Business Scotland 10

BusinessScotland Scottish Chambers of Commerce Magazine

WINTER 2017

Aberdeen: The New Renaissance The Scottish Business Reception at the Scottish Parliament

Global Business Dinner marks beginning of increased global trade

Scottish Chambers of Commerce

Behold the Digital Visitor

Glasgow to Munich 4 times a week from October

LH.com

BusinessScotland

CONTENTS

WINTER 2017

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58

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62

102 7 8

12 32

WATER’S EDGE DEVELOPER BECOMES THE 550TH MEMBER OF DACC LONDON REMAINS AN IMPORTANT SHOP WINDOW WEST LOTHIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LAUNCH NEW INTERNATIONAL CLUB EXPLORING IDEAS AND STIMULATING CHANGE IN SCOTLAND

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THE SCOTTISH EXPORT AWARDS 2018 THE SCOTTISH BUSINESS RECEPTION AT THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT GLOBAL BUSINESS DINNER MARKS BEGINNING OF INCREASED GLOBAL TRADE EVENTS THE NEW RENAISSANCE

Scottish Chambers of Commerce Business Partners

Front Cover image: China’s top Ambassador to the UK H.E. Liu Xiaoming

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CLYDE BLOWERS CAPITAL GO GLOBAL

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ALWAYS THERE TO FIGHT YOUR CORNER

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TOP OILMAN RAY HANDED ROYAL ROLE AS AMBASSADOR CONTINUING TO OFFER THE HAND OF FRIENDSHIP TO BENEFIT TRADE

FOREWORD

There is a lot going on in Scotland Tim Allan

President, Scottish Chambers of Commerce

Welcome to this new edition of Business Scotland, in which we share the work we do as a Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network on behalf of our members, and on behalf of all Scotland’s businesses.

As these pages attest, there is a lot going on.

Since The Chambers Network assumed more responsibility for increasing exports to drive growth, the profile of our international engagement work has markedly increased.

A notable highlight was our successful dinner in Glasgow for HE Liu Xiaoming, China’s Ambassador to the UK on September 19, where he generously praised our efforts in the vital area of growing B2B links with China.

Issues in our policy agenda have also occupied much of our time, notably our contribution to the debate over business rates, our interventions in the Holyrood debate over Air Departure Tax, and our recent Heathrow Business Summit. We have pursued our priority of improving connectivity of goods and people, making Scotland an easy place to run an internationally-oriented business.

We continue to monitor closely the health of the Scottish economy as it relates to our members. Encouragingly, our latest Quarterly Economic Indicators survey,

produced in collaboration with the Fraser of Allander Institute, shows respondents to be bearing up well in these uncertain economic times.

We also continue to make our voice heard in matters relating to those twin generators of macro-economic uncertainty for potential investors in Scotland: The UK’s (actual) decision to leave the European Union and Scotland’s (potential) future decision to leave the UK. At time of writing, the former process is proceeding - slowly and far from smoothly, but nevertheless in a forward direction.

The latter is not proceeding at all, although The Scottish Government, as is its right, has thought it politic to keep it on the table.

As long as it does, the debate surrounding it will continue to consume political and administrative energy.

In the meantime Scottish Chambers has won valuable assurances from all the main Scottish parties that our concerns will be their priorities, with opponents from across the political spectrum coming together at our highly successful Scottish Parliamentary Reception on Sept 21 to pledge their willingness to listen closely to business concerns.

After what seems like an endless succession of political contests, Chambers representatives from across the network were encouraged that the politicians present undertook to use this respite from elections and referenda to (literally) get down to business. They invited us to make our feelings known as clearly and forcefully as we liked, and we intend to take up that invitation.

Two issues spring to mind where Scottish Chambers will test the strength of that commitment to engage.

The first is business rates, where our Business Rates Advisory Group, chaired

by Brian Rogan of CBRE, led our response to the Barclay Review of Non-Domestic Rates in August. Although we identified a flaw in the process – namely that it was pre-determined to be “revenue neutral” and therefore too limited in scope – we were encouraged by its recommendation of a more responsive rates regime. Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has pledged to enact Ken Barclay’s recommendations - and more. The Scottish Chambers will support that.

Less encouraging are signs that the Scottish Government might be backing away from what seemed like a firm commitment to reduce the cost of flying in and out of Scotland by the end of this Parliament by halving the newly-devolved Air Departure Tax. Scottish politicians are showing a worrying appetite for uncompetitive taxes for Scotland, mainly to score ideological points.

But maintaining - or even deliberately introducing - taxes that make us less competitive than our nearest neighbours is no recipe for long term growth and investment.

The widespread economic benefits of reducing ADT have been set out on many occasions in many forums, and the Government’s willingness to see its policy through will be an early test of its willingness to use newly devolved powers to benefit the Scottish economy. Watch this space!

Contributors Tim Allan

Warrick Dent

Ray Riddoch

Russell Borthwick

Dr Adam Marshall

Malcolm Roughhead OBE

Liz Cameron OBE

Rhona Middler

Shane Taylor

Jack Clark

William Paterson

President, Scottish Chambers of Commerce

Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce

Chief Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce

Chairman, Scottish Borders Chambers of Commerce

Safety and Operations Director, Virgin Trains

Director General, Scottish Chamber of Commerce

Events & Marketing Executive, Scottish Chsmber of Commerce

UK Managing Director and Senior Vice President of Europe, Nexen Petroleum UK

Chief Executive, Visit Scotland

Business Intelligence Executive, Scottish Chamber of Commerce

Communications & Social Media Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce

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CHAMBER NEWS

Book your table for the 2017 Annual Business Address, taking place on Thursday 7th December 2017 at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow.

Email: rmiddler@scottishchambers.org.uk to book your table or call us on 0141-204-8316

Join us at the Annual Scottish Business Address to celebrate the success of Scotland’s entrepreneurial spirit.

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CHAMBER NEWS

Water’s Edge developer Tayforth Properties Ltd. becomes the 550th member of DACC Water’s Edge developer Tayforth Properties Ltd. has become the 550th member of Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce (DACC).

Managing Director Stewart Clark received a certificate to mark the milestone moment after showing DACC Chief Executive Alison Henderson around the state-of-the-art commercial office development which is currently being built by Tayforth overlooking Dundee’s City Quay marina.

Situated on the historic Shed 25 site between Camperdown Dock and Victoria Dock, Water’s Edge has been conceived as a catalyst to inspire, connect and energise 21st Century business innovators, entrepreneurs and freelancers.

Tayforth Properties Ltd., which is owned

by Chris van der Kuyl and Paddy Burns (founders of 4J Studios and developers of the Minecraft console editions), and operated by Managing Director Stewart Clark, is working with Dundee-based architects Nicoll Russell Studios Ltd. and contractors Lyon Building Services to deliver the project in 2017.

Alison Henderson said: “Tayforth Properties Ltd. are a key part of Dundee’s ambitious waterfront regeneration and I am delighted to welcome them into Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce.

“It was great to get an exclusive tour of Water’s Edge and hear more about the concept behind this impressive business development.

“I am certain that it will have great appeal to entrepreneurs, freelancers, nonprofits, and businesses large and small looking for the flexibility, resources and inspiration they need to create success.”

Stewart Clark added: “Tayforth Properties is excited to be creating this incredible business space and believe it will be a unique asset to the city of Dundee and beyond.

“The whole concept of Water’s Edge is focussed on nurturing creative thinking, encouraging collaboration and ultimately enhancing productivity, by combining historic detail with modern aesthetic and cuttingedge technology.

“Water’s Edge will also offer Dundee’s most impressive co-working space complete with state-of-the-art amenities.”

Original features have been retained and incorporated into the development which boasts specification of the highest quality, including ultra-fast broadband and temperature control.

From offices with capacity for 50 people through to individual co-working desks -

Alison Henderson presenting Stewart Clark with a certificate to mark Tayforth Properties Ltd becoming Dundee & Angus Chamber’s 550th member

open-plan, flexible workspace is at the heart of Water’s Edge.

The co-working concept is popular with entrepreneurs looking for creative collaboration and larger companies needing a satellite office or temporary space between moves or renovations. It is also viewed as an alternative to working from home or leasing office space.

What will ultimately become Dundee’s largest restaurant and café, with inspiring views overlooking the water, will complete the development.

Businesses who are interested in finding out more about Water’s Edge should contact Stewart Clark on 07782 637 420 or email stewart.clark@tayforth.com

Tayforth Properties is excited to be creating this incredible business space and believe it will be a unique asset to the city of Dundee and beyond.

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SCC BUSINESS PARTNER

London remains an important shop window for Scottish businesses Earlier this year, Scotland House opened near Blackfriars station in London - an Innovation and Investment Hub for Scottish businesses. It’s aimed at helping ambitious Scottish companies take advantage of business opportunities in London and internationally. The hub provides a base to build new partnerships and a low cost place to trade in London, a hugely important trading market.

The Brexit negotiations may be creating uncertainty in the market place, but one unwavering constant is the status of London as a meeting place for the world’s business leaders, and a stage for businesses large and small to set out their stall.

London City Airport (LCY) has been helping Scottish businesses reach this market for over 20 years, beginning with the Edinburgh route in 1996 followed by the Glasgow air link in 2007. Both are now in the top ten most popular routes for London City, out of nearly 50 destinations, with Edinburgh the second busiest route for the airport, served

by Flybe and British Airways. As the airport celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, it’s an opportunity to reflect on Scottish connectivity which has been one of the pillars to LCY’s success.

The airport’s proximity to central London (indeed, LCY is the closest airport to Scotland House, just 38 minutes on DLR

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and Tube), premier customer experience and short check in and arrival times, differentiates the airport and makes it the best choice for Scottish business travellers.

Furthermore, as pace gathers towards the start of a £400 million development programme, which includes an extended passenger terminal, parallel taxiway to maximise runway capacity, and seven new

aircraft stands, the role of LCY in attracting visitors and investment to Scotland is set to increase, combined with a real opportunity to grow the Scottish route network.

Super commuter and business day tripper alike can expect a strengthening of ties between London City Airport and its connections north of the border as it commences its next chapter.

CHAMBER NEWS

Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2017 Forth Valley want to thank everyone who attended and congratulate those who were lucky enough to win!

and congratulating those who had been shortlisted. Whilst everyone tucked in to their dessert we had a charitable collection for Social Bite and the Chambers Veterans Into Employment project - thank you to all those who donated!

The 2017 Business Awards kicked off with a champagne reception and a chance for all the businesses to network and relax.

With that it was time for our compere Derek Walker to announce the winners of the final three awards: Business Leader won by Neil Mclean of United Auctions (Highly Commended to Cariss Moir of Moirs Cleaning).

The awards were introduced by the one and only Clanadonia Tribal Drummers.

Outgoing director Bruce Walker stressed the importance of celebrating local businesses and more importantly celebrate ourselves and our successes as business owners, entrepreneurs, employees, family members, friends or search and rescue dogs!

The first three awards to announced were: Best Start Up Business won by Stirling Gin with a Highly Commended going to Hydrogen.

Best Micro Business won by Siabann.

Best Small Business won by Ecosse Holdings with a Highly Commended going to Forth Paving and Landscape Services.

The second round of awards saw 123vPLC take home Best Family Business (Highly Commended to Ecosse Holdings), the Robertson

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Business For Good won by Falkirk Football Community Foundation (Highly Commended to Macroberts Arts Centre).

Forth Valley’s Favourite Business won by Lou Mac Fitness.

Group take home Developing The Young Workforce (Highly Commended to Rooftec(Scotland)) and Sv24-7 take home Excellence in Customer Service (Highly Commended Bon Accord life).

Sadly our speaker for the night Josh LittleJohn from Social Bite had been called away to an emergency earlier in the week so could not be with us but co-founder Alice Thompson sent a video encouraging everyone to enjoy themselves

Director Paul Harkness then took to the stage to give the vote of thanks to all those involved in the awards and to every single member for supporting the Chamber and what we do. What better to way to finish off the night with one final blast from Clanadonia and chance to offer your congratulations to the lucky winners on the night!

CHAMBER NEWS

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CHAMBER NEWS

Linda Scott - West Lothian Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive and Peter Byrne – South Dublin Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive

West Lothian Chamber of Commerce launch new International Club with links with South Dublin West Lothian Chamber of Commerce are excited to be announcing the launch of their brand new International membership which is available to all Scottish businesses. This new International membership will provide businesses with the opportunity to learn more about exporting and encourage them to explore the potential avenues for entering new markets.

With Brexit approaching, it’s important to encourage more businesses to consider exporting their products and services overseas. Therefore, the Scottish Government are offering funding to the Scottish Chambers of Commerce to roll out across all local Chambers in Scotland, to encourage more Scottish based businesses to export. From this funding, West Lothian Chamber of Commerce have developed a new international membership club which will encourage more businesses, of various size and sector, to consider exporting as a growth opportunity.

Our international links is a key priority for the Chamber going forward and to support this we will have guest speaker Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport at our annual Business Excellence Award which celebrates local West Lothian talent on the 24th of November at Macdonald Houstoun House Hotel, Uphall.

Dublin Trip The West Lothian Chamber have already begun building essential international

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connections by visiting South Dublin Chamber in Southern Ireland to sign their first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

By developing this agreement with South Dublin Chamber, businesses can receive support and advice as well as access to relevant events when looking to enter the market.

The South Dublin Chamber kindly sponsored the trip providing the West Lothian Chamber team with complimentary accommodation in the fabulous City West Hotel. The team then attended the British Ambassadors Summer Party with the CEO of South Dublin Chamber.

It was a fantastic event which allowed new connections to be made and a chance to embrace the Irish culture. The trip was then followed by many exciting meetings with South Dublin Chamber to discuss the future plans and signing the MOU. Although this is the first relationship to be built as part of the International Club, the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce plan to extend their market reach and develop various connections with countries across the globe.

Access to national and global resources As well as building global connections, West Lothian Chamber also have access to the support and resources from local Chambers across Scotland and can signpost businesses onto key contacts across the national network. By becoming part of the International Club, members can receive several benefits such as expert training, global connections, and access to services from across the Chamber network. As well as the Chamber network, West Lothian Chamber of Commerce can provide businesses with access to key businesses and expert organisations who can provide continuous support throughout their exporting journey.

There is lots happening with West Lothian Chamber of Commerce’s international focus and it’s important to gain support and engagement from businesses across Scotland. Therefore, if you would like to find out more then please get in touch with Project Officer Amy Connell at amy.connell@ wlchamber.com or call 01506 414808.

ACT NOW TRAINING

Why you should be acting now on data protection changes Data protection is changing fast and businesses of all sizes need to be ready to respond to the many complexities of the new legislation. n Reviewing how you address records management and information risk in your organisation.

That is the message from Act Now Training, which offers advice and workshops for businesses seeking to ensure that their data protection is as secure as it can be.

n Reviewing your information security polices and procedures in the light of the GDPR’s more stringent obligations

There are two big changes on the cards, the first of which is the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which becomes law on 25 May 2018. Under the new rules, businesses will need to ensure that data relating to any individual is protected and face the prospect of heavy fines if they fail to comply.

Also, the UK Government has published a Statement of Intent about the forthcoming Data Protection Bill, aimed at filling in some of the gaps in the GDPR. Taken together, they represent major changes and all businesses need to be prepared.

To help you prepare, Act Now Training can carry out a GDPR health check and are running one-day workshops for those wanting to get a headstart in their preparations.

In addition, our blog posts will keep you up to date with the latest developments; and we have prepared The Act Now GDPR Handbook. explaining the changes.

You should already be: n Raising awareness about GDPR at all levels.

You can find out more at www.actnow.org.uk

n Considering whether you need a Data Protection Officer n Reviewing compliance

Courses for 2017/2018 Date

Course

Location

Cost (excl VAT) Duration

4-Dec-17

General Data Protection Regulation - A to Z Glasgow

£299

1 day

11-Dec-17

RIPSA Surveillance, Social Media Monitoring and CHIS

£299

1 day

Glasgow

10-Jan-18

General Data Protection Regulation - A to Z Edinburgh

£299

1 day

31-Jan-18

GDPR Practitioner Certificate

£1,950

4 days

Edinburgh

5-Feb-18

Practitioner Certificate in FOISA 2002

Edinburgh

£1,950

4 days

7-Feb-18

GDPR Practitioner Certificate Resit

Edinburgh

£299

1 day

15-Feb-18

General Data Protection Regulation - A to Z

Glasgow

£299

1 day

Contact us at

01924 451054 / 07852 426311

Act Now are the specialists when it comes to information and surveillance law. We have been providing in house training and consultancy services for many years. Most local authorities and public sector organisations have engaged us at some point.

We pride ourselves on having the most well known experts in the fields of Data Protection, Surveillance Law, Freedom of Information and Information Management.

All our experts have worked for the public sector (including NHS, education and local government) and have many years of experience of training and advice in this area.

www.actnow.org.uk

Act Now Training, Anchor House, Thornhill Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, WF12 9QE

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CHAMBER NEWS

Glasgow University

Paisley Light Up

Edinburgh Castle

Kelpies

Landmarks illuminate to support Paisley 2021 – “Scotland’s Bid” Scotland showed its support for Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021 as the nation’s most iconic landmarks lit up in Paisley 2021 colours to celebrate the bid being lodged.

Friday 29th September was the deadline for Paisley to submit its second-stage UK City of Culture 2021 bid to the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Iconic landmarks across the country lit up in the Paisley 2021 signature red to show their support and mark the occasion. Participating venues included Edinburgh Castle, The Kelpies, University of Glasgow, Dundee’s Caird Hall and Paisley’s own Town Hall.

The country-wide celebration followed an emotional send-off in Paisley town centre on Friday where a large crowd joined more than 150 singers from eight local choirs for a mass musical performance of Wild Mountain Thyme led by local singing star Carol Laula.

The Renfrewshire town is the only Scottish location to make the final shortlist and the only town to get this far. Paisley’s bid will be considered alongside Coventry, Stoke, Sunderland and Swansea – with the winner to be announced in December.

The bid is part of a wider drive to transform Paisley’s future using its internationallysignificant heritage and cultural story – and the send-off follows a massive £45.7m town centre Business Scotland

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investment package approved by Renfrewshire Council earlier in the week which will prepare the town to host the 2021 title.

The investment includes a £22m modernisation of Paisley’s iconic 19th-century town hall, £10m of public realm and transport improvements in Paisley town centre, £7.7m to upgrade St James Playing Fields to make it suitable for large outdoor events, a £2.5m upgrade to Paisley Arts Centre, and £3.5m to turn the disused Galbraiths warehouse in Back Sneddon Street into a new performance and visual arts space.

The bid send-off moment is the latest piece of good news to come out of the town this week as it was also confirmed earlier this week that Paisley Museum is in line for a £4.9m Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2021 has generated huge support from local businesses over the past year. Renfrewshire Chamber are following in the footsteps of other big-name firms who have agreed to support the 2021 year – Glasgow International Airport, intu Braehead, Diageo, Gordon Leslie Group, Scottish Leather Group, The Malcolm Group, as well as Coats Group PLC, the world’s largest industrial thread manufacturer, which started life in the town.

Around 200 chamber members have pledged their support by the time the bid was

submitted. You can see the full list at paisley2021.co.uk/partners/business-backers/

Chamber chief executive Bob Grant, who is a member of the Paisley 2021 executive bid team, said: “It is amazing to have the support from the whole of the country as Scotland’s Bid. Winning will bring huge benefits to business – it is estimated it would create 4,700 jobs and a £175m economic boost to Renfrewshire over the next decade,” We would also expect to welcome 800,000 visitors in 2021, creating huge footfall for local traders, while a winning bid would also attract major infrastructure investment.”

Nick Finnigan, Executive Manager at Edinburgh Castle said: “We’re delighted to play our part in supporting Paisley’s bid. It would be unprecedented for a town in Scotland to be successful in securing the City of Culture mantle and we wish Paisley every success.”

Current UK City of Culture hosts Hull have seen £1 billion of investment since winning the title in 2013, with the city attracting 1.4m visitors in just the first three months of its year in the spotlight.

For more information on Paisley’s bid, see www.paisley2021.co.uk

A PROMISE BY THE NATION. The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation, ensuring that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

So why not publicly declare your commitment to our Armed Forces by signing up? In doing so you would

join the 1500+ UK companies who have already shown their support.

Signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) is straightforward and sets companies on the path to have their pledge recognised through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).

This scheme incorporates prestigious Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, granted in recognition of pledges to support defence and the Armed Forces Community.

The ERS awards culminate annually with ceremonies to recognise the efforts of the Gold and Silver Award winners. This year’s Gold Awards were presented by Prince Harry at the Imperial War Museum in London.

Gold winners from Scotland were the NHS Golden Jubilee Foundation, Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Inverclyde Council.

For Scottish employers the Silver Awards are held at Edinburgh Castle.

AFC signatories and members of the ERS may be invited to visit exercises at home and overseas.

They are also invited to participate in bespoke events.

Collectively, these highlight the wide range of skills – including leadership, team-building and assertiveness – taken back

by Reservists to their civilian employers for free.

To get involved with the AFC contact the Regional Employer Engagement Directors at Highland and Lowland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations.

Highland: Call Michelle McKearnon on 01382 631026 or email hi-reed@rfca.mod.uk.

Lowland: Call Colin Vooght on 0141 945 6751 or email lo-reed@rfca.mod.uk.

Recipients of the 2017 Gold Award included Inverclyde Council (left), and the NHS Golden Jubilee Foundation.

Proudly supporting those who serve.

SCC BUSINESS PARTNER

Demands of Modern Business Travel Despite living in the digital era, face-to-face and on-site meetings are still a crucial element in facilitating businesses and maintaining relationships. The demands of doing business in the modern world adds increasing pressure to companies when seeking solutions for their business travel needs, especially international air travel. Take a look at the top 5 necessities for any corporate traveller…

Price

Service

Companies are conscious of controlling their expenditures, when it once was the norm to travel Business class, many are now opting for lower cost alternatives. Hence, competitive pricing in both classes, Business and Economy, is the key deciding factor for the business traveller. Turkish Airlines offers exclusive Corporate Club programmes to businesses of all sizes, in Scotland with frequent discounts in both Business and Economy Classes with increased baggage allowance as standard.

The seasoned business traveller is all too familiar with the never-ending “road” from one destination to the next. Consequently, services on offer need to cater to this fact.

Whether it be the food and amenities, transit facilities or customer service, business travellers now require service reaching above and beyond general expectation. All of Turkish Airlines flights offer delicious, complimentary on-board catering for every passenger. Customer Service is an integral part of all packages, with a dedicated team based at Edinburgh Airport. The awardwinning business lounge facilities designed for transfer passengers, features everything from suite rooms for longer layovers to luxuries including the in-lounge golf simulator.

Flexibility The need to make and change bookings on the go is now a necessity for businesses to keep up with the pace of changing circumstances.

Rescheduling and cancelling travel plans at the last minute happens regularly, meaning airlines need to adapt to this new way of working. Plans change and the travel itinerary must adapt at a moment’s notice. Turkish Airlines Corporate Club programme offers flexibility with free re-booking, re-routing and, in some cases, even refunds.

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Ease of Access Connections from Scotland to the rest of the world have increased rapidly, enabling a new ease of access from Edinburgh to global destinations. Passengers require straight-forward itineraries, removing the hassle out of an already hectic schedule.

Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other airline and has departures from Edinburgh. Asia, the Middle East and Africa will all be at your fingertips.

No Strings Attached The modern traveller desires an extensive list of requirements. As a result, companies benefit from being flexible with their contracts and fluid with their offers in order to keep modern travellers loyal, pleased and comfortable. With no membership or exit fees, Turkish Airlines Corporate Club comes complete with Business counter check-in and lounge access in the membership country.

To find out more and apply for the Turkish Airlines Corporate Club programme call 0131 333 1282 or email edi.marketing@thy.com

Earth Wind & Tyre 2 Days, 10 Wind Farms, 216 Miles

9 - 10 June 2018

Durham to Edinburgh

Sign up to our wind-themed cycle challenge today and help us tackle poverty through renewable energy.

Earth Wind & Tyre is a charity cycle challenge that brings together teams and individuals from across the renewable energy industry and beyond to raise funds for Renewable World’s work.

In celebration of clean energy, the route passes by 10 iconic wind farms as it winds its way up from Durham to Edinburgh. With leg-testing climbs and euphoric views, it’s a truly spectacular event for all involved. www.renewable-world.org/earth-wind-and-tyre

Email: events@renewable-world.org

Registered charity number: 1119467

Tel: 01273 234801

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Team North Ayrshire – a partnership for business success Home to one of Scotland’s most successful business support services, North Ayrshire is a place where businesses connect, grow and succeed.

Looking to the future, Team North Ayrshire is taking on an international outlook.

This success is evident in the area’s strong business survival rates which are considerably higher than large metropolitan centres such as Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.

The Team is aiming to attract new and relocating international businesses to the region to join the global brands already calling North Ayrshire ‘home’, including GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Booth Welsh, EDF – and many more.

At the very core of the region’s business success is its pioneering and acclaimed approach to providing business support, known as ‘Team North Ayrshire’. Team North Ayrshire is a collaboration between the public, private and third sector that works together to shape and grow the area’s economy by providing a single conduit for businesses to get the support they need, when they need it.

Strong relationships are also being built with destinations across the world including China and America, adding to the international trade links on offer from the convenient West of Scotland location.

The area is already well established for global connections. With advanced digital infrastructure and above average superfast broadband, the world is only ever just a click away.

Whether it’s assisting an innovative entrepreneur as they explore their potential, providing an environment where small and medium sized businesses feel confident to grow within, or creating a tailor made location where world-class businesses can thrive – the bespoke support service means that almost any business ambition can be realised in North Ayrshire.

Team North Ayrshire has been helping local businesses since it came into fruition four years ago. Last year alone, over 600 businesses benefited from the dedicated and tailored support on offer. Key to the Team’s success is developing in-depth relationships with businesses in order for them to grow, prosper and become more competitive.

From financial assistance to business expansion, marketing to growing workplace skills, the Team can deliver expertise on a vast range of business needs.

Client contact and servicing business, VOCA, began its business journey in North Ayrshire four years ago. And since joining forces with Team North Ayrshire, the business has experienced rapid growth – expanded its workforce to 120, relocated to larger premises and delivering campaigns for large multi-national companies.

Victoria Edwards, VOCA’s Managing Director, says that Team North Ayrshire has played a pivotal role in their growth and success to date. She said: “Team North Ayrshire (TNA) has been phenomenal. Since having them on board, they have given us the ability to gain ISO 9001 standard for quality of service – making us one of only six call centres in the UK to have received this accreditation. We were

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Situated less than 90 minutes from Edinburgh Airport, just 40 minutes from Glasgow Airport and 15 minutes from Prestwick Airport, serviced by passenger and freight ports along the coast, and with a dual carriageway link through the M77 and A78, North Ayrshire is also well placed for all major transportation. also the first call centre in the country to become a living wage employer, in a move both supported and encouraged by Team North Ayrshire.

North Ayrshire Councillor Alex Gallagher, Cabinet Member for Economy, said: “Supporting businesses lies at the very heart of Team North Ayrshire.

“Through graduate, modern apprenticeship and general recruitment programmes, TNA has provided us with opportunities to build the strong, skilled workforce that we have today.

“Our leading business support offer draws in talent from various sectors, industries and agencies to ensure anyone choosing North Ayrshire as their destination for business connects to the local economy and community, grows with it and reaches new levels of success.

“And when office space started to become an issue for our expanding business, Team North Ayrshire helped us identify and relocate to larger premises and continue to grow.

“When choosing the best location to invest in this business, North Ayrshire stood out from the rest due to their unique approach to business support.

“They take a really proactive response which is something I’ve certainly not experienced before.

“Having TNA behind us gives us a feeling of security and confidence, knowing that we have this extended support network available.

“For me, North Ayrshire is an obvious choice.”

“Our Team approach is well recognised as an exemplar of business support – and it’s with good reason. Regardless of whether you’ve just started your company, you’re an established businesses looking to expand or a you’re head of a multi-national looking to set up a new base, Team North Ayrshire will work with you to help ensure your needs are met.”

With the support of Team North Ayrshire, businesses locating to the area are sure to succeed. Find out how the business support can help you realise your business ambitions by calling 01294 449944 or visit www.northayrshireforbusiness.com

We are here to help Team North Ayrshire is a group of private, public and third sector partners working together to support local businesses.

Whether you have a brilliant idea that you want to develop, are seeking access to new markets, realising your expansion plans or investigating relocation options, Team North Ayrshire can help you access the wealth of expertise and support available.

Call our Business Advisers on 01294 449944 or visit www.northayrshireforbusiness.com

@NAyrshire_biz North Ayrshire Council

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

BUSINESS PROPERTY RENTAL

CONFERENCES WITH CLASS

Offering customised serviced offices, industrial units and workshops in award-winning business parks across Central Scotland. All-inclusive and cost-effective leases include utilities, reception, insurance, maintenance, cleaning, meeting room hire, car-parking, refuse and recycling.

Offering tailored day and residential conferences across a choice of five meeting rooms, Gean House provides cost-effective packages for up to 100 delegates. Ideally located near Stirling, facilities include parking, WiFi, IT equipment, lunch and refreshments. FROM ONLY £25PP!

To get in touch, call us on 01259 721454 or email property@ceteris.co.uk today.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ScotLIS testing in the Scottish Highlands Continuing to conduct robust usability testing (UX) is of vital importance for a service developed in an agile framework and ScotLIS has been developed in such a way. Ultimately this means that throughout the process of development the end product would always evolve, as it is based firmly on the needs of the end user, the customer.

As the private beta phase of Scotland's brand new land information service finishes and the development moves into its next stage, public beta, the team travelled to the Highlands, to Inverness, to do ‘beta’ research. Following on from the alpha day workshop which took place in August while the product was in the alpha phase of development, the trip to Inverness on 4 & 5 October started with five 1:1 sessions with a range of business users and ‘pop-up’ research in the city's Eastgate Centre with members of the public who will ultimately be the citizen end user. Day two was ‘beta day’, a series of workshop sessions focused on business users working in more rural areas.

Held at Jury’s Inn, there were 10 attendees in total on the day who worked across a range of sectors. The majority were representatives from solicitors firms dealing with domestic, rural and commercial legal work plus stakeholders from the local authority and forestry commission. The format was based on the successful alpha day template where, after a brief introduction to the service, the attendees went on a walk-through of ScotLIS

for land and property held on the Land Register followed by a Q&A session. The afternoon workshop focused on a walk-through of how ScotLIS exposes the much older data held on the Sasine Register. The day came to a close with a Q&A session for Sasines, a brief findings round up delivered by the team and a chance for attendees to give their thoughts using anonymous feedback forms.

Effective research requires coverage of a wide demographic and the ScotLIS beta day in the Highlands certainly helped achieve this. The combination of engagement and collaboration with stakeholders in more rural areas with different perspectives and requirements to those from the central belt, for example, was also beneficial to the attendees.

Feedback from both business and potential public users across both days was excellent.

Comments covered both the service and the style of the sessions:

ScotLIS development team highlights the importance of usability testing sessions like beta day: ‘Collaboration and engagement with stakeholders like this is vital to the development of new services which form part of our digital transformation programme here at Registers of Scotland. Events like those held recently in Inverness give us the opportunity to share ScotLIS, whilst users, some of whom due to their geographical location we wouldn’t have the opportunity to meet face to face, can provide suggestions and share their ideas and knowledge with us.’

Scotlis.ros.gov.uk was officially launched as part of the Registrars of Title Conference on 24 October but we would still like to hear from business users who would like to be involved in ongoing usability testing, please contact ruth.baxter@ros.gov.uk for more information.

‘A detailed walkthrough of the portal’ with a team that were ‘very open to feedback’.

Hilary Brownlie, lead service designer on the

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EAST AYRSHIRE Discover the space your business needs In East Ayrshire there is a range of support mechanisms in place to assist the business community and to attract investment. The partners in Invest East Ayrshire believe in attracting relocating companies, nurturing those already in situ and creating an environment where new start ups can excel.

East Ayrshire is home to 3000 businesses of various sizes, employing around 44,000 people in different sectors including tourism, textiles, engineering, manufacturing, retail, food and drink and a number of niche companies.

The area offers its 120,000 residents an excellent quality of life, with a growing economy, a strong sense of community, good educational opportunities and a choice of modern and traditional housing to meet all needs and budgets.

Fast, efficient transport and communications links, two international airports, good road, rail links and ferry and cargo ports are all on the doorstep, making transport logistics easy.

Good employees lie at the heart of any ambitious and forward-thinking business community. East Ayrshire has a well educated, hard working, loyal workforce with the necessary skills and qualifications to support any business grow. The business community, workforce and business support infrastructure all work together. Schools, Ayrshire College and the University of the West of Scotland are all committed to maximising choices and opportunities for our residents to develop their full potential. This collaborative approach has helped make East Ayrshire the strong business location it is today.

Whatever the sector, businesses can access a comprehensive, tailored package of support. East Ayrshire Council’s Economic Development services include business advice and guidance, grant and loan packages, premises and land sourcing, recruitment and training support and business networking events. But the support is not exclusive to the Council team. With a strong, collaborative approach, Invest East Ayrshire allows and encourages companies to

tap into a wider network of assistance.

Whether expanding, relocating from elsewhere or starting a new enterprise, finding business support is straightforward. Taking on new employees can also be expensive and challenging, but through Invest East Ayrshire information is available on how to access financial support as well as selection, recruitment, training and development of employees from Modern Apprentices to graduates.

Funding can be accessed from a number of sources including Business Loans Scotland, Prince’s Trust Youth Business Scotland and Regional Selective Assistance. beReady is an integrated business support programme delivered by East Ayrshire Council available to any business in or relocating to East Ayrshire. It comprises a comprehensive package of individual mentoring, seminars and development workshops.

The programme concentrates on seven business development themes, management, sales and marketing, digital, people, finance, innovation and procurement. Participants attend workshops and one-toone consultancy sessions. Financial support may then be available if the process identifies a potential project.

The team also offers property search assistance helping to find established commercial properties including industrial units, offices and retail premises or land available for new development.

So whether starting out and looking for anything from serviced office accommodation to retail units, serviced plots or industrial units, there is a range of properties from which to choose.

Ingram Enterprise Centre, Kilmarnock

Retail Development Cumnock

In Kilmarnock, a multi-million pound regeneration programme in the town’s historic quarter includes the redevelopment of an historic building at the top of John Finnie Street, to be known as the Ingram Enterprise Centre.

The multi million pound regeneration of Cumnock Town Centre has seen the restoration of many of the town’s beautiful historic buildings, providing renewed business, retail and residential accommodation. The landscape has been permanently altered with the demolition of the outdated 1970s Glaisnock Centre.

The centre will be home to serviced office accommodation for start-up and small businesses with units ranging from 10 sq. m. up to 28 sq. m. With break out areas, meeting rooms and a conference room and access to support from the Invest East Ayrshire team, the premises will act as a hub for new and expanding businesses. The Ingram Enterprise Centre is due for completion at the beginning of 2018.

Prelets have already been secured with a number of tenants who are delighted to be part of this exciting facility which will offer a vibrant and supportive atmosphere to grow their businesses.

Moorfield Park, Kilmarnock Moorfield Park is situated adjacent to the A71 less than 5 mins drive from the A77/M77. Occupiers will join existing neighbours, Braehead Foods, GAP Plant and Tool Hire, Plumb Base and Hyspec. East Ayrshire Council has commenced construction of two speculative units with floor areas of 29,000 sq.ft. and 23,700 sq. ft. These units will be constructed to shell status allowing tenants to complete their own fit out to their own bespoke requirements. They are also designed to allow for subdivision if smaller units are required. The units will be constructed in accordance with Design Development guidelines to complement the level of quality of units and environment at the park.

A number of fully serviced plots is also available at £60,000 per acre for self-build or to allow developers to build industrial units. Plot sizes range from 0.3 acres to 2.5 acres.

MOORFIELD PARK

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Excellent transport links to A71, A77, M77, A78

Phase 2 of the Cumnock retail development comprises a 10,000 sq. ft. Farmfoods food store which will more than double their footprint within the town. It will also create an additional 6,000 sq. ft. of retail space is available for lease. This space will be constructed to provide flexible accommodation, allowing it to be subdivided for separate occupation by a number of businesses if required.

COMING SOON From Spring/Summer 2018 a number of industrial units ranging from 2,500 sq. ft. to 10,000 sq. ft. will be available for lease in Kilmarnock. For detailed information please contact the team at East Ayrshire Council.

CUMNOCK TOWN CENTRE

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Greenfield site with easy access

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Serviced plots from 0.3 acres to 2.5 acres available from £60k per acre for self build

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Shell units of 29,000 sq.ft. and 23,700 sq. ft. available for lease

In its place is a new, more sympathetically designed retail development fronting on to Townhead Street, completed in August 2016, it adds seven new retail units covering a total of 7,900 sq. ft. to the Cumnock townscape. Six units of those units are now occupied by five independent and one multinational business. The seventh unit is under offer and due to be occupied in Autumn 2017.

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Retail unit (s) totalling 6000 sq. ft. available for lease Car parking and loading facilities on site Part of £18.3M regeneration scheme of Cumnock town centre Collaborative and proactive business community

INGRAM ENTERPRISE CENTRE

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Town centre location close to Kilmarnock railway station Units of 110 sq. ft. up to 300 sq. ft. (10 sqm to 28 sqm) Use of break out rooms, conference rooms and reception services included Opens Winter 2017

To find out more about any of the above properties or any aspect of business in East Ayrshire -

01563 578304

#InvestEA

Invest East Ayrshire @EAInvest

@ Invest_EA www.investeastayrshire.com

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Scrabster Harbour making waves Last year, Scrabster Harbour celebrated 175 years of operation. The harbour, situated near Thurso in Caithness, originally provided deep water anchorage to seafarers and became a key gateway to Orkney, Shetland, the Faroe Islands and Scandinavia, primarily as a fishing and ferry port.

The harbour still proudly serves the fishing and ferry sector. It is the UK’s fourth largest landing port for fish and provides lifeline ferry services. But the harbour is now a multi-purpose facility, providing key infrastructure and connectivity in the north of Scotland. The Scrabster Harbour Trust, who run the harbour, has just released its annual accounts for 2016/17, which highlight the depth and range of activity undertaken at the harbour.

It’s been a record year, which saw growth in revenues in ferry, fishing, energy, both in oil & gas and renewables, cruise ships, property and general cargoes. Total port revenues increased by 14% to £3.377 million, with profit before tax increasing to £851,000.

The annual accounts come after a new independent Economic Impact Assessment report released in Summer 2017 found the harbour currently generates £25 million gross value added (GVA) in Caithness and supports over 400 jobs. The figures show an increase from 339 jobs to 403 jobs since

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the last economic assessment in 2009, underlining the growing role of the harbour to the Caithness economy. The numbers have not gone unnoticed, with parliamentary motions in the Scottish Parliament highlighting the positive impact of the harbour on the local and wider economy.

to create an integrated supply base. The investment aligns with the Caithness and North Sutherland Regeneration Partnership Vision for Caithness and North Sutherland to become a centre for marine renewable energy and a service hub for the oil and gas industry in the West of Shetland area.

The robust financial health of the harbour means the Trust is well placed to invest further into the harbour’s operations and improve and expand on facilities. The Trust’s vision for Scrabster Harbour is to continue as a multi-purpose port.

Sandy Mackie, Port Manager at Scrabster said: “We believe Scrabster Harbour and Caithness can continue to be central to Scotland’s ferry, fishing, oil & gas and renewables sectors and there are a number of exciting plans for the harbour going forward, such as the redevelopment of the Ola Quay. We are proud to serve the North of Scotland and our role in connecting communities and businesses."

The Trust is now looking to the next phase of the harbour’s future and has plans to redevelop the St Ola Quay to create further deep-water harbour infrastructure at an estimated cost of £15 million. The Trust is also exploring options to create additional laydown at the port.

This is in line with the Boards’ strategy in relation to increasing importance to the oil and gas sector by endeavouring

From a small fishing port in 1841 to one of Scotland’s important harbour and business locations, the Trust believes Scrabster Harbour can continue to play a pivotal role as the gateway to the North for the next 175 years.

www.scrabster.co.uk The UK’s most northerly mainland commercial port Modern port infrastructure and services 24/7 access with fast vessel turnaround Strategically located to support oil and gas activity on the Atlantic Frontier Strategically located to support renewable energy activity in the Pentland Firth Major full service whitefish landing port with modern chilled fishmarket Daily life-line ferry link to Orkney Cruise Port Development opportunities available

Scrabster Harbour, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 7UJ 01847 892779 For all business and general enquiries (office hours, Mon to Fri) harbour@scrabster.co.uk For shipping and pilotage operations (24hr) ops@scrabster.co.uk

SCC BUSINESS PARTNER

A green journey to growth Warrick Dent

Safety and Operations Director for Virgin Trains

More people are choosing train over plane when travelling between Scotland’s Central Belt and London than at any time in more than 20 years.

That historic shift in travel patterns, with rail now making up around a third of the market, follows particularly strong growth over the last year on Virgin Trains’ two Anglo-Scottish rail routes and represents an important step forward in improving Scotland’s connectivity.

Its consequences for the environment are spelled out in a recent report, A Green Journey to Growth, by sustainable transport charity Transform Scotland. The key conclusion is that while there has been steady growth in the overall air and rail market between Glasgow/Edinburgh and London over the last decade, the potential for increasing CO2 levels has been offset and at times reduced by the shift from air to rail, which is around five times greener than air on a per-passenger-journey basis.

This is a remarkable – and remarkably positive – finding. Reducing carbon emissions and generating economic growth can make unhappy policy bedfellows,

particularly in the case of transport, where CO2 levels have barely dropped since 1990. So it’s worth reflecting on strategies which are working to drive the agenda of sustainable transport growth and asking what we can do to encourage them.

Investment in improving the frequency, speed and quality of rail journeys has clearly driven a big increase in passenger numbers. On Virgin Trains’ west coast route between Glasgow and London, we saw the number of journeys increase threefold between 2009 and 2015 to more than 600,000 per year. This followed the introduction of the tilting Pendolino fleet, accelerated journey times and a regular hourly timetable. The six-week closure of the route due to problems with the Lamington viaduct in 2016 dented passenger numbers but this proved temporary, with growth subsequently returning to its previous strong trend.

On the east coast route where I work, we are well into an eight-year journey to replicate that transformation in the quality of services.

Last year we added 25 direct services between Edinburgh and London per week, completely overhauled our train interiors and, along with west coast, doubled the industry-standard booking horizon of three months and introduced our revolutionary onboard entertainment streaming service, BEAM as part of a £140m investment programme. That helped drive an 8% growth in passenger numbers last year, with more than 1m people travelling between Edinburgh and London for the first time.

As a result, Virgin Trains’ market share against airlines in June was as high as 37% between Edinburgh and London, up two percentage points on its previous peak in 2014. On west coast, Virgin Trains’ market share between Glasgow and London was 27%.

This is a big shift from 2015, when rail’s total market share between Glasgow/Edinburgh and London a decade ago was only 20%.

The level of carbon savings generated by this shift bear some reflection. Between 2005 and 2015, 332,208tCO2 were saved as a result of people choosing train over plane.

That’s enough to take 145,000 cars off the road for a year or drive around the world 44,000 times.

The scale of the CO2 saving offered by rail is also apparent when looking at some of the other choices individuals and businesses can make to reduce CO2. For instance, a leisure traveller who makes around eight journeys between the Central Belt and London a year would save nearly half the level of CO2 generated by a typical household in a year if four of those journeys were made by train rather than plane, according to Transform Scotland. For an SME, shifting from 10% to 20% of journeys made by train instead of plane would cut the equivalent CO2 to powering two houses for a year. For a Corporation, a similar shift could power 439 houses.

Looking forward, Transform Scotland predict this trend for increased travel but lowering emissions to be even stronger on the east coast route, thanks to the introduction of our state-of-the-art Azuma fleet from December next year. These will give us 28% more seats out of King’s Cross at peak times and allow us to accelerate London-Edinburgh journeys to four hours at the end of the decade. The first of these test trains debuted in Scotland in August, generating a huge level of interest as it crossed the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick for the first time.

We have been clear in our ambitions to win 50% of the market share between Edinburgh and London by the end of our east coast franchise in 2023. This would see rail achieve equal billing on what is now the busiest domestic air route, following the almost complete reversal of air’s dominance between Manchester and London a decade earlier.

As the Transform Scotland report concludes, smart decisions by government, businesses and individuals are needed to nurture this positive trajectory and deliver the elusive combination of reducing CO2 whilst also driving economic growth. Rail has a strong role to play and we’re immensely proud of the contribution we’re making to this agenda.

See: http://transformscotland.org.uk/a-greenjourney-to-growth/

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SCC BUSINESS PARTNER

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B O A A L RD L A

THE

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coach

Jump onboard our Christmas Charter Train for a magical journey to York filled with festive fun, food** and even a gift from Santa himself!

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On 2 December 2017 we’ll whizz you to York for a day of festive fun, seasonal shopping, and maybe a mince pie (or two).

All funds raised will be donated to our mental health charity partner, CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) who are dedicated to preventing male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK.

Outward journey Edinburgh

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Under 5’s go free. 124 seats available in First Class, and 350 seats available in Standard. **Festive food and drink is included in First Class and available for Standard ticket holders to purchase from our Foodbar and at-seat trolley service. †On Saturday 2 December 2017 the train will depart Edinburgh at 07.18, Berwick at 08.01, arriving into York at 09.48. Return journey departs York at 18.45. All proceeds from ticket sales go to CALM. Railcards, employee travel boxes, privilege cards and travel passes will not be accepted as this is a charter train for charity. Tickets are non-refundable.

NEWS

Three launches Discovery programme in Glasgow and Edinburgh Three has announced a nationwide rollout and further investment in its digital skills initiative Discovery, expanding the programme into Glasgow and Edinburgh. Discovery is part of Three’s commitment to empower and educate local communities by teaching them essential online skills.

Free training will be available in Scotland for the first time, coinciding with Three becoming a signatory of Scotland’s Digital Participation Charter, an initiative created by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) with the support of the Scottish Government. The Charter focuses

Given the widespread use of smartphones and tablets, it’s easy to assume that most of Scotland’s population is digitally confident.

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on improving digital skills across Scotland, where more than 21% of adults are known to lack basic digital skills. Discovery Scotland will take free digital skills sessions to individuals, schools, local groups and small businesses.

Paula Cave, Director of retail at Three, was positive about the move into Scotland, “it means Discovery now spans the whole of the UK so we can provide digital skills to more people than ever before. We are delighted to be supporting Scotland’s Digital Participation Charter, as a reaffirmation of our commitment to reducing digital exclusion”. Three are looking forward to “supporting community groups and individuals in the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas” to create a digitally smarter Scotland.

David McNeill, Director of Digital at SCVO, said: “Given the widespread use of smartphones and tablets, it’s easy to assume that most of Scotland’s population is digitally

confident. However, our recent research shows the reality is that while many people use social media and consume content online, they do not have the full range of basic digital skills to enable them to make the most of the internet, whether saving money or applying for jobs”.

SCVO welcomed Three joining the national movement to increase basic digital skills and confidence online, and their commitment to providing practical support.

Three has held over 250 sessions this year for community groups across the UK, including schools, charities, community centres and job centres. These sessions have reached 4,200 people and Discovery as a whole has assisted 10,000 people to date.

To book a Discovery session for your group, please contact discovery@three.co.uk or visit your local store for individual sessions.

QUARTERLY ECONOMIC INDICATOR

New powers over the air departure tax promised to level the playing field

Air Departure Tax, promised to lower the price of the onward flights from Central Belt airports used by most Northern businesses.

For the first time, it seemed, there was a realistic prospect of the geographical penalty paid by remote Scottish businesses being reduced to manageable levels.

Imagine their dismay therefore when the finance minister Derek Mackay announced in the Scottish Parliament on 4 Oct that “after careful consideration” the Scottish Government felt that the exemption “has to be notified to and assessed by the European Commission under state-aid rules before it is implemented in compliance with European Union law.”

Liz Cameron OBE

Chief Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce

For businesses struggling to stay competitive in the far North of Scotland, new powers over the air departure tax promised to level the playing field.

Although Wick and Inverness Airports have benefitted since 2001 from an exemption from extra taxes due to their poor market connectivity, the introduction under the Scotland Act 2016 of a Holyrood-controlled

Translation: Highlands and Islands airports’ current exemption from the existing UK Air Passenger Duty (APD) is a spanner in the works of the proposed new Scottish Air Departure Tax (ADT).

The Scottish Government’s repeated pledge to reduce it by 50% by the end of the Parliament is therefore looking doubtful, pending Brussels approval of a tax power, wrested from Westminster in the Smith Commission process, can be exercised in line with Scotland’s particular economic needs.

Leaving aside the political ironies contained in the timing of this unforeseen Brussels-related snag, the debate about ADT underlines the depressing fragility of business influence in Scottish political discourse.

Debating and - it was thought - establishing, the details and benefits of reducing air taxes

has already burned up countless hours of precious business and civil service time, through consultations and through the APD Stakeholder Forum which met between Aug 2015 and May 2016. The aim of “improving connectivity to Scottish airports, generating new direct routes and increasing inbound tourism” seemed central to Scottish Government’s strategy to use its new powers to promote growth inclusive of all parts of the nation.

Now Mr Mackay refers ominously to “a range of views on whether the tax should be reduced”, including the views of those who think flying per se should be discouraged on environmental grounds or, absurdly, that it is a frivolous luxury indulged in by broadshouldered “frequent fliers” rather than a necessary chore.

Trudy Morris, chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce has written to Mr Mackay voicing her “extreme disappointment” that, after years of discussion around ADT, “zero progress” had been made on the matter of the Highland and Islands exemption now being held up as a barrier to implementation of the Scotland wide-reduction.

Worse, she suggests, this playing of the State Aid card threatens the existing northern airports exemption, should Brussels find that it does, after all, contravene its rules.

How this issue is resolved will speak volumes about how seriously business input is taken in the exercise of the Scottish Parliament’s new powers.

First published The Herald October 2017

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NEWS

Exploring ideas and stimulating change in Scotland Glasgow has a rich history of international trade which crosses industries, from tourism to technology and science to education and art. So, it seems only fitting that it is now home to Europe’s most established TEDx organisation.

Born in 1984, TED is a nonprofit organisation devoted to ‘Ideas Worth Spreading’, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or fewer) delivered by today’s leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED’s annual conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, and made available, free, on TED.com. TED speakers are vast and varied including Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.

Built on the TED culture of global innovation, creativity and innovation, TEDxGlasgow is

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an independently organised volunteer-run organisation based right here in Scotland.

It aims to showcase the very best, and most current, ideas generated in Scotland, to a global and enlightened audience, in the hopes of bringing about systematic change in local communities. The organisation brings together influential and actionoriented individuals who have the ability to bring about this change in the various fields that they work in.

First launched in 2012, TEDxGlasgow runs a flagship annual event - one which has doubled in size year on year since its inception - alongside several smaller Salon

events year round. This year, it welcomed in excess of 1,800 people to Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo and it’s portfolio of 75 talks have now reached in excess of 9 million people online.

The organisation is run by five individuals, who come from backgrounds as varied as the speakers they bring together, and supported by a team of both regular volunteers and an 100-strong complement for their annual events. The team are focussed on offering mentorship and volunteering opportunities that not only provide key skills but also access to a powerful and diverse network of people. Welcoming delegates and speakers

NEWS

the stage, including elite athletes such as Mark Beaumont and Lee Craigie, cutting edge innovation like Richard Browning’s jet suit and from Microsoft’s Amos Miller, Scotland’s business pioneers Ellis Watson and Bob Keiller, arts leaders including Chris Hampson and David Eustace, and many more.

from all walks of life, these events challenge perspectives and present opportunities to explore beyond one’s discipline or every day.

On why he brought TEDx to Glasgow, Gurjit Singh Lalli, curator and founder of TEDxGlasgow, said; “From the moment my mentor, Guy Spier, introduced me to TED I was fixated. I wanted to learn more and to share this with others. Glasgow is a city of contrasts, from dire mortality rates to a recognised future city. So what better city, in my eyes, to use the TEDx platform to bring Scotland together.”

He continues; “The team and the challenge of bringing together such a diverse group of people is what drives me. I love searching for amazing ideas and then being able to showcase them. I love, then, helping them scale to global levels. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a speaker we’ve brought to the stage go on to achieve great things - and we now have many examples of where this has happened.”

But TEDxGlasgow is more than just a series of events. The organisation’s vision is that “Scotland is a more prosperous, sustainable, creative, fairer and healthier nation”. And, it would appear they have already taken steps towards this goal. From encouraging over 100 new blood donors as a result of Rachel Robbins Lairds 2015 talk to supporting social care policy change in Scotland following Laura Beveridge’s emotional 2016 talk.

On her experience, Laura Beveridge said;

“The TEDxGlasgow talk I did has been shared widely across the sector and has been positively received, which is staggering.

It is now a key learning component of the Masters of Science in Youth Care Studies at the University of Strathclyde… And, on the 15th October 2016 I stood alongside my care brothers and sisters at the SNP party conference and heard her [Nicola Sturgeon] announcement of the root and branch review of the care system. We had finally been heard.”

The events aim to delight and inspire, bringing both diverse entertainment (this year TEDxGlasgow welcomed Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5, a Japanese drumming group and Glasgow Philharmonia) and world class speakers to

In a bid to measure the influence of their talks and events, TEDxGlasgow has an impact team who monitor not just the experiences on the day but the stories that follow. They aim to understand impact through realising the outcomes from people who were inspired to act, learning what organisations can share about the progression of their ideas, and by assessing the influences that have helped to trigger meaningful change.

With the launch of their 2018 event imminent, which includes a commitment to supporting Scotland’s youth, the year ahead is set to attract more new and high profile speakers and guests to Glasgow.

For an initiative that started life small and homegrown, TEDxGlasgow represents the spirit, passion and drive of the city’s people. It is an organisation that celebrates Scotland’s finest. And one, which puts our fine city on a global platform.

Sign up to the TEDxGlasgow email list on their website to register your interest and stay informed about future events:

http://www.tedxglasgow.com/

Glasgow is a city of contrasts, from dire mortality rates to a recognised future city.

So what better city, in my eyes, to use the TEDx platform to bring Scotland together.

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FOCUS ON CANADA/USA

Take off for Toronto this winter with Air Transat 2017 has been a very special year for award-winning airline Air Transat in Scotland as they celebrated 25 years of flying between Glasgow Airport and Toronto. during the winter months from passengers wanting to experience a true Canadian winter experience. Toronto is a fantastic city to embrace the true joy and warmth that Canada is famous for.” says Lesley Kane, Commercial Director UK & Ireland for Air Transat.

For the past 25 years, not only has the airline been taking holidaymakers to Canada to soak up the famous scenery and iconic sights but to also reunite families, keeping the historic roots between the two countries strong. The ties between Canada and Scotland run deep with over 15% of Canadians either being born in Scotland or having Scottish Heritage.

All year-round Air Transat operates a direct service from Glasgow Airport to Toronto and during the peak season between April and October, an additional weekly direct service on to the beautiful coastal city of Vancouver. In order to ensure that all of the most popular cities of Canada are easily reached, there are connecting services on to Montreal and Calgary as well as additional connections via Toronto on to Vancouver so that customers have the flexibility to travel when they want.

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With winter just around the corner and the popularity of Canada still growing as it continues with its exciting 150th anniversary celebrations, Air Transat was recently delighted to announce a second direct flight from Glasgow to Toronto this winter.

“Glasgow is such a busy departure hub for Air Transat and we’re thrilled by the local demand for our Toronto route, particularly

Departing on a Monday and Thursday and returning on a Sunday and Wednesday, the timings are perfect for a short city break or a longer Canadian adventure to explore what Toronto, and beyond, has to offer. As a winter city break destination, Toronto ticks all the boxes with festive events, incredible restaurants and fantastic shopping, and with the Canadian exchange rate being a lot more favourable than the US Dollar, Toronto is proving to be the top east coast destination in North America for a winter break.

Steven Marshall, Head of Airline Marketing & Development at Glasgow Airport says,

FOCUS ON CANADA/USA

“Glasgow Airport has a long association with Air Transat and we are delighted that in its 25th year of operating flights from Glasgow, the airline has extended its second weekly flight to Toronto for the winter period from November to April. The new flight opens up more opportunities for customers looking to enjoy winter short breaks in Toronto or longer Ontario adventures on Air Transat’s direct service.”

Canadian winters may be renowned for being on the cold side but the cities really do know how to make the most of the beauty and joy that winter brings. In Toronto, underneath most of the city runs the PATH system - an interconnecting 30km underground pathway connecting all major hotels, attractions and shopping locations. Couple this with the city’s iconic tourist attractions and stunning landscapes, and it becomes a winter destination that will warm the coldest of hearts.

The flight experience Air Transat prides itself on providing famous Canadian hospitality and any Canada holiday starts as soon as you board the flight. Stepping on board one of the newly refurbished Airbus Aircraft, the mood lighting provides a calming environment, inviting passengers to relax and enjoy personalised entertainment as the flight travels across the Atlantic. On board, there are three different flight experiences to choose from. All enjoy the same high levels of service with luggage and meals always included but each level enjoys a few extra perks:

Club Class At the top end of the on-board experience from Air Transat is the exclusive Club Class cabin. With just 12 wide leather seats in a separate cabin, the Club Class service is designed to wow! Beginning the moment

you arrive at the airport, you’ll save time waiting in queues by breezing through check in, dropping off a generous luggage allowance of two bags weighing 32kg each at a dedicated check in desk. If Christmas shopping or visiting family, the luggage allowance comes in extremely handy for ensuring that there is enough space to carry everything you want to. New for this winter at Glasgow airport, Club Class passengers also enjoy priority security, making the airport experience even less hassle. Standing around the departure gate is a thing of the past with Club Class as the passengers are called forward first to board, giving more time to get settled in to your seat.

Seat selection is always complimentary with Club Class and every seat features extra leg room and a 12-inch television with a wide selection of television shows, films and music to choose from. During the transatlantic flight, a dedicated crew serve a welcome cocktail, drinks from the bar and high-quality meals to ensure that the flight passes in comfort and with ease. New for 2017, Air Transat was delighted to team up with renowned Québec Chef, Daniel Vézina to offer a special inflight meal service. The Quebec Chef has more than 30 years of experience, and is owner of the prestigious Laurie Raphaël restaurants in Quebec City and Montreal. The choice on board offers a real touch of classic cooking with a fantastic selection of gourmet meals that can be pre-booked before the flight. Each dish is served with signature wines, a cheese board and dessert.

Upon arrival at the destination, it’s not just the Club Class passenger that gets to disembark first, their luggage is first off too to ensure that the Canadian holiday starts as soon as possible.

Economy Class with Option Plus Any holiday is a well-deserved and special occasion so Air Transat introduced the Option Plus service to add extra touches to the economy class experience. As an add on to a regular economy ticket the Option Plus service gives the passengers some fantastic perks. Starting at the airport, there is a dedicated check in desk to quickly check in an additional luggage allowance of two bags weighing up to 23kg each. Priority boarding is also part of the Option Plus experience, giving more time to get on the aircraft to find your pre-booked seat and to get settled for the quick journey across the Atlantic.

During the flight the extra perks that are included are a comfort kit with a neck pillow, blanket and eye mask, plus drinks and snacks during bar service. Upon arrival at the destination, the luggage of the Option Plus passengers are first off with the Club Class bags courtesy of the priority baggage handling service.

Economy Class In the Economy cabin, Air Transat prides itself on low fares, high standards of service and all the essentials needed to travel to Canada in comfort. Luggage and meals are always included with every fare so there are no hidden extras. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight!

This winter, consider Toronto as a winter break destination to soak up the wonder of Canada in its 150th year. Air Transat flies direct from Glasgow Airport to Toronto twice per week between October and April before offering a more frequent service during the summer months. For Club Class bookings, it is always best to book as early as possible as it does sell out.

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FOCUS ON CANADA / USA

Ogilvie Ross set for American expansion in 2018 Ogilvie Ross is set to expand its international client base with the development of new marketing partnerships in Los Angeles and Colorado. The Kinross based consultancy already provides leadership training and mentoring for corporate clients throughout Europe and it sees America as the next logical move in its global expansion.

Managing Partner, John Ross explained “Over the last 18-months we have been looking at various options for expansion including the USA, China and India. One of our partners spent a month meeting with potential partners and clients on the west coast of America and we have decided that the time is right for us to make a serious investment in that location and we have agreed plans for us to establish a permanent base in Denver from August 2018.”

The decision to move into the USA was prompted when Greta Hart Montgomery joined the firm last year. Greta is originally from Colorado and has considerable experience of the American marketplace and its cultural demands. The face of leadership is changing, and Greta went to Los Angeles to find out more about how new concepts in leadership consultancy could help bring the most value to Ogilvie Ross clients.

Greta spent time with the award-winning Los Angeles based word of mouth marketing and creative agency Brains on Fire. Brains on Fire focus on human-centred design, video storytelling and digital strategies with a strong focus on meaningful user

experiences. This approach helps clients develop leadership and organic growth through a mix of participative insight, clear strategy, emotional storytelling, identity building and authentic community building.

Watching this process in action has given Ogilvie Ross insight into a fresh approach to further develop its leadership consultancy.

Through first understanding a company, the people in it and the people who love it, and by asking the right questions, Ogilvie Ross can create bespoke leadership programmes which bring the most value for clients and increase their growth potential.

From L.A, Greta went east to the Rocky Mountains and spent time in Denver which has the fastest growing economy in the U.S. Business is booming. As a business grows, so does diversity in the workplace and the need for leaders who are not only good within their given field, but also good with people. This need for good leadership is booming alongside business. During the visit Greta agreed a new working partnership with Colorado Christian University which will see Ogilvie Ross deliver a series of lecture and seminar programmes for the new student intake starting in August 2018. Using a human-centred approach to learning and problem-solving, the programme will look at developing the art of leadership including understanding Compassion Fatigue, Difficult Conversations, and Feedback for Change.

leadership programme for the senior management team for Wells Fargo, the country’s third largest banking group. John Ross added “We have completed a number of one off projects in the US but this new link with Colorado Christian University and the positive discussions with Brains on Fire will see us move onto a much more permanent footing with plans to develop relationships with a number of the larger corporate businesses on the west coast.”

2017 has seen a considerable increase in the firm’s international business with client projects completed in Germany, Sweden, Luxemburg, Denmark and Holland. In addition to the US plans there are outstanding proposals for two major consultancy projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. John said “ We are a very small Scottish business with big ambitions and the potential in America is just too large for us to ignore, we are all looking forward to the new challenges in 2018”.

Ogilvie Ross LLP

Tel: 01577 863040 www.ogilvieross.co.uk

Email: info@ogilvieross.co.uk

Ogilvie Ross are not strangers to working in America. In 2014 the firm created a bespoke

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CHAMBER NEWS

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce goes International

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and the British Chamber of Commerce for Italy is continuing its outward trade mission for Scottish companies in Milan from Tuesday 7 – Thursday 9 November 2017.

The visit will comprise of a day of business to business meetings in Milan, as well as networking opportunities for companies interested in exporting in the Italian market.

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce will be working with its Italian counterpart and other specialist organisations, which have been invited to collaborate in the project, ensuring that all business meetings are relevant and specific to the companies’ exporting aspirations. The meetings will align the priority prospects for businesses from both sides with the aim of finding common ground to identify opportunities for mutual commercial development.

The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy is especially keen to work with Scottish companies in fashion, luxury brands, food and drink, defence, engineering and life science sectors but the mission is open to applications from companies from all sectors across Scotland.

Glasgow Chamber are also organising more international trade trips. The Chamber has also visited Nuremberg (19th, 20th October), working with a Scottish partner on the ground in Bavaria who has put together a programme for a handful of Scottish businesses to meet with a combination of

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influential business and civic leaders, as well as sector specific meetings. Scotland and Bavaria already have a Memorandum of Understanding in place and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce is keen to build on this relationship and organise a full blown trade mission with a series of business to

business meetings in the city in 2018.

International trips to Manhattan (6th-9th March 2018), for business to business meetings relevant to each of the companies on the trip and UAE (Spring 2018), with bespoke meetings depending on the businesses attending are also planned.

CHAMBER NEWS

Marine environment offers potential growth for Lochabar Lochaber’s marine environment of coastal and inland waterways encompass some of the world’s most beautiful and varied waters for outdoor sports, marine wildlife, scenery and heritage. It is also an area which offers potential business growth to the 15% of Lochaber Chamber of Commerce members who have business interests in marine or inland waterways. the Great Glen, crossing Scotland from east to west; providing a link to the port of Mallaig and the islands beyond; and at the crossroads of the A82 and A830.

Chamber member businesses relying heavily on the marine infrastructure and coastal location include marine haulage, harbours, marinas, mooring maintenance and installation, ferries, boat yards, commercial fishing and related industries, pontoons, aquaculture, and fish cultivation and harvesting; and make significant economic contribution to the wider area.

If further investment is made into the local seaways to support developments in road and rail, there would be greater opportunities for improved waterborne passage across Scotland cutting road based freight and the associated carbon emissions significantly, and facilitating better connections from Ireland to Scandinavia and Holland.

Two projects of national importance are

To support business growth and to generate further local skills and employment Corpach Boatbuilders are increasing the size and facilities of their boatyard to include a third slipway, enabling larger ships to be maintained and repaired locally, and consequently more quickly than having to use the Clyde shipyards and in some cases sending boats back to Norway for refit. This will support Marine Harvest (Scotland) Ltd and others in the fish farming industry; BSW Timber Ltd; and the general movement of heavy machinery and construction materials for infrastructure projects as well as new investments such as those planned by Liberty Group who recently purchased the Fort William aluminium smelter.. Also based at Corpach, and integral to the waterfront development are Lochaber Chamber Premium Members Ferguson Transport and Shipping Ltd, Great Glen Shipping Company and Boyd Haulage Ltd.

currentlyof being developed and in Lochaber, Lochaber’s marine environment coastal inland waterways encompass some both of which offer significant job and of the world’s most beautifulskills and varied waters outdoor sports, marine wildlife, creation plus the associatedfor positive economic impact. The Fort William Pontoons scenery and heritage. It is also an area which offers potential business growth to (short-stay) have been provided specifically for visiting liners to bringmembers their the 15% of Lochaber Chamber of cruise Commerce who have business passengers ashore in tenders, and are Marine Tourism brings visitors to Lochaber interests inpositively marine or inlandequally waterways. suitable for other vessels. Already throughout the year impacting visiting cruise ships have brought increased accommodation and activity providers Chamber member businesses relying heavily on the marine infrastructure and By creating a world class transport hub business to the town and following Lochaber as well as retailers and food outlets; and using the marine waterways that converge Chamber of Commerce’s visit to Sea Trade much of the area is inaccessible except by marine coastal location include haulage, harbours, marinas, mooring maintenance at Fort William, the second largest town in Expo in September 2017, there is increased water for many of the local residents who the Highlands, benefits would accrue for and installation, ferries, yards, commercial fishing and related industries, interest for 2018 and beyond with several rely on ferries which are largely currently boat everyone as new jobs would be created, Cruise and Tour operators adding Fort maintained in the Clyde and occasionally by pontoons, aquaculture, andWilliam fish tocultivation and harvesting; and make significant the main village of Corpach would have their programmes.

Corpach Boat Builders, Fort William. reduced traffic and pollution, and the roads economic contribution to the wider area.

The second, is the creation of The Telford The well documented and ever increasing would become less congested year round pressure on the main roads through the region, means businesses are increasingly looking to alternative forms of transport to support their growth. As investment in Lochaber grows Fort William is ideally located as a transport hub: at one end of

Marina at Corpach; a fully serviced yacht haven together with a public slipway. This will provide a marina for 40 yachts and small motor vessels, bringing increased visitors to the area without putting extra pressure on the roads and accommodation.

as we continue to attract increasing visitor numbers to Lochaber, the Outdoor Capital of the UK.

Marine Tourism brings visitors to Lochaber throughout the year positively impacting accommodation and activity providers as well as retailers and food outlets; and much of the area is inaccessible except by water for many of the local residents who rely on ferries which are largely currently maintained in the Clyde and occasionally by Corpach Boat Builders, Fort William.

wella world documented and pressure the main ByThe creating class transport hubever usingincreasing the marine waterways thaton converge at Fort roads William,through the secondthe region, businesses increasingly looking alternative formstheofmain transport largest townmeans in the Highlands, benefitsare would accrue for everyone as newtojobs would be created, village to support their growth.

As investment in Lochaber grows Fort William is ideally of Corpach would have reduced traffic and pollution, and the roads would become less congested year round as a transport one end of the the Great Glen, crossing welocated continue as to attract increasinghub: visitoratnumbers to Lochaber, Outdoor Capital of the UK.Scotland from east to west; providing a link to the port of Mallaig and the islands beyond; and at the crossroads of the A82 and A830.

If further investment is made into the local seaways to support developmentsBusiness inScotland 41 road and rail, there would be greater opportunities for improved waterborne

MERIDIAN PRODUCTIVITY

Productivity company celebrates twenty first birthday with Scottish expansion Meridian Productivity, which helps public sector organisations improve their efficiency, is celebrating its 21st birthday and expanding its activities in Scotland to mark the occasion.

The Edinburgh-based company helps organisations including NHS health trusts and local authorities to become more productive by getting more value out of the money they spend.

Over its 21 years, the company has carried out hundreds of projects across the UK, recommending changes that make organisations up to 30 per cent more efficient.

The teams, whose number varies according to the size of the project and the agreed delivery timescales, are based at clients’ premises for the duration of each project, giving them an intimate insight into the organisations they are helping.

Co-founder James Quinn, who is also Managing Director, said: “Some people equate improved productivity and efficiency with cutbacks but that is not the case. It is more about getting the best value out of the money that is being spent.

“When we are called in, we will initially spend two or three weeks without charging the organisation so that our team can assess exactly what is needed.

“Sometimes, the organisation will not know exactly what they need but is aware that something has to change and our role is to watch how it operates to identify the nature and size of the problem.

“Once we have carried out the initial analysis, we embed our people within the organisation for up to eight months so we can develop ways of making the staff more

Once we have carried out the initial analysis, we embed our people within the organisation for up to eight months so we can develop ways of making the staff more productive.

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productive.”

Healthcare is a good example of what Meridian can achieve and the changes that its teams brings about help organisations to operate more efficiently, which frees up staff to spend more time with patients, handle increased patient numbers and reduce waiting times.

For example, the company recently worked with a NHS health trust to improve the efficiency of its inpatient services by shortening stays where possible.

The work led to: n A reduction in the average length of stay for Adult Acute Patients from 47 days to under 30 days n The lowest recorded Bed Occupancy levels on record three times during the project.

Average occupancy was consistently under 90% week on week and went as low as 82%. This was a reduction of 20% from 102% before the project started. n The constant availability for emergency admissions of community beds due to low occupancy James said: “Introducing improvements is not simply a case of making cuts, as some people say. It is about coming up with new ways of working and we estimate that we can make organisations up to 30 per cent more productive.

“We have estimated that for every pound the client invests with us, they receive £7.50 back in the form of increased productivity.

“In the case of a healthcare organisation, that can mean freeing up staff to spend much more time with patients, giving them the level of care that they require.”

Meridian’s staff are used to operating at all levels of an organisation and include Productivity Specialists, Project and Programme Managers, Contract Managers and support staff.

Each team member abides by the Association of Productivity Specialists ethical code of professionalism and use project management approaches based on PRINCE2 principles and practices. They also use management methodologies encompassing

Lean, Six Sigma and TQM doctrines, each one tailored to suit the specific needs of the client.

Each member of the team has a deep understanding of the workings of the public and healthcare sector, particularly the NHS, and the company believes that its experience can build on the improvements already under way in the Scottish health service and public sector.

James said: “We are marking our twenty first birthday by developing plans to expand our activities in Scotland.

“We are already working with a number of organisations in Scotland and we hope to bring our team’s extensive experience to bear on more clients in the country.”

You can find out more about what Meridian Productivity can bring to your organisation at www.meridianproductivity.com

The energy division of Turner Group is built on technical expertise and solid experience with a firm commitment to meeting and supporting a growing market demand for energy products and services.

Our mission is to help our clients reduce their energy consumption in sustainable and environmentally compliant ways, that will deliver significant savings on energy costs without impacting on productivity or comfort – and all with a light environmental footprint.

Through technical monitoring, consultancy and design, installation and maintenance, we address energy efficiency in its broadest context.

By understanding our clients’ needs and creating tailored solutions we install the widest range of energy solutions – from wind farm monitoring systems to smart meters, network connections, wall insulation and solar panels on the one hand, to biomass boilers or entire hybrid heating systems on the other.

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JORRO

Plug-in vehicles becoming ever more popular Home to one of Scotland’s most successful business support services, North Ayrshire is a place where businesses connect, grow and succeed.

The popularity of plug-in vehicles is increasing at a rapid pace as more drivers, many of them business motorists, realise that not only do the vehicles protect the planet but that they can be cost-effective.

Drivers embracing the new generation of vehicles have a choice between buying pure Electric Vehicles (EV) or opting for Plug-in Hybrid Cars which mix electricity and conventional fuel but the availability of charging points has long been a concern for many motorists.

Now, that concern is easing as more and more Charging Points are installed and one of the companies making the motoring revolution possible is Jorro, Scotland’s leading EV home and workplace Charge Point installer.

The company, which carries out one in four home installations in Scotland, can offer fully funded Charge Points in Scotland within two weeks and its activities are helping to make the idea of EV and plug-in vehicles more attractive for drivers.

According to Jorro Director David Pickles, there are plenty of reasons to use the new technology, not least the financial benefits now associated with the vehicles.

For a start, Jorro are an approved installer for the Energy Savings Trust in Scotland which means that most of their home charge point installations are fully funded thanks to the Office for Low Emission Vehicle (OLEV) £500 grant and an additional cash-back scheme of up to £500 that is only available in Scotland.

For workplace charging there is a £300 grant per charger and additional grant funding

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from Energy Saving Trust Scotland who also offer 0% loans to purchase plug-in vehicles In addition, companies running EV or plug-in vehicles can benefit from a range of tax breaks; for example, a 39% reduction in company car tax for a plug-in vehicle compared to an efficient diesel.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, the low emission vehicle market has recently expanded considerably. During the past five years the UK has witnessed a significant growth in sales, climbing from just 1,541 plug-in car grant eligible vehicles in June 2011 to 76,590 in September 2016.

According to the Trust, the growth in plugin vehicle adoption has been supported by simultaneous expansion in charging infrastructure, an ever-greater choice of new models and advances in battery technology.

David said: “We are seeing big changes in plug-in vehicles. When they first came on the market they were limited in range or body style, but now there are plenty of vehicles on offer for all sizes and budgets.

“When we started the business in 2014, there were only a handful of vehicles available, now there are more than 70 models to choose from.

“The range of the vehicles has long been a concern for some people but today a basic electric vehicle can do 100 real-world miles between re-charging and some vehicles can do 150 miles. The new generation of Teslas can do 340 miles.

“The increasing availability of charging points is a key reason for the growing popularity of plug-in vehicles.

“The result is that range is not as much of a concern as it was and we are working with establishments such as hotels who are installing charging points so that the motorist wakes up in the morning with their vehicle charged.

“Motorists are seeing other advantages as well, not least the financial benefits of running a plug-in vehicle.

“For a start, for business travellers using plug-in vehicles, there are significant tax benefits and the cost of running such vehicles is attractive as well. An efficient petrol or diesel vehicle can cost ten or twelve pence a mile to run but for a plug-in vehicle the cost drops to two or three pence a mile.”

The increase in plug-in cars means that Jorro have already installed more than 1,300 Charge Points in Scotland and have a huge network of satisfied customers.

They cover all of Scotland and while most of their work is in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen, their specialists have installed recent charge points as far afield as in Wick, the Isle of Mull, Dumfries and Inverness.

You can find out more about the benefits if plug-in vehicles and how to install a charging point at your home and business at www.jorro.co.uk

Looking for an Electric Car Home or Workplace Charge Point?

Welcome to Jorro, Scotland’s leading electric car EV home & workplace Charge Point installer. We can now offer fully funded Charge Points in Scotland. Have you ordered or already drive an EV or Plug-in Hybrid?

We are an OLEV approved installer which means you benefit from a £500 grant towards the cost of your installation. We are also an approved installer for the Energy Savings Trust in Scotland which means most of our charge point installations are fully funded thanks to an additional cash-back scheme of up to £500. We have installed over 1,300 Charge Points in Scotland and have a huge network of satisfied customers.

Did you know that no matter where you buy your vehicle (or if you are a Company Car driver) you can choose any local OLEV approved charge point installer? This means you have more choice than you see in the showroom. We currently cover all of Scotland and while most of our work is in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen, we have installed recent charge points in Wick, Isle of Mull, Dumfries and Inverness.

Why use Jorro?

3 year warranty on all OLEV installations Fast track installs available within 7 working days (after your evidence is provided) We offer the largest range of fast chargers We have a vast knowledge of electric vehicles and charging Completely independent Scottish company We drive our Nissan Leaf EV everyday so understand what you need

Unit 12, John Player Building, Stirling, FK7 7RP 01786 357 210

admin@jorro.co.uk

9am - 5pm Mon - Fri www.jorro.co.uk

SCC BUSINESS PARTNER

The Scottish Export Awards 2018 The Scottish Export Awards sponsored by HSBC and in association with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are set to take place once again on the 22nd March 2018 at the Glasgow Hilton. The event will bring together export businesses from across Scotland to recognise and celebrate their achievements whilst also providing encouragement for more businesses to consider exporting as a realistic opportunity for growth.

Exporting remains central to the Scottish Government’s growth agenda and the campaign aims to recognise those exporters who have made the transition from great local companies to potentially world-class exporting businesses based in Scotland.

The awards and accompanying international trade campaign are about highlighting those wealth creating companies that are selling their products, services and expertise into scores of overseas markets.

Exporting continues to present Scotland with an opportunity to bring immediate and sustainable growth to its economy and with this in mind we need to encourage more Scottish companies to consider trading overseas. Last year the awards shortlisted companies represented almost £500 million of export turnover from Scotland with strong representation across the food and drink, manufacturing and engineering and creative and digital sectors.

Bryan Hoare, Group Commercial Director at BQ said: “If you are reading this article knowing that you have company activity in export markets I’d encourage you to enter the Scottish Export Awards 2018. Last year we had a great mix of entrants with companies employing as little as four staff to those in their hundreds. The structure of the awards categories means that it is a level playing field for all entrants and we get great satisfaction in uncovering some of Scotland’s newest export talent as we do recognising those more mature export businesses.”

The BQ digital series of “Around the World in 80 Trades” features also give chance to Scottish Exporters to receive free PR about their export achievements throughout the campaign.

Hoare continued, “We’d like to hear from any Scottish Exporter who has an interesting story to tell so we can use their experiences to inspire others to consider internationalising their business for the first time”.

Nominations for the Scottish Export Awards 2018 sponsored by HSBC and in association with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise are open now and are free to enter. For more information and to submit your nomination visit www.bqlive.co.uk/ScotExportAwards18.

We’d like to hear from any Scottish Exporter who has an interesting story to tell so we can use their experiences to inspire others to consider internationalising their business for the first time.

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SCC BUSINESS PARTNER

Award categories Nominations are now open for the Scottish Export Awards 2018 and close on 22 December 2017.

There are two new categories this year: Scale-up Exporter of the Year and Emerging Markets Exporter of the Year, bringing the total number of categories to nine. One category winner will be awarded the overall Scottish Exporter of the Year award.

The entire process is now online so submit your nomination today.

MOST ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPORTER OF THE YEAR A company that has demonstrated entrepreneurial flair within their export strategy. This will be shown through an extraordinary approach to reaching new markets where creativity, innovation and tenacity has resulted in success.

MICRO EXPORTER OF THE YEAR Recognising outstanding achievements in export growth by a company in any industry with a turnover up to £2million.

This success will be measured by growth in sales and market penetration together with the application of innovative market strategies to extend export potential.

SMALL EXPORTER OF THE YEAR Recognising outstanding achievements in export growth by a company in any industry with a turnover of £2-£15million.

This success will be measured by growth in sales and market penetration together with the application of innovative market strategies to extend export potential.

LARGE EXPORTER OF THE YEAR Recognising outstanding achievements by a company in any industry with a turnover greater than £15million. This success will be measured by growth in sales and market penetration together with the application of innovative market strategies to extend export potential.

EXPORT TEAM OF THE YEAR The export team of the year award will recognise a team who can demonstrate significant added value to their business through adopting innovative techniques, personnel development measures, and successful implementation of the company's export sales strategy. It should be clear how the company has developed a team wide approach to exporting which may well extend beyond the company to distributors, agents and other third parties who will have contributed to export success.

E-COMMERCE EXPORTER OF THE YEAR A company that through e-commerce has increased brand awareness and recognition, expanded into new markets, increased sales and efficiency and improved customer service.

The winner of this category must be able to demonstrate how they have used e-commerce and trading online to significantly enhance their export growth or potential for growth.

HIGH GROWTH MARKET EXPORTER OF THE YEAR Awarded to a company demonstrating impressive export growth in high growth markets (including Bahrain, China, Hong Kong, India, Kuwait, Macao, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, UAE).

This success will be measured by growth in sales and high growth market penetration together with the application of innovative market strategies to extend export potential.

Scottish Exporter of the Year 2017 winner John McGavigan

SCALE-UP EXPORTER OF THE YEAR A company that has shown significant growth as a direct result of its export activity where exporting has played a fundamental role in the scaling of the business. It should be clear how exporting from the outset has allowed the business to scale both in terms of size, turnover and profitability. This would be demonstrated through a coherent business plan and strategy that places exporting at the heart of the business. The company must have achieved average annual growth in employees or turnover greater than 20 per cent per annum over a three year period, and with more than 10 employees at the beginning of the period.

EMERGING MARKETS EXPORTER OF THE YEAR Awarded to a company who can demonstrate impressive export growth across one or more emerging markets, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Czech Republic, Hungary, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey. This success will be measured by growth in sales and market penetration together with the application of innovative market strategies to extend export potential.

HSBC SCOTTISH EXPORTER OF THE YEAR This award will be presented to a company that has made an outstanding contribution to Scotland's export profile and success. Companies must have demonstrated how they have overcome their barriers when entering new markets. The winner of this award will be selected from the winners of the above award categories and announced on the evening of the awards.

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Corporate Banking

Protecting against cyber fraud As the threat of cyber fraud attacks is ever-increasing, businesses must be diligent in their defences.

The threat of cyber fraud can seem difficult to combat, as the software used by fraudsters can be extremely complex. However, it is important to remember that most cyber fraud attacks depend heavily on human interactions – fraudsters have long identified that the easiest way to breach an organisation’s defences is to target its people, not its systems. Social engineering is the method by which fraudsters aim to trick people into breaking normal security procedures.

Fraudsters are usually looking for the victim to give up sensitive information, such as bank login details, or for them to enable malicious software to be installed onto their device. They may also trick the victim into carrying out a fraudulent payment themselves. Fraudsters in social engineering cases often have thorough knowledge of the company to enable them to build trust with the victim. They may be aware of regular payments that are due, or of the structure of teams within your company, enabling them to impersonate internal employees.

The most common form of social engineering for business customers is invoice fraud.

Invoice fraud Invoice fraud occurs when a fraudster sends you an email or letter, or calls you purporting to be from a supplier or customer, and advises of a change of bank details or provides new bank details for payment.

Protecting your company against invoice fraud •

Be cautious of how much information you reveal about your company and key officials via social media platforms

When the invoice or payment is made it is actually to an account controlled by fraudsters.

•

Make your staff aware of this threat, particularly those that make and/or process payments

The fraud may only be discovered when the legitimate supplier follows up on non-payments.

•

Any payment requests with new or amended bank details received by email, letter or phone should be independently verified. This includes internal emails from senior management that contain payment requests. Ensure that you validate the exact bank detail changes you should be making in full

•

Electronic payments in the UK are made based on sort code and account number only, and any account name given is not routinely checked, therefore independent verification is important.

Fraudulent letters and emails sent to companies are often well-written, meaning the fraud is difficult to spot without strong operating processes and controls in place.

Legitimate customers and suppliers can have their email accounts hacked.

Fraudsters can send emails from any email address and disguise them as being sent by a recognised sender. They can even insert fake emails into existing genuine email trails.

Jamie Grant Head of Scotland and Northern Ireland Corporate Banking, Barclays jamie.grant@barclays.com + 44 (0)7917 503 355

For more information, visit our business fraud hub at barclayscorporate.com/fraud

Barclays is a trading name of Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries. Barclays Bank PLC is registered in England and authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA No. 122702).

Registered Number is 1026167 and its registered office 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.

FINANCE FOCUS

China’s Belt and Road will help shape the future of the UK Announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, Belt and Road, China’s ambitious infrastructural programme, is seeking to rebuild China’s ancient silk routes for the twenty-first century. It looks to build new connections across three continents, with an estimated $4 trillion of investment across 65 countries.

It is cross-border ambition on an unprecedented scale, at a time when globalisation and free trade are under threat elsewhere.

Of course, the project is very much in its infancy. There are geopolitical, developmental and regulatory issues which China will have to confront as it develops stronger economic and infrastructural ties across a diversity of nations.

There will also be practical issues the Chinese government will need to address so their considerable investment delivers value. Its own businesses, including many giant state owned enterprises, will need to operate as part of a global supply chain.

That is why this is much more than a story about Chinese foreign policy. Such an ambitious international trade route will only be successful in generating growth if the connected economies collaborate productively with China and each other.

Finance teams will have a crucial role to play in helping companies and public sector organisations maintain accurate reporting and regulatory compliance, as well as

ACCA has operated in China for nearly thirty years and has a presence in 21 of the countries along the Belt and Road route.

It is clear that this global initiative has already created jobs, and opportunities for finance professionals to help these national economies expand their capacity.

providing advice on mitigating risk and developing strategies for sustainable growth.

Globally recognised reporting standards in these areas are crucial in encouraging the movement of capital across borders and through to local economies.

Rather than challenging international harmonisation of financial markets and standards, China’s deepening links outside its own borders offer an opportunity to reaffirm them.

ACCA has operated in China for nearly thirty years and has a presence in 21 of the countries along the Belt and Road route.

It is clear that this global initiative has already created jobs, and opportunities for finance professionals to help these national economies expand their capacity.

For companies to maximise the opportunities offered by Belt and Road, they need to start preparing now: planning for access to talent, and thinking about training professionals with the right blend of skills needed to act as a strategic business leader and trusted adviser.

While Belt and Road may echo the ancient world, it is very much a twenty-first century project where digital and interpersonal excellence will be as important as technical and ethical competency.

For businesses and governments, whether directly or indirectly on the routes, there is an opportunity to use Belt and Road as a catalyst to encourage trade and promote growth, and to restructure their economy.

As we enter a period where the UK is reassessing its trading relationships, Belt and Road should be at the forefront of business minds.

Even if the Belt and Road initiative does not achieve its ambitions to recreate a modern Silk Road, it marks the fact that east-west trade routes are growing in volumes and it is likely to open up new markets and opportunities.

Craig Vickery Head of ACCA Scotland at ACCA

The expertise and insight of our worldleading financial sector can play a crucial role in building the UK’s influence and “soft power” as Asia continues its emergence as a regional economic powerhouse.

Belt and Road could well be the physical embodiment of a globalised world, introducing trade and services that cut across borders and continents. As many Scottish businesses know already, trade, technology and talent do not recognise borders.

ACCA know that for Britain to be global, it needs to think global and respond to a fastchanging world.

If government and business are alive to the possibilities, as well as the risks, of the Belt and Road initiative, it may well help to shape the future for “global Britain”.

As the world’s largest exporter of financial services, we should also consider the role the UK can play in shaping the success of Belt and Road as well as building new diplomatic relations.

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FINANCE FOCUS

CIK Solutions – Financing Innovation The Scottish Government has an ambitious target to encourage 7,000 more companies to become ‘innovation active’ by 2020. However, to most businesses, being innovative in terms of developing new products, services or processes is costly.

The R&D involved in converting a new idea into a marketable commodity with a profitable revenue stream often requires the business to invest time, effort and adopt a trial and error approach, with no guarantee of success. In the current climate this can often be a necessary risk to ensure diversity and future growth.

CIK Solutions specialise in assisting businesses to access funding to support this type of innovative activity and reduce the risk and cost. Many sources of funding and practical assistance are available to innovative companies.

services or processes then CIK Solutions can ensure your plans and projects reach a commercial endpoint whilst reducing the financial burden normally involved in innovation, creating a more diverse and competitive business.

Email RandD@ciksolutions.co.uk Phone 0333 355 4921 Or explore more information at www.ciksolutions.co.uk

If your business is planning or is currently involved in developing new products,

Paul Kyle CIK Solutions

Based in Scotland - delivering real savings to Scottish businesses. n Whether you are accepting card payments for the first time or looking to save your business money, we’ll provide you with the highest levels of service and support.

n With recent and upcoming changes to card payment charges from Visa and Mastercard it’s time for a health check.

n Bespoke rates for Chamber of Commerce members.

• Chip & PIN • MOTO / Virtual Terminal • Internet e-commerce • PCI Compliance support

Contact us to discuss how we can reduce your card processing costs.

T: 0131 507 0705 E: sales@paymentplus.co.uk

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FINANCE FOCUS

When is the right time to sell your business?

You have built up a successful business but, with your exit strategy in place, how do you know exactly when to cash in and move out?

There are plenty of reasons why entrepreneurs sell up, ranging from predictable events like retirement to the unforeseen, such as ill-health or divorce.

Using data gleaned from more than 500 company sales over the last decade, sale advisor BCMS has identified six key reasons today’s entrepreneurs are selling up in record numbers.

Retirement – one or all shareholders wish to retire Lifestyle change – a health-scare, exhaustion, and family commitments Capital investment – scaling-up may be too big a challenge for the founder

Dunn, Executive Director at corporate finance advisor BCMS. “In practice, they are busy tying up contracts, building their sales pipeline, and reducing dependency on the owners, long before their company goes to market.”

When entrepreneur Neil Needham and his co-shareholders sold windscreen repair business Autowindshields to the AA, they were the fifth biggest in the market.

“The other four companies were huge in comparison to us,” Neil says. “We wanted to get to that next level with the business.

We had a turnover of around £5m, while our competitors were turning over £80m-plus.”

Conversely, for Tom Woodard – who sold his event registration software business to Canada’s Jonas Software, the right time to sell for him was more personal.

“I’d had enough,” Tom recalls, “I was running my own business and had acquired another one en route. I was ready for a change. Events are very tiring, and I didn’t have the same level of energy I had 20 plus years ago.”

Changing roles – the evolution from agile start-up to growing company demands different managerial skills. Some entrepreneurs struggle with this transition

A sellers’ market

Realise investment – many entrepreneurs get bored and sell up to start up something new

With UK corporate acquisition activity approaching an all-time high, there is no doubt that now is a good time to sell.

Market conditions – competitors being acquired, new entrants, or major regulatory changes point to a good time to exit a venture

BCMS’ Jonathan Dunn continues: “Larger firms are under pressure from their shareholders to improve margins, and for many the best way to achieve this is by acquiring high-growth smaller players.

Whatever the reason that drives an owner to seek a buyer, the big questions are the same – how to ensure you get the best price, and is there a right time to sell?

In both cases, laying the groundwork is increasingly essential.

“Business owners are increasingly preparing their exit in more detail,” says Jonathan

“When you add in private equity investors keen to back ambitious management teams, and the growing number of overseas players acquiring in the UK, it still feels very much like a sellers’ market.”

Jonathan Dunn

Executive Director at leading business sale advisor BCMS. Fasteq to US giant Haas. Although he and his fellow shareholder were ready to sell, the process required a significant time commitment.

“We realised that we would have to take time out of the business,” John says, “It was like speed-dating, meeting all these different potential buyers. But we found a buyer who we knew was a great fit for Fasteq.”

Of course, for every entrepreneur ready to exit, there are others who perhaps can’t see a way out. The latter – particularly in multigenerational family businesses – see selling up as final, rather than an opportunity to renew the business to safeguard its future.

In summary, every business exit comes from a mix of business and personal reasons unique to each owner. Now is a good time to sell, but only if owners are fully committed.

To find out more, visit www.bcms.com Jonathan Dunn is Executive Director at leading business sale advisor BCMS.

Serial entrepreneur John Ward sold his Linlithgow aerospace components supplier

Larger firms are under pressure from their shareholders to improve margins, and for many the best way to achieve this is by acquiring high-growth smaller players. When you add in private equity investors keen to back ambitious management teams, and the growing number of overseas players acquiring in the UK, it still feels very much like a sellers’ market.

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CHAMBER NEWS

Chancellor of the Exchequer sees exciting times ahead If he wanted a backdrop that symbolised renewal, energy, imagination and optimal public-private partnership, the Chancellor of the Exchequer couldn’t have chosen a better UK city than Dundee, or a more appropriate dialogue partner than Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce.

Colin Loveday

President, Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce

During his visit to the city on 22 September, The Rt. Hon Philip Hammond MP was briefed on the progress of Dundee’s waterfront development and saw for himself the outline of architect Kengo Kuma’s V&A Museum of Design, now almost fully emerged from its promontory on the Tay and a striking symbol of the city’s culturally-led regeneration.

After 20 years and around £1bn of investment, the waterfront development is physically and psychologically reconnecting this ancient trading city to its maritime past, a development echoed by DACC’s increasing forays abroad, including to the Nordic countries and as a participant on the

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SCC’s important trade visit to China earlier in the year. The Chamber, like many in the SCC Network, wants stronger links with the Department for International Trade to support its increasingly active international trade profile.

Mr Hammond was not in Dundee just to witness the continuing transformation of the city, but also to gauge business morale via one of the UK’s most dynamic and fast-growing Chambers, no doubt seeing their concerns as an important indicator of wider Scottish business sentiment. DACC members used this rare roundtable with the Chancellor to promote their priorities.

As a successful businessman-turnedpolitician Mr Hammond might have anticipated what these might be, and attendees were content that he listened carefully and engaged without recourse to generalities. They included assurances about the future of the Tay Cities City Deal (he is a strong supporter) and of course their

need for reassurance on the state of the UK economy (which he gave).

Other issues included frictionless future access to the EU single market, the need for a continuing supply of migrant labour after Brexit, and the related need to improve local employability and skills.

As I underlined in my speech of welcome, the Chancellor’s visit coincided with exciting times for Dundee, and its Chamber, whose spectacular addition of 131 members over 12 months earned, “an approving smile and raise of the eyebrow” from the understated Mr Hammond.

Part of that growth can be ascribed to the fact that DACC’s claims to be able to make its members interests known where it counts.

This point about the access that membership offers was reinforced by the presence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer himself, listening to members’ concerns and answering them in thoughtful and specific terms.

SCC BUSINESS PARTNER

The Scottish Business Reception at the Scottish Parliament The second milestone event in the same week for the Chambers network, which two days previously hosted the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, HE. Mr Liu Xiaoming at a dinner for 200 business people in Glasgow, was the Scottish Business Reception at the Scottish Parliament, held on 21st September, in partnership with Virgin Trains.

The Reception was sponsored by Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP, and addressed by Derek Mackay MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution.

In his speech to the gathering of business people and politicians in the Scottish Parliament, SCC President Tim Allan called for elected members at all levels to put business first and to use their powers to make Scotland a competitive place to do business.

Tim Allan addressed those at the Scottish Business Reception on Scotland’s businesses being the creators of our jobs and wealth. Collectively these businesses are the engine which grows our economy, pays for our essential public services and provides the opportunities for people to reach their potential. Tim also said that it was essential that all of Scotland’s politicians from across the political spectrum understand this and deliver policies that support business growth and competitiveness, and that they “must work hard to understand the issues facing businesses in their constituencies and regions, but with an active network of 26 local Chambers of Commerce across Scotland, our network is seeking to make that task an easy one.”

Ruth Davidson MSP congratulated the Chambers on the success of its China initiative and said that, after a period of successive elections and referenda, the three and a half years before the next Scottish Parliament election were an opportunity for business, led by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce to “put their heads above the parapet” and voice their concerns and needs to their elected representatives. “Politicians whatever their strip should do everything

they can to help business.”

Ruth Davidson MSP conveyed her commitment to business and entrepreneurship, speaking to guests on the ability to help build and grow both, as this would help the country and help with opportunities for our young people.

Cabinet Secretary Derek Mackay MSP described the Chambers as “a force for good”, and his own government as “pro-business and pro-growth.” He said: “There is a great deal of agreement (with Chambers) around the skills agenda, around employment, around the fair work agenda, infrastructure investment, internationalisation and empowerment.

We appreciate all of the great work you

do nationally and locally in mentoring and supporting SMEs. Your work is absolutely invaluable.”

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce were encouraged by their words of support for the Chamber Network. There was a renewed mood of constructive engagement between business and government, firmly placing the economy at the centre. SCC will continue to work hard to play our part in making Scotland the best place to do business and all Governments will be measured by the impact of their decision making.

To register for the 2018 Scottish Business Reception, contact Rhona Middler on rmiddler@scottishchambers.org.uk

There is a great deal of agreement [with Chambers] around the skills agenda, around employment, around the fair work agenda, infrastructure investment, internationalisation and empowerment. We appreciate all of the great work you do nationally and locally in mentoring and supporting SMEs. Your work is absolutely invaluable. Derek MacKay MSP Business Scotland

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w SCC BUSINESS PARTNER

Global Business Dinner marks beginning of increased global trade events SCC hosted China’s top Ambassador to the UK H.E. Liu Xiaoming on 19th September, along with Cabinet Secretary for the Economy Keith Brown MSP and 200 Scottish businesses with China interests.

In his widely-praised speech at the Global Business Dinner in Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel, co-hosted by the education organisation The Confucius Institute, Ambassador Liu congratulated the Scottish Chambers of Commerce for their trade activity in China.

In April this year a high-level Chambers delegation opened the network’s first overseas office in Yantai, a port city in China’s 100 million-population Shandong Province.

Scottish companies should embrace China’s vast global infrastructure investment and trade vision known as One Belt One Road, and urged them to be “China-ready and Chinafriendly” Tim Allan, President, SCC

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SCC is successfully taking practical steps with our China engagement, leveraging international business-to-business connections and Scotland’s business-tobusiness links with China have reached a “turning point” thanks to pro-active private-sector leadership. Businesses are recognising that it is they themselves who have the power to increase the nation’s exporting performance.

In his speech at the Dinner, Ambassador Liu highlighted the need to take solid steps to promote China-Scotland business cooperation.

The Ambassador spoke of China and Scotland finding more new areas where “our interests converge, where our respective policies align with each other and where we can engage in cooperation.” That this could range from “local government collaboration to business and financial ties, from scientific and technological innovation to new energy, and from culture and education to tourism and health care.”

Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown MSP praised the “extremely important work” of SCC “in collaboration with the Scottish Government.”

“That work is involved in promoting trade through better connections with overseas chambers and their members. It exemplifies something we need to do more of in Scotland. We realise you have many strengths and these are best realised when we work together.”

Tim Allan, SCC President, who led the April 2017 trade visit, and hosted the Glasgow Global Business Dinner said that Scottish companies should embrace China’s vast global infrastructure investment and trade vision known as One Belt One Road, and urged them to be “China-ready and Chinafriendly”.

He said, “We must build relationships with Chinese business: to better understand their needs, their interests and their demands and to find ways through relationships, time and trust to meet those needs.”

SCC CEO Liz Cameron OBE recognises the opportunities for business in China, but that its just the beginning. Scottish business needs to be taking the lead on forging new trade ties in new and exciting markets throughout the world.

SCC BUSINESS PARTNER

Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown MSP

President of SCC, Tim Allan

Guests with Ambassador Liu

L-R Chief Executive of SCC, Liz Cameron OBE, President of SCC Tim Allan, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming and Dave Valentine MBE

Guests attending SCC’s first global business dinner

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EICC

EICC caps record 2017 with global business sustainability award

EICC Chief Executive, Marshall Dallas explains how the venue is harnessing the power of social responsibility The Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) is set to finish what is expected to be another record year with recent news that Scotland’s leading conference venue was chosen as one of 11 organisations across the world to receive a prestigious SEAL Business Sustainability Award and join Bridgestone, Office Depot and Arm as one the inaugural award winners.

The SEAL Business Sustainability Award is the latest accolade in a recent series of UK and international awards that the venue has received for its commitment to sustainability and inclusiveness - two areas of growing global importance for the conference industry.

Delivering inclusive events is of such importance to EICC that in the last 18 months the venue underwent a full

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accessibility audit, carried out company-wide disability awareness training and enhanced its accessibility measures ahead of hosting two major international conferences, which centred on making the world a more inclusive place.

The so-called “purple pound”, a market worth over £200 billion to the UK every year, clearly illustrates why empowering disabled people and investing in accessibility and training, as the EICC has, translates to significant economic benefit.

EICC’s Chief Executive Marshall Dallas said “We want to be at the vanguard of progress in this area and have declared a mission to be the world’s most socially-responsible conference venue. In our own industry, akin to certain other sectors in Scotland, a reputation for social responsibility can

be a key differentiator against global competition.”

In addition to its drive to become the most socially-responsible conference venue on the planet, in 2017 the EICC launched a new mission statement that was influenced by Barack Obama’s appearance there in May. The new vision for the EICC is “to create an environment which inspires ideas that change the world.”

Marshall adds: “It was a great honour to host President Obama - a modern day crusader who embodies such high standards when it comes to vision and leadership. Our own refreshed vision symbolises our desire to create not only the world’s most sociallyresponsible conference venue, but also to create an environment that encourages the formulation of ideas that change the world.”

EICC

Marshall Dallas (far right) and team welcome Barack Obama to the EICC

The EICC’s ambitions also extend to fostering new talent and leadership and in September 2017 they welcomed students on to the UK’s first MSc in Business Event Management, which was developed in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University.

Previously, students could only study business event management at undergraduate level; however the EICC and Napier University are now giving event managers of the future the opportunity to study at Master’s level – and with worldclass events taking place every week at the EICC, students will be able to get into the thick of the action during work placements and on-site lectures.

Marshall explains: “The course which we

have developed with Edinburgh Napier University has been designed to give students an experience that will provide them with the skills and confidence to be the next generation of leaders in the industry.

We believe that the learning process will be a two-way thing and look forward to working with our intake of students on areas like technology because, in a similar way to every other business sector, the conference and events industry is going to see even greater levels of digital transformation in the years ahead. “ The MSc is well-positioned to take advantage of the fast-growing UK events sector, currently valued at over £40 billion and contributing almost £2 billion to the Scottish

economy alone. Significant numbers like this highlight the importance of keeping ahead of global competition in order to win events business for Edinburgh and Scotland.

Marshall adds: “To keep ahead of the curve, I will be ensuring that we continue to invest in training and innovation and that we build stronger links with other organisations in Scotland, the UK and internationally to help achieve our ambitions.”

This approach is paying dividends as the EICC closes 2017 having experienced a sharp increase in UK and international Association business heading to Scotland’s capital and, together with an upswing in corporate business, the venue is expected to report another record year, in its 22-year history.

Photo by Tim Winterburn

We want to be at the vanguard of progress in this area and have declared a mission to be the world’s most socially-responsible conference venue. In our own industry, akin to certain other sectors in Scotland, a reputation for social responsibility can be a key differentiator against global competition.

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CHAMBER NEWS

The new renaissance Russell Borthwick

Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce

Aberdeen City and Shire is undergoing a renaissance, transforming itself into a modern, well-connected city that will remain a mainstay of both the Scottish and UK economies for many years to come.

As well as benefitting from investment packages that will see the North-east’s infrastructure upgraded, including the Western Peripheral Route and the newly revamped Aberdeen International Airport, innovative programmes aimed at reinvigorating the area’s economy have also emerged.

The entire North-east will reap the rewards of the City Region Deal, a landmark funding agreement signed in November 2016.

Furthermore, work has already started on a City Centre Masterplan for delivering 50 projects which will enhance Aberdeen’s economy, environment and infrastructure over the next 25 years.

Popular initiatives like the recent Great Aberdeen Run, the Tour Series, jazz festival and Nuart, a project which saw 11 international street artists bring a splash of colour to the Granite City earlier this year,

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are adding a tangible vibrancy to the largescale work being undertaken.

The Deal has given the region a huge dose of optimism. It is enabling us to rebalance the economy by maximising the oil and gas industry’s potential and growing the regions other diverse sectors, including food, drink and agriculture, life sciences and tourism.

The UK and Scottish governments will jointly invest up to £250million while Aberdeen City and Shire councils and local partners will put forward £44million.

The North Sea stands to become one of the key beneficiaries. The city is home to the world’s biggest oil and gas companies and has earned the moniker ‘Europe’s Energy capital’. Whatever happens in Aberdeen, the oil and gas sector will be affected. But it works both ways.

Hosting prestigious events like the biennial Offshore Europe conference and exhibition creates a sense of pride in the city and brings more investment to the area. The Deal will provide financial support for the Oil & Gas Technology Centre (OGTC) which opened its doors in Aberdeen earlier this year. Its strategy is to assist with the development of new products which can make North Sea oil extraction more efficient.

In doing so, it can play a big part in anchoring oil and gas supply chain jobs in the north-east.

The creation of the OGTC will help cement

Aberdeenshire’s position as a global leader and innovator in the energy industry. The Aberdeen Harbour expansion project is also being supported by the City Region Deal.

Aberdeen Harbour Board will receive funds totalling £11million from the two local authorities to put towards construction costs. Some £25million has also been made available to Aberdeen City Council for offsite road infrastructure upgrades associated with the project.

Meanwhile, bio-therapeutic and agri-food and nutrition centres are also part of the

The Deal has given the region a huge dose of optimism. It is enabling us to rebalance the economy by maximising the oil and gas industry’s potential and growing the regions other diverse sectors, including food, drink and agriculture, life sciences and tourism.

CHAMBER NEWS

Aberdeen Art Gallery

Nuart

Union Terrace Gardens

Aberdeen Harbour Project

We need to celebrate all the things that already make the North-east a great place whilst painting a clear picture of what the future could look like – and therein lies the key to success.

In addition to securing the investment, we need to mobilise our people and businesses to think differently about the region and to become our storytellers. If we could export just one thing, it has to be this positive narrative.

programme. Aberdeenshire, a stronghold for food and drink companies, will benefit further through the city region deal’s investment in these sectors.

The projects supported by the region deal can deliver annual gross value added increases of £260million across the region and create 3,300 jobs over a decade.

They are a vital cog in making sure the region remains a great place to live, visit, study and do business.

Aberdeen also has a plan to make a great city centre even better. The 25-year City Centre Masterplan will deliver 50 economic, infrastructure, environmental and community projects to the city. It will give Aberdeen a real lift, creating a cleaner, better connected, more dynamic city centre.

Tens of millions of pounds will be invested as part of the first phase of the plans. Research suggests the programme could attract £1billion of private sector investment and stimulate the creation of more than 5,000 jobs.

A prime office, hotel and leisure space at Marischal Square is being built in the

bustling city centre. Culture vultures can also look forward to the city’s iconic Music Hall and Art Gallery being redeveloped.

The Masterplan aims to create another 26,500 square metres of open space, and put some more green amongst the granite through the planting of 1,000 trees in places like Golden Square and the Castlegate.

More than £600,000 has been spent on revitalising Union Street, the city’s main thoroughfare, and a further £2million is available for improving the fabric of buildings.

Union Terrace Gardens, a Victorian Park in the heart of the city centre, is in line for a multimillion pound transformation which will improve access while conserving its heritage; and we will continue to compete on a worldwide stage with a £1billion capital programme including major projects such as the new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.

There is, as you can see, much to be positive about. Our economy is at a key crossroads and businesses of all shapes and sizes are adjusting to a ‘new norm’ but it is one that is still the envy of many places in the UK today.

If we are to deliver our renaissance vision, the legacy we want for future generations, we need to continue making brave decisions.

We need to develop the next phase of infrastructure projects beyond the billions already committed.

We need to attract people and organisations to bring investment, innovation, skills and jobs here. And we need to remember all the amazing things that already make the Northeast one of the best places to be.

Did you know? n The North-east is one of the top

5 most economically productive regions in the UK

n Aberdeen ranked 5th for economic

potential among small European cities

n It has more start-ups than any

other Scottish city

n More than a quarter of Scotland’s

top 100 businesses are based in the North-east

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CHAMBER NEWS

Rocco 2017 Business Awards Shortlist Announced Renfrewshire Chamber is delighted to announce the 2017 shortlist for their annual business awards, the ROCCO’s. Now in their 14th year, the ROCCO’s are the premier business event in Renfrewshire, with main sponsor Paisley 2021 for UK City of Culture. 16 winners will be announced at the ceremony hosted by ROCCO regular Fred MacAulay (17th November at the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew).

Commenting on the awards – Chamber chief executive Bob Grant said “thank you to all the organisations that entered, this year we have seen a large volume of entries. As always the standard of entry was high so I know many people that are not shortlisted will be disappointed – we hope you will consider entering again next year. 14 of the 16 awards will require the shortlisted organisations to present to our judging panels w/c 23rd Oct at the Chamber Business Centre, Glasgow Airport”.

Rocco Host Fred MacAulay

The full shortlist is:

ROCCO Award for Excellence in Customer Services sponsored by the Scottish Leather Group:

Kenneth Keegan Independent Funeral Directors

ROCCO Award for Outstanding Business >25 staff (sponsorship available)

Sarah-Lou Beauty Spectrum Service Solutions Ltd University of the West of Scotland

ROCCO Award for Family Business of the Year sponsored by the Malcolm Group:

NCT Leather and WJ&W Lang Ltd Spectrum Service Solutions Ltd West College Scotland

ROCCO Award for Enterprise in Education sponsored by the University of the West of Scotland:

Kenneth Keegan Independent Funeral Directors The Jaw Brewery Ltd Spectrum Service Solutions Ltd

Rolls-Royce Plc SmartSTEMS Todholm Primary School

ROCCO Award for Young Business Person of the Year sponsored by West College Scotland:

ROCCO Award for Innovation & Technology sponsored by Hillington Park: Bolt Learning Ltd The Jaw Brewery Ltd Scottish Leather Group

ROCCO Award for Excellence in Manufacturing (sponsorship available): Diageo Plc Rolls-Royce Plc Thermo Fisher Scientific

ROCCO Award for International Trade sponsored by Glasgow Airport: Caledonian Industries Ltd Diageo Plc Rolls-Royce Plc

Invest in Renfrewshire ROCCO Award sponsored by Invest in Renfrewshire / Renfrewshire Council: Gormac Coachworks Ltd Papamacs Gourmet Kitchen Renfrewshire Leisure Ltd

ROCCO Award for Most Promising New Business sponsored by Business Gateway: Bolt Learning Ltd Consilium Contracting Services Ltd

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Suzanne McKellar - McKellar Accountancy Euan McIntosh – Starkstrom Scotland Ltd Scott Sharkey – Matrix International Sourcing Ltd

ROCCO Award for Employer of the Year sponsored by Rolls Royce: Clark Contracts Ltd Renfrewshire Leisure Storage Vault Ltd

ROCCO Award for Community Champion of the Year sponsored by Engage Renfrewshire & RBS: Klas Care C.I.C. ltd Paisley YMCA StreetStuff

ROCCO Award for Outstanding Business 5 or less staff sponsored by intu Braehead: Kalamath Consultancy Ltd Angelwax Ltd Bricklane Studios Ltd

ROCCO Award for Outstanding Business >5 & <25 staff sponsored by Renfrewshire Council: PlanB Consulting Ltd Stafffinders Ltd Storage Vault Ltd

ROCCO Award for Business Leader of the Year sponsored by Diageo, shortlisted nominations are: Audrey Cumberford - Principal & Chief Executive West College Scotland Joyce McKellar - Chief Executive Renfrewshire Leisure Ltd Sara Speirs - MD Spectrum Service Solutions Ltd Stuart Macdonald – MD Seric Systems Ltd The winner will be announced on the night

ROCCO Award for Renfrewshire’s Favourite Business sponsored by the Paisley Daily Express: Cafe Su ComicCrazy Elderslie Butchers & Coffee Shop Origins Fitness Pandemonium The Cave Top 6 voting will open soon online with the Paisley Daily Express. The company with the most votes by 26th of October will be crowned the winner on the night.

To book a table / seats at the ROCCOs on the 17th Nov at the Normandy please visit www.roccoawards.com #2017Rocco www.roccoawards.com

SCC BUSINESS PARTNER

New Skills Plan to grow Edinburgh and SE Scotland’s Economy Public sector plan to tackle key issues and build on the City Region Deal

long-term approach which will help partners addresses some very real and some very big challenges like Brexit and retiring workers.”

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) said that a reduction in immigrant workers due to Brexit, the rise in the number of older staff hitting retirement, and poor transport links are all factors that could stall economic growth in Edinburgh and South East Scotland.

n Building capacity and evidence to underpin a regional approach to skills investment

To help deal with these issues SDS, along with a range of partners, has launched a new Skills Investment Plan (SIP) for the region. It will ensure all public sector agencies work more effectively together to meet the needs of employers and locals while encouraging economic growth and tackling inequality.

Spanning Edinburgh, Fife, West Lothian, Midlothian, East Lothian and Scottish Borders, the plan was welcomed by Angela Leitch, Chief Executive of East Lothian Council and Chair of the Skills and Innovation Workstream Group for the region.

She said: “This is a time of real opportunity and change. While there is diverse employment and a growing business base - with opportunities across a range of key sectors such as retail, tourism, financial services, health and social care, and food and drink – it’s essential that the new investment in the region benefits our own communities with a focus on inclusive growth.

“As the projects start to develop we need to ensure that skills supply keeps pace with demand, and that there are improved opportunities to support our citizens into and through employment. This is precisely

At the heart of the plan are seven areas of action to be addressed over the next three years:

n Ensuring skills opportunities from the City Regional Deal are maximised what this Regional Skills Investment Plan is designed to do.”

The SIP sets out a 20 year vision to secure economic prosperity for the region as well as a three year action plan developed with a range of partners including local employers and educators.

It states that there is a growing need for digital, leadership and management skills to drive growth and diversification. But it also reports that while the region has a highlyqualified workforce, it also has higher than average levels of under-employment as well as an ageing population.

According to Phil Ford, Regional Skills Planning Lead for SDS, these issues along with Brexit and the lack of transport links in rural areas, mean it’s imperative to start thinking now about skills and employment needs for the next two decades.

n Establishing clear pathways into key sectors and occupations n Developing an employer-led programme to improve digital skills n Enhancing support for developing leadership, management and entrepreneurial skills n Providing high-quality and more effective support to residents to access skills training n Enabling graduates and older workers to make more effective use of their skills The plan will be a key driver in helping deliver the ambitious targets laid out in the £25 million, eight year Integrated Regional Employability and Skills (IRES) programme, which includes giving nearly 15,000 more people access to training , as well as finding additional employment for 5,000 more.

He said: “There are a number of strengths to this region’s economy, but also many variances between and within different local authorities, based on a range of factors such as geography and labour market conditions.

“This SIP offers the flexibility to deal with those variances while providing the strategic

As the projects start to develop we need to ensure that skills supply keeps pace with demand, and that there are improved opportunities to support our citizens into and through employment. This is precisely what this Regional Skills Investment Plan is designed to do.

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SCC BUSINESS PARTNER

Clyde Blowers Capital go global Since acquiring Cone Drive in 2012, Clyde Blowers Capital (CBC) have transformed the traditional industrial gearing company into a globally integrated industrial technology leader with operations on three continents serving a wide range of precision motion control technology markets.

CBC’s focus is to invest in industrial engineering companies and to work closely with them to turn them into global market leaders in their fields. Understanding the increasing importance of a company’s online presence and placing an emphasis on digital change, are viewed as key enablers by CBC when growing companies on a global scale.

In 2012, US-based company Cone Drive was predominantly viewed as an industrial gearing company specialising in high shock load and torque dense double enveloping worm gearing with a commitment to operational and engineering excellence.

As part of an ambitious growth plan, CBC repositioned Cone Drive to become a leader in the industrial technology space, focussing on precision motion control technologies. The main areas of focus were global expansion, broadening their range of products, and moving into new markets, such as robotics.

CBC Partner, Dougie Hawkins, commented on the process: “We saw a strong

opportunity to create a leading global player.

Given the strengths we identified at Cone Drive and the latent growth potential within the business, we considered Cone Drive to be a sleeping giant. We just needed to invest in the right development opportunities and follow them through.”

CBC have a proven track record of directly managing and delivering operational improvement in their portfolio of companies, and Cone Drive was no different. All areas of the business were assessed but CBC quickly identified Cone Drive’s online digital presence as an area in need of improvement.

Hawkins continued: “In many instances, industrial engineering companies neglect to utilise their online channels as tools to increase their customer base and reach a global audience. Given CBC’s growth and repositioning plans for Cone Drive as a global leader in the industrial technology field, improving their online digital channels was crucial for us to achieve our objectives.”

To reflect Cone Drive’s repositioning as a technology leader, entering new markets such as robotics and satellite communications, a comprehensive digital marketing strategy was set in motion.

A new, responsive website was launched in 2016 which was shortly followed by a Chinese version to capture the company’s expansion in Asia.

Tom Sutton, Head of Communications at CBC, explained: “The new Cone Drive website was fundamental to the digital marketing strategy we decided to implement at Cone Drive. Due to the pace of development in digital marketing their previous website was becoming dated, unresponsive to different platforms and consequently offering a poor userexperience. They now have a cutting-edge site, reflecting Cone Drive’s status as an innovative technology leader, but also enabling potential customers to easily navigate the site and find exactly what they need.”

A Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) campaign allowed Cone Drive to capture relevant product searches online, mostly via Google. As a result, the SEO campaign has brought an increased global audience to their website, thus expanding their potential customer base on a global scale.

Lastly, social media was identified as an area of improvement. Sutton continued: “Cone

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SCC BUSINESS PARTNER

Drive’s new website allows the company to have an epicentre for all marketing and communications activities, but it is still vital they continue to have conversations online targeting both new and existing key stakeholders. The social channels can then be used to drive online traffic back on the website, increasing the number of potential customers browsing the new website, with the end goal of increasing sales.”

Subsequently, a plan was put in place to create relevant, specific and regular content for each social media channel with the aim of steering their audience back to their new website. Their content was markedly improved with the focus on developing

engaging content for the viewers, such as utilising video and improved imagery. As a result, the website traffic has begun to increase with a wider range of countries coming to the website, thus making the site less US-centric as was previously the case.

Cone Drive are still striving to improve and refine their digital channels; however, improvements have already been noticed throughout the company. Jacob Randall, Global Director of Strategic Markets at Cone Drive, commented: “Developing, implementing, and executing a robust global sales strategy fundamentally requires a well-developed digital strategy. Since our 2016 launch of

Harmonic Solutions, Cone Drive’s digital channels have been instrumental in connecting to key global market segments and end-users, identifying strategic partnerships, and driving swift sales conversion through our state-of-the-art online Configurator. Our sales conversion and growth has never been stronger and more efficient than it is today.”

The digital transformation taken place at Cone Drive has clearly increased their visibly as a business, allowing them to connect instantaneously with an international audience, thus allowing the once US focused business to achieve their global ambitions and continue their exceptional growth.

We saw a strong opportunity to create a leading global player. Given the strengths we identified at Cone Drive and the latent growth potential within the business, we considered Cone Drive to be a sleeping giant. We just needed to invest in the right development opportunities and follow them through.

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LUFTHANSA

Lufthansa – leading the way for Scottish travellers Lufthansa continue to lead the way for Scottish travellers from the end of October we will offer 4 flights a week from Glasgow to Munich.

A combined total of over 436,000 passengers travelling in and out of the country last year proved once again that discerning travellers appreciate the way Lufthansa has responded to the challenges of the travel market in the face of ever-increasing competition from low-cost airlines.

To maintain the leading position in the market Lufthansa must be better than anyone else in terms of product, service and reliability. Lufthansa services recently recorded the best figures for punctuality in its history with over 85% of all flights leaving Frankfurt and Munich within 15 minutes of scheduled departure time.

As well as providing direct links from to Frankfurt and Munich the services also offer the country’s quickest and easiest onward connections. Lufthansa’s network of over 400 global destinations which includes around 60 of the world’s key oil and energy markets in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas.

Lufthansa also continues to enhance the onboard experience for customers. travelling

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Business Class in Europe on Lufthansa has many benefits. Wi-Fi connectivity is being introduced across the Lufthansa short-haul fleet to ensure you will always be connected. If however you want to relax, the middle seat is always left free on European flights with Lufthansa. In addition the traditional economy, business and some first class cabins the large number of Scottish passengers who take onward connections now have the added option of a high quality premium economy product on Lufthansa long-haul services. The new seat is wider and can be tilted further back so has increased personal space by about half compared to Economy. A separate wide armrest for each seat and a centre console between the seats also ensure extra privacy.

The adjustable headrest can be folded at the sides and gives comfortable support. Height adjustable footrests from the second row and - for design reasons - leg supports with integrated footrest in the front row provide additional comfort.

Premium economy passengers also benefit from twice as much free baggage allowance

as in Economy Class with two pieces of luggage up to 23 kg each. An upgraded on board experience also allows them to control the extensive in-flight entertainment programme with their own touch-screen (screen size from 11 to 12 inches - 28 to 30 centimetres). Each seat also offers a USB port and an electrical outlet so passengers can use their own devices.

PartnerPlusBenefit provides business travellers with membership of the world’s biggest business travel reward programme allowing them to earn reward points on all booking classes. Members can earn and spend points on all ten airlines in the programme in one easy to manage account.

No other similar programme in this country includes so many carriers working together in that way. Members are then able to choose from a wide ranging 13 options when redeeming loyalty points. These include award flights, upgrades, cash-back, hotel eGiftcards valid in over 100,000 hotels worldwide and airport parking.

FOCUS ON ENERGY

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Look for the Chartered mark for the assurance that you’re dealing with a professional. www.choosechartered.co.uk Personal Finance Society.

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ROAD HAULAGE ASSOCIATION

RHA Membership The Road Haulage Association is the only UK trade association dedicated to the operators of road freight. It has over 7000 member companies in membership who, between them, account for approximately 250,000 UK-registered heavy goods vehicles. Membership is wide and varied ranging from owner-operators to those operating fleets in excess of 3000 vehicles. the RHA is at the forefront of ensuring as seamless transition as possible as approach 2019 and the UKs departure from the EU.

The RHA is dedicated to providing advice, information and support to the industry that is responsible for moving 95% of the UK economy. It has a strong policy team that lobbies hard on behalf of members and the industry as a whole. The Association works tirelessly to make the voice of the industry heard in the corridors of Westminster, Edinburgh and Cardiff and is recognised as an industry force to be reckoned with.

Trucks are essential to the UK economy and that must be recognised. We are proud to have a road haulage profession that is efficient, responsive and perhaps the safest in Europe - and we aim to ensure that it stays that way.

The RHA is the recognised voice of the UK road transport industry – join us and make it even stronger. Visit www.rha.uk.net or contact Simon Stainsby, New Business Development Manager on 01506 420978, s.stainsby@rha.uk.net.

In addition to lobbying activities, the RHA is in a strong position to use its buying powers to negotiate exclusive savings on a range of key haulage services, saving members time and money.

Whether you're operating HGVs, a small fleet of vans or providing a product or service to the industry, there's a membership package tailored to meet your business needs.

As we know, haulage operators are perennial

targets for high taxes, more regulation and controls. Legislation governing the industry increases on an almost daily basis. We now have a lengthy green agenda and climate change. And of course, with Brexit looming,

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SCC BUSINESS PARTNER

Time to up your social media game Will Paterson

Communications & Social Media Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce

1. Schedule your posts It is not always possible to spend all day to create the perfect social media post and then spend time each day posting and monitoring engagement. This is where scheduling tools become more than useful.

Of course, these tools work best when you take some time out to plan ahead and upload your content. There are many online tools and apps which are user-friendly and, most importantly are free to use, helping you get started on your social media journey. At SCC, we make most use of Hootsuite and Buffer on a weekly basis to schedule posts for key events and announcements and also

to monitor engagement. There are plenty of other tools out there too – just take some time to see which one suits your business best and get started.

2. Visuals If you’re looking for your own custom graphics but you’re lacking the knowledge to use Photoshop or Indesign or don’t have an in-house graphic designer to hand then there are online tools you can utilise to support the visual element of your social media plan. One free online tool which has gained traction this year is called CANVA which is great for those need something slick and professional, but don’t have the time to create something from scratch. CANVA offers 100’s of free design templates that only require you to add your own text and is a quick, free solution that delivers big impact.

3. Paid Social Promotion Using social media is a critical part of any business. Increasingly, many businesses

are making use of social media by trying to break into new markets and new audiences.

One cost-effective way of doing this that can drive results is through paid promotion. If done in the right way, paid social is one of the most promising ways to communicate with potential new customers. As an example, Facebook has invested heavily in creating user-friendly apps to enable businesses and have several tools such as Facebook Adverts and Promoted Posts to increase your visibility and presence on Facebook. Whether your budget is £20 or £200, each social media platform provides effective follow-through by giving information on who interacted with your post and the level of reach achieved with that campaign – the results are invaluable when you’re deciding on your next campaign.

For more information on any of these tips, you can reach out to Will on wpaterson@scottishchambers.org.uk

If you’re looking for your own custom graphics but you’re lacking the knowledge to use Photoshop or Indesign or don’t have an in-house graphic designer to hand then there are online tools you can utilise to support the visual element of your social media plan.

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THE EVENTS AND MARKETING CHECKLIST

The Events and Marketing Checklist After recently starting my post at the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, there were a couple of major events – which both happened to be firsts of their kind. The first Global Business Dinner with the Chinese Ambassador to the UK Liu Xiaoming, and the SCC Network Scottish Business Reception, hosted by Ruth Davidson MSP.

Rhona Middler

Events & Marketing Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce I got the chance to hit the ground running in my first few weeks at SCC and although each event is unique, varying in audience, size and objectives – there are some similarities that you can rely on to host a successful event.

1. Setting objectives for your event and the correct format to achieve them.

Are you holding the event to raise the profile of your business or organisation?

Is the event objective to celebrate the achievement of business, such as Awards or Recognition? Clear objectives of the event should be laid out in advance to ensure the event is designed to deliver the objectives

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2. A check list for the operational process no matter the format of the event. From the financial breakdown and resources spent on the event, to staging, sound and AV and room decoration, which will all determine the feel of the event for guests. Are you going to provide promotional materials or gifts for each guest, this all has to be budgeted for. Keeping an accurate consistent record helps to keep things on track 3. Marketing the event – adequate time, if you can get it, is vital for promotion of your event. The format, audience and resources will all affect the marketing and communication approach to the event. You might want to explore securing a partner or sponsor, to reach a wider audience and tap into respective strengths.

4. A detailed running order and event plan for your team. It is essential that the team, volunteers and partners know all they can

about the event, a well briefed team will be able to react to last minute changes in the event schedule and any challenges on the day.

5. Events evaluation post-event is vital to understand what went wrong, but also what went right. A proper evaluation of the event itself will equip you for future events of a similar nature and make the necessary changes to improve the customer experience. Look back on the objectives you originally set to match this up with feedback given and don’t forget to share and celebrate the success of your event with your customers, and incorporate development areas into your future events.

Rhona is Scottish Chambers of Commerce Events and Marketing Executive, and will oversee SCC’s full calendar of events. You can get in touch with Rhona via email on rmiddler@scottishchambers.org.uk

QUARTERLY ECONOMIC INDICATOR

Our research shows positivity in Scotland, but businesses must invest in talent

Shane Taylor

Business Intelligence Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce As part of our ongoing research programme, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce conduct a quarterly business survey, run in partnership with the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute, which takes the pulse from our membership on their experience of economic conditions each quarter. Our research focuses on five key sectors: Construction, Financial and Business Services, Manufacturing, Tourism and Retail.

Some of our results this quarter were surprising, and displayed evidence of resilience and positivity towards the future from our membership.

As an example, our research showed that generally, optimism was rising across our respondent businesses in the vast majority of sectors covered, with the retail sector the only segment which showed declining optimism across the respondent base.

Retail stood out as a key sector of concern,

with sales revenue and cashflow continuing to decline across the year, emphasising the need for the traditionally strong fourth quarter to provide the sector with a muchneeded boost.

Currency effects acted to provide a boost to the Tourism sector, with businesses reporting that visitor numbers had increased from outside the UK, both from the EU and from the Rest of the World.

The Financial and Business Services sector (which includes Oil and Gas) also displayed encouraging results, with sales and profitability figures rising to their highest levels for several years. Meanwhile, results in the Construction sector pointed to increased fragility, which has been supported by research such as the PMI and recent data from the ONS. Despite sustained negative growth which technically points to a recession in the industry at a UK level, output has remained at relatively high levels.

One of our points of focus in this research was the consistent levels of recruitment difficulties which have remained above trend for the majority of our analysed sectors.

This links to ONS data which confirms that the unemployment rate has remained at its lowest level since 1975. With this in mind, Neil Amner, President of Glasgow Chamber

of Commerce and Chair of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Economic Advisory Group, which oversees the Quarterly Economic Indicator said: “For many of our industries, recruitment difficulties continue to sit above the long term trend levels, exacerbated by the record high employment figures. Concerns continue to be raised by our members when it comes to seasonal workers and the attractiveness of the UK to EEA migrants during the uncertainty surrounding the Brexit negotiation process.

“Furthermore, members in more traditional industries have highlighted issues in attracting younger workers. Businesses in sectors such as manufacturing must do more to reimagine their workplaces to attract future talent, by focusing on increasing autonomy and flexibility in their working practices.”

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce have continued to highlight these labour force difficulties through a number of avenues, including our submission to the Migration Advisory Committee.

Fieldwork for our Q4 QEI will begin in midNovember, if you wish to ensure the voice of your business is heard at a national level, get in touch with Shane Taylor by emailing staylor@scottishchambers.org.uk.

Businesses in sectors such as manufacturing must do more to reimagine their workplaces to attract future talent, by focusing on increasing autonomy and flexibility in their working practices.

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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BUSINESS MENOTRING

Making a good business better, and bigger Mentee

Will Craig

Managing Director Digital Impact

Mentor

Evelyn Toma

Managing Director re-tek

Will Craig, founder of Digital Impact, needed answers from someone who had first-hand experience in making a good business better, and bigger.

At the time Digital Impact, a Glasgow-based web development and marketing agency, had six staff, and an annual turnover of £200,000. Will wanted to at least double that figure, getting it to the stage where it employed 30-40 people. Answers on how to get there were hard to come by. “Of course you search online for advice, but the answers you get are at a very high level, making general points.” He says.

Will contacted the Business Mentoring service, which paired him up with Evelyn Toma, a veteran business leader with a stellar international career, currently a director of a secure computer disposal company Re-Tek. Evelyn has worked both as a technology industry pioneer, with 20 years at Motorola behind her, and as a business advisor with Scottish Enterprise. As Will describes it, the experience of engagement was wholly positive.

“Evelyn was quite direct and very frank, it wasn’t a mollycoddling experience.” Will explains.

“Through this engagement, we learnt quite a bit about planning ahead, as when you are running a business you don’t think ahead in the way you are supposed to, you don’t think about processes.”

That’s probably the most important lesson we learned: For everything you do you need a process in place, you need to have that, or every time you are doing something you are doing it slightly differently.”

Digital Impact’s engagement with Evelyn took the form of 1-1 meetings lasting roughly an hour and a half. Guidance was provided on setting targets, and on what Will

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Craig describes as “looking at things that frustrate you and how you should fix them.”

“She suggested things to carry out, and we did them and it worked! For example getting projects done in time, identifying the reasons. She got us to write down three things we could do to improve processes, and it worked! It was all sensible stuff, and relatively straightforward, but you forget it during the day-to-day running of the business. Getting someone from the outside is really helpful for applying simple logic.”

Evelyn Toma remembers the engagement with Digital Impact in equally positive terms: “I know that being a managing director can be a lonely job. My work as an SE account manager made me realise that what I had myself learned about strategy from Motorola was invaluable but was not necessarily intuitive to SMEs. Some had great ideas and were doing great things but they were doing them in a shambolic way. They didn’t have the processes that would make them into excellent performers.”

“I enjoy mentoring as an opportunity to work with businesses, and it gives me a chance to get out of my normal role of MD and take stuff that I knew worked and share it with some smaller businesses.”

“Businesses often make the same kind of mistakes, for example having management meetings when they set goals that there’s not a chance they can possibly meet, and not differentiating between longer term and shorter-term priorities.”

“I ask people ‘do people have achievable goals, do they have the wherewithal to reach it, is it written down?’ You have to have goals and they have to know they have to deliver. It’s not personal - things in SMEs can become too personal. This is not about trying to be a nice person, it’s about training people to do what’s best to get the company where it needs to be.”

“Thanks to Evelyn’s insights, says Will, Digital Impact was firmly placed on a positive trajectory. “Our mentoring experience with Evelyn made us work in different ways.

Whereas before it was ‘feast or famine’ we were now able to work in a different way and thought more long-term about how we can put the right processes in place and make things better. We now have 11 staff and we’ve doubled turn over, and are working on a new car leasing comparison website. We would certainly do it (mentoring) again,” www.scottishbusinessmentoring.com

OPEN CRM

How can your CRM help you prepare for GDPR? As a business that stores and uses data as part of your day-to-day transactions, you’ll be aware that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is coming into effect in May 2018.

It sounds like a long time, but many businesses’ database still have a long way to go before they’re compliant and the pressure is starting to mount.

Suddenly, May 2018 doesn’t sound so far away.

There are two big issues facing most businesses when it comes to their data management and how that will be affected

by GDPR: Data Cleanliness and Consent.

If you use some form of CRM system to manage your data, and most businesses do at this point (even if it’s a bunch of spreadsheets), you will need to use the tools within it to tackle both.

Data Cleanliness You will already be familiar with the pain of trying to keep your data up to date, free from duplicates, and standardised. Under GDPR, however, failure to do so can have some fairly serious financial (not to mention the existing reputational) consequences.

Depending on your system, you will have a number of tools at your disposal, however, to manage this more effectively going forward: 1. Keeping your data up to date By carrying out regular data cleansing, you can go a long way towards ensuring your data is current and correct. This includes picking up incorrect email addresses, identifying and preventing gaps in your data, and highlighting when an individual has not been contacted recently.

Most CRM systems will allow you to set important fields as mandatory, preventing your users from saving a record without gathering the correct information. Equally, you should be able to get an overview of your data through reports and filters that will show you gaps in your data and the dates of last contact.

Ideally, your system should have a way of automatically detecting and recording bounced email addresses, highlighting them to you so that you can get in touch to clarify the accuracy of information.

2. Managing duplicates According to a study by Royal Mail, 61% of marketers reported that duplicates were a major factor for them when it came to their data quality. It also has huge implications for GDPR around recording consent, the

accuracy of your data, etc. Not to mention the fact that it is just plain annoying for you.

Your CRM should be able to help you identify duplicate records and then merge them together when you find them. Automated duplicate checking on new data is equally vital, especially where you have the ability to set which fields are checked and include any necessary exclusion rules.

3. Standardisation Finally, your users need to be able to organise and categorise all the data in your system based on your own company terms and phrases. Otherwise, they won’t be able to separate your prospects from your customers or your former clients from your suppliers.

And if they don’t know what the relationship is, they could easily run afoul of GDPR’s strict data use policies.

Consent to Use Data This is the big one when it comes to GDPR and it all boils down to this: if you don’t have consent to process someone’s data or email them and you do it anyway, you will be fined.

Pretty simple.

your communications, who would rather be contacted over the phone, and who doesn’t want to be contacted at all.

Alongside all this, you will need to be able to say when you received this instruction for each. and. every. person.

It’s a big job and you need to have a CRM system ready to support you in this endeavour.

Sound Scary?

It definitely does. GDPR is introducing a whole new level of responsibility for anyone processing any data…which is pretty much everyone. Having the right tools to manage these requirements is absolutely vital.

To talk to a member of OpenCRM team about how CRM software can benefit your brand, just call 01748 473000 or visit the website: www.opencrm.co.uk Graham Anderson, is the CEO and founder of OpenCRM, one of the UK’s leading customer relationship management systems.

You need your CRM system to be able to help you manage this in a big way with fields to help you track who has opted in to receive

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Bursaries available

”

Al-Maktoum College, Dundee 124 Blackness Road, Dundee DD1 5PE T +44 (0)1382 908 070 E admissions@almcollege.org.uk www.almcollege.org.uk

Focus on Training and Development

in association with

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enlightening rewarding motivating stimulating friendly

Al-Maktoum College

seeks to boost student roll Dundee’s Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education hopes to attract even more students to its successful and challenging range of contemporary courses.

Not too late to register Full time and Part time courses available

An independent centre of excellence for teaching and research in the study of Islam and Muslims its six full-time courses – SCQF-credit rated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) – have been structured to appeal to as wide a selection of potential candidates as possible.

The courses currently available are: • Professional Diploma in Islamic Economics and Finance • Advanced Diploma in Islamic Studies • Advanced Diploma in Arabic Language • Diploma in Arabic Language • Certificates in Arabic Language • Introductory Certificate in Arabic Language Students who qualify can open up professional career options in the public and private sector at local, national and international levels, plus the voluntary sector, social and charitable organisations, and other multicultural contexts.

There has never been a better time to study in Dundee, UNESCO City of Design 2016, where the £80 million V&A Museum of Design is under construction on the city’s dramatic waterfront.

The College, a not-for-profit educational charity, is located within the city’s vibrant

university district and is an important part of the local community with its well-established Open Lectures, featuring speakers from all over the world, among popular initiatives.

Contact

College Principal and Vice Chancellor, Prof Hossein Godazgar, assures new students that they will find the carefullydevised courses stimulating, dynamic and contemporary.

“Dundee is also a very special place to learn in terms of location and the changes that are taking place in the city are commanding worldwide attention, and we are glad to be part of this,” said Prof Godazgar.

“A total of 150 students from over 30 countries, including Scotland, have graduated from the College over the past decade and all speak highly of their experience with us.”

Al-Maktoum College, Dundee 124 Blackness Road, Dundee DD1 5PE T +44 (0)1382 908 070 E admissions@almcollege.org.uk www.almcollege.org.uk

“

Bursaries for students are available and full information on them, plus details of all College courses, can be found here: www.almcollege.org.uk

www.almcollege.org.uk

Al-Maktoum showed me direction for my future career.

”

Qualifications for Hospitality — SQA and Apex Hotels

SQA’s Theresa McGowan and Angela Newton of Apex Hotels (both seated) with the rest of the Apex team.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is committed to improving the prospects for learners and employers in Scotland. Working together with industry leaders and businesses, we can help meet the country’s skills needs.

Scotland’s hospitality sector is thriving and companies like Apex Hotels, working together with SQA, have put learning and development at the heart of their business.

Apex became an SQA Approved Centre in 2016, delivering their own training programmes and a broad range of Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) in: • Food and Beverage Service • Front of House Reception • Hospitality Supervision and Leadership • Housekeeping • Professional Cookery

The hotel chain has always had strong links with education, through its work with training providers to deliver modern apprenticeships or through promoting hospitality as a career choice to learners in schools, colleges and universities across the UK. In 2015, Apex also began working in partnership with Craigroyston Community High School in Edinburgh to develop their ‘Pre-Apprenticeship programme’. This programme gave the school’s senior pupils a year-long structured work experience programme at the Edinburgh hotels, which continues to form a crucial part of the school’s curriculum.

The working relationship between Apex and SQA has been very positive. Angela Newton, Head of Learning, Development & Quality at Apex said: ‘Our SQA Approved Centre status aligns with our recruitment strategy – giving new and existing staff the useful development opportunities they need.

It also ties nicely into the work we are doing with schools as modern apprenticeships can be the progression route after successfully completing our Pre-Apprenticeship programme with Craigroyston and future initiatives.

‘SVQs allow our staff to gain a qualification whilst doing their day jobs, and for some to stretch their development working towards the next step in their career path. This investment in our people creates a positive environment and helps with staff retention.

‘The support we received from Theresa McGowan, our account manager, to help us become an Approved Centre was excellent. She supported us every step of the way and helped us identify the qualifications that were right for our business.’

Working with SQA has allowed Apex to bring their training and development in-house and this, aligned with their existing relationships with the education sector, will see them grow in the future.

Angela continued: ‘We have recently appointed a new position within Apex — Executive Head Chef for Education and Training. This new role will support the development of our Chefs with the delivery of SVQs and practical skills training as part of our Chef’s School.

The recruitment of skilled chefs remains an ongoing challenge for the hospitality industry. However through collaboration with schools and colleges we hope that this will be a worthwhile investment for the future. We are in the process of adding ‘Pro Cookery level 1’ to our existing qualifications. This qualification is ideally suited to the young people

and aspiring young chefs we are visiting in schools and colleges.

We are grateful to SQA for their support and look forward to working together in the future.’

Theresa McGowan, SQA Regional Manager for Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian, said: ‘We are delighted to be supporting Apex Hotels.

The approach they have taken to give back to their staff through delivering SVQs, and to their community through the Pre-Apprenticeship programme with Craigroyston, has been hugely beneficial for Apex Hotels and Edinburgh.

‘This approach can be replicated anywhere. Our dedicated team of Regional Managers and Business Development consultants are ready to support businesses across Scotland. We can provide the best possible advice and guidance for qualifications and skills development at a local level.’

Apex Hotels Apex Hotels is among the UK’s leading independent operators of contemporary city centre hotels. The family-owned chain have ten hotels in London, Bath, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee.

A founding-member of the Apprenticeship in Hospitality Scotland (AHS) programme, they are actively involved in encouraging young people into careers in hospitality whether through Modern Apprenticeships or their Pre-Apprenticeship programme.

To find out more about SQA’s regional team, visit www.sqa.org.uk/businessdevelopment or call 0303 333 0330

Enhance Your Career Prospects With a Professional Qualification from Andrew Carnegie Business School PRINCE2® - (2017 Edition)

Now offering the new 2017 programme – call us to find out more

PRINCE2® Agile

Tailoring PRINCE2 to a project within an agile environment All of our training is delivered flexibly to suit your working environment, including: ISMM Programmes Levels 2, 3 & 5 offered through distance learning CMI Qualifications Flexible delivery of CMI courses to fit around your busy life

APM PRINCE2® (2017 Edition) PRINCE2® Agile MSP® Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM) ILM Qualifications HNC Contracting Management HNC Sustainable Resource Management accredited by the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management (CIWM) Health and Safety training accredited by NEBOSH and IOSH CPD and IT Short Courses

Want to know more?

Call us now 0344 248 0117 email info@carnegiebusiness.com or visit www.carnegiebusiness.com TRAINING ORGANIZATION ACCREDITED BY ON BEHALF OF

TRAINING ORGANIZATION ACCREDITED BY

TRAINING ORGANIZATION ACCREDITED BY

ON BEHALF OF

PRINCE2® and MSP® are registered trade marks of AXELOS Limited, used under permission of AXELOS Limited. All rights reserved.

The PRINCE2 and MSP Accredited Training Organization logos are trade marks of AXELOS Limited, used under permission of AXELOS Limited. All rights reserved.

ON BEHALF OF

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Learning from the very best with the Institute for Management Studies One of the keys to succeeding in business is recognising how to access high quality learning and development interventions that help drive the individual, team and business forward.

Joining The Institute for Management Studies (IMS) makes great sense! For a modest annual fee, organisations and companies can enjoy seminars and outstanding online learning resources held in Scotland and 24 other regions across the US and Europe.

These sessions are led by truly world-class international experts in their respective fields at a fraction of the cost open public courses or private in-house events could realise.

Graeme Wilkinson, who before becoming the Chairman of IMS in Scotland worked in financial services as a Learning and Development professional, has organised a stellar line-up of speakers, each one of which is an exceptional educator and published author in their given specialism.

The Institute for Management Studies has been operating successfully since being formed in the United States in 1974. Graeme is therefore building on IMSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; track record of an internationally-recognised and respected organisation which has for more than forty years provided its members with the most innovative, cost-effective and unequalled management development series available.

Its growth is such that today there are 450 IMS corporate member organisations across North America and Europe, including many of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest businesses.

About 20,000 leaders and managers attend monthly one-day IMS Leadership Masterclasses each year.

In Scotland, the Masterclasses are staged at the elegant Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh for participants from 16 IMS Corporate Members, including Abellio ScotRail, Baillie Gifford, City of Edinburgh Counci, Fife Council, Forth Ports, Glasgow City Council, Royal Bank of Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Prison Service, Scottish Water, Skills Development Scotland,

Regardless of the type of organization you`re in, or the role you play in it, you are in the business of people. Because of that, great leadership is the driving force behind growing your business.

Collaboration: The Key to Effective Relationships and Performance

November 16, 2017 with Mr. Shay McConnon

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), Standard Life, Tesco Bank, The Scottish Government and Webhelp UK. One of the biggest benefits for the members is that they are given the opportunity to gain access to speakers whose excellence is such that they can usually command large fees, but who can be enjoyed at a fraction of the cost through IMS membership.

Effective leaders can do two things well. They can empower people in a way that will make people take ownership for their role and responsibility for their actions. Leaders also know what they need to do to get people to respond to them.

Leading vs Managing: Knowing the Difference Is Your Key to Success December 5, 2017 with Mr. Paul Bridle

For more information please visit www.ims-online.com/scotland or contact Graeme Wilkinson at Scotland@ims-online.com 07796 938102

All managers need a broad perspective to effectively deal with the complex challenges they face daily. To develop this skill, this one-day seminar presents many of the tools and techniques found in MBA programs today.

The One Day MBA: The Tools You Need for World-Class Performance December 7, 2017 with Dr. Noah Barsky

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lifeSKILLS Centres Short Course About Our Courses lifeSKILLS has been delivering high quality, employer facing and client centred training for over 10 years and we offer a wide range of short courses, including hospitality, retail, customer service, social care, administration, health and Beauty, security and construction training.

We have an extensive footprint and existing infrastructure in 22 of the 32 local authority areas in Scotland.

Funding All our courses are eligible for an Individual Training Accounts (ITA’s).

ITA’s are for people who are 16 or over, living in Scotland and who will benefit most from this support. Individuals can apply for an ITA if:

n They do not have a degree or above, are not undertaking any secondary, further or higher education, training through the Employability Fund or Modern Apprenticeship n They are not participating on the Community Jobs Scotland programme n They must also have an income of £22,000 a year or less, or be on benefits SDS Individual Training Accounts give up to £200 towards the costs of learning or training for eligible learners.

For detailed eligibility criteria, please contact a member of our team or alternatively visit: www.myworldofwork.co.uk

28 Training Centres throughout Scotland

www.lifeskillscentres.com

Tel: 0300 200 4113

enquiries@lifeskillscentres.com

(+44) 01698 456 800

Construction Courses CSCS HS&E Test and Card and two free re-sit

REHIS Health and Safety and Green Labourer's Card

(including materials) Self-Study & Test Day - £200.00

One Day plus & Test Day - £200.00

Overview

Overview

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) have made changes to obtaining a Green Labourer’s Card. These new requirements were introduced in July 2014 and state that along with the CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) Test, a QCF qualification (or alternative) must be achieved in order to apply for the Green Labourer’s Card.

Is this right for me?

This course is suitable for individuals with a current relevant Level 1 Health and Safety qualification (Labourers) or Approved Apprenticeship certificate but still require tosit the relevant CSCS test. This training includes the CITB Health and Safety test, learning materials and two free re-sit. The training includes the use of a CD-ROM with voice over and mock tests or a Health and Safety workbook with a number of questions and answers. All learners have access to our computers on demand, including an IT tutor and access to a qualified Health and Safety instructor. This person can be emailed, phoned or face to face by appointment for advice, and the opportunity to sit as many mock tests as required.

Once both examinations have been passed lifeSKILLS will then apply for the Green Labourer’s or Skilled Card on behalf of the candidate.

Group course Max 12 participants

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) have made changes to obtaining a Green Labourer’s Card. These new requirements were introduced in July 2014 and state that along with the CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) Test, a QCF qualification (or alternative) must be achieved in order to apply for the Green Labourer’s Card.

Is this right for me?

This REHIS approved course is designed for candidates who wish to work within the Construction Industry and have already successfully completed the CITB Health, Safety & Environment test. The course is delivered within a comfortable professional environment by qualified Health & Safety professionals and is tailored training with a closed book multiple choice test in Centre.

On successful completion of this REHIS Health and Safety award candidates can then apply for their Green Labourer’s Card.

REHIS Health and Safety, CSCS Test and Green Labourer’s Card and one free re-sit One Day plus Self-Study & Test Day - £200.00 Group course Max 12 participants

Overview

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) have made changes to obtaining a Green Labourer’s Card. These new requirements were introduced in July 2014 and state that along with the CITB Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) Test, a QCF qualification (or alternative) must be achieved in order to apply for the Green Labourer’s Card.

Is this right for me?

This REHIS approved course is designed for candidates who wish to work within the Construction Industry. The course is delivered within a comfortable professional environment by qualified Health & Safety professionals and is tailored training with a closed book multiple choice test in Centre.

On successful completion of this REHIS award candidates can then take the next step to booking their CITB Health, Safety & Environment test.

This course includes a 1 day REHIS Health and Safety Course, CITB Test and Green Labourer’s card. This package includes one free resit where required.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

MBA 25 Programme William Grant & Sons approached Strathclyde Business School in 2011 to create a bespoke MBA programme to suit their needs and create global leaders of the future. Named the MBA25 for the number of participants allowed on each year, the company has benefited greatly from the exclusive programme.

Colin Duthie

Over the past few years, the majority of participants have been employees identified

by William Grant for the programme.

However, the company also opened up a number of spaces to selected individuals from businesses they identified as having a similar ethos to theirs as well as to like-minded start-ups and third sector organisations.

The programme is now being opened up further. While William Grant is still funding its employees onto the executive education

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programme, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve decided to open the programme up to general interest for the next cohort which will start in March 2018.

Colin Duthie is Programme Chairman for the MBA25 and believes this is a great opportunity for companies to get on board this exclusive MBA programme, network with like-minded businesses and get taught by experts in their field in subjects such as strategy, marketing, entrepreneurship and financial management.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

“We recognise that MBA25 delegates will already have achieved significant positions within business and they will have corresponding expectations about this learning opportunity. We carefully select people onto this programme and we try to balance out the sectors represented on it – we talent pick from the talent pools of the best companies for MBA25.”

Colin says the MBA25 is an MBA with a ‘club feel’ to it. “The number of 25 is hugely beneficial. The contact time with faculty is increased as a result of limiting numbers on to this programme. There’s been interaction between cohorts in the form of informal mentoring; and each individual in the cohort benefits from having a designated development coach – these are very senior people in the UK and overseas - and a designated programme director to advise and help throughout the three year programme.

“The case studies we use in the different modules are all tailored to suit the people on the cohort which has obvious benefits and maximises the learning experience and we also use participants’ business issues as case studies – the advantage there is that the participant gets excellent consultancy from over 20 key business people, and we’re using real, live case studies.

“Networking is a really important part of this programme. Each year, people say this

has been a key benefit to them, meeting business people in other sectors, sharing business problems and solutions, and we’re delighted to be able to open this experience up to the business world more generally.”

Colin says the cohorts embarking on the programme are ‘very driven’. “These are people in senior positions; they’re all driven and I’ve found the bonding on the MBA25 to be incredible. There’s a lot of healthy peer pressure – there’s mutual support there for everyone to get the most out of it and it’s a very collaborative MBA.” Companies interested should have entrepreneurial flair, be a family or ownermanaged business, committed to the development of people as a key element of their business strategy and have drive and global ambition.

all over the world willingly share their unique perspectives on work, life and culture which enables me to actively challenge my own ways of thinking. The international, multi-sectoral make-up of the cohort has undoubtedly helped me to understand, embed and practice the formal teaching of the MBA in a very effective way.”

The last word on MBA25 goes to Colin: “I’ve got a long career in human resources behind me and am currently an organisational consultant with my own practice as well as being a visiting professor of Talent Development at Strathclyde Business School. I have also experience in various MBA programmes – Wharton, IMD, INSEAD – so I feel I have the authority to say that Strathclyde’s MBA 25 programme is second to none.”

The programme is structured for senior business people with teaching on three days every two months from March to September.

Past graduates say the programme has really opened their eyes to the way they work and changed the way they approached it.

Kieran Phelan is Global Compliance and EHS Director, William Grant & Sons. He especially valued the interaction between cohort members: “The greatest value for me is the opportunity to interact with people and organisations from many different business sectors. My fellow students from

A world leading business school on your doorstep As Times Higher Education Business School of the Year, and part of a leading international technological university, we understand the importance of global thinking.

Strathclyde Business School (SBS) is the leading business school in Scotland for executive education, providing customised programmes to companies from FTSE 100 powerhouses to award-winning start-ups.

The Centre for Corporate Connections at SBS has a strong track record of working successfully with business.

Whatever your business needs, together we can create a programme to suit your requirements. We also have a range of open courses which may be of interest, including our acclaimed MBA programme.

HIGHER

EDUCATION

TIMES

www.strath.ac.uk/business/cee

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TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Your Total Event Solution Conference and meeting facilities for up to 300 delegates 25 meeting & break-out rooms PC Training Suite Voting system and virtual presenter software Video Conference and PC training suites Free parking and free wifi Close to train station and bus links Conveniently located just off junction 3 of the M90

To dicuss your event in detail, call us now on 0344 248 0142 or email sales@carnegieconferencecentre.co.uk Carnegie Conference Centre, Halbeath Road, Dunfermline KY11 8DY www.carnegieconferencecentre.co.uk Business Scotland

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SQA Journeys For Scotland’s future

Scotland’s future is our young people — the workforce of tomorrow. SQA qualifications prepare them for work, and give them the skills employers like you are looking for.

Find out where SQA Journeys can take your business.

Business Development T: 0303 333 0330 E: mycentre@sqa.org.uk W: www.sqa.org.uk/journeys

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Scotland’s Conference Centre for Digital Health It may be one of Scotland’s smallest regions, but when it comes to life sciences, education and tourism, Moray punches well above its weight! Situated between Aberdeen and Inverness, the Alexander Graham Bell Centre for Digital Health (AGB Centre) in Elgin has been designed to bring together the expertise in digital healthcare and life sciences within the Moray region and across Scotland.

This innovative research, education and business hub is an alliance between Moray College University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), Moray’s healthcare provider NHS Grampian, European Regional

Development Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

can offer you a range of different spaces to suit your event.

The contemporary building with conference centre sits within Moray College UHI campus and provides teaching facilities for the college, research offices available to businesses and also houses medical research and training rooms used by NHS Grampian.

The AGB Centre also provides opportunities for business start-ups working in the field of digital health technologies and research, with our research offices available for lease.

The exciting combination of academia, health care and business creates a stimulating environment encouraging innovation and knowledge transfer.

The Centre’s state-of-the-art conferencing facilities provides an ideal venue for any conference, exhibition or corporate event.

It is a popular and prestigious setting for training and seminars. With up to date technology and flexible accommodation we

Contact us today to discuss your upcoming events or if you would like more information about the Alexander Graham Bell Centre for Digital Health. www.moray.uhi.ac.uk/agbcentre

Is I.T time to catch up?

The North Highland College UHI offers quick and cost effective Professional Development Awards (PDA) in various accounting and business subjects to help equip you with the most up-to-date training and help further your employment opportunities.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS IN: Book-Keeping • Financial Accounting Information and Technology in Business Office Management and Information Technology

Enhance your career and gain a nationally recognised qualification at the same time! To find out more please visit www.northhighland.uhi.ac.uk or phone 01847 889000.

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Agile, Scalable, Global: The Benefits of Online Training Online learning is part of a digital revolution that’s transforming business. Today’s successful companies realise the need to embrace digital tools in order to meet the demands of the modern age – an age that’s global, connected, and changing faster than at any point in history.

Businesses cite the difficulty of implementing and maintaining an online learning programme as the main reason for the gap between need and reality.

Despite this, much corporate training has lagged behind. With 56% of L&D programmes still focused solely on face-toface teaching, there’s a huge gap between the agile training businesses need and the traditional training they provide.

59% say staff lack the skills to manage their own learning

80% of organisations rank digital transformation as a top priority, but only 35% have a defined strategy to achieve this 80% of employees want to learn online, but only 42% agree that their company provides any relevant online training Only 57% of senior executives believe that their L&D strategy is properly aligned with corporate priorities Businesses who don’t take advantage of online learning are missing out on huge organisational benefits. Higher-than-average percentage of budget allocated to learning technologies is a strong predictor of a top-performing company.

These top companies don’t have the biggest budgets or the highest ratio of L&D staff to employees – they utilise digital training to maximise results with the resources they have.

Organisational benefits

62% say L&D lack the skills to implement and manage e-learning

The simplest solution is to choose an established online learning provider. They supply the study materials, learning management system and expert support required for successful online learning, so that staff can gain professional qualifications online with no additional work from HR or L&D.

Staff benefits Reduces staff turnover by 7% Increases employee engagement by 18% Reduces time taken off for learning by 21% 91% prefer to learn at their own pace 82% know what learning they need 89% feel responsible for their learning

Choose the right online learning provider At ICS Learn, we maximise every advantage online learning gives you:

Increases revenue by 10% Reduces costs by 18% Increases productivity by 15% Reduces learning delivery time by 27% Reduces time to competency by 15% Speeds up change to new systems by 24%

 100% online – 24/7 access to course  Flexible – shape training to your schedule  Supported - unlimited 1:1 tutor support from industry experts  Mobile - point-of-need or on-the-go learning via mobile, tablet or laptop  Global – train staff anywhere in the world  Scalable – with 14,000 current students, we can train 2 staff or 200 with the same support

Our courses are accredited by worldleading awarding bodies such as the CIPD, so your staff will be qualified in line with the international gold standard.

We have courses ranging from 15 to 600 hours to progress staff at every level, from Accounts Assistant to HR Director.

There are no set timetables, so you can tailor the training programme entirely around your business needs. Whether you need an intensive full-time course or a part-time programme lasting years, you set the pace to suit you and your team.

"With Brexit promising skills shortages, more and more companies are leveraging online training to secure and advance their talent."

A business is only as good as its people – make sure yours have the expertise you need to succeed.

Our courses Human Resources, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Learning & Development, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Accountancy & Bookkeeping, Association of Accounting Technicians Marketing, Chartered Institute of Marketing Procurement & Supply, Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply Leadership & Management, Institute of Leadership & Management We're based in Glasgow, so if you'd like to chat about how we can transform your team, get in touch:  0370 218 8139  courseadvisors@icslearn.co.uk  icslearn.co.uk Statistics from the Towards Maturity Unlocking Potential 2016-2017 Learning Benchmark Report.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING

Inspiring Potential Lomond School invites applications for August 2018 entry from J1 to S6. If you would like to visit the school and see what Lomond has to offer or find out more about the application process, please contact the Admissions Office.

Application deadline: 12th January 2018

10 Stafford Street, Helensburgh G84 9JX | Phone: +44 (0)1436 672476 e-mail: admissions@lomondschool.com | lomondschool.com

‘Education is about looking out, opening doors and broadening horizons.’

Mr Johnson, Headmaster

wellingtonschool.org Photo: Wellington School’s performance of Les Misérables, The Gaiety Theatre, 2017.

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SCC BUSINESS PARTNERS

Free travel for jobseekers interviews from ScotRail Jobseekers will soon be able to take advantage of the new ScotRail Alliance offer of two free return journeys a month for jobseekers attending an interview and a free ScotRail travel ticket for the first month of a person’s return to work.

Managing Director of the ScotRail Alliance, Alex Hynes, has said the aim of the initiative is to support people back into work and ultimately help to grow Scotland’s economy.

ScotRail have identified the cost of travelling to an interview can often be a barrier to returning to work and the support offered by ScotRail is one of its best kept secrets.

Jobseekers are also currently able to take advantage of the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card - a UK government initiative

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which allows those who are unemployed and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit to receive a 50% discount on selected rail tickets.

The initiative was welcomed by Minister for Employability and Training, Jamie Hepburn who said: “The ScotRail franchise is about much more than delivering a rail service - it acts as an enabler for growth by helping people access education, employment and leisure opportunities across the country.

“This offer to jobseekers does exactly that by making attending interviews and starting work more affordable.”

The ScotRail franchise is about much more than delivering a rail service - it acts as an enabler for growth by helping people access education, employment and leisure opportunities across the country.

CHAMBER NEWS

Moray Busines Week Moray may be one of the smaller counties in Scotland, but its business is mighty. As Moray Chamber of Commerce we aim to make sure that our ‘fit to burst’ region does not get left behind.

November sees another Business Week for the county and this year the committee are focusing on the importance of online tools and how it affects trade – Connect Digitally, Grow Globally.

The digital theme for the week came around quite naturally. Here in Moray it feels like there is a lot of change and development on the horizon, both locally and globally, and we want to make sure that everybody is ready. We want to help future proof their businesses.

The event to kick off our Business Week on the 8th November is the Moray Speyside Tourism Conference which will see a host of speakers from companies such as Trip Advisor and Visit Scotland. Collaborating with Moray Speyside Tourism is so important for our region as 1 in 10 jobs in Moray is a tourism job and its contribution to the region’s economy is on a steep rise. The week then continues with various events, put on by our fellow business week partners at HIE, Business Gateway, Moray College UHI and Skills Development Scotland. The week will then finish with the Moray Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Lunch which will recognise the successes of our tourism businesses, SME’s, and social enterprises.

The subject matter of our business week is very broad. It opens its arms to all businesses of all shapes and sizes. With global brands to aspire to within Moray, our SME’s and social enterprises have a hunger for export and international trade. Many

of our smaller companies have an online presence and following to be envied by some of those bigger players, and Moray Business Week 2017 can teach the ‘how to’ skills to businesses regardless of their size or status.

To find out more about what Moray Business Week has to offer, search hashtag @moraybusinessweek on Facebook or @moraybizweek on Twitter where you’ll find details on our events.

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CHAMBER NEWS

Creating a positive future with the EYP Programme West Lothian Chamber of Commerce are committed to ensuring our future workforce are given the opportunity to develop their skills to their full potential.

Over the past 2 years we have been developing an ERASMUS + funded project called Employable Young People with five European partners from Italy, Spain, Turkey, Greece and Romania.

We have designed the EYP programme to provide a new way to deliver youth work and to support the personal and professional development of NEETs, aged 16-24, while actively engaging local stakeholders to facilitate their social and work inclusion.

What is the EYP Programme?

The EYP programme aims to improve selfesteem, interpersonal skills, behaviour, and attitude while helping the young people overcome practical barriers. The programme will then be further used to signpost participants to appropriate vocational or education providers that suit the individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

By working on programmes such as EYP, we can ensure that our young people have a clearer pathway which will benefit them in the social and employment aspects of their life.

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needs. By looking at the whole person, the programme helps to create a more positive mindset for their future ambitions.

The project is also aimed at trainers, employers and influencers working with young people furthest from the workplace.

The toolkit and manual created for the programme will allow them to extend the support and services available to young people who have fallen out of mainstream education and/or are unable to enter the workforce.

The EYP Manual and Toolkit designed for the programme was researched and created by West Lothian Chamber and the programme partners, who are made up of training providers, teachers and business professionals. By having a mix of occupations and backgrounds it allowed the creation of an in-depth guide for the programme with detailed methodology, instructions and valid reasoning behind the activities involved. This will allow future users to use the material to integrate the programme into their organisation to offer more opportunities and links with our future workforce.

By working on programmes such as EYP, we can ensure that our young people have a clearer pathway which will benefit them in the social and employment aspects of their life.

What is next?

The programme is now piloting throughout Europe with our partners and we are looking to start our pilot here in West Lothian this Autumn. The pilot, using the manual and toolkit will be launched with the help of local education organisations and businesses.

After the successful completion of the pilots, the EYP Program will then be ready to be integrated into any youth projects, businesses and educational institutes that have the same aim.

West Lothian Chamber will be hosting all 5 of our partners and 25 young people from Europe for a week of development and celebration in November. This trip will allow the young people involved to meet and experience the Scottish culture including a trip to Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh Castle. To commemorate the trip, we will be hosting an event to showcase the programme and toolkit, the benefits it created and highlight those young people involved and celebrate their achievements.

Want to know more about the EYP Programme? Please visit www.eypprogram.com or contact Nicole Scott, Chamber Co-Ordinator on nicole.scott@wlchamber.com

CHAMBER NEWS

Mentoring Scheme gets underway Small & Micro Businesses to benefit following Leader Funding Grant

Jack Clark

Chairman, Scottish Borders Chambers of Commerce

As Chairman of Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce, I am delighted to announce that the chamber has been successful in its application for Scottish Borders Leader funding for the setting up of a new Mentoring Network aimed at small and micro businesses based in the Borders.

An overwhelming 95% of businesses in the region fall into this category, covering such sectors as tourism, agriculture, food and drink, creative industries and renewable energy. The new Mentoring Network will be great for the local economy. We already have in place a popular and successful mentoring

scheme designed for larger businesses, but there is a clear demand for a similar scheme aimed at helping smaller companies.

Businesses. It has the support of Scottish Borders Council, Business Gateway, Creative Arts Business Network and Borders College.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clear that smaller enterprises very much form the back-bone of our local economy and their importance cannot be overstated.

This new scheme fills a gap by ensuring that all businesses in the Borders have access to valuable mentoring help which will assist them in improving their existing practices and growing their business as well as learning some all-important leadership and entrepreneurial skills to take their business on to the next stage in its development. In turn, that will lead to greater employment in the Borders and further spread the regions reputation as an excellent place for business to develop and strive.

The initial grant will go primarily towards the appointment of a part-time Enterprise Facilitator whose immediate role will be to set up the mentoring network, advertising the advantages it can bring to as many businesses as possible likely to benefit from the professional advice of experienced and successful business people from a wide range of commercial backgrounds.

This application was a joint initiative between SBCC, the Scottish Borders Exporters Association and the Federation of Small

Each individually tailored group mentoring programme will consist of eight full-day sessions spread over a two month period.

Each confidential session will see experts address a specific topic covering vital aspects of business administration such as sales and marketing, finance control, use of social media marketing techniques and employment legislation.

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CHAMBER NEWS

Always there to fight your corner At a time when our business communities face uncertainty and change, Chambers of Commerce are – as always – there to fight their corner. While the businesses and business communities we represent across the UK are diverse, three common themes come through from Chamber conversations the length and breadth of the UK.

Dr. Adam Marshall Director General, British Chambers of Commerce

A better business environment Despite the political dramas of the last year, there is clear message from businesses – policy decisions taken here in the UK matter as much, if not more, than Brexit.

Even the best possible deal with the EU won’t be worth the paper it’s written on if the conditions at home aren’t right for our firms to capitalise on new opportunities and be globally competitive.

Both the Scottish and UK governments must do more to relieve the burden of upfront costs that stymie growth and investment, tackle growing skills shortages, and invest in physical and digital infrastructure projects that support business growth.

Unlock the potential of place As the UK government ponders a new Industrial Strategy – the third such iteration in my time in the Chamber Network alone – we need finally to unlock the potential of place.

For decades, governments at every level have focused on ‘sexy’ sectors and technologies – and have forgotten that simpler interventions sometimes make the biggest difference to helping businesses grow.

This time, in the name of Chamber business communities, we’re fighting for an Industrial Strategy that helps places reach their potential. Fixing the fundamentals in each business community will do more to raise Scotland’s – and the UK’s – GDP

than another round of lookalike sector strategies.

More international opportunities Brexit brings business both risk and opportunity. At a moment of such significant change, firms across the UK have a real opportunity to break into new markets and forge new relationships. But the support available from both the Scottish and UK governments must be right.

Practical, face-to-face support – including that provided by Chambers – is sorely

needed. Fancy websites and marketing campaigns alone won’t be enough. And governments must co-ordinate their support programmes better, to ensure a real ‘team UK’ approach to boosting international trade.

The months ahead will be full of political ‘noise’ and distraction. Now more than ever, our collective voice, both in Scotland and across the UK, is critical. Chambers can, and will, be there – so that business can focus on what it does best.

Despite the political dramas of the last year, there is clear message from businesses – policy decisions taken here in the UK matter as much, if not more, than Brexit.

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NEWS

Changing Places: Making businesses inclusive With over 12 million disabled people in the UK and the purple pound estimated to be worth £249 billion to the economy, Changing Places toilets are definitely something that businesses should be aware of. Not just because they are the right thing to do in terms of providing access and inclusion to everybody, but because they make good business sense.

Changing Places toilets are for disabled children and adults who are either physically unable to manoeuvre themselves onto a toilet or who require continence aids such as nappies/padded products. A Changing Places toilet has more space than a standard disabled toilet for equipment, the disabled person and their carer(s). It also has an adult-sized adjustable height changing bench, a peninsular toilet, a tracking hoist, which can safely transfer the disabled person onto the changing bench and/or toilet and a colostomy shelf. In addition, a Changing Places toilet has a privacy screen so that carers can use a toilet discreetly, but with the reassurance that the person that they care for is safe with them.

Without these facilities, thousands of disabled people and their families are prevented from accessing their communities and are isolated. Not only do they feel

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excluded from society, they are faced with awful dilemmas when it comes to the disabled person’s toileting needs. For example:

They of course also cater for the families and carers of these individuals because you wouldn’t leave a loved one at home, would you?

n Choosing to stay at home rather than go out.

Changing Places toilets make good business sense. Being accessible is not only good for your image, but it can boost your profits, attracting more customers locally, as well as tourists to the area. There is a lot to be gained by businesses by recognising the value of the purple pound. In many areas, it’s an untapped market and one that businesses could take advantage of.

n Leaving a venue early to go home and change a loved one. n Changing a loved one on a public toilet floor or in a car boot both of which is undignified, unhygienic and unsafe.

Some disabled people even self-medicate so that they do not “need to go” when they are out.

Changing Places toilets cater for lots of people, including people with complex learning disabilities; people with physical disabilities; older people with mobility and/ or cognitive issues or dementia; and people with cancer coping with colostomy bags.

To find out more, contact PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society).

Website: www.pamis.org.uk/campaigns/ changing-places-toilets Email: PamisChangingPlaces@dundee.ac.uk Telephone: 01382 385154

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CHAMBER NEWS

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce welcome international business leader to the Capital The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce welcomed Terry Appen, Head of Business Development at Chinese oil and gas company, Jereh Group, to meet senior city leaders in Edinburgh.

Mr Appen’s visit formed part of a Scotlandwide itinerary of meetings in locations including Aberdeen, Glasgow and Dundee.

With the aim of developing bilateral trade opportunities, Mr Appen set out to meet potential partners in the oil and gas, supply chain, research, technology and AI industries.

Lord Provost Frank Ross, Liz McAreaverey and Terry Appen

The Edinburgh visit proved to be highly successful, with 11 city leaders including the Lord Provost, Rt Hon Frank Ross, Edinburgh Chamber President Scott Black and Keith Finlayson, Head of Commercialisation and Business Development at Edinburgh Innovations Ltd, coming together to discuss synergies and future business opportunities for Jereh Group in the capital.

Alexia Haramis, Head of International Operations at Edinburgh Chamber said: “We were delighted to welcome Mr Appen to Edinburgh to meet with Chamber members. Connecting the Jereh Group with organisations including Herriot Watt and Cairn Energy highlighted synergies which we hope may result in opportunities for collaboration.

As Scotland’s capital city Chamber of Commerce, it is vital that we actively engage with international businesses and markets to open-up and encourage new trade opportunities. We hope this meeting will be the start of a positive, on-going relationship between Edinburgh and the Jereh Group.”

This visit is one of many international events and delegations hosted by the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government and Scottish Chambers of Commerce.

In 2017, the Edinburgh Chamber relaunched its international work. The yearround calendar of events aims to demystify common queries around international trade, highlight key emerging markets and inform businesses on trade opportunities available.

Training courses are also available to support businesses looking to grow overseas in areas including Incoterms, Letters of Credit and Export Documentation. Full details of these events and courses can be found at www.edinburghchamber.co.uk

Those looking receive updates and take part in discussions around international trade are invited to join the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce – Inspiring International LinkedIn group here - www.linkedin.com/ groups/8607274

As Scotland’s capital city Chamber of Commerce, it is vital that we actively engage with international businesses and markets to open-up and encourage new trade opportunities.

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CHAMBER NEWS

Top oilman Ray handed royal role as ambassador Ray Riddoch

UK Managing Director and Senior Vice President for Europe, Nexen Petroleum UK and Director, SCC

A north-east business leader has been appointed as a royal ambassador for Scotland.

Every year, the Prince of Wales personally selects an Inspirational business figure in each of the UK’s regions and nations to lead other industry doynes on tackling key issues, through his organisation business in the community.

And now, the title of Prince’s Ambassador for Scotland has gone to Ray Riddoch, the UK managing director and senior vice president for Europe of Nexen Petroleum UK. Mr Riddoch, who lives in Aberdeenshire has worked in the oil and gas industry for more than 30 years in locations around the world.

He was appointed as the managing director of Nexen in July 2016 and has

been responsible for the overseeing the company’s UK interests and operations.

Mr Riddoch said “It is a great honour to be appointed as the Prince’s Ambassador for Scotland. “I personally believe in giving back to society and, as an industry, I strongly belive there is much we can do together to help tackle some of the key issues facing society.

“So, it is with great enthusiasm that I look forward to fulfilling my role with business in the community” Announcing his latest ambassadors, Prince Charles said “Over the years, my ambassadors have shown that with the right leadership, creativity and persuasive determination, people can work together to solve problems. meet challenges and to create constructive change.

“There is certainly no shortage of challenges needing their talents and vision. It still remains the case that in many communities, opportunities and resources are not accessible to all.

“In such a situation, business has a unique and essential role to play in creating resilient communities where talent can be discovered incubated and developed.”

Jane Wood, executive director of membership and nations for Business in the Community added: “We are delighted that Ray has accepted his rile, and he will make a huge contribution to the responsible business cause in Scotland.

“The oil and gas sector face challenging times, so there is no better time to benefit from his wide-ranging experience”, added Ms Wood.

I personally believe in giving back to society and, as an industry, I strongly belive there is much we can do together to help tackle some of the key issues facing society.

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SCC BUSINESS PARTNERS

Behold the Digital Visitor It amazes me how things have changed in travel and tourism over the past 40 years. In the late 70s, I embarked on my travels armed with a map, a ticket and enough linguistic ability to ask directions.

Malcolm Roughead OBE Chief Executive, VisitScotland

It really is a different world – now all you need is a phone to find your way, get insider tips of the best places to visit, share stories and images.

We live in a digital global village. Time zones have disappeared and there is a greater understanding among consumers about what drives, inspires and interests them. We know that high-profile media events, such as movies or celebrity visits, magnified on social media channels, can generate interest which needs to be turned into the action of coming to Scotland.

Our job at VisitScotland is to deliver the best information at the most appropriate ‘touch points’. Increasingly, this is digital, which is why we are working more closely with

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TripAdvisor and other travel search engines.

VisitScotland.com remains a powerful portal and is working hard for the industry with over 20 million visitors a year, and around 1.6 million referrals to hotels, guest houses and B&Bs through web listing.

As more people are digital – and 60% of international visitors use online searches to find out local information – so the reliance on traditional tourist information centres has decreased. Therefore, we need to ensure that as an information channel they remain relevant and part of the wider mix.

The way visitors access information has changed significantly and we need to reflect that by investing in new initiatives to reach more people with personalised information so they stay longer, spend more and grow the visitor economy. For example, we are mobilising our workforce with a fleet of coo vans – and they do look like Highland cows – to take information to visitors.

We are also working with tourism businesses to deliver a VIP programme of tourist information, straight from those in the know - the tourism businesses with

fantastic local knowledge. There are more than 1500 businesses in this programme – all able to give the visitor the inside track on their own area. Just as well, because recent research tells us that 46% of visitors look to locals to give them the best tips on what to see and do – with 33% asking their accommodation provider.

Our I-Know online community on visitscotland.com is a platform for those seeking insider tips, reassurance or just general information from their peers.

There are millions of reasons why visitors come to Scotland. At its heart and soul, it must be the people of Scotland who unlock the magic and mystery of their area. We want every person in every community to be an advocate and ambassador for Scotland – informing and inspiring visitors with local highlights, hidden gems and must-see attractions.

CHAMBER NEWS

New event programmes re-energizing Fife Chamber’s member engagement The Fife Chamber team began a substantial change programme in autumn 2016 to re-engage its members and make it easier for them to understand the different ways in which we can help them to achieve their goals.

Our event programme has been revamped around four themes, each of which meets a different business need. Enhancing business performance and international trade are the focus of two of the new programmes: Fife Learn and Fife International.

Fife Learn shares business knowledge and know-how across our growing membership, brings new business thinking and ideas to the fore and develops our members’ workforce by broadening their staff business awareness and knowledge. Each Fife Learn programme focuses on a single business theme and utilizes different platforms to share knowledge and experience.

A programme typically features one or more Master Classes presented by firms who have already made it to the top by being ‘great’ at something, combined with expert workshops delivered by local Fife Chamber members.

The first programme showcased Innovation with a Master Class from the Global Head

of Logistics at GSK and workshops on R&D Tax Credits, Design Thinking, Creativity and Overcoming Inertia. The second programme is examining Change Management.

There have been two Master Classes and workshops are being delivered by seven different member companies.

One of the most innovative aspects of Fife Learn is the emphasis on getting the members that are presenting workshops to work collaboratively with each other and with the Chamber event team to co-ordinate the content of their individual sessions.

The third Fife Learn programme on Customer Service will start in early 2018 with a Master Class from the CEO of Schuh, one of the UK’s most successful retailers.

Fife International is less well advanced in its implementation but equally ambitious in its intent. It will address the real need of a significant proportion of the membership for practical support to realize their ambition

to trade more widely than they do now, whether that is across the rest of the UK or internationally.

It will build on our existing Trade Partnership with Fife Council, Business Gateway and Scottish Development International and it will integrate into the growing international networks being formed by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce to give practical support and global reach to Fife’s exporters.

Many of Fife’s most successful businesses have become members this year. We are particularly proud that Amazon has signed up to become a member: the first time this has happened anywhere in the UK. All of these new members are coming together with our existing partners to make Fife Chamber an exciting place to be and the natural home for the Kingdom’s businesses of ambition.

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CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

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CHAMBER NEWS

Placing the Chamber at the heart of supply chain requirements East Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce is piloting a new approach to supply chain engagement between the large businesses and public sector and their SME membership. The area has a significant level of incoming investment through major projects such as City Deal and the Chamber aims to maximise this for the benefits of their members.

Laura Molloy

Director, RPL MKTG

In a newly developed strategy for the next 3-5 years, East Renfrewshire Chamber will act as the conduit between the incoming contractors and house builders attracted

by City Deal projects and the master development plans, and the local supply chain seeking to win business. The vision is to place the Chamber at the heart of supply chain requirements and to act as a hub for information on the local pipeline for tenders and contracts, when and who is winning them and which Approved Supplier Lists are available.

Active contractors with projects in the area such as CCG Scotland Construction and Manufacturing Group, Taylor Wimpey West Scotland and Miller Homes have already published information on their company, projects, approved supplier list and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s process of application.

East Renfrewshire Council are supporting the Chamber and the supply chain members by publishing the pipeline of major projects, their tender dates and who has been

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awarded them and start dates, all of which will appear within Members area of the new Chamber website, which has been purpose built for this hub of information.

The hub was launched earlier this month to a sell-out audience with speakers from CCG and East Renfrewshire Council. Local success story Complete Cleaning Services employ over 450 staff nationally and talked about their experience of winning

contracts and tenders and how the SMEs in the audience could apply this to their own endeavours.

East Renfrewshire Chamber will now build on this to proactively encourage all stakeholders to utilise its membership databases for quick quotes, projects updates, Approved Supplier lists and more on the hub at www.eastrenchamber.org.uk.

CHAMBER NEWS

Longest Drive: Gordon Wilson, from Carbon (left), presents the longest drive winner, David McKinnon, with his prize.

Winning Team: Gordon Wilson from Carbon and Vicki Unite from Perthshire Chamber of Commerce (centre) presenting (from left) Tim Steele, David McKinnon, James Riley and Joe Riley with the winning team trophy and decanters

Orange Ball Winning Team: Winners of the Orange Ball Competition, from left, Bob Morrison, Andy Burrows, Mark Christie and Stuart Wallace being presented with the trophy from Gordon Wilson of Carbon Financial Partners (centre)

Nearest the Pin: Gordon Wilson from Carbon, right, presents the nearest the pin trophy to Graeme Whyte.

Perthshire Chamber Gleneagles Golf Day Success Supported by the Carbon Financial Partners for the sixth year running, this year’s sold out Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Golf Day saw guests enjoy the Centenary Championship Golf Course at Gleneagles.

Teams competed for Winning Team, Winning Individual, Orange Ball, Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive. Prize winners on the day were Winning Team Tower Bakery, made up of David McKinnon, Tim Steele, Joe Riley and James Riley. The Winning Team took home the Carbon Financial Partners Winning Team Claret Jug, beautiful Carbon individual decanters and Golf for four each donated by Crieff Golf Club.

Gordon Wilson, Managing Director of Carbon Financial Partners, said: “The Championship Centenary Course was in excellent condition. The event organisation was first-class and the staff at Gleneagles couldn’t have been more hospitable and welcoming. The event was again superbly well supported by the local business community, there were only a couple of showers and everyone had a fantastic day.

We look forward to supporting this quality event again next year.”

Chamber Chief Executive Vicki Unite added:

“The result of this partnership was, once again, a flawless event which was thoroughly enjoyable. We are delighted to confirm our partnership again with Carbon and look forward to an equally successful event next year.”

Additional support came from: Platinum Partners (Binn Group, Blackadders, Thorntons, Castle Water, Urban Union, DWK Office Solutions, Graham Environmental Services, Fairways HR Business Support & Recruitment Specialists and Perth College UHI), plus Gold Partner Crieff Hydro Hotel. Gordon Butt of Hardies Property & Construction Consultants managed the teams and scoring and prizes were generously donated by Carbon Financial Partners, Gleneagles, Crieff Golf Club, Murrayshall Hotel & Golf Courses and Victus Consultancy.

The winning team was Tower Bakery, made up of David McKinnon, Tim Steele, Joe Riley and James Riley. They took home the Carbon

Financial Partners Winning Team Claret Jug, beautiful Carbon individual decanters and Golf for four each donated by Crieff Golf Club.

The Orange Ball competition was won by the Carbon Financial Partners Team 2, consisting of Mark Christie, Bob Morrison, Andy Burrows and Stuart Wallace who collected the Cairncross Trophy and Gleneagles golf towels and caps.

Nearest the Pin winner Graeme Whyte went home with the Elder & Paton Quaich along with golf balls and a golf umbrella donated

by Carbon Financial Partners and Afternoon Tea for Two at Heaven Scent donated by Victus Consultancy.

The Longest Drive was won by David McKinnon who won golf balls and a golf umbrella donated by Carbon Financial Partners.

Next year’s event date will be announced soon.

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CHAMBER NEWS

Continuing to offer the hand of friendship to benefit trade The Scottish Chambers of Commerce network drive to push Scottish businesses across the world has full backing from Ayrshire and its diverse range of sectors operating in the region.

Previously Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce CEO Val Russell, was part of a trade party exploring the vast opportunities available for Scottish businesses in the Far East.

This has already resulted in a visit from the Chair of British China Chamber of Commerce and the opportunity to meet the buyers of Jereh, a large China based company who is looking at expanding their supply chain.

To develop further markets Val joined forces with North Ayrshire Council and members from across Ayrshire to meet with the US Consulate to learn more of how businesses in the area can do more with their counterparts in the States.

Val gave an overview of the work of the Chamber and highlighted the many companies based here who produce goods for markets throughout the world.

Principal Officer at the US Consulate, Susan Wilson, spoke of the historical trading links between the two countries. n For more than a decade, the United States

has been Scotland’s top international export destination country, with an estimated £4.6 billion exports in 2015.

n The Unites States continues to be

Scotland’s number one provider of foreign investment: in 2016, 35 percent of all FDI projects into Scotland were of US origin.

n There are almost 600 US companies

operating in Scotland, providing approximately 90,000 jobs.

Doing business with the United States n The US is the world’s largest consumer

market; a GDP of $18 trillion and 325 million people.

n The US is responsible for a quarter of

global household consumption - in 2014, US families bought $11.5 trillion worth of goods and services.

n The US is still the number one choice for

foreign investment, thanks in no small part to the UK. As of the end of 2014, the UK had invested $449 billion in the US - $76 billion more than our next largest investor, Japan. This investment supports more than one million jobs across the Unites States.

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This dialogue with the Consulate will continue and if any business needs support getting into the US market please do not hesitate to contact us and we will pass onto their officers.

The Chamber will also be circulating a regular newsletter from the Consulate highlighting opportunities to our membership.

CHAMBER NEWS

CalMac improves customer experience for hearing impaired CalMac is the first transport operator in the country to offer the British Sign Language Interpreting Video Relay Service (VRS) to hearing impaired ferry passengers, providing an easy and flexible way to interact with sign language users through their mobile phone.

The new video interpretation service is said to make it easier for hard of hearing passengers to manage their ticket bookings, with CalMac’s Head of Customer Experience, Sandra Crighton praising the new technology as “a great addition to our customer service offering for passengers who rely on sign language”. Passengers simply download the sign language app to their mobile, and connect with an interpreter via video link. The interpreter then calls CalMac’s customer care team and interprets back through sign language via video to the customer.

According to the British Deaf Association there are around 87,000 deaf people who rely on sign language to communicate, and CalMac are setting out to improve the experience of all of its customers.

Sarah outlined CalMac’s “committment to making our services as accessible as possible to passengers whatever their individual needs. Our team is constantly monitoring new industry developments

to see how we can improve our customer care standards. We will always be early adopters of the latest technology if it is going to improve a passenger’s experience of travelling with us.”

The technology goes both ways too, as once the app is downloaded CalMac will also be able to contact the customer with any service updates via sign language.

To find out more about this service, contact www.calmac.co.uk/contact

Our team is constantly monitoring new industry developments to see how we can improve our customer care standards. We will always be early adopters of the latest technology if it is going to improve a passenger’s experience of travelling with us.

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CHAMBERCONNECTIONS

CHAMBER CONTACTS

Scottish Chambers of Commerce Strathclyde Business School, 199 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0QU T: 0141 444 750 E: admin@scottishchambers.org.uk President – Tim Allan Chief Executive - Liz Cameron OBE

Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce

Scottish Chambers of Commerce

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce The Hub, Exploration Drive Aberdeen Energy Park, Bridge of Don Aberdeen, AB23 8GX T: 01224 343900 E: info@agcc.co.uk www.agcc.co.uk Chief Executive - Russell Borthwick President - John Brebner Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry The Mezzanine, Glasgow Prestwick International Airport, Prestwick, KA9 2PL T: 01292 678 666 F: 01292 678 667 E: enquiries@ayrshire-chamber.org www.ayrshire-chamber.org Chief Executive - Val Russell President - Graeme McKinstry Cairngorms Business Partnership Ltd Inverdruie House, Inverdruie Aviemore, PH22 1QH T: 01479 780539 E: office@visitcairngorms.com www.visitcairngorms.com Chief Executive - Mark Tate President - Angus McNicol Caithness Chamber of Commerce Naver Business Centre Naver House, Naver Road Thurso, KW14 7QA T: 01847 890076 E: info@caithnesschamber.com www.caithnesschamber.com Chief Executive - Trudy Morris Chairman - Stephen Sutherland

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Hillhead House, The Crichton, Bankend Road Dumfries, DG1 4UQ T: 01387 270866 E: admin@dgchamber.co.uk www.dgchamber.co.uk Chief Executive – Brian Richardson President – Tom Armstrong Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce Whitecrook Business Centre 78 Whitecrook Street, Clydebank, G81 1QF T: 0141 280 0272 E: admin@dunbartonshirechamber.co.uk www.dunbartonshirechamber.co.uk Chief Executive - Damon Scott President - Stewart Rennie Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce Unit 27, City Quay, Camperdown Street Dundee, DD1 3JA T: 01382 228545 F: 01382 228441 E: info@dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk www.dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk Chief Executive - Alison Henderson President - Colin Loveday East Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce Barrhead Foundry Main Street, Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, G78 1SW T: 0141 887 6181 E: info@eastrenchamber.org.uk www.eastrenchamber.org.uk President: John F Hamilton Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce 40 George Street, 2nd floor Edinburgh, EH2 2LE T: 0131 221 2999 F: 0131 261 5056 E: membershipadmin@edinburghchamber.co.uk www.edinburghchamber.co.uk Chief Executive – Liz McAreavey President - Scott Black

Fife Chamber of Commerce Evans Business Centre, 1 Begg Road John Smith Business Park Kirkcaldy, KY2 6HD T: 01592 647740 E: info@fifechamber.co.uk www.fifechamber.co.uk CEO – Alan Mitchell President – Peter Southcott Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce Group (incorporating Stirling Chamber of Commerce) Suite 2, Scion House Stirling University Innovation Park Stirling, FK9 4NF T: 01324 665 500 E: info@forthvalleychamber.co.uk www.forthvalleychamber.com www.stirlingchamber.co.uk Chief Executive – Michelle Cook Chairman – Justin Grace Glasgow Chamber of Commerce 30 George Square, Glasgow, G2 1EQ T: 0141 204 2121 E: chamber@glasgowchamberofcommerce.com www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com Chief Executive Stuart Patrick President - Neil Amner Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce Greenock Ocean Terminal Patrick Street, Greenock, PA16 8UU T: 01475 888622 M:07939 272787 E: enquiries@greenockchamber.co.uk www.greenockchamber.co.uk Senior Executive Officer - Margaret Moran President - Linda Scott Inverclyde

Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER CONTACTS

Inverness Chamber of Commerce Metropolitan House 31-33 High Street, Inverness, IV1 1HT T: 01463 718 131 E: info@inverness-chamber.co.uk www.inverness-chamber.co.uk Chief Executive - Stewart Nicol President - Liam Christie Lochaber Chamber of Commerce Station Square, Fort William Inverness-shire, PH33 6EN T: 01397 705 765 E: membership@lochaberchamber.co.uk www.lochaberchamber.co.uk Chairman - Bruno Berardelli Chief Executive - Lesley Benfield Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Moulsdale House, Edinburgh College 24d Milton Road East, Edinburgh, EH15 2PP T: 0131 603 5043 E: dita@thebusinesspartnership.org.uk www.melcc.org.uk Joint Chief Executives - George Archibald and Keith Barbour Moray Chamber of Commerce Suite 7, Elgin Business Centre Maisondieu Road, Elgin, IV30 1QP T: 01343 543344 E: info@moraychamber.co.uk www.moraychamber.co.uk Chief Executive - Sarah Medcraf Executive Director Margery A McLennan President Carol Stewart

Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Saltire House, 3 Whitefriars Crescent Perth, PH2 0PA T: 01738 448 325 F: 01738 450 402 E: info@perthshirechamber.co.uk www.perthshirechamber.co.uk Chief Executive - Vicki Unite President - Ross Graham

Scottish Chambers of Commerce Scottish Chambers of Commerce Strathclyde Business School 199 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0QU T: 0141 444 7500 E: admin@scottishchambers.org.uk www.scottishchambers.org.uk @ScotChambers Like us on Facebook

Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce Bute Court, St Andrews Drive Glasgow Airport Paisley, PA3 2SW T: 0141 847 5450 F: 0141 847 5499 E: info@renfrewshirechamber.com www.renfrewshirechamber.com Chief Executive â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bob Grant President â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tom Johnston

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Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce Academy House, Shedden Park Road Kelso, TD5 7AL T: 07771 865 758 E: communications@borderschamber.com www.borderschamber.com Convenor - Jack Clark Vice Convenor - Bruce Simpson West Lothian Chamber of Commerce Alba Centre, Alba Business Park Rosebank, Livingston, EH54 7EG T: 01506 414808 E: chamber@wlchamber.com www.wlchamber.com Chief Executive Linda Scott President Billy MacLeod

Advertising John Neilson Commercial Director Telephone 07813 874970 john.neilson@distinctivegroup.co.uk This publication is also available as an ebook at: www.issuu.com/distinctivepublishing

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CHAMBER NEWS

Alba Claims launches to help Scottish businesses pursue commercial claims Targets construction disputes, insolvency claims, other commercial disputes with “tens of millions of pounds in claims failing to be recovered every year” Alba Claims, launched on the 11th October 2017 aimed at helping Scottish businesses pursue commercial claims. Uniquely

We want Alba Claims to help level the playing field and reduce the uncertainties of dispute resolution while removing the requirement to pay legal fees on an ongoing basis.

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positioned to advise and engage in relation to construction disputes, insolvency claims and other commercial disputes, Alba Claims has been set up in response to market feedback and industry research indicating that tens of millions of pounds in claims fail to be recovered every year.

Alba Claims, co-founded by Anderson Strathern chair Bruce Farquhar and solicitor advocate Alistair Dean, enables clients to pursue commercial cases on a ‘no win no fee’ basis with Alba Claims sharing the risk by way of a success fee. Clients of Alba Claims will have access to Anderson Strathern for related legal services.

Market feedback carried out by Alba Claims indicates that business owners often fail to pursue claims because of the actual or expected drain on resources experienced when funding a court claim and the uncertainties associated with embarking on a legal process.

Founding director, Alistair Dean, said: “It’s often the case that claims are not pursued either because businesses are not in a financial position to fund the claim or consider that their finances can get a better return elsewhere. We want Alba Claims to

help level the playing field and reduce the uncertainties of dispute resolution while removing the requirement to pay legal fees on an ongoing basis.”

Alba Claims anticipates a high level of interest from the construction sector and insolvency practitioners in particular, in addition to other industry sectors, and has already generated around £1m of claims that are being pursued.

Bruce Farquhar, Alba Claims founding director, said: “The funding of litigation in Scotland is changing rapidly and we see Alba Claims being at the forefront of these changes by offering an innovative means for clients to pursue commercial claims.

In supporting this new venture, Anderson Strathern has demonstrated its increasingly entrepreneurial approach to the delivery of legal services.”

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