Aberdein Considine expands with merger in Glasgow
Scottish Law Firm Aberdein Considine has announced that it is to merge with Glasgow solicitor estate agent A&S Ireland.
The combined businesses – which will trade under the Aberdein Considine brand from next month – will together employ 360 staff and have a total turnover of more than £21million.
A&S Ireland’s legal office on Waterloo Street will become Aberdein Considine’s new headquarters in the city, hosting its dispute resolution and employment law teams, as well as the firm’s national Corporate Real Estate department led by Partner Paul Jennings.
Aberdein Considine Managing Partner Jacqueline Law said: “We are fully committed to offering our clients in Glasgow and the surrounds quality property, legal and financial services.
“A&S Ireland already has an established professional reputation in Glasgow and bring to the table a loyal client following, market knowledge and between the partners over 60 years of experience.”
All 20 jobs at A&S Ireland are being retained and staff will transfer to Aberdein Considine when the transaction concludes on May 27. A&S Ireland’s partners, Gavin Crowe and Bryden Crearie, will both become partners in Aberdein Considine upon completion.
Glasgow’s first start up school for digital entrepreneurs of the future
Working alongside Glasgow City Council and Skills Development Scotland, RookieOven is giving 16-18 year olds from Glasgow the chance to take part in its first pioneering Academy programme, during which they will devise creative digital product ideas and turn them into the foundations of a solid business.
Students will work through creative and design thinking before pulling together effective marketing and communication for the product, which will then be followed by a Demo Day, giving participants the chance to pitch their concept to a panel of industry experts.
Based at Fairfield Shipyard in Govan, RookieOven is home to businesses trading all over the world. From improving tourism in the Bahamas to making our farmers more efficient, companies in RookieOven are changing the world making it an inspirational atmosphere for learning about the digital world.
More on this story on Scottish Business News.
Increased demand for organic food and drink is providing a major boost to Scottish producers
According to the latest research by Kantar Worldpanel, Scotland’s organic food sector reported growth of 2.6% last year with consumers spending around £52.6m on organic food and drink. The UK’s organic market is now worth a total of £1.95bn and the Soil Association is expecting this to break through the £2bn mark later this year.
Denise from Peelham Farm, who sell their own organic meat from the farm in Berwickshire, said: “We’ve experienced real buoyancy in the first few months of 2016. Sales are great and there’s undoubtedly a real focus on organic.
“Our customers are concerned about the environment and are asking about how our animals are reared (both through enquiries on our website and at the markets we attend). Our organic certification definitely attracts customers.”
There is strong support for organic in Scotland, including the new Organic Action Plan for organic food and farming 2016-2020 and the Scottish Government has supported a wide range of Soil Association Scotland programmes, such as Food for Life Scotland, Growing Organic Routes, Future Farming Scotland and Crofting Connections.
More on Business Quarter.
Fife Council secures over £4.5m in EU funding
The funding secured will go towards boosting SMEs, and support programmes that help to get more people into work.
With £3.9m from the European Social Fund and a further £790,000 from the European Regional Development Fund, this will help Fife Council run these programmes until the end of 2018.
Cllr Lesley Laird, deputy leader and spokesperson economy and planning, said: “In the current economic climate it is essential that we maximise the money we have available.
“We’re delighted to have secured this funding as it will allow us to help more people and businesses across Fife.”
New annual awards allow SMEs to nominate staff for exceptional contributions
ONE4ALL Rewards will recognise the UK’s best employees in 20 categories including industry focused Employee of the Year recognising talent in different sectors.
Each category winner will be awarded with a £200 One4all Gift Card, while the grand prix-style Employee of the Year Award will receive a £400 One4all Gift Card, which can be spent in more than 22,000 stores nationwide.
The One4all Rewards Spotlight Awards are open to all and free to enter, and nominations can be submitted until 27th May 2016.
For more information and to nominate, please visit www.spotlightawards.
Scotland Stronger In Europe Breakfast Briefing
Frank Roy, Campaign Director of Scotland Stronger In Europe is pleased to invite you to a breakfast briefing event at Edinburgh Business School on 10 May 2016.
This event is an opportunity to hear more on all these points from experts who are making the positive case for remaining in the EU.
Speaking at the event will be:
- John Edward, Senior campaign spokesperson
- Prof Mona Siddiqui, Chair of the Scotland Stronger In Europe Advisory Group
- Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive, Edinburgh International Airport
- Jayne-Anne Gadhia, Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Money, Member of the Scotland Stronger In Europe Advisory Group
Coffee and a light breakfast will be served from 8.00am, with the event starting at 8.30am. There will be an opportunity for Q&A with the panel, and the event will end at 9.30am.
Edinburgh Business School is located at 29 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9JS
(map and transport options).
You can RSVP here: [email protected]
Business for Scotland – Prosperity for Scotland – Join us now
