Business Comment 22

Investing in the future of rail transport

APRIL/MAY 2013

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Contents

APRIL/MAY 2013

Transport Connections

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Better connecting people and places

Integrated transport system for the City

03 Introduction / contents

16|18 Inspiring connections

04 Better connecting people and places

05 Budget 2013 analysis

24|25 Inspiring leaders

07 Capital view

26|27 Transport cover feature

Edinburgh is a city highly dependant on efficient and effective transport systems and in this edition of BC we take a look at some of the challenges involved in keeping our city efficiently connected.

Transport is crucial to the economic well-being of the city. In 2010, for example, Edinburgh received 3,267,000 tourists. In addition, 35% of workers come from outside the city and in 2010, 22.9 million passengers travelled by train into Edinburgh.

Connectivity in and across the city is of great importance to ensure an integrated transport system which means that the city is a good place to work. To ensure that happens, a large level of investment is needed and in this edition we examine plans to constantly improve the bus network and the rail transport infrastructure serving Edinburgh and the wider Scotland. This includes the rail franchise programmes and redevelopment of Haymarket station.

We should also not forget the development of the tram system and the progress being made by Edinburgh Airport as a hub and transport provider. The car remains an important mode of transport as well so it is essential that Edinburgh Chamber campaigns for cost-effective parking charges. Going forward, the Edinburgh Chamber has a very proactive transport economic development policy group to represent the current transport issues of members.

David.birrell@edinburghchamber.co.uk

David Birrell chief executive

08 Transporting your business forward

09 Building a vision for the city centre

12 Edinburgh Airport sets sights on a well-connected future

19 60 seconds

37 In the spotlight

41 Get with IT/ Be the best

44 Getting started

47 New members

13 Ask the expert

49 Partners in enterprise

15 Going international

50 Movers & shakers

Business Comment is an Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce publication.

All editorial a n d g en eral en qu iries: Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Tel: 0131 221 2999 email mayan.grace@edinburghchamber.co.uk Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, Capital House, 2 Festival Square, Edinburgh EH3 9SU www.edinburghchamber.co.uk President: Alex Mcleod Chief Executive: Dave Birrell EDITOR Mayan Grace, Tel: 0131 221 2971 Email: mayan.grace@edinburghchamber.co.uk P RODUCTION & DESIGN Distinctive Publishing, 8th Floor, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE8 3HU Tel: 0845 884 2385 www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk ADVERTISING Distinctive Publishing, 8th Floor, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE8 3HU Tel: 0845 884 2345 john.neilson@distinctivepublishing.co.uk FEATURE EDITORS John Dean & Francis Griss deangriss@btinternet.com FRONT COVER IM AGE Kind courtesy of Network Rail DISCLAIM ER

Distinctive Publishing or Business Comment cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur, individual products or services advertised or late entries. No part of this publication may be reproduced or scanned without prior written permission of the publishers and Business Comment.

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Chambernews

Better connecting people and places More than 22million journeys a year are made to and from Edinburgh City on ScotRail trains.

That’s up 22% since 2006 - and the numbers continue to grow, giving even more people the opportunity to switch to public transport.

Such growth is a clear sign that people have welcomed new services and the improved access to jobs, education and leisure while encouraging drivers out of their cars onto more sustainable forms of travel.

It also underpins economic reviews of Edinburgh against a number of performance indicators which include productivity, prosperity, and hotel occupancy.

More than a quarter of ScotRail’s overall record breaking passenger figures now consist of journeys to and from the city.

Clearly, it is more than a transport operator and is playing a key economic role while also bringing business benefits to Edinburgh.

By better connecting people and places, ScotRail is supporting economic growth, boosting productivity, facilitating connectivity and promoting a low carbon footprint.

Investment in Scotland’s railways continues under a partnership approach with the Scottish Government, Network Rail, and other stakeholders, including businesses – large or small.

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Edinburgh’s gains include the £300m Glasgow-Edinburgh via Bathgate link which introduced direct services from Helensburgh and Milngavie in the west to Edinburgh.

The £650m Glasgow-Edinburgh Improvement Programme is underway. It will cut journey times; introduce longer electric trains and more capacity, and deliver the Edinburgh Gateway Station, connecting services to the tram network and Edinburgh Airport.

In addition, the Borders Railway has the potential to bring real benefits to Edinburgh - and Midlothian, where it will take traffic off busy roads by offering a real alternative to driving into the city. It will also open up leisure opportunities such as day trips to the heart of Borders country.

More than 2000 people have applied for the 18 positions as ScotRail train drivers on the Borders route, further boosting a workforce which has increased by 25% since the start of the franchise in 2004.

Currently, the market sector split in Edinburgh City for people travelling by rail is 22% business, 22% commuter – with some 41% short distance leisure travel, and 15% long distance leisure travel.

It would be nice to think that people might be persuaded to shift from other modes of transport to rail simply out of a personal commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

lives, it is usually convenience and cost which makes the difference.

It is also about constantly working to improve journeys times and the frequency of services – with the Edinburgh to Glasgow electrification a prime example.

And in the ongoing economic climate, ScotRail’s money-saving offers are particularly welcome. Prices on the popular Club 55 offer have again been frozen, while demand for Kids go Free rose by 10% last year.

For business, the free Business Direct service is available to organisations of all sizes wanting to manage travel costs, while people looking for work can benefit from 50% discounts via the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card.

Innovation is crucial.Wi-Fi trials on selected trains between Glasgow and Edinburgh have been extended to Edinburgh-Aberdeen and Edinburgh-Inverness services, and the expansion will continue.

The Smartcard programme, trialled on Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street services, is being extended, with ScotRail at the forefront of developing the next generation of rail ticketing.

Sean Duffy, ScotRail’s commercial director, said: “There is an ongoing renaissance of Scotland’s railways in which we, along with Transport Scotland, industry partners and stakeholders, are building a rail network for the 21st century with services to match.”

But for people – and businesses - leading busy

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Budget 2013 Analysis John Rodger Corporate Tax Partner at Chiene + Tait, outlines the key points all businesses should bear in mind, from George Osborne’s 2013 Budget.

So, what are we to make of George Osborne’s fourth budget which was, he said, for an “aspiration nation”? The budget speech was shorter than it used to be but the volume of paper setting out the detail gets longer and longer. Luckily this year, the London Evening Standard had managed to pick out the headlines for us before the Chancellor had even finished his speech and posted this on Twitter for all to see!

He declared Britain “open for business” with a series of measures designed to boost commerce, but the news on the economy was gloomy – borrowing is up, growth is down and it will take longer than hoped to rectify the nation’s deficit. With the constraint of any tax changes having to be fiscally neutral, there would have to be winners and losers but the Chancellor said that this was a budget to “light the fires of ambition”. These fires may, however, need to wait a while before they can be fully ablaze as it will be a year or two yet before we see the benefit of most of the measures announced in the budget.

Key highlights were: 1. The headline grabbing 1% cut in the main corporation tax rate to 20% from April 2015, created the lowest business tax rate of any major economy in the world.

2. A new “employment allowance”, will provide a £2,000 saving in employer’s NIC from April 2014 and will be welcomed by many businesses.

EMS

3. First £2,000 of shares under the “shares for employment rights” proposals to be received free of tax and NIC. 4. Seed enterprise investment scheme to be extended to include capital gains reinvestment relief for gains made in 2013/14.

5. The personal allowance will be increased to £10,000 from 2014/15 with a new 0% band for savings income so that some individuals will effectively have a £12,000 personal allowance.

6. Childcare tax credit incentives worth up to £1,200 per child per year but not until the autumn of 2015, after the next election.

A case once again, of jam tomorrow...

The Chancellor talked of the need for everyone to pay the tax that is “expected of them.” Promoters of artificial tax-avoidance schemes would be “named and shamed”. A “General Anti-Abuse Rule” (GAAR) will take effect after the 2013 Finance Act receives Royal Assent and this will allow HMRC to negate the effects of artificial avoidance schemes.

These schemes may not be illegal as such but they are outwith the spirit of the law. The message from HMRC is that the aim is not so much as to change the legislation, but to change behaviour and foster a belief that we are all in this together. It remains to be seen whether this will reduce the enthusiasm of some taxpayers for avoidance schemes.

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A full summary of key tax changes announced in the Budget and a list of 2013 – 14 tax rates are freely available on our website at www. chiene.co.uk If you have a question about how the Budget may affect your business, please contact John on 0131 558 5800 or email john.rodger@chiene.co.uk

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AdVertoriAl market. Motivating this type of talent to consider a career move requires a proactive and sensitive approach by experienced consultants.

For senior roles there is a smaller pool of suitable, high-level candidates who can be identified and targeted. An Executive Search firm aims to find the best candidate for the position, whether they are looking to make a career move or not. Executive Search achieves this in a discreet and professional manner, protecting your reputation in the market and ultimately saving you time and money. Broadcasting gaps in your leadership team, or an upcoming vacancy, can send the wrong message to market. Given the small pool of candidates, having one dedicated firm contacting them avoids multiple calls to the same people which will give the impression that you are either unprofessional, desperate or both.

Executive Search can give you a high rate of return. The cost of engaging a search firm to secure the right talent can be amortised very quickly when aligned with the added value said talent will bring to your Company. Spending your money wisely is imperative in today’s economic environment. There is no Catch 22 if you have the vision to invest in your Company’s future. Spending money on the right recruitment support will give you the desired outcome.

Good leadership boosts the profile of the company as well as the moral of the whole team. Do not fall into the trap of denying the Company the desired outcome by misguidedly thinking that Executive Search is an expensive luxury. Start-ups as well as SMEs and larger corporates can all benefit from a bespoke, targeted solution.

Gilliat Moray are committed to giving you the market knowledge you need to allow you to make your next significant hire. We will present you with value-added data that can be gleaned from a retained search; talent maps of your competitors, targeted intelligence on the market, provide benchmarks to internal candidates and support you objectively through the hiring process. leonora gilliat Managing Director Gilliat Moray Ltd

Catch 22 Companies can find themselves in a Catch 22 position when it comes to hiring senior executives. Having high quality, competent leadership is essential in driving a business to successfully meet or exceed its objectives. How can they balance hiring the talent they need against the cost and their timeframe?

Executive search firms exist for a very specific purpose within the broad range of service providers in the talent acquisition market. Hiring the right person who can deliver, versus one who cannot, has a significant impact on the company as an organisation’s culture, effectiveness and success are almost entirely dependent upon its people.

Whether you are big or small contact us today to discuss how Gilliat Moray Executive Search can give you a much needed boost to make 2013 a year of success and growth.

Leonora Gilliat Managing Director Gilliat Moray Ltd www.gilliatmoray.com +44 (0)771 434 2388 info@gilliatmoray.co.uk

Gilliat Moray are an Edinburgh based search and selection company who work across a diverse range of industries, both in the public and private sector, assisting companies engage senior talent as well as helping individuals through the recruitment process.

It goes without saying: the more senior the position, the higher the standard of candidate that is required. These roles require specific backgrounds and experience, proven track records in delivery, leadership ability, personality fit, etc. Most talented executives are typically employed with firms that already recognise their merits; they are treated well and as such have little cause to actively put themselves on the job

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Capitalview The Way Forward: When it comes to Edinburgh’s transport policies and projects, the city could take comfort from the old adage that there is no such thing as bad publicity.

Edinburgh has certainly had its fair share of ‘transport’ publicity in recent years and will no doubt continue to do so in the future. Why is transport so important and so contentious in Edinburgh? Maybe it is contentious because it is so important. Edinburgh is the capital city with national responsibilities. Its economic, social, cultural and educational activities take place within a world heritage site and conservation areas.

Many of Edinburgh’s residents live, work and shop within the city centre. Many more travel into the centre by public transport.

Edinburgh’s businesses rely on effective and efficient transport and transport infrastructure for staff and customers.

The real constraint is that the capacity of Edinburgh’s roads is basically fixed. The challenge is how to manage competing demands for that road space. The needs of pedestrians, cyclists, buses, taxis, freight, deliveries and the motorist all have to be addressed as well as residents and general parking. There is no ‘right’ solution when

balancing these competing demands on a fixed resource. If we are to support economic growth, the needs of the business community have to be given sufficient weight by the City Councillors.

Edinburgh has a first class local bus service and it is now months rather than years until trams are operational. The Council is consulting on the new Local Transport Strategy and Councillor Hinds has set up a Transport Forum, which is considering the future for integrated transport in Edinburgh.

The Chamber of Commerce is represented on the Transport Forum.

The City Council has been pursuing an integrated transport policy for many years now. It is very easy to criticise one option over another but is it fair to criticise aspirations for a road and transport network that is sustainable and socially inclusive? It is also very easy to criticise after the event.

If Edinburgh’s business community want their needs taken into account, they have to take time to inform the decision makers of those needs.

Ann Faulds

Head of Planning & Transport at Dundas & Wilson Chair Transport Policy Group Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

There are, and always will be, many transport challenges but there are also opportunities.

The Chamber of Commerce supports a high quality, reliable and affordable public transport system serving the city centre and its environs.

It also supports a car parking strategy that meets the needs of users of the city centre, including shoppers and visitors.

Events industry launches trade body Scotland’s events industry has created its first membership organisation. The Scottish Festivals and Events Association (SEFA) will be the official trade body in Scotland, providing leadership and representation for organisers, promoters and suppliers involved in the events and tourism industry throughout Scotland and the UK. SEFA will aim to act as an advocate for the industry, allowing the views of its members

to be heard. Its objectives will be to promote the highest standards of professionalism and best practice in the industry, in addition to providing support, advice and information for those working in the sector.

Recent research carried out on the Edinburgh Festivals alone, revealed that the festivals generate new output of £245 million in Edinburgh and £261 million in Scotland.

The Association will support its members by promoting their businesses and interests in a vibrant UK sector and be the first port-of-call for anyone investigating local suppliers for organising an event in Scotland.

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Businessnews Transporting your business forward Transportation of goods from A to B has been a key factor for the development of commerce in modern times.

Infrastructure and the cars, trains, ships, planes that use the various transportation infrastructures have constantly improved driven through materials and innovation.

This is a relentless march into the future with the goal to constantly increase speed and efficiency.

It is not just physical goods that are transported, the same can be said for data that we all use and rely on every day. The data infrastructure we use has many parallels to the physical world. Data needs to be stored, needs to be accessed and needs to be transported.

Data usage is increasing month on month due to rapid succession of innovations and new data rich applications. One of the challenges moving forward is how to access your data or applications whilst away from your home or office space. Mobile data is ubiquitous and the key responsibility of the mobile networks is to provide the fastest possible access to our data.

The Government has communicated who from the mobile networks has won 4th

generation licences for the mobile spectrum.

All the mobile operators in the UK will be busy building the infrastructure to transport your business and personal data at superfast speeds to your mobile, tablet or computer.

However, one mobile operator, EE (joint venture between Orange and T-Mobile) already has superfast 4th generation mobile working in the UK and now covers over 50% of the population including Edinburgh and Glasgow and rapidly rolling out nationwide.

As the other operators strive to match EE over the next 12 months we will all benefit from the increased competition as the 4G network in the UK grows to cover the whole population in a way that surpasses the current 3G network coverage.

today in your business through EE and your competitor does not have 4G you have an edge. There are many applications from the frivolous to the life saving, where the extra speed has a meaningful effect.

However the simple question to ask is how will getting access to information faster, benefit my role and that of my business. Go back 15 years and recall how long it took to down load a simple email on your laptop at 9.6kbs. Superfast mobile broadband is up to five times faster than your current 3G service.

93% of business leaders want 4G in the UK and estimates of between £20bn and £50bn of benefits for UK consumers and business from 4G provide a compelling argument why 4G is the future for business mobile. Is your business ready to upgrade and ride the information age as superfast speeds?

Colin Loveday colin@4geescotland.co.uk

What does 4G mean to my business after all the marketing hype is cut through? Simply you will have access to your valuable data quicker on 4G and the data you need can be richer and viewed in the way you need it to be, not in a way that you are forced to through network limitations. If you have 4G

She’s Gott It! wins Two National Awards Event management company She’s Gott It! won two prestigious national industry awards in a ceremony in Birmingham.

The awards for National Best Event of the Year and Event Management Best Practice were awarded to the team as part of the National Outdoor Events Association celebration of leading industry companies who excel in delivering exceptional outdoor events.

The company member, which has offices in Durham and Edinburgh, picked up the awards for creative programming and outstanding attention to detail.

She’s Gott It! successfully delivered an enviable list of events in 2012 with highlights including St Andrew’s Day at Edinburgh Castle, Olympic Football Events, Science Festival Brainwave, Edinburgh’s Christmas

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and a Scottish Hogmanay Celebration in East Lothian.

The Best Event of the Year was based on the company’s production and management of Edinburgh’s Christmas, which it has successfully delivered for six years and was nominated as the world’s third best Christmas event, and the Best Practice award was the result of a strong investment and commitment in 2012 to attain CHAS, (contractors health and safety), accreditation for the second year.

Founder of She’s Gott It! Events, Nickie Gott, said: “At the heart of everything we do is creativity and best practice so I am absolutely thrilled that the team has been recognised for their hard work and commitment to delivering some of the UK’s most spectacular events.”

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Building a vision for the city centre Councillors have started a public consultation into a proposed scheme aimed at making Edinburgh’s city centre more accessible and attractive, particularly for pedestrians.

The need to enhance pedestrian space was a particular finding of a report commissioned by the Council in 2010 by Gehl Architects, entitled “Edinburgh Revisited: Public Space, Public Life”.

Now, with the tram project progressing well in line with its revised schedule and revised budget, the Council is seeking to maximise the opportunities this creates.

Trams are due to begin passenger services by summer 2014 at the latest and the Council has identified a number of benefits to the movement of traffic which this change could realise, including: n

improved quality of pedestrian experience in the core City Centre area

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improved access to the City Centre;

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increased space for pedestrian and other uses;

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opportunity for dedicated cycle provision in the area; and

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reduced detrimental impact of vehicles on the City Centre environment.

David Birrell, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: “The city is on the cusp of a new era. Change in the city centre is inevitable.

Trams are, in effect, a catalyst for that change.There is a clear opportunity to enhance how Edinburgh City Centre works for all those who use it – businesses, residents, shoppers and visitors.We’d urge our members to have their say in a consultation. Let’s make the most of this opportunity.” www.edinburghgov.uk/citycentrevision

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A proposed scheme has been developed for public consultation, aimed at achieving the Gehl Architects report’s call for the City Centre to become “a place more accessible for all”.

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splitting bus services so they run eastbound on George Street and westbound on Princes Street;

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buses, cycles and taxis on Princes Street in a westbound direction only, on the south carriageway;

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general traffic, including taxis, on George Street in an eastbound direction only;

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creating dedicated two-way cycle lanes on George Street, the National Cycle Route;

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The public consultation will be conducted over a six week period.

The proposed scheme has been shaped by a working group chaired by Planning Convener Councillor Ian Perry, who said : “We want to encourage more people to come into the city centre, whether it’s to shop, relax, work or socialise.”

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Chambernews

Edinburgh Airport sets sights on a well-connected future Edinburgh Airport, Scotland’s busiest airport, is driving ahead with its plan to define itself as a successful player in the global aviation industry having recently announced it is to launch a new £15m Route Development Fund.

More information on the fund and strategy behind it will be announced in the coming months but the main focus of this investment is to drive competition and develop new routes, further confirming Edinburgh Airport is where Scotland meets the world.

The announcement was made during a speech given by Chief Executive Gordon Dewar to an audience of business leaders at a recent event in the capital, during which Mr Dewar emphasised his passion for and commitment to encouraging new airlines to Edinburgh.

Since the change in ownership of Edinburgh Airport, from BAA to Global Infrastructure

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Partners (GIP) on 1 July 2012, the new airport management team has prioritised the development of Edinburgh’s route network.

New agreements have been reached with easyJet and Ryanair, a new Turkish Airlines service to Istanbul is flourishing and Brussels Airlines, Air Canada and Virgin Atlantic have all announced partnerships with Edinburgh Airport. The new deals from Ryanair and easyJet will see almost 16 million passengers pass through Edinburgh Airport over the next five years.

The new £15m Route Development Fund will allow Edinburgh Airport to approach the City’s business community and will work closely with key partners, including the City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, to explore how they can work collaboratively to promote Scotland’s capital city to the world’s airlines.

Gordon Dewar said: “Creating new routes in and out of Edinburgh is one of our priorities and we are busy building Scotland’s connections to the rest of the world.

“Edinburgh Airport has a good reputation but we are hungry for more success and I believe the introduction of this fund will encourage new investment in Scotland’s busiest airport.

“To fuel a competitive effort to develop new routes, we will invest £15m a year underwriting new direct routes for Edinburgh, sharing the commercial risk with airlines; it is simply putting our money where our mouth is.

“We want Edinburgh’s business community to be very involved in attracting new and exciting routes. We will listen to our current partners and look to forge new relationships which will not only benefit Edinburgh commerce, but benefit the airport itself.”

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Asktheexpert Mind the gaps. Sketchy detail can conceal a multitude of embellishments and omissions.

Something listed as ‘1 month’ of experience could be as little as week or even a day! Being ‘fluent’ in a language might mean they can order a beer…

It’s all a bit vague… Be on the look out for vague and misleading information. Reasons for leaving should be carefully examined – ‘personal differences’ might be concealing underperformance or inappropriate behaviour.

It breaks the pattern. If something stands out as not really fitting the profile, then that should ring alarm bells. Statements relating to unemployment, travelling or serving in the armed forces might be there to conceal a criminal conviction…It’s all about how explainable it is and whether it ‘gels’ together.

Sudden volunteering or other activities should be looked at in this way too. If you have any suspicions, check them out with the Criminal Records Bureau database.

Alison Melville of Greig Melville HR shares her experience in reviewing CVs and reveals some potential hazards for businesses looking to recruit.…………

What it takes to spot the fake (CV) In our daily life, we all want to look good: it’s human nature. How many of us have been to parties and business events where we have listened to someone telling us all about their business and their life and how great everything is – and come away thinking that life and business are generally not as smooth and untroubled as that.

So, what should you look out for? And what should you do?

The name – is it real? It might not be!

Some candidates have used dead relatives’ names to hide something about their own past…so it’s definitely a good idea to cross-reference other ID documents.

True to a degree? Is the degree real – and, for that matter, is the university?!

Lack of educational results. Check grades and levels if they are not given or if they are all conspicuously similar. Check university course levels and degree subjects. Have they simply done a foundation course for example?

Too good to be true? Trust your instinct on this one and dig deeper. Some candidates go for broke and make big claims relating to achievements and results.

Most people are, I believe, fairly honest and know the difference between truth and untruth. Yet, even in these day-to-day situations, people are tempted to embellish reality and make themselves out to be just that little bit more interesting.

How much greater then is the temptation when a nice job is in prospect.

As a manager, your first encounter with a prospective employee will almost certainly be when you ‘peruse their CV’. This is a golden opportunity to learn a great deal about them – by what they say and don’t say. The Chartered Institute for Personnel Development (CIPD) estimates that some 25% of all employers withdrew job offers last year after uncovering untruths in candidate CVs.

Is the narrative right? Applicants know that employers use keyword searching and so they make sure they use keywords for all the skills required and in descriptions of projects they claim to have worked on – this is particularly the case with technical job applications. You can search online databases of CVs and go online to see other candidates’ descriptions of the same projects.You can of course also search online to access more project descriptions from other sources such as companies and other organisations; all of this will help you to verify claims and statements.

Doing all of the above will give you a fighting chance of getting it right. Remember that some candidates live by the old adage, ‘sincerity - once you can fake that, you’ve got it made’. Your job as a hiring manager is to differentiate between false and true sincerity, and between false and real promise.

For more help and advice, call Alison Melville on 01324 628676 or email hr@greigmelvillehr.co.uk Alison Melville

www.greigmelvillehr.co.uk

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Chambernews Protecting the fruits of your labour As an Insurance Broker we see many of our clients taking greater care to seek the correct level and type of cover for their business than they do their own personal property. This includes successful individuals who can, and do, spend freely on personal possessions.

So how do people approach buying home insurance? It is a common assumption that all insurance is roughly the same with the main distinguishing feature being price.

This approach may be adequate for most as an average 3 bedroom house can be appropriately placed with a standard policy bought online.

But this method is broadly not suitable for higher value homes and lifestyles and sometimes this is only realised when a claim is made and the £100 saving in the premium results in the policy holder being £1000’s out of pocket because the standard policy was not designed to cover higher value homes, valuables, art and antiques. The cover and limits are restrictive under a ‘one size fits all’ policy, whereas those specially designed

for high-net-worth individuals are far more inclusive, have higher limits and ultimately seek customer satisfaction and loyalty resulting in higher retention rates, often around 95%.

True, they do not try to be cheapest but they do try to offer the best value and often the cost differential is surprisingly negligible.

Hiscox, an insurer with whom we place much business, recently instructed The Future Foundation to carry out a survey of the insurance buying habits of 1,500 high net worth individuals (incidentally, it is believed there are 500,000 high net worth individuals in the UK, as defined by Datamonitor as those with liquid assets of >£750,000). Some of the findings were surprising, with only 18% of those surveyed using a recognised high net worth insurer, and only a third use a broker.

Mark Richards Director, Private Clients Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers Ironically the recent recessionary periods have seen sharp increases in the values of luxury goods that high net worth individuals will typically own. Certain area of the art market, fine wine and jewellery in particular have grown in value so much recently that a 3 year old valuation for a good quality diamond ring may be half what it would be today.

Therefore only a small percentage of those who could benefit from better cover are buying it and benefitting from the available expertise to help them choose the most appropriate policy or level of cover they need.

Family run local business expanding With another rush of companies calling in the administrators it is good news to hear of a small family run business not only surviving during these hard times but expanding James Erskine Interiors, Church Hill Place, was established in 1919 and has continued to develop and adapt ever since to succeed.

They are now pleased to announce they have opened a new branch at Ocean Terminal shopping centre which focuses on the carpeting and flooring side of their business.

Norman Laidlaw, managing director of James Erskine Interiors, said: “We are excited with this new development for our company and hope that the venture will be as successful as we are at Church Hill. Our Church Hill store will continue to specialise in not only carpets and flooring but also curtains, furniture, reupholstery and French polishing.”

The new branch is located on the first floor of Ocean Terminal and offers the same excellent service that James Erskine, Church Hill is known for. As well as continuing to offer expert advice from industry

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experts. Look out for the new store which is now open at Ocean Terminal, their “pet” sheep to promote wool carpets is proving to be very popular with children and adults alike.

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Cycle Path investment of £360,000 is agreed North Meadow Walk – one of the busiest cycle paths in the city – is to receive £360,000 investment, having fallen into disrepair.

Markings on the route have been worn away and in some parts the path has become extremely narrow.

Funding for the work, which has come from the City Council, will include new lighting and resurfacing work.The majority of the cost is to be match-funded by the sustainable transport charity Sustrans.

Open for Business There’s a common misconception that banks aren’t lending. Bank of Scotland most certainly is.

As part of Lloyds Banking Group, we lent £10bn in the first nine months of last year to small and medium sized enterprises. This is in contrast to a decline in net lending growth across the industry of four per cent.

Rebuilding confidence Although we’re open for business and lending, many businesses are telling us that due to the economic conditions they lack the confidence to borrow and invest in their business.

However, we’re dedicated to boosting confidence and its gradual rise since May is helping us support those businesses that see opportunities.

How do we support this commitment? We’re encouraging enterprise by assisting businesses in their start-up and expansion plans and one way we are doing this is through the Government’s Funding for Lending Scheme, to allow Scottish businesses to benefit from

reduced funding costs. This means we can offer a one per cent reduction in the interest rate for new business loans and hire purchase.

Local knowledge, local support Perhaps our biggest strength is our local knowledge and our teams spread across Scotland. This supports our commitment to meet every reasonable request from viable businesses for competitive, commercially priced finance.

Our Senior Managers and Relationship Managers across Scotland have personal authority to sanction lending applications, which means quick decisions can be made by managers who understand the customer’s business and its ambitions, as well as the wider economy.

Business support Alongside their local or specialist roles, many of our staff are volunteer enterprise mentors.

They act as sounding boards for entrepreneurs when they develop their business plans and access appropriate funding options to support businesses’ needs.

By Alasdair Gardner, Regional Managing Director for Bank of Scotland, Commercial Banking

customer. That’s why our Relationship Managers work closely with alternative providers of finance from across the wider Lloyds Banking Group. Loans and overdrafts may not always be the most appropriate solution, but asset based funding solutions or Invoice Finance might be.

As big advocates of the Government’s specialist lending schemes, we’re also helping local businesses access cheaper borrowing.

To find out how we can work with your business, please contact Ian Collins Area Director, South of Scotland on 07764 287926.

Access to finance Every sector is different and so is every

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Inspiringconnections

01 02

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Members Evening

01

Trevor Charniey and Jan Pacula from Moneycorp

50 new and current members joined us at our members evening on the 24th of January to network and meet the Chamber team

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Emma Fossey from Reporting for Business with Carol Cairns from the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and Lorraine Meston from Peninsula Business Service

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Steven Nuttall and Ann Bell from HSBC

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Photos by Graham Carnie, Tuskite Photography

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Premier Series Dinner On the 4th of February 90 delegates were present at our Premier Series Dinner with Alistair Darling who highlighted the key issues affecting businesses in Scotland around the Scottish Referendum.

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Alex MacLeod, President of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce with Alistair Darling and David Birrell, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce

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Eleanor Watson from the George Hotel with Martin Orr from Space Solutions and Fiona MacFarlane from George Watson’s College

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Debs Hurst from Scottish Canals with Bruce Lees from Aon Risk Solutions and Jude McCorry from Space Solutions

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Inspiringconnections Upcoming events and training courses Networking Over a Wee Dram

Social Media Series

Wednesday 10 April 2013 7.30pm - 7.30 pm The Scotch Whisky Experience

12th, 19th , 26th & 3rd May 9.30am – 12.30pm Edinburgh Chamber office, Festival Square

£30.00 (Chamber members and member guests)

£97.00 + VAT per course (Chamber members)

Enjoy an evening of networking over a wee dram at The Scotch Whisky Experience. The evening will begin with an exciting whisky tasting tour followed by an evening of networking in the luxurious McIntyre bar.

We have developed a series of social media training courses which look at all of the sites and tools required to maximise your sales. If you are a business owner, or an employee with any responsibility for attracting and retaining clients, you should be using social media.

Whether you are experienced, a novice or an absolute beginner at using Blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, our Social Media Series is for you.

New Members Thursday 11 April 2013 5.30pm - 7.00pm Chamber office, Capital House, 2 Festival Square Complimentary event for members New members are welcomed along to a complimentary evening with Edinburgh Chamber. Come along, meet the team over a cup of tea and network with our newest additions at this low key relaxed free event. We will also hear from our service providers and how they can help you to make the best use of your membership.

Lite Night- Naked Classics: Wagner’s Ring Friday 10 May 2013 7.30pm - 10pm Usher Hall, Edinburgh £10.00 (Chamber members and member guests) Wagner’s epic Ring cycle is the kind of experience that changes lives. A tale of gods, lovers, tragedy and redemption that begins at the bottom of a river and ends with the destruction of a world – it’s quite simply overwhelming. But if you don’t happen to have four days to spare, here’s your chance to see what the fuss is about: an hour-long orchestral highlights package! Paul Rissmann tells the story: Richard Wagner and the RSNO do the rest. Prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.

For further information or to book onto an event call the events team on 0131 221 2972 / e-mail events@edinburghchamber.co.uk or visit www.edinburghchamber.co.uk

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Digital Marketing 14th May 9.30am-4.30pm Edinburgh Chamber office, Festival Square £187.00 + VAT (Chamber members) The course aims to help businesses promote themselves through online and digital media. As a result of attending this course delegates should have a clear understanding of how to promote their business online, take advantage of digital marketing opportunities and as importantly, track the success of their efforts. A real must in a digital age.

Writing for the Web 22nd May 9.30am-4.30pm Edinburgh Chamber office, Festival Square £187.00 & VAT (Chamber members) Need to write clear, compelling content for your website? Learn writing techniques that will help your key audiences find your website and engage with the content once they are there. Discover how web content helps your search engine ranking. Develop useful editing skills, ideal for the web, but excellent for other kinds of business writing too.

For more details on our training courses or to book please visit www.chamberbusinesssolutions.co.uk/open_training_Courses or contact Carrie Wilson, on 0131 221 3191, or by email: carrie.wilson@edinburghchamber.co.uk

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60seconds Name: Derek Binnie Company Name: Space Solutions Website: www.spacesolutions.info q In five words or less, what do you do?

A Office Design, fit-outs and re-locations q How long have you been a Chamber member?

A 3 years. q Why did you join?

A To meet and network with the great and good around Edinburgh.

q What services do you use?

A Mainly the Premier dinner series because of the excellent speakers and the high level of attendance of senior people and decision makers.

q What’s the best business/benefit you have won through the Chamber?

A Meeting people and getting to really explain what Space Solutions do in a relaxed and informal way.

q Are there any additional services or information you’d be particularly interested in?

A I think that the Edinburgh Chamber are always in the sidelines, waiting to help their members and encouraging us to use services that maybe we need to put more effort into as an organisation. When you join the Chamber they don’t just take your money and let you get on with it yourself; they proactively work for you and encourage you to take part in events and use their services, really make use of the package.

q If you were telling another business person about the Chamber, what’s the first thing you would say?

A That is well worth the membership cost (don’t put the cost up though!).

I would also confirm that it is a great

way to get out and meet people that you normally would not get to meet in your business day.

q Where do you read your copy of Business Comment?

A On the train on my way to our Aberdeen office or on the plane journey to the London office.

www.sir-robert-mcalpine.com

Sir Robert McAlpine is proud to be helping shape a new future for Scotland through projects including the delivery of a new stadium for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Scott House, Mid New Cultins West One Business Park Edinburgh EH11 4DH

Tel: 0131 458 4255 Fax: 0131 458 4254 Email: edinburgh@sir-robert-mcalpine.com

Military Tattoo Stadium

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AdVertoriAl

Appreciating modern apprenticeships Alasdair MacRae, Head of Business Development at the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), talks about Modern Apprenticeships and how a workforce with sector specific skills can benefit employers and the economy.

Alasdair explains: “As a country, we have set an ambitious target to provide 25,000 Modern Apprenticeship opportunities each year. In order to realise the benefits that Modern Apprenticeships can deliver, more needs to be done to raise awareness of the programme and the opportunities that exist for young people and employers to get involved in the initiative.” understanding Modern Apprenticeships Modern Apprenticeships offer anyone over 16 paid employment, combined with the opportunity to train for jobs across a wide number of industries that will help young people start a career, without having to enter full-time education.

All Modern Apprenticeships are developed by the industries they are relevant to, giving young people the opportunity to enter the workplace and develop their skills while they earn a living.

SQA supports Modern Apprenticeships with a portfolio of qualifications that stretch across a number of key industries including Business and Administration, Energy, Marine, Retail, Hospitality and Healthcare.

The programme is supported by the Scottish Government, the CBI, the TUC and a wide range of employers. good for employers, good for individuals Alasdair says businesses benefit from a qualified workforce, “Any business is only as good as its people. If staff are trained and qualified then they tend to be motivated and more productive. Many employers notice benefits, including improved bottom-line performance almost as soon as their people start working towards a qualification.”

Modern Apprentices will be employed from the beginning of their training.This gives young people the chance to develop expertise and knowledge through on-the-job assessment, as well as gaining vital skills such as teamwork and problem solving while receiving a wage from their employer. Many Modern Apprentices also attend college or training centres for additional study relating to their chosen occupation. embracing Modern Apprenticeships SQA is committed to Modern Apprenticeships and has made the programme a part of its

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SQA Chief Executive Dr Janet Brown is joined by Modern Apprentices Zak Birrell and Alexandra Kerr corporate social responsibility activities. In 2012, two Midlothian school leavers became SQA’s first Modern Apprentices.

Since they were appointed in September, both Zak Birrell and Alexandra Kerr have worked across a number of different departments and for the remainder of their apprenticeship will continue their training while studying for an Higher National Diploma in Information Technology and Administration at Edinburgh College along with their workplace based Scottish Vocational Qualification.

Alasdair added: “Our Modern Apprenticeship scheme is an integral part of SQA’s work with young people in our local community. Over the two years of their apprenticeship, Alex and Zak will work across a number of teams and build on the skills they are learning on the job by attending college and working towards their HND and SVQ.” In 2013, SQA will continue its commitment to the programme by recruiting candidates for Modern Apprenticeship positions in both its Glasgow and Dalkeith offices.

Although each Modern Apprenticeship is specific to a particular industry or sector, they each comprise of three elements: 1. SVQ level 3 is an occupational qualifications that form the core of every Modern Apprenticeship that can be tailored to individual or industry requirements.

2. Core Skills include: n Communication n Working With Others n Numeracy n Information Technology n Problem Solving 3. Additional components that are sector specific may be required as part of a Modern Apprenticeship. These can include other SVQs or Higher National Certificates and Diplomas.

SQA supports Modern Apprenticeship Week 2024 May 2013. For more information visit

www.sqa.org.uk/modernapprenticeships

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Peter Vardy Corporate Centre Your local BMW & MINI dealer in Edinburgh.

2012 was an exceptionally strong year for our corporate team and it looks like 2013 is going to be even stronger with our recent expansion in Aberdeen with Jaguar and Land Rover .

As your local BMW Corporate Team, we understand the needs of business users and Fleet Managers alike.

Whether your needs are small or large – whether you’re looking for one car, or 100 – XF IBWF UIF TLJMM BOE FYQFSUJTF UP ‍׊‏OE UIF SJHIU solution for you. We have over 25 years combined BMW and corporate experience, and we will make every effort to help you work to your budget and maximise return on your investment. Combine UIJT FYQFSUJTF XJUI #.8 &G‍׊‏DJFOU%ZOBNJDT BOE ZPVS PSHBOJTBUJPO XJMM CFOF‍׊‏U GSPN GBOUBTUJD WBMVF GPS NPOFZ GSPN TUBSU UP ‍׊‏OJTI

“It was a pleasure to speak to someone that knew their job. From start to finish the process of buying a car went very smoothly and it just goes to show that there are professionals still out there! We wouldn’t hesitate buying from Peter Vardy again in the future. First class service!�

Mick Cotton, Cotton Transport

“Peter Vardy are a new supplier to us in the BMW product range. However what they say on the tin they deliver, on time and at the right price with minimum fuss. We are continually reviewing the fiscal benefits of running an efficient car fleet and Peter Vardy have been excellent in guiding us through that maze�

George P Brewster, FRICS, Senior Partner, J & E Shepherd The Business Partnership programme also provides a Local Business Manager to help ZPV UISPVHI BMM BTQFDUT PG ‍ת‏FFU NBOBHFNFOU including weighing up the options and choosing the vehicles that make sense for you and your CVTJOFTT 8IBUņT NPSF ZPVņMM CF UIF ‍׊‏STU UP know of new model launches and receive exclusive Corporate Sales event invitations at your local dealership.

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MEET THE TEAM Corporate Sales Manager Robert Simpson: 0791 289 5777 robert.simpson@petervardy.com

MINI Business Partnership has been designed TQFDJ‍׊‏DBMMZ GPS ZPV 5IF GVMM SBOHF PG #.8 and MINI vehicles is available to order, offering compelling contract hire rates as well as DPNQMJNFOUBSZ TQFDJ‍׊‏DBUJPO VQHSBEFT PO NPTU models.

Local Business Development Manager Craig MacQueen: 07841 878 873 craig.macqueen@petervardy.com

Choosing any model in the BMW Group range as a Business Partnership customer delivers more; from complimentary electric folding mirrors, to integrated Bluetooth telephone preparation with UFMFNBUJDT BOE %SJWFS GFBUVSFT UIBU NBLF ESJWJOH your BMW even more of a pleasure – even when on business.

The BMW 320 ED achieves 68.9 mpg

Corporate Administrator Pauline Hunt: 0131 669 0900 pauline.hunt@petervardy.com

The BMW 530d SE GT

Did you know at Peter Vardy we give 10% of our profits to charity.

The Peter Vardy Foundation was launched in September 2009 with an initial ÂŁ100K investment as a means of distributing 10 per cent of our annual profits to worthwhile causes in the communities where we operate across Scotland. When we opened for business in Scotland three years ago, we were determined that Peter Vardy would be a company that did things differently for the benefit of customers, staff and the wider community. The Peter Vardy Charitable Fund is our mechanism for delivering on this commitment.

We are proud to support Edinburgh Sick Kids Foundation, a charity close to the heart of Edinburgh and its people. Sick Kids Friends Foundation provides extra funding in addition to NHS provision in four main areas which will benefit the 100,000 children and their families who go to the hospital every year. This year we had the highest number of Peter Vardy board and colleagues taking part in the Bethany Christian Trust’s Big Sleep Out 2013 Event, raising thousands of pounds for the homeless.

We look forward to continuing our good work with local charities throughout 2013. For all our charity news please visit: charity.petervardy.com

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Inspiringleaders Integrated transport system for the city As he helps lead Edinburgh towards the launch of its eagerly-awaited tram network, Ian Craig can look back on a career which has seen him live and breathe public transport.

Ian is the Managing Director of councilowned Lothian Buses and the company has been given the leading role in planning the operation of the city’s integrated transport network when the trams start running.

He believes that, if the city gets it right, the new network will place Edinburgh on the same level as some of Europe’s major cities.

for Arriva Scotland West. From August 2006 till the present day, Ian has held the position of Managing Director at Lothian Buses plc.

In recognition of his commitment to the sector, he was awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Local Transport award at the Scottish Transport Awards held in Glasgow last summer.

It was the second significant industry award to be presented to Ian last year; in March, the 43 year-old managing director was named Regional Director (for Edinburgh, Lothians and the Borders) of the Year 2011 at the Institute of Directors (IoD) Awards.

It’s the latest challenge in a career which began in 1989 when he joined his family’s expanding business,West Coast Motors, in Kintyre.

“We can trace that link back to the 1920s and I grew up in a household where public transport was the main topic of conversation at the dining table, much to my mother’s disgust!”

“I was interested in running a business, and in particular how you led people, how you were led by them, how you ensured a good experience for your customers. It was all about people for me.”

In 1996, Ian moved to join Scottish Citylink Coaches, Glasgow, before landing a job with Paisley-based Arriva Scotland West in 1999, becoming Commercial Manager.

Two years later, he moved to Arriva Yorkshire as Commercial Director and returned to Scotland in 2003 to assume full managerial responsibility

His enduring belief in the importance of people lies behind his success. He said: “At Lothian Buses, people dominate.We do not make a product, what we do is provide a service that gives people access to places of work, leisure and retail.

“I see us very much as an enabler and we have to be clear about our role.We have to be aware what happens when we get it right and the consequences when we get things wrong.

It is important that we always strive to offer customers the best service possible”.

The result of that approach is that the company, whose shares are owned entirely by the four Lothians local authorities, City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian Council, Midlothian Council and West Lothian Council with Edinburgh holding 91%, has steadily increased passenger numbers.

Today, it operates more than 70 services in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas of Midlothian and East Lothian and has 650 buses plus more than 30 open-top buses for the Edinburgh Bus Tours services and 14 specially branded low floor AIRLINK vehicles for use on the Airport Express service.

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Ian said: “We are part of the city’s wider economy.We underpin a lot of the commercial activity city by getting people to the places they want to go.”

“We want to be at the heart of the discussions that take place as politicians form the transport policy framework of the city. “ “Making our voice heard is not always easy as there are a great many stakeholders who have their own interests to protect. For us, it’s useful that we have a small degree of leverage because our shareholders, the councils, are also the stakeholders.”

“It‘s an open dialogue and a good example of how we are involved is the way, 18 months ago, we were given the task of leading the preparation for the operation of trams in Edinburgh.”

He said: “I was the third generation in my family who had worked in public transport. “

“However, I was not so interested in the operations, more the challenges of business and commerce. In fact, when I left school I wanted to be an accountant and part-qualified before changing direction.”

Lothian is also a major employer, with more than 2000 staff, 1500 of whom are drivers.

“We have created a management team to work on this and our view is that the city has a great opportunity here, that the tram network can, should and will, integrate with the rest of the exisiting bus based transport network. “ “Our view is that the tram network and the bus network can work together.What people need to see is a service that is seamless, a service that integrates trams with seventy bus services.

There are examples all over Europe of that happening. If we get it right, it‘s a massive opportunity.”

Lothian Buses bus services are recognised as playing a significant role as an economic enabler and future access to and through the city centre. George Street and Princes Street.

Iin particular it is of vital importance and contributes significantly to the economic wellbeing of the City.

The company feels it is vital that it continues its positive engagement with the members of Edinburgh Chamber to ensure that it is aware of the needs of the City’s business community and local areas.

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“I see us very much as an enabler and we have to be clear about our role. We have to be aware what happens when we get it right and the consequences when we get things wrong. It is important that we always strive to offer customers the best service possible�

Ian Craig Managing Director, Lothian Buses

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Coverfeature Investing in the future of the rail These are exciting times for the railways in Scotland.

Network Rail has committed to continuing the biggest investment in railway infrastructure since the Victorian era, reducing costs and delivering more passengers on time in Scotland than ever before.

With year-on-year passenger and freight growth continuing at unprecedented levels, Network Rail plans to spend £4bn in Scotland and £37bn overall on running and expanding Britain’s railway in the five years between 2014 and 2019.

n Implement a rolling programme of electrification which will cover 100 single track kilometres per annum. Other lines to be electrified include those to Stirling/ Dunblane/Alloa and selected suburban Glasgow routes

The company says that the investment, which includes benefits for Edinburgh, will improve capacity at key pinch points on the network, providing 170,000 extra commuter seats across Britain at peak times by 2019.

n Reconnect the Borders with Edinburgh by reopening 30 miles of railway closed by Beeching in the 1960s

Network Rail’s five-year strategic UK business plan maps out a programme of projects designed to maintain and improve an ageing infrastructure and reduce the cost of running the network. By 2019, it will deliver a railway that:

n Improve the route between Aberdeen and Inverness resulting in better commuter services and a new stations at Kintore and Dalcross n Deliver signalling and track works on the West Coast Main Line in Lanarkshire to reduce journey times and increase capacity.

n Moves 225m more passengers per year and carries 355,000 more trains – the highest numbers ever seen on Britain’s railways

n Maintains record levels of performance

n Has cut CO2 emissions per passenger by 37% – the equivalent of one million lorries off of our congested roads – and has hundreds of miles more electrified railway Is the safest in Europe, reducing risk at level crossings by 8% in CP5 n Continues to modernise antiquated signalling equipment n To do this in Scotland, Network Rail and its industry partners will be: n Electrify the Edinburgh Waverley-Glasgow Queen Street route, shortening journey times and increasing capacity

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“We have to continue to improve the connectivity within Scotland and with the rest of the UK.You can get to London in four hours now by rail if you take the Flying Scotsman and we have to continually improve that.”

“The electrification of the EdinburghGlasgow line is a good example of improved connectivity. It’s important that we have good links between Scotland’s two major cities and this work will do that.”

“We are in a competitive market place. People can take the car or bus or fly and we have to compete with that. Another challenge is persuading people to travel at all and these announcements are part of that process.”

“Although this is a competitive market place, it’s also part of an integrated network, be it rail, bus, road, plane of tram. We have to work together.”

“An example is the park and ride at Bathgate which proved successful when it opened with all the places taken quickly so we are now working to expand it.”

n Carries 30% more freight than today

n Has future-proofed 30,000 bridges, embankments and tunnels against the impact of changing weather patterns, including flooding

“We have announced a wide range of enhancements which will continue to grow capacity and extend the reach of rail in the years ahead, while driving down costs, increasing cross industry cooperation and improving value for both passengers and taxpayers.”

David Simpson, Network Rail route Managing Director for Scotland, said: “In Scotland, rail travel is more popular than ever and demand is predicted to continue to grow rapidly in the future.”

“What we have announced is achievable and comes against a backdrop of consistent growth. ” “Our experience has been that we have seen growth even when the economy has faltered and that is why we have announced £4bn worth of improvements. The demand is high and we see it continuing.”

“One of the key things we need to do is tackle the perception that the media likes to promote of railways as expensive and overcrowded and our market research suggests a high level of customer satisfaction.”

Another example of improvement work will see Edinburgh Haymarket’s new station concourse open in December. The new-look building will deliver the extra capacity needed at a station which is expected to see an 125% increase in passenger numbers over the next 15 years.

David said: “Work is progressing quickly to transform what has been a cramped concourse at Haymarket and change what is a 150-yearold building. Taken with work at Waverley, it is another example of how we are improving the network.”

By being a member of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, the company can positively engage with the Chamber members, to help it understand more the support that is required from Network Rail as an economic enabler to Edinburgh City and the local business community.

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“Our experience has been that we have seen growth even when the economy has faltered and that is why we have announced £4bn worth of improvements. The demand is high and we see it continuing”

David Simpson Network Rail Route Managing Director for Scotland

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AdVertoriAl

Picture this You’re out and about, it’s a busy Saturday. For some reason you decided to buy a lamp in the first shop and you’re wearing the shoes that are too small which you got in the sale.

It’s raining, there’s someone in front of you at the cash machine who looks like they’ve never seen one before and that’s exactly what shopping is like every single time.

So, you just want to go home, you don’t want to sit on the bus with the coughing and sneezing and sometimes you deserve just to get a taxi. Private contract black cabs might seem like something reserved for celebrities

but in reality, a taxi company that offers personal accounts could be just what you need.

Our account holders are our priority. A cashless, reliable way of travel - where you only have to pay at the end of the month by invoice including a report on what taxis you’ve used so you can check everything’s as it should be.

drink cocktails. We only use black cabs so you know you’re getting safety and accountability and of course, all our drivers are all excellent human beings.

Let’s face it, you were going to get a taxi anyway, but why not feel great about it. The bottom line is we want you to use our taxis, we’re confident in our service and we want to make it as easy for you as we possibly can.

You can password protect your account too, just in case that’s a concern – for example if you have teenage children or a dog who likes to

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www.comcab-edinburgh.co.uk

Open a Personal Account today Your account gives you: www.comcab-edinburgh.co.uk

n Cashless Journeys n Monthly Billing n Personal Account Code and Password n Priority Telephone Number n Dedicated Account Manager n Fixed Fares

Travel in style and comfort

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3/4/13 16:52:50

AdVertoriAl

Setting a global standard for the MBA Association of MBAs accreditation

An MBA can boost your career and professional networks. It gives you the management toolkit and confidence to climb the ladder to leadership in your own profession, switch careers, or be entrepreneurial and start up a new business.

To make a success of this professional, financial and personal investment, you need to be sure you are enrolling in a quality MBA. Your shortlist to success is to choose an MBA from a business school that has received accreditation from the Association of MBAs (AMBA). Setting the global standard for accrediting MBAs, DBAs and MBMs, AMBA accredits more than 700 programmes in 70 countries. In Scotland the business schools with AMBA accreditation are Aberdeen Business School, Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, Strathclyde Business School and the University of Edinburgh Business School.

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AMBA accreditation ensures that an MBA programme is of the highest quality and relevant to the changing world of business.The criteria for accreditation ensure the MBA programme meets rigorous standards of management training and that the faculty, students and curriculum are of the highest quality.The Association of MBAs detailed assessment process is conducted by an independent panel of senior business school academics who focus purely on the business school’s MBA programme.

The criteria upon which MBA programmes are judged are constantly revised and updated by the Association’s International Accreditation Advisory Board to reflect the changing nature of management and business.

As an impartial authority on postgraduate business education, AMBA is committed to the development of the MBA. Its accreditation ensures that an MBA programme is of the highest quality, relevant to the dynamic world of business, and that the programme reflects the latest social, environmental and cultural management requirements, plus the trends and innovation in management training.

To find out more about the Association of MBAs accredited business schools and MBA programmes go to www.ambaguide.com

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3/4/13 16:52:54

Coniston Adventure Team Challenge 2013

Are you up for the challenge?

Join Team Guide Dogs and take on the Coniston Adventure Team Challenge on 7 September 2013.

Hike to the summit of the Coniston Old Man Bike through the forests of Grizedale Kayak on Coniston Water Celebrate with your team mates and supporters at our post race party complete with buffet, bar, live band and disco.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and hot drinks are provided for all team members and camping is available on site.

Registration fee: £60 per team Fundraising target: £2,500 per team 4-6 members per team

Make 2013 the year you change a life…

Call: 0845 600 6787 Visit: www.guidedogs.org.uk/conistonchallenge (All entries accepted from individuals aged 16+) Registered charity in England and Wales (209617) and in Scotland (SC038979) 3770 11/12

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AdVertoriAl

Back in Business: Assembly Rooms Edinburgh

With CNN having named Scotland as the world’s top travel destination for 2013, there is much to celebrate this year.

Not least is the return of one of the hottest venues for events large and small - Assembly Rooms Edinburgh, which re-opened last year after a £9.3 million refurbishment.

This much-loved building has played a major part in Edinburgh’s social, cultural and business life for centuries and, thanks to a sensitive refurbishment, is set to continue to do so for generations to come.

Through an 18-month restoration project, new life has been breathed into the Assembly Rooms; the spaces have been modernised while the building’s character and beauty have been preserved. The main spaces have been restored with the striking Georgian features, such as the intricate plasterwork and ornate cornicing, retained Funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, with contributions from Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland, the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland, the work is in keeping with the history of the building as captured in the Assembly Rooms’ Conservation Plan. The historically sensitive renovation design work was led by LDN Architects, and the construction was led by Balfour Beatty.

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restoring an icon The refit has seen the A-listed building return to its 18th century splendour, but with the inclusion of modern technical infrastructure to improve its capabilities as a premier venue for contemporary events.

Architectural details have been repaired and enhanced, with 22 carat gold leaf and a fresh neutral theme throughout providing a stunning backdrop for any event, from performances to conferences and weddings.

Well-loved features of the venue have regained their former glory including the spectacular crystal chandeliers in the Ballroom and Music Hall, the fireplaces and the statues. Four 18th century Coade statues were re-discovered during the process and have been restored by the Museums Conservation team from the City of Edinburgh Council’s Culture and Sport department, ready to resume pride of place in the Crush Hall.

General Manager Shona Clelland is delighted with the transformation. She explains: “The first-floor rooms are so grand and elegant.

With the glowing gold leaf all done and the decorative rosettes restored, it’s looking absolutely stunning.”

Aside from the aesthetics of the building, considerable investment in technology has introduced substantial acoustic and lighting improvements, with state-of-the-art sound systems and flexible seating to transform the venue to host a range of events. WiFi is now installed throughout the venue, and opportunities to incorporate digital images and information are in place thanks to six plasma screens in the foyer and two digital projectors in the under-gallery bar.

Clelland adds: “Visitors are immediately noticing the decorative improvements that give the building its ‘wow-factor’, but the infrastructure and behind the scenes changes have made being in the Assembly Rooms much more comfortable.The venue is lighter, airier and more contemporary, with a new heating and ventilation system, brand new seating, sound-proofing and better circulation space. ” Access for venue users has also been improved, with a new entrance on Rose Street via the restaurant, and the West Lane opened up to create a thoroughfare connecting Rose Street with George Street. Additionally, two lifts have been installed for the first time, making the venue much more accessible publicly and from a service point of view.

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A New Chapter Assembly Rooms Edinburgh is beginning a new, exciting chapter in its fascinating history.

The Assembly Rooms is now somewhere people come for a meal and to shop, as well as for events.

Two boutique outlets have moved in to complement George Street’s already strong independent retail offering. New York skincare brand Kiehl’s has opened with their largest standalone store in Europe, as well as luxury Scottish jeweller Rox with its first Edinburgh boutique.

The latest Jamie’s Italian also opened in the Assembly Rooms, occupying the former Supper Room and Edinburgh Suite, with a new second entrance on Rose Street.

In keeping with the rest of the building, and being careful to remain faithful to the Assembly Rooms’ 18th century architecture, the restaurant’s designers retained original features, while also adding some culinary magic, with an “antipasti island” and open kitchen.

Speaking of the new residents, Clelland says “We’re very excited to have such high profile partners in the building. The combination of top quality retail and dining spaces as well as first class event, performance and conference spaces will attract visitors to the Assembly Rooms day and night, throughout the year.

Assembly Rooms Edinburgh has been reborn, and it’s come back in style!”

Since re-opening in July, the venue has hosted events such as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe; Sir Chris Hoy receiving the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh; the St Columba’s Hospice Live Life Ball that raised a record £400,000; Edinburgh Doors Open Day when over 1200 people visited in just five hours; Edinburgh’s Grand Hogmanay Ball; and a string of exhibitions, wine tastings, craft fairs, conferences gala events and awards ceremonies.

Anyone looking for a venue that combines heritage with modern expertise, opulent spaces that offer an unsurpassed ambience, an enviable city centre location with excellent transport links and memorable spaces that people want to visit, need look no further.

Assembly Rooms Edinburgh is transformed, its doors are open and a warm and professional welcome awaits.

Venue Capacity n

Music Hall: 500 for banquets, 300 cabaretstyle, 600 for receptions and 750 theatrestyle.

n

Ballroom: 300 for banquets, 180 cabaretstyle, 400 for receptions and 400 theatrestyle.

n

There are a further ten rooms offering spaces from 10 to 120 for receptions in the Upper Balcony Bar.

For further information on booking Assembly Rooms Edinburgh: 0131 220 4348 enquiries@assemblyroomsedinburgh.co.uk www.assemblyroomsedinburgh.co.uk @AREdinburgh

History On 14 May 1783, the foundation stone for the Assembly Rooms was laid in George Street.

Designed and built by architects John and David Henderson at a cost of £6,300, the building took four years to complete. The construction of the Assembly Rooms marked the beginning of an exciting project that was to provide the people of Edinburgh with a new establishment in the New Town for ‘assemblies’ or dances. Altered and adapted several times over the intervening decades, by 1843 the Assembly Rooms had become a principal performing arts venue, vital to social and artistic life in Scotland’s Capital city.

For almost 230 years, the Assembly Rooms has been entertaining Edinburgh, with the venue playing host to thousands of events, from royal banquets, sell-out Fringe shows and talent contests to concerts, conferences, ceilidhs and public readings by authors such as Dickens, Scott and Thackeray.

The building opened with a ball on 11 January 1787 and was described by the then Edinburgh Evening Courant as “exceeding the Great Room in Bath in elegance and just proportion”.

Staying with tradition, the July 2012 re-launch saw the building officially re-open to the public in true Scottish style, with a ceilidh.

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BUSINESS

FOCUS

Funeral service which always puts needs of bereaved first

ABERCORN FUNERAL & MEMORIAL SERVICES

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HERE is no legal re-

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A caring choice

T

HERE is no legal requirement to have a funeral director, but most people prefer to use their services to ensure they get all the details right in organising a funeral.

Mary Fairbairn of Abercorn Funeral and Memorial Services in Edinburgh has three decades of experience in bereavement care and believes that a personal service should be a first priority.

“We have run two privately-owned Edinburgh cemeteries for the last 30 years and we started supplying memorial stones 26 years ago,” she says.

“When we started the funeral service we called it Abercorn Choices because I felt it was really important to make people aware of the choices available to them.

“Earlier this year we were awarded a certificate and entry into the Good Funeral Guide 2012 and I was very pleased to know that we’re clearly getting that right, especially at such a difficult and emotional time.”

Entry into the Good Funeral Guide is by invitation only, usually as a result of customer recommendation.

“There are certain criteria to be met and the most

important is that the service offered is totally customer focused,” explains Mary.

“It’s not about being pushy or upselling but making sure we give the customers exactly what they want and can afford.

“Some people will have prepaid insurance plans or insurance policies which cover the cost but others won’t have anything like that so we have to be practical and make sure our

“We will do as little or as much as each customer requires”

process reflects that.,” she explains.

“Our website clearly details all our prices and I would always suggest that people ask around and compare prices. I do recognise that they can be feeling very vulnerable but we will do as little or as much as they require, from just supplying a coffin to a very elaborate funeral and with the same care and attention to every customer.” � Abercorn Funeral and Memorial Services is located at 200 Piersfield Terrace, Edinburgh, EH8 7BN. Call 0800 0850665 or visit www.abercorn.info for more information

ADVERTISING FEATURE

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AdVertoriAl

Corporate Social Responsibility – it’s a walk in the park!

HOW WOULD you like to increase your brand awareness, boost staff morale and put a big tick in your CSR box? You can do all this and more by entering employees into the Edinburgh Kiltwalk.

The Kiltwalk is a series of marathon walking events across Scotland raising money for its charity partners – Aberlour, CHAS, CLIC Sargent and the Tartan Army Children’s Charity. May 19 2013 will see the first ever Edinburgh Kiltwalk, which will also raise funds for Sick Kids Friends Foundation. Setting off from Murrayfield Stadium, the route will take in a scenic tour of the city before ending back in the stadium, where tartan-clad walkers will cross the finish line to the applause of their fellow walkers, family and friends.

rward

les

JOIN OOR WULLIE & HARRY ©DC Thomson & Co. Ltd. 2012.

Oor Wullie ®

Not only does this one-day challenge offer a fantastic team building opportunity for your staff, it also raises money for children’s charities across Scotland, helping to improve the lives of the country’s most vulnerable kids.

k l a W Woof Supporting

Supporting

With increasing recognition of the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility, all of the UK’s top businesses are actively embracing

2013 WoofWalks Bring your dog to a Kiltwalk and help us raise £1m for Scotland’s children Hampden to Loch Lomond Sunday 21st April Edinburgh Sunday 19th May Speyside Sunday 1st September Aberdeen & Deeside Sunday 15th September 26 miles

o suit furry friends es and sizes!

Angus Sunday 29th September

the concept. And supporting a charity represents so much more than simply giving something back to your community – it’s a perfect example of a strategic partnership in practice.

Charity partnerships open up a wealth of PR and marketing opportunities for businesses of all sizes. For Aberlour, it means support in many forms, from financial contributions to access to industry expertise; participation in events and the provision of volunteers for a wide range of activities. Crucially, strategic charity partnerships aren’t just for the big boys and can drastically improve your business’ profile while setting you aside from your competitors.

The Kiltwalk is one way you can do this, even with a small team of employees.

In addition to the 26 miles, there are half marathon and 10km walks to choose from. And you can even bring your fourlegged friend along and turn the Kiltwalk into the Woofwalk! Entering a corporate team of five or more in to the Edinburgh Kiltwalk and encouraging team-based fundraising is a simple and effective way of supporting local causes while raising the profile of your business.

Aberlour is lucky enough to have benefitted from the support of a range of organisations such as Microsoft, WeDO Scotland and Deloitte each providing assistance in different ways; from painting and gardening at our residential services to marketing and campaign advice from practitioners leading in their field. And we will be cheering them on in the Kiltwalk, from our pit-stop along the route.

Microsoft Scotland Marketing Lead, Pam Mundt, said: “We see our relationship with Aberlour as more than just a donor/recipient relationship, we see it as a partnership and we have had the opportunity to get involved with some great events and activities along the way.”

To join Aberlour on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk and start your company’s CSR journey today, go to www.aberlour.org.uk or www.thekiltwalk.org.uk.

Join the fun – and make a difference.

Sign up at thekiltwalk.co.uk/woofwalk

With thanks to Shaun Ward Photography (shaunward.photoshelter.com) for use of their images.The Kiltwalk is a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), no. SC042580. Aberlour Child Care Trust is a Registered Scottish Charity, no. SC007991.

– and make a difference. Sign up at 36

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walk.co.uk /woofwalk

Ward Photography (shaunward.photoshelter.com) for use of their images.

BC issue 22.indd 36 ered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), no. SC042580.

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Inthespotlight Company name: leuchie House Who? Mairi o’Keefe, Chief executive Website: www.leuchiehouse.org.uk

What were you doing between 10 and 12 this morning?

6. Where do you stand on work/life balance?

Meeting with 14 staff who will be our Quality Care Champions - a vital part of our commitment to offer a personalised service to guests who come for respite breaks.

Leuchie is not just a job, it is a way of life!

What do you see as your job’s biggest challenge?

Sustainability! We saved Leuchie from closing, but we didn’t have time to build up reserves as most charities have. I now need to run a robust business, attract more guests for respite breaks and encourage people to get involved through regular donations and support.

3. What do you consider your biggest business triumph?

Managing to relaunch Leuchie House as a unique independent charity in 2011 in the middle of a recession, four days before we were due to close, following the MS Society’s decision to withdraw funding.

4. do you have any money-saving business tips?

Having the right staff in the right role who can deliver.

5. What do you believe are the 3 key stages on your career ladder?

Initially I trained as a nurse before starting work at Scottish Airports, where I spent 25 years in various roles from nurse to Airport Duty Manager. 10 years ago I became Manager of Leuchie House and I’m now proud to be Chief Executive of this wonderful charity.

7. What do you like to do on your spare time?

Spending time with family and friends is important to me. Having worked in an airport environment means that I love to travel. I love to cook, listen to music and go to concerts. It’s not always a joy but I do try to fit in plenty of exercise.

8. What qualities do you need to see in your employees?

The right attitude, commitment and a sense of fun.

9. in business, is it more important to be liked or successful?

Can you not be both?

10. What is the one piece of advice you would give to others trying to reach the top?

12. Any business (or other) projects you would like to plug?

We have had great advice and kindness from several quarters along the way, including Stobo Castle Health Spa, The Waldorf Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh, East Lothian Council, the Scottish Government and Growing Forth.

13. other than your current position, what would be your dream job?

Running a socio-economic fish restaurant venture in the Outer Hebrides, which is where my family are from.

14. Who (living or dead) would you invite to a fantasy dinner party?

11. Who is your hero?

Graham Norton for his witty chat; JK Rowling who is an inspiration to me and those affected by MS; Maria Callas to entertain us all and my husband so we can talk about it afterwards.

All our guests and their carers who have to cope with living with a degenerative condition.

15. outside of business, what is the most important thing in your life?

Be positive.

My family

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Goinginternational

Getting the word out about Europe Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce is backing an initiative to reach out to city businesses to help create links with the European Union.

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The Chamber is supporting the Europe Direct Information Centre at Capital House, 2 Festival Square, part of a network of 19 centres in the UK, 500 across Europe, which act as an interface between citizens and the European Union at a local level.

Europe Direct Edinburgh will enable local citizens to obtain information, advice, assistance and answers to questions about the EU’s institutions, legislation, policies, programmes and funding opportunities for your business or organisation.

The centre is designed to give members of the public local access to information on the role of the European Union, how it operates and the treaties that underpin it.

Details of schemes and programmes in other areas such as jobs, research, education, health, the environment and equal opportunities are also available.

It also displays material on a variety of topics and views on the European Union, and explains what the European Union does and why it is relevant to the people of Edinburgh and the UK.

The centre can help with general questions on every aspect of Europe and can put you in touch with relevant specialist services if required. It will also organise events and activities to make the public aware of the European Union.

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The centre is accessible during normal business hours, Monday - Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday, 9am to 3pm.You can drop into the centre, or contact us by phone or e-mail. Tel – 0131 221 2999 Email – gerardine.renwick@edinburghchamber.co.uk

3/4/13 16:53:57

AdVertoriAl

Scotland’s Business Dragons Celebrate Entrepreneurial Success

The teams and guests enjoy the evening in the Great Hall with Mr Swinney, MSP.

Accountancy firm RSM Tenon has scooped top prize at the inaugural CHILDREN 1ST corporate charity challenge Dragons’ Glen.

The team took the overall prize for its 2013calendar featuring images created by children who use CHILDREN 1ST services - raising almost £12,000 for the charity in the process. They received their winner’s trophy from Finance Secretary John Swinney during a special award ceremony held in the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle.

Seven teams competed in the four month challenge, raising over £40,000 to date.

As well as the overall winner, ophthalmic lens company Optos won the Most Future Promise award for its beautiful interactive children’s story book which helps parents identify sight issues in their children; while O2 Scotland took the Most Innovative Prize with its reality cookbook and smartphone app bringing to life recipes from some of Glasgow’s favourite chefs and restaurants.

The RSM Tenon team celebrate their win with their Dragon, Michael Laing.

Launched last summer, Dragons’ Glen saw teams from seven companies use their business skills to launch products and turn an initial investment of £500 into £5000 plus. All profits go to CHILDREN 1ST. During the challenge, the teams were mentored by leading Scottish business experts Michelle Mone OBE (Ultimo), Sir Willie Haughey (City Refrigeration Holdings), Ken Lewandowski (formerly of Clydesdale Bank), Mike Welch (Blackcircles.com), Judy Wagner (FWB), Frank Blin CBE (FRB Associates LLP) and Michael Laing OBE (Laing the Jeweller).

Anne Houston, Chief Executive of CHILDREN 1ST said: “I’d like to congratulate all the companies involved in what was a first class and innovative venture. As well as significantly benefiting Scotland’s vulnerable children and families, Dragons’ Glen also helped the companies further develop business skills while demonstrating their social responsibility.’’

Dragon Michael Laing OBE, Managing Director of LAING the Jeweller, added: “The money raised has been a fantastic achievement. It’s been a pleasure to support such an innovative fundraising challenge and mentor RSM Tenon, the team’s enthusiasm, creativity and commitment has been impressive. Charities have to work hard to raise their profile in the current climate and this initiative really stood out for me in terms of engaging with the business community, encouraging active involvement and developing business skills for such an important cause.”

The Optos team with their Dragon, Ken Lewandowski.

As the challenge has been such a resounding success in its first year, CHILDREN 1ST will be running the competition again in 2013. In addition to offering this unique development opportunity to businesses in Edinburgh and Glasgow, the 2013 will see teams from Aberdeen entering, making this fiery competition even hotter! If you would like any more information about CHILDREN 1ST or about Dragons’ Glen, please contact CHILDREN 1ST directly via corporate@children1st.org.uk

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Want practical advice to help Want practical your business? advice to help your business?

Business Gateway offers free business advice, training workshops, and information to businesses in Edinburgh.

Business Gateway offers advice, training Call us now on 0131 529 free 6644business to find out more about: workshops, and information to businesses in Edinburgh. •Call Advice from professionally adviser us now ona0131 529 6644 qualified to find out more

about: Workshops to help you develop your business skills • Useful market research and company information Advice from a to professionally qualified adviser • Opportunities meet and network with other businesses Workshops to useful help you develop your business skills • Links to other business services from City of • Edinburgh Useful market research and company information Council • Opportunities to meet and network with other businesses For more Business Gateway on • Links to information other useful call business services fromEdinburgh City of 0131 529 6644, or email bglothian@bgateway.com Edinburgh Council •

For more information call Business Gateway Edinburgh on 0131 529 6644, or email bglothian@bgateway.com

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Business Gateway services are delivered by Local Authorities, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Government with the support of associated partner organisations. Maximum call charge from BT landline is 3p a minute.

BC issue 22.indd Business 40

Gateway services are delivered by Local Authorities, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Government with the support of associated partner organisations. Maximum call charge from BT landline is 3p a minute.

3/4/13 16:54:03

BetheBest The Seven Secrets to Following Through Have you ever made a goal, or a decision to do something, but for one reason or another, you haven’t followed through on your commitment? If so, welcome to the world of real people! Wanting to do something isn’t always enough to get us off the sofa and do it; sometimes you need to add some effective motivation strategies.

Bryan Leslie, owner of Abacus Coaching Ltd, has detailed seven strategies to help you follow through on the actions you need to take to successfully achieve your goals. The first three of these are detailed below…

Strategy 1 “Act or Forfeit” When you have an action to take, ask yourself “if I don’t follow-through and complete it, what forfeit will I have to do?” Forfeits could include eating something you don’t like, writing a cheque to someone you dislike, running naked around your office, whatever makes you think the pain of the forfeit is bigger than the pain of not acting!

Strategy 2 “Fly on The Wall” This strategy focuses on our fear of being publicly shamed because we have not followed through. First of all, imagine that you have been selected to appear in a Reality TV programme. The programme follows the most successful people in the world and shows the secret to their success. So, from now on, everything you do is being recorded for a TV Programme. Every time you fail to followthrough the entire nation will find out. What are some of your behaviours you don’t want the nation to see? (e.g. watching TV instead of working on your goals). Imagine you’re on TV and you will follow-through!

Strategy 3 “Live Like a Werewolf” In the Harry Potter books, a character knows he will turn into a Werewolf; being a werewolf he will attack people even though he doesn’t want to. So, each month at the full moon he locks himself away in the “Shrieking Shack”, thereby making it impossible to harm anyone.

GetwithIT

For each of your goals, consider how can you make it impossible to do the things you don’t want to do? For example, if your goal is related to weight/size, make sure you don’t have any tempting food in the house. Also, get someone to hide your car keys so even if you are tempted to drive to the supermarket to buy some tempting treats you can’t!

So which of these strategies motivates you the most? Why not try it out and see the results you get.

To receive a short report detailing all seven strategies, or to discuss setting your goals, please contact Bryan by email on bryan@abacuscoaching.co.uk

By Bill Magee Scottish Business Technology Writer of the Year

There’s a new-style enterprise social networking website on the block.

One that is secure and private and specifically for your organisation. And it’s free to join.

Yammer reflects just how social media has dramatically changed the way we share and connect in our business lives. It’s now all about giving you an advantage, that competitive edge, so critical for success.

In an intranet and specific guest(s) form Yammer, now part of Microsoft’s Office Division, empowers employees to be more productive and successful by enabling them to collaborate easily, make smarter decisions faster, and selforganise into teams to take on any business challenge.

It represents a new way of working with its strength being that it naturally drives business alignment and agility, reduces cycle frames, engages staff and improves relationships with customers and partners.

Microsoft snapped up Yammer last year for $1.2 billion. Up until then the online venture had spent four years on its goal of bringing social networking to the marketplace and evangelising it as an effective business tool.

However, it hasn’t rested on its laurels because it sensed that the role of social in the enterprise is much more fundamental than first thought.

So it has redefined itself, in essence, to make all

business applications social.

Yammer now has the financial muscle of Microsoft behind it and is making a strong play as the natural platform for weaving social into the fabric of business software.

Unlike email you can simply post a short message in an open environment and people can jump in and answer your question or direct you to the person who can.

Companies using Yammer are reporting email reductions by up to one third. It’s all about communicating more efficiently.Take a look! www.yammer.com/

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AdVertoriAl

Serviced offi ces in Edinburgh The Bourse Business Centre and Catchpell House are two business centres operated by Edinburgh based operator Office Suites UK Ltd, and are in Leith which is home to a vibrant business community particularly the in the creative sectors and has excellent public transport links to the city centre of Edinburgh a few minutes away.

The two buildings date from the late 1800’s and are located some 150 metres apart on the East and West sides of Bernard Street near The Shore.

Both buildings have been refurbished and are configured as business centre offices in which office space is available flexibly in spaces and sizes to suit a wide range of both established and start up businesses. This is attractive to both local established and start up businesses as well as national firms which require an Edinburgh base, and temporary project teams with commitments in the vicinity.

Working space is available on flexible easy license terms for usually 6 to 12 months, and the premises are accessible 24/7 and both business centres have excellent 24 hour security systems. Both The Bourse Business Centre and Catchpell House have been home to a number of embryo firms who have succeeded, and have grown into very significant businesses in a few short years and some of these organisations now have multi-million pound per year turnovers.

Office

SuitesUK.com www.officesuitesuk.com

Serviced Offices in Edinburgh F l e x i b l e

S e r v i c e d

O f f i c e

S o l u t i o n s

Everything is going to be alright Email enquiries@tbbc.net Telephone 0131 553 9355

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AdVertoriAl

 

the open Hospitality edinburgh Chamber Members offer

    

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        

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     



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To celebrate The Open Championship coming to Muirfield this year we would like to offer Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce members the opportunity to receive a 10% saving on all hospitality packages for Saturday 20th July and Sunday 21st July 2013 and see the world’s greatest golfers compete for sports oldest Major.

Situated on Muirfield’s 9th hole The Official Open Hospitality Village offers the perfect setting to absorb the atmosphere, build relationships and savour fine food. The day includes breakfast, lunch and traditional Open afternoon tea as well as a complimentary bar service throughout the day. Comprising premier restaurants and exclusive and private suites the hospitality village provides a variety of options to suite all tastes including our Premier Suites, Gallery Restaurant, The 1860 Club or the Champion Bistro.

To redeem this offer and book your official on-course hospitality package contact The Open Hospitality team quoting ‘Edinburgh Chamber Feb/ March’ on: T:+44(0)844 371 0883 or email: hospitality@theopen.com or for further information, please visit theopen.com/hospitality

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2070_T

AN OPEN INVITATION

TO SAVOUR SCOTTISH SILVER SERVICE HOSPITALITY +SPJ´W KVIEXIWX GLEQTMSRWLMT [MPP FI LIPH EX 1YMV½IPH 7GSXPERH NYWX XLMVX] QMRYXIW JVSQ XLI LIEVX SJ )HMRFYVKL JVSQ .YP] )\TIVMIRGI [SVPH GPEWW KSPJ [LMPI IRNS]MRK SYV E[EVH [MRRMRK LSWTMXEPMX] WIX EKEMRWX XLI FEGOHVST SJ 1YMV½IPH´W XL LSPI =SY SRP] KIX XLMW ZMI[ ERH XLMW GPSWI XS XLI EGXMSR [MXL 8LI 3TIR´W 3J½GMEP ,SWTMXEPMX] TVSKVEQQI 3YV EPP HE] ½RI HMRMRK TEGOEKIW WXEVX JVSQ † TIV TIVWSR 8LI YPXMQEXI MR WTSVXMRK LSWTMXEPMX] [MXL XLI FIWX KSPJ ERH WSQI XVYP] I\GITXMSREP GSQTER] 8,) 34)2 ',%14-327,-4 19-6*-)0( 7'380%2( .90= BOOK YOUR OFFICIAL, ON-COURSE HOSPITALITY PACKAGE Contact our hospitality team now on: T: +44 (0)844 371 0883 or email: hospitality@TheOpen.com Ref: EdinCham Please visit TheOpen.com/hospitality for further information.

BC issue 22.indd 43 2070_TheOpen_Business_com_mag_advert.indd 1

3/4/13 16:54:17 01/11/2012 09:56

Gettingstarted Name: Emma Fossey Business name: Reporting for Business Ltd Start up date: August 2012 Website: www.reporting-for-business.com q1: tell us a bit about your business?

Written communication is a vital part of how organisations conduct their business, yet good writing skills are scarce. We help businesses to produce documents and reports that are legible, credible and influential.

q2: What gives your business ‘the x-factor’?

With over 25 years’ experience of research, analysis and writing for publication we can provide expert help on every aspect, from evidence-gathering and data analysis to Plain English and grammar.

q3: What motivated you to set up in business for yourself?

The joy of doing something that I love and excel at, and for the responsibility and freedom that come with being my own boss.

q4: What do you like most about working for yourself?

See my answer to Q.3 above, plus enjoying my Sunday evenings again.

q5: What has been your greatest business success to date?

Repeat business is a crucial measure of success and I am delighted to say that most of our customers fall into this category.

q6: What has been your lowest moment?

It is all still far too new and exciting to have had one.

q7: in terms of business achievements, where do you want to be within the next 5 years?

Running a commercially successful business that people keep coming back to because we shine at making them shine.

q8: What would be your top tip to someone thinking of starting up their own business?

Love doing what you do. There is no better motivation.

Looking to reduce your banking costs Every prudent business needs to keep a careful eye on its running costs particularly in today’s challenging climate. However, when did you last review the business banking costs and could you save money?

Banks products and processes continue to evolve at pace with new technologies, regulatory requirements and payment processing directives creating fundamental changes in the way they conduct business with customers. In addition, the prices and fees charged for providing their services can differ markedly from one bank to the next based on turnover.

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You may well find that simple changes to your bank operating processes could result in generating significant savings for you company.

Some traditional facilities may no longer be needed and fully utilising online services can provide business visibility to enable enhanced cash flow management.

The Business Champions Limited offers a Business Banking Benchmark Service for businesses with turnover in excess of £500k to highlight saving, please visit www.thebusinesschampions.com for further information.

3/4/13 16:54:26

AdVertoriAl

What’s driving your business Growth? ● ● ●

Building Maintenance, Industrial /Commercial cleaning Clearance works

Do you have a need to turn around empty properties and then keep them let with a minimum of fuss?

As more articles are published on the challenging times businesses face, sometimes some of the most simple solutions for improvement, competitive edge and success are overlooked. Let’s get back to basics and ask ourselves what drives our business?

Most SME’s today are too busy with the challenging economic environment to standback and think Phil Rider about implementing new technology into their Chairman at OneStream business, when in fact it is just the time to consider how technologycan give your business that vital edge. If you are not, then your competitors may well be. n Can you honestly say you never miss a call either in or out of the office? n Was that missed call a potential new client? n Does your customer service really stand up to scrutiny? n Could you improve your level and frequency of contact with customers?

We are All Cleaned Up Scotland and we can be your ‘one stop shop’ for junk clearance, deep cleaning and repairs/maintenance works. Whether it’s managing your own or others properties, we are here to help.

n Are you confident you have adopted all current technology into your business to optimise efficiencies?

At All Cleaned Up Scotland we not only provide you with an affordable solution to your needs we also guarantee that it will be better value and quality than what you currently have. And that’s guaranteed!

Never miss a business call again – your business landlines and mobiles working in collaboration.

Not only that, but you can rest easy in that by supporting us as a local Social Enterprise of choice you are supporting charitable works in your area

So go on, let us take the stress out of your mess!

n Have you even reviewed what’s out there lately? in this edition we would like to introduce Vodafone one net:

Vodafone One Net is the first challenge to the traditional telecoms environment and represents a “converged comms solution”.

Cutting the jargon – it is a revolutionary offering that brings your landlines and mobiles together to form a truly integrated solution offering professional business telephony features, a single supplier, a single contract and a single bill.

Key benefits include: n Saving up to 20% on your communication costs n Desk phones and mobiles that work together as one n Be local, even when you’re not n Offering flexible, per-user charging with no upfront capital investment.

For more information and short demonstration videos visit www.onestream.co.uk and view our integrated solutions page.

Alternatively call 01506 674019 to arrange a meeting.

Follow us on Twitter @onestreamuK

Phone: 0131 553 2151 Fax: 0131 553 7354 E-mail: info@allcleanedupscotland.co.uk

In the next edition we look at Microsoft 365 – cloud computing for your business.

Unit 4, 7 Sandport Place, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6EU

www.allcleanedupscotland.co.uk April/May 2013

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BUSINESS SOLUTIONS Certified Platinum Partner

Tabbard QP Saving Fuel on your fleet is easier than you think!

Dispatch smartly, send the person best placed for the next job, consume less fuel by managing driving behaviour and stay efficiently on the move by avoiding congestion. Simple.

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www.247-business.co.uk

3/4/13 16:54:50

Transformational Business Leadership Programme business? That is the purpose of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Transformational Business Leadership Programme (TBL).

Designed for leaders and owners of mature businesses that are already growing, or plan to grow significantly over the next two years, TBL is a 12 month personal and business development programme consisting of six focused workshops, supplemented by diagnostic questionnaires, and group and oneto-one coaching.

Covering how to design and lead the transformation of key business areas such as Customers, Finance, Processes, and People, TBL is a fantastic investment of your time and money to make sure your business growth delivers the results you want.

How do you ensure that as your business grows, you keep control of your processes, people and money, whilst making sure the growth doesn’t overwhelm you or the

transform the way you think about growth, so you achieve the growth in a more effective and more sustainable way. Ideal participants are business owners or senior managers, who are open to learning new ways of leading within their organisation, and welcome the support of their peers in implementing their plans.”

To learn more about eligibility criteria, funding options that are available, and details of pricing and dates, please contact Jimmy O’Connell, Head of Training and Development at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce by email: Jimmy.oconnell@edinburghchamber.co.uk or by telephone 0131 221 7512.

Programme facilitator, Bryan Leslie, said “some businesses see ‘growth’ as the be all and end all, without considering the potential consequences of growing too quickly, in an uncontrolled way. TBL is designed to

The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce welcomes its latest member companies: Boots n Paddles

qA training

Bruce stevenson insurance Brokers

rainbow international

Caves, the denise strohsahl

royal Mile translations ltd solutions developed

Frizzante rose training experience ltd lux events ltd Michael david Patterson

supplies team solutions taste design

Pilotlight

Vonhof roofi ng ltd

Profi table Creative Marketing ltd

Xeretec

April/May 2013

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Tabard IT: contact us for local IT support With over 25 years experience in IT support and management, Tabard IT can really help you make the most of IT. We can provide support for existing networks as well as advise, supply and set up new ones, and maintain them for you. We are a one-stop shop for: Hardware/software advice & support

E-mail, anti-spam, web hosting

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Cloud-based and on-premises systems

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Call or e-mail us to arrange a no-obligation visit to discuss your business IT requirements,

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Free to attend.

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22 & 23 MAY 2013, ABERDEEN, UK

The UK’s largest renewable energy event

Your definitive event covering all renewables sectors A unique forum bringing national and international executives, developers, engineers, politicians and investors together, to network, do business and keep-up-to-date in this rapidly evolving and increasingly important sector.

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Plus many other attractions including: Energy Efficiency Business Zone; Low-Carbon Vehicle Arrive & Drive; Jobs Zone; The Energy Hub and many more!

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PartnersinEnterprise Anderson Strathern advises Krispy Kreme’s fi rst move into Scotland Krispy Kreme, one of the world’s largest doughnut chains, opened its first Scottish store on 13 February and Anderson Strathern was instrumental in making it happen.

The firm advised on planning, site acquisition and construction of the new build store at Hermiston Gate in Edinburgh.

The demand for the opening of a Scottish outlet saw the launch of a Facebook page ‘Bring Krispy Kreme to Scotland’.

Krispy Kreme launched in the UK in 2003 and now has 54 stores, outlets and kiosks across the UK.

The opening of the Edinburgh store, marks the start of a Scottish roll-out programme, on which Anderson Strathern are also advising.

The Hermiston Gate store is Krispy Kreme’s first outlet in Scotland and also its first ‘Hotlight’ store, where the doughnuts are freshly made on site daily.

Head of Real Estate at Anderson Strathern, Paul Jennings said: “We are delighted to be working with Rob Hunt and his team at Krispy Kreme as they continue their growth through a combination of developing core stores and new store openings acrosst the country. At such an extremely difficult time for retailers it feels good to be part of such an exciting story.”

The store also features a drive-thru and which includes a ‘doughnut theatre’ giving customers the opportunity to watch the sweet treats being made.

Paul Jennings

April/May 2013

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Moversandshakers

Carol takes on new role Arts organisation announces new Chief Executive Arts & Business Scotland has appointed David Watt, the Director of Glasgow Sculpture Studios, as Chief Executive to succeed Barclay Price, who is retiring.

David Watt’s recent experience of leading Glasgow Sculpture Studios through a major capital development has involved him in creating astute partnerships with both the business, public and arts sectors, and through this partnership working he has provided the Studios with a splendid new home, David said: “I am delighted to be moving to Arts & Business Scotland at an exciting and challenging time for the organisation. I look forward to working with the Board and staff to further cement existing, and establish new, partnerships to enable the arts in Scotland to flourish.”

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HR consultancy Hunter Adams has appointed a leading HR expert to spearhead its operations in central Scotland.

Carol Scambler joins Hunter Adams as director of HR (Central Belt) where she will manage and broaden the company’s wide portfolio of clients from the award-winning firm’s Edinburgh office.

Mrs Scambler said: “I’m joining a highly-skilled and professional team with huge ambition and drive to develop their presence in the Central Belt. Hunter Adams is a thriving and rapidly growing business. I was undoubtedly attracted to the company’s vibrancy and drive.

“Since returning to Edinburgh from London, I’ve been part of the mechanics behind the growth of two, highly successful businesses and this is where my passion lies. On a personal level, my corporate and SME background will fit with the strategic plans of the business, and it already it feels like a great team fit.”

Dean Hunter, Hunter Adams managing director, added: “Carol has a phenomenal track record having headed up HR functions for companies such as Schroders, ABN Amro and Morgan Stanley and also Scottish businesses such as IndigoVision and Barrie and Hibbert. Our team already cover a broad range of sector backgrounds and Carol adds further experience in both corporate Financial Services and the SME market.”

back left to front right – Phil Morrice, David Jeffcoat, Kevin Booth, Steven Cunningham and Allison Devine from Alexander Sloan

Growth leads to new appointments at accountants Edinburgh-based chartered accountants and business advisers Alexander Sloan, which has its offices on Atholl Place, has recruited a new partner and promoted four of its team.

The firm has promoted Phil Morrice, Steven Cunningham and Allison Devine from associates to partner level while David Jeffcoat has been promoted to associate.

Kevin Booth has also joined the firm as partner after 14 years with another mediumsized accountancy firm based in Glasgow. The 44-year-old will primarily work with commercial clients and franchising businesses.

The appointments mean the 50-strong firm now has nine partners based out of its offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

New challenge for Kimberley

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Message Matters Ltd, a strategic communications consultancy based in Edinburgh, has announced its first new appointment since being formed by Peter Duncan and Andy Maciver in April last year.

Kimberly Gallacher joins the agency from award winning Glasgow and Edinburgh-based agency 3×1 Public Relations, where she worked across several highprofile accounts.

Kim was shortlisted finalist for the Young Communicator of the Year Category at the 2012 CIPR Awards and has a background in event management and consumer PR.

Kimberly Gallacher

BC April/May 2013

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Please Please contact contact Micky Micky for for more information. more information.

MHarris@UbiqTaxis.com MHarris@UbiqTaxis.com 07967605995 07967605995

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The Best Advice At Your Fingertips.

At SQA, we’re in touch with your business.

We work with your industry to design a range of relevant qualifications to help develop the particular skills your business needs to be more productive and more competitive.

And we offer a dedicated, named SQA Contact to give your company all the advice and guidance it needs to realise its full potential.

Get in touch, we’re here to help.

t: 0303 333 0330 e: mycentre@sqa.org.uk w: www.sqa.org.uk/businessdevelopment

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