Incommerce Perthshire Issue 17 by dtech

INcommerce THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

ISSUE 17 • SPRING 2013

PERTHSHIRE PERFECTLY PLACED FOR BUSINESS

• Provost Liz Grant in the spotlight • Place your BIDS • “Breakfast to go” for busy business people

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PRESIDENT’S WELCOME

EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION

Contents Chamber News & Events.......... 4-6 Scottish Chamber........................ 7 Members’ News................... 10-15 The Big Interview Provost Liz Grant.................. 16-17 Business Improvement Districts................................ 20-21

Stephen Leckie

he issue of Independence kept, understandably, arising through discussions with our members, so we are glad that we have been able to hold special events where both sides of the arguments can be heard and questioned in order that we understand as many of the implications as possible. The current situation of uncertainty does nothing to encourage investment in Scotland. So far we have heard from the “Better Together” campaign and the “Yes Scotland” and later in the year we will bring them back together so that members can again participate in a lively debate to put both under the microscope. We have many exciting events lined up this year and each will provide the perfect enjoyable platform for both structured and informal networking. For example we’ve teamed up with Perth Racecourse to run another networking event which attracts members from our fellow Chambers of Commerce in April when we can enjoy the fabulous hospitality and racing. We are holding a networking breakfast at this year’s Perth Show in August with Campbell Dallas and the fee includes entry to the show so guests can enjoy this fantastic event. In addition, with the support of Carbon Financial Partners, we have teamed up with Gleneagles Hotel to offer members a taste of the Ryder Cup experience on the 9th September. Stephen Leckie Chamber President

Vicki Unite

ike many, the Chamber is very concerned about the rising numbers of youth unemployment and has therefore partnered with PKC’s Education Department and Perthshire’s local authority secondary schools to assist pupils in their readiness for work. We all have some responsibility here as, typically, we want employees with experience and therefore we need to be willing to provide valuable, positive and worthwhile work experiences. We are hoping that our members can help enhance this important part of today’s curriculum and many are already assisting with “profiling” which helps pupils identify and communicate their skills and traits in the most attractive way to potential employers. This new relationship is very valuable and we plan to extend this initiative to provide many mutual benefits to pupils and local businesses for the benefit of the local economy. There is more information on this initiative on page 5. I wish to thank all those who took part in our annual Members’ Poll. It’s important that we ensure that we are allocating our resources correctly and working dynamically to meet our members’ needs. These polls help us assess our performance and services and gain new ideas of what we can deliver. Our Chamber’s sole purpose is to serve our members. If you have any comments or ideas and you missed out on taking the poll, you don’t have to wait until next year – we encourage feedback at all times and would be delighted to hear from you. Vicki Unite Chief Executive

Perth And Kinross is Open for Business................ 24-25 Succession Planning for Family Businesses................ 26 Eliminating waste from your business.................... 27 Chamber Sponsors.................... 30 Skin Deep?................................ 31 Employment Law Roundup....... 32 New Member Profiles........... 36-38 Breakfast on the go.............. 40-41 Access All Areas...................... 42 Membership Benefits................. 45 Events....................................... 46

Front Cover: Balhousie Care Group, Broxden Business Park For advertising contact D-Tech on T: 01389 736000 E: sales@incommerce.biz For editorial enquiries contact the Editor, Vicki Unite on T: 01738 450401 E: info@perthshirechamber.co.uk Publisher: D-Tech Distribution: D-Tech Distribution InCommerce is published by D-Tech Graphic Design & Print Ltd. Unit 14, Birch Road, Broadmeadow Industrial Estate G82 2RE. Telephone 01389 736000. Fax 01389 736002. E-mail: info@dtechuk.com. Edited by Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, Algo Business Centre, Glenearn Road, Perth PH2 0NJ Tel: 01738 450401 Fax: 01738 450402 E-mail: info@perthshirechamber.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.

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CHAMBER NEWS Pictures courtesy of Louis Flood Photographers, Perth

From left: Alistair Darling MP, leader of the anti-independence Better Together campaign, Stephen Leckie, president of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, and Murdo Fraser MSP.

From left: Jim Mather, Yes Scotland business ambassador, chamber president Stephen Leckie, and Blair Jenkins, Yes Scotland chief executive.

CHAMBER CHALLENGES KEY PLAYERS IN INDEPENDENCE DEBATES

erthshire Chamber of Commerce is delighted to be playing a key role in the Independence debate by bringing the arguments for and against a proposed Scottish breakaway right to the heart of Perth. The Chamber has already hosted open debates for members with key personalities from both the Better Together and Independence camps with “house full” signs at both. And Chamber chief executive Vicki Unite explained that they hope to organise even higher profile debates leading up to the 2014 referendum. “The business community in Perth and Kinross – like their counterparts across the whole of Scotland – have been very concerned with the unanswered questions surrounding the whole issue of Independence,” she explained. “We were delighted to host both Alistair Darling for the Better Together campaign and Blair Jenkins and Jim Mather representing the case for Independence at separate debates recently. These allowed local business people to hear both points of view and to air their own concerns and raise issues pertinent to their particular business

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

interests. Both have proved hugely popular and members want more of the same. “It’s important that businesses – like the general public – are as wellinformed as they can be in order to make a considered decision next year and the Chamber will help facilitate as many active debates and presentations as possible as both campaigns gather momentum.” Among the key issues raised by Chamber members at both presentations were fiscal powers, immigration, jobs creation and sustainability, taxes and pensions, European Union membership, oil revenue, industry and technology, the damage caused by uncertainty and defence. “There are so many questions still to be answered,” added Ms Unite, “and the Chamber intends to ensure our members have the chance to hear both sides of the argument and challenge the key players on issues relating to Perth and Kinross and the future of business that we do here.” The Chamber also issues regular e-briefs keeping members abreast of all the latest issues in the on-going debates regarding Scottish Independence.

CHAMBER NEWS

Schools Link

erthshire Chamber has partnered with the local education system to support our youngsters and grow the relationship between pupils, the system and the business community for mutual benefit. Some of the first initiatives are detailed below.

Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Ryder Cup Golfing Experience The Gleneagles Hotel, Afternoon of Monday 9th September 2013

Supported by

Profiling

A number of PCC members are supporting Perth and Kinross Education and Children’s Services in developing the use of profiles that children and young people prepare throughout their school life. A profile is a snapshot of a child or young person’s key achievements at a given point in time, recording their personal successes to date. Members are supporting the process, as critical friends, in helping young people to extract relevant and meaningful data from their profile that would be of interest to an employer. This partnership approach is essential in ensuring that local employers have the opportunity to share their expectations, enabling young people to be better prepared to reflect on their skills and knowledge development relevant to the workplace.

Work Experience Database

Perth and Kinross Council is currently developing approaches to Work Experience within the senior phase of the school curriculum. It is the entitlement of every young person to have the offer of a work experience opportunity and this can be undertaken in a range of ways, from five consecutive days of placement to extended opportunities, on a weekly basis, across a term, or a school year. Perthshire Chamber of Commerce is supporting the current canvass process, as part of a partnership with Perth and Kinross Council’s Education and Children’s services, in seeking opportunities for young people to obtain relevant and meaningful experience, and deeper understanding of the workplace, whilst working in partnership with schools to help young people develop the core skills essential for the workplace.

The Ryder Cup comes to The Gleneagles® Hotel from 26th - 28th September 2014 and, in anticipation, why not embrace the magic of one of the world’s greatest sporting events at Perthshire Chamber of Commerce’s very own tournament on the PGA Centenary Course? This is your chance to play the course before it sees the golfing greats of the US and Europe doing battle. The day will begin with a light lunch in the Mitchell Room in the recently refurbished Dormy Clubhouse, overlooking the King’s and Queen’s courses, followed by an 18-hole Shotgun Start tournament on the PGA Centenary Course, with the use of Gleneagles’ innovative GPS-guided golf carts. Perthshire Chamber is pleased to announce that, following the very successful Chamber Golf Day in Crieff last year, Carbon Financial Partners Ltd has once again agreed to sponsor this event and enable us to offer what promises to be a very memorable day. Carbon’s Managing Director, Gordon Wilson, is looking forward to it: “After the success of last year, Carbon is delighted to be sponsoring the Chamber Golf event again. The Chamber and Gleneagles Hotel have put together a fantastic one-off day to remember, which I am sure will prove hugely popular with members and their guests. I would book right away, as this event will be sure to sell-out fast!” Perthshire Chamber of Commerce’s Chief Executive, Vicki Unite, is also excited about this event: “This is a terrific opportunity to experience some of the Ryder Cup magic and play a round on this fantastic course. We are delighted to have the support again of Carbon Financial Partners and with this exclusive package from Gleneagles Hotel it’s set to be an excellent day.” The cost for this event will be £100 per person (plus VAT), including the light lunch and refreshments upon arrival as well as a two-course post-play high tea in the Mitchell Room. Perthshire Chamber and The Gleneagles Hotel have agreed an excellent value-for-money package, with golf, food and the use of cutting-edge golf carts all included in the price. Last year’s Chamber Golf Day in Crieff sold-out very quickly, so be sure of securing your team a place, contact the Perthshire Chamber Office on 01738 450401, or email events@perthshirechamber.co.uk

Jennifer Kettle Education Support Officer (Secondary) said: ‘The emerging partnership has been of great benefit in making contacts with employers in relation to the work experience programme in schools which supports young people in their development of skills for work, and in providing advice on the key skills and qualities employers are looking for in a young person’s application for employment.’

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SCOTTISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE – YOUR CHAMBER’S NATIONAL NETWORK

Liz Cameron, SCC Chief Executive, with Scottish Government Minister for Youth Employment at the launch of the Graduate Recruitment Incentive programme

he Chamber movement is truly global, with Chambers of Commerce active throughout the world. The Chambers in Scotland come together as Scottish Chambers of Commerce, and 2013 has seen a new vision emerge at SCC of what we mean to achieve for the Chambers across Scotland. SCC’s new chair, Nora Senior, has identified four ‘C’s that encapsulate our values and aims as Chambers of Commerce in Scotland. These are communication, connection, collaboration and celebration. These themes will run through SCC’s work this year, applied to each of the priorities that businesses in Chambers across Scotland have told SCC that they need to see taken forward on their behalf. Firstly, SCC will continue to address concerns about business rates. We have responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on its review of the entire rates system - a consultation that came about as a direct result of campaigning by SCC in 2010/11. Secondly, we know that a major issue for businesses in Perthshire is digital connectivity. Our priority in 2013 is to hammer home our message to the Scottish Government that the focus for public sector investment in broadband must be about extending its reach throughout the country, especially to those areas that BT and the other providers don’t have on their lists. January 2013 saw John Swinney state in the Scottish Parliament the Scottish Government’s backing for SCC’s prescription for tackling unemployment in Scotland - by

investing in infrastructure and by giving businesses, particularly small businesses, real support to create jobs. SCC therefore now lead a partnership project to support small businesses to recruit graduates, and to make the opportunities within small businesses visible to graduates. We want to see Scotland’s education system deliver for Scotland’s economy. So we were delighted last year to be invited to join the Joint Skills Committee. This is the lead strategic body on skills and vocational education policy and funding in Scotland, overseeing work of Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council. Our Chambers’ members’ interests will continue to lie at the heart of what SCC does in 2013. We cannot, though, ignore the dominant political debate in Scotland today the question over Scotland’s constitutional future. SCC will take no position on what we think the result should be; that is not our role. Instead, we will firstly work with the local Chambers of Commerce across Scotland to talk to members about the business issues so that they can make a decision that is as informed as it can be when the referendum comes. Secondly, we will press for the debate to recognise economic realities. This debate isn’t in a vacuum; issues about connectivity and business rates and education are daily realities for businesses in Scotland and will continue to be so. Whatever the result, the business environment will continue to change. SCC will be there to make those changes work for members of Perthshire Chamber and Chambers across Scotland. Amy Dalrymple

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

After the initial excitement surrounding the 2011 launch of Google+, Google’s social network, faded, a story started doing the rounds that, by comparison with rivals such as Facebook and Twitter, it was a “ghost town”. Almost two years on, the facts give the lie to that myth. At the end of January, Trendstream’s Global Web Index survey for Q4 2012 estimated that Google+ had 343 million active users, second only to Facebook (693m), having overtaken Twitter (288m). So, if your business is going to have a credible social media presence, it now needs to be on Google+. Need any more reasons? Well, here are seven quoted by online marketing consultant Saman Kouretchian (@SamanKour) in a recent article for Social Media Today: 1. SEO: You get a higher rank in Google Search — Your Google+ profile (personal page) and business page are included in Google Search results, which gives you a bump up in the search rankings. [If you have a Google Business Photos Street View-style ‘virtual tour’ of your business attached to your Google+ Local page, your result gets a significant extra boost — ASM] 2. Google products Integration — Google+ is being integrated into Google Search, Chrome, Android, Gmail, Google Maps, Docs, YouTube, Gchat and Calendar, so it might soon seem unnecessary to leave Google to socialise online. For your business, there are so many ways for you to promote it from your Google+ Local or Company page – with posts, photos, videos, events, Hangouts, editable keywords and allowing current and future customers to take a tour inside your premises 24/7 with a Google Business Photos ‘virtual tour’ made up of 360 Panoramics and close-up Points of Interest (POI) shots. It’s a great way to show off your décor, stock range and visual USPs.

3. Facebook + Twitter = Google+? — Google+ combines the best bits of Facebook and Twitter by allowing you to see what people are talking about, follow and connect with friends as well as celebrities and create your own profile, upload pictures and videos. The ‘Explore’ tool also lets you see the most popular topics being discussed now. 4. Sharing Made Easy with Sparks — With the Sparks tools you can search within Google+ for content or pictures to share and then just push the Share button! 5. Google+ Circles makes managing your friends fun & easy — Grouping your friends in circles is easy and as you have to put each new one into one or more circles when you accept them, no backlog of contacts to be grouped builds up. 6. Privacy and User Data — Google has made sure your personal data is safe with the ‘Data Liberation’ tool in Google+. With a few clicks you can download and permanently remove all your personal data and activities from the site. 7. Google+ ‘Hangouts’ are pretty cool! — With this you can have up to nine people chatting or videochatting at once, share YouTube videos, create art, play games, or collaborate on a Google Doc project and allow others to watch. Even President Obama has hosted one! So what excuses have you got left for not being on Google+? P.S. When you sign up, please don’t forget to ‘circle’ +ASM Media & PR and +Mr Droogle!

To find out more about how your business and its customers could benefit from a Google Business Photos virtual tour, go to http://maps.google.com/businessphotos To register your interest, call Alan S. Morrison on 07966 653073 or email enquiry@ mrdroogle.com

MEMBERS’ NEWS

BROXDEN ANNOUNCES COLLABORATION WITH CREATIVE ORANGE Broxden and Creative Orange have partnered to offer a comprehensive range of web, I.T. and creative services to businesses throughout Perthshire and beyond. Broxden Director, John Roy said: “This partnership really is a perfect marriage of skills. It allows us to deliver a full range of web and creative solutions for our clients. We had been looking to partner with an established creative name for some time and Creative Orange is the perfect fit.” Broxden has built an enviable reputation within the Perth business community over 10 years and boast a wide and varied portfolio of clients that include A & J Stephen, McCash and Hunter, Stewarts of Tayside and The Royal George Hotel. Creative Orange, headed up by Les Johnson, have been offering creative solutions to local and national clients for over five years and have a number of established brands on their books, including Scotherbs, Radio Tay and Exchange Communications. Anne Smith, Director at Broxden commented: “This partnership means clients will have two highly experienced businesses at their disposal which can only be of benefit to them in the long term. This is a very exciting time for Broxden and we look forward to working with Creative Orange for many years to come as we believe that together we are without doubt stronger.” To find out what the dynamic partnership between Broxden and Creative Orange could bring to your business please call John Roy or Anne Smith at Broxden on 01738 450422 or email enquiries@ broxden.co.uk

MARY LESLIE MOVES DESIGN STUDIO TO THE BOTHY AT RAIT, PERTHSHIRE

FIFTH BIRTHDAY AND PERFORMANCE CELEBRATIONS FOR HSBC HSBC celebrated five years in Perth by announcing its best ever performance so far in the Fair City. HSBC Perth opened its doors in October 2007 and has gone from strength to strength in the local economy, forging key relationships with businesses and personal clients alike. Ryan Bunyan, the branch’s Premier Relationship Manager commented: “Being able to provide a full range of banking facilities including Financial Advice, Business Banking and Dedicated Relationship Managers has been key to the bank’s success. Most importantly we are delighting our customers along the way by providing excellent service. Our branch Manager, Jonathan Probert, and the rest of our fantastic team are on hand to welcome you to HSBC Perth and offer you tailored solutions whatever your financial need.”

Mary Leslie is delighted to announce the expansion of her company and move to a new design studio and office at the Rait Antique Centre, just outside Perth. Mary Leslie Interior Design now undertakes most of their interior design, project co-ordination and administration from the Bothy at Rait, regardless of the project location. Client and site meetings take place wherever suits the client with products sourced locally, nationally or internationally according to the need. The original London office keeps close to the best of UK and international showrooms, whilst also servicing London, the South of England and overseas Recently completed projects range from a cottage in the Borders, a terraced house in Pimlico and a pied à terre overlooking Edinburgh New Town to a Federal style house in Arlington, Virginia and a penthouse in Miami. Mary asks you to update her contact details to: Mary Leslie Interior Design Ltd, The Bothy, Rait Antique Centre, Rait, Perthshire. PH2 7RT, 01821 670776 info@mhleslie.co.uk

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

MEMBERS’ NEWS

BRAND NEW EXTENSION FOR SQUIRREL SELF STORE After two years of rapid growth, Squirrel Self Store has just added another brand new extension, to ensure they always have units available for new customers to rent.

with a great value me

“Our customers‘ most popular choice of unit size is 75 square feet – as you can comfortably pack a 3-bedroom house into one,” remarks Morag Whyte, Squirrel’s Assistant Manager. “And because that size is so popular, we have just added another 20 of them, along with a selection of other units from 20 square feet right up to a massive 150 square feet, which is big enough to house the contents of a 5-bedroom house and shed.” The store is very clean, dry and secure – and you are assured of a warm, friendly welcome from every member of the team. There is lots of free parking and over 250 purposebuilt secure storage units – which start at just 58 pence per day. Squirrel’s units are an ideal secure, dry place to store furniture and belongings or business documents.

mbership from Live Ac

“Exercise keeps me active”

PETER 70

PERTH

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PERTH

“We can spend time together”

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tive Leisure

“I conquered my fear”

“I want to join the Army and my Personal Trainer is helping me get there”

“I workout at lunch”

Ceri 21

There is also a soft play land for the kids, customer toilets, a snack bar and Sky TV to make your visit as enjoyable as possible.

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GRAHAM 42 KINROSS

THE WEE PIE COMPANY LTD. OPENS ITS FIRST PIE SHOP After winning a coveted Guild of Fine Food Gold Star Award for its Venison Wallace pie and winning the FSB & Perth College, UHI Award, the Wee Pie Company has opened its first pie shop in Glencarse Main Street, Perth. The Pie Shop will open on Thursdays & Fridays from 0800hrs to 1800hrs & on Saturdays & Sundays from 0900hrs – 1700hrs. The official opening was performed by John Swinney MSP in December 2012 with pie tastings and bargain opening prices. The Wee Pie Company specialises in producing artisan wild game pies and accompanying savoury products, including its soon to be famous Crust Dunker sauces, sweet pastry pies and its non-meat pie range. With its passion for provenance the Wee Pie Company ensures that all of its game and specialty meats are sourced locally within Perthshire or as close to Perthshire as possible and are preferably wild. Each pie is a pure delight, an original flavour combination packed with chunks of meat, sleeping within their own sauces, encased in crisp flaky pastry, just waiting for you to take a bite. Fresh, seasonal and exciting is an understatement to describe the mouthwatering experience that hits you when tasting these phenomenal savoury and sweet pies. Come on in and feast your eyes on all our wee pies!

Gym, Swim & Classes NO CONTRACT NO JOINING FEE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Only £1 a day

“I’ve lost 3 stone”

MARY 66 PERTH

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REAL PEOPLE FOR LIVE ACTIVE How often do you see posters for fitness courses, gyms and running clubs featuring only super skinny models on far flung beaches? Not inspiring is it? It all seems super unachievable and totally unrealistic! That’s why our own local leisure trust, Live Active Leisure, decided to start this year with a resolution of their own! For the first time, their marketing campaign for the 15 leisure outlets they own and manage throughout Perth & Kinross has featured “Real Perth People”. From swimming with the family to fitting in a routine around a busy career, the campaign highlighted people of all ages, abilities and from all walks of life. Kelly Parker, Marketing Coordinator at LAL explained: “We know that our customers are a diverse group of people. The day to day challenges we face when trying to build regular exercise into our lives is different for everyone. We wanted to show that with a little attention it can easily be achieved – and can bring great success!” The group of “Real People” who took part included amongst others: parents, a career woman, a pensioner, a 20, 30, 40 and 60-something person and a wonderful seven-year-old who enjoys a swim with her Mum. The campaign utilised billboards, press advertising, PR, social media and direct emails. “We have had a terrific response to the campaign,” said Kelly. “It seems that our Perth & Kinross audience loves the fact that we’re showing off our hard working, home-grown fitness members. And seeing your neighbour up on a billboard is always going to be fun!”

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

MEMBERS’ NEWS

BRITISH SAFE HAVEN ACCREDITATION FOR WCF-PHOENIX WCF-Phoenix is delighted to announce that they have again, successfully completed their annual British Safe Haven accreditation. The British Safe Haven Seed Potato Scheme protects potato growers, including gardeners from notifiable, non-indigenous diseases and pests which can have devastating effects on potato crops. British seed potato growers and packers are only eligible to join the Safe Haven scheme if they source seed from within the scheme and can demonstrate strict bio-security and hygiene standards. Comprehensive, independent audits are conducted annually on all scheme members. “It’s a tough standard to reach, but one we’re very proud to have achieved” said Kate Ralston, General Manager of WCF-Phoenix. “We’re sending out a strong message to all retailers and gardeners – don’t risk your reputation; buy British classified, Safe Haven seed potatoes. We are also permitted to use the Safe Haven logo, which incorporates the widely recognised Red Tractor.” As the largest and most experienced seed potato packer in the UK, WCF-Phoenix supply many of the UK’s biggest retailers and also export within Europe. They have extensive storage, specialist packing and product handling facilities based in Perthshire, where their central location ensures a reliable delivery network, including a mail-order fulfillment service. “Our staff have a flexible approach and unrivalled experience in our sector” says Kate Ralston “so we are always open to enquiries about existing or new services required in the horticultural or agricultural sector”. WCF-Phoenix is part of the WCF Ltd Group; formed in 1911 with over 100 years in business.

Safe Haven CERTIFICATION SCHEME

NEW BOARD APPOINTMENT AT WILTSHIRE FARM FOODS News from Wiltshire Farm Foods Crieff is the promotion of Heidi Lamont-McBride to the board as the latest Director. She is currently the third member of the Lamont family to take up a position on the board of Directors. She has wide knowledge and experience in Human Resources and Finance. She will also bring a refreshing air of youth to the board. This will continue the family involvement in the company and ensure continuation of its family values. The Company is also having a surveillance visit from the Customer Service Excellence Standard to ensure that their commitment to excellence is being maintained. This is something that the company is fully committed to through its continuing programme of training of staff in this area. The company is pleased to announce that it is supporting MND Scotland as its charity of the year and have raised so far in excess of £1500 through donations and has a charity prize bingo. Wiltshire Farm Foods are also proud of their continuing support for the annual Poppy Appeal Scotland. This year’s contribution was £1252 through the sale of one of their meals. The support of both local and national charities is again something that the company. is very proud of and is also part of its continuing philosophy of support for the community. A new range of meals is being launched with an emphasis on those who have chewing or swallowing difficulties. This will extend the home meals specialist range of diets.

GLENEAGLES VOTED SCOTLAND’S BEST RESORT BY UK GOLFERS Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, has been voted Scotland’s Best Hotel Resort by more than 7,000 readers of Today’s Golfer magazine. The annual Today’s Golfer Travel Awards named Gleneagles their country’s top place to stay and play golf. The award came just weeks after Gleneagles was crowned the UK’s Best Rural Hotel by readers of the Sunday Times Travel magazine. Today’s Golfer Editor Chris Jones said: “These are the only golf travel awards nominated by real golfers, who pay to play and stay at these destinations. That’s why you can guarantee the courses and resorts who’ve been successful will give you a fantastic experience.” Patrick Elsmie, Gleneagles’ Managing Director, commented: “It’s a terrific honour to be chosen by golfers themselves as their favourite golf resort. With the Ryder Cup just 18 months away, interest in golfing trips to Scotland is only going to increase so it’s a great time to get this kind of recognition, and testament to the hard work of the whole Gleneagles team.”

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

MEMBERS’ NEWS

STEPHEN OFFERS MI NEW HOME

AWARDS GALORE Perth landscaping company, Gardens Galore, were delighted to receive a regional award for the second year running for the quality of their work at the Marshalls Register Awards Ceremony held in Dundee recently.

Stephen has been unveiled as the only Perthshire-based housebuilder selling homes which are eligible for Scotland’s new 95% mortgage initiative. The ‘MI New Home’ scheme, aimed at increasing the availability of 95% loan-to-value mortgages, is now being offered by Stephen across its many developments. The company will look to offer the MI New Home option to all buyers on new build houses and apartments in Perthshire, Angus and Fife with a purchase price up to £250,000. The Scottish Government supported initiative, developed by Homes for Scotland, will allow those who could afford a mortgage on a new-build home, but are currently locked out due to high deposit requirements, to borrow 90-95 per cent, up to a maximum sales price of £250,000. The typical deposit needed to buy a home is 20%, therefore, in respect of a home worth £200,000, buyers using the MI New Home scheme would require a deposit of £10,000 rather than £40,000. John Stephen, Managing Director of Stephen said: “We are delighted to be an offering the MI New Home scheme which, by removing the common barrier of large deposits, will allow a wide range of buyers to take their first step on the property ladder and allow others, who were perhaps putting their hopes of moving on hold, to move forward. Increasing the number of 90 to 95% mortgages being offered by lenders should have a significant impact on the market, helping people get onto the housing ladder without the need for large deposits, and we look forward to helping even more buyers turn their dreams into a reality.”

From Left to Right: Mike Walker (Marshalls), Grant Whyte (Landscaper on winning project from Gardens Gollore), Andrew Martin (Marshalls)

The award was presented for ‘Best use of ethically sourced Fairstone Paving’ and this was received by employee Grant Whyte, landscaper for the winning landscaping project completed in Scone, Perth. The customers had asked Gardens Galore to design a functional yet easy maintenance garden to enjoy in their future retirement. The project involved producing two level areas to an existing sloping lawn area. A retaining wall was built and faced using Fairstone walling and Fairstone sandstone paving was laid to create two seating areas and paths. Planted gravel borders were created, both complimenting the paving and attractively breaking up the garden. Managing Director of Gardens Galore, Jim Byiers, commented: “Customers are looking for a different kind of garden now to the garden they wanted 10 years ago. The amazing choice of paving, walling and gravel we can source nowadays means you can have an attractive, colourful garden without the time-consuming upkeep that a traditional garden with lawn and borders would require. We are delighted that Marshalls have recognised our workmanship and creativity in this garden. It is pleasing to achieve an award from Marshalls for the second year.” The Marshalls Register of Approved Landscape Contractors and Driveway Installers is a national network of recommended professionals who provide Marshalls products. Marshalls Registered companies agree to abide by their installation guidelines and are continually vetted by Marshalls assessors.

HEARTLAND FM COMES OF AGE How times flies! Heartland FM is delighted to announce that it is celebrating its 21st birthday this year and they want to celebrate with their listeners, friends and local community. They invite you to a variety of live music events, including HFMfest - an indoor live music festival in Pitlochry Town Hall on 6th April. Bands playing include Jerricho Hill and Headline plus other support bands to be announced nearer the time along with ticket prices and booking details. Marion McDonald, Board Member said: “Heartland FM has matured over its 21 years and is a remarkable community asset, owned, run by and for the local people of Perthshire. Heartland is the longest running community radio station in the UK and broadcasts to 75% of Perthshire, that’s something to celebrate!” Heartland FM is Perthshire’s independent community radio station, broadcasting on 97.5 & 106.6FM plus online. Established in 1992 it is the longest running community radio station in the United Kingdom. With the aim to entertain, educate, inform and encourage local participation, the station is staffed by 50+ volunteers and is supported almost wholly by the local community.

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

MEMBERS’ NEWS

42nd PERTH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS, 16TH-26TH MAY 2013 Van Morrison, Sir James Galway, Jools Holland and so much more. Quality abounds at this year’s Festival, Van Morrison, Jools Holland, Sir James and Lady Galway will headline. A list singer-songwriter Van Morrison will play at Perth Concert Hall on Wednesday 22nd May. Some of his recordings, such as Astral Weeks and Moondance and the live album It’s Too Late to Stop Now, are critically acclaimed and appear at the top of many greatest album lists. Sir James and Lady Galway will play at the Festival’s Opening Concert on Sunday 19th May with the English Chamber Orchestra. The living legend of the flute, Sir James is regarded as both the supreme interpreter of the classical flute repertoire and a consummate entertainer whose appeal crosses all musical boundaries. Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra will return to play on Friday 17th May with a Special Guest Roland Gift, the voice of Fine Young Cannibals. Other shows include Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, English Touring Opera, who will stage Donizetti’s The Siege of Calais, Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra and Mozart’s Così fan tutte. More shows include world-renowned choir The Sixteen; Lucy Parham, Martin Jarvis and Joanna David appear in Beloved Clara and there is also a production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. More announcements are to be made in the coming weeks. Tickets will go on sale on the 25th March. www.perthfestival.co.uk The Festival is a registered charity.

HIGHLAND SPRING GROUP GOES GREEN AND GETS SILVER

Highland Spring Group, the UK’s leading bottled water producer, has been awarded Silver status in Marks & Spencer’s Sustainable Framework at its Lennoxtown plant, The Fells. One of only five of the retailer’s 600 suppliers to achieve this status, the site is the first bottled water supplier and only the second Scottish supplier to attain Silver accreditation. Part of M&S’s ‘Plan A’ to become the world’s most sustainable retailer, the framework required Highland Spring Group to demonstrate its achievements in three key areas: ethical, environmental and lean management. Operating sustainably is core to Highland Spring Group’s business and the accreditation recognises its significant progress in this area. The team from M&S was extremely impressed, making particular comment on the sense of pride within the site and the strong sense of commitment to continuous improvement across all aspects of the business.

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

Guy Meakin, buyer for M&S said: “This is a great achievement and something the business should be proud of. At M&S we are driving our key suppliers, with the framework and support required, to ensure we reach gold standards on the 'How we do Business framework' and by achieving silver accreditation already shows how strong a supplier Highland Spring is and how aligned the company is to our Plan A ambitions. “Put simply it’s the right thing to be doing for the environment, the commercials and for ensuring there is a strong foundation for future growth for the business.” Bryan McCluskey, group technical & procurement director for Highland Spring Group added: “This superb achievement deepens our partnership with one of our key customers. We are extremely proud, especially as delivery was largely dependent on genuine engagement from staff across the business and most especially at The Fells.”

MEMBERS’ NEWS

SPOTTED WING DROSOPHILA: SMALL PEST, BIG TROUBLE FOR GROWERS

THE FAMOUS GROUSE EXPERIENCE INVESTS IN £250,000 REFURBISHMENT The Famous Grouse Experience, located at Scotland’s oldest working distillery, Glenturret, has undergone an extensive refurbishment, following recent investment of £250,000 to upgrade its popular cafe. The fully refurbished interior effortlessly combines bold and stylish furnishings, with sumptuous velvet and tartan upholstered sofas and chairs creating a warming venue, ideal for private and corporate events for up to 275. Located beside the fresh running river from Loch Turret in the heart of the stunning Perthshire countryside, the centre attracts in the region of 100,000 visitors a year from far and wide, as well as corporate guests, with unsurpassed hospitality and the very latest facilities and equipment. Meeting and event facilities at The Famous Grouse Experience include a 60 seat lecture theatre complete with full audio visual equipment, private meeting rooms and private dining areas. For the less conventional conference, The Famous Grouse Experience invites delegates to experience its interactive show and fly over Scotland’s most iconic tourist attractions, embarking on a unique and unforgettable journey. At the end of the day, corporate parties can relax over a bespoke whisky tasting in a location steeped with history and heritage or enjoy an exclusive Fasan Ur style private dinner, matching whisky to each course, in place of wine. Tracy McCafferty, General Manager of The Famous Grouse Experience, commented: “This £250,000 investment in our cafe and bar ensures the facilities here at The Famous Grouse Experience remain of the highest standard. “We are firmly committed to investing in The Famous Grouse Experience and retaining our 5* status, attracting visitors from both our local community and further afield to come and pay Perthshire a visit and enjoy all it has to offer. Our scenic venue is the perfect environment for our corporate guests to add some spirit to their meetings and events, with an experience which provides fresh stimulus and inspiration in the heart of The Famous Grouse country.”

Soft fruit growers in Perthshire and the rest of Scotland must take adequate steps to protect their crops from a new threat that could cause losses of up to 80%, according to researchers at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee. Alison Dolan, soft fruit expert at the Growers are urged to protect their crops from SWD through good practice James Hutton Institute, explained that the spotted wing drosophila (SWD, Drosophila suzukii, pictured) is a new pest which is becoming widespread in the world; while originally endemic to Asia, it is now found in North America and has recently spread to Europe and the UK, threatening not only soft fruit but also stone fruit, tomatoes, vines and other crops. “SWD has already arrived in the UK. It was first recorded in England on 29 August 2012, so it is likely to be widespread there. Even if reproduction of this pest in the Scottish winter is unlikely, growers should bear in mind that SWD is difficult to control with insecticides and therefore prevention, monitoring, good practice and crop hygiene are key,” she said. Besides monitoring the possible presence of SWD in Scotland, the James Hutton Institute is also participating in a cross-industry group launching the “Spot It, Stop It” nationwide campaign for educating growers about SWD. This includes a series of workshops providing advice on early crop monitoring, hygiene, control and waste disposal. In addition to the workshops, growers will be given access to a dedicated SWD information internet microsite, instructional films and guidance documents.

FOYER FORUM Algo Business Centre has recently expanded its range of services to allow businesses operating outwith its award-winning office block access to valuable promotional space. The ALGO FOYER PACKAGE allows businesses to set up in the Centre’s busy foyer where they can talk to tenants, meet with potential clients and, if they wish, hold an evening reception for invited guests.

Nicola Martin of The Red String Agency was the first external business to make use of Algo’s Foyer Package Opportunity.

Pauline Alexander, Algo Business Centre Manager explained: “We know that business owners are the best advertisement for their products or services. Our Business Centre allows direct access to our tenants and visitors and gives a professional platform for ‘at home’ sole traders to arrange appointments with potential clients.” The Package costs £25 per day or £100 for a full week and includes: • • • • • • • •

Promotional space in the main Algo Business Centre Foyer Table and chairs, space for exhibition stands, free Wi-Fi, electricity point An advance email out to all tenants with your company logo, contact details and 100 words of promotional copy Facebook and Twitter promotion via our pages Access to insert information into our Tenant Pigeon Holes Use of our sofas and kitchen areas for arranged meetings Access to our staff areas for your team on the ground The evening extension is an additional £20 and allows you to plan a reception for invited guests.

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

HEADER THE BIG INTERVIEW BAR - PROVOST LIZ GRANT

Photo courtesy of Louis Flood

Provost Liz Grant chats to journalist Maureen Young about life on and off duty. You live in Blairgowrie now – are you a local lass originally?

Where did your interest in politics come from?

No, my family originally came from Dundee but I was actually born and raised in India where my father was a jute mill manager.

I have always been interested in history and politics. Politics was part of everyday conversation at home. Men of my father’s generation were political and many due to our sound Scots educational system of the time were educated, well read and articulate. Born in the early years of the last century, they lived through two World Wars and the hardship and sacrifice that all that entailed. Between the two wars and after people expected a better life for themselves and their families and that need found resonance in the rise of the trade union movement, votes for women and the birth of the NHS, coupled with a life long passion and respect for education which they firmly believed was their hope for a better future.

He went out to India from Dundee when he was 19 like a lot of young Scots who found Scotland unable or unwilling to sustain them. I lived in India until I was 12 and attended boarding school in Darjeeling. Loreto Convent was in essence an international school educating children from all over the world whose fathers were working in India. Most of the girls I was at school with are now scattered all over the world. I revisited India three years ago and was a little disappointed that many of the places that had been a familiar part of my childhood had either disappeared or changed irrevocably.

Yes, but it was happenstance, really! I did not see politics as a profession but a belief system. I had always been involved in local politics within my local branch - knocking on doors, delivering leaflets, fundraising etc.

You then came back to Tayside and studied at Morgan Academy. Was politics your profession of choice?

What qualities do you feel a councillor has to have?

Not at all. I had never considered a career in politics. I had no burning ambition to follow any particular career path but I was fortunate to be able to experience several different opportunities prior to commencing nurse training at Dundee Royal Infirmary. I spent 35 happy years in the health service mainly at Ninewells hospital and then latterly at Perth Royal Infirmary in a variety of clinical, management and teaching roles. My last post prior to taking early retirement was to set up and manage the nurse bank for all Tayside hospitals.

But you went further than just talking about it?

I was just a baby when Ghandi was assassinated. It was a very turbulent time in India immediately post independence and news of Ghandi’s assassination had the population at fever pitch. All the Europeans in the various jute mills the length of the Hoogley river were ready for embarkation to return home by ship a waiting them at Calcutta. My mother recalled that the men were all issued with arms, as tensions had been running high between Muslim and Hindu since partition, but the immediate crisis passed once it became known that it had been a Hindu and not a Muslim that had shot Gandhi.

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

My husband Alan had been a local councillor on Tayside Regional Council and then Perth and Kinross Council. A vacancy arose in the Council to represent Rattray and the Glens, I stood and was elected in 2003. This is now my tenth year as a councillor. My ward now includes Rosemount, Blairgowrie and the Glens.

Councils deliver public services and members are elected to ensure that those services are delivered where there is the most need and to the highest possible standard that resources will allow. To serve your local community and the wider Council area good people skills are essential if you are to be an effective councillor. It is essential to be a good listener, approachable, patient, tenacious and have the ability to say “NO” when the occasion demands. You won’t always be able to help everyone but it is important to be honest and open about what is or is not possible and why.

HEADER BAR Do party politics play a big part in an effective council? The advent of the multi member ward system has to some extent, encouraged more collaborative working between the political groups. Some Councils are more collaborative than others. We are fortunate in Perth & Kinross to have a balanced and mature council and we all try to work together to do the best we can for all the people of Perth & Kinross. We deliver services and cross party co-operation is essential when we have to make tough decisions in prioritising and targeting diminishing resources in these difficult economic times.

What has given you your biggest “high” as a councillor? I think being convener of Life Long Learning for the last five years and delivering five wonderful new school campuses on budget and on time. There were a lot of tough decisions but it was all worthwhile in the end. Increasing the rigour in Headteacher selection and appointments has helped to raise attainment across the pupil spectrum in Perth & Kinross. We are ahead of most of our comparator authorities a huge improvement from 5 years ago. Helping achieve that gave me a huge high.

Being elected Provost last summer must have been a great honour? Absolutely! To be appointed civic head of Perth and Kinross and the Convener of the Council for the next five years is a very great honour and a privilege. I was Provost for just four weeks when the Queen and Prince Philip visited Perth on the 6th July last year. Her Majesty’s visit had been preceded by the tour of the Olympic torch and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and a special Kirking of the Council attended by our visiting twinning Mayors from Aschaffenburg, Cognac, Perth, Ontario and Bydgosz in Poland. It was a ‘bit of a helter skelter’ but all wonderful memories and really special occasions at which to be Provost.

Nice robes? The robes are quite long so it helps to be tall and wear heels. I quite like the look but I’m definitely not wearing the hat! Nice and cosy on a cold day!

What do you hope to achieve during your time as Provost? The Council’s vision is to develop the City of Perth, and the area of Perth and Kinross, as one of the most desirable places in Scotland in which to live, work, visit and invest. A place where people want to be. We start from a strong base, but there is much to do – and the Council cannot do it alone. If we want Perth and Kinross to be an area which offers strong business, educational, cultural and leisure opportunities for our citizens and visitors, we all have to work together as a community. I am the Provost of Perthshire and Kinross-shire. I hope to bring all parts of our community together, to work in partnership, towards achieving that vision. The restoration of City status has provided us with a once in a generation opportunity and has laid down the marker for the serious work to begin. The vision is and will continue to be a work in progress. The future is in all our hands.

And your ultimate legacy? We must honour our heritage and our past but have our vision firmly fixed on the future. We have regained our city status and we must establish just who we are and who we want to be. I want my legacy to be that Perth is recognised as a significant city, the ancient capital of Scotland, taking her rightful place alongside her six sister cities. I want people to visit and wish to stay here because we have something special and unique to offer.

Your diary as Provost and councillor is extremely busy – do you ever enjoy a day off? I enjoy my leisure time as much as the next person but there are times, I must admit, when my work/life balance can be out of kilter for significant periods of time, but I have never found that to be a particular burden. My civic team manage my enthusiastic tendencies in a very constructive way! I think that I have been very fortunate to have been brought up with healthy work ethic that viewed work as an individual’s contribution to society to be enjoyed, respected and celebrated, not necessarily as a chore. I enjoy life and take pleasure in the variety of my everyday life and the people I meet and work with.

Don’t you have any hobbies? I like gardening and take pleasure in the changing seasons of the year. I was an all-round sports person when I was younger but I have to admit that I am increasingly a great sports spectator – especially winter sports, cross country skiing and biathlon which I find glue me to the TV from November to March. I am looking forward to the Olympics in Sochi next February. I do read a great deal for pleasure which balances the reading required for Council and if I get my nose in a good book you will have difficulty shifting me.

What about cooking? I don’t have much time to cook on a regular mealtime basis, I really could do with a wife! But I do enjoy watching other people cook and I really appreciate a good meal and will always comment to the chef, I very much appreciate the level of skill that is involved.

You must take time out to watch a movie or two? I haven’t been to the cinema in 25 years. The last movie I watched on the big screen was The Return to Oz. I found the experience too noisy at the cinema, I have opted to stay at home since then. However, I do like to watch old movies because they invariably remind me of my childhood and growing up. I remember with pleasure the American musicals and films of the fifties and sixties that cheered us all up in a rather dark and gloomy post war Britain. I had a lot of movie heroes when I was growing up but I tend to look for good character actors rather than hunky ones now – although I did have my head turned by Colin Firth’s Mr Darcy!

So work really is your life? I have an interesting life which is of my choosing, I wouldn’t change a day of it. I have two grown up sons and two young grandchildren and like most women running a family and working fulltime can be a fine balancing act but I have never found it to be an overwhelming problem. Challenging at times, yes, but that is life. None of us knows what lies ahead and when I find myself putting off making a decision I always say to myself, if not now, when? And that usually concentrates my mind enabling me hopefully, to make the right decision at any one time. Life is for living, I enjoy it!

I want us to be recognised primarily as a quality brand by offering the very best in visitor experience, educational and sporting opportunities, public services and quality of life. In short, the very best that Scotland can offer.

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

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HEADER BAR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Photo courtesy of Graeme Hart, Perthshire Picture Agency.

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS – A NATIONAL STRATEGY, DELIVERING LOCALLY

Business Improvement District (BID) can be established wherever additional services to those which the statutory authorities provide are desired by the local business community. A BID involves businesses and organisations working together and investing collectively in local improvements, which will be of benefit to the businesses involved whilst contributing to the sustainable economic growth of the local economy. They are often, although not exclusively, a partnership arrangement through which the local business community and the statutory authorities can take forward projects which will benefit the local economy. A BID is not a substitute for central or local government investment. BIDs are developed, managed and paid for by the business sector by means of a compulsory BID levy which the businesses must vote in favour of before the BID can be established. BIDs were enacted in Scotland in 2006. Business Improvement Districts Scotland (BIDS) was established within the Scottish Government to lead the BID programme, to support and encourage the development of BIDs across Scotland and to aid the regeneration, asset and facilities management of Scotland’s towns and villages, business parks and tourism and visitor areas. The Scottish Government provides a seedcorn grant of upwards of £20,000 to develop a BID.

For further information go to:

www.bids-scotland.com Tel: 0131 629 0065 or Email: ian.davisonporter@bids-scotland.com

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT The BID model is a flexible, innovative vehicle for delivering the Scottish Government’s central policy purpose of supporting sustainable economic growth and is a vital part of the regeneration strategy for towns and local high streets in Scotland. BIDs in Scotland follow the basic principles of BIDs worldwide: •

BIDs should be a partnership between the public and private sectors • BIDs provide a sustainable financial model and on site management structure to take forward projects of benefit to local businesses and communities • projects should provide services additional to the agreed baseline statutory services • the development of a BID should be agreed by both businesses and the local authority before it can go ahead • projects should address a specific local concern and deliver specific, measurable impacts and outcomes • a BID is shaped by the business community in partnership with the local authority • a BID is democratic, open and transparent accountable and responsible to the members, the businesses. However the Scottish model of BIDs also has some differences with that employed elsewhere in the UK. Whilst the focus in BIDs to date has been on town centres, in Scotland BIDs can cover a sector or theme rather than a geographical space. Property owners are included in Scotland in BIDs due to the benefits that can accrue from BID projects, including increased rental levels and higher asset values. There are also differences in process over balloting and to uphold democracy the period before re-balloting if initially unsuccessful is one year.. Business Improvement Districts Scotland also works with all BIDs in development and operational phases and critically assesses all BID proposals and business plans, thus enhancing quality. BIDs in Scotland aim to deliver (as elsewhere in the world) by: • • • • •

• • • • • •

bringing clarity of vision, leadership and strategic focus to an area harnessing the drive, initiative and involvement of the private sector acting as a catalyst for private sector investment by raising investor confidence delivering additional levy investment and lever in additional funding assisting with strategic planning and policies and guide public and private sector investment towards an agreed set of objectives and outcomes coordinating project delivery and reduce duplication and fragmentation speeding up the pace of delivery maximising the use of public sector assets driving up standards (Baseline Service Level Agreements), productivity and leadership developing and encourage civic pride developing marketing and communications strategies and deliver real benefit and improvement

• • • •

recording, evaluating and measuring performance increasing performance across business sectors growing the local economy and contribute to national economic growth delivering local support and develop public – private partnerships - with the strong commitment of the private sector.

There are now 18 operational BIDs with a further 19 in development and serious interest from a further 11 – 15 areas. Established BIDs are: Aberdeen City Centre, Alloa Town Centre, BID4Oban, Clacksfirst Limited, Dunfermline Delivers, Edinburgh Grassmarket, Essential Edinburgh, Falkirk Delivers, Hamilton, I Love Clarkston, Inverness City Centre, Kirkcaldy4All, Largs Matters, Living Lerwick, Queensferry Ambition, Kirkwall. The BID strategy is already proving effective, delivering real, often longawaited and now innovative change in Scottish town centres, with individual BIDs pushing the boundaries of the possible, challenging the often stale status quo and delivering positive benefits to all involved, and more (see www.bids-scotland.com). There is no doubt that BIDs across Scotland face a challenging, yet exciting time over these next few years, placed as they are in a position to help reshape the publicprivate interface and create a more sustainable, partnership environment for business start-up, development and growth in Scotland’s town centres. BIDS will continue to lead this drive to ensure resilience in the face of economic adversity.

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According to the Office for National Statistics, workrelated musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) still account for the greatest number of working days lost to ill health in 2012*. Conditions including back pain, neck and upper limb problems were responsible for more than a quarter of all work days lost – the equivalent of 35 million days. Back pain alone affects more than 1.1 million people in the UK, with 95 per cent of patients suffering from lower back problems. The general advice for people who suffer back pain[2] is to stay active, try simple pain relief and seek medical help if necessary. It is also recommended that staff with back pain and other injuries should be encouraged to come back to work where possible and keep regular communication with their employer. Westfield Health’s Chamber Primary Health Plan, which is available to all members of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, offers a range of benefits to help staff manage MSDs, including physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, osteopathy and acupuncture.

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THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

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HEADER BAR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PERTH AND KINROSS IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Broxden Business Park

ince the restoration of City status to Perth last year the council has put a new focus, and additional resource, into promoting the area as a quality business location.

March sees the launch of the Invest in Perth marketing campaign. The campaign will be an ongoing promotion that will more forcefully promote Perth as an inward investment location. The campaign will be anchored on a new website (www. investinperth.co.uk) which is a stand alone site designed to promote the area as a place to invest, live, work and visit. The site will provide potential investors and businesses with the information they need to understand why Perth is a great choice for starting, growing or developing a business. As part of the new campaign the council will also be working with a creative agency to develop new visual messaging which we will use to market the area locally, nationally and internationally. As a new city Perth will benefit from increased promotion through Scottish Development International in their role as an international sales force for investment in Scotland. This, combined with Perth now being a member of the Scottish Cities Alliance means that Perth can begin to be recognised more widely as a business location and can work in closer collaboration with partners to seek investment in the area.

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘ SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

But just what will we be selling? There are many strengths that the area has that will be very attractive to businesses and we need to be more pro-active in letting these attributes be known. Accessibility and connectivity is undoubtedly a major strength of the area. The links from all areas of the county are very good and connectivity and distribution benefits are largely cited by businesses as a key strength of the area and central to their successful operations. In terms of digital connectivity the Perth and Kinross area fares well in terms of the percentage availability of Next Generation Broadband (30 mbps or more) due to the presence of both BT and Virgin Media services in Perth, Scone and Invergowrie. Perth is also very well covered by ultra fast broadband (speeds of 80-100 mbps) with over 89% of residential and business premises covered. The take-up of services is 67%, higher than the Scottish average. This excellent connectivity in terms of both transport and digital communication means that businesses can successfully conduct their operation from anywhere in the area. So, there is clearly going to be significantly more focus being put into selling the area to businesses by the council and its partners but that means that we need to be well set up to deliver what businesses will need starting with the physical in terms of land and premises.

Broxden Business Park

Property and premises requirements are different for every business and the aim is to provide a choice of accommodation to meet the needs of companies across Perth & Kinross. There is currently a good variety of business space available for sale and lease ranging from small business units in established business and industrial areas in Perth City to serviced employment land available for companies wanting to invest and develop bespoke facilities in Kinross and other key regional service centres.

Inveralmond Industrial Estate

The Council can assist businesses looking for premises and undertake a comprehensive property market search to identify both available Council owned and private sector premises. Thee have an on-going commitment working in partnership with the business community to ensure a quality supply of business space is available through a programme of investment, which includes both direct provision and management of business premises and progressing development through potential joint venture arrangements. The Council is currently investing in site servicing to provide â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;user readyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; serviced business land to meet business demand in Kinross and will shortly make further investment at North Muirton, Perth as a key location to attract and secure investment by companies choosing Perth and Kinross as a business location. The local authority works closely with local businesses through representative partnership groups to ensure the future provision of sites and premises are best located and fit for purpose to meet business demand for accommodation and they will be undertaking further detailed business market demand analysis in 2013. Provision of quality premises and land is crucial but equally so is the provision of support to businesses which enables them to grow and thrive here. In order to facilitate this Perth and Kinross Council Business Growth Team provides a free high quality business support service to new and existing businesses. The team develop, manage and deliver a range of programmes together with local partners and through the business gateway. The area has a business survival rate that has consistently been above Scottish average and this continues to increase. The support of the Business Growth Team and its partners is key to maintaining that positive trend.

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘ SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

BUSINESS SUPPORT

Succession Planning for Family Businesses

uccession planning is deciding who you want to take over your business when the time comes to retire or in the event of your untimely demise, illness or incapacity. Always start planning as early as possible; the most successful succession planning can take 5 to 10 years to come to fruition. You may wish to step down in stages rather than handing over the entire business at once, and family partnerships and companies allow the older generation to retain an element of control whilst allowing the younger generation direct input into the business. Capital and income do not have to be split in the same ratios, so you can hold onto the assets whilst passing income down until you are sure of your plans for the future. An important factor in successful succession planning is to have open discussions with all ‘heirs apparent’ so that everyone can express their wishes for the future. Your lawyer or accountant can be helpful in organising or assisting with such discussions. Finally, once you have your succession plans in place you should continue to review these, especially following any significant life events such as births, deaths and marriages, to ensure that your wishes are still relevant and can achieved by the plan in place. Also, make sure you have a Will and Continuing Power of Attorney in place so that if the worst does happen your wishes can be carried out. Provided by Collette Kerr CTA ATT, Tax Advisor Gillespie Macandrew LLP. E-mail: Collette.Kerr@gillespiemacandrew. co.uk Tel: 01738 231000 Web: www.gillespiemacandrew.co.uk

Collette Kerr, Gillespie Macandrew

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

TAYSIDE

BUSINESS SUPPORT

SELF STORAGE making storage simple!

ELIMINATING WASTE FROM YOUR BUSINESS

Let Tayside Self Storage take care of your personal and business storage requirements, with our affordable and flexible solutions. Ideal for:

• Archiving files • Moving home • Storing equipment • Travelling

• Renovating • Decluttering

he business environment continues to be very challenging, growth opportunities may be limited, margins squeezed and profit levels reduced.

And ly m on o r f l l a

To mitigate this, businesses will have cut back on discretionary expenditure, in some respects the easy step.

0 £1pe0r w.e8ek!

Is there a better approach? There is; introduce a continuous improvement or lean philosophy into your business, step one of which is to identify and eliminate some of the waste that arises in all your business processes. Waste in this context is any activity that does not add value to your customer, whether internal or external.

Conveniently located at Perth Airport, with clean, secure indoor storage containers on one floor:

• Open 365 days a year to 9pm • No deposit & flexible terms • FREE move in van

It is not uncommon for a typical business to have between 10 and 25% of its operating costs classified as waste. Apply these percentages to your business and assume you can identify and eliminate some of this waste; what impact would it have on your business?

For further information call 01738 555719 or visit our website:

www.taysideselfstorage.co.uk The Birks Cinema – Eco Renovation – Robin Baker Architects

Registered Architects Oﬀering Full Services

More profitable? More competitive? More opportunities to grow? One example which best illustrates waste. An American telecommunications company was reviewing its capital expenditure plans when a consultant came across an internal rule specifying that all cables be laid at a depth of two metres. The consultant asked the head engineer about this and he advised that at two metres the cable network would be protected against a thermonuclear magnetic impulse created by an explosion from a hydrogen bomb. The consultant then asked the question “what happens to your customers when the bomb goes off”. The company reduced the cable depth to one metre saving themselves $80 million in one year. Provided by Steve Cartwright, Head of Business Improvement, Henderson Loggie. Email: Steve. Cartwright@hendersonloggie.co.uk Tel: 01382 201234 Web: www.hendersonloggie.co.uk

Domestic – Historic – Public Buildings New Build – Alterations – Eco Renovation

Tower Buildings, Station Road, Birnam, PH8 0DS www.robinbakerarchitects.com info@robinbakerarchitects.com T 01350 728116 M 07789 725556

Steve Cartwright, Henderson Loggie

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

Binnwaste Management

Perthshire Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year 2012 More reliable – more efﬁcient more ﬂexible – more cost effective and more successful Binnwaste Management • Binn Farm • Glenfarg • Perthshire PH2 9PX Tel: 01577 830833 • Fax: 01577 830488 • www.binnwaste.co.uk

YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS THE BEST – MANAGEMENT

YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS BINNWASTE MANAGEMENT

LOCAL BUSINESSES are being asked to play their part in helping the Scottish Government achieve it’s Zero Waste To Landfill target. And Perthshire-based award-winning Binnwaste Management is at the forefront of helping companies not only achieve a more environmentally friendly waste solution but also comply with evolving legislation designed to outlaw random disposal methods.

And calling in the experts can actually cut costs. Segregating your business waste ready for recycling can help reduce the ultimate recourse to landfill sites – the tax for which is currently £64 per tonne and rising to £72 per tonne on April 1, 2013. With over 15 years experience as one of Scotland’s leading waste management companies, Binnwaste can create the best tailormade waste management solution for your specific requirements and keep you at the forefront of recycling as well as within the law. New legislation requires every business to play its part in fulfilling recycling potential and Binnwaste Management can help make it easy. From an initial visit from one of their experts to assess your requirements, through creating a cost-effective, flexible and efficient waste management plan, the supply of refuse sacks, wheelie bins, skips or containers and the uplift of the segregated waste, to ultimate recycling and regeneration, Binnwaste Management can deal with every type of waste generated by your business – and take the headache out of meeting your legal responsibilities.

Binnwaste Management will be striving throughout 2013 and future years to minimize the type of waste produced by businesses in order to reduce the amount of general waste going to landfill and to ensure businesses comply with legislation on segregation and work towards government directives regarding diversion of waste from landfill. Legislation will make it illegal to collect general waste which contains recyclables – and that includes food waste. But by following Binnwaste Management’s specifically designed plan for your business, everyone stays within the law and helps the environment at the same time. Binnwaste Management currently recycle or reuse over 85% of the 150,000 tonnes of waste brought to their Glenfarg recycling complex each year. They aim to see that percentage rise until it reaches 100% diversion from landfill and intend achieving this by substantial investment in plant, machinery and expertise. Recognised as being at the very forefront of Scotland’s waste disposal operations, Binnwaste Management has the solution for everyone – you, your business and your environment. So hand your waste disposal problems to Binnwaste Management. Peace of mind is just a phone call away.

CALL A BINNWASTE MANAGEMENT EXPERT NOW ON 01577 830833

CHAMBER SPONSORS Platinum Partners

BINNWASTE MANAGEMENT

ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND

Managing Director Allan MacGregor:

Vic Bicocchi, Local Director, Commercial Banking, Tayside:

“The family-run businesses of Binn Skips and Binnwaste Management have always been conscious of playing a responsible and supportive role in the community. It’s equally important to support the local business community and a Platinum Partnership allows us to help businesses through the valuable and effective work that the Chamber does. “The sponsorship package also gives us a higher profile within the Chamber which is an effective marketing tool. “We’re delighted that one of the country’s leading food waste experts Luca Pornaro has recently joined our staff from his previous post as food waste manager with MITE/CORE. This appointment will help establish Binnwaste Management at the forefront of the food waste management sector.”

“We are great admirers of the work the Chamber does not just in networking but also in training and business skills events. It is really important to offer that in your local area and we want to be part of that. “The Star Awards are also important to us and one of the most enjoyable days was going around visiting the entrants as a sponsor/judge and seeing the wealth of talent out there. We’re happy to support Chamber in its valuable work. “At RBS we have both the appetite and ability to lend - in fact we lend more to SME’s in the UK than any other bank. We provided over 40% of total lending in 2011 to SME’s in the UK which is well ahead of our natural market share.”

THE JAMES HUTTON INSTITUTE “We are pleased to work with the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce to promote the work that we do and after a very busy summer of events are glad to have spread the word about our world-leading research not just to the local community but also far and wide. The James Hutton Institute has close ties with the communities at each of its sites and appreciates the importance of community support so we are delighted to be sponsoring the Commitment to the Community Award.” Phil Taylor, Head of Communications, The James Hutton Institute.

PERTH COLLEGE UHI Centre for Enterprise Manager Sheena Howden: “We play a key supportive role in helping a number of businesses across a range of sectors to become established and grow, as well as offering our students opportunities to gain hands-on experience within existing business structures.

BANK OF SCOTLAND Nigel Walker, Senior Manager, BoS Commercial:

SQUIRREL SELF STORE Managing Director Stuart Newing-Davis: “The Chamber is a dynamic forum for small and medium sized businesses like Squirrel Self Store and we’re happy to support it through the sponsor partnerships. “The Platinum partnership gives us a broader stage on which to present and the Chamber offers an effective and efficient vehicle to lobby and get your voice heard by the decision makers. “We recently built another 70 units, so to fill them up quickly we are offering all of our smaller units (any unit up to 50 square feet) for only £15 per month. This offer is only open to business partners and Chamber members – so do mention you are a Chamber member on application.”

“Bank of Scotland, as part of Lloyds Banking Group, has further underlined its support for UK businesses, with the launch of a new 2012 Charter, setting out a series of commitments to help small and medium sized businesses grow as the recovery gains momentum. “These commitments aim to help stimulate demand and boost access to finance for SMEs, provide guidance to help businesses grow successfully and clarify the terms on which Bank of Scotland lend to its customers. “The measures in the new 2012 Charter will benefit all of the Group's business customers, with a turnover up to £15 million.”

Gold Partners

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

“Our Chamber Platinum Partnership helps to provide us with direction and contacts with industry so that our students and the local business community benefit from the very latest in business thinking.” A brand new high-quality business resource has been developed by The Centre for Enterprise at Perth College UHI www. inspiringenterprise.org Launched during the summer, this free ‘online toolkit’ is a dynamic website with information and guidance on five main business themes with entertaining short videos featuring local entrepreneurs sharing their experiences on topics such as: • • • • •

Business Start-up Effective Marketing Your Team Diversification Social Enterprise

Silver Partners

BUSINESS SUPPORT

SKIN DEEP?

veryone can relate to a building’s interior be it at a conscious or emotional level – it is usually about how it looks and makes you feel. But it is also very important how the interior performs when it provides a useful function or environment. For example, building regulations and legislation are raising the requirements for air-tightness and heat loss resistance in new buildings. This encourages the use of new technologies and materials that literally become part of our lives.

Strang & McLagan

Funeral Directors & Memorial Consultants Main Office and Funeral Home

Newlands House, Main Street Bridgend, Perth Also at 20 Atholl Street, Perth 36 Priory Place, Craigie, Perth 62 High Street, Crieff

Part of Dignity Funerals Ltd

24 Hour / 7 Day Service Private Service Chapel and Rest Rooms Care, consideration and expertise gained over more than a century

Memorial Consultants Member of National Association of Funeral Directors

Muir Walker & Pride Chartered Architects and Interior Designers advise that it is best when you consider your interior early in the construction or renovation process. It is much simpler and more cost effective to integrate the finishes and fittings within buildings – brand new or very old - from the beginning of a project. The intended use of the interior space will dictate, for example the position of services, ducting, wiring, thickness of the internal walls, the ceiling and floor construction. When considering these aspects, it is worth planning for future adaptability. It will in the end become just the space you were looking for. One of Muir Walker & Pride’s current projects is special housing for people with dementia. Part of the service included the interior design based on the latest research by the Dementia Services Development Centre of Stirling University. Elements of our environment can help people in day-to-day living almost as much as medication can. Provided by Reseda Muir Director of Muir Walker & Pride Chartered Architects and Interior Designers, Perth. Email: reseda@mwparchitects.co.uk Tel: 01738 440080 Web: www.mwparchitects.co.uk

Reseda Muir, Director of Muir Walker & Pride Chartered Architects

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

BUSINESS SUPPORT

Beechgrove

Bed And Breakfast This attractive former Victorian manse (vicarage), set in a large garden, with ample free secluded parking, is the perfect location for business or holiday visitors, being only 5 minutes walk to the City Centre, a 5 minute drive from the M90 and a short drive to Perth Racecourse. The new owners, who run it, have installed new ensuite bathrooms in the spacious bedrooms. There are ﬂat screen tvs and free wiﬁ. Delicious breakfasts, using mostly local produce, are served in the elegant dining room.

Employment Law Roundup

The MacLehoses love having guests and will do everything possible to help make your stay a memorable one. There is much to do in and around Perth. There are attractive local walks direct from the house and the concert hall, theatre, restaurants, ice rink and swimming pool are only a short walk away. Scone Palace and Perth Race Course are a matter of 10 minutes in the car. Golf courses are numerous in the area and extremely popular. There is ﬁshing on the River Tay or on nearby lochs.

mployers should review policies and procedures now to reflect changes planned from April 2013 and other recent developments. Of particular note are:

• Recent European cases which have affected how equality policies should operate in future. Changes are anticipated to protect employees from discrimination on the grounds of political affiliation and employees should be allowed to manifest their religious beliefs where this does not conflict with employers’ legitimate requirements. • Employees on sick leave at the end of a holiday year do not need to ask to take leave to be entitled to carry it over, though it is likely that carry over will not be allowed indefinitely. • Proposals for discussions with employees on ending employment which will not be admissible as evidence in tribunal claims; • The introduction of employee shareholder contracts. Employers will be able to offer employees a minimum £2,000 of shares in return for which employees will give up certain employment rights, such as the right to claim unfair dismissal or a statutory redundancy payment. Careful valuation is crucial, or the bar on claims may not apply. • Proposed far reaching changes to the Transfer of Undertakings Regulations, including limiting application to the contracting-out of services and making it easier to agree post-transfer variations. • New limits came into force on 1 February 2013 including an increase in the maximum amount of a week’s pay for assessing statutory redundancy payments to £450 and an increase in guaranteed weekly pay for lay off to £24.20. Provided by Kate Wyatt, Miller Hendry Solicitors, Perth. Email: katewyatt@millerhendry.co.uk Tel: 01738 637311 Web: www.millerhendry.co.uk

Kate Wyatt, Miller Hendry Solicitors, Perth.

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

Beechgrove Bed and Breakfast • Dundee Road, Perth PH2 7AQ Tel: 01738 636147 • Mobile: 07834 631200 Email: enquiries@beechgroveperth.co.uk • www.beechgroveperth.co.uk

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Wiltshire Farm Foods is a local, family run business which offers a   friendly and caring service.   We provide delicious frozen meals, delivered straight to your freezer.    Free delivery - all we ask is for a minimum order of £15.   Various diets catered for – Please ask for our Guide to Nutrition &  Special Diets.    Three different sizes of meals to suit different appetites. 

£1.00 for Soups and £0.95 for Puddings.

Brochure – Out Soon!!     To find out more or to request your    please contact us today on:  FREE Brochure,   01764 655859

Meals are delicious and nutritious, and can be heated straight from   frozen in a microwave or conventional oven.   Great value, starting at just £2.45 for a standard size Main Meal and     Soft and Pureed Range of Meals, Sandwiches and Desserts available   – Please ask for our Soft and Pureed Brochure.   Joint Winner of ‘Excellence in Customer Service Award’  

    Spring/Summer 2013

Shop Online:   www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com   Email:  crieff@wiltshirefarmfoods.co.uk   

 

Investors in People Bronze award, our Customer Service Excellence attainment and our recent Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Business Star Award for Excellence in Customer Service. We understand that as we get older, many of us may experience difficulties in maintaining our independence, especially when it comes to mealtimes.

iltshire Farm Foods, Crieff started their home delivery, frozen meal service, over 20 years ago and has established an enviable reputation for meal quality and service. We are the largest organisation in the home meal delivery market and deliver frozen meals throughout Perthshire and beyond, on behalf of local authorities and private clients. Customer Service is at the Heart of the Business and we are very proud of our

We offer you the perfect solution to eat well without having to worry about difficult trips to the supermarket, food preparation or managing heavy, boiling pots and pans. Our range of over 250 delicious pre-cooked nutritious, frozen meals is there to make your life a little simpler, because we deliver straight to your freezer. The meals require no preparation at all – just straightforward heating in a microwave or conventional oven, with no thawing necessary. It’s as simple as that!

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BedfordBeck

BEDFORD BECK 5 Green End Perth PH2 6JG Tel: 01821 640361 Email: enquiries@bedfordbeck.com Web: www.bedfordbeck.com Contact: Gary Beck

Established in 2004 in London, BedfordBeck Internet Services relocated to Perth in 2005. Since then the customer base in Scotland has increased exponentially and they now have a diverse range of customers, both large and small, from financial services, healthcare, golf and other sports clubs, engineering and leisure, to name just a few. In addition to their other Internet Solutions, BedfordBeck specialises in internet-based software solutions, with their flagship product being an online golf club booking system installed in four clubs in the Perthshire area. Services include Internetbased Software Development, Web Design and Construction,

Re-engineering and Optimisation of existing Websites, and Internet Marketing. BedfordBeck also offers Hosting Services through their partnership with one of Europe’s largest web hosting facilities. Gary Beck, founder of BedfordBeck, brings a wealth of experience to his clients with over 40 years in the IT Industry including holding senior positions in the United Kingdom and South Africa – before starting up BedfordBeck, Gary was the Managing Director (UK , Ireland & South Africa) for a multinational Payroll Software provider, and prior to that he was the UK Operations Manager (Strategic Markets) for an international consulting firm.

As well as running his Internet Services business, Gary has also done part-time lecturing in Web Design at the Richmond Business School in London. A graduate of the University of Witwatersrand Business School Managemet Advancement Programme (MAP), Gary also obtained a post-graduate diploma in Industrial Administration; Engineering Management from the University of Cape Town in 1997. In addition Gary was also awarded a WebMaster diploma from the Richmond Business School in 2004.

Brian M Christie Health And Safety Consultancy Brian M. Christie

Health & Safety Consultant

BRIAN M CHRISTIE, HEALTH & SAFETY CONSULTANCY 1 Almond Crescent Comrie, Perthshire PH6 2PA Tel: 07940 536517 Email: brianchristie55@gmail.com Contact: Brian Christie

Have you had a visit from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and been told to improve your safety standards? Or are you a proactive manager who wants to keep your company and your employees safe? This health and safety consultancy is here to provide independent advice to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) and larger establishments alike. Set up in 2000 in the North East of England with the knowledge and experience gained from working within global chemical companies, the company provides a range of consultancy services across a number of industry sectors.

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• Health and safety audits of your company and procedures together with any other services as identified during the audit Brian is a Chemical Engineer by profession and a Chartered Engineer. He is also a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH) and a member of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management. (IIRSM). Call now. The company is waiting to hear from you.

Craigclowan Preparatory School

CRAIGCLOWAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Edinburgh Road, Perth, PH2 8PS Tel: 01738 626310 Fax: 01738 440349 Email: headmaster@craigclowan-school.co.uk Web: www.craigclowan-school.co.uk Contact: Richard Evans, Headmaster

Craigclowan, Perthshire’s most popular prep school, provides a warm and nurturing environment for boys and girls aged 3 – 13. The school has a long and distinguished history and a reputation for high standards and expectations, along with an impressive record of academic achievement and significant extra-curricular success. Pre-school children work closely with their ‘big school’ peers to ensure they feel integrated from the outset, with particular attention paid to the transition period as they start their primary education. This dynamic and supportive learning environment delivers a modern and distinctive education

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

within a framework of proven traditional values, effectively balancing the best of old and new in education. Every pupil is encouraged to achieve their all-round potential, both academically and in extra curricular activities. This is supported by Craigclowan’s record of scholarship success. In 2012 its pupils won 20 scholarships to leading senior schools, taking the total number awarded in the last six years to 84. Extra-curricular interests range from ski-ing, on the school’s own dry ski slope, to street dance, riding, archery and art club. There really is something for everyone. Life is made considerably easier for parents with after school care available until 6 pm and a

range of mini buses taking the pupils to school in the morning from a number of areas. Future Open Days: Thursday 09 May, 0900 – 1200 Monday 11 March, 1900 – 2100 & Senior Schools Fair Thursday 03 October, 0900 – 1200

NEW MEMBER HEADER PROFILES BAR

Dial-a-Driver

DIAL-A-DRIVER Flat P, Douglas Court 63 South Methven Street Perth, PH2 5NX Tel: 01738 565355 Email: info@dialadriver.org.uk Web: www.dialadriver.org.uk Contact: Stuart Ronald

Dial-a-Driver is a Perth based company launched in November 2012. It is a designated driver service that offers customers a different option for returning home after any event or night out. There are many benefits to the new service. Customers now have the luxury of taking their own car to an event and afterwards being driven home in it. This saves the thought of how to get to and from any event and takes away the worry of having to leave the car somewhere away from home. Finally, it saves having to return to the vehicle the next day, perhaps incur parking charges and stops any gamble on whether the customer is in a safe state to drive. At the end of the journey,

the driver is whisked away in our own follow car. Dial-a-Driver currently operate in Perthshire, Fife and Tayside. They are open Wednesday to Sunday and 24 hours a day Friday to Sunday. Dial-a-Driver can cater for any event whether it is a wedding, family get together, business lunch, airport run, day surgery or good old fashioned night out. To ensure security and peace of mind, Dial-a-Driver is insured for up to £75,000 to drive any vehicle and their drivers boast 40 years accident and conviction free driving experience between them. Journey prices start as low as £15 for a designated driver and a typical 10 mile journey costs only £29.

For your next event, no matter what that might be, think Diala-Driver and call them for a no obligation quote.

Different Strokes

DIFFERENT STROKES PAINTER & DECORATOR 16 Coats Drive Luncarty, Perth PH1 3FD Tel: 07950 107 973 Email: differentstrokes28@yahoo.com Web: www.differentstrokes.org.uk Contact: Stuart Ronald

Different Strokes is a Painting & Decorating company which prides itself of the high quality service it provides for its customers. Different Strokes is a traditional family company based in Perth and has been providing a high quality service for domestic and commercial premises. They aim to provide a service which is open and transparent, where the customer can contact them at any time or view them on line. Quality, honesty and reliability are the corner stones of their business. On booking a quote, Different Strokes will provide an itemised list of all work to be undertaken, the price of each part and the length of time to complete. After work is booked and finished, each

item will be reviewed and checked to ensure that the customer is completely satisfied. Being professionally trained has enabled them to be up to date and proficient in supplying all the latest trends to a high standard, however, they are just as happy to deal in all traditional styles of decorating. In addition to this, they can complete any minor internal and external repair work to all types of property. They pride themselves on delivering a great finish, combined with reliability and a good customer service. Whether you want work for your business or domestic property, inside or out, they will offer a top quality service and finish for a competitive price.

Contact them today and their friendly, knowledgeable staff will be happy to provide a no obligation quote.

Hamish Bell Associates

HAMISH BELL ASSOCIATES 36 George Street Perth PH2 6QX Tel: 01738 440250 Fax: 01738 440360 Email: hbaperth@btconnect.com Contact: Hamish Bell

Based in central Perth offering a wide a range of professional expertise within the Construction Industry the practice covers a geographic area ranging from the North of Scotland to the North of England with the majority of commissions reflecting our excellent relationship with customers in the local area. Hamish Bell Associates provides personal service to all clients who value a quality product in each and every aspect of traditional Quantity Surveying, CDM Co-ordination and Contract Consultancy, refined to reflect current market trends. Whilst concentrating on these major aspects of services experience can be utilised in most sectors of the construction

industry including Project Monitoring, Employers Agent and Insurance Reinstatement Valuations. Contracts range from domestic extensions and small contracts to major commercial, industrial, retail, healthcare and educational projects. Directors and staff with many years of experience and positive attitude establish a close working relationship with Clients and other members of the Design Team. This allied with a commitment to provide quality service in terms of clear, accurate and timely reporting has resulted in the practice being engaged on repeat projects by the majority of clients. There is an increasing demand, in both the public and private

sectors, to understand and adopt sustainable construction practices and technologies. The practice embraces sustainable construction and renewable technologies and has gathered experience on varied and diverse projects allowing sound and realistic cost advice to Clients relative to sustainable building fabric selection and renewable building services solutions.

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

HEADER NEW MEMBER BAR PROFILES

Steve Bonthrone Fitness

STEVE BONTHRONE FITNESS 1/6 King James VI Business Centre Friarton Road, Perth PH2 8DY Tel: 01738 472116 / 07834 243253 Email: steve@stevenbonthrone.com Web: www.stevenbonthrone.com Contact: Steve Bonthrone

Steve Bonthrone specialises in helping busy people look better, feel better, move better and have the energy and confidence to achieve everything they desire, quicker and easier than they believe possible. He has been a Personal Trainer for more than seven years and opened his own studio at King James VI Business Centre in October 2012, where he offers his clients a first class service focusing solely on them and their performance without the distractions of being in a gym. His philosophy is to get your body moving the way it’s designed to and this often leads to reduced back pain and stiffness in other areas as you notice an increase

in energy levels, mobility and an improvement in you posture. By achieving this, you will find it easier to change your body shape. He offers the full package of fitness training, nutritional advice and lifestyle guidance to get you the results you want, when you want. If you play sport, struggle to get up the stairs without being out of breath or have an injury problem that stops you from doing all the things you want to do then he can help. He has now started working with organisations to provide them with a health and fitness program to help keep employees healthy, motivated and also reduce sick leave.

We all know the value you and your employees are to your business so if you would like to try a unique approach to developing your business then get in touch.

VITA Bar & Grill

VITA BAR AND GRILL 1 St Johns Place, Perth PH1 5SZ Tel: 01738 444987 Email: Keith@vitabarandgrill.com Web: www.vitabarandgrill.com Contact: Keith Docherty

At VITA Bar & Grill they are on a mission to offer great fresh food, delicious drinks, served in a friendly, relaxed and fun environment, by exceptional, passionate and caring people. They are inspired by their surroundings. Perthshire, as you know, is the gateway to the Highlands of Scotland and they are surrounded by dramatic countryside and world class produce. VITA Bar & Grill feels like a classic Italian experience but with a contemporary Scottish buzz, all served in a modern and stylish interior. They combine beautiful surroundings with excellent friendly service and a blend of Scottish and Italian foods. The

menu respects the best of Scottish produce with subtle Italian influences and demonstrates a clear appreciation of the importance of the provenance of food. A range of grills, pizzas, pastas and shared dining experiences are offered alongside a great selection of their very popular cocktails and spirits from the VITA Bar. Offering an interesting wine list along with beers and draught Peroni, VITA Bar & Grill is becoming the place to visit and enjoy located in the city of Perth’s popular café quarter at No 1 St John’s place. They also offer their informal VITA Day Menu featuring espresso based coffees made by their trained Barristas alongside

lighter all day dining options including Breakfast, Brunch and lunch options. Their more extensive VITA Bar & Grill Menu is available from 12 noon until 10 pm daily. They are open 7 days a week. For more information please visit them at www.vitabarandgrill.com or find them on Facebook at www. facebook.com/VITABarGrill or follow them on Twitter at www. Twitter.com/VITABarGrill

• storage facilities • specialist packing and product handling facilities operated by knowledgeable and versatile staff • reliable delivery network • mail-order fulfillment service • supply of onion sets, peas and beans • supply of seed potato related products, including hessian sacks and patio planters • flexible approach • unrivalled experience • comprehensive after-sales service As a specialist supplier and leading packer of classified seed potatoes to all types of retail and mail-order outlets, WCFPhoenix offers you a huge range of seed potato varieties with

numerous branded and own label packaging solutions and delivery options including distribution and mail order fulfillment services. Working in partnership with leading industry organisations, WCF-Phoenix believes they are uniquely placed to assist you with their expertise.

WCF-Phoenix

WCF-PHOENIX Cromwellstore Almondbank, Perth PH1 3GT Tel: 01738 582020 Fax: 01738 582056 Email: kate.ralston@wcf-phoenix.co.uk Web: www.wcf-phoenix.co.uk Contact: Kate Ralston

WCF-Phoenix is one of Perthshire’s hidden success stories. Located near Almondbank, WCF-Phoenix is part of WCF Ltd; formed in 1911 and now celebrating over 100 years in business. As the largest and most experienced seed potato packer in the UK, they supply many of the UK’s biggest retailers and export to selected countries within Europe. WCF-Phoenix are also the only Safe Haven accredited seed potato packer, so you don’t have to worry about quality or risk your reputation. But WCF-Phoenix is not just about seed potatoes! They would be delighted to hear from you if you feel your business could benefit from their:

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK Sarah Mellersh of Let's Cook Scotland

BREAKFAST ON THE GO

Journalist Maureen Young talks to Perthshire food expert Sarah Mellersh about breakfast alternatives for busy business people.

at breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper. Adelle Davis’ (1904 - 1974) wise words may make sound sense but a regal repast at dawn is not always achievable for busy business people. Nowadays, most of us prefer to luxuriate for that extra half hour under the duvet rather than cook up a traditional Scottish breakfast before we head for the office. And when time is short, it often means many of us start our working day with no sustenance whatsoever. Food expert Sarah Mellersh, who runs the popular Let’s Cook Scotland cookery school at Abernethy, points out that there is a solution, however, that involves tailor-making your breakfast solutions to suit your lifestyle. “Breakfast is a vital meal because it kick starts the metabolism which will be very slow for the rest of the day if you don’t take time to eat in the morning,” she explained. “Sluggish metabolism will give you energy slumps during the day. No one in business wants that.”

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

So how can we eat a suitable healthy breakfast and make it to the office in time? Sarah has the answers. “The mistake many people make is to skip breakfast and grab something sweet and sugary to give them energy,” she said. “That’s just a short fix, however, and they will slump whenever the initial sugar rush wears off.” Many people don’t feel like eating first thing in the morning or have time to sit down at the breakfast table but they should always take “breakfast to go” and eat it at the earliest opportunity to boost their energy. So why not pack a breakfast box for the office as well as a lunchbox? “Ditching the fry-up is not an original idea,” said Sarah. “The change from meat-based breakfasts happened in the 18th Century and was led by US Reverend Sylvester Graham who advocated that wholemeal flour was the answer. And that was the start of the breakfast cereal revolution. “Being Scottish we should delight in porridge oats – one of the absolute best foods with which to start the day,” suggested Sarah. “Low in cholesterol and full of slow-release carbohydrates, porridge helped generations of workers through the day. And it was usually a cold slice cut from the porridge poured in a drawer that they enjoyed.” Oats thrive in damp climates which is why they became a mainstay in the Scottish diet. But we first hear of porridge in India in 566 when stories tell that Buddha fainted after fasting and a peasant girl brought him back from the brink of death with a little milky rice porridge. Other Scottish staples also have historic origins. Butteries evolved in the North East of Scotland to provide seafaring men with something tasty to replace salts and calories when out sailing. And the Crusades lay claim to the creation of the croissant for similar reasons. Breakfasts have continued to evolve and your “breakfast to go” should feature healthy nutritional foods which will give you all the energy and nutrition required to fuel the first half of your working day. Sarah suggests fruit, nuts and seeds, coupled with home-made muffins, scones or granola bars, all washed down with healthy fruit smoothies and natural yogurts. “The only limitation you have is your imagination,” she pointed out. “Home baking is enjoying a revival and scones and muffins are among the most versatile foods. They are no longer the preserve of the afternoon tea table and provide a satisfying and simple alternative to the big fry-up. “You can use anything in a healthy scone or muffin including fruits, nuts, seeds, cheese, bacon, chicken, corn, onion and so on – the list is endless. Bake them when you have time, freeze them and pop in the microwave when you want to eat them.” Granola can also be adapted to your own taste by mixing your favourite fruits and fibres. Serve with yogurt or fruit compote or make into granola bars. And be sure to eat the whole fruits instead of bottles of juice to avoid high sugar content and benefit from the fibre. Turn to a smoothie for a drink instead – filling and easy to drink on the go. You can use fresh or frozen berries whizzed with yogurt and some honey to sweeten. “It’s all about being savvy and smart - adapting your eating habits to suit your busy lifestyle without missing out on essential dietary requirements,” said Sarah. Sarah has been teaching cooking to people from all over the world and her cook school on the outskirts of Abernethy (www.letscookscotland. co.uk) is a haven for those seeking tutoring in everything from beginner’s skills to Cordon Blue techniques. Try these recipes from Sarah to provide a tasty addition to your busy business person’s breakfast.

FOOD & DRINK

Muesli Bars

extra for greasing 125g butter , plus ts oa ge rrid po 0g 20 150g mixed seeds ds etc e.g pecans, almon 50g chopped nuts, up syr n lde go 3 tbsp honey or vado sugar 100g light musco mon na cin d un gro 1 tsp , etc ricots, cranberries 100g dried fruit, ap 3. 0C/fan 140C/gas Pre heat oven to 16 . of a 18 x 25cm tin se ba the e lin d Butter an in a bowl. ts nu d an ds see in a Mix the oats, or syrup and sugar the butter, honey Meanwhile, warm butter is melted. until pan, stirring until ed fruit, then mix cinnamon and dri x, mi t oa press down , Add the tin the o int ll coated. Tip all the oats are we for 30 mins. . lightly, then bake ns whilst still warm n cut into 12 portio Once out of the ove l in tin. Then allow to coo

Ham and Mushroo Muffins

Makes 12 rk 3 to 170°C/Gas Ma n Preheat the oven medium heat, the a r ove an cep sau a Melt the butter in t. Season with sof til un ms oo d mushr fry the onions an aside. d pepper and set an a large t 50g butter sal er, and cheese in finely chopped lk flour, baking powd the 1⁄2 small onion, t Pu x together the mi mi ped wl, op bo Ch . te ms ara oo sep 80g button mushr bowl. In a smaller well mixed. til un isk wh a h ether wit 360g plain flour and egg. Beat tog mushroom mix stir in the onion, baking powder th a wooden spoon 2 1⁄2 teaspoons Wi ese grated 250g cheddar che and the ham. preheated oven for cases. Bake in a 220ml whole milk Spoon into muffin comes out clean. r we ske ed ert ins 1 egg -35 mins until an 30 ed pp k. finely cho a cooling rac 80g smoked ham, Leave to cool on per y ground black pep Sea salt and freshl

erry Scones

Orange and Cranb

g flour 225g of self raisin t sal tsp 1⁄2 r, diced 50g of cold butte ar 1 tbsp of caster sug 5flozs of 150ml milk to make up to 1 egg and enough nge Grated Zest 1 ora 85g of cranberries l) sprinkling (optiona Demerara Sugar for r fingers 8 rk then rub in with you 0°C/Gas ma x. Add the butter, mi n . the ies t Preheat oven to 23 err sal nb the cra h t and o a large bowl wit r in the orange zes Sieve the flour int l or 5 flozs. Make Stir in the sugar. Sti 0m s. 15 mb to cru up e ke fin ma like a ugh milk to until the mix looks ugh. Add a bit at and beat. Add eno to make a soft do o a pint measure add enough milk Crack the egg int n the d an lk. egg mi x, add the y not need all the nds a well in the dry mi lery knife. You ma dough and your ha quickly with a cut h out. Dredge the ug do nd rou the a o tip d time. Combine it int an Pat face ther. onto the work sur til it’s a little smoo Scatter some flour h over 2-3 times un ug do the d fol n flour, the dip it into with a little more a better rise) and re cleanly, giving mo int you’ll cut po about 4cm deep. to s d thi ten s By nes. ooth-edged cutter you have four sco Take a cutter (sm er 2-3. Or you can then repeat until oth h, an ug t do ou the cut o to int e o a round some flour. Plung the dough back int press what’s left of ar if using. probably need to fe. kni a ng the Demerara sug squares usi re. Sprinkle with xtu mi king tray. just cut them into ilk ba /m a to egg on place h any remaining the rise. Carefully Brush the tops wit as this will affect es sid the wn do Do not allow to run C/gas 3) for a few lden on the top. out 160C/fan140 until risen and go t in a low oven (ab Bake for 10 mins pu n the st, fro De once cool. If freezing, freeze mins to refresh.

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

LIFESTYLE

ACCESS ALL AREAS Several glorious and mostly private gardens across Perthshire are opening their gates to the public this year as part of Scotland’s Gardens programme. Memorable days can be spent exploring them and enjoying the delicious teas that are usually available. At many there are marvellous plant stalls selling locally grown plants at attractive prices which are always popular and at some there is musical entertainment and other interesting stalls. Champion trees are another attraction as these can be found at several of the properties participating in the programme.

Iain Burnett is an award-winning chocolatier of outstanding quality. See the full range of corporate gifts of artisan gourmet Velvet Truffles™ & Spiced Pralinés - make the perfect impression. Online order service: www.HighlandChocolatier.com Aberdeen Grandtully Tel No. 01887 840775

40% of the funds raised at the openings goes to charities nominated by each garden owner and 60% net goes to Scotland’s Gardens beneficiary charities. So visiting the gardens is a way of supporting some wonderfully deserving charities. One of this year’s highlights is the huge plant sale and garden opening at Rossie House, Forgandenny PH2 9EH on Saturday 18 May. Many interesting plants will be available and visitors will be able to enjoy the beautiful gardens and grounds of Rossie House. Other noteworthy garden openings include Easter Meikle Fardle, near Meikleour, Bradystone House by Murthly, Drummond Castle by Crieff, Croftcat Lodge by Aberfeldy and Dowhill near Cleish. For full details of all Perthshire gardens and those throughout Scotland please go to www.scotlandsgardens.org

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

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

Space to be themselves, learning together.

Strong academic results Equestrian and sporting academies Continued investment New Science Centre opens in August

Kilgraston, Bridge of Earn, Perth PH2 9BQ Telephone: 01738 812257. Fax: 01738 813410 email: headoffice@kilgraston.com www.kilgraston.com Kilgraston School Trust is a charity. Scottish Charity Number SC029664

• Secure Storage • Specialist Production • Flexible Approach • Cold Storage • Packaging Expertise • Packing & Handling Facilities • Ecommerce Fulfillment • Reliable Delivery Network • Industry Accreditation • Knowledgeable And Versatile Staff

t: 01738 584103 f: 01738 582056 e: info@wcf-phoenix.co.uk w: www.wcf-phoenix.co.uk WCF Ltd, t/a WCF - Phoenix Cromwellstore, Almondbank, Perth PH1 3GT

DENHOLM

PARTNERSHIP ARCHITECTS M&M Chauffeur Service a taxi service with a difference, all our drivers are female. Two Volkswagen Transporters, very comfortable, seating eight passengers and able to take loads of luggage. Airports a speciality but all types of work undertaken eg:- tours, golf trips or just going out for dinner. 11 Dunira Street Comrie Perthshire PH6 2LJ T: 01764 670 899 www.james-denholm.co.uk

1 Bankhead Cottage, Forteviot, Perth PH2 0PU margaret.miller24@btinternet.com Tel: 07710 498180

•

MEMBERSHIP HEADER BENEFITS BAR

he Chamber is an independent, voluntary, non-profit making, non-political business organisation dedicated to the furtherance of members’ interests. It is the largest private sector business support organisation in Britain.

The Perthshire Chamber of Commerce has a voluntary Board of Directors from all over Perthshire and a wide range of business sectors. rship Membe fits e n e B

Perthshire Chamber has two paid full-time members of staff: Chief Executive, Vicki Unite, and Office Support & Events Co-ordinator Karen Wright, based at the Chamber’s office at the Algo Business Centre, Glenearn Road, Perth, PH2 0NJ. The Chamber can be contacted by telephone on 01738 450401 or by email: info@perthshirechamber.co.uk. We are delighted to offer a new package of business services through our affiliation with British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The new services are listed below and provide even more added value to being a member of Perthshire Chamber of Commerce.

CHAMBER SERVICES Our memberships start at £139 + vat for businesses with 1- 5 employees. Offset that against the following business benefits: CHAMBER HR The Chamber HR service provides businesses with access to professional HR advice and a raft of documentation including contracts and staff handbooks. CHAMBER LEGAL EXPENSES AND 24/7 LEGAL ADVICE LINE Safeguard your business against the unexpected costs of professional legal services and get legal cover of up to £670,000 as well as access to a 24/7 helpline. CHAMBER MERCHANT SERVICES Process debit and credit card payments with discounted transaction fees, reduced terminal hire costs and no service fees. CHAMBER HEALTHCARE Help to reduce sickness absence and improve staff motivation with a choice of two great schemes. •

•

The Chamber Business Choice Healthcare scheme offers private medical insurance for your employees. Get 10% cashback annually or 50% off your chamber membership fees for 3 years. Pay as little as £1.10 per employee per week with the cash plan scheme Chamber Primary Health Plan.

CHAMBER ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE Receive up to 61% on the cost of breakdown cover (for members of participating accredited Chambers only). Chamber FinanceIn partnership with RBS / NatWest we are able to offer 3 years free business banking for start ups, one year free business banking for those that switch accounts, discounted rates with RBS Invoice Finance, access to a dedicated Chamber Finance support helpline and international trade services. PLUS: • • • • •

Export Documentation Services Business Mentoring Chamber Information Hotline Preferential Rates for an Exclusive Training Programme Member to Member Discounts

Chamber Voice Local & National Representation There are many avenues of communication and promotion available to our members including this quarterly InCommerce magazine, the Chamber Website, the Chamber Year Book and Appointments Diary and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce website and Directory.

Chamber Events Events include: Regular lunch and early evening events, monthly networking breakfasts, free Business Lecture Series and an annual Golf Day. Plus many more including procurement and training events.

How much is Chamber membership worth now? ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS - FROM APRIL 2012 CATEGORY

SIZE OF BUSINESS

RATE

BAND A BAND B BAND C BAND D BAND E BAND F BAND G

1-5 EMPLOYEES 6-10 EMPLOYEES 11-25 EMPLOYEES 26-50 EMPLOYEES 51-100 EMPLOYEES 101-250 EMPLOYEES OVER 250 EMPLOYEES

£ 139 £ 165 £ 207 £ 260 £ 384 £ 480 £ 526

VAT

TOTAL INC VAT £ 27.80 £ 166.80 £ 33.00 £ 198.00 £ 41.40 £ 248.40 £ 52.00 £ 312.00 £ 76.80 £ 460.80 £ 96.00 £ 576.00 £ 105.20 £ 631.20

Contact the Chamber office on 01738 450401 or email info@perthshirechamber.co.uk for further details on any of the above or refer to the website www.perthshirechamber.co.uk 45

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

EVENTS 2013 MARCH Thurs 21st Tuesday 26th

Mock Employment Tribunal with Thorntons Manager as Coach Training

6.00pm - 7.30pm

King James VI Business Centre

Perth

10.00am - 4.00pm

Rowan Consultancy

Perth

PCC Package Partners Evening Event Networking at the Races PCC Board Meeting*

6.00pm - 7.30pm

TBC

Perth

Afternoon event 5.30pm - 7.00pm

Perth Racecourse Algo Business Centre

Perth Perth

Networking Breakfast Moving Into Management Training (1 of 2) Business Mentoring Scotland Social Evening PCC Speaker Lunch PCC Board Meeting*

7.30am - 8.45am 9.30am - 3.30pm

Squirrel Self Store Rowan Consultancy

Perth Perth

4.00pm - 7.30pm

Queens Hotel

Perth

12noon - 2.00pm 5.30pm - 7.00pm

Salutation Hotel Algo Business Centre

Perth Perth

Campbell Dallas Stand Afternoon event

Perth Show, South Inch

Perth

Gleneagles Hotel

Perthshire

Evening event

Crieff Hydro Hotel

Crieff

APRIL Thursday 18th April Wednesday 24th April Monday 22nd MAY Tuesday 7th Thursday 9th Thursday 9th Friday 17th Monday 27th

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Friday 2nd August

Business Breakfast & Entry to the Perth Show Monday 9th September Ryder Cup Golfing Experience Friday 22nd November Annual Dinner and Business Star Awards

*Closed meeting but members are welcome to submit issues they wish to have raised.

MANAGER AS COACH - INSTITUTE OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 26th March, 10am – 4pm at Rowan Consultancy, 4 Kinnoull Street, Perth, PH1 5EN Managers have to get results through other people – their team! Gone are the days of command-and-control management, modern managers want their people to think for themselves, make decisions and suggest solutions. Every manager needs coaching skills to help them develop and get the most from their team. Perthshire Chamber of Commerce has combined forces with local ILM Centre, Rowan Consultancy, to bring you a 1 day programme focussing on coaching skills for managers. The programme explores the various, sometimes conflicting, roles which a manager plays. It has been approved by ILM as meeting their standards for management training. The course is experiential with plenty of opportunity to relate coaching skills to your current work situation. Email rowan@rowan-consultancy.co.uk or call 01738 562005

THE PERTHSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SPRING 2013 www.perthshirechamber.co.uk

NETWORKING BUSINESS BREAKFAST AT THE ANNUAL PERTH SHOW 2013 2nd August 2013, South Inch, Perth Enjoy business networking and access to the 2013 Perth Show. Chamber member Campbell Dallas is hosting a PCC Business Breakfast in their marquee as part of the Perth Show celebrations. Network with members, exhibitors and local business people over breakfast then enjoy the stands and competitions taking place throughout the day. More details available nearer showtime.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY

The Army Cadet Force is looking for people just like you

Your local ACF is looking for volunteer instructors, mentors and helpers. No experience is necessary as full training is provided.

Black Watch Battalion ACF Contact Major Jim McIntosh at our Headquarters in Perth on 01738 626571 or email: hq@bwcadets.co.uk for more information.

www.armycadets.com/county/ black-watch-battalion-acf

ÂŠ Army Cadet Force 2013