Dumfries & Galloway Issue 4 by dtech

INcommerce THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Economic Commentary Dumfries and Galloway Business Awards 2012 Featuring Forestry at the heart of a rural economy

ISSUE 4 â&#x20AC;˘ AUTUMN 2011

01387 702123

Contents News.....................................Page 5 Working Links.......................Page 10 Chamber News....................Page 13 Chamber Lunch....................Page 14 Business Awards...................Page 14 In Business with UWS............Page 15

Welcome

UWS Enterprise Challenge....Page 17

Forestry Feature 2 Big Ambitions for Jas P Wilson’s big machines.........................Page 22 Out and About ADCA...................................Page 26 Focus on our Partners South of Scotland Business Solutions..................Page 30 Savour the Flavours Firmly on the Foodie Map . .....Page 32 Mountain Bike Business Network..................Page 36 Feature Anyone for Cricket?................Page 38 Economic Commentary.........Page 40 Welcome to New Members......................Page 42 Events Diary ........................Page 44 Healthy Working Lives...........Page 46 For advertising contact D-Tech on T: 01389 736000 E: sales@incommerce.biz For editorial enquiries contact the Editor, Gordon Mann on T: 07595 650538 E: gordon.mann@barrview.com Publisher: InCommerce Ltd Distribution: D-Tech Distribution InCommerce is published by InCommerce Ltd. Unit 14, Birch Road, Broadmeadow Industrial Estate, Dumbarton G82 2RE. Telephone 01389 736000. Fax 01389 736002. E-mail: info@dtechuk.com. Edited by Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce, Hillhead House, The Crichton, Bankend Road, Dumfries DG1 4UQ. Tel: 07595 650538 E-mail: gordon.mann@barrview.com InCommerce is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be printed wholly or in part without the written permission of the publishers. The proprietors of this magazine are publishers and not agents, or sub-agents of those who advertise therein. They cannot be held liable for any loss suffered as a result of information gained from this publication. The views expressed by authors of articles published in this magazine are solely those of the author and are not necessarily the views of or shared by the editor, nor the publisher or the directors, shareholders and/or employees of InCommerce Ltd or D-Tech Graphic Design & Print Ltd.

his will be my last contribution to the Chamber magazine as President as my term of office will end after the AGM in November. It hardly seems possible that two years have passed since I took on this role but on the other hand the Chamber has achieved a great deal in that time. Membership is up and growing, our events are well attended with some even with a waiting list and we have become a credible voice for business in this region. I have also enjoyed attending the Council meetings of Scottish Chambers of Commerce where we hear from the network around the country and the work they are doing for their local businesses. Some great ideas and real passion for growing our business base – even more important at a time when the public sector is paying off staff. At our last meeting Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment spent an hour and a half with the Chamber Council outlining the problems they have trying to keep up investment in our transport network at a time of shrinking public resources. He was clearly a Minister in full charge of his brief. Our annual lunch goes from strength to strength and I was very pleased when Justin Urquhart Stewart accepted my invitation to speak at this year’s event. Having met him on a number of occasions

and watched him on TV explain complex economic issues in such an understandable way I know that we are in for a treat this year. We are also launching our very first Business Awards for 2012 to celebrate the inspirational work that we see around in businesses of all sizes as they meet and beat the challenges of recession. Entries are now open for these prestigious awards and you can enter your business in as many categories as you want. Judging will take place in the early part of the New Year with the final winners announced at a stylish black tie event in Easterbrook Hall on the 22nd March 2012. Already many of the major businesses in the region have lined up to sponsor the event but there are still some great opportunities available. The AGM on the 14th November will be my final official duty when we will report on what has been achieved this year so I look forward to seeing you there. Trevor Knowles, President Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce.

Front cover Justin Urquhart Stewart speaker at this years Chamber lunch.

Our Partners for Business

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

Forestry Feature 1 What a difference a decade makes..................................Page 18

Festive Celebrations E

A T

A S T E R B R O O K

Top of the Pops at Easterbrook Do you love the 80's?

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Do you recoil at the thought of organising your staff Christmas party night? Or have great intentions for a fab team night out but leave it too late? This year, the team at Easterbrook have really shaken things up. Forget Santa, tacky decor and irritating Christmas music and either be transported back to the 80’s for the amazing live Top of the Pops experience on 2nd and 3rd December, hosted by Bruce McKenzie. Or be properly entertained at what promises to be the ultimate party night with Easterbrook house comedian, band, disco and 4 course dinner at a Classic Christmas Party Night on 9th/10th and 16th/17th December. Plus this year there is a FREE party bus transporting you for the festivities from the Granary pub.

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news Lj Residential for the personal touch open new office

inda, Claire and Kirsten are delighted to announce the forthcoming opening of their latest lj Residential Estate & Rental Agency at 184 Irish Street in Dumfries on the 26th October.

Building on the success of their Annan & Lockerbie offices, and with a growing client base in Dumfries, the team jumped at the chance to take over this property when they heard it was to become vacant at the end of September. Averaging two house sales a week and an ever increasing portfolio of managed and non managed rental properties the Estate Agency and Rental Department are here to assist with your enquiry. Our friendly, caring and knowledgeable staff will assist with your enquiry. To contact LJ Residential see www.ljresidential or call 01387 248363/248380

DIY SOS

ocal businesses have come to the rescue of a local family living near Thornhill following an appeal by the BBC. Coming to South West Scotland for the first time the popular programme DIY SOS; The Big Build together with an army of local volunteers worked on this home at the beginning of October to improve the conditions for Sue and her two children. Paul Mitchell of Derek Mitchell Electrical said “After hearing about the problems the family have faced we were only too pleased to help out along with many other local businesses. Over the period of nine days the transformation of this house was amazing”

Chapelcross Turbine Relocated for Siemens Training Apprentices T he recently removed No1 Turbine Alternator at Chapelcross is to be put to good re-use by training Siemens apprentices at Newcastle.

The innovative project originated from an enquiry by Siemens to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) regarding the availability of redundant generating plant within the NDA estate which could be used to train apprentices and tradesmen. Brian Burnett, NDA Head of Programme - Magnox and RSRL, said: “Having been in service for several decades, I am delighted that one of our assets will continue to be put to good use in serving the training needs of future generations of apprentices. I would like to thank Magnox for all its hard work in removing the turbine ahead of schedule.” The relocated plant will be housed in Siemens’ new extensive training facility currently under construction at its plant in Newcastle. As enhancing training provision within the Nuclear and Generation Skills Academy, the initiative supports the NDA’s wider socio-economic objectives. Magnox Limited Project Manager Dave Green was delighted with the condition of the turbine, which was installed at Chapelcross over 50 years ago to produce electricity from steam. Chapelcross Site Director, John Grierson said, “Having been an apprentice at Chapelcross and maintained these generators during my career, it is excellent that one of our turbine alternators is to be re-used to train apprentices for the wider benefit of the industry.” The relocation of the rotors, associated bearings and supports of the turbine from Chapelcross will allow hands-on experience for the Siemens apprentices and tradesmen in dealing with turbine parts on a wide range of generating plant, from large steam turbines through to all types of wind powered plant. Graham Hartley, Director Siemens Energy Service Fossil, said: “The acquisition from the NDA of the Chapelcross Generator and Turbine centre-line is key to continuing to develop our skills base for both our current and future employees”. The relocated turbine will be unveiled at an official opening ceremony of the new training facility in November and will be attended by representatives of the NDA and Magnox Limited.

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

The unique service offered by lj Residential has resulted in a business known for personal attention, our clients know they can rely on us to try their best to secure a sale, or find the correct tenant for a Landlord.

news Tax Allowances 100% tax Allowance has limited shelf life points out Nigel Holmes, Corporate Tax Director at Armstrong Watson At present purchases of qualifying plant and other equipment can be written off against your taxable profits. Tax relief is obtained by utilising the Annual Investment Allowance. For the current tax year, 2011-12, this amounts to a 100% write off with a limit of £100,000. As with most opportunities all good things come to an end! From April 2012 the annual limit is being reduced to £25,000. So if your plans over the next year or so include substantial investment in replacing worn out, or buying new, qualifying equipment, timing is absolutely critical. For companies, the Annual Investment Allowance will already be decreased from £100,000 as any accounting period that straddles 31 March will receive an Allowance Investment Allowance pro-rata between the £100,000 pre 1 April 2012 and £25,000 post 31 March 2012. Given the way the new rules work regarding the hybrid calculation for periods overlapping the change, assets should, where possible, be acquired pre 1 or 6 April 2012 even if it still falls in the period that straddles the change. We cannot reiterate this point enough.

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

100% first year allowances are still available for specific items that qualify as energy or water saving technologies. Such assets have to appear on the Government’s recognised list though. In a related matter, it has been proposed that energy producing assets that qualify for Feed In Tariff or Renewable Heat Initiative will only qualify for 8% tax relief if acquired after 1 April 2012 (6 April for unincorporated businesses).

Aston Hotel’s 5th Birthday Celebrations

undreds of people joined in the celebrations at the fifth birthday party of the Aston Hotel Dumfries.

As the sun parted the clouds a bouncy castle, face painting and even a Peter Pan story telling tent were on hand to entertain the masses. Dumfries’ Provost, Jack Groom was on hand to cut the birthday cake and £150 was raised for The Bubble Foundation - the hotel’s nominated charity - by purchasing balloons. Elaine Carruthers, sales manager at the five-year-old hotel, was the person behind the celebrations and said the day couldn’t have been better. She said: “The weather was certainly on our side. We had quite a bit of sunshine so we couldn’t have asked for more. “There were plenty of children to create an atmosphere and lots for them to do. They could even try the popular Segways with the compliments of Laggan Outdoor and lots more, including locally produced Ice Cream, every child’s favourite! “There were stalls which catered for everyone where local arts and crafts people from around the area could display and sell their goods; a great day was had by all.” Anyone who would like any information about the hotel should call (01387) 272 410 or email enquiries@astonhoteldumfries.co.uk

Autumn Exhibitions at Devorgilla Gallery

evorgilla Gallery is celebrating the changing of the seasons with an exhibition entitled ‘A Splash of Autumn Colour’ from 15th - 29th October, followed with a solo show of work by the popular Daniel Campbell from 5th – 26th November. ‘A Splash of Autumn Colour’ will see local and national artists depicting the change in our surroundings with a palette of Autumnal shades, promising to brighten the darker mornings and evenings ahead of us. Participating artists include the sought-after Julie Dumbarton, Davy Brown, and Venus Griffiths. Rachel Speedie of Devorgilla Gallery said: “One of the wonderful things about art is that it can make us look at things from a new perspective and I’m looking forward to seeing the many facets of Autumn represented in all its glory on the walls of Devorgilla Gallery.” The high standard of art on display will continue when the Glasgow-based Daniel Campbell will showcase his latest collection of originals for the second year running at the Dumfries gallery. For more information on featured artists and for details of forthcoming exhibitions log onto www.devorgillagallery.co.uk .

news BUSINESS GATEWAY HELPS ‘GREEN’ HOTEL STRIKE GOLD

he Buccleuch Arms Hotel is celebrating after becoming the only hotel in Dumfries & Galloway to retain the Green Tourism Business Scheme’s prestigious Gold Award.

ention learning throatsinging with Inuit at -68o in the frozen north of Canada or dancing with Zulu’s in the baking South African sun, you might be thinking this was a holiday article. Libby Hammond was, in fact, delivering a confidence in communication programme, which had been running with businesses and education in the UK over the past few years, into these cultures. Originally known as Gift of the Gabs and based in Dumfries, the recent expansion into Canada and South Africa prompted a change in the company name to Confident Communicators - much easier to explain! The fantastic news is that this May, Zoe-Life, an HIV medical organisation who are training UNICEF staff working in the bush, schools, clinics and businesses, have put them through training to deliver the Confident Communicators material not just in South Africa, but throughout the continent. Confident Communicators adaptability has enabled it to go across continents and cultures. It connects with the individual - the ability to express ourselves, whether for an interview, working with others, winning new customers or just to engage with our friends and family, in everyday life. Libby said “I’m delighted that a Scottish company, working with people in the public and private sector, in both the UK and overseas is helping to improve confidence, particularly in such challenging times.” Libby can be contacted through www.confidentcommunicators.uk.com

The accolade means the Moffat hotel, whose owner Dave Smith has turned the hotel into a success with help from Business Gateway Dumfries & Galloway, is one of the most environmentally friendly in Scotland, with only 29 other Scottish hotels achieving gold this year. Having passed the nationally recognised award’s stringent criteria – which takes into account energy, water and waste efficiency, transport, innovation and social involvement – the hotel’s dedication to using locally grown produce helped it shine for four years in a row. Dave Smith, Owner of The Buccleuch Arms Hotel said: “Retaining the award is a real pat on the back for the team. We are passionate about the environment and do all we can to lessen the impact we have on it. The Gold Award sets us apart as it highlights how being ‘green’ can also be good for a business and the local economy. People visit our hotel because of it and because of our reputation for sourcing fresh, local, quality produce to use in every dish we make.”

Dumfries and Galloway’s tourism industry collaborates online

estination Dumfries & Galloway (DD&G) recently launched a new website for the region’s tourism industry: www.dgtourism4business.co.uk An online hub for tourism businesses and organisations, the website provides a platform for individual businesses to create their own profiles in order to network with other tourism businesses, suppliers and public agencies. www. dgtourism4business.co.uk also features tourism related news, events and a Business Toolkit for information about support, funding and training. The results of the Visitor Research project DD&G is currently undertaking will be available on this website, as well as the results of the recent seasonal trading snapshot DD&G has gathered. Chair of DD&G (and Managing Director of Cream o’ Galloway) Wilma Finlay said: “It is often hard for our region’s tourism industry to come together in one place to share ideas, experiences, issues and to collaborate. The DD&G website will help businesses work together to develop our region’s visitor offering, as well as providing information for individual business support.” To register with the site, visit www.dgtourism4business.co.uk DD&G also recently announced that it will be hosting a tourism industry conference in Dumfries on 21st November 2011. Further details to be announced on www. dgtourism4business.co.uk

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

Confidence, Cultures and Connections

news

Weesleekit - designing for a stronger local market

eesleekit Ltd have moved main office from Moffat to the Crichton Campus in Dumfries to join long term client BDS to enhance both our brands.

Managing Director Steve Kirkpatrick says “There’s absolutely no need for any local client to source to a design company outwith the region. Weesleekit have over 24 years professional experience in providing quality graphic design, internet and exhibition services to local individuals to SME’s. The way clients market themselves has changed dramatically over the last 8 months. Much of this has been a result of spending cuts where clients and Weesleekit have combined to be creative in resourceful marketing. We have adapted to client needs where a traditional brochure is now superseded by online campaigns. Over the years we have successfully assisted (via design and promotions) in building local brands from their foundations such as Spring Fling, Gaelforce and Wigtown Booktown. We are committed to helping develop local businesses and make a stronger brand for Dumfries and Galloway”. THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

You want your brand to be the best - you deserve the best!

Contact steve at: steve@weesleekit.co.uk or 01387 733 060.

Prana

rana Hair and Beauty in Castle Douglas is now working as an Outreach Centre for Castle Douglas High School. The Salon wanted the young people who are involved in this long-term work experience programme to receive a qualification and wanted to offer Skills for Work within the Salon environment. Prana are working alongside the High School to achieve accreditation by the SQA for the Salon to deliver the SQA Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 Hairdressing modules. There are currently two pupils, Hannah Malcolm and Nadine Wright working on these programmes. This is just the beginning and over time they hope to develop this partnership with other schools in the area. In September they welcomed a new start to the Salon – Michelle Nichol Carolyn Kennedy owner of Prana Hair and Beauty said “ Michelle is a qualified Stylist with 11 years hairdressing experience and we were delighted that she joined the Aveda network at Prana and look forward to welcoming her existing clients and new ones to the salon over the next few weeks”. Visit www.pranahairandbeauty.co.uk

New and Improved 21 Loreburn Street

bc recruitment has been attracting lots of attention during the redevelopment works that have been carried out on 21 Loreburn Street. Since work has been completed on this new reception area (in July), abc has received fantastic feedback from both employers and candidates looking for work. abc’s prime advertising space in the windows of the new shop front now reaches a whole new audience as it is on one of Dumfries’s busiest traffic thoroughfares. This further increases abc’s ability to advertise employer’s jobs to help attract the best choice of candidate on the market. The improved IT facilites in reception now means it is as easy as abc to register. Being the only recruitment agency in Dumfries with a shop front means we have more than doubled the number of new candidate registrations and footfall. This in turn has allowed us to invest in new technology and extra staff to keep up with the extra demand. abc are now in a stronger position to support more organisations with the strongest choice, variety and quality of candidates from all sectors. Visit www.abcrecruitment.net

Body Electric Dance & Soul Dance Studio

ody Electric Dance & Soul Dance Studio are approaching eight years of trading and will soon be celebrating the 4th year of our dance studio opening. We have recently taken on a new instructor adding a new style of dance to the timetable, Contemporary Dance. A great alterative to classical ballet, as it allows more freedom of movement and expression. We are proud to announce that this is a first to Dumfries and we hope that it will become as great a success as our main stream Hip/Hop & Street Classes. We are very excited to announce that we are branching out and are launching classes in Moffat in early autumn. As offered in our studio based in Dumfries our professional formulated dance programmes beginning from toddler to adult will all be included on the timetable. We are very much looking forward to bringing something fresh to the Moffat community. Our New Zumba Fitness and Street Dance team building workshops offers teams to really let go and get to know the fun side of their colleague’s personalities. Not only does it promote health and well being among staff but also offers ideas for activities out with the work environment.

Visit www.bodyelectricdance.co.uk

Treat your loved ones with a Gift card which makes a fantastic present any time of year and is now available instantly online. Jacquies Beauty Salon, 34 Whitesands, Dumfries, DG1 2RS t: 01387 269077 e: reception@jacquiesbeauty.co.uk

Present Yourself for Success Colour Analysis and Personal Style for Women and Men

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY AND CARLISLE

Every day we get dressed we have a choice about what we do or don’t put on. This is highly relevant in an increasingly difﬁcult job market. Understanding how to present ourselves, so that we appear capable, effective and already successful really does give us the edge. House of Colour offers you the opportunity to spend a day with a highly trained expert in a relaxed and enjoyable local training environment that results in you: • Understanding the colours that make you look your best. • Having the conﬁdence to wear them and knowing how to combine them. • Understanding how to make your wardrobe really work for you in your lifestyle. • Understanding the rules of dress and the language of clothes so that your appearance helps you achieve success.

Telephone: 01683 220789 • email: moira.cox@houseofcolour.co.uk www.houseofcolour.co.uk/moiracox

working links

E THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

mployment and skills specialist Working Links has helped more than 25,000 people back to work across Scotland since its inception in 2000.

Working Links delivers Work Programme across Scotland on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. The programme is an integrated package of personalised support available to all people who are out of work, regardless of the benefit they claim. The Dumfries team use their local and regional labour market knowledge to work closely with employers to source the ‘hidden’ jobs in the area, and works with jobseekers to ensure they’re in a good position to fill those vacancies by tailoring training programmes to the individuals. Working Links understands they can’t do it alone – they work with dozens of organisations across the country, including those from the voluntary sector, to help people. They believe that sustained work is good for the individual, their family and the local community, and that avoidance of unnecessary long term welfare dependency is good for the country and fair to taxpayers and the wider society. One of the companies Working Links works with is Iceland. Over the past six months, four previously unemployed people have come off benefits after securing jobs with the supermarket chain through Working Links. All four had been out of work for more than a year but are now back working in varying roles at the Dumfries store after receiving a range of support including CV writing, motivation building, interview techniques, targeted job searches and much more.

One of the new workers is single parent Rochelle McCulloch who is back in work for the first time for three years after specialist help from employment and skills experts Working Links. Rochelle found herself unemployed in January 2008 and despite various attempts to get back to work, couldn’t find a way back on the payroll. But her luck changed after she walked through the doors of Working Links’ office in Glasgow Road, Dumfries. With some help, Rochelle’s confidence began to return and it wasn’t long before she was back earning a living and setting a good example for her children, working as an assistant at Iceland. Rochelle said: “I had lost all confidence. I was very nervous about going to get help just because I didn’t know what to expect. But I’m so glad I was referred to Working Links. They’ve been brilliant in turning my confidence around and helping me search the vacancies that would suit me as a lone parent. My son is 16 soon so he’ll be ready for the job market in the next few months so it’s great for me to set an example of going out to work and earning a living.” Iceland Foods HR Director Sue Yell said: “We are delighted with our strong and long-established relationship with Working Links who do a great job in turning around peoples’ lives and making them ready for employment.” Any organisation looking to recruit can call on Working Links’ dedicated, friendly employer services team to fill vacancies free of charge. To find out more, call 0800 917 9262 or visit www.workinglinks.co.uk

100% Tax Allowance has Limited Shelf Life From April 2012 the Annual Investment Allowance limit is being reduced to £25,000. If your plans over the next year or so include replacing worn out, or buying new, qualifying equipment, timing is critical. Our commercial tax team includes experts from a variety of specialist areas, ensuring you don’t miss out on any areas where tax relief might be available.

www.armstrongwatson.co.uk

Armstrong Watson is registered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales to carry on audit work. Registered oﬃce: 15 Victoria Place, Carlisle CA1 1EW

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chamber news Chamber events have been taking place thick and fast from the time of print of the last InCommerce magazine.

July

In May three Chamber events took place, the first being on the 12th May which was one of our very popular joint networking events with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce held at Gretna Hall Hotel, at Gretna. Businesses could take a stand at this event and we also held a business card draw where the owners of the successful business cards pulled out could give a minute’s sales pitch to other delegates. With over 30 business people attending this was an excellent event and Gretna Hall Hotel did us proud with a lovely buffet.

The 5th July saw a very popular Ladies Networking Evening in partnership with Easterbrook Hall, with over 60 women in business attending. The event offered the chance to visit interactive exhibition stands where delegates could experience massages, try out various treatments and speak to image consultants. Our speaker for the evening was the inspirational Jenny Lambie of Lambie Gilchrist Consultancy. Delegates were given the option of a minutes sales pitch through a business card draw and Easterbrook Hall arranged canapés and glasses of bubbly. All in all a very enjoyable evening and feedback suggests that the ladies of Dumfries and Galloway would like more of these ladies only events so watch this space!

........................................................ On the 17th May Chamber arranged a successful Smart Exporter Clinic with Scottish Chambers International where businesses at varying stages of exporting could book an hours long face to face appointment with a Scottish Chambers International Consultant to discuss ideas or issues they had with exporting. ........................................................ The 26th May saw Adam Davey Consulting come to Dumfries to run two half day workshops on Time Management and the Professional Sales Pitch at Table Table in Dumfries. Focusing on areas such as organizing yourself and your work area to make you more efficient and how to convert more meetings in to sales through better preparation for meetings, what should be covered in a sales pitch and how to deliver this, some very helpful tips were taken away by all delegates. ........................................................

June In June Chamber ran a joint event with the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust at which Cathy Agnew, the charity’s Project Development Director spoke passionately about the history behind the Moat Brae building in Dumfries, why it is so important that this beautiful building is saved and the plans that the charity have for the building. This presentation was followed by a fascinating tour of the Moat Brae building and gardens. ........................................................

........................................................ Due to the holiday period there weren’t any events arranged for August but the events kicked off again on the 1st September with another of our very successful Employment Law updates at Easterbrook Hall where employees from Brodies LLP delivered a very useful seminar on the pros and cons of social networking for employers and the implications for employers and businesses of the Bribery Act 2010. As always, delegates left with an extremely useful pack of information which is a great piece of reference material. ........................................................

September On the 7th September Chamber held a joint event with the University of the West of Scotland on Indispensable Computing for Businesses Today (from the Digital Age to the Evolution of Social Media). Businesses came along to hear from the UWS IT Academy about how information technology can support business, how to get started and how to access IT training opportunities. Also speaking on social media and the benefits and implications for businesses were staff from the UWS School of Creative and Cultural Industries who went on to explain how local businesses could gain support through the UWS Social Media for Business programme.

Our second joint event of the year with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce took place in September at Smiths Hotel at Gretna Green. With over 70 business people attending from both Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway this was an excellent networking event with the opportunity for delegates to take an exhibition stand to showcase their business and deliver a minute’s sales pitch to other delegates. The Smiths Hotel did us proud yet again by providing a fantastic lunch for delegates! ........................................................ Danny Cunning from ACAS came to Dumfries to deliver a half day workshop to business people on Managing Performance and Staff Appraisals, kindly hosted by Dupont Teijin Films (UK) Ltd at Cargenbridge. This workshop looked at the importance of performance management, how to measure this and how to get the best from your workforce. A very informative workshop with delegates leaving with plenty of ideas and information on where they could improve current practice. ........................................................

October On the 4th October Chamber ran another joint event with the University of the West of Scotland looking at the topic of Business and Funding Support. Funding and advice teams and partners were on hand to give advice on accessing practical help for companies, finding funds to move businesses forward with the help of the university, finding experts that could help with short and long term development goals, product design, development and testing, and training opportunities. ........................................................

For forthcoming Chamber events please take a look at the Events Diary further on in this magazine and contact the Chamber office on 01387 270866 or email admin@dgchamber.co.uk if you would like further information or would like to book yourself on to any of these events.

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

May

chamber lunch

umfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce are delighted to be able to welcome Justin Urquhart-Stewart as their keynote speaker at the Chamber’s Annual Lunch on the 25th October at Easterbrook Hall. Justin is Marketing Director and co-founder of Seven Investment Management. He has also become one of the most recognisable and trusted market commentators. With twenty years experience following the ups and downs of the markets, Justin’s assessments, predictions and witty observations guide investors - professionals and amateurs alike.

After training as a barrister, Justin took up corporate finance in Africa and Singapore. He then moved into marketing with a focus on cash management facilities. This led him to help found Broker Services, which became Barclays Stockbrokers, where he served as Corporate Development Director. With over 250 business men and women from the region set to attend, this is THE networking event in Dumfries and Galloway not to be missed! Guests will enjoy a lovely two course meal created from local produce sourced, in association with, Savour the Flavours.

business awards

umfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce the launch of their inaugural Business Awards.

The Dumfries & Galloway Business Awards are a great opportunity for local businesses to demonstrate excellence and gain widespread recognition for their achievements. The event will also showcase outstanding examples of how the business community is driving forward the local economy.

Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the sponsors to date. There are a number of sponsorship and advertising opportunities available. Sponsorship of an awards category allows companies to benefit from a wide range of PR activities whilst supporting the local business community.

Businesses of all sizes and sectors will be invited to submit applications to one or more categories. The Award categories for the Dumfries & Galloway Business Awards are:-

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

• Outstanding Performing Business (Sponsored by Gates Power Transmission Ltd)

• Family Business Award (Sponsored by Armstrong Watson) • The Destination Dumfries & Galloway Tourism Award

10 Good Reasons The benefits of entering The Dumfries & Galloway Business Awards extend far beyond picking up one of the prestigious trophies in March: 1. The positive publicity and recognition gained across Dumfries & Galloway.

• International Trade (Sponsored by HSBC)

2. The visibility of the achievements of finalists and winners is greatly enhanced before a wide audience of customers and potential customers, suppliers, partners and the business community generally.

• Social Enterprise/Charity of the Year

3. It is an opportunity to impress potential investors.

• Savour the Flavours – Local Food Hero

4. Reaching the finalist stage is a commendable achievement as the entries have been subject to a rigorous judging process.

• Rural Enterprise Award • Young Entrepreneur Award • Business Man/Woman of the Year Award

5. Acknowledge the contribution and achievements of your staff and boost morale.

Applications will be available to download from the Chambers website in the coming weeks.

6. Finalist and winners become strongly aligned and associated with the key principles of the Awards business success, innovation etc.

The winners of each category will be announced at the glittering event at Easterbrook Hall on Thursday 22nd March 2012.

7. PR Opportunities: winners and finalists will be profiled within local press by Press Sponsor.

For further information regarding the Dumfries & Galloway Business Awards please e-mail businessawards@ entourageuk.com or telephone 0141 887 6181.

8. Finalist companies will receive extensive profile at the gala dinner on 22nd March 2012. 9. Opportunity to network with over 250 local business people at the gala dinner. 10. Extended post awards opportunities with winners being showcased on the Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce website.

in business with In recent months University of the West of Scotland has continued to work in partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce to roll out a number of business initiatives locally. Following the success of the UWS Inside Your Business Project in 2010, University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with other business support agencies, have offered free workshops tailored to meet the training and support needs of local businesses. Jacquie from Jacquie’s Premier Beauty Salon in Dumfries who participated in 2010 said: “This process encouraged me to work on the business as well as in it. I was encouraged to come up with my ‘perfect day’ which means I now allocate my time differently and schedule time for staff, clients and business development/planning. I regarded UWS staff as my ‘helpers’ during this project and I hope they will continue to be my ‘helpers’!”

IT for Business

Social Media for Business

Funding and Business Support

To address some of the common training themes that emerged including e-commerce and social media UWS and Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce have recently hosted a further two workshops. The first Indispensable Computing for Businesses Today ran on the 7th September and was attended by both Chamber and nonChamber members of the business community. The first part of this two stage workshop; was led by Patrick Afchain, Business Development Manager of the UWS IT Academy. He said: “The IT Academy has a proven track record in delivering industryrecognised IT training courses has established itself as a leading training provider in this field. As part of its strategy for enhancing links with business / commercial sectors, the School of Computing recently incorporated the IT Academy into its mainstream activity to provide coherence across all business development and commercial projects. It is also an authorised Pearson VUE and Prometric Testing Centre offering certification tests in most popular vendor programmes. Courses are offered in day-time, evening and online formats, and help students develop core employability skills. I am keen to work with businesses in Dumfries and Galloway to ensure we can help meet local training needs.”

The second part of the evening focused on social media and was lead by the university’s School of Creative and Cultural Industries (accredited by the Skillset Media Academy). Dr David McGillivray, from the School said: “As the availability of high-speed broadband places rural businesses in a position to utilize online platforms to communicate their offerings to a wider audience, so the need for social media literacy amongst SMEs is increased. Traditional, one-directional marketing communications are increasingly being replaced by new techniques which facilitate meaningful conversations with customers and other stakeholders and this is where the theme of social media comes to the fore. The development of online social networking platforms can help to overcome some of the barriers associated with physical distance. I am already working with South of Scotland Business Solutions to roll out a Social Media for Business project in Dumfries and Galloway and welcome interest from local businesses. ”

The second workshop; Funding and Business Support ran at the Dumfries Campus on Tuesday 4th October and attracted those who are already in business but looking for expertise to help grow their service or develop new products. It gave local businesses an overview of how to access expertise at their local University and from the many business support agencies and partners. Lorraine Dymond from the UWS Innovation and Research Office at UWS said: “We hope local businesses will make UWS their business partner of choice. We can provide access to practical help, funding and expertise to help businesses achieve short and long term goals. We and our partner organisations can assist with everything from meeting training requirements to the design, development and testing of new products and we look forward to spending more time working with businesses in Dumfries and Galloway.”

More information on any of these projects is available by contacting UWS on 01387 702099 or emailing: caroline.bell@uws.ac.uk www.uws.ac.uk

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

Amanda Hannah, Business Development Executive, Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce said: “It was great to hear how two local businesses who are members of Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce had benefited from working with UWS staff on this project. It was clear to see how UWS input had encouraged these businesses to take a step back and approach things differently, leading to some very positive changes taking place within their businesses.”

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Fuel consumption for the Honda range in mpg (l/100km): Urban Cycle 22.2 – 61.4 (12.7 – 4.6), Extra Urban 40.4 – 67.3 (7.0 – 4.2), Combined 31.0 – 64.2 (9.1 – 4.4). Fuel consumption for the Honda range in mpg (l/100km): Urban Cycle 22.2 – 61.4 (12.7 – 4.6), Extra Urban 40.4 – 67.3 (7.0 – 4.2), Combined 31.0 – 64.2 (9.1 – 4.4). CO2 emissions 215 - 101g/km. Models shown Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC EX Manual, Insight 1.3 ES CVT, CR-Z 1.5 i-VTEC IMA S, Civic 1.8 Type S Manual and CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC EX Manual. Offers valid CO2 emissions 215models - 101g/km. 1.4 i-VTEC2011 EX Manual, Insight 1.3 ES before CVT, CR-Z 1.5 i-VTEC IMA Offers S, Civic 1.8 TypeatS participating Manual and Dealers CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC Manual. Offersabsolute valid on new retail ordered Models from 1 shown July to Jazz 30 September and registered on or 31 December 2011. applicable and are atEXthe Promoter’s

on new retail modelsSubject orderedto from 1 July to and 30 September 2011 and registered on or before Decembermay 2011. participating Dealers are available at the Promoter’s discretion. model, colour stock availability. Honda Hire Purchase (HP): 31 Indemnities be Offers requiredapplicable in certainatcircumstances. Finance and is only to personsabsolute aged 18 discretion. orSubject to model, colour stock availability. Honda Hire Purchase Indemnities mayPromoter be required in certain circumstances. only available to Servicing: persons aged 18 over, subject to status. All and figures are correct at time of publication but may (HP): be subject to change. is Honda (UK), 470 London Road,Finance Slough, isBerkshire SL3 8QY. Four years or over, subject to status.servicing All figures are correct time of publication butand mayincludes be subject to change. Promoter is Honda (UK), 470servicing Londoncovers Road, the Slough, Berkshire scheduled SL3 8QY. servicing Servicing: Four years complimentary or 50,000 miles,at whichever comes first, a maximum of four services. Complimentary manufacturer’s only. Roadside Assistance: the vehicle authorised drivers years aemergency subject Complimentary to the vehicle servicing being maintained in accordance withscheduled the manufacturer’s schedule. complimentary servicingCovers or 50,000 miles, and whichever comes first, for andfour includes maximumbreakdown, of four services. covers the manufacturer’s servicing servicing only. Roadside Assistance: Covers the vehicle and authorised drivers for four years emergency breakdown, subject to the vehicle being maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s servicing schedule.

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enterprise challenge

Dalbeattie High School receive the award for the Overall winner of UWS Enterprise Challenge 2011) from Derek Cochrane from Magnox. The winners are also joined by Professor Malcolm Foley, Joan Scott, UWS Business School, Donald MacDonald from The Rotary Club of Dumfries and Carol-Ann Brown from F5 Karting representing PSYBT, Penninghame House and Hullabaloo. Eric Green from Bibliographic Data Services is missing from the photograph.

Organisers, Sponsors and Supporters: from left to right: Anne Hill (UWS), Caroline Bell (UWS), Amanda Hannah (Chamber of Commerce), Andrea Thompson (Dumfries & Galloway Life Magazine), Joan Scott (UWS), Derek Cochrane (Magnox), Cameron Murray (West Sound), Professor Malcolm Foley (UWS), John Currie (Alba Printers), Angela Booth (PSYBT), Ian Jess (Rotary Club of Dumfries), Carol-Ann Brown (F5 Karting), Donald MacDonald (Rotary Club of Dumfries), Ellie Hall (UWS) and Iris Prisic (UWS). Eric Green from Bibliographic Data Services is missing from the photograph.

Ruth Peacock from St Joseph’s College receive the award for the Best Team Leader (presented by Amanda Hannah from Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce)

UWS Enterprise Challenge 2011: Teams of 8 pupils from 9 regional secondary schools competing for the UWS Enterprise Challenge award at the University of the West of Scotland’s Dumfries Campus last week.

The 72 pupils from Dumfries Academy, Castle Douglas High School, St Joseph’s College, Maxwelltown High School, Langholm Academy, Dalbeattie High School, Wallace Hall Academy, Sanquhar Academy and Moffat Academy spent two days at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS)in Dumfries to pull together a promotional campaign to represent their new food and drink themed business idea to a panel of judges. This is the second year the university has run the UWS Enterprise Challenge, which is sponsored and supported by a range of local organisations including Magnox, Bibliographic Data Services, the Rotary Club of Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce, Alba Printers, Hullabaloo, Dumfries & Galloway Life Magazine, West Sound, Tartan Sound, Angus McDougal Photography, The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust, the Scottish Institute for Enterprise and Penninghame House. Throughout the two days, the pupils received top-tips from local entrepreneurs as well as promotional experts; Cameron Murray and Bruce McKenzie from West Sound, Andrea Thompson from Dumfries & Galloway Life Magazine and local photographer Angus McDougal who

supported the pupils with their challenge of creating a radio advert and press feature with eye-catching photography. John Currie and his team at Alba Printers supplied a graphics and printing service for the challenge, providing the pupils with a professional display to impress the judges. Dalbeattie High School won the overall award after gaining the category prizes for the best product/service, the best press feature and the best presentation. The team, who were delighted with their victory, came out tops with their business idea to run a mobile cooking coach, aimed at senior school pupils and students, to teach young adults how to cook healthy and nutritious meals on a budget . The team will now proudly display the UWS Award in Dalbeattie High School for 2011/12 and enjoy both a half day cookery class kindly donated by Pennighame House and an evening meal at Hullabaloo generously donated by Hullabaloo restaurant in Dumfries. The other category prizes were awarded to; Wallace Hall Academy (for the best radio advert), Sanquhar Academy (for the best photograph), Maxwelltown High School (for best teamwork) and Ruth Peacock of St Joseph’s College (for best team leader). Caroline Bell, Marketing Manager at UWS said: “The University has received extremely positive feedback from the schools involved and would like to thank the pupils and the teachers for participating and the sponsors and supporting organisations who made the event so successful! It is fantastic to see the business community engaging with the senior pupils in this way and to offer the pupils such an invaluable experience. The atmosphere at this event is brilliant.”

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

umfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce once again supported the University of the West of Scotland’s Enterprise Challenge which took place at the University’s Dumfries Campus on the 15th and 16th September. Dalbeattie High School was the overall winner of the UWS Enterprise Challenge 2011, where the all girl team battled with the 8 other regional secondary schools to win the award.

Forestry Feature 1 What a difference a decade makes by Lorna Young of Indigo Words Lorna@indigowords.co.uk

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

Managing Director Hamish Macleod

It seems appropriate that the UK’s largest single site sawmill is located in the heart of Dumfries & Galloway, the UK’s most afforested region, but the success of Howie in Dalbeattie is not the result of circumstance or location. Strategic forward planning and market positioning have powered Howie’s development, particularly during the last decade, leaving the company stable and perfectly poised for further growth. The biggest private sector employer in the Stewartry sits quietly out of sight near Dalbeattie turning vast quantities of felled logs into high quality sawn timber, wood chips, sawdust and bark. From its humble beginnings as a small sawmill in 1976 to a 56 hectare plant employing 180 people today, Howie is the UK’s major supplier of 100% FCS (Forest Stewardship Council) Pure British softwood and the last decade has been a time of great change and significant investment for the plant. Managing Director Hamish Macleod has steered the company through major developments since he joined Howie 18 years ago. Over the last 10 years the plant has been subject to a management buyout, a £15 million investment in a new mill, the sale of the company to BSW Timber and, more recently, a £7.8 million investment in a new planer, boiler plant and stacker which will begin operating later this year. Hamish said: “As British timber became more attractive to the market place we made a very deliberate decision to make the transition from a regional to a national player. The reason for that was fairly simple. The major buyers offered

us a more stable and more reliable market, but to access that market we needed a core volume of product which meant we had to grow. By establishing good relationships with agents we assured ourselves of log availability at the right price which gave us the confidence to increase our volume.” The most significant investment for Howie was the high speed profiling sawmill, a £15 million project that was commissioned in 2006 and began operating in 2007. The 300m long mill takes logs to finished sawn timber in just 2 minutes, automatically measuring and assessing each log to achieve maximum product output from the raw material. During the commissioning phase short term ambitions estimated that by 2010 the new mill would process 350,000 tonnes per year. Last year that ambition was smashed when the mill processed 550,000 tonnes.

forestry feature 1

timeline 2010

“Project 2010” approved to install a second stacker for the mill, a planing line and extra heat capacity.

2009

Howie Group Ltd and Howie Forest Products bought by BSW Timber.

2009

New kilns operational.

2007

New sawmill operational.

2006

The Company’s largest ever single investment is commissioned - a high-speed profiling sawmill.

Hamish added: “The new mill was critically important to our growth giving us high speed processing and, importantly, the flexibility to change sizes on an hour by hour basis, and even a batch by batch basis, to maximise profitability. We spent considerable time researching the ideal solution for us, even going so far as to take 250 tonnes of Scottish logs to Finland to test whether Scottish wood could withstand high speed processing on equipment that had been designed for harder European logs.”

2003

Ground-breaking development of IT systems including a paperless log assessment, measuring and grading system which drives the log purchasing and inventory control.

2002

Management buyout by Robin and Neil Howie, company restructuring with a new holding company, Howie Group Ltd with headquarters moved to Dalbeattie.

1999

1996

“Mill 2” built, specialising in the processing of short logs for the pallet and DIY markets.

1995

Two new kilns added, together with a 5MW biomass boiler to provide heat for drying.

1989

First kilns installed, Howie’s can now offer kiln dried strength graded timber for the first time.

1982

Construction of first “modern” automated reducer bandsaw mill started.

1976

First sawmill at Dalbeattie established, producing pallet boards from local softwood forests.

1850

Robert Howie sets up in business as a joiner and cartwright.

The investment positioned Howie as a leader in the sector and in 2009 the company was acquired by BSW Timber with assurances that it would be ‘business as usual’ for the mill. While any acquisition naturally leads to continuity concerns among employees, the merger has proved very positive for Howie and for BSW as a whole, who are now the largest sawmilling group in the UK – almost twice as large as its nearest competitor. Being part of a larger company has offered advancement opportunities for staff with Laura Smith (nee Howie) heading up sales for the BSW group and Hamish becoming head of public affairs for the group. Hamish said: “This was very much a friendly takeover and becoming part of BSW has brought multiple benefits. For example we’ve been able to rationalise log buying to reduce transport costs, with wood from Cumbrian forests now mainly processed in the Carlisle BSW mill while we have increased our supply from Dumfries & Galloway forests. There are lots of examples of Howie members of staff taking on responsibility at a group level and we are in the process of gradually assimilating IT, accounts and payroll systems.” In fact BSW’s commitment to Howie’s ongoing development was assured when the group approved an additional £7.8 million investment which will increase capacity for planed and dried timber, a particularly profitable product, from a quarter to more than a third of the sawn timber output. Despite its leading position within the industry the Howie brand is not well known outside of timber and forestry, in fact the only place members of the public are likely to find branded Howie wood is at B&Q where Howie is the sole supplier of construction grade timber. The bulk of the company’s customers are timber merchants selling to the building trade and major builders themselves - a market that crumbled in 2008 when the recession hit making Howie’s growth all the more notable.

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

“Project 2000” launched with the investment in a Springer log sorting line, further four kilns and an automated board crosscut line from Kallfass.

forestry feature 1

“We’re selling into a market that’s very sensitive to economic confidence. In 2008 the market plummeted, it started getting better the following year and last year it was very strong,” said Hamish. “While the timber market as a whole is contracting the exchange rates have meant it’s become cheaper for people to buy UK timber. The challenge for us is to ensure we’ve got the right product mix as well as an ability to adapt and remain flexible to market trends, which means we’re increasingly looking towards forecasting. In a few years time there will have been a Howie sawmill in Dalbeattie for 40 years, the same length of time it takes for an average tree to grow and be ready for harvesting. In an industry that must be responsive to planting decisions made decades ago while planning supplies 40 years in advance, what does the future hold for Howie? Hamish said:

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

“We need to complete the job here in terms of our site infrastructure but in the longer term Howie and BSW will be concentrating on becoming better connected to the market and our customers, working with architects and developers. We want to develop customer loyalty, ensuring our products become the product of first choice which will protect our market share in the years ahead.”

ahead of the biomass boom

forest facts

Using kilns to dry out timber helps to create a more desirable and sought after product, but kiln drying can be an energy intensive process. Howie installed a 5 megawatt wood burning (biomass) boiler in the mid 1990s to help maximise their use of each log by utilising waste materials as fuel. Their new project which was approved last year adds another 5 megawatt boiler to the site, providing extra heat capacity to support the growth of the proportion of construction grade timber. Biomass boilers are expected to become more and more attractive to companies across multiple business sectors following the government’s announcement of a £860m Renewable Heat Incentive. This scheme will introduce tariff payments to businesses that displace carbon by installing renewable energy heating systems.

Dumfries & Galloway is the most afforested region in the UK at 26% forestry.

towards a carbon neutral future

Scotland is harvesting around 10,000 hectares of commercial forest each year, restocking about two thirds of this area creating 2,000 hectares of new woodland.

British timber from sustainably managed forests is getting the UK on track for a carbon neutral housing boom with government planning that all new build homes in England will be carbon neutral by 2016. Wood has a negative carbon footprint because of the carbon dioxide fixed by the original living tree. This means that new housing will increasingly be timber based, allowing the carbon footprint of other materials, such as steel and concrete, to be off-set against the negative footprint of wood, increasing the market for sustainable UK timber. British mills produce nearly 40% of the softwood consumed in the UK with about half of this coming from Scotland.

Scotland lags well behind Europe in its forestry industry, with only 17% of Scotland afforested compared to the European average of 37%. Forestry planting is planned around 40 years in advance, in anticipation of harvesting needs.

Government and industry have a shared target of creating 10,000 hectares of new woodland

Gillespie Gifford & Brown has the breadth and strength to undertake most aspects of legal work. Working as a team our lawyers can draw on many years of experience to consider all legal issues associated with our clients varied business affairs. We understand that few legal problems stand alone. What are your requirements? Contact us and we can work together towards an answer. Dumfries Tel: 01387 255 351 Fax: 01387 257 306

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Chamber of Commerce Advert_Layout 1 14/09/2011 10:22 Page 1

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forestry feature 2

Big ambitions for Jas P Wilson’s big machines By Lorna Young of Indigo Words Lorna@indigowords.co.uk

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

A typical package offered by Jas P Wilson combining Botex equipment manufactured at Dalbeattie and a reconditioned Valtra tractor

lot has changed since James Pearson Wilson set up his contracting business nearly fifty years ago. When the A75 claimed the life of James and his father-in-law 26 years ago, his sons embraced new opportunities in the forestry industry and their innovative approach is leading them to a new international outlook. “We plan to double our production in the next 3 – 5 years, I think that’s a very realistic target,” says Billy Wilson of Jas P Wilson in Dalbeattie. “There’s no doubt we could expand dramatically, we see tremendous potential, but we want to be smart about how we do it and streamline our processes first.” Such assured optimism about business growth is in stark contrast to the economic rhetoric of today’s world, but Jas P Wilson has good reason to be optimistic. When the recession started the company was expecting to be dealt a painful blow but the reality was quite different. Jas P Wilson has created 10 new jobs over the last 3 years taking their staff numbers to 31 people, including the five partners. Around the time that the three Wilson brothers, Billy, John and Ian, inherited the original plant hire business 26 years ago the government had cut land drainage grants, so with a fleet of machinery designed specifically for that sector Jas P Wilson needed a new direction. The brothers took advice from local forestry contractor Ian Scott who suggested

reconditioning machines to sell into the growing forestry industry. By putting guards and winches on reconditioned County tractors the company developed an affordable forestry product with worldwide appeal. Billy Wilson said: “We were based at Carsethorn at that time and we used to test these big tractors by driving them up and down the beach there. You couldn’t get away with that sort of thing today and people driving through the village must have wondered at all these tractors parked up, but it worked well at the time.” Eighteen years ago the business moved to its current location on the family farm by which time they were firmly established in the forestry industry. Billy added: “Forestry soon became the focus of our business so my brother John decided to concentrate entirely on sales while I looked after the machines, and that worked really well. “We started selling harvesters and forwarders that we imported from Finland and ironically the guy we originally started buying from is now selling our machines in Finland today. My younger brother decided to train in Finland to operate these complicated forestry machines and the expertise he brought into the business helped us secure the UK franchise for Rottne, who manufacture a full range of large forest machinery.”

A phone call that came out of the blue was set to change the direction of the company again. A British trailer and crane brand, Botex, suddenly came up for sale. Billy said: “We got a call to say Botex manufacturing was being sold we started rubbing our hands – they were probably our biggest competitor and expected the brand to disappear because we didn’t think they’d find a buyer. But then we got thinking and realised that we could do something with this. We bought Botex 16 years ago and it was a bit of a hobby really, but in the last 6 years we’ve turned it into the number one brand in its field in the UK and it’s doing really well.” Jas P Wilson today is now two companies – Wilson Machinery Ltd that focuses on machinery sales and reconditioning and European Forest Machinery Ltd that manufactures the Botex products. As well as the three Wilson brothers European Forest Machinery Ltd also has two partners, Ewan McVey and Stuart Morgan both of whom originated in the Carsethorn area. Ewan’s father Hugh farmed Criffel House and Stuart’s father, Jim Morgan, had a fishing business. Both companies benefit from association with the other, for example Wilson Machinery Ltd will buy a used Valtra tractor, recondition it, fit it with a Botex trailer, winch and crane and sell it as an affordable package. This approach to combining new and reconditioned machinery is unique within the marketplace and gives Jas P Wilson its edge. As well as continual product innovation three other factors are helping Jas P Wilson to grow and succeed in

an economic climate that’s challenging to so many other businesses. The strength of the pound against the Euro has meant that buyers are looking on UK brands much more favourably because it makes sound economic sense. An unexpected boom in wood fuel in the UK, such as wood burning stoves and biomass boilers, has created huge demand for machinery in the south of England. As country estates who have ignored their woodlands for years suddenly find they have an asset that’s worth a lot of money they’re investing in woodland management and firewood processing machinery and Jas P Wilson have the franchise for some of the best brands on the market, including Posch. Lastly a long association with the RNLI is also opening up new opportunities for maintaining and adapting their vehicles for sea use, working closely with the organisation to make their ideas work. Billy said: “We’re now moving away from being a blacksmith who manufactures to a proper manufacturing unit and we’ve been working with organisations like the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service to look at the best way to make that transition, focussing on export rather than diversifying our product further. We’ve exported to Uruguay, Australia, Bangladesh, Finland, France, Belgium and others, and over the next five years we expect to see the export side of Jas P Wilson grow and grow.”

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

forestry feature 2

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Getting the marketing right for your business is crucial to its success. This workshop will help you to understand your competitors, identify your customers and understand the things you need to consider for effective marketing.

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Free hourly appointments to discuss your business idea are available in Dumfries and Stranraer. To ﬁnd out more or to book a place simply call the ofﬁce on 0844 875 0161 or visit the website at www.bgdumgal.com

TOP TIPS FOR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS • Make use of the support services that are available, particularly if they are free! Specialist help from business experts such as Business Gateway can help ensure that your business has a better chance of success • Talk to other entrepreneurs who have taken steps to grow their business – they will have made mistakes you can avoid • Plan, plan and plan. Knowing where you are going and how you are going to get there will make the journey smoother • Thoroughly research your new markets and carefully consider how you will communicate any new business developments with your customers • Identify funding requirements you might encounter and ensure ﬁnance is in place to address them

Visit your gateway to growing your business at www.bgateway.com or call 0845 609 6611. Alternatively contact your local ofﬁce on 0844 875 0161.

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

out & about with Amanda Q. What preparation did you do before setting up your own business? A. I operated from home on a part-time basis for two years to try and establish if there was a need for an accountant locally. I built the business up gradually over those two years building up a client base, investing in software and equipment, advertising and getting myself known in the business community.

Q. What do you enjoy most about having your own business? A. Seeing a clients’ business prosper and their appreciation of your support and advice makes the job much more worthwhile. I enjoy the flexibility that having my own business offers and I reap the benefits for the effort that I put in.

Q. What’s the hardest thing about running your own business?

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

A. Professional firms are under so much scrutiny so compliance and regulation form a major part of the business and this can result in some long working days.

Amanda recently met Alan Daubney of ADCA in Sanquhar. Q. Tell us about yourself? A. My name is Alan Daubney, I’m 31 and I own ADCA Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers which I started in June 2011 and is based on Sanquhar High Street. I live in Kirkconnel with my wife Fiona and our daughter Emily.

Q. What made you decide to set up your own business? A. It has been my ambition for a long time to set up my own accountancy practice. I spotted a gap in the market for an accountancy firm in my area and the timing was right personally for me and so I went for it.

Q. What training did you undertake before becoming an accountant? A. I achieved an Honours Degree from Strathclyde University in Economics and Finance and did my training as a Chartered Accountant with Carson & Trotter in Dumfries, qualifying in January 2007.

Q. What advice would you give anyone thinking of setting up their own business? A. We all want our businesses to grow big and fast but in reality this is rarely the case. Grow gradually as time, thought and informed judgements will allow you to grow a successful business.

Q. What’s the best thing about living and working in Dumfries and Galloway? A. Although not high, the population is diverse and each town and village is unique. This allows you to meet different people on both a personal and professional level.

Q. What are your aspirations and plans for the future? A. I want to drive the business forward to be able to compete with the bigger players in the industry and establish my practice within other areas of Scotland. I plan to employ at least two assistants within the first 12 months of starting up and opening a second office within the region within the first three years would meet my growth plans. ADCA Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers can be found at 32-34 High Street, Sanquhar. DG4 6BL Tel: 01659 50355

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THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

A Learning Journey: New Technology

outh of Scotland Business Solutions (SoSBUS), a unique academic partnership, aims to encourage local companies to access the technical expertise and research skills available within the three colleges and four universities in their area, to help their business develop and remain competitive. Through the existing Further and Higher Education collaborations on the Crichton Campus in Dumfries and Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels, the project provides a single access point for businesses to the combined resources, expertise and services of the academic partners. Business Liaison Officers are working directly with small businesses, which are offered a tailored service. Projects have so far ranged from marketing planning and research to textiles product development and customer service improvement in the hospitality sector. Priority is given to key sectors including tourism, textiles, food & drink. As at the end of July 2011, there are some 27 projects in progress with companies working with academia facilitated through South of Scotland Business Solutions. As well as working with individual companies, SoSBUS has worked with business associations and industry groups including regional food group Savour the Flavours. Savours the Flavours were particularly interested in learning more about the opportunities afforded by new technology, in particular apps for smart phones and tablet devices.

Flavour Fortnight, the 2 week celebration of Dumfries & Galloway food and drink organised by Savour the Flavours, offered an ideal knowledge transfer opportunity to explore these new marketing channels. The development of an iPhone app was supported through a project facilitated by SoSBUS, and it was developed with Savour the Flavours by Scottish Centre for Enabling Technologies (SCET), part of the University of the West of Scotland. The project gave Savour the Flavours the opportunity to explore how their existing website could be used as a platform for a mobile app, maximising its usability on smart phones and integrating functionality such as mapping, route planning and diary synching within the app. Eva Milroy of SoSBUS said: “We were delighted with the cutting edge support that SCET provided to Flavour Fortnight and Savour the Flavours to help them on a learning journey to develop new marketing channels. This relationship between academic institutions and a rural business network has resulted in some genuinely innovative thinking that is examining the technology and communication channels consumers and visitors to the region are likely to use in the coming years. Making sure rural businesses have the knowledge to embrace opportunities, such as those offered by apps, is increasingly important and we are proud to have supported this successful knowledge transfer project.”

Savour the Flavours made the decision to design the app for the iPhone operating system, the UK’s most popular smart phone device, which meant the app also worked well on iPod Touch and iPad devices. Flavour Fortnight ran from 3rd – 18th of September with 92 events taking place across Dumfries & Galloway and the app was launched in mid August. Liz Ramsay of Savour the Flavours, who organises the event, said:

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Smart phone apps are changing the way people access and use information. Liz Ramsay

“Smart phone apps are changing the way people access and use information, particularly for things like planning itineraries or holidays. We thought that Flavour Fortnight was a perfect opportunity to discover how to create and use apps whilst also giving people a genuinely useful application to enhance their Flavour Fortnight experience.” As well as the learning gained through the development of the app, the Savour the Flavours team also benefited from learning about QR (Quick Response) codes, which are being increasingly used within marketing to provide smart phone users with an easy and immediate link to online information, such as websites or app downloads. QR codes are a type of bar code comprised of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. Through working with SCET they were able to incorporate QR codes into much of the Flavour Fortnight marketing material, encouraging smart phone users to immediately engage with Flavour Fortnight’s online presence. Liz Ramsay added: “It’s been genuinely fascinating finding out about the world of mobile apps and we’ve learned a great deal about how important these communication tools are becoming. Food and drink businesses are demonstrating huge innovation and creativity in the events they’ve developed for Flavour Fortnight so it’s only right that we explore similarly innovative and creative methods to market their events to a very wide audience. I hope this app proved really useful during Flavour Fortnight in highlighting the huge range of delicious activities on offer in Dumfries & Galloway as well as giving users a perfect solution to event and journey planning.”

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Firmly on the foodie map and we knew that local people and visitors to the region would embrace the opportunity to hear those stories.

The key to making it work was our understanding of our region’s food and drink sector. “The format encouraged by Scotland Food & Drink Fortnight, that of individual businesses hosting special activities, matched the opportunity that we believed existed within the region. So last year we went all out to create, develop and deliver the first Flavour Fortnight, organised on a shoestring budget within a very tight timescale. The response from the industry was overwhelming, the feedback from consumers was hugely positive and many people connected to Scotland’s food and drink industry at a national level were gobsmacked to say the least. Out of nowhere Dumfries & Galloway had raised the bar.

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

“What Flavour Fortnight did was give our industry a focal point around which businesses could come together to celebrate what they do. The format of Flavour Fortnight, with events hosted by businesses themselves, ensured there was no geographic barrier to participation and an encouragement of collaborative events provided opportunities to take part for even the newest and the smallest of businesses.

“This year, thanks to solid funding support from LEADER and Dumfries & Galloway Council, we took a more measured approach to planning the event. We developed an engaging website, delivered an extensive

Proof is in the palate starter.

wo years ago Dumfries & Galloway was woefully underrepresented during Scotland Food & Drink Fortnight, the national celebration of Scotland’s food and drink sector. This year there were almost as many events happening in Dumfries & Galloway as in the rest of Scotland combined. With Flavour Fortnight now established as one of Scotland’s most important food festivals, Savour the Flavours Chairman Dave Smith explains why Flavour Fortnight was developed and why it’s so important. “Eighteen months ago we recognised there was an opportunity to harness the passion, knowledge and enthusiasm of the industry to create an event which would connect consumers with local businesses. The key to making it work was our understanding of our region’s food and drink sector. “While Dumfries & Galloway does have some major food manufacturers, the bulk of our industry is artisan producers, small restaurants, independent retailers – businesses that are run with passion rather than profit as their primary concern. These businesses each have fascinating stories to tell; stories about the products and the people who create them,

savour the flavours “At my business, The Buccleuch Arms Hotel, we hosted eight events this year which took an incredible amount of hard work and preparation, so was it worth it? Absolutely - and not just from a financial point of view. Flavour Fortnight gives us a reason to innovate and try new ideas, such as inviting suppliers in to meet our guests. It’s an opportunity to challenge ourselves and to push the boundaries of our business.

Meeting the Highlanders. Auchenree Farm Tour

“So where to from here? Having secured industry support and clearly illustrated consumer engagement with the event we must now position Flavour Fortnight as one of the UK’s major food and drink experiences. To do that will take time and, since consumer expectations must always be exceeded, significant support for our industry will be required to make sure our food businesses have the knowledge and the skills to deliver engaging, professional events. “Timing and marketing will be critically important in future years and we have already identified that the visitor patterns within Dumfries & Galloway could mean that a change of dates is on the cards for next year.

“The Flavour Fortnight team worked closely with businesses to help them develop their event ideas, encouraging creative approaches and innovative thinking. As a result Flavour Fortnight 2011 delivered nearly 100 events covering an astonishingly diverse range of experiences. Truly Dumfries & Galloway now has a credible food tourism product, a reason to put our region firmly on the national foodie map.

Tom Kirkpatrick demonstrating at Lochinch

...we hosted eight events this year which took an incredible amount of hard work and preparation, so was it worth it? Absolutely.

About Savour the Flavours Savour the Flavours is the industry led organisation that supports Dumfries & Galloway’s food and drink industry. Savour the Flavours is funded by LEADER and Dumfries and Galloway Council and it welcomes membership from businesses who produce, use or sell Dumfries & Galloway food and drink. Membership is currently free of charge and businesses can sign up on www.savourtheflavours.co.uk

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

marketing campaign and commissioned research into visitor experiences of Flavour Fortnight as well as the economic impact for those businesses taking part.

“We’re at a very exciting point right now, an event idea that’s only 18 months old which now has the potential to position Dumfries & Galloway as an important food tourism destination, limited only by the ambition and imagination of our industry. Flavour Fortnight 2012 is going to be very interesting indeed.”

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We are looking forward to hearing from you! Eva Milroy, Business Liaison Officer, tel 01387 734139 or 07711520042, email milroye@dumgal.ac.uk.

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘ AUTUMN 11

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tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all go at the Mountain Bike Business Network where Project Manager Tracey McNeish is now working on the new Active Tourism Project. Support from Leader and VisitScotland and the members will allow this project to widen the focus from mountain bikers to all outdoor activities. With a great range of things to do Dumfries and Galloway is now well placed to attract families, young people and those looking to enjoy the outdoors.

This is the year of active Scotland and the network has planned a range of initiatives to help spread the word. The growing popularity of the dedicated web site www.eat-sleep-ride.com is growing as the work to optimise its web presence takes effect. The web site will also be developed to provide more information on lots of other activities. For todays busy travellers the web site will be accessible from their mobile phone from a specially designed app for both iPhone and android platforms.

mountain bike business network The app will let people search the database for any outdoor activity provided by members of the Network sorted by type and distance. They can ask for activities that are wet or dry, on foot or on bike, the choices are endless. They can also look for things to do that are easy, moderate or full on whatever suits them. Tracey commented “This is a great chance for the region to be in the lead with the technology, but to make sure that you get your business ‘in on the app’ then you need to be a member of the network.” The Network has also agreed to coordinate a Dumfries and Galloway presence at the Outdoor Pursuits exhibition in Edinburgh next April. The plan is to create a stand that will sell the region and allow individual businesses to have a presence at a fraction of the normal cost. Destination Dumfries and Galloway and 7stanes CIC are working with the Network to make sure that D & G is seen in the right exhibitions and we make our presence felt.

To help Tracey with the project Yvonne Smith has joined the team. Working two days a week Yvonne will look after all the admin and finance and is based in the Chamber office. No stranger to the tourism industry as her husband owns and manages the award winning Buccleuch Arms Hotel in Moffat.

Galloway Activity Centre Moving up a Gear Richard Hermon of Galloway Activity Centre is on the Network management committee and also represents the Network on the Board of the new 7stanes CIC Company set up to take over the work of marketing the trails from the Forestry Commission. Pam Hazlehurst of Marthrown of Mabie is the Networks other representative on the Board. Galloway Activity Centre (GAC) has become a household name for many families. Whether it’s the children visiting with their school, GAC’s monthly youth club or the whole family staying for a relaxed weekend of fun – Galloway Activity Centre is growing year on year and is on it’s way to becoming the biggest activity centre in Scotland. Not only is this great news for our customers, it also helps boost the local economy through suppliers, job opportunities and partnerships with other local businesses. GAC’s owner, Richard Hermon says “Our philosophy is to buy local whenever and wherever possible – what comes around goes around...”

The start of 2011 was tough for many businesses, not just in D&G but across the country. The harsh winter seemed to roll on and on with little sign of Spring. Loch Ken was actually frozen solid until late February and some of us were wondering if the water would EVER heat up in time for the summer... Running an outdoor centre in January and February is a little bit like gardening at the same time of year; the less than ideal climate makes growth difficult, accurate forecasts are rare and no one really knows when the downturn is going to end. However, businesses must forward plan and sow seeds for the season ahead. Confidence in your product, whatever that might be, must shine through. The first week of 2011, Galloway Activity Centre put this idea into practise and started on one of the biggest regeneration projects in its 22 year history – an exciting new cafe and clubhouse. The whole project took just over 12 weeks to complete; Castle Douglas firm Riddick and Son led on the main construction while flooring, electrics, plumbing, etc. were all taken on by other local companies. The new clubhouse was completed by early April and since then the new look Water Front Cafe has been going from strength to strength with several new jobs created to cope with increased demand. All produce in the cafe is home baked using fantastic quality, locally sourced ingredients. In peak season, Galloway Activity Centre employs around 30 people in various roles. The number of full time staff has increased by 50% in the last 5 years and this increase looks set to continue. As well as working closely with local businesses, Galloway Activity Centre has established close relationships with the community (Youth Groups, Schools, Scouts, Barnardos, National Deaf Children’s Society and Paddlers for Life). Partnerships have also developed with several charities including South West Scotland RnR; a Dumfries based charity providing activity breaks for injured soldiers. Working closely with such groups makes everyone at GAC proud to support the local people and be involved in a charity providing essential support to our Armed Forces.

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

New leaflets will be produced and as last year these will be widely circulated in the north of England and in the central belt of Scotland. By far the most effective marketing however is to get journalists to visit the area and see for themselves. Any articles they write will have much greater effect and sell the region to a wide audience. Last year the Network succeeded in getting a two-page spread in the Belfast Mirror – publicity that money just can’t buy.

feature

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

he Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust acquired Moat Brae House and garden in 2009 and plans to restore and transform the building and garden to create Scotland’s first Centre for Children’s Literature. The Trust is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status, is registered as a Building Preservation Trust and is a member of the UK Association of Preservation Trusts.

feature Anyone for Cricket?

by Hugh Buck ppmbtfriends@btinternet.com

J M Barrie and Cricket Although J. M. Barrie was born in Kirriemuir, Angus he arrived in Dumfries in 1873 to complete his secondary education at Dumfries Academy. He often visited school friends who lived at Moat Brae, just next door to the Academy. He referred to those days as the “happiest of his life” and acknowledged in 1924 that he got his inspiration for the Peter Pan story whilst playing in the then beautiful gardens alongside the River Nith, which he referred to as “enchanted land”. Although he was no great player Barrie was passionate about his cricket and ran his own, nomadic club which he named, in those less politically correct times, the Allahakbarries. He first played at the village school at Kirriemuir but did not play seriously until he came to Dumfries. In 1875, at the age of 15, he was picked for the Academy, batting at number 11. By the time he left school he had risen to bat at number 3 and bowled a bit of left arm spin although he has been attributed as saying that he bowled so slowly that if he didn’t like what he had bowled he could always catch the ball up and start again! He played little after his school days until he had made his name in London theatre circles. In 1887 the Allahakbarries played the first of many games against Shere Cricket Club at Albury near Guildford. Other matches were played, many of them at Broadway in Worcestershire, where the Allahakbarries, had a series of epic battles, masterminded by his great friend, the actress Mary de Navarro who lived there. The games often centred on house parties lasting several days which featured other activities such as archery, tennis, bowls and clock golf. There is no record of the

Allhakbarries ever coming to Dumfries though one or two games were played at Kirriemuir where Barrie donated funds for a cricket pavilion, unique because it was topped with a camera obscura, one of only four in Scotland. Amongst the well known figures who graced his cricket teams were Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (a very useful player and the creator, of course, of Sherlock Holmes), Jerome K. Jerome (author of Three Men in a Boat), E. W. Hornung (creator of the gentleman burglar Raffles), A. A. Milne (of Winnie the Pooh fame), Hesketh Prichard (effectively the founder of sniping techniques in World War 1) and P. G. Wodehouse (creator of the immortal Bertie Wooster and Jeeves). Whilst a member of the MCC, Barrie became very friendly with, amongst others, the great Sir Donald Bradman.

J. M. Barrie Celebration Cricket Match 2012 To celebrate Barrie’s passion for cricket and as a major fundraiser for the Trust a celebration cricket match between a J. M. Barrie Invitation X1 and a Dumfries CC select X1 is planned to be held at Nunholm, the ground of Dumfries Cricket Club in June 2012. We are aiming to attract several big names in the world of cricket and entertainment to join us for this event and would be delighted to hear from any business interested in supporting the work of the Trust through sponsorship opportunities and by attending the Celebration Cricket Match on the day. Further details of the Trust and its work may be found by visiting the website at www.peterpanmoatbrae.org.

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

The building will incorporate a storytelling venue, facilities for writers in residence, literary and musical activities, together with a Peter Pan and heritage exhibition, shop and café. The garden will be restored to reflect its inspirational past with play areas and learning activities for children; a place where “every plant tells a story”. This will be a fitting legacy for J. M. Barrie who so enthralled generations of children, near and far, with the story of Peter Pan. The Trust’s first major fund raising appeal was successfully launched by our Patron, Joanna Lumley, in Dumfries in early August.

economic commentary

What do Doonhamers do best?

s we wonder whether the recession in our businesses is going to resume, continue, worsen or disappear, what can we say about our region’s most salient skills? And are there business opportunities in working out what do we do hardly at all, and could maybe make use of?

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

A full answer to this question would require us to make a serious study. There’s fat chance of resources for that with the local enterprise company evaporated, and the Council more than strapped for cash. Not to mention the ‘learnnothing’ anti-consultant bias of some quarters reflected in the media. But I’ve tried to form a view based on the latest detailed employment figures from the Office for National Statistics, which came out this month.

What I’ve looked at is which industries employ proportionally the most in Dumfries and Galloway, from a standard industrial classification distinguishing 700-odd individual classes and sub-classes. By ‘proportionally’, what I mean is that I am comparing the share of the UK industry we have here with 0.227 per cent, which is our share of UK population. I can’t divulge the detailed figures, because that might mean giving away data that businesses have provided on a confidential basis, but we can learn lots from the overall conclusions. So, for example, we have about 1.47 per cent of the UK’s people working in agriculture, or about six-and-a-half times our proportional share. The farmers are supported by 1.3 per cent of the crop contracting industry, but the animal husbandry contractors are miniscule by comparison. In the same sector out huntin’ shootin’ and fishin’ industry (that is, the gamekeeping bit) is very small, but at 2.8 per cent of the UK total is a very distinctive bit of the D&G economy, twelve times our population proportion. Staying on the land, if we consider growing and looking after trees the 400-odd people employed are about 18 times our ‘standard’ share. When it comes to sawing trees up, the nearly 600 people employed are thirty times the national norm. Some of the sawmills that we have claim to be amongst the largest, most modern and efficient in the country. No doubt they are significantly more profitable than the smaller older ones of which many remain around Scotland and the UK. But we don’t have that much of the paper and none of the board mills that usually earn the

biggest margins in the wood products business – they are up in Ayrshire, or just over the border in Cumbria and Northumberland. We do have the E.ON wood-burning power station at Lockerbie, but unfortunately (I’m tempted to say ridiculously) the statistics don’t make any distinction at all between different kinds of generating facilities. Fish farming, employing 100, is proportionally very strong and sea fishing the same size in absolute terms. Following the food chain from the land and sea into manufacturing, we find that the dairy, meat and fish processing businesses employed about 2000 last year – so we’ve got a good hold on at least the first stage of processing, and at least in the case of fish and meat we’re by no means only adding value to the creatures caught or farmed here. It’s very noticeable that on the fish side the emphasis of our economy is a little bit downstream, whereas for land-based food it’s overwhelmingly in primary production. Several of our most distinctive and larger businesses are the very individual (and now usually foreign-owned) specialist manufacturers, like Cochran’s boiler manufacture in Annan, and Gates Power Transmission, and Penman’s military vehicles in Dumfries. The ferries to Belfast put sea transport firmly in our top ten distinctive industries. With the remnants of clothing and coal mining, that completes the top thirty distinctive businesses. All of these sectors are at least six times the standard UK size, and together they employ more than 13,000 folk, just under a quarter of the 56,850 that the Business Register Employment Survey found. Just outside the top thirty industries, in terms of our distinctiveness, is a sector which is normally the highestmargin sub-sector of tourism – camping and caravanning. That reports nearly 300 employees, out of a UK total of 27,500, so we’ve rather more than 1 per cent of the UK industry, more than four times our standard share. We’ve a less strong specialisation in hotels and other short stay accommodation, broadly twice the norm, and we’re actually significantly under par in terms of people employed in the hostelling business. All in all, the accommodation sectors employ about 2000. We’re very short of jobs on the catering side of hospitality, with a restaurant sector employing 1000 and pubs about 700, both of which are only around two thirds the typical size for our population.

economic commentary

In the public sector then because of our older demography we have relatively a massive health sector – 70 per cent ‘over-ration’ hospital workers, and 50 per cent when it comes to social carers. Primary education is a quarter bigger than standard (small schools due to our scattered geography) and secondary and further education play around par. But good though it is, the Crichton is nowhere near big enough, and the number of people delivering degree-level education is only about a tenth what our population share might suggest. Chamber members care about business services. Our job count in technical consultancy is below par, and so

are professional services, lawyers apart (they’re about a quarter over par). Management consultancy and computer services, two of the crucial components of an effective innovation system, and support for ambitious new businesses, scarcely exist by UK standards – the 300 jobs recorded are less than a quarter of the national level of employment, and no-one has been registered as a marketing consultant. Bank jobs are about a third national levels, and telecommunications a bit less. What first brought me to Dumfries ten years ago, in the middle of our foot and mouth trauma, was an attempt to start from figures like this, talk to the firms, and deduce what strategies were needed to grow the economy. Against the odds, the businesspeople of the region have (by and large) managed to hold on. But we still lack the fertile undersoil of business services in which vital business startups can germinate and grow, and overwhelmingly we lack the higher education to attract, retain and qualify our workforce.

Empl oymentbys ect ori nDumf r i e sandGal l owa y 0 1 : Agriculture, forestry & fishing 2 : Mining, quarrying & utilities 3 : Manufacturing 4 : Construction 5 : Motor trades, excluding fuel 6 : Wholesale 7 : Retail 8 : Transport & storage (inc postal) 9 : Accommodation & food services 10 : Information & communication 11 : Financial & insurance 12 : Property 13 : Professional, scientific & technical 14 : Business administration & support services 15 : Public administration & defence 16 : Education 17 : Health 18 : Arts, entertainment, recreation & other services

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

The specialisation and non-specialisation of our retail sector is illuminating. Of course supermarkets are by far the biggest, employing 2900 out of a retail total of 7300. But the most distinctive specialism is fish mongering, followed by petrol stations, books (Well done, Wigtown!) bakers, and mobile phone stores. Electronic retailing is relatively weak – we have less than a third our ration of computer shops, and even electrical shops barely more than half.

welcome to new chamber members New Members

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

Sue Hudson Planning Ltd The Old Red Lion Ringford Castle Douglas DG7 2AL Contact: Sue Hudson Tel: 01557 820239 Website: www.suehudson-planning.co.uk With many years of experience in planning, Sue Hudson Planning and Urban Design Ltd can provide a professional planning service including: Rural Development - Diversification Proposals/Renewables/Housing Major “applications” requiring community consultation Local development plan submissions, appeals, negotiations with the Council and consultees such as SEPA and SNH. Ask for an initial appraisal.

South West Images Scotland 8 Quaas Loaning Lockerbie DG11 2DP Contact: Allan Devlin Tel: 01576 202756 Website: www.sw-images-scotland.co.uk South West Images Scotland is a small photo library of images taken solely by Allan Devlin. Based in Dumfries, Allan concentrates mainly on Southern Scotland, in particular Dumfries and Galloway. Whilst capturing its varied landscapes and culture he has developed a strong love of the area, which can clearly be seen in his photography. As well as undertaking commissioned work, Allan also writes articles for national magazines such as “The Great Outdoors”, “Outdoor Photography” etc - all based around walking or being out of doors in southern Scotland. Five Star Hospitality 1294 Argyle Street Glasgow G3 8AB Contact: Dan Doherty Tel: 0141 339 7373 Bar and restaurants trading in Dumfries (established businesses in the town) - Bar Milan, Bella Roma and Benvenuto Pizzeria Trattoria.

ADCA Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers 32 – 34 High Street Sanquhar DG4 6BL Contact: Alan Daubney Tel: 01659 50355 A new modern accountancy practice offering annual accounts, taxation, company accounts, corporation tax, book-keeping, financial controller/director services, business plans, projections, VAT and company formation. Rab Corder Bathrooms Station Yard Castle Douglas DG7 1LA Contact: Rab Corder Tel: 01556 505864 We are able to offer a supply only service or a full planning and design to installation to completion service. We cover all trades so you don’t need to source tradesmen and co-ordinate the work. Plumbing, joinery, tiling, electrical, we do it all. No fuss, No hassle, thereby minimising disruption to your household. aoimedia Ringford Castle Douglas DG7 2AR Contact: Isla McCormick Tel: 07762 174180/07792 827498 aoimedia provide friendly website design and development services. We use fresh, open source ingredients such as Joomla! and Wordpress, producing elegant, functional, search engine friendly websites that are manageable by you. We also provide branding, graphic design and print services. We work with you collaboratively, empowering you and your business. A H Associates 1 Marchhill Drive Dumfries DG1 1PP Contact: Anne Harrow Tel: 01387 255423 Business Consultant; IIP Specialist. Delivers training and development in consultation, leadership and management. Body Electric Dance & Soul Dance Studio 14 Whitesands Dumfries DG1 2RR Contact: Louise McVie Tel: 01387 731292 Specialised dance studio, classes from toddler to adult (street and contemporary), wedding dances, birthday parties, team building, zumba fitness, outreach.

The Holywood Trust Mount St Michael Craigs Road Dumfries DG1 4UT Contact: Karen Ward Boyd Tel: 01387 269176 Grant-giving charity supporting young people and organisations working with young people in Dumfries and Galloway. Independent Living Support 8 George Street Meuse Dumfries DG1 1HH Contact: Claire Ross Tel: 01387 262226 Independent Living Support (ILS) is a local charity that provides practical support to vulnerable people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness as well as personal development and fuel advice to those in fuel poverty. TP Niven The Garage Woodhead Road Palnackie Castle Douglas DG7 1PG Contact: Jim Niven Tel: 01556 600276 Transport, storage and distribution services. Colour Me Beautiful Cairnfield 28 Spoutswell Way Stranraer DG9 7TB Contact: Amy Burns Tel: 01776 705451 As an image consultant I provide a range of services designed to help you make the most of yourself. By looking at aspects such as colouring and body shape as well as personality, lifestyle and budget I can advise you on how to achieve the image you really want. Daffy Dill Entertainment 40 – 42 Port Street Annan DG12 6BN Contact: Helen Dutch Tel: 07766 563690 Family entertainer and magician. Children’s parties, family events, corporate, walkabout magic, balloon modelling, face painting/stencil tattoos. Platespinning workshops, puppetry, magic shows, flea circus. Segway mix and mingle, galas, country shows, seasonal parties, shopping centres, schools, nurseries, community events, weddings, christenings, festivals etc.

Hann & Co Solicitors Ltd 1 Bridgend Annan DG12 6AD Contact: George Hann Tel: 01461 203836 Hann & Co are a firm of Scottish Solicitors and Estate Agents based in South West Scotland. Our legal team handles all aspects of legal services, whether you need help on a specific issue or want to plan for the future. We offer estate agency services, work with personal injury claims, family law, services for the elderly and properties for sale. T B Watson Ltd 11/17 English Street Dumfries DG1 2BU Contact: Karen Gibson Tel: 01387 256601 Specialist whisky and wine merchant and specialist crystal and glass engraver through Galloway Glass. Dumfries & Galloway Befriending Project Mount St Michael Craigs Road Dumfries DG1 4UT Contact: Annette Richards Tel: 01387 247812 1:1 befriending for young people with a trained volunteer befriender. Supporting young people to achieve their potential. “Enriching young lives” British Heart Foundation Scotland Ocean Point One 94 Ocean Drive Edinburgh EH6 6JH Contact: Heather Gregory Tel: 0131 555 5891 Working Links Unit 1 78 Glasgow Road Dumfries DG2 9AQ Contact: Sharon Doyle Tel: 01387 243700 Working Links was formed in 2000 to address the challenges faced by long-term unemployed people and help them back into sustainable work.

Community Integrated Care (CIC) Thorney Croft Sycamore Way Stranraer DG9 7BY Contact: Louise Gibson Tel: 01776 808660 CIC (Community Integrated Care) is one of the largest social and health care charities in the UK. Since March 1988 we have been delivering diverse support and care services in a number of settings including: supported living for people with learning disabilities and/or mental health concerns; residential and nursing care for older people; treatment for substance misuse and accommodation for homelessness. This membership covers Thorneycroft Care Home in Stranraer, Carlingwark House in Castle Douglas, Charnwood Lodge in Dumfries, Cornwall Park in Newton Stewart, Merse House in Kirkcudbright and Munches Park in Dalbeattie. Dumfries & Galloway Multicultural Association Holywood Building Old Assembly Close Dumfries DG1 2PH Contact: Sitki Nalci Tel: 01387 254624 In June 2003 a number of minority ethnic community leaders, who wanted to raise the profile of diversity and the different cultures in the area, created Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural Association (DGMA). It is an organisation open to all members of ethnic, religious and cultural minority communities in our region as well as organisations and individuals keen to promote the aims of the Association. It’s there to help people to integrate into Scottish society and play their full part. It also works to prevent discrimination and to make everyone aware of the benefits of diverse cultures living together in South West Scotland. Nith Place Dental Practice 5 – 7 Nith Place Dumfries DG1 2PL Contact: Philip Bown Tel: 01387 252957 A private dental practice providing excellence in preventive dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, tooth whitening and dental implants to replace missing teeth and denture stabilisation.

Waggle Marketing Keepers Cottage Balmaghie Estate Castle Douglas DG7 2PB Contact: John King Tel: 01556 670686 Do you want to boost your business? Do you want happy customers who come back? Do you want to save money on marketing? If the answer is yes, we can help. We help you develop a marketing programme that will grow your business, satisfy your customers and make sure your marketing spend really works. We can help you work out what to promote, how to price your products, what your customers love and how your products should be developed. With our partners we can deliver websites, new branding, email newsletters, PR, advertising, brochures, packaging and business cards. If your business needs it we can deliver it. Our free marketing audit shows you where you are now and the areas where you can make the difference. We can help you develop a full marketing programme or help you complete a specific marketing project. We help you Attract Happy Customers. Perfect Retreat 28 High Street Annan DG12 6AJ Contact: Paula Swan Tel: 01461 205631 Beauty therapy and complimentary therapies Galloway Activity Centre Loch Ken Castle Douglas DG7 3NQ Contact: Richard Hermon Tel: 01644 420626 Situated on the banks of Loch Ken in south west Scotland, we cater for families, individuals and groups alike. Choose from: Sailing, Windsurfing, Powerboating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Outdoor Laser Quest, Archery, Mountain Biking, Orienteering, Climbing/Abseiling and more... Our aim is to give you a memorable holiday in a safe and friendly family atmosphere. We look forward to welcoming you.

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2011

The 37th Curtis Cup Match – Nairn 2012

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events diary OCTOBER Annual Chamber Lunch

25th October 2011 Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries; 11:45am – 2:30pm Our extremely successful annual lunch takes place with guest speaker, Justin Urquhart Stewart, Marketing Director and co-founder of Seven Investment Management. He helped found Broker Services, which became Barclays Stockbrokers where he served as Corporate Development Director. He was named Favourite Financial Personality by Proshare, writes regularly for national magazines and newspapers and frequently appears on television and radio. Tickets: £25 + VAT per ticket (Chamber Members); £30 per ticket (non-Chamber Members) Table of 10: £250 + VAT (Chamber Members); £300 + VAT (non-Chamber Members)

NOVEMBER Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce AGM 14th November 2011 Cairndale Hotel, Dumfries; 5:30pm for 6pm start – 7:30pm;

A chance to come along and hear how your Chamber has performed over the last year and what it has been doing for you. Cost: FREE To book your place at this event please contact the Chamber office on 01387 270866 or email admin@dgchamber.co.uk

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

Family Guys – What Every Family Business Needs to Know

University of the West of Scotland, 23rd November 2011 Rutherford McCowan Building, Dumfries; 5:30pm for 6pm start – 7:30pm; 73% of all Scotland’s businesses are family-owned including 41 of the hundred largest. Think Baxters, Tunnocks, Arnold Clark, Parks of Hamilton amongst others. They create 45% of our GDP and employ half the private sector workforce. But they also have built-in issues, often fatal. Two-thirds of family businesses fail around the time of succession from one generation to the next. Martin Stepek, ex-Director of the Hamilton-based company of the same name, and founder of the Scottish Family Business Association (SFBA), a registered charity and George Stevenson ex-MD of Mathiesons Bakeries will be delivering this event. This is a rare opportunity to learn from two major figures in family business, who combine lifelong business experience and world-leading thinking on such an important subject. George and Martin will deliver their own stories of the ups and downs of owning and running a family business, and share the globally-recognised ways family businesses should be run and governed. Cost: FREE To book your place at this event please contact the Chamber office on 01387 270866 or email admin@dgchamber.co.uk

other events of interest

The most successful influencers in the world of work are those who have learned how to become authentically confident communicators. When we feel insecure – or over-confident - our ability to communicate confidently and authentically, to clients and others in our organisation is diminished, and as a result the business suffers. Come along to this Masterclass and learn how to deal with ‘internal terrorists’. Learn key skills transformation: authentic confidence, networking/customer care, interpersonal skills, presentation skills, and teamwork; present to influence: creating content that influences audiences to ‘buy in’ to your message; practical presentation skills; handling the media and interview techniques but also have fun! Delivered in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce by the founder of the Centre for Confident Communicators, Libby Hammond, who comes from a background in training, management, staff development and public speaking. She delivers masterclasses on public speaking, presentation and interpersonal skills for a wide range of organisations and individuals and is the author of ‘Is There a Speaker in the Room?’ and co-author of ‘Communication in 90 Minutes’ published by Management Books 2000 Ltd and available as ebooks –via the free downloadable mb2000 iTunes app for Kindle, iPad and iPhone. Her clients include W L Gore & Associates, Lloyds TSB, Britannic Asset, Sovereign Capital, NHS, Scottish Enterprise, Pataks amongst many others. Numbers are limited to 14 per Masterclass. Cost: £400 plus vat (payable on registration); Employers may be eligible for 50% funding through Flexible Training Opportunities: visit www. skillsdevelopmentscotland. co.uk/flexible-training for funding application form and guidance notes. To register please contact Libby Hammond on 07764 465783 or email info@confidentcommunicators. uk.com

Dark Sky Park Tourism Industry Workshops: what it is & how your business can profit from it Destination Dumfries & Galloway in partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland Galloway Forest Park was made a Dark Sky Park to help tourism businesses take advantage of the natural resource above us – some of the best stargazing in Europe. Have we, Dumfries and Galloway’s tourism industry, made the most of this opportunity? Do we know where it is? How to advise our visitors to stargaze? Could we be attracting more visitors through promoting the Dark Sky Park? Should we create more Dark Sky Park holiday packages? Steve Owens (freelance Astronomer and Dark Sky Development Officer) will tell us what the Dark Sky Park is and how to view it Keith Muir (Forestry Commission Scotland, Galloway Forest District) will share ideas on how we could be making money from it DD&G will be on hand to gather ideas, share examples of businesses already profiting from the Dark Sky Park and to help join-up businesses who want to do more Tuesday 1st November: 5.30pm for a 6pm start The CatStrand, High Street, New Galloway, Castle Douglas, DG7 3RN Wednesday 2nd November: 5.30pm for a 6pm start Creebridge House Hotel, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire, DG8 6NP Thursday 3rd November: 5.30pm for a 6pm start Aston Hotel, Bankend Road, Dumfries, DG1 4ZZ Register online at: https:// www.surveymonkey.com/s/ N3R8T2L through the DD&G Industry website www. dgtourism4business.co.uk

Colour & Party Workshop with Colour Me Beautiful 10th November 2011 Cairnfield, 28 Spoutswell Way, Stranraer. DG9 7TB; Time: 6pm – 8pm; Learn more about your colouring and what that means for your clothes and make-up. Colour Me Beautiful Consultant Amy Burns will identify your dominant colouring and advise you on your best shades. You can also purchase a palette of fabric swatches for when you next go shopping should you wish to. Exclusive Colour me Beautiful cosmetics can also be purchased on the night. Learn what are your “WOW” colours! Cost: £17.50 per person including refreshments; cost of 30 swatch palette is £35.00. Purchases of the 30 swatch palette or cosmetics on the night can be paid for by cheque or cash. To book your place at this event please contact the Chamber office on 01387 270866 or email admin@ dgchamber.co.uk D&G Tourism Industry Conference:Collaboration not Competition 21st November 2011 Cairndale Hotel & Leisure Club, English Street, Dumfries DG1 2DF Time 9.30am to 5pm Destination Dumfries & Galloway in partnership with VisitScotland Further details to be announced, but will breakout session will include: • PR: How to reach customers through the media • How to make networking work for tour business • Access to funding • Play your part in the Dumfries and Galloway Tourism Brand Journey Register online at: https:// www.surveymonkey.com/s/ N3B87F3 or through the DD&G Industry website www. dgtourism4business.co.uk

To have your event listed here contact the Chamber office

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

Presentations & Interpersonal Skills Masterclass 28th October 2011 Aston Hotel, Dumfries; 9am – 4pm;

healthy working lives

elp is at hand for small businesses in Dumfries and Galloway. Healthy Working Lives (HWL’s), is a free and confidential service that helps businesses create a healthier and safer workplace. Healthy Working Lives can help you to reduce lost time accidents and incidents as well as providing practical support in managing staff sickness absence. The first point of contact for confidential advice and information is the free phone Adviceline Tel: 0800 019 22 11. Our team of advisers are available to talk to you on a wide range of workplace issues. Alternatively you can visit our website at www.healthyworkinglives.com where you will find simple straightforward advice on all aspects of occupational health and safety as well as templates for risk assessments and other documents that are downloadable free of charge. Your local adviser can carry out a free workplace visit to assess your level of compliance with current health and safety legislation and best practice. The adviser will then help you to put in place measures to manage safety in your business without over burdening you with unnecessary paperwork. Below are frequently asked questions and answers relative to HWL’s.

Q: Who or what is Healthy Working Lives? A: HWL’s offers a range of free and confidential services to both employers and employees. The services include: • Confidential telephone health & safety advice • Free & confidential Health & Safety site visits with follow up action plans, including resources to help you manage and monitor your own performance • Advice & guidance on legislation and current best practice

THE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • AUTUMN 11

• Unlimited access to our interactive website that contains useful advice and risk assessment templates, e.g. Fire, DSE, COSHH

• Free streamlined training to suit the needs of the business, e.g. sensible risk assessment, noise awareness, absence management • Advice on management of staff attendance and the new Fit Note • Advice on occupational health and health surveillance programmes

Q: The services offered are quite impressive however, I am concerned that once I use the services I will be billed. A: All of our services are completely free of charge to any organisation outwith the public sector employing less than 250 people. Irrespective of how often or what part of the services you use, it is guaranteed that you will never be billed for services or resources used. Our aim is to create a safer healthier Scotland.

Q: I am aware of the fact that I do need to be legally compliant but I am apprehensive if I invite HWL’s to do a workplace visit I will be reported for non compliance or I will be judged by them

A: HWL’s neither judge or share information with third parties. The services are provided in total confidence. HWL’s aim is to assist and work with businesses like yours to be safer healthier workplaces. We will never pass on any information to third parties.

Q: I know I am legally required to address health & safety but I don’t know where to start. A: Many people feel this way but our advisers work with you each step of the way. Why don’t you start by requesting a free and confidential workplace visit. This means the local adviser will agree a mutually convenient time to visit and give free advice, support and assistance in using our resources.

Q: I am thinking of inviting a HWL’s Adviser to my workplace how do I go about doing this? A: Phone the Freephone Adviceline: Tel 0800 019 2211, where one of the team will deal with your enquiry. All we need are some basic details to allow our adviser to make contact to arrange the visit.

Q: I want to use the Adviceline for a health & safety enquiry in my business but have real concerns about leaving my name, is this ok? A: HWL’s do not have a problem with this, our service is completely confidential you can give us as much information as you wish. Although we do like to assess how well we are doing and only by obtaining feedback from users can we improve our service.

Q: I only have a very small business and cannot imagine how I can be helped by HWL’s A: No matter the size of your business there is likely to be something we can help you with. Invite the HWL’s adviser along to discuss in detail how your business can be helped. Businesses develop with safer healthier workplaces.

Q: What resources do you have that might be useful to me? A: Our resources include risk assessment templates for fire, CoSHH, manual handling as well as general risk assessments. Other resources that might be of interest to you include Safer Work healthier Business, this is a simple safety management system that offers you a straightforward approach to managing safety in your business. We also have another resource Health Profits that offers advice on supporting employee health in a simple straightforward way.

If you need to talk to Healthy Working Lives call the Adviceline on 0800 019 22 11.

Food Train is a Scottish registered charity that offers a grocery shopping delivery service, home support service and befriending service to customers over the age of 65 across Dumfries & Galloway. If you know someone who would benefit from extra support from any of our services please either contact your local Food Train branch or our Head Office on 01387 270800.

Food Train also offer many volunteering opportunities including shoppers, delivery drivers, office support, home support and befriending opportunities. If you would like more information on any volunteering opportunities please contact our Head Office on 01387 270800 or e-mail everything@thefoodtrain.co.uk

System People D&G Chamber Ad NEW:Layout 1 20/09/2011 10:36 Page 1 � Specialist Search and Selection � Leadership Development � People Profiling � Recruitment � Human Resource Consultancy � Cleaning and Outsourcing

let’s talk people Founded in 1998, System People delivers a comprehensive package of services including Human Resource Consultancy, Leadership Development, Recruitment and Cleaning and Outsourcing. We are also an umbrella body for Criminal Records Bureau checks. System People are rapidly developing their portfolio of clients, a portfolio that includes some of the region’s leading names, and would welcome the opportunity to work with YOU. With over 10 years’ experience, System People work hard to build solid, longterm relationships with our clients, partnering you through the growth and development of your organisation; offering a client-centred service that meets a broad spectrum of your ‘people’ requirements.

If you would like more information on any of our services, please contact us on 01228 530 132.

Help your staff realise their full potential. And they can do the same for your business. Full-time degree study from September 2012

• Business • Computing • Information Technology • Childhood Studies • Adult Nursing • Mental Health Nursing • Veterinary Nursing* • Social Work

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3Rd 3.00 - 7.00PM dUdGEON HOUSE dUMFRIES CAMPUS

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Part-time study starting February 2012

• Alcohol, Drugs:

Policy & Prevention • First Steps in IT • First Steps in Digital Media • First Steps to Nursing • Introduction to Career Planning • Business • Computing & IT • Health • Childhood Practice

INFO SESSION JANUARy

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Additional postgraduate and CPD options available.

Advice and Guidance

• One to one advice and guidance available to employers and individuals • Wide range of funding support available

For more information call 01387 702075, email dumfries@uws.ac.uk or visit www.uws.ac.uk

SuCCeSS TAkeS KNOW HOW.

TOGETHER WE’VE GOT IT. University of the West of scotland is a registered scottish charity. charity nUmber sc002520.