Forth valley incommerce issue 11 issuu by dtech

INcommerce

YO UR FR EE CO PY

THE FORTH VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

ISSUE 11 • AUTUMN 2015

The beauty and the challenges of rural businesses SEE OUR FEATURE INSIDE

www.forthvalleychamber.co.uk www.stirlingchamber.co.uk

TO LET TO LET

Office Office & & Laboratory Laboratory Accommodation Accommodation 22 22 From a single (500ft room of 46m 2 (500ft 2)) From a single room of 46m (500ft ) 2 22 to 929m 2 (10,000ft2) to 929m (10,000ft )

Short, long term term leases leases to to suit suit occupier occupier Short, medium medium & & long long term leases to suit occupier Same Immediate entry available Same day day entry entry EARLS GRANGEMOUTH EARLS GATE GATE BUSINESS BUSINESS PARK, PARK, GRANGEMOUTH GRANGEMOUTH (SAT (SAT NAV: NAV: FK3 FK3 8XG) 8XG)

R IE EM PR

PAGE HEADER N RT PA S ER

he eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed that it is no longer Laurence’s photo which heads up this column, and this is because we have had several changes here at the Chamber and Laurence has moved onto the Board as a non-exec director. He is a hard act to follow as CEO but I will do my best, aided and abetted by the Chamber team. You can find out more about our new directors on page 16. At the time of writing, Scottish Chambers has just released its quarterly Economic indicator which analyses several of Scotland’s key business sectors. Despite positive news from a buoyant tourism sector, growth is slowing in other areas – an amber light warning to Governments both north and south of the border. There are continuing signs that low oil prices are affecting the Scottish economy and several sectors report a decline in public sector contracts, leading for a call for Government to renew its focus on supporting investment in Scottish businesses through a simplified public sector procurement process. Here at Forth Valley Chamber we have been putting on events geared at increasing profitability and cutting costs, enabling our local businesses to cut waste and use the best resources possible – in energy, in marketing and in staffing. We also recently launched our SVETS programme, encouraging businesses to recruit and support exforces personnel and make use of their considerable talents, as well as accessing military training programmes to develop your existing staff. Find out more about SVETS on pages 28 and 29. Finally, we are delighted to launch our Business Awards 2016! This event has been a sell out for the last two years and is the top awards event in Central Scotland. Read all about it on pages 20-21. I hope you enjoy this edition of the magazine and please do send us suggestions for articles and features. Kind regards Michelle

Contents Are you struggling with weak broadband?

4-5

Keep on vanning?

Mrs Tilly is sweet on international success

8-9

Digital start-up’s golden carrot Falkirk-based performance coach to the Central Belt

10 12-13

Innovation park provides perfect new habitat

Chamber News Round Up

Fuelgood Driving experience

Unique upcycled candles for whisky-lovers

Sisters are doing it for themselves

Business Awards 2016

22-23

Security starts with the basics

24-25

Clearing out the mental clutter…

Your Greatest Asset?

28-29

SVETS launches in Forth Valley

30-31

Barriers to rural economic growth

32-34

Workshops reach out to @Scottish communities

New Members’ Profile

38-40

Members’ Register

42-45

Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, Suite 2, Scion House, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling, FK9 4NF. Tel: 01324 665500, www.forthvalleychamber.co.uk InCommerce is published by D-Tech Suite 3.3 Station House, 34 St Enoch Square, Glasgow G1 4DF. Tel: 0141 222 2202 E: info@dtechuk.com. W: www.dtechuk.com. Edited by Michelle McKearnon, Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, Suite 2, Scion House, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling, FK9 4NF T: 01324 66 55 00 F: 01324 61 76 37 E: michelle@forthvalleychamber.co.uk W: www.forthvalleychamber.co.uk 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 D-Tech.

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

BUSINESS NEWS

Are you struggling with weak and unreliable broadband connectivity?

he Government has invested £150 million to assist businesses throughout Scotland in upgrading to super fast fibre broadband. Thousands of SME businesses have already taken advantage of the voucher programme where they are eligible to apply for a grant of up to £3000 to connect. Initially the project was set up to support only a few areas of the country such as Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Perth, however, in recent months the programme was extended to cover the rest of Scotland.

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

BUSINESS NEWS

Fibre broadband is different from traditional copper connections as it uses plastic and glass as its main structure. Fibre optic cables contain up to 1000 individual fibres of silica glass, each approximately the thickness of a human hair. This allows the signal to move at a constant speed where with copper you lose momentum the further the signal has to travel and it can also be susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI). A signal sent via copper will face much more resistance due to the structure of the metal and as such the further you are from the BT exchange, the slower end speed you shall receive.

Below is an example of traditional copper connections. There are two main types of fibre optic connection for your business, Fibre to the premises (FTTP) and Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC), the latter being by far the most popular connection. Fibre to the cabinet means that the copper wiring only becomes part of your broadband structure from the street cabinet to your business address, so it has less distance to travel, allowing it to deliver the faster speeds. The advantages of connecting to super fast fibre broadband are many. We all know how frustrating it can be having your connection drop or not having the capacity to upload and download large files of information. With superfast fibre your business will gain speeds that eradicate issues such as these and you will also be able to access advanced services Are you struggling with weak and unreliable broadband connectivity? such as hosted computing or IP telephony, both of which can go a long way to The Government has invested £150 million to assist usinesses throughout lowering your b day to day running costs. Scotland in upgrading to super fast fibre broadband. T housands f SME Fibre broadband is a “fitoand businesses have already taken advantage of the voucher programme where they forget” solution, it requires little or no are eligible to apply for a grant of up to £3000 to connect. Initially the project maintenance over its lifetime. Fibre was set up to support only a few areas of the country such as Aberdeen, does not corrode so has a much longer Edinburgh and Perth, however, in recent months the programme was extended life expectancy and unlike its copper to cover the rest of Scotland. counterpart, fibre is not hindered by EMI. Upgrading to fibre is an easy process Fibre broadband is different from traditional copper connections as it uses and will open the door to a new plastic and glass as its main structure. Fibre optic cables contain up tworld o 1000 of connectivity, keeping your o business individual fibres of silica glass, each approximately the thickness f a human to speed in thewfast paced world of you hair. This allows the signal to move at a cup onstant speed here with copper advanced technology. By afuture proofing lose momentum the further the signal has to travel and it can lso be susceptible broadband connection to electromagnetic interference (EMI). Ayour signal sent via copper wyou ill fwill ace not much onlymincrease efficiency, also you are more resistance due to the structure of the etal and as such you the can further substantially reduce your operational from the BT exchange, the slower end speed you shall receive. overheads.

The advantages of connecting to super fast fibre broadband are many. We all know how frustrating it can be having your connection drop or not having the capacity to upload and download large files of information. With superfast fibre your business will gain speeds that eradicate issues such as these and you will VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015 also be able to access advanced services such as hFORTH osted computing or IP telephony, both of which can go a long way to lowering your day to day running

CHAMBER NEWS

Keep on vanning?

eactions will vary to the news that the UK van population is growing. The traditional pejorative comments about ‘white van man’ can be ignored, but any knee-jerking about more traffic delays will be all too well founded. One reason for the increase in van usage is an observed clear shift away from HGVs for moving things around, particularly over shorter distances. The logic is compelling. Consider a load of assorted goods, occupying 35m3 and weighing five or six tonnes. This could be handled easily by a single HGV or two 7.5-tonne light trucks. If, however, this is a mixed load for customers at 50 different addresses locally, do not expect everything to arrive on the same day. Split the same load between four vans, though, and the drivers might finish by lunchtime. Paying four van drivers for a morning is hardly going to be any more costly than paying one HGV driver for two days. Your four vans will cost rather less to buy than the truck. Cheaper, smaller, more manoeuvrable, fewer regulations and, increasingly important, lower emissions: vans do seem to have the edge. It matters because the growth in online commerce is driving greater demand for road freight. It has taken well over a decade for the national van fleet to grow by a million to the current 3.4 million – but that total is likely almost to double during the next five years. So yes, there will be more travel delays – but not just because there are more vehicles using the same amount of tarmac. Vans may be more economical than trucks, but their relatively tiny tanks mean that they refuel more frequently. That means more forecourt demand and inevitable queuing. The queues will not just be for the pumps, though, but also to enter and leave the site. With inattentive drivers increasingly having to brake or switch lanes suddenly to make room for rejoining traffic, the accident rate risk is likely to rise significantly. It would be beneficial for vehicles of all types to get through the refuelling process and back onto the road as quickly as possible. With another 2.5 million vans about to use our roads by 2020, we should all cross our fingers and hope that the drivers are carrying fuel cards. Steve Clarke, group marketing manager for The Fuelcard People, is well positioned to comment, with many years’ experience in the refuelling sector. He said, “You would expect the leading name in fuel cards to have an obvious interest in this, but the facts are simple. There will be another 2.5 million vans on our roads by 2020, so getting vehicles of all sorts through forecourts as quickly and efficiently as possible will be crucial. If they are using fuel cards and saving money at the same time that can hardly be a bad thing.” The Fuelcard People provides cards that allow commercial road users to refuel at a fixed weekly price, available at thousands of locations throughout the country. This means a typical discount of up to 4p per litre on pump prices, with even bigger savings on the motorways. Its cards can be used at BP, Esso, Shell and Texaco filling stations, on the Diesel Direct and UK Fuels networks and on supermarket forecourts.

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

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MEMBER NEWS

Mrs Tilly is sweet on continuing international success following £1.6M finance deal with HSBC

rs Tilly’s Confectionery, specialists in the production of premium quality fudge and tablet, is to create up to 16 new jobs and extend its international footprint after securing a £1.6 million finance package from HSBC. The Stirlingshire-based family business will invest in new machinery to help make its production process five per cent more efficient while drafting in more staff to cope with increasing demand for its products. The HSBC finance will support an international growth plan for Mrs Tilly’s as it looks to capitalise on recent international sales successes. It aims to increase its footprint in Canada immediately following significant growth in exporting to a number of European markets, including France, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland and Poland. Blair Paterson, Managing Director of Mrs Tilly’s Confectionery and son of the founders said: “My parents founded the business in the family kitchen in 1997 and have worked extremely hard to make it the success it has become today. We have ambitions to grow the business and take Mrs Tilly’s fudge and tablet to an even wider international audience.” In 2014 Mrs Tilly’s sold over 2m bars of tablet and fudge and developed their international sales to around three per cent of turnover. This figure is expected to rise to ten per cent by the end of 2016, with turnover growing to £5 million within the next 5 years as part of the company’s overall strategy to cement their position as Scotland’s number one brand for premium confectionery. Susan Rowand, Head of Business Banking for HSBC in Scotland, said: “Mrs Tilly’s already has a presence overseas, but is looking to enter new markets and make Mrs Tilly’s fudge and tablet a truly global business. They have all the ingredients required to be successful, and we are pleased to be part of this exciting period, supporting its growth.” This finance package, which marks the start of a new banking relationship with the business switching its full banking requirements to HSBC, has been allocated from the bank’s national £8 billion SME fund, with £400 million specifically designated to support Scottish firms. Blair Paterson added: “The products we produce today follow exactly the same recipes and processes that were used from the start. We are very proud of our heritage, knowing that our products are being enjoyed by people around the world.”

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

MEMBER NEWS

16 local jobs to be created due to growth and efficiencies

Blair Patterson, Managing Director.

FORTH VALLEY â&#x20AC;˘ AUTUMN 2015

MEMBER NEWS

Digital start-up’s golden carrot for top tech grads

ext generation media agency Global Digital Community has opened its first digital hub in Scotland in a bid to attract the country’s best design and computing talent to its unique multi centre graduate programme. The innovative graduate scheme will see successful candidates spend two months in each of the company’s offices around the globe cultivating a broad range of digital skills in web and mobile marketing, technology and strategy. Global Digital Community, which was launched in 2014 by Precedent’s former Head of Mobile John Campbell, recently selected Stirling University Innovation Park as the location of its first Scottish base and fourth hub worldwide. In less than a year, the fast growing digital start-up has already opened offices in the USA (Jackonsville, Florida), Brazil (São Paulo) and the Isle of Wight (Cowes), bringing together the top international experts in the field under one agency. Managing Director, John Campbell said: “The digital sector is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. Forward thinking

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

companies are increasingly seeking specialist outside agencies to help them exploit the benefits of digital and we are looking for the talented designers, developers and project managers of the future to help us meet this demand. The competition for talent is tough but we believe we have the edge over the big brands by offering graduates the chance to work in some of the world’s most beautiful and exciting locations. Rather than spending six months in a big city office in Glasgow or Edinburgh performing admin duties, they will travel the world gaining experience of all parts of the business standing them in good stead for the rest of their career.” As well as being an attractive location for employees to work, the agency was attracted by the Innovation Park’s close connection with the University of Stirling. “We currently run a project in Brazil with the University of São Paulo where their Institute of Mathematical and Computer Sciences is paid to develop software, giving its students real life commercial experience in a lab style environment,” said John. “We hope to replicate the success of this initiative with the universities close to our UK digital hubs.”

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to support business users with considerable savings on the Professional range of vans in stock and ready to drive away. All vans are 65 plate registrations and ply lined. Savings are incredible with over £4500 off a Bipper Professional 1.3 HDi, over £6800 off a Partner Professional 1.6 and £7725 to be saved on an Expert Professional 1.6. With 60 years in the motor trade and a reputation of excellent customer service Hardie is the name for Peugeot.

The Peugeot Bipper Professional is a compact van with low running costs, excellent environmental credentials and one of the biggest load spaces on the market in its class. It has a comfortable interior with plenty of useful storage spaces, plate vans at All-Terrain Hardie... (ATV) with Grip Control to keep you on the road in let’s talK BUsiness poor conditions, Bluetooth handsfree kit and TomTom GO 5000. Once the Multiflex passenger seating is folded down there is a total load volume of up to 2.8m³ and payload of up to 660kg. The Bipper won Best Light Van in Fleet World Honours 2014. NOW

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HARDIE OF LARBERT

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rBert

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n 74.3 (3.8), Combined 62.8 (4.5) and Co2 emissions 119 1 (7.2 – 6.4) and Co2 emissions 189 – 168 (g/km); for the and Co2 emissions 150 – 108 (g/km). MpG figures are achieved

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all vanS are on our forecourt ready to drive and are ply-lined. the Hardie Motor Group is committed to local businesses. offering a range of reliable, versatile models at affordable prices, economical running costs, and competitive emissions. all with the support of our dedicated sales team and on-site workshop. Contact us for a test drive and to see how we can help your business.

Hardie of Stirling

Kerse Road Garage, STIRLING FK7 7RT. 01786 451616 www.hardieofstirling.co.uk

Hardie of larBert

Main Street, LARBERT FK5 4AN . 01324 562799 www.hardieoflarbert.co.uk

the official Fuel Consumption figures in mpg and Co2 emissions for the Bipper range are: Urban 49.6 (5.7), extra Urban 74.3 (3.8), Combined 62.8 (4.5) and Co2 emissions 119 (g/km); for the expert range are: Urban 32.9 – 37.2 (8.6 – 7.6), extra Urban 42.8 – 48.7 (6.6 – 5.8), Combined 39.2 – 44.1 (7.2 – 6.4) and Co2 emissions 189 – 168 (g/km); for the partner range are: Urban 34.0 – 67.3 (8.3 – 4.2), extra Urban 53.3 – 72.4 (5.3 – 3.9), Combined 43.5 – 68.9 (6.5 – 4.1) and Co2 emissions 150 – 108 (g/km). MpG figures are achieved

under official eU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only and may not reflect actual on-the-road driving conditions. load size and weight dependant on vehicle specification. *saving refers to the peugeot Bipper 1.3 Hdi professional 75, peugeot expert 1.6 Hdi 90 professional and peugeot partner 1.6 Hdi 92 professional. offers apply to eligible vehicles supplied and registered from 01/10/15 until such point they may be withdrawn by peugeot Motor Company at any time without notice. For full terms and conditions, please contact the peugeot Quoteline on 0845 313 3811 (calls may be recorded for training purposes). Call charges to this number from landline & mobile networks may vary. For information please contact your phone provider.

MEMBER NEWS

“Based on my many years of experience I have found that staff are less competitive and work better together when they have a joint goal.”

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

MEMBER NEWS

Falkirk-based business performance coach brings a new business improvement tool to the Central Belt

he Central Belt of Scotland is to become one of the first areas of the UK to benefit from a unique business improvement methodology called System-Four, which could dramatically improve business growth, staff motivation and wellbeing in a variety of different industries as they continue to recover from many years of recession and economic uncertainty. Created by Corporate Coach and NLP Practitioner, Wendy Chalmers Mill from Falkirk, System-Four began life as a series of Training Conferences, which Wendy and her co facilitator in the system, Mark Douglas, held throughout Scotland. Following the development of the methodology as a flexible business tool, System-Four can now go directly into companies and businesses of all sizes, and is jointly facilitated by two practitioners. Said Wendy: “I am delighted to introduce System–Four directly into a business environment. The training conferences were very successful, but my ultimate aim was to bring the system right to my client’s door. I see huge potential in many industry sectors, to boost morale and improve business performance. Rather than have to attend a specific training conference, the system can now come to you, the employer.” “What is different about System-Four is that it is collaborative learning,” said Wendy, who has twenty five years experience of the physical, emotional and communication needs of businesses and lists The House of Commons and The House of Lords as long term clients. “It is as far removed from the old PowerPoint way of learning and training as you can get,” said Wendy. “In the past staff were trained ‘at’ rather than facilitated

‘with’. System-Four encourages participative leadership in an organisation, it is designed to enable co-workers to start talking to each other in the correct way and to come together to problem solve. “Based on my many years of experience in interpersonal and non verbal skills, I have found that staff are less competitive and work better together when they have a joint goal. System-Four enables them to make decisions together,” said Wendy.

“I see huge potential in many industry sectors, to boost morale and improve business performance” For 2015-16, System-Four will focus on new sectors to achieve its significant growth projections of doubling its turnover this year. A number of companies across Scotland are already signed up for collaborative sessions.

Wendy Chalmers Mill

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015 13

MEMBER NEWS

Innovation park provides perfect new habitat for eco charities

wo fast growing environmental charities have selected Stirling University Innovation Park as their new home. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust and Grounds for Learning have snapped up sought after business space on the scenic campus. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust, which will soon celebrate its ten year anniversary, is the UK’s leading charity devoted to reversing bumblebee decline; while Grounds for Learning, the Scottish arm of UK Charity Learning through Landscapes, has successfully transformed outdoor play and learning for thousands of Scottish school children over the past fifteen years.

Dynamic enterprise environment Business Manager Lynn Blaikie believes the Innovation Park’s enduring popularity lies in offering more than just high quality office accommodation and excellent conference and administrative facilities: “We offer a dynamic enterprise environment for innovative Alison Motion research and development organisations. Sharing of Grounds for Learning and Kaeren Mellin of Bumblebee ideas, knowledge and encouraging innovative Conservation Trust, connections is a defining feature of the Park’s pictured with Lynn Blaikie operation. Our tenants reap the benefits of being part of a collaborative community with extensive research and business connections across the campus and beyond.”

Campus connections The Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s strong connection to the University of Stirling is one that Kaeren Mellin, Finance and Operations Director, is keen to maintain: “We have always been very 14

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

happy at the University of Stirling, but were starting to outgrow our offices in the School of Natural Sciences where we have been based for almost ten years. When the opportunity arose to move to the Innovation Park it seemed like a very natural progression for us. The University is a special place to us and we were delighted to be able to remain on-campus but benefit from the purpose-built offices and all round business support the Innovation Park team offers.”

Cross pollination of ideas The move will foster greater collaboration between the two charities and the University of Stirling, which are set to work together on Polli:Nation: an innovative £1.4 million school-based science and environmental education project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The ambitious 4 year initiative, led by Learning through Landscapes, will see 260 schools across the UK turn their grounds into buzzing oases for pollinating insects. Scotland Director for Grounds for Learning, Alison Motion said: “A major draw for us in relocating to the Innovation Park is the potential for collaborative working. We look forward to drawing on the expertise of our new neighbours the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and the University of Stirling, as well as that of our other key project partners, in delivering the specialist conservation and research requirements of Polli:Nation.”

Full house While the Innovation Park remains a full house, the wider business community can still take advantage of its regular programme of free networking events aimed at building connections between all businesses in the Stirling area. For further details visit www.suip.co.uk/events.

Christmas at Murrayshall Stutts Festive Lunch

Hogmanay Break

Christmas at Murrayshall

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Party Nights Hogmanay

Stutts Christmas Day

For more details on all our festive events and menus go to www.murrayshall.co.uk For more details on all our festive events and menus go to www.murrayshall.co.uk

CHAMBER NEWS

Chamber News Round Up

ur soggy summer is well and truly behind us now as we head into winter, and the last few months have flown by here at the Chamber with a fair amount of coming and going! We have undergone some restructuring and said a farewell to Laurence Barrett as CEO, swiftly followed by a hello to him as one of our non-exec directors on the Board. He has been joined by several other new directors as we reshape for 2016, so a big welcome onto the Board to Bruce Walker (We Are The Future), Paul Baillie (McHardy Financial), Lynne Blaikie (SUIP) and Simon Cole (DOGFI.SH Mobile). We hope to have some more new faces to announce soon as we continue to develop and strengthen. Another new face in the office is that of Shaun Cauvin who is working with us on behalf of Veterans Scotland to support our new SVETS programme which you can read all about on pages 28 and 29. OUR NEW DIRECTORS

In September we attended the first annual Scottish Chamber Business Reception held at Westminster. The aim of the day was to promote Scottish industry across the UK and further afield and many of the Scottish Chambers attended. Good contacts were made for Forth Valley Chamber by Michelle, seen here deep in conversation with the CEO of Scottish Chambers Liz Cameron.

Our stunning cover photo for this edition was the winning photograph in a competition held by members Oak Tree Inn at Balmaha. The photographer was Jamie Nowell, an amateur photographer from Coatbridge who told us, “I have been into photography for a while but only recently got serious when I met my girlfriend who also enjoys photography. Together we travel around Scotland trying to capture the beautiful sights that we have here. The night I took that picture we had gone in search of the northern lights and while waiting to finally see them we took some shots of that famous tree located at the loch near The Oak Tree Inn. I decided to take a different approach and focus on the rocks as I noticed they formed a leading line to the horizon which had a beautiful glow. The picture really came alive. When I saw that The Oak Tree in had a competition running I thought maybe I could win a runner up prize: I had no idea I’d take home the top prize!”

Clockwise from top left: Lynne Blaikie, Bruce Walker, Paul Baillie and Simon Cole.

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

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We are a small family run delicatessen and cafe, Daughter (Julie) and Mother (Lin). Been trading for five years, serving home cooked food, including full breakfast, tasty soups and made to order sandwiches and panini. All baking is home made including scones, carrot cake and thick caramel slice. Deli and grocery products are mainly sourced from Scottish producers and suppliers, along with a selection of ingredients for around the world.

10 Ancaster Square, Callander, FK17 8ED Tel: 01877 331220 email: deli.ecosse@yahoo.co.uk www.deliecosse.co.uk

Normal opening hours Oct - Easter 8.30am til 5pm Thursday to Tuesday, Closed on Wednesday. Easter to Oct 8am til 5.30pm. If you are planning a day in the great outdoors, pop into the deli to fuel up before venturing out or enjoy a well earned coffee and cake afterwards. Outdoor seating available, weather permitting, so enjoy a coffee or cold beer while watching the rest of the world go by.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

REACH THE TOP WITH FVC EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT and leadership are critical to the success of an organisation and it’s essential to develop these skills if you have dreams of climbing the career ladder. Employers need managers who can help them to operate efficiently and consistently and who have the skills to direct, motivate and support the workforce. These managers also need strong leadership skills in order to seek new opportunities and drive the business forward. The power of good management should never be underestimated and that’s why Forth Valley College offers a range of courses to support the development of new or existing managers or those hoping to make the transition to a management role in the future. Work based programmes available for those already in a management or supervisory role include Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) in Management at Level 3 and 4. These qualifications provide the essential skills and knowledge required by managers in a wide variety of sectors. The programmes will cover a broad range of management processes and will develop the skills to manage individuals and teams effectively. Employers may also benefit from funding to help with the cost of these qualifications* making them an attractive option for many organisations. The College also offers flexible distance learning qualifications for new and aspiring managers from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) – the only chartered professional body dedicated to management and leadership. These courses are highly valued by employers and range from the Certificate in Management and Leadership to the Diploma in Management and Leadership. These programmes will cover a variety of key subject areas including: personal development; decision making; managing performance; resource management; stakeholder needs; marketing; recruitment, selection and induction; and corporate social responsibility. All the courses are designed to be undertaken whilst in employment ensuring your career doesn’t need to take a back seat, as you gain a formal management qualification. Zak Stark, Development Manager at Forth Valley College said: “Good managers are a valuable asset to any organisation and a management qualification will help your employer to recognise your skills no matter which stage you’re at in your career. You’ll develop the skills to help you manage effectively and the confidence to set your vision in motion. Your employer will also benefit from improved business performance and enhanced leadership and direction. “Our training courses are the perfect solution for achieving your own leadership and management aspirations and your employer’s goals.” For more information on our courses, please visit http://tinyurl.com/nlgedek or call 0845 634 4444. *Eligibility criteria does apply and for further details please contact us.

CHAMBER NEWS

Anne-Marie Macklin, Smart Specs with Ruth Cross, Sumo Therapies (left).

Fuelgood Driving experience

“W

ould your members be interested in saving money on transport costs by getting some free training?” This is the question that was put to us in July. It seemed a no-brainer AND the instructor would come to us!! So a combination of members and staff volunteered to pilot this for FV Chamber at the end of August. The overall verdict was excellent. Martin Capel, the instructor from Driver Training Solutions, first took each driver round a circuit, then spent 10 minutes highlighting things you could do, not only to save fuel but also to reduce wear on tyres and brakes, and improve safety. Each driver then repeated the first circuit and the difference in fuel consumption was measured. A total of 6 drivers were trained and the average improvement in MPG at point of training was 9.2%. Based on information provided, this equates to saving approximately £430 and 1.04 tonnes of CO2 per year. FuelGood driving not only helps to improve fuel efficiency but also encourages a safer driving style and can reduce the likelihood of accidents. “This was a very productive hour”, said Dorothy Henke from the Chamber. “I travel anything between 1 and 2 hours every day and

based on the changes I have made I will easily save 10% on my fuel costs, maybe even more.” FuelGood training teaches drivers fuel efficient driving techniques to help them drive in a more efficient manner to reduce fuel consumption, therefore saving money and cutting emissions. If you are interested in participating in a future Fuelgood event, or if you would like an instructor to do a session solely for your company (minimum 8 drivers), just contact dorothy@forthvalleychamber.co.uk. There is no charge for this up to the end of 2015.

“Based on the changes I have made I will easily save 10% on my fuel costs, maybe even more” Dorothy Henke FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015 19

MEMBER NEWS

Unique upcycled candles for whisky-lovers

every month.

taff at award-winning giftware firm Angels’ Share Glass have come up with an interesting way to recycle the scores of whisky bottles they use

Instead of popping them in the recycling bucket, co-director Karen Somerville realised the bottles could be used to make brand new products – candles and candlestick holders. Now, at the end of each month, she selects the most attractive bottles used to fill the company’s signature product – unique glass whisky angels – with a share of the amber nectar and upcycles them. The bottles are cleaned and then specially split before being filled with whisky-scented pure soy wax to make unique gifts which look and smell amazing. The large bottom bottle candles last for hours and make a lovely table centrepiece. The Bridge of Allan-based firm also handcrafts attractive candle holders from the neck of vintage whisky bottles which sit on a wooden stave made from oak whisky barrels with tweed or tartan lining. Earlier this year Karen won the Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 award.

The whisky candles are the latest coup for Angels’ Share – a family business which has gone from strength to strength since its launch two years ago

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

She says: “We had been just recycling the many bottles we use in our glassware each month but this proved a much better and more eco-friendly idea. “The candles and candle-holders have proved popular with our online customers who say they are taking pride of place in their drinks cabinets and on their tables. “And they like the fact we are reusing the bottles – something which fits with our ethical approach to business.” The whisky candles are the latest coup for Angels’ Share – a family business which has gone from strength to strength since its launch two years ago. It all started when Tom Young and his daughter Karen Somerville decided to capture the spirit of a whisky producers’ legend, known as the Angels’ Share, through the creation of handmade glass angels. According to the myth, the small volume of whisky which is lost to evaporation while it matures in a cask or barrel is actually taken away by angels before it can be bottled. And in tribute to that legend, the firm’s glass angels are filled and sealed with 30ml of 40% volume single malt – a measure of the Angels’ Share – in a secret process known only to the glassmakers. More details about the firm’s unique products for whiskylovers can be found at www.angelsshareglass.com

MEMBER NEWS

Sisters are doing it for themselves… and the Business Community!

Top Awards for Clackmannanshire Businesses

he shortlist has now been announced for the first Business Women Scotland Awards, and we are delighted to see THREE of our women entrepreneurs short-listed as finalists.

The winners were:

t was a night to celebrate success at the recent Clackmannanshire Business Awards, with 6 local businesses taking the honours on the evening.

Most Promising New Business INNPAC LTD High St Business of the Year THE CROWN INN Outstanding Performing Business KIDZWORLD Green Business of the Year ACE RECYCLING Not for Profit Award SCOTTISH AUTISM

In the category of New Business, Lesley Osborne of Osborne Heath (Above left) In the SME category, Simone Hart-Sibbald of Perfect Service Solutions (centre) And in Digital Business, Ann-Maree Morrison of Labels4Kids (right) We wish them all well for the final and are keeping our fingers crossed!

Food and Hospitality Award WYVIS BED & BREAKFAST Margaret Mary Rafferty of Ceteris commented, “It was an amazing night and the opportunity to showcase some of the best businesses in Clackmannanshire. We may be a small county but we have some big success stories!” Pictured are the winners of the Most Promising New Business – Innpac Ltd, and Kidz World who were winners of the Outstanding Performance Award.

Most Promising New Business, INNPAC LTD

Also blazing a trail for women entrepreneurs is Karen Sommerville of Angels’ Share Glass. Not content with winning Entrepreneur of the Year at our Business Awards this year, Karen was also a shortlisted finalist in the Association of Scottish Business Women Awards 2015 in the category of Best Young Business, and is shortlisted again in the Best Small Business Growth category in the forthcoming Courier Awards. We are very proud of our top businesswomen! Outstanding Performing Business, KIDZWORLD

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015 21

CHAMBER NEWS

The Forth Valley Chamber

Business Awards 2016

hey’re back! The most sought-after awards in Central Scotland will be taking place next year on March 24th at the third annual Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

We are delighted to announce that the awards 2016 will be delivered in partnership with We Are the Future, using the skills of our young entrepreneurs to ensure an action packed and entertaining evening. The awards are FREE to enter for businesses trading in the Forth Valley, and full rules of entry can be found on our website www.forthvalleychamber.co.uk. We are now open for entries and applications close at midnight on December 31st 2015. Do not miss this opportunity to showcase your business and reap the benefits of success! There are still opportunities to sponsor award categories and if you are interested in this, please contact Michelle for further information on our sponsorship packages, which include a table for 10 and the chance to present your award at our gala dinner. Tickets for the night are £85 for members, with a table for 10 at £800. For non-members tickets are £95 with a table for 10 at £900. All prices exclude VAT. To book your tickets please phone the Chamber on 01324 665500. This event WILL sell out so first come, first served. Tickets are non-refundable and, due to anticipated high demand, will be re-released for sale nearer the date if payment has not been made. More details about the night will be available soon, so keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter feeds. In the meantime, start working on those applications. You know you’re worth it.

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

CHAMBER NEWS

Best Start up Business (less than 2 years)

This award is for businesses which have been trading for two years or less, and which show a high degree of entrepreneurship and a clear vision for the future. Applicants will be asked to provide details of how the company has performed and what its future projections are. They will also be asked to explain the background to the business, the markets in which it operates the business vision and the research that was undertaken when the business was in development. Applicants should evidence a clear strategic direction for the business and sound business principles.

Best Micro Business (fewer than 10 employees)

This award is intended to highlight successful micro businesses with fewer than 10 members of staff. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a clearly defined strategy for developing and growing the business in terms of turnover, innovative marketing and communications. Applicants will be able to demonstrate sustainability and show good staff engagement. The winning organisation will demonstrate entrepreneurial characteristics combined with dynamic and measurable systems to monitor performance, financial controls, marketing and sales growth.

Best Small Business (10 to 50 employees)

This award is intended to highlight successful small businesses with 10-50 members of staff. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a clearly defined strategy for developing and growing the business in terms of turnover, innovative marketing, diversification and communications. Applicants will be able to demonstrate a strong sales focus and have an ethos of staff development underpinning the future direction of the organisation. The winning organisation will demonstrate entrepreneurial characteristics combined with dynamic and measurable systems to monitor performance, financial controls, marketing and sales growth

Best Large Business (51 employees or more)

This award will go to an organisation which demonstrates allround excellence in business development. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a company culture based on encouraging staff development, creativity and empowerment, as well as clearly defined strategic objectives and strong leadership. There must be evidence of strong financial performance and planned future objectives, along with examples of the competitive advantages of the organisation.

Excellence in Customer Service

This award will recognise companies with a clear focus on customer service and care. It has been designed for businesses which can demonstrate sustained achievement within the field of customer care, and which identify and meet customer needs at a consistently high level. Entrants will demonstrate excellence through their customer service objectives and strategy, business performance, customer care activities, staff development plans and show how this has driven business growth.

Entrepreneur of the year (aged 26 and over) (Sponsored by DOGFI.SH Mobile)

This award will go to an outstanding individual who demonstrates exceptional vision and leadership qualities within a pioneering business. Aspects to consider include examples of innovative strategies implemented to consistently drive growth, and leadership values which underpin the organisation. Applicants will have a clear track record of achievement and success, and be able to identify their sources of inspiration and motivation. Individuals may enter for this award personally or be nominated by their company.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year (aged 25 and under) (Sponsored by Stirling Council)

This award will go to a dynamic young entrepreneur who can demonstrate a high degree of entrepreneurship and vision, coupled with sound business planning and clear projections for the future. The winner will have excellent potential to succeed in the longer term, and will be able to evidence key skills and knowledge pertaining to their business, and an awareness of wider business issues.

Best Family Business

To be eligible for this category, entrants must be businesses which are predominantly owned by 2 or more family members. This award will recognise family firms which can demonstrate how they have managed, or plan to manage generational succession while maintaining a good balance between the needs of enterprise and the needs of the family. The winner will demonstrate clear procedures of sound business practice coupled with the ability to utilise the strengths of the family as a resource for growth.

Most Innovative Product/Service

(Sponosored by the University of Stirling)

This award will highlight the company or individual showing a high degree of innovation in the design and creation of a product, or in the development of a service. Applicants should be able to define their marketplace and demonstrate a real need for their innovation, as well as demonstrating creativity, determination and sound business planning. The winning product or service will show a significant difference between itself and its competitors and have a track record of success and strong forecasts for growth.

Charity of the Year

Awarded to a charity which the judges believe has delivered outstanding service to its beneficiaries, promoted and raised its cause across a range of media, been clear in its goals and strategy, and demonstrated all round excellence in achieving its aims. This category is open to charities registered in the UK with the majority of the beneficiaries being in the Forth Valley Area. The winning charity will receive 50% of all funds raised during the awards evening as part of their prize.

FORTH VALLEY â&#x20AC;˘ AUTUMN 2015 23

BUSINESS NEWS

Security starts with the basics H

ow secure is it? Will anybody be able to get at my data? You would be surprised how many times I have heard these words over the last couple of years. I am finding people (and businesses) are beginning to think seriously about what might happen if they get hacked or if someone gets full access to their data. Chances are most businesses will never get hit (arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t statistics great!!) but more and more people are thinking about the consequences of it happening.

FORTH VALLEY â&#x20AC;˘ AUTUMN 2015

BUSINESS NEWS

Giving people access to your documents

Don’t give people login details for your accounts. You share files not accounts!! One problem though. Security starts with getting the basics right and most people simply don’t. Let’s take a look at some of the basics.

Passwords 1 Use them!! 2 Don’t use easy passwords that people are 3 4

likely to guess (eg Password123 is not very secure) Store them in a safe place Don’t give people login details to your accounts

OK number 1 should be obvious. Over the last month alone I have seen 5 systems with absolutely no passwords to login. If the system gets stolen then all the thief needs to do is switch it on to gain access to all your documents. If you do have a password then make sure it is not an easy one to guess. Pets, children’s names, birthdays etc are all no go areas and whatever you do, don’t use the same one for all your accounts. Where should you store them? A lot of people have a “bible” with all their passwords in which is stored in a safe place. This is a good idea and much better than notes around the desk. Better still is using an online password manager like Lastpass which allows you to access all your passwords from anywhere. Lastly don’t give people login details for your accounts. You share files not accounts!!

ONLY GIVE PEOPLE THE ACCESS THEY NEED AND NO MORE The less access people have to your files the better. I know of a woman who gave a client full access to her Dropbox account which included personal pictures. I have also come across a business which worked closely with another firm and decided to join their Office 365 accounts, not realising that both firms now had access to each other’s client files and emails. Of course we all have to share files. A traditional server can be set up to only give people access to what they need and NOT WHAT THEY WANT. Cloud based services like OneDrive and Dropbox allow you to share individual folders which means you don’t have to give people the login details for the account.

Working while out and about More and more of us are doing this and this brings with it its own set of challenges. Be very careful what you decide to do using free wifi as these are very insecure. For example I would always advise people never do your internet banking on free wifi. Then there is the problem of securing the devices themselves. All smartphones and tablets should have a pin set whilst all laptops should ideally have encryption. Some apps like Dropbox allow you to set a pin on the individual app itself which adds another layer of security.

Finally.... If you are ever sent an email from someone you don’t know be very wary of opening any attachments as this is a common way for viruses and malware to get onto your system. Depending on what the virus or malware is designed for they could slow down, constantly crash the system, steal data or even give someone access to your system. I know the whole topic of data security can be daunting to some people but get the basics right and you should be pretty well protected. If you are ever in doubt I would suggest you seek the help of a professional who knows what they are doing. Chris Wakefield, Comtech

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015 25

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BUSINESS NEWS

Clearing out the mental clutter…

hat does Holistic Life Coaching mean? Often we find ourselves clearing out old clothes, cupboards and sheds that are full of things we don’t want or need. We buy new furniture, new tools, re-decorate the house, we make changes. We feel good for a while, then we are back to where we started – disillusioned, as really nothing in our life has changed. To make permanent changes we need a holistic approach, but what does that mean? Holistic is a philosophy that tells us that there is an interconnection between our body, mind and soul. It is this interconnection that gives us the optimum chance of improving our prosperity, potential in career, relationships, creativity, love and

well-being. Any changes you do make will be challenging as well as rewarding, as we often get stuck in a rut with the same job, going to the same places, and not really expressing our creativity fully. We are not here to simply be on life’s treadmill. We can get off and decide to really live! But how?

regretting ones you have lost. Don’t let fear of trying new things hold you back – go for it! How many times have you come across a great idea that would help to improve yourself and possibly others, but lack of self-belief has let it slip away. Try not to let yesterday’s thoughts

We are not here to simply be on life’s treadmill. We can get off and decide to really live! We need to develop our confidence, inner strength, and self-belief, becoming more positive and optimistic and creating harmony with all our relationships. Look at your beliefs and attitudes: are they old, tired and safe? Recognise an opportunity when it comes your way and take it, rather than

clog up today’s – live in the present! Here is a wee saying, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, whereas the present is a gift.” What are you going to do with your gift? Dr Yvonne Mitchell, Ajna Therapy

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015 27

BUSINESS NEWS

Your Greatest Asset? As the speaker stepped up to the podium, his opening statement caught the audience’s attention: “Data is a resource you will not find on your Balance Sheet.”

aving been transferred to Burroughs World Headquarters as a young systems analyst, I had been sent to the seminar in Ann Arbour, Michigan. I mentally shook my head. I was working as part of a project team on a major software development: – of course the cost of this development would be reflected on the balance sheet! But then Eureka – the penny dropped and I understood. The speaker was referring to all the data which an organisation has – whether it is held on the computer, in the salesmen’s Filofaxes or is the market knowledge in the Vice President’s head. The seminar concluded that information is the lifeblood of an organisation. If managed and used correctly, it would lead to a more efficient organisation. If the information was lacking or poor then the company would suffer, sometimes fatally. I can still see that room and the speaker with his overhead projector (remember them?). Over the years I have been privileged to share this insight and help businesses on a practical level. So how do you make sure your business has correct information and is using it effectively? Let’s first look at why we need information. There are 3 reasons: • LEGISLATIVE • OPERATIONAL • DECISION MAKING Every business is obliged by law to keep records which ensure that the correct taxation is applied. There are also health and safety and other legislative requirements. Operationally we cannot run without data. How can you invoice your customer if you don’t know the quantity purchased and the sales price? Is this being done accurately and efficiently? It is the third category that is the biggest challenge. Ensuring you are making informed decisions.

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

BUSINESS NEWS

Whether it is the new start business whose market research consists of, “My Auntie Mary loves the product” or the manufacturer who tries to export his product to India but hasn’t checked the import requirements, we all know of poor decisions based on lack of information. Last year a life sciences company went under because they missed a key piece of information required by the US FDA. And sadly too many start-ups don’t survive their first year because they have not verified that there is a market for their product. So what can you do?

Data Flow First of all, take some time to step back and look at data within your organisation. Get an A3 piece of paper and draw the data flow. Where is the information coming from, which departments use it, who has responsibility for the quality of data? Then discuss this with other key people and modify where necessary. Are there black holes? Is there duplication of data? Duplication of data isn’t just inefficient – it can result in serious errors and confusion. Take pricing for instance. I worked with one company who held prices in 3 separate places. The salesman had a list of prices when responding to quotation requests, the book-keeper had another set of prices for preparing the invoice and there was a third set used by the service department for trade counter sales. Which was the right price and who should control it? Confusion on a massive scale resulted, not only internally but customers were also sometimes invoiced the wrong price. Any time there is duplication of data there is a potential for error.

Analysis What are the questions to which you would like answers? Is product A more profitable than product B? Did that last job we did make us money? Did the discount we offered last month result in increased profit? What is the break-even if we open up an office in Germany? If we increase prices by 5% how many customers will we lose? And so on……. Having decided which questions are key you can then look at how best to answer them. Sometimes all it takes is a tweak on the information you already have. For example I have found the “department” code in Sage is very under-utilised. Using this as Job Number can provide simplified job costing. In other cases, new systems may have to be installed. Of course some information is external. We are lucky in Scotland to have access to superb business support agencies. SDI and the British Chambers of Commerce have a wealth of information on overseas markets, and Business Gateway and your local Chamber can signpost you to where to get information on a variety of subjects including market intelligence reports on your sector. So be prepared, be informed and make effective decisions. And next time you look at your Balance Sheet remember about the valuable asset which is not shown there. Dorothy Henke

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015 29

CHAMBER NEWS

SVETS launches in Forth Valley

new initiative aimed at supporting SME employers to recruit ex-forces personnel and to access military resources and training, was launched by Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce in September. A collaboration between forces’ charities, public sector bodies and private businesses, SVETS (Scottish Veterans Employment and Training Service) will run initially as a six month pilot project funded by Poppy Scotland, The RAF and Army Benevolent funds and with support from Veterans Scotland, SaluteMyJob and Scottish Chambers of Commerce. It is hoped to then roll the project out nationally, drawing on all the examples of best practice happening across Scotland and making it easier for Veterans and Employers to connect to their mutual benefit. The programme was launched at a business breakfast at Forth Valley College where keynote speakers Eric Fraser, The Veterans Commissioner for Scotland, and Brigadier Paul Harkness, Commander 51 Infantry Brigade and Army HQ Scotland, spoke about the need for Veterans to be viewed in a positive light and for employers to be able to understand the many transferable skills which they bring to the workforce.

The evening launch took place at the Stirling Court Hotel, where The Chamber was delighted to welcome General Sir Nick Parker, former Commander of UK Land Forces who spoke passionately about ex-forces personnel being “a huge asset to the workplace.” General Parker commented, “I am concerned that a gap is emerging between even the most willing employers, and ex-military jobseekers. Former service men and women struggle to translate their military knowledge, skills and experience into the language and sometimes the qualifications of commercial employers.” “SVETS is an entirely new service led by Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce and is adapted from a successful US model.” continued General Parker, “ I am delighted to be part of this initiative and urge Scottish employers to get behind it.”

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

Cabinet Secretary Keith Brown who has responsibility for Veterans also spoke at the event and praised the Forth Valley Chamber for the work done to date, while pledging support from Scottish Government. Michelle McKearnon, CEO of Forth Valley Chamber was delighted by the positive response to the day. “SVETS is not just about recruiting ex-forces personnel.” she said. “It is also about helping our employers to access world class training such as Leadership in Practice, and to be able to work in partnership with military organisations to share knowledge and skills. We will be working with existing organisations to ensure that the thousands of small businesses who form the Chamber network can benefit from and contribute to SVETs to be part of a joined up programme across Scotland.”

Over 260,000 veterans live in Scotland. Around 150,000 are of working age but one in five (30,000) report an employment problem. At the same time, employers increasingly value the skills, knowledge and experience of former Service men and women. In a recent survey, over 80% of Scottish employers reported their appetite to recruit ex-military people as exceptionally strong

or very strong. the Scottish Veterans Employment and Training Services (SVETS) seeks to bridge the gap between employers and ex-military jobseekers by providing consultancy, employment and training services to businesses in Scotland. In addition, SVETS will complement the work of other agencies and the Service charities to support veterans seeking employment.

CONSULTANCY

EMPLOYMENT

EDUCATION & TRAINING

SVETS helps employers translate their support for the Armed Forces into action, showcasing best practice and adapting it to the needs of your business. SVETS’ consultants support the implementation of structured, sustainable and measurable programmes that maximise impact – and demonstrate your support for former Service mena and women.

SVETS’ recruitment service offers tailored support to employers, helping to deliver a sustainable, coherent supply of qualified ex-service men and women into the organisations and roles where they will succeed. SVETS’ proven model and enabling technology provide you with a cost-effective managed recruitment service at 3 levels:

Many businesses seek to train their employees through apprentice and internships, but find the process of funding applications and candidate searching too complicated.

Our Strategic Planning Workshops and events: • Showcase best practice and consider how best to apply it. • Define what success will look like and how to measure it. • Agree objectives, ownership and governance. • Develop a plan.

• SVETS Advertising Plus promotes roles to the ex-military community on our home and affiliate websites, job boards and social media. In return for a finder’s fee, we will also search our database and those of our partners to source suitably qualified candidates. • SVETS Recruiter is our recommended recruitment offering. This service sources, filters, long lists and conducts first interviewing to present employers with a short list of candidates. This highly costeffective service is designed for medium and larger organisation that can plan and forcast their needs. • SVETS Premium is a bespoke consultancy service, providing advertising, search, filtering, shortlistingand, if necessary, assessment of suitably qualified exmilitary candidates. This service is designed for employers requiring small numbers of candidates or with short notice requirements. We pride ourselves on our responsiveness and sense of urgency.

Our Education and Training Events: • Deliver leadership and resilience training. • Explain the benefits, risks and barriers to hiring veterans. • Align ex-military jobseekers’ skills with your needs. • Dispel misperceptions and stereotypes.

Using long-standing links with local training and education providers, SVETS helps employers (and potential employees) to access approriate resources. We will: • Help your business pinpoint the training/ qualifications you require. • Assess hard and soft skills of ex-military candidates using online tests. • Inform you of all available funding programmes and participating training providers. • Assist with the development of internal training programmes, internships and placement programmes. • Advise and guide ex-service men and women to suitable vocational training, further education and volunteering opportunities to enhance their employability. The MOD’s Career Transition Partnership makes training available to Service leavers to support their transition. SVETS supports this process by assessing skills and provision of advice on training to address identified skills gaps, including those no longer eligible for MOD funded training services.

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015 31

BUSINESS NEWS

Barriers to rural economic growth

Aberfoyle Bike Park

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

BUSINESS NEWS

ural businesses make a significant contribution to the overall Scottish economy. In the Stirling area they total 43% of the overall business community, creating a sector which is economically, socially, geographically diverse and not without its challenges. We asked Sandy Slater, Rural Business Adviser at STEP to help us understand the barriers threatening the growth of our rural economy.

Tell us a bit about yourselfâ&#x20AC;Ś I have the pleasure of working with many ambitious and successful businesses in rural Stirling, crossing all sectors ranging from micro to developing businesses employing significant numbers. The key sectors within this area include agricultural, tourism, crafts, retail and IT as well as smaller lifestyle businesses who also contribute greatly to the sustainability of these rural areas. There are however some distinct issues that can hinder growth when compared to the commercial environments of their urban counterparts.

FORTH VALLEY â&#x20AC;˘ AUTUMN 2015 33

BUSINESS NEWS

Can you tell us a bit more about these challenges? DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY In today’s connected world, it is difficult to believe that poor broadband and phone reception are still major issues across rural areas having significant impacts on many of the businesses operating across these areas on a day to day basis. The Scottish Government’s Step Change Programme started in 2014 with the challenge of upgrading as many premises as possible to have access to Superfast broadband. The programme finishes Dec 2017. When the programme started, Stirling had 59% Superfast broadband coverage. Stirling now has 76.1% coverage with Kippen and Callander being two of the latest areas to benefit from the programme. ACCESS TO MARKETS Due to poor transport links and digital connectivity, many rural businesses are challenged with accessing new markets at home or abroad. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE Accessibility and cost are the key transport issues in rural areas. Rural businesses therefore need to rely on their workforces and public transport links are crucial to staff getting to and from work, as well as demonstrating to visitors that rural Stirlingshire is an area they can explore without having a car. However public transport is often poor and in some cases non-existent! EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING Businesses across the rural area face constraints in terms of the labour market they are able to access. Access to skills and labour is very closely linked to poor transport links as well lack of affordable housing. The workforce is generally attracted to opportunities available in more urban areas offering better remuneration packages, affordable housing and better transport infrastructure. New innovative approaches to rural development are required to address this out migration. Initiatives such as the National Park Skills Partnership are currently doing some fantastic work to address this issue – the project focuses on the primary sectors in rural economy of tourism & hospitality; land-based industries and local food production. Working closely with employers and young people across the national park with a view to developing rural employment and retaining skills. ACCESS TO DEVELOPMENT FUNDING For many businesses across the area, business growth is currently hindered by lack of funds. As with many businesses across the country, rural businesses have lost confidence and are still struggling to access finance to support growth plans. There are however specific funding opportunities available for rural businesses including the Scottish Rural Development Programme, LEADER, the Small Farms Grant Scheme and Broadband support. Whilst I have listed some of the serious challenges faced in our rural areas, I am keen that we do not forget the benefits of running a rural business in Stirling….. work / life balance.

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

Sandy Slater, Rural Business Advisor

As someone who both works and lives in rural Stirling, I myself could not think of a more stunning, enviable place to live and work – with some of the most stunning scenery in the world from the breath taking mountains and glens of the Trossachs to the vast tranquil beauty of Loch Lomond….where else could you experience this and still be able to visit our capital city in 1hr!

Can you tell us a bit about the support you provide? Both STEP and Business Gateway, Stirling are committed to ensuring that where business initiatives and support programmes exist on the wider national support landscape, rural Stirling businesses are kept informed and able to benefit. We do this through a number of ways…. Rural Business Adviser: Access to me as your rural business adviser. Whether you are looking to start or grow your business, I would be delighted to meet with you on a one to one basis at your premises or why not attend one of my monthly rural business clinics? Rural Events and Workshops: We also run an events programme throughout the year across rural Stirling which provide businesses with the opportunity to learn about initiatives that could benefit their business such as funding or training. You also get to meet some of your neighbours! We are now also rolling out the fully funded Business Gateway workshop programme across rural Stirling. This programme includes courses on various business issues such as marketing, IT, HMRC and finance. Connections: As a local business support organisation, we have established strong links with other business support organisations such as the Stirling Chamber of Commerce so if we can’t help, we will be able to introduce you to someone who can. Contact Sandy Slater on 01786 463 416 or email sslater@stepstirling.co.uk www.stepstirling.co.uk

ADVERTISING FEATURE

NEW COURSE LAUNCHES CAREERS A GOOD TRAINER can make all the difference to the success of a person’s personal development. A trainer needs to be able to effectively deliver and evaluate training in order to ensure it works for the individual or group. For those considering embarking on a career in training or trainers looking to enhance their skills, Forth Valley College has the perfect solution – their newly launched City and Guilds Level 3 Award in Education and Training. This short four day course will provide an insight into the roles, responsibilities and relationships in education and training. It will also develop skills in planning and delivering inclusive training sessions, assessing students and giving constructive feedback. There are no formal entry requirements for the course but if candidates want to progress to teaching or training in the further education and skills sector, they will require evidence of vocational skills at the appropriate level. There are also opportunities for progression to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s Certificate in Training Practice. Zak Stark, Development Manager at Forth Valley College said: “A training career can be a rewarding experience and an opportunity to share your expertise and passion for a subject with others. It can also be a very exciting career choice; you’ll meet lots of new people and no day will be the same. Our short course will give a real flavour of what it’s like to be a trainer and will pave the way for a successful career in this field.” For more information, please visit: www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/bibusiness/236009 or call 0845 634 4444.

WORK IN HR? Forth Valley College offers a range of courses from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). These include: • (CIPD) Certificate in Human Resource Practice • (CIPD) Intermediate Certificate in Human Resource Management • (CIPD) Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management For more information please visit: https://business.forthvalley.ac.uk/ cipd_courses or call 0845 634 4444.

Your business is amazing… … isn’t it a shame no-one can see it here? InCommerce is read by business owners and decision makers … people who buy all kinds of services … if you’re not in here they won’t be contacting you! It’s too late for this issue but there’s always next time Call our Advertising Team on 0141 222 2202

dtech designers

& publishers

MEMBER NEWS

Workshops @Forthvalleych @Creationsocialmedia help @ArmyReserve Units reach out to @Scottish communities

rmy Reserve recruiting and engagement with employers has greatly benefitted from a series of morning workshops organised by Forth Valley Chambers of Commerce. Graham and Helen of Creation Social Media training had compressed the vital components of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn into three 4 hour sessions at Stirling University Innovation Park, demonstrating the power of social media in enhancing businesses within the community and business sector. Major Fiona Battey, a media training officer within 51st Infantry Brigade with the responsibility of assisting the 12 Army Reserve Units within Scotland to improve awareness of their role within the community explained: “I have been working within the military media environment for some 15 years and have never come across such clarity in social media training as I received from the Creation Social Media team at Forth Valley Chamber.” As a result, Graham and Helen were immediately commissioned by the Army to

I felt that this information was not getting through using the usual mediums of newspapers and recruiting stands.” With a vast audience that includes potential recruits, families, employers, Army Reservists themselves and even soldiers in the

“Although some of the Units were already dabbling with FB and Twitter, since the course, there has been no stopping them!” perform bespoke training with the Army Reserve Units which were held at Redford Infantry Barracks in Edinburgh and 7 SCOTs Headquarters at Queens Barracks in Perth. Clarifying the need for social media training, Fiona continues: “Each Army Reserve Unit has so much to offer in the way of training, challenges, adventure and personal development and

full time Army, it became apparent to Fiona that the optimum reach was through social media. “Although some of the Units were already dabbling with FB and Twitter they lacked the confidence and the depth of knowledge to enable them to put across their points to a larger audience. Since the course, there has been no stopping them!”

The two day course, incorporating how to write a press article, photographic composition and marketing in a military context, and leading seamlessly into the FB and Twitter day with Graham and Helen, was quickly oversubscribed. “It was a thoroughly enjoyable and much needed course,” Captain Paul Turner from the Scottish and Northern Irish Yeomanry explained. “It was the right level and pace where Graham and Helen, who knew nothing about the Army Reserves at first, quickly established a rapport that enabled us all to learn interactively taking each Unit’s social media efforts in turn.” Fiona will be planning further social media courses with Creation Social Media once the Army Reserve Units have consolidated their initial learning – and this will also include LinkedIn. Thank you to @Forthvalleych @ Creationsocialmedia from @Combatrecce @7SCOTS @32SigRegt @105RegtRA @106BNREME @154ScottishRegt

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015 37

NEW MEMBERS’ PROFILE Family Business Solutions – Premier Partners

Nothing succeeds like a successful succession. That’s easy to say, but as anyone with experience of generational transitions family will tell you, it’s not so easy to deliver – without help, that is! After many years of working with Family Businesses and their professional advisors, FBS has refined a hugely successful process that enables families to develop their own solutions to their own unique issues, thereby allowing them to manage the relationship between the family and the business in a way which minimises conflict and maximises the huge added value which only a family working together can deliver.

Tel: 0131 524 1500 Web: www.ukfbs.co.uk

Postural Persuasions

Postural Persuasions is a company dedicated to Body Alignment Techniques and Corrective Therapies. It is the initiative of Sandie Wilson who has relocated and rebranded Personal Pilates which traded for 17 years in Marylebone, London. Based in Laurieston, Falkirk is a fully equipped studio for Personal Pilates, Gyrotonic, Kinetic Chain Release,CTR therapy and other body work. Dealing with a wide range of complaints and conditions we offer pain relief, well being, body awareness and improved performance for athletes, dancers, actors and sports enthusiasts. Services are available within Back2Life Clinic in Falkirk and Physis, Grangemouth. Group classes, workshops and other events are available, details are online.

Email: sandie@personalpilates.co.uk Web: www.personalpilates.co.uk

Findlays

Greig Melville

McHardy Financial

Working with Greig Melville HR means that you get a truly people-centred rather than a purely procedural approach to HR and to business. As an experienced professional, Alison Melville is at the heart of Greig Melville. ‘I started out in the world of work as a bank clerk many years ago and I’ve worked my way up through the ranks ever since. I’m happy dealing with people on the shop floor or in the boardroom because I’ve been there myself. To do the job successfully, I need to be able to see perspectives from every staff level.’ Alison has been responsible for over 1,000 staff in her last senior role in the construction and facilities management sector and she set up Greig Melville HR in April 2010. Since then, the business has grown steadily and now employs two full-time staff.

Independent financial advisers you can trust, for corporate and private clients. Our advisers are highly qualified and will always act in your best interests. We will: • Explain clearly the areas on which we advise and the services we offer • Act in your best interests at all times and with total integrity • Discuss and agree fees and payment options in advance, before undertaking any work you ask us to do.

Adept Pest Control Ltd

Adept Pest Control’s mission is to provide a first class professional and cost effective pest control service, taking into account the client’s needs and the safety of the local environment and wildlife. We utilise the industry’s best technical knowledge coupled with an integrated approach to deliver a fast and effective control solution. We deliver to small and medium enterprises and also to domestic clients.

Argyle Energy

Email: hello@findlaysfalkirk.co.uk Tel: 01324 614062

Argyle Energy is an independent energy consultancy who specialise in the procurement of electricity, gas, LPG, oil and water. For over 35 years we have been providing energy, environmental and carbon solutions and our clients span almost every business sector, ranging from small independent businesses, charities and not for profit organisations to multinational groups. Whether you want to reduce your energy prices, reduce your energy consumption or meet environmental legislation, then Argyle Energy can help.

Email: hugh.kelly@argyleuk.com Tel: 01786 451030 Web: www.argyle-energy.co.uk

Scottish Cottages

Email: hr@greigmelvillehr.co.uk Tel: 01324 628676 Web: www.greigmelvillehr.co.uk

Email: david.stewart@adeptpestcontrol.co.uk Tel: 0141 5587427

Findlays are delighted to announce that they have opened up at Falkirk Business Hub. Welcoming you into a warm, friendly atmosphere owners Scott and Fiona Henderson have already put their stamp on the café by going through a complete refurbishment to ensure a comfortable and relaxed environment. Using locally sourced produce they offer fresh, high quality food including breakfast and lunches served along with organic Fairtrade Teas and Coffees, not to mention some delicious home baked cakes and scones! Findlays is also available for private functions of up to 70 people.

Email: paul.baillie@mchb.co.uk Tel: 0131 221 6373 Web: www.mchb.co.uk

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

At Scottish Cottages, we’re passionate about the beautiful Scottish landscape. No one knows this beautiful country better than we do. As your local, expert holiday letting agency, we offer you decades of experience managing quality self-catering cottages. More than that, we’re part of the UK’s biggest family of holiday letting agencies, which includes: cottages4you, Welcome Cottages and cottages.com. Giving you the best of both worlds – specialist local knowledge backed with unrivalled resources and marketing. So whether you already own a property or are thinking about buying one, get in touch to start an enjoyable and profitable relationship.

Email: Vivienne.duncan@wynvr.co.uk Tel: 01786 815 974 Web: www.scottish-cottages.co.uk

Henke Associates

We have assisted over 50 companies in improving profitability by analysing their information management processes. Information is a resource, managed properly it empowers business owners to make the right decisions. In addition, by being more efficient, organisations can avoid duplication of data or data disappearing down black holes! We have worked extensively with SAGE at all levels as well as with a range of ERP software. More recently Henke Associates have helped a number of businesses with the production of e-books and developing a strategy for e-book production and marketing. Free no obligation meeting to discuss requirements.

Email: henke@sol.co.uk Tel: 01360 440013

NEW MEMBERS’ PROFILE D-Mac Ltd.

We deliver all aspects of plumbing, heating and gas work, from new builds to heating systems or bathrooms, down to general maintenance. We specialise in new builds and extensions, working closely with a number of builders carrying out all the necessary plumbing, gas and heating works. We also maintain a large number of properties for a number of estate agents and private landlords.

Email: derek@d-macplumbing.com Tel: 01324 578559 Web: www.d-macplumbing.com

Johnson Training Services Ltd

Johnson Training Services Ltd is a mobile training provider based in Ayrshire that specialises in delivering compliance solutions for businesses related to the Health & Safety, Healthcare and Security Industries. The Company Director has delivered training services to various clients since leaving H.M. Forces in 2007. Clients have included G.P. practices, Police Scotland Staff, Local Authorities and individuals who have taken part in employability schemes in partnership with the jobcentre. Services can be provided at location if a suitable training room is available, or for an additional fee a venue can be sourced locally to suit the client’s needs.

government sector clients to identify, assess and manage threats to their business and their people. We primarily provide Hazardous Area Principal Consultancy & Specialist Security Training for Professionals who work in Hazardous Areas, High Risk and Extreme Environments. This includes: deployments to hostile environments which may be environmental or man-made including conflicts areas; undertaking activities such as filming within dangerous locations; or covering events such as terrorist incidents, natural disasters or pandemic diseases.

Email: macmcgearey@btinternet.com Tel: 0131 339 1099

Voltage Facilitation

VOLTAGE Facilitation specialises in offering Mobile Team Challenge activities in Scotland, working with educational, charity and corporate sectors. We have years of experience of learning and developing team building skills in youth, charity and corporate areas. Facilitation can help you with your teamwork, management, customer service and communication development needs through experimental experiences and learning. We offer hands on experimental learning through specific experiences that can be used at varying levels to help grow your colleagues and staff.

Email: info@voltage facilitation.co.uk Tel: 07780 975946

Robertson Group Ltd

Email: n.johnson330@btinternet.com Tel: 07511 1538083

Kitshare Robertson is a privately owned group of companies working in infrastructure, support services and construction, operating through the whole of the UK. KitShare is a new service that will allow you to borrow sports equipment from other people, essentially what Air BnB is to Houses and apartments KitShare is to your Skis and Golf clubs. Founders Nic Woodhams and Alex Hamiln want you to make money out of sports equipment you aren’t using. They will cover the cost of damages or breakages and also offer a points system so instead of making money you can gain points which can be exchanged for access to other peoples equipment, allowing you to enjoy all the sports you love for less.

Email: nic@kitshare.org Tel: 07791657199 Web: www.kitshare.org

Ciara High Risk Our capability is based on extensive experience gained in many operational theatres and Defence projects delivered to UK and foreign clients. Working with commercial, charity, media and

Email: j.nelson@robertson.co.uk Tel: 01786431600 Web: www.robertson.co.uk

Recree8

Master and Senior level trained and experienced practitioners in Business Growth, Leadership and Business Transformation, with commercial and strategy expertise in multi disciplinary fields. We are trained at Post Graduate, Master’s and Doctoral level in applying the theories and practices of world class thinkers in our field of specialisation of high growth business, business coaching, organisational change, organisational performance, behavioural change and business transformation.

Email: info@recree8.com Tel: 07910142290 Web: www.recree8.com

Camphill (Blair Drummond) Trust Ltd

We provide a wide range of meaningful work activities for people with a learning disability within a residential community. Our approach is one of living and working together, where everyone belongs, everyone is equal and everyone has something special to offer – a place where people can be supported to realised their fullest potential.

Email: Jason@camphillblairdrummond.org.uk Tel: 01786 841 573 Web: www.camphillblairdrummond.org.uk

Craig Recruitment Solutions Ltd

Craig Recruitment Solutions Ltd are an independent, specialist resourcing consultancy with over 18 years’ experience in the domestic and international sectors incorporating the supply of engineering, manufacturing, construction and technical skill sets. Our services are tailored to the specific requirements and needs of each individual client, providing strategic recruitment and executive search with a choice of engagement solutions. We engage with our clients by offering a full time commitment guarantee and in a way that suits them and their business needs best.” Not only do we find the right skills and experience for your business, we apply a thorough screening process which ensures we find the right personality and attitude fit for your organisation.

Email: frank@craigrecruitmentsolutions.co.uk Tel: 01236 729973 Web: www.craigrecruitmetnsolutions.co.uk

Waitrose

Waitrose is part of the John Lewis Partnership. Together we have 68,000 partners who all own our leading UK business. Our founder John Spedan Lewis had a vision of a successful business powered by its people and principles, and this defines our unique company today. The profits and benefits of the Partnership are shared by all the partners. At Waitrose we take pride in the freshness and quality of our food, the convenience of our branches and the expert service we provide. We believe in championing British, treading lightly on the environment, supporting responsible sourcing and treating people fairly.

Tel:

(Waitrose Stirling) 01786 464021

Continued on page 40 FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015 39

NEW MEMBERS’ PROFILES (CONT) Capital Document Solutions Ltd

Salute My Job

Erskine

Capital is Scotland’s leading independent provider of photocopiers, printers and scanners. We are here to help you select the very best office equipment and documents solutions tailored to meet your specific needs. Whether your objective is to reduce your copy/print costs, improve document security, streamline your workflows or increase your productivity – we will have the best possible solution for you. We employ over 200 staff, operating from our branches across Scotland, all dedicated to providing the highest standards of advice and local customer service. And with over 35 years in the industry, coupled with a reputation second to none, you can be confident that no other supplier will work harder for your business.

SaluteMyJob is a Social Enterprise dedicated to the provision of consultancy, recruitment and assessment Services to employers, thereby increasing demand for ex-military people and reservists. To help employers implement Veterans’ or reservists’ programmes. To help ex-Service men and women find employment in the commercial sector. To help drive down the number of unemployed ex-Service men and women. Providing expert, veteran focussed consultancy, recruitment and assessment services to employers. Our model is founded on the principle that we can do more for former Service men and women by driving up employer demand for them as employees, consultants and reservists. In particular, we help translate the knowledge, skills and experience of former Service men and women into the language of commercial employers. Our ‘best of breed’ commercial assessment and validation tools help candidates better understand the strengths they can offer a commercial employer and provide the evidence employers require.

Erskine is Scotland’s leading veterans’ charity and has been proud to care for our country’s veterans since 1916. Our mission is to provide our residents with the best possible care and to support them to achieve maximum quality of life. We strive to care for as many members of the wider ex-Service community as we can, providing unrivalled nursing, respite and dementia care in four homes throughout Scotland for over 1,000 UK veterans and their spouses.

Email: nhunter@capital-solutions.co.uk Tel: 0131 5509622 Web: www.capital-solutions.co.uk

Email: shona.langlands@erskine.org.uk Tel: 0131 666 9961 Web: www.erskine.org.uk

Email: shaun@salutemyjob.com Tel: 07756 708105 Web: www.salutemyjob.com

JOIN US

Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce and Stirling Chamber of Commerce

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? • A FREE member profile ad in this magazine, hard copy and digital versions • A FREE listing in our member directories, online and hard copy • Discounted advertising in INCommerce and our monthly ezine • Discounted entry to social and business events • Access to member-to-member discounts and special offers • Access to specialised Chamber products and services which will save you money • Business to Business networking opportunities • Warm referrals and positive connections to business contacts • Promotion via our social media feeds • Be part of the fastest-growing Chamber in Scotland • Access to the Scotland-wide Chamber network • An independent business voice represented at National Government level.

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

Do the maths! Membership of the Chamber helps your business to save money and to make money. We’re here to help. Talk to us.

HOW DO I JOIN? It’s easy. You can join online by going to our websites

www.forthvalleychamberofcommerce.co.uk or www.stirlingchamberchamberofcommerce.co.uk and clicking the blue Join Us Now button. Or call us on 01324 66 55 00 and a member of the team will be happy to come out and chat with you.

Health and safety. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll guide you through it for free.

Understanding health can bebe an an issue for many Understanding healthand andsafety safetylegislation legislation can issue for many small to medium businesses in Scotland. However, Healthy Working Lives offer small to medium businesses in Scotland. However, Healthy Working free confidential visits designed to give you the you bestthe possible Livesand offer free and confidential visits designed to give best support and advice on making youron workplace healthier and healthier safer. possible support and advice making your workplace and safer. The Forth Valley team of workplace advisers offer practical information and adviceteam tailored to youradvisers needs. We provide adviceand on advice a wide range The Lothian of workplace offeralso practical information of workplace health issues such as stress, stopping smoking and healthy tailored to your needs. We also provide advice on a wide range of workplace eating. health issues such as stress, stopping smoking and healthy eating.

To find out more about how your business can benefit from Healthy To find out more about how your business can benefit from Healthy Working Lives, visit the Healthy Working Lives website or call our Working Lives, visit the Healthy Working Lives website or call our Adviceline to arrange a visit from a member of the Forth Valley team. Adviceline to arrange a visit from a member of the Lothian team.

www.healthyworkinglives.com

Adviceline 0800 019 2211 HWL24774 NHS Ad 194x137.indd 1

Forth Valley

01/11/2011 17:20

Delivering the Coffee Shop Experience Fancy a Cappuccino? Fancy a Latte? Fancy a Hot chocolate? Fancy an Espresso?

01259 215577 www.sv24-7.co.uk

MEMBERSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; REGISTER ACCOUNTANCY/FINANCIAL SERVICES

Antonine Investment Managers 01324 478248 craig@antonineim.co.uk www.antonineim.com

Bibby Factors Scotland Ltd 01316 623230 alex.russon@bibbyfinancialservices. com www.bibbyfinancialservices.com

Borland Insurance Ltd 01312 216730 paul.baillie@mchb.co.uk www.borlandinsurance.co.uk

Campbell Dallas LLP

01324 556414 grahamlilley.ias@btconnect.com www.greatinsurancedeals.com

Johnston Carmichael Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors 01786 459900 james.a.stewart@jcca.co.uk www.jcca.co.uk/

Lyle & Logan

01786 446585 david_lyle@nfumutual.co.uk www.nfumutual.co.uk/stirling

RMS UK Tax and Accounting Ltd

01786 460030 john.gold@campbelldallas.co.uk www.campbelldallas.co.uk

01324 475700 patrick.norris@rsmuk.com www.rsmuk.com

Canmore Business Service Limited

Royal Bank of Scotland

07853 360344 rory@canmore.co www.canmore.co/

Condies Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors 01383 721421 george.primrose@condie.co.uk www.condie.co.uk

Davidson Cruse Wealth Management 01786 445060 justine.waddell@sjpp.co.uk www.davidsoncruse.co.uk

Dickson Middleton

01786 474718 craig.clinton@dicksonmiddleton. co.uk www.dicksonmiddleton.co.uk

Drummond Laurie Chartered Accountants

01324 441255 greig.brown@drummondlaurie.co.uk www.drummondlaurie.co.uk

Falkirk District Credit Union 01324 473695 fdcu@btconnect.com www.falkirkcreditunion.co.uk

Fitzsimons Accountancy Services Ltd 01324 665133 ashley@fitzsimonsgroup.co.uk

French Duncan

01786 451745 h.burt@frenchduncan.co.uk www.frenchduncan.co.uk/

Handelsbanken

01786 463109 dabe10@handelsbanken.co.uk www.handelsbanken.co.uk/stirling

Harley Financial Services Ltd 01324 625225 DouglasH@harleyfinancial.co.uk www.harleyfinancial.co.uk

Insurance Advisory Services (Larbert) Ltd

07901 587151 alan.smart@rbs.co.uk www.rbs.co.uk/business.ashx

Russel & Aitken Financial Planning 01412 043272 chris@russelaitkenfp.com www.russelaitkenfp.com

Springfords Chartered Accountants

ART

Denovoalba

07731 440200 stephanie.h.mckenzie@gmail.com

AUCTIONEERS

United Auctions

01786 473055 nmclean@uagroup.co.uk www.uagroup.co.uk/

AUDIO VISUAL

GMS (Recordings) Ltd 01324 711011 hsm@gmsmusic.com www.music4uonline.com

BUILDING CONTRACTORS/ MAINTENANCE/REPAIRS/ SERVICES

JBR Roofing Ltd

01324 554518 j.b.r.roofingnelson@gmail.com www.jbrroofing.com

F. Dougall & Son

01324 611254 dougall.family@blueyonder.co.uk

Rooftec Scotland Ltd 01324 614014 info@rooftecscotland.co.uk www.rooftecscotland.co.uk

Stud Civil Contracts Ltd

01324 227606 fpaul@springfords.com www.springfords.com

01324 614072 stuart@studcivilcontracts.co.uk www.studcivilcontracts.co.uk

Stewart Accounting Services Ltd

Site Sealants Ltd

01259 721156 mark@stewartaccounting.co.uk www.stewartaccounting.co.uk

Stirling Credit Union Ltd 01786 233937 info@stirlingcreditunion.co.uk www.stirlingcreditunion.co.uk

TaxAssist Accountants

01786 447030 jonathandeb@taxassist.co.uk www.taxassist.co.uk/jonathandeb

The A9 Partnership Ltd

01506 834700 victoriaw@a9partnership.co.uk www.a9partnership.co.uk

The Wealth Partnership 01786 476747 derek@wealthpartnership.net www.wealthpartnership.net

We Are Business Transformers Ltd 01324 633550 martin@mraca.com www.mraca.com

ARCHITECTS

Module Architects

01786 823753 mdowey@modulearchitects.com www.modulearchitects.com

FORTH VALLEY â&#x20AC;˘ AUTUMN 2015

Exolta Capital Partners 07920 008187 russell@exolta.com www.exolta.com

Fighting Edge Ltd

07595 602090 anthony@fighting-edge.com www.fighting-edge.com

George Stevenson Consultant

01324 621981 georgebstevenson@blueyonder.co.uk www.fbs-global.com

Impact in Mind ltd 01506 499645 impactinmind.com www.impactinmind.com

Interface - The Knowledge Connection for Business 01316 514791 laura@interface-online.org.uk www.interface-online.org.uk

Laurence Barrett Associates 07887 651785 laurencebarrett@btconnect.com

People Centred

01324 620224 jmpreston13.jp@gmail.com www.people-centred.com

Positive Performance

01786 818788 wendy@positive-performance.com www.positive-performance.com

Robertson Training Ltd

01324 626969 Anne@sitesealants.co.uk www.sitesealants.co.uk

01786 447548 derek@robertsontraining.co.uk www.robertsontraining.co.uk

Keyline Builders Merchants

Scottish Business Resilience Centre Ltd

01324 638471 graeme.little@keyline.co.uk www.keyline.co.uk

Edinmore Contracts Ltd 08445 672999 dawn@edinmoreltd.co.uk www.edinmoreltd.co.uk

BUSINESS CONSULTANCY/ NETWORKING/COACHING

Andrew Management

01786 447441 breige.mcbride@sbrcentre.co.uk www.sbrcentre.co.uk

Sheena Walker - Executive Training & HR 07588 645702 sheena@sheenawalker.com www.sheenawalker.com

Simple Improvement Ltd

01786 448333 billandrew@andrewmanagement. com www.andrewmanagement.com

07791 758330 mike.bell@si8.co.uk www.simpleimprovement.co.uk

CeeD

01312 021667 mike@thinktastic.co.uk www.thinktastic.co.uk

07539 922497 r.harkess@ceed-scotland.com www.ceed-scotland.com

Colin McKeand - Business Connector 01324 823664 colin@colinmckeand.co.uk www.colinmckeand.co.uk

Creation Social Media

07786 036609 helen.warburton@ creationsocialmedia.com www.creationsocialmedia.com

Thinktastic

Trusty Professionals

01324 473731 lynn@trustyprofessionals.co.uk www.trustyprofessionals.co.uk

CAR DEALERSHIPS/HIRE/ LEASING/MECHANICS

Hardies Motor Group

01324 562799 iain.bolton@peugeotmail.co.uk www.hardiemotorgroup.co.uk

MEMBERS’ REGISTER CHARITY/SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

Erskine

01316 669961 shona.langlands@erskine.org.uk www.erskine.org.uk

Highland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association

DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT

Dataspace Scotland

01786 870967 jane@dataspacescotland.co.uk www.dataspacescotland.co.uk

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

STEP Stirling

Tapside Marketing Ltd

Moray Robertson Electrical Services Ltd

01506 823402 jack@tapside.com www.tapside.com

01786 448562 cherene@mresstirling.co.uk www.mresstirling.co.uk

The Rookery

Stirling Electrical Services Ltd

01250 881463 stuadh@hotmail.com www.rookery.org.uk

01786 813916 info@stirlingelectrical.co.uk www.stirlingelectrical.co.uk

Tilly Confectionery Ltd

01382 631026 hi-empsp@rfca.mod.uk www.hrfca.co.uk

01786 463416 GBell@stepstirling.co.uk www.stepstirling.co.uk/

Macmillan Cancer Support Fife & Forth Valley

Stirling Council

Shaw Trust

EDUCATION/TRAINING

ENGINEERING

Central Training Services Limited

Viridis Building Services Ltd

07834 191246 pmacmillan@macmillan.org.uk www.macmillan.org.uk

Open Secret

01324 630100 traci@opensecret.org www.opensecret.org

Scottish Autism

01259 728321 karen.wilson@scottishautism.org www.scottishautism.org

Step Up (Housing, Employability & Community Support Services) Ltd

07969 813272 katrina.broadhead@stepupsupport. co.uk www.stepupsupport.co.uk

The Salvation Army Furniture Project

01324 637554 falkirk.furniture@salvationarmy. org.uk www.salvationarmy.org.uk/esc/ charity-shops

Volunteer Scotland

01786 479593 adrian.murtagh@volunteerscotland. org.uk www.volunteerscotland.org.uk

CHARITY/SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

We are the Future

07855 449327 bruce.walker@wearethefuture.org.uk www.wearethefuture.org.uk

CLEANING

Moirs Cleaning

01324 624600 enquiries@moirsresidential.com www.moirsresidential.com

Perfect Service Solutions Ltd

01786 473840 simone@perfectservicesolutions. co.uk www.perfectservicesolutions.co.uk

01786 448633 beattiec@stirling.gov.uk www.stirling.gov.uk

01506 829883 allan@central-training.co.uk www.central-training.co.uk

Evolutio Ltd

08445 046534 john@evolutio.co.uk www.evolutio.co.uk

Forth Valley College

01786 406077 ken.thomson@forthvalley.ac.uk www.forthvalley.ac.uk

Gemini Solutionz

07930 527051 gail@geminisolutionz.co.uk www.geminisolutionz.co.uk

Performance Through People International 01786 357250 archiewaters@ptpi.org.uk www.performancethrough peopleinternational.com

GIFTS & SPECIALIST PRODUCTS

01324 477010 henrietta.black@shaw-trust.org.uk www.shaw-trust.org.uk

01324 614090 lee.marshall@viridisbsl.co.uk www.viridisbsl.co.uk

ESTATE AGENTS/PROPERTY LETTING/PROPERTY DEVELOPERS

Bellair (Scotland) Limited 01324 471278 douglas@bellair.co.uk www.bellair.co.uk

CalaChem Limited (Earls Gate Business Park) 01324 494339 john.walker@calachem.com www.earlsgatepark.co.uk

SUIP - Stirling University Innovation Park 01786 448333 lynn.blaikie@suip.co.uk www.suip.co.uk/

EVENT AND CONFERENCING SERVICES

Angels’ Share Glass

01786 833974 info@angelsshareglass.co.uk www.angelsshareglass.co.uk

Neon Creative Marketing Ltd t/a Clanbags 07827 974393 carolmccolgan@talktalk.net www.clanbags.com

GOLF CLUBS/SERVICES

Executive Golf & Leisure Ltd 01786 832244 graeme@execgolf-leisure.com www.execgolf-leisure.com

Glenbervie Golf Club

01324 562605 marketing@glenberviegolfclub.com www.glenberviegolfclub.com

Greentech Sportsturf Ltd 01786 480020 ian@greentechsportsturf.co.uk www.greentechsportsturf.co.uk

HEALTH & BEAUTY SERVICES

Scots Gas Training Ltd

Ceteris (Scotland) Ltd

Ajna Therapy

01786 474187 sgtrainingltd@mail.com www.scotsgastrainingltd.co.uk

01259 726430 mmrafferty@ceteris.co.uk www.ceteris.co.uk

01324 554518 info@yvonneajnatherapy.com www.yvonneajnatherapy.com

SJ Rennie Consulting Ltd

Falkirk Trinity Church of Scotland

Colour Me Pretty

01786 824320 stuartrennie@sjrconsulting.co.uk www.sjrconsulting.co.uk

Skills Development Scotland

01786 452019 graeme.schmidt@sds.co.uk www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk

University of Stirling 01786 467041 john.rogers@stir.ac.uk www.stir.ac.uk

YouTrain Ltd

01786 478478 louise.findlay@youtrain.com www.youtrain.com

01324 611017 thefawkirk@outlook.com www.falkirktrinity.org.uk

FOOD AND DRINK

Findlays

01324 614062 hello@findlaysfalkirk.co.uk www.findlaysfalkirk.co.uk

Graham’s Family Dairy

01786 833206 robert.graham@grahamsfamilydairy. com www.grahamsfamilydairy.com

Laxdale Foodservice Ltd

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

01786 471000 enquiries@falleninchfarm.co.uk www.falleninchfarm.co.uk

Falkirk Football Community Foundation

Graham Robertson Electrical & Security Ltd

Stirlingshire Vending (Scotland) Ltd t/a SV24-7

01324 624121 davidc@falkirkfc.co.uk www.falkirkfcf.co.uk

01324 562699 ronnie@mrstillys.co.uk www.mrstillys.co.uk

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

01786 468050 graham@graham-robertson.co.uk www.grelectrical.com

01259 215577 fiona@sv24-7.co.uk www.sv24-7.co.uk

01324 823993 kazc671@hotmail.com

Flawless Falkirk Ltd

01324 552486 flawlesspermanentcosmetics@ hotmail.co.uk www.flawlessfalkirk.com

Life Fit Wellness

01324 614044 arlene.bowmaker@ lifefitphysiotherapy.co.uk www.lifefitwellness.co.uk

Meridian Wellbeing & Health

07859 063834 info@meridian-wellbeing.co.uk www.meridian-wellbeing.co.uk

Postural Persuasions

sandie@personalpilates.co.uk www.personalpilates.co.uk

Continued on page 44 FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015 43

MEMBERS’ REGISTER (CONT) HEALTHCARE SERVICES

Able Health Care

01324 614034 gary@ablehealthcarescotland.co.uk www.ablehealthcarescotland.co.uk

Engage Occupational Health Solutions Ltd 07427 600199 margaret@engageoh.com www.engageoh.com

HWL Forth Valley

01324 673519 tneilson@nhs.net www.healthyworkinglives.com

Later Life Training

01838 300310 david.riddell@laterlifetraining.co.uk www.laterlifetraining.co.uk

Strathcarron Hospice

01324 826222 angela.gillies1@nhs.net www.strathcarronhospice.org

Tryst Dental Practice 01324 552889 linsey@trystdental.com www.trystdental.com

HUMAN RESOURCES/ RECRUITMENT

Greig Melville

01324 628676 hr@greigmelvillehr.co.uk www.greigmelvillehr.co.uk

HYGIENE SERVICES/ CLEANING SUPPLIES/SALES

Corporate Washroom Service Limited

07768 444498 lance@cloudcoverit.co.uk www.cloudcoverit.co.uk

Comtech

01786 406448 hello@comtech247.net www.comtech247.net

DOGFI.SH Mobile 07515 545377 simon@dogfi.sh www.dogfi.sh

Exmos Ltd

01324 486844 gordonc@exmos.com www.exmos.com

01259 215555 info@osborneheath.com www.osborneheath.com

Finestra Blinds

07890 998685 joe_nicoletti@finestrablinds.co.uk www.finestrablinds.co.uk

tensARC

01786 450083 paul@tensarc.co.uk www.tensarc.co.uk

IT/COMPUTING SERVICES/ TECHNOLOGY/MOBILE COMMS

Calad Media

01324 719619 alex@calad-media.co.uk www.calad-media.co.uk

Albion Mobility Ltd

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

01259 272167 sales@albionmobility.co.uk www.albionmibility.co.uk

Active Stirling Ltd

MUSEUM/HERITAGE CENTRE

03000 280101 kavanaghm@activestirling.org.uk www.activestirling.org.uk

Little Kerse Leisure Ltd 01324 486924 stephen@lkgalaxy.co.uk www.lkgalaxy.co.uk

Xtreme Karting Ltd

01324 579797 barrie@xtremekarting.co.uk www.xtremekarting.co.uk

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Trust 01786 475165 CEO@argylls.co.uk www.argylls.co.uk

Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum

Ochil Timber Products Ltd

NONE

Illuminare Design

01324 825503 admin@ochiltimber.com www.ochiltimber.com

01324 631248 mhairi@illuminaredesign.net www.illuminaredesign.net

IT First Associates Ltd (ITFA) 01324 664713 steven.mcguire@itfa.co.uk www.itfa.co.uk

Lithium Systems Ltd

01259 727847 stephen@lithiumsystems.co.uk www.lithiumsystems.co.uk

Nettl of Falkirk 01324 614064 falkirk@nettl.com www.nettl.com

NT Cadcam Ltd

Phoenix Broadband Ltd

Osborne Heath

MOBILITY PRODUCTS

MANUFACTURING

IMPORTS/EXPORTS

INTERIORS/DESIGN

01324 622888 karenmclachlan@russel-aitken.co.uk www.russelaitken.com

01259 726633 support@fusion-ltd.co.uk www.fusion-ltd.co.uk

Fusion IT

01786 220150 jon.reich@ntcadcam.co.uk www.ntcadcam.co.uk

01324 229435 94zly@163.com www.ukcentralbridge.com

Russel & Aitken LLP

01786 471917 museum@ smithartgalleryandmuseum.co.uk www.smithartgalleryandmuseum. co.uk

01324 870719 iain@cwswashroom.co.uk www.corporatewashroom.co.uk

CentralBridge Ltd

Cloud Cover IT Services Ltd

01786 230830 tfreeth@medusabusiness.com www.medusabusiness.com

SharkDog

07955 672581 josh@sharkdog.co.uk www.sharkdog.co.uk

Wildcat Solutions

01786 473232 cat@wildcatsolutions.co.uk www.wildcatsolutions.co.uk

LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Ciara High Risk Ltd

MARKETING/PR/DESIGN/ MEDIA

01415 587427 david.stewart@adeptpestcontrol. co.uk

Action Insight Management Ltd

Camphill (Blair Drummond) Trust Ltd

01324 867733 graeme@aim-eu.com www.actioninsightmanagement.com

CGH Creative

01506 842953 contact@cghcreative.co.uk www.cghcreative.co.uk

Denvir Marketing

01786 448160 elaine@denvirmarketing.com www.denvirmarketing.com

Ideas

01324 716827 donjack@ideas.co.uk www.ideas.co.uk

Printing.com Stirling 01786 466799 stirling@printing.com www.stirlingprinting.com

Scott Media Solutions 07977 451680 scottmediasol@aol.com www.scottmediasol.com

The Write People for Design

01786 445022 karen@thewritepeople.co.uk www.thewritepeople.co.uk

Vizibility Design

01313 391099 mac.mcgearey@ciarahighrisk.com

01786 469023 sdickson@vizibilitydesign.co.uk www.vizibilitydesign.co.uk

K.W. Peter & Co

Wide Eye Marketing

01314 458608 ken@kwpeter.co.uk www.kwpeter.co.uk

Ledingham Chalmers LLP 01786 478100 linda.tinson@ledinghamchalmers. com www.ledinghamchalmers.com

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015

Adept Pest Control Limited

01786 625101 stacey@wideeyemarketing.co.uk www.wideeyemarketing.co.uk

Write Marketing Consultancy

01324 874802 andrea@writemarketing.co.uk www.writemarketing.co.uk

01786 841573 jason@camphillblairdrummond. org.uk www.camphillblairdrummond.org.uk

Clydesdale Bank

01786 432907 simon.kerr@eu.nabgroup.com www.cbonline.co.uk/business

Common Purpose

01413 413355 colette.lowe@commonpurpose.org.uk www.commonpurpose.org.uk

Craig Recruitment Solutions Ltd

01236 729973 frank@craigrecruitmentsolutions. co.uk www.craigrecruitmentsolutions.co.uk

D-Mac Ltd

01324 578559 derek@d-macplumbing.com www.d-macplumbing.com

Empower Contracting Ltd T/A Recree8 07910 142290 kieth@recree8.com www.recree8.com

Family Business Solutions Ltd

01412 222820 georgebstevenson@blueyonder.co.uk www.ukfbs.co.uk

Forthside Leisure Ltd

01382 690820 richard@battlefieldlivedundee.co.uk www.battlefieldlivedundee.co.uk

GTG Training

01313 336833 tracey.fowler@gtg.co.uk www.gtg.co.uk

MEMBERS’ REGISTER Henke Associates 01360 440013 henke@sol.co.uk

Johnson Training Services Ltd 07511 153083 n.johnson330@btinternet.com

Kitshare Ltd 07791 657199 nic@kitshare.org www.kitshare.org

McHardy Financial 01312 216373 paul.baillie@mchb.co.uk www.mchb.co.uk

Robertson Group Limited 01786 431600 j.nelson@robertson.co.uk www.robertson.co.uk

SaluteMyJob Limited

Rhoddy Stewart Photography

01506 828983 rhoddy@rhoddystewartphotography. co.uk www.rhoddystewartphotography. co.uk

PLANT HIRE

01877 387219 ceilidhband@btconnect.com www.greattimescotland.com

PORTS OPERATOR

07966 529067 info@shirtbyhand.co.uk www.shirtbyhand.co.uk

Leapark Hotel

Forth Ports Ltd

Waitrose Stirling (620)

01324 467000 david@yourequipmentsolutions.co.uk www.yourequipmentsolutions.co.uk

01324 668401 stuart.wallace@forthports.co.uk www.forthports.co.uk

01786 458037 nick.pye@youmanage.co.uk www.youmanage.co.uk

OFFICE SUPPLIES

AG Office Supplies Ltd 01324 871857 richard@agofficesupplies.co.uk www.agofficesupplies.co.uk

Capital Document Solutions 01315 579686 nhunter@capital-solutions.co.uk www.capital-solutions.co.uk

OTHER

HQ 51 Infantry Brigade and HQ Scotland 01313 104850 51x-G1-Transition-SO2@mod.uk

PHOTOCOPIERS/OFFICE EQUIPMENT

Leemic 01324 492785 sandy.muir@leemic.com www.leemic.com

SECURITY

Design Print Advertise Ltd

CMD Electrical Engineers Ltd

01412 222202 mark@dtechuk.com www.dtechuk.com

Helix Binders Ltd

01324 629025 iain@helixbinders.co.uk www.helixbinders.co.uk

Palimpsest Book Production Ltd

07873 327273 craig.dolier@ cmdelectricalengineersltd.co.uk www.cmdelectricalengineersltd.co.uk

Verifier Ltd 03309 990112 info@verifier-ltd.co.uk www.verifier-ltd.co.uk

SPORTING ACTIVITIES

Perth Racecourse

01324 677850 craig@palimpsest-bp.co.uk www.palimpsest-bp.co.uk

01738 551597 tracey@perth-races.co.uk www.perth-races.co.uk/ perthracecourse

Readers Direct

SPORTS WEAR/EQUIPMENT

01360 440013 henke@sol.co.uk www.henke.co.uk

Signs Express (Falkirk)

01324 666966 falkirk@signsexpress.co.uk www.signsexpress.co.uk/falkirk

Word Woolf

01259 720309 gail@wordwoolf.co.uk www.wordwoolf.co.uk

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE & MANAGEMENT

Astute Facilities Management Ltd 01312 081365 ry@astutefm.co.uk www.astutefm.co.uk

DJM Property

PHOTOGRAPHY

07782 358900 dmoodie@hotmail.com www.djm.scot

Mark Ferguson Photographer

Central FM

07931 251898 mark@markfergusonphotographer.com ww.markfergusonphotographer.com

01786 464021 amy.sharp@waitrose.co.uk www.waitrose.com

PRINTING/PUBLISHING

DTech

Youmanage HR Ltd

01786 826609 nicola.houston@hilton.com www.doubletreedunblane.com

Shirt By Hand (Scotland) Ltd

Voltage Facilitation Ltd

01786 815974 vivienne.duncan@wynvr.co.uk www.scottish-cottages.co.uk

01360 870357 sandy@theoaktreeinn.co.uk www.theoaktreeinn.co.uk

Doubletree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro

Great Time Scotland Ltd

andrew@salutemyjob.com www.salutemyjob.com

Wyndham Vacation rentals

Frasers of Balmaha t/a The Oak Tree Inn

TOURISM/HOSPITALITY

RETAIL/CLOTHING

Your Equipment Solutions Ltd

01786 897023 info@designprintadvertise.com www.designprintadvertise.com

07780 975946 info@voltagefacilitation.co.uk

RESTAURANTS/CAFES/ COFFEE HOUSES

RADIO/TELEVISION 01786 577024 andrew.mcmurray@centralfm.co.uk www.centralfm.co.uk

RJM Sports Ltd 01324 873804 robert@rjmsports.co.uk www.rjmsports.co.uk

STORAGE

Storage UK Ltd 01324 812914 derek.cooper@storageukltd.co.uk www.storageukltd.co.uk/

01324 486733 keri.calder@sgehotels.com www.leapark.com

MacDonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa 08448 799044 stuart.maxwell@macdonald-hotels. co.uk www.macdonald-hotels.co.uk/inchyra

Steamship Sir Walter Scott Ltd 01877 376315 gordon@lochkatrine.com www.lochkatrine.com

Stirling Highland Hotel 01786 272727 kmckeating@thehotelcollection.co.uk www.thehotelcollection.co.uk/stirling

The Falkirk Wheel 01324 619888 claire.mcveigh@scottishcanals.co.uk www.falkirkwheel.co.uk

The Travel Architect 07974 567003 fionabibby@travelarchitect.com www.travelarchitect.com

Visit Scotland 01292 616417 liz.buchanan@tbt.visitscotland.com www.visitscotland.com

TRANSPORT

SURVEYORS

Caledonian Sleeper

Dronetech Aerial Surveys Limited

03300 600500 manjeet.turner@serco.com www.sleeper.scot

07725 915592 cath@dronetechsurveys.com www.dronetechsurveys.com

TELECOMS

Datel Solutions 01383 844244 douglas@datel-solutions.co.uk www.datel-solutions.co.uk

UTILITIES

Braemar Buying Group 01786 822858 kevin@braemartel.com www.braemartel.com

Silver Cloud Telecom 01415 520000 chris.macari@silvercloudtelecom. co.uk www.silvercloudtelecom.co.uk

FORTH VALLEY • AUTUMN 2015 45

Stirling University Innovation Park Ltd Scion House Stirling University Innovation Park Stirling FK9 4NF

• pr estig

t: 01786 448333 f: 01786 458033 e: info@suip.co.uk www.suip.co.uk

erms • enterprise grade inter b l e l e as e t net • i x e fl io u s a d• n n i k g r o o a w p t p e l o n r t t s u s nd stunn n e o ities • d busin ing location in the heart of Sc rivalle n u t i o u l n o s s • • b a l ies ce and • on site conference facilit ible offi • flex

“The Innovation Park has been perfect for us to take our initial business ideas and grow our company year on year. The security of knowing that our needs would be met - from every day basic amenities to increased space as we required it - have allowed us the freedom to expand our facilities and our aspirations.

In addition, the innovative culture of the businesses, which are thriving within the Park, provide that inspiration and drive to build on experience and further develop ideas. The site is an ideal location for business to bloom.” Peacock Technology Ltd, pictured right.

Untitled-1.indd 4

08/08/2013 11:40

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