sq ft workshop and around 10,000 sq ft of office and storage accommodation over three floors. A rate of £8.50 per sq ft was achieved for the workshop space and £16 per sq ft for the

office space. Specification at construction included 11-metre eaves height and a crane rail with up to 50-tonne capacity, with the tenant since investing in bespoke fit-out.

Claire Herriot added: “With land constraints in Aberdeen City well documented, businesses are prepared to cast the net wider and, as a result, the Kintore and Inverurie area is experiencing increased demand and take-up for commercial space.”

CHAP Group Announces £20m Funding Agreement CHAP Group prepares to increase development activity CHAP Group is preparing to step up development activity across the north and north-east of Scotland after securing a new £20 million banking facility.

The Aberdeen-based group operates divisions in the construction, commercial property, housebuilding, civil engineering and quarrying sectors.

The new facility is the result of a transfer of the group’s banking to Santander and is part of a comprehensive growth strategy for 2015. A focus on development opportunities

and land acquisitions for residential and commercial projects is at the core of the business plan.

Hugh Craigie (pictured), joint managing director of CHAP Group, said: “The agreement with Santander is important as we plan for the future. It is the foundation upon which we can build our strategy across all of the divisions.

“One of our key aims is to expand our development pipeline and, having bolstered our team with that objective in mind, we are actively pursuing sites across the region.

With CHAP Homes successfully operating as far north as Inverness, our geographical reach is considerable – although Aberdeen and the North East will remain at the heart of the business.”

The CHAP Group, one of the North East’s leading privately owned businesses, is headquartered at Westhill and has a quarrying operation at Park on Deeside.

Its house building division, CHAP Homes, is currently developing sites in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Inverness.

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PROPERTY

New LBTT Rates Announced

Following the introduction of new stamp duty rates by Chancellor George Osborne in December last year, Scotland’s Finance Secretary John Swinney announced a review of his October 2014 proposals for the reform of property tax in response to the changes brought in by the UK Treasury.

As a result of this review, Mr Swinney reappraised the bands and rates he had originally set for the Land and Building Transaction Tax (LBTT), which is due to replace stamp duty in Scotland from 1 April.

The new rates were presented to MSPs at the end of January, during a debate on the Scottish government’s budget plans.

Commenting on the new rates, Andrew Perratt, head of residential property in Scotland for Savills UK, said: “The new LBTT is on average 2% lower than the rates previously suggested, but 27% higher than the rest of the UK. It is good news for home ownership generally that 50% of buyers are now property tax free. However, it remains the case that the already heavily taxed middle classes will be picking up the tab for LBTT in Scotland, which could impact the higher end of the market.

his autumn statement, and the new LBTT rates, which will be payable in Scotland from April this year.

“There is still a yawning gap between the favourable stamp duty rates for the rest of the UK, introduced by the Chancellor in

The graph below shows how the LBBT rates compare with stamp duty rates as set by the UK Treasury.

Old SDLT New DSLT

Old LBTT New LBTT

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“Scotland is the most ‘searched for’ location on Savills international website and, despite higher levels of tax, it still offers excellent value compared with London and the south.”

PROPERTY

NHBC Reports Positive Figures for Scottish Housebuilding New housebuilding figures released by NHBC show that new home registrations in Scotland increased by 9% during the third quarter compared with the same period last year.

In total, 3,017 new homes were registered during the period compared with 2,759 in 2013, with overall year-to-date registrations also marginally up on last year.

Commenting on the latest statistics, NHBC regional director Malcolm MacLeod said: “Scotland has enjoyed a promising quarter with overall registrations up nine per cent on the same period last year. Although the principle driver for this increase has been the private sector, we continue to work with the social housing sector, protecting

the significant investment they make in delivering new homes.

“The referendum may have unsettled some prospective buyers, but it is likely that the market will now settle down and the recent announcement on the Land and Building Transaction Tax, coupled with the imminent availability of the next tranche of Help to Buy funding, will likely lead to registrations increasing.”

Overall UK figures for the third quarter of

2014 reveal that new home registrations have increased 8% on the same period in 2013, with the private sector continuing to be the main driver of growth. These figures represent the highest year-to-date figures and the highest third quarter figures since 2007.

As the leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes in the UK, NHBC’s monthly registration statistics are a leading indicator of the health of the country’s new homes market.

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PROPERTY

Designs on Creating Better Buildings TCD Architects add to already impressive portfolio of clients The team are currently working with Rossnow Leisure on the long-awaited replacement for the Pier Bistro and other eateries at Aberdeen’s beachfront following the destructive fire there. Costing around £2.5 million, and accommodating two restaurants, a takeaway, an ice cream parlour and a café, it is hoped work on the site will commence in June with completion in June 2016.

TCD are also about to embark on a project for a private client on a small residential development in Pitcaple, designing and building energy-efficient houses complete with biomass pellet boilers.

Helping to ‘bridge a gap’ at Inverurie Dental Practice, TCD have designed an extension

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allowing two additional surgeries, and are working on-site with JBS Peterhead on new offices and a workshop.

Phase one has begun on-site at the new mosque for the Aberdeen Muslim Community following design approval, and they are working with Aberclean, the North East’s leading provider of plant sweeper hire, on the construction of new offices and storage facilities. Additionally,

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tenders have been submitted for several substantial commercial and industrial projects throughout Aberdeenshire.

However, it is the ability of this successful architectural firm to secure repeat business that positions them at the top of their profession, including a 17-year association with Technip (UK) Ltd, and projects with Dolphin Drilling and the Sparrows Group.

FEATURE

Going, Going, Gone!

Charity Auctions Needn’t be ‘For-bidding’ Stuart Watson from Hall Morrice Chartered Accountants discusses the tax implications of going under the hammer From a bidding war over a weekend at a luxury spa to a fierce battle over an exclusive signed football shirt, a charity auction is a great way to have fun and raise much needed funds for a good cause.

Often there are five-star items up for grabs, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and some money can’t buy experiences. But after the adrenaline has worn off and all bids are accounted for, the question you will ask is: “Can I get tax relief?”

Many companies will use auctions to support charities and their corporate social responsibility agenda, and they are becoming an increasingly popular way of providing corporate entertainment for staff and for clients.

However, Stuart Watson, director of taxation at Hall Morrice LLP chartered accountants, says it is important not to get carried away in the moment and give some consideration as to how bidding for a luxury lot will sit with the taxman.

“Auctions are an excellent way for charities to raise the money they need, and they offer a great chance to win some fantastic,

exclusive items. Many people can get swept up in a charity auction, especially if they believe it is tax deductible, but they need to be aware that it can be a complex process,” he says.

“HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has a dedicated policy on charity auctions. There is a very strict rule that payment for an item at an auction is not a donation and therefore not a gift to the charity that would be subject to tax deduction. However, HMRC recognises that sometimes payments made for goods and services at charity auctions will intentionally be more than their retail value – especially if two people get carried away with a bidding war.

“In this circumstance HMRC will treat part of the payment as a Gift Aid payment – providing all the standard Gift Aid requirements have been met and the benefit to the successful bidder doesn’t exceed certain limits.”

Gift Aid increases the value of payment to charities by allowing them to reclaim the basic rate tax on the final auction price. If the winning bidder pays the higher rate tax

(40%), then they may be able to claim relief on part of their donation through their SelfAssessment Tax return – up to the limits imposed by HMRC. Mr Watson adds: “There is a separate rule for experiences or items that are not commercially available. For example, someone could bid £500 for an Aberdeen FC football top and potentially claim gift aid on part of the payment, but if it is signed by the whole team it is not a commercially available item and it will not qualify for Gift Aid. The rule of thumb is that if the item is commercially available, the cost may qualify for Gift Aid – in part at least – but if it isn’t commercially available, then it won’t.

“There are a number of complex rules and exceptions and it may not be as straightforward as it looks. If in doubt then speak to your accountant, as they can offer tailored advice, especially for those who already know what is on offer and what their highest bid will be.

“At the end of the day, charity auctions are about raising money for a great cause and being able to purchase some fantastic experiences. Businesses often put up once-in-a-lifetime prizes for these events, and it can be tempting to go overboard so my advice would be set your limit and stick to it – any money you can claim back is a bonus.”

Founded in 1976, Hall Morrice is one of Scotland’s leading independent firms of chartered accountants and has offices in Aberdeen and Fraserburgh.

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BUSINESS TRAVEL

Soaring Success

It has been a successful and eventful year for the Aberdeen International Airport team.

Previous owners, Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited, sold the airport to a partnership between Ferrovial Aeropuertos and Macquarie European Infrastructure Funds 4 at a time when the Aberdeen team was celebrating an increase in passenger numbers of 8.8% on the previous year. The airport saw its busiest day in its history in October and has been given the prestigious award of Best Airport (under six million passengers) by the Airport Operators Association (AOA). The Business Now editor met with the airport’s managing director, Carol Benzie (pictured opposite), to discuss the high life at this ever-improving terminal.

Aberdeen punches well above its weight

Q. The recent purchasers of the airport, Ferrovial and Macquarie, have promised to invest in the airport. They mention ‘an enhanced passenger experience and support for route growth’, so what can passengers expect?

The airport has seen over 30% growth in

Our new owners are aware of the significant role that an airport like Aberdeen plays in its local community. They understand that

these constraints and create a terminal

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when it comes to connecting business passengers to the world via a variety of hubs (Heathrow, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Dublin and Copenhagen), but likewise they understand our desire to grow our leisure offer for our local residents. We have had some success with the introduction of Faro for summer 2015, and we have also just learned that Thomson will add Gran Canaria for winter 2015/2016.

Q. What is the ‘Terminal Transformation Project’?

the last four years (up to November 2014) and many of the areas a passenger touches have reached capacity at peak times. The terminal transformation project is a master plan which will address and improve all of which better suits our passengers and will enhance their experience.

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Q. Will we see any immediate changes to the passenger experience?

We are not resting on our laurels awaiting the completion of the terminal transformation project. This year alone, we have increased our check-in capacity with four new desks and introduced common user check-in kiosks. We have moved our car rental partners into a new purposebuilt facility two-minutes’ walk from the terminal; Travelex has been refurbished, as has WHSmith landside; and we have added a new vestibule and associated inner forecourt area, and opened Joe’s Coffeehouse. Auto boarding gates are also in the process of being installed.

Q. It was the airport’s busiest day ever in October last year. What challenges does that bring to the airport?

The October holidays are always a last chance getaway for many people in Aberdeen, as they try to get some sun prior to the winter nights drawing in. It’s

BUSINESS TRAVEL an exciting time and the team do their utmost to ensure that our operations runs as smoothly as possible with additional staff in place to help answer passenger queries or assist in their journey through security.

However, some events are just not within our control – for example, weather or technical issues with aircraft – so we try to ensure that we can help as much as possible when such eventualities arise.

Q. Congratulations on the AOA Award for the Best Airport (under six million passengers) that the airport recently received. Can you comment?

The airport team was delighted and very surprised to receive this accolade, particularly as it was voted for by our airline partners. To receive this in advance of the terminal transformation project was a credit to the entire airport team, who work hard in what can be a constrained environment.

Q. What does the recent codeshare agreement between Eastern Airways and Widerøe mean to local passengers?

The new codeshare between Eastern Airways and Widerøe will allow greater flexibility for passengers travelling on Norwegian flights to Aberdeen to connect onwards seamlessly to the multitude of destinations offered out of Aberdeen by Eastern, or indeed, in the other direction to Norway.

Q. What do you think the abolition of air passenger duty (APD) for under-12s to under-16s will achieve?

Aberdeen International Airport truly believes that the complete abolition of APD in the UK would benefit the economy to a far greater level that any perceived benefit from the tax.

Whilst we welcome this small step forward in removing APD for children, as an airport with a high proportion of business travellers, this initial move will not have significant impact on many of our passengers. We applaud this first step, which will assist families, but we will continue to lobby both the UK government, and also the Scottish Government – who have declared their intent to cut APD initially by 50%, with further intent to completely abolish it, should the recommendations of the Smith Commission be agreed and APD is devolved to their control.

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LEISURE AND TOURISM

Year of the Bull

Black Bull moves into a brand new blending and bottling facility and helps Ecurie Ecosse Powered By Black Bull to success in two motor racing championships.

2014 saw the continuation of the Ecurie Ecosse motor racing team and Black Bull whisky brand partnership, which culminated in the Ecurie Ecosse Powered

by Black Bull team winning the British GT Championship drivers’ title and the 3rd place trophy in the Blancpain Endurance Series.

Also this year, Black Bull whisky moved into a new home in Huntly: a self-contained blending and bottling facility at King Street, owned and run by Black Bull parent company Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Ltd, which houses 620 casks filled with the finest and rarest whisky in a secure

warehouse, a semi-automated bottling line, a dry goods store and large scale stainless steel blending tanks.

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky owner and chairman, Euan Shand – who also serves as Black Bull’s Master Blender – conducted an official tour of the new plant and was on hand to answer questions.

Euan said: “Opening the new blending and bottling plant is a fantastic step for us and, through the growth of our brands – especially Black Bull, we can now broaden our scope in terms of what we would like to achieve and our plans for 2015. Our new plant gives us a huge increase in capacity

and output which allows us to continually offer our customers the best whiskies available in the world at all times. I am especially proud when I see the ‘Home of Black Bull’ sign displayed prominently on our new building, and also for the fact that we are still only one of a small number of whisky producers who blend and bottle our own whiskies on site, under one roof.”

Euan continued: “It has been a fantastic year for the Ecurie Ecosse Powered By Black Bull motor racing team, and for our brand to have contributed to the team’s success is an immensely proud achievement for me personally.”

Scots Businesses Urged to Look at Big Picture Digital guru Ben Hammersley addresses business tourism conference One of the world’s leading digital gurus has urged members of Scotland’s business tourism industry to harness technology to improve the happiness of their workforces and prevent them from becoming ‘psychologically desperate’.

In a keynote speech to the Business Tourism Scotland Conference 2014 entitled The Very Big Picture, author and television presenter Ben Hammersley explained how noise, lighting and temperature can affect people’s productivity, and how conference organisers and office managers should

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pay particular attention to ‘environmental psychology’. Ben said: “It’s incumbent on the likes of hotel owners, office managers and event organisers to create an environment where thinking is easy and pleasant. In Scotland, you really have to pay attention to environmental cues. We have to pay a lot of attention to things like light, temperature and sound, or things can get psychologically desperate.

“Ambient noise in the workplace, caused by things like fans and air conditioning, can create a noise which sounds creepy

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and becomes oppressive, while some fluorescent lights flicker in a way that most people can’t always see – making some people nauseous and giving others headaches.”

Ben explained how modern computer software and lighting can help improve the mood and productivity of staff. He also stressed that, even when modern technology allows virtual meetings to take place, face-to-face gatherings are still “incredibly valuable, but only if they are run properly”.

LEISURE AND TOURISM

Bringing Village Life to Aberdeen Exciting new arrival to Aberdeen heralds company’s expansion into Scotland

December saw an exciting new arrival in Scotland with the opening of Village Urban Resorts Aberdeen, the first of three new Village properties arriving in Scotland.

Located just six miles from Aberdeen’s International Airport, the newest addition to the Village Urban Resorts’ portfolio provides everything under one roof for the local community, businesses and leisure guests in the distinctive ‘Black Box’ design.

The hotel offers 148 comfortable and stylish bedrooms with each providing free Wi-Fi, flat screen televisions and modern furnishings. For those looking for a welldeserved rest, upgrade to one of the 46 Upper Deck rooms and enjoy an oasis of relaxation complete with Sealy Sweet Dreams beds, snuggly duvet and linen, Bose speaker docks, Starbucks products and Sky Movies & Sports package.

Fitness lovers can enjoy the Velocity Health and Fitness Club providing stateof-the-art gym equipment, including the latest MyZone and MyRide virtual spin equipment, Technogym Artis and Unity

Get Your Copy in Espresso time!

equipment, 20m swimming pool and studio classes. If this all sounds too exhausting, guests can enjoy the exclusive Viva Urban Spa, offering a range of luxury ESPA beauty and relaxation treatments. Urban Bar & Grill will offer guests a delicious dining option, with private dining available as well as a Starbucks coffee house.

For meetings and events, The Events Hub offers flexible space with room capacity for up to 200, a dedicated event organiser, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, fully stocked conference café and relaxing breakout area. For those planning a wedding, a dedicated special events planner will smoothly guide even the most anxious bride and groom every step of the way.

Paisley-born Tracy Harrison, general manager of Village Urban Resorts Aberdeen, added: “It was a natural next step to open in Scotland and we can’t wait to start welcoming guests including businesses, the local community and leisure travellers.”

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LEISURE AND TOURISM

VisitAberdeen

Launches Chinese Website VisitAberdeen has announced it will launch a Chinese version of its website in a bid to attract a share of the $128 billion China spends every year on overseas leisure and business tourism.

The Chinese are the biggest overseas spenders in the world, spending on average 50% more than Americans when they are on vacation. With a total population of 1.357 billion, only 10 million of China’s residents can speak English. With forecasts suggesting 500 million Chinese people will travel overseas in the next 15 years, VisitAberdeen believes it is critical to promote the city as a leisure and business destination to the Chinese in their native language. Since 2011 the number of seats on flights between China and the UK has increased by 25% to over 50,000 seats per month, according to a VisitScotland report.

VisitAberdeen worked with media agency China Business Network (CBN) to create the site, and will continue to work with them to promote the city to the Chinese marketplace.

Steve Harris (pictured), chief executive of VisitAberdeen, says: “The Chinese language website will provide us with the opportunity to reach one of the wealthiest markets in the world, and promote Aberdeen as a

leisure and business tourism destination.

Less than 1% of the population in China can speak English, so the creation of the new site will allow us to reach the 638 million Chinese people who are online and make $22 billion worth of Internet travel bookings every year.

“CBN represented VisitAberdeen at the China International Travel Market in November this year, and we are planning to attend two events in 2015 in China: Incentive Travel and Conventions Meetings China; and China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market. These events are important for us to attend, as it will allow us to meet and discuss what the Aberdeen area has to offer Chinese tourists with key tourism influencers.

“With excellent connections to hub airports, Aberdeen is easy for Chinese tourists to travel to, with connecting flights from London, Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt.

Flight times from Beijing to London take under 11 hours.

“Aberdeen has so much to offer the Chinese market. We know from a VisitBritain survey that countryside, cultural and built heritage rank highly with Chinese tourists. Aberdeen has a wealth of these attractions, from the collection of castles which have a rich cultural legacy, to city landmarks like Marischal College, whisky distilleries and breathtaking countryside views.”

Heritage Lottery Grant to Boost Portsoy’s Tourism Economy Historic sailmaking cottages in Portsoy will be restored and converted into bunkhouse accommodation thanks to an £873,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The first project in Scotland to be awarded funding through HLF’s Heritage Enterprise scheme, it is being undertaken by the North East Scotland Preservation Trust (NESPT) and, once completed, will be operated as a community business by the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival (STBF).

The category B-listed buildings, known as Back Green, comprise a former sailmaking

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loft and associated cottages in the Portsoy Conservation Area. A comprehensive programme of renovation and repair work is required to convert them into a four-star bunkhouse for 25 visitors. The work will be overseen by LDN Architects of Forres, hopefully starting on-site in May 2015 with completion before the STBF in June 2016.

The project has also received funding from Historic Scotland and the Architectural Heritage Fund, and was recently awarded an additional £450,000 by the Coastal Communities Fund.

LEISURE AND TOURISM

Economic Benefit of Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Exceeds £2 Million Overseas, UK and Scottish visitors made 27,227 visits to events over the five days of the festival, which took place from 1 to 5 May in venues across Speyside – the spiritual home of Scotland’s malt whisky industry

The economic impact assessment of the 2014 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has revealed a significant increase in the value of the event to the local area.

Businesses across Speyside benefitted from £2.1 million spent by visitors who came to experience the 2014 event.

The impact figure rose from £1.65 million in 2013 and £1.47 million in 2012, representing an increase of 42% over a two-year period.

Overseas, UK and Scottish visitors made 27,227 visits to events over the five days of the festival, which took place from 1 to 5 May in venues across Speyside – the spiritual home of Scotland’s malt whisky industry.

International visitors came to the area from 31 countries, including the USA, Russia and Canada, and spent an average of £197 per day, excluding accommodation. International visitors represented almost half of all visitors to the 2014 festival.

The economic impact assessment is conducted independently by Bellerby Economics.

Organisers increased the number of events on offer throughout the area and introduced the Spirit of Speyside Sessions in response to visitor feedback requesting more evening entertainment in the programme.

The total number of events on the bill for 2014 reached 432. The on-the-ground survey found overall satisfaction levels for the visitor experience to be ‘very good’, with 87% giving this response in relation to the festival itself – a figure up 11% on the previous year. The survey also found that 100% of all visitors rated accommodation in the area as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.

James Campbell, chairman of the Spirit

of Speyside Whisky Festival said: “These figures demonstrate that the hard work put in by all festival partners is certainly paying off in increased visitor numbers and spend, as well as in visitor satisfaction levels.

“The introduction of the Spirit of Speyside Sessions, giving a diverse evening programme of traditional music for festivalgoers, was a highly successful addition and one we will continue to develop for the 2015 event.

This, coupled with our development of the event transport to allow ease of movement between festival events, enhances the experience for all those who visit the festival.

“As 2015 is the year of Scotland’s Food and Drink, we are already planning a programme which will build on the success of this year’s festival, as we continue to listen to visitor feedback and grow the offering to a wide area and with increased partners and choice of new and exciting events.”

Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing added: “I am delighted to see the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is bringing significant economic impact to the area, with the number of local people and visitors attending the event increasing year on year. It is a fantastic example of how Homecoming Scotland and the themed years can benefit communities across Scotland.”

The 2015 Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival – and its traditional musical arm, the Spirit of Speyside Sessions – takes place from 30 April to 4 May. Further information about the event is available at www.spiritofspeyside. com Tickets for events have just gone on sale.

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BUSINESS AUTO

The Fascinating Appeal of

Porsche On every straight and on every bend the Cayenne GTS makes a clear statement

On every straight and on every bend, the Cayenne GTS makes a clear statement.

It is muscular, athletic, powerful and challenging. Its uprated engine is enough to set any driver’s pulse racing. Its steel-spring suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) is 24 millimetres lower – for an even sportier setup. You simply couldn’t feel any closer to the road.

name. The letters GTS go back to the famous 904 Carrera GTS of 1963. In 2007, the Cayenne GTS became the first Porsche of the modern era to revive the acronym. Since then GTS has stood at Porsche for especially sporty models. At the same time, the new entry-level model with the familiar 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine rounds off the Cayenne portfolio at the lower end of the range.

The new Cayenne GTS announces its outstanding sporting character in its very

Porsche drivers like their car to be sporty – regardless of whether it has two doors or

The 3.6-litre V6 bi-turbo engine is the performance-oriented enhancement of the new power unit presented in the Cayenne S. Its consumption is lower and it delivers improved levels of performance. Compared to the previous model with a V8 naturally aspirated engine, power output rises by

20 hp to 440 hp and torque by 85 Nm to 600 Nm, while fuel consumption goes down by up to 0.9 l/100 km. The Cayenne GTS accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds, or just 5.1 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package. That’s 0.5 and 0.6 seconds respectively less than the

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four. At eleven per cent, the GTS version of the Cayenne makes up a high proportion of the model mix of what is currently Porsche’s most successful range, with the four-door sports cars in general long since making a major contribution to the company’s profitable growth. At the same time they ensure future investment in the broad spectrum of highly dynamic models offered across the entire portfolio. It is not only the name of the Cayenne GTS that is resonant.

previous model. Top speed is 162 mph. As standard it has a sports exhaust system, which provides the familiarly meaty GTS sound.

Thanks not least to its suspension, the Cayenne GTS captivates drivers with its

BUSINESS AUTO inside. Eight-way electrically adjustable GTS sports seats in leather/Alcantara upholstery, including GTS lettering on the headrests, are fitted as standard. Alcantara is the predominant upholstery material used inside the car. The interior GTS package is optionally available in carmine red or rhodium silver with rev counter face, decorative stitching, headrest lettering and safety belts in contrasting colour.

The engine used in the Cayenne, the new base model, is the familiar 3.6-litre V6 naturally aspirated engine, delivering 300 hp. It accelerates the Cayenne from 0 to 62 mph in 7.7 seconds – 7.6 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package. That’s 0.2 seconds faster than before. At 142 mph, top speed matches the level of the previous model. Like all new Cayenne models it benefits from the general efficiency measures, such as coasting, Auto Stop/ Start function and thermal management, as a result of which fuel consumption drops in comparison to the previous model by 0.7 l/100 km to 9.2 l/100 km. That equates to CO2 emissions of 215 g/km, thus 21 g/km lower than before.

“Alcantara upholstery, including GTS lettering on the headrests, are fitted as standard.” unmistakable lateral dynamics. The PASM damping system has a sporty set-up. With the standard steel-spring suspension the vehicle sits 24 millimetres lower, while with the optional air suspension it’s 20 millimetres. Further standard features include the brakes from the Cayenne Turbo with 390-millimetre discs on the front axle (358 millimetres at the back), inclusive of brake callipers painted red in typical turbo fashion.

Other design attributes also turn the Cayenne GTS externally into a sporty vehicle.

It has the turbo nose section with large

air intakes and the Sport Design package as standard, including more contoured side sills and wheel arch extensions. The latter, like the roof spoiler and lower rear of the vehicle, are painted in the car body colour. The colour black provides some striking contrasts: all lettering is black, as are the 20-inch wheels in the RS Spyder design, the exhaust tailpipes, the bi-xenon headlights’ inner apertures and the fittings of the darkened LED rear lights. There’s a new feature on the front doors: striking GTS lettering.

The sporting character continues on the

Compared to the previous model the new Cayenne also offers more comprehensive standard features. In addition to the new eight-speed Tiptronic S with Auto Stop/ Start and coasting functions these also include, for instance, the bi-xenon main headlights with four-point LED daytime driving lights, the multi-function sports steering wheel with paddle switches and the automatic boot lid.

The Cayenne and Cayenne GTS celebrated their world premiere in November at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. The price for the Cayenne is £49,576 and, for the Cayenne GTS, £72,523. For more details about both models, visit www.porsche. com/uk/models/cayenne

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FEATURE

Corporate Social Responsibility Iain Abernethy is career development director and head of CSR at accountancy and business advisory firm, Johnston Carmichael Iain Abernethy is responsible for people development, retention and succession for Johnston Carmichael and won Training Manager of the Year at the Scottish Accountancy Awards in 2012.

“In this age of social media, we are all aware of family and friends who are engaged in fundraising initiatives that are a part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes. The photos we see are testament to the enjoyment and pride experienced by those involved.

“Increasingly we are seeing more businesses getting involved with CSR, not only because it is the right thing to do for the community, but it is also the right thing to do for our business. We have found that acting as a socially responsible business has helped us to attract new people who tell us that they want to join a business that shares these common values. Additionally, some of our current and prospective clients expect us to act in this manner. We have included CSR initiatives and results within tender documents, and it’s a tremendous feeling to win new business as a result of our endeavours in this area.

“At Johnston Carmichael, we consider the benefits of encouraging staff to get involved in CSR to be significant – and those benefits reach well beyond the initial objective of raising funds for a good cause. If, like us, you are committed to establishing a strong culture with core values and behaviours, aimed at creating an environment your staff feel comfortable and productive working in, you should consider your approach to your CSR, as it is a key element in achieving this objective.

“Of course, raising funds for charity is a fantastic outcome of CSR. However, as career development director, I see daily evidence around me that it’s also about

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the benefits the staff themselves – and ultimately Johnston Carmichael – gain from simply getting involved.

“Fundraising is only one element of our CSR activity. We also communicate the benefits of interdepartmental relations and the enjoyment to be had from taking part.

This has resulted in an impressive 84% of our staff being involved in CSR activity this year, and over £53,000 being raised for Maggie’s and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

“In my experience, getting colleagues working together on CSR, including fundraising, is an excellent method of improving staff retention and workplace satisfaction. Creating an opportunity for new and long-standing staff at all levels to come together and reach one common objective pays huge positive dividends.

“This is illustrated by our approach to the upcoming Banchory Beast 10K assault course, which I’ll be taking part in, along with 25 colleagues. The team consists of a wide range of staff – from those who

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have been with the company for over 20 years to a new chartered accountancy student who has been with the firm for just three months. Speaking to him about the Banchory Beast, he was enthusiastic about the opportunity to get involved in a fun event and to meet colleagues from across the Johnston Carmichael offices. That’s something he believes will make him feel a real part of the team. One of his Banchory Beast teammates – based in another office – told me that he counts taking part in the event as an opportunity to improve personal fitness and engage in fulfilling team building with colleagues he might communicate with, but not necessarily meet face-to-face.

“I firmly believe that the advantages of encouraging staff to take part in CSR activity are far-reaching and go beyond the obvious fundraising benefits. Along with our long-term commitment to supporting local and national charities, a fundamental part of our CSR strategies is to look after our staff.”

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

Meston Reid & Sweet Co Celebrate Success Company marks quarter century by supporting two local charities

Having been founded on 1 January 1990, Meston Reid & Co is now officially 25 years old and everyone at the firm is delighted that 2015 offers a year of opportunity to celebrate the first quarter century of corporate life by raising money for Charlie House (charliehouse.org.uk) and UCAN (ucanhelp.org.uk).

The celebratory programme of events began with two fundraising activities. The first was in December when Meston Reid & Co personnel undertook bag packing at Morrisons, Inverurie for four hours. Thanks are due to Morrisons for providing the firm’s team with the opportunity and to

Aberdeen charity enjoying cash boost

their kind-hearted customers who donated more than £1,000 towards the cause.

The second fundraiser was a ceilidh evening on 25 January. The event was a sell-out and attended by Meston Reid & Co partners and staff, guests, clients and business intermediaries. Attendees were invited to contribute to the two chosen charities and the raffle raised over £2,000.

These were two great additions to their fundraising account.

Remember you can support the team’s charitable efforts at any time by visiting www.justgiving.com/teams/mestonreid

Escape from Alcatraz Graham Escapes from Alcatraz after 20 Years of Charity Challenges Graham James, senior project engineer at subsea firm SETS, has just returned from the US, having swum one-and-a-half miles from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco after receiving an entry to the race as a Christmas gift from his wife, Susan.

Escaping Alcatraz was the latest event that Graham, 62, has taken part in over his 20-plus-years’ swimming career, having recently swum the five-and-a-quarter-mile length of Coniston Water in Cumbria for charity, which took more than three hours to complete.

For that challenge, Graham raised over £800 for Macmillan Cancer Support, with SETS donating a further £500.

Graham, who joined SETS in January 2012, said: “Some people might think of this as an odd present. However, I loved it, and to be honest I think my wife might have had

An Aberdeen charity is enjoying a cash boost of over a thousand pounds thanks to an innovative Christmas quiz by Thorpe Molloy Recruitment.

The local recruitment company invited people to participate in their online festive quiz, posting a different question every day for the first 12 days in December. The competition was promoted on its Christmas advent calendar, a sweet treat which is distributed to hundreds of client contacts across the city each year.

Karen Molloy, director of Thorpe Molloy Recruitment (pictured with Scott Baxter, deputy chief executive of Aberdeen Cyrenians), explained: “We’re pretty good at poking fun at ourselves on our advent calendars. We took it a stage further to promote the quiz, asking people to answer questions about Thorpe Molloy Recruitment and a few general knowledge ones too.

Through the power of social media we received entries and charity nominations from beyond Aberdeen, but only Aberdeen Cyrenians successfully answered all 12 questions, winning £1,200.”

an ulterior motive, as she seemed to enjoy her holiday in California. I’d like to thank my friends and colleagues at both SETS and elsewhere for their generous donations to my previous swim.”

Rachel Sanders, fundraising officer for Aberdeen Cyrenians (pictured right), continued: “It was great to take part in this fun challenge with Thorpe Molloy, which extended the festive fun we try to create here at Aberdeen Cyrenians throughout the winter months.”

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BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

ITC Staff Face Their Fears Brave staff from north-east company faced their fears to raise nearly £9,000 for leading UK cancer charity Throughout the month of October, staff at Aberdeenshire-based ITC Hydraulics completed a range of challenges to help raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Care. From bungee jumps and skydives to 5k running and head shaves, each team member aimed to complete one task each to contribute to the fantastic total.

The fundraising campaign culminated in a Pink Friday day on October 31. Pink Fridays is part of a Breast Cancer Care initiative throughout the month of October in which the charity is encouraging workforces to adopt the colour pink in support of its work and those affected by breast cancer.

At its St Katherines base, the ITC team invited clients, suppliers and family

members to a day of fun and challenges.

The day itself saw director Tracy Clark (pictured) locked in a cage with just her mobile and she was only released once she had raised over £750, alongside brave Laura Scott, who faced her fears by entering a glass box with a tarantula for 30 minutes.

The company’s workshop also got in on the fun, with two teams dressed in pink high-vis vests dropped seven miles from the office and made to make their way back without the use of their mobile phone or money.

Donations can still be made to ITC’s fundraising campaign at its dedicated online JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/Tracy-Clark5/

Design & Build a Career A talented Aberdeen Secondary school pupil has won a prestigious local art competition by creating an abstract self-portrait that reveals his career ambitions.

Fraser Lambert (pictured above), a second year pupil from Aberdeen Grammar School, came out top in Thorpe Molloy Recruitment’s successful annual art competition, ‘My Future Aspirations’.

The 13-year-old was up against other youngsters from schools across Aberdeen City and Shire, who all rose to the challenge of creating a self-portrait that expresses their career hopes for the future, along with a written narrative that supports their artwork. Fraser’s winning work is a show-

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stopper, illustrating his dream of becoming an architect and designing a house in Australia.

In addition to the judge’s winner, members

Fraser explains further: “My submission represents all my dreams because, as well as designing and building my own home in Australia, I would love to explore Africa in a hot air balloon. To complete my self-portrait I used lots of different types of substances, including paint, wood and card. Although it doesn’t look like me, it definitely is all about me.”

This year’s winner is Anastasia Grigas

Fraser’s work grabbed the attention of a panel of judges from the arts, business and education, and is now on display in a very special exhibition at Aberdeen’s Tivoli Theatre, accompanied by the top 50 entrants. Fraser has also won two flights to London, donated by British Airways as part of his prize.

‘My Future Aspirations’ is in its sixth year and, since it was launched by Thorpe Molloy Recruitment, it has attracted over one thousand self-portraits from pupils across the area.

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of the public also voted for their favourite via social media in ‘The People’s Choice’. (entry below) from the British School of Houston, who aspires to be a human rights lawyer.

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

Corporate Decathlon Launches New Events

ActivityMix, the active employee engagement company, has announced four new sporting events for 2015 to be added to its popular programme, the Corporate Decathlon.

The Decathlon, now in its thirteenth year, aims to engage, inspire and enthuse employees through a series of intercompany sport tournaments supported by coaching from experts in sport development.

New to the ten-strong sporting and activity mix is tennis, curling, urban navigation and a dance crew dance-off. A new award category has also been added – Best Social Media Team Engagement, which will reward the team with the highest social media activity at an end-of-season awards ceremony, the Sports Award Ball.

Amanda Inglis (pictured second right), business development manager at ActivityMix, commented: “This is very welcome news to anyone who has previously been involved or is interested in participating in our Corporate Decathlon and Pentathlon.

“Evolving the programme year on year helps to keep things fresh and exciting,

while continuing to engage people in each participating team through a wholly unique experience. Last year, on average 75% of our participants felt more engaged within the workplace. This employee engagement is crucial now more than ever. With the decreasing oil price it has become even

more important to develop existing teams and individuals. Through our series of fun, challenging and varied events, employees will consistently become more motivated within the workplace as they build on their teamwork skills and relationships with fellow co-workers.

Flowline Specialists Supporting Inspire North-east charity and Flowline Specialists form long-term partnership A north-east charity that supports individuals with learning disabilities and additional support needs will be backed by Flowline Specialists for the next 18 months.

Inspire, based on Aberdeen’s Beach Boulevard, will be the nominated charity of the Oldmeldrum-headquartered firm until 31 March 2016. During this partnership, Flowline Specialists staff will be raising money for Inspire and volunteering their time to support its work.

The first fundraising initiative Flowline

staff took on for Inspire was the charity’s annual Bonfire Night fire-walk. Four staff (pictured) – Chris Hannay, Laura Michie, Sam Shearer, and Nick Wells – hotfooted it across the 500°C coals.

Over the course of the year, staff will also undertake a skydive and be part of Inspire’s team of runners at the Baker Hughes 10k and Beast Race. In addition, Flowline Specialists will use the charity’s handmade Inspire Soaps in its offices and as corporate gifts.

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SPORTS

Six Nations Championship With more than 120 million viewers in the Six Nations territories alone, in addition to broadcasts in over 180 other countries worldwide, the 2015 RBS Six Nations has begun with Accenture as the Official Technology Partner.

Rugby fans of all ages will now be showing their pride and passion, travelling to some of the best cities in Europe to mix with likeminded supporters as the RBS Six Nations Championship 2015 gets underway. The tournament has grown to be the biggest annual competition in world rugby as fans revel in their own traditions – those of their team, their local club or friends and family; those pre-match rituals that make a match-day so special. A lifetime’s worth of hard work and a healthy dose of raw talent will see you picked to play for your country. Players privileged enough to have pulled on the dark blue jersey are all linked by the same experience: running out to be greeted by the roar of BT Murrayfield.

Business partnership is also a necessary ingredient to make this tournament a success and RBS is once again associated with the Six Nations, in their twelfth year of title sponsorship. The championship is

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one of the greatest on the world sporting stage, one that brings together fans from the northern hemisphere in a celebration of all that’s good about rugby.

to broadcasts in over 180 other countries worldwide, the 2015 Six Nations has begun with Accenture as the Official Technology Partner.

RBS are particularly proud to be partners with a sport that is played with high measures of both passion and respect.

Respect for tradition, for the rules, for officials, for the opponent and for the entire rugby community.

2015 marks the fourth year of their partnership and central to the relationship is Accenture’s ability to bring technology and digital expertise to the tournament.

They have been working on a range of digital initiatives to help the championship respond to the changing needs of its fan-base, providing enhanced audience experiences and interaction throughout the championship.

Over the years the RBS Six Nations Championship has produced many magical moments. This season, RBS will be bringing you a series of films designed to explore and celebrate some of these great rugby stories through the eyes of the people involved. This is your chance to relive rugby moments with completely new and exclusive insight from heroes of the game.

With more than 120 million viewers in the Six Nations territories alone, in addition

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The Accenture-designed official championship mobile app now includes unique insights, such as player head-tohead statistics and a game momentum tracker developed by Accenture analytics experts that processes more than 1.9 million rows of data during every match.

SPORTS

Slope Off for an Uplifting Experience Winter activities are ideal for all levels of skiers and snowboarders Lecht 2090 is based 2090 feet (645m) above sea level amid the beauty of the Eastern Cairngorms. The Lecht Activity Centre is situated in the heart of Scotland’s largest national park, at the top of the pass between Tomintoul and Strathdon.

This natural playground offers exciting outdoor activities for both the summer and winter seasons, and the local staff are keen to make sure you have an enjoyable day out on the hills.

Winter activities are ideal for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, but especially good for beginners and intermediates.

A total of 12 different lifts, including a three-person chairlift and a ‘magic carpet’ travelator, get novices going on day one.

Tubing is available depending on the conditions (descending the slope, out of control in a large tyre). All equipment and clothing can be hired on-site, equipment can be booked online, the ski school can develop your skills from basic to racers, and all in a safe environment close to the beautiful purpose-built day lodge, which houses café, bar, ticket office, shop, ski hire and toilets, all under one roof.

Scotland is internationally recognised as one of the world’s best countries for cycling and mountain biking facilities.

If the snow is limited or during the summer months, activities include two downhill mountain trails for mountain bikes, with a skills park as well as deval karts (buggies to come down the hill with just a brake), and both activities use the three-man chairlift for access.

The Lecht is easily reached from Speyside and Aviemore, Donside and Aberdeen, as well as Royal Deeside. For your GPS, the nearest postcode is AB36 8YP and you will be on the right road two miles south of the centre.

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APPOINTMENTS

Recent Appointments Borland Insurance - Tracy Nicholls

Stronachs - Mark Brady

Borland Insurance has recently appointed Tracy Nicholls as private client insurance account executive. Ms Nicholls brings more than 20 years of experience to the role, having previously worked at various large insurance broking firms in Edinburgh and Fife. She will be responsible for the continued growth of Borland’s private client operations in Edinburgh, Fife, Aberdeen and the Central Belt.

Chief executive of Borland Insurance, John Silcock, said: “Tracy’s wealth of industry experience and knowledge will be extremely valuable as the firm continues to develop and enhance our service offering for existing and potential clients.”

Leading Scottish law firm, Stronachs, continues to grow in Aberdeen with the appointment of a new partner, Mark Brady.

Mr Brady, who joins the firm’s corporate team, specialises in banking and finance.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Brady said: “I am delighted to be joining Stronachs.

Our strong corporate and energy teams and well-established market presence provide a great platform for an enhanced banking and finance offering.”

Thorpe Molloy - Chris Clark As a result of the growth and development of Thorpe Molloy Recruitment’s accountancy and finance specialism, Chris Clark assumes responsibility for the accountancy and finance permanent placement team, personally focusing on senior finance placements.

Under this remit, Chris will work closely with managing director and executive selection specialist, Amanda McCulloch. Prior to assuming management for Thorpe Molloy Recruitment’s legal and commercial contracts specialisms in 2013, Chris worked in the permanent accountancy and finance team for six years.

Citrus:Mix - Paul Smith Integrated communications agency Citrus:Mix has a new managing director at the helm as the growing Aberdeen-based business prepares for the next phase in its development.

Paul Smith has been promoted to the role as he succeeds Morven Mackenzie, who remains with the firm in a strategic role, and as a major shareholder and board member.

The newly appointed managing director, who steps up from the position of PR director, joined Citrus:Mix in 2012 after a 16-year career as a journalist in the local, regional and national press.

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iSurvey - Iain Milroy iSURVEY, a leading provider of survey and positioning services to the global oil and gas, offshore renewables and telecommunications markets, has appointed Iain Milroy as business development manager at the company’s Aberdeenshire office.

As part of this newly created role, Iain will focus on the development of the business in the UK as well as North West Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea, West Africa and other operational areas active in oil and gas exploration and production.

APPOINTMENTS Elevator - Graham Morgan & Andy Campbell Elevator, formerly known as Enterprise North East Trust (Enterprise), has appointed Graham Morgan (left), who previously worked as director of corporate development, to the new role of deputy chief executive, and Andy Campbell (right), as Elevator Programme project manager.

Graham, who has worked with the company for five years, will oversee the vast range of projects carried out at Elevator and increase the company’s corporate engagement across both public and private sectors.

Andy, who was contracted as project manager, will now work with the company on a permanent basis to focus primarily on the Elevator Programme.

Right People - Karen Gauld, Toni Davie & Craig Buchan

Town & Country - Andy Morrison Industry-leading serviced apartment provider Town & Country Apartments has appointed Andy Morrison as operations director. Andy joined Town & Country in January 2014 to head up the leasing division, bringing with him a wealth of industry knowledge and a diverse skill set.

Andy, originally from Stirling, said: “I’m looking forward to working with such an excellent team and continuing to provide a five-star service to our guests whilst growing and developing Town & Country Apartments.”

Coretrax - John Fraser

Right People has bolstered its operations with the addition of new personnel. Karen Gauld (centre) has been appointed as senior recruitment consultant, with Toni Davie and Craig Buchan (left) as recruitment consultants.

Karen, who previously worked for an oil and gas recruiter, brings an extensive network of industry contacts and will spearhead the growth of business and office support provision. Toni will support the firm’s accountancy and finance division, while Craig will enhance the firm’s IT business stream.

Coretrax has appointed a global business development director to focus on the expansion of the company’s global presence. John Fraser joined Coretrax in 2010 as business development manager and has recently been promoted to the newly created position. Mr Fraser will be responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities within the oil and gas sector in the UK and overseas, with a particular focus on the Middle East region. Mr Fraser has 20 years’ experience in the industry, working in several roles at Halliburton prior to joining Coretrax.

Bibby Offshore - Pete Hughes Bibby Offshore is pleased to announce that Pete Hughes has been appointed interim managing director, Asia Pacific, effective immediately. Pete currently serves as Bibby Offshore’s strategic delivery director and takes over the role from Darren Morgan, who has left to pursue opportunities outside the group.

Fraser Moonie, chief operating officer (East), commented: “I would like to welcome Pete to this important role within Bibby Offshore and to thank Darren for his contribution to growing the Bibby brand in the region over the last three years.”

Motive Offshore - Eddie Moore Motive Offshore, which is headquartered in Boyndie, near Banff, in Aberdeenshire, has promoted Eddie Moore to head of sales at its Norway office, just over a year after launching in the region.

Mr Moore brings more than seven years of experience in the oil and gas lifting sector and will be responsible for driving sales activity for the international division – which operates as Motive Offshore Services AS – in addition to developing Motive’s client base and the brand identity in Norway.

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PERSONNEL

Workplace Stress Can Reduce Your Mental Ability to ‘That of a Small Child’

People who believe they perform better under pressure are labouring under a false pretence, according to new research, which shows that acute stress negatively affects people’s ability to think critically, use reasoning and make practical day-to-day decisions.

The research, released by mutual healthcare providers Benenden Health and carried out by independent research company Mindlab, was conducted to discover the relationship between shortterm stress and cognitive impairment.

Two groups of 100 people took part in simple tests, but with one group completing a series of stress-inducing tasks before and in-between trials. The aim was to measure how short-term stress affects critical thinking and decision-making abilities. The results overwhelmingly showed that the stressed group were more likely to make the wrong decision, choose the wrong answer or react emotionally to an answer, such as make a snap judgement/decision based on a gut feeling. These traits are similar to that of small children, who tend to react to problems they don’t quite understand with an emotional (snap) response, rather than a considered logical solution.

Richard Carlton-Crabtree, services director from Benenden Health’s counselling service provider, Insight Healthcare said: “The research demonstrates just how important it is that businesses ensure that staff feel comfortable and are not put under even minor stress whilst at work.”

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With low productivity still hindering UK businesses, it’s essential that employers ensure staff are as productive as possible, especially with an onus on businesses to help boost the economy. It’s therefore in the best interests of businesses to ensure that staff do not feel stressed whilst working, in order to optimise productivity.

One of the tests included in the research focused on critical thinking. These questions included problem solving, tested concentration and the respondents’ ability to work with a number of different facts at once. The stressed group answered just 22% of the critical questions correctly, compared to 25% of the control group.

This test created problems not unlike those that people would have to deal with in the workplace everyday, and – with 88% of the participants reporting short-term stress has had a negative impact on their everyday lives, and 52% saying stress affected them at least every week – it’s clear that stress, coupled with problem solving and the need to think critically, is an unhappy and damaging partnership.

Practical decision-making was also impaired, with the stressed group performing worse when presented with an important decision. Participants were

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asked to identify which house description out of three in the test was the best.

Interestingly, 69% of the control group made the correct decision, compared to only 64% of the stressed group. A five per cent difference between these small test groups shows that some of us are massively impacted by short-term stress, and are prone to make snap decisions about important life choices – such as buying a property.

The test that the stressed group found the most difficult was spatial abstract reasoning. This test looks at our ability to spot, manipulate and work with patterns and sequences. It is quite a difficult test overall, with only 44% of the control group answering all questions correctly. However, the stressed group managed just 39% – which could indicate that the more difficult the problem, the more likely stress is to affect the decision made.

Richard Carlton-Crabtree added: “Many people harbour the view that a little bit of stress may be healthy as the added pressure that stress causes can positively affect their performance; but this research shows that even small amounts of stress can have negative effects.”

PERSONNEL

New Shared Parental Leave Regulations Parents will gain greater flexibility in how they share the care of their child in the first year after birth as new regulations regarding Shared Parental Leave came into force from 1 December.

The new rules, which apply to couples with babies due or children matched or placed for adoption on or after 5 April 2015, will allow parents to choose whether they want to share the mother’s maternity leave.

said: “The new Shared Parental Leave rules will give real choice to parents. We all know that every family has its own unique set of circumstances, and Shared Parental Leave reflects that reality.

There are expected to be as many as 285,000 working couples that will be eligible to share leave from April 2015.

The changes in how maternity leave can be used will kick start a culture change in workplaces where fathers feel more confident in taking time off for childcare.

“Mothers and adopters will be able to choose when they return to work and fathers and partners will be able to spend more time bonding with their children during the precious early stages of their development.”

Employment Relations Minister Jo Swinson

Under the new rules, mums will still take at least two weeks of maternity leave

immediately after birth, but after that working couples have the opportunity to share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay.

Acas Chair Sir Brendan Barber said: “Many employers recognise that they can retain talented staff by offering a flexible approach to work and a healthy work-life balance can help business success and growth.”

Thorpe Molloy Recruitment Highly Commended by Institute of Recruitment Local recruitment firm recognised by institute body Thorpe Molloy Recruitment received highly commended status in the Best Company To Work For (<50 employees) category at the Institute of Recruitment Professionals (IRP) annual awards ceremony held at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London at the end of last year.

Amanda McCulloch, managing director of Thorpe Molloy Recruitment, said: “We’re delighted as these prestigious awards set an industry standard of excellence and enable us to benchmark ourselves against high calibre recruitment businesses nationally. We constantly strive to improve and throughout 2014 we have implemented a number of initiatives targeted at employee engagement, reward and development, so it is particularly pleasing that these efforts have been recognised by our industry’s regulatory body.”

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KPMG ALUMNI EVENT

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DEESIDE CLASSIC CAMPERS - BEST STAND RUNNER UP

At this year’s Your Wedding Exhibition, 200 exhibitors were delighted to meet nearly 4000 visitors over the weekend of 17 and 18 January in the main arena of the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. Business at the event, sponsored

by Grampian Wedding Directory and RaeTech Productions, was very brisk over the weekend.

In addition to the exhibitors’ stands, the twice-daily fashion shows were a hit, in particular some impromptu dancing from

Simply

SILVER CITY WEDDING CARS

GRAMPIAN WEDDING DIRECTORY

some of the male models, a recording of which registered over 226,000 hits on YouTube!

Those exhibiting were also entered in the coveted ‘Best Stand 2015’ competition, with Kim Dalglish Florist being selected as the winner.

YWE DIRECTORS

Next year’s exhibition is over the weekend of 16 and 17 January 2016. All enquiries about the event should be directed to: www.yourweddingexhibition.com

ing Show d d e W t s e the Bigg d in the North

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KIM DALGLISH FLORIST - BEST STAND WINNER

BALMAKEWAN - BEST STAND RUNNER UP

DEESIDE PHOTOGRAPHICS

PREMIER PRODUCTIONS MODELS ON THE CATWALK

SOME OF THE NEARLY 4,000 YWE VISITORS

ELMAR BRIDAL - BEST STAND RUNNER UP

PREMIER PRODUCTIONS MODELS

NORTH EAST EVENTS

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BNS CHARITY EVENT

LIFESTYLE

Anna Telford & Kirsten Robertson - A2B

Simon M. Morgan, Business Network Scotland

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3

Ricardo Mazzoni, Shopper Anonomous Suzie Roger, Blooms & Balloons Kevin Davidson, SYOP

Loraine Ogilvie, Business Network Scotland Neil Skene, North East Sensory Services Lisa Richie, Adam & Co.

Lauren Edwards, Thorpe Molloy Sarah Jane Friedman, Cameron Presentations Jonathon Wake, Thorpe Molloy Catherine Stewart, Thorpe Molloy

Business Network Scotland Annual Christmas Charity Event

Kevin Shand, Simply Self Stoarge John McIntosh, Photographic Solutions

Julia MacLeod, 2020 Search Sarah Downs, Bryant Personnel Gillian Thomson, GT Conflict Resolutions Donna Meachen, IT Hotdesk

In its 14th year, the BNS Aberdeen December networking event held its annual Christmas charity raffle, raising over ÂŁ1000 for Aberdeen Foyer and Inspire.

Held at Norwood Hall on Wednesday 17 December 2014, BNS Aberdeen is a structured networking event designed to help businesses build long-term business relationships.

Bringing together decision makers from a wide range of businesses, BNS holds monthly meetings in both Glasgow and Edinburgh, in addition to Aberdeen.

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Catherine Perkins, Lints Recruitment Julie Mitchell-Mehta, Debut Marketing Craig Donoghue, One-Stop Waste Solutions Judith MacDonald, Contempo Property

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Dick Bird, Auditel Simon M. Morgan, Business Network Scotland Cathy Simpson, Aberdeen Foyer David McAllan, Mattioli Woods PLC

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What is networking?...

Networking is about building real business relationships, actively maintaining them and above all giving as much as you take.

BNS has 14 years of experience of encouraging B2B benefits, helping YOU to build your business in a cost effective, time efficient and enjoyable way.

Interested?

Visit www.businessnetworkscotland.co.uk or give us a call on 01224 865466

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Aberdeen â&#x20AC;˘ Edinburgh â&#x20AC;˘ Glasgow