Scotland's Economy

Scottish Business Buzz (08.06.16)

Screen Shot 2016-06-07 at 10.18.46Aberdeen- Stavanger Gateway event doubles in size.

A business event linking two of Europe’s leading energy hubs has announced significant expansion for its return on 14 June. The event, hosted by Aberdeen-based Granite PR, has been expanded to embrace even more of the opportunities presented throughout Norway, including Arctic regions.

The event will bring together speakers who will impart their knowledge and extensive experience of doing business on both sides of the North Sea during a lunchtime event at Macdonald Norwood Hall Hotel.

New for this year is the addition of a second day of activities at on June 15th at Kippie Lodge Sports & Country Club, Milltimber when the focus will fall on showcasing companies and organisations from both sides of the North Sea thanks to an exhibition.

Speaker line up on Scottish Business News.


Screen Shot 2016-06-07 at 10.29.12Aberdein Considine announces joint venture with communications agency Citrus:Mix

Offering a unique new support service to businesses the firms are collaborating to launch ’empower’ which offers a blend of HR, employment law and PR support under one roof.

The service is being led by Aberdein Considine partners Rob Aberdein and Sally-Anne Ogilvie, who specialises in employment law.

Mr Aberdein said that with the depressed oil price continuing to put financial pressure on many companies in the north-east of Scotland, empower offers a low cost alternative to in-house departments.

“In the current climate, not everyone can justify employing full time lawyers or HR professionals,” he said.

Clients buy hourly credits – known as ‘emhours’ – to use as they wish for employment law advice, HR support or PR and marketing.

Businesses are not tied into long-term contracts and can stop using empower at short notice, offering flexibility as they evolve.


Screen Shot 2016-06-07 at 10.35.49The importance of the Living Wage accreditation for your employees

The list of accredited Living Wage employers in Scotland is over 500 and growing steadily with a diverse mix of employers including some well known ones like Brewdog, University of Glasgow and Heart of Midlothian FC.

Accreditation gives me assurance to customers and clients that you pay the Living Wage to everyone involved in your business, from the directly employed, full time, part time, seasonal or casual staff members through to contracted out staff. Accreditation also assures them that you will continue to pay the Living Wage announced each year – on the first week of November, and accredited Living Wage employers have six months to implement it.

Firms in Scotland are joining hundreds of others in receiving public recognition for their fair pay policy. With this comes a listing on the website, the right to display the Living Wage Employer Mark, and PR and publicity as well.

If you’d like to find out more about Living Wage accreditation, and discover whether it might be right for your organisation, please visit http://scottishlivingwage.org/join.

Story covered by Business Quarter.


Screen Shot 2016-06-07 at 10.41.18Scotland’s largest solar-power parc officially opened in Perthshire

Located on the Errol Estate near the Perth, the new wind farm has been developed by Bristol-based Elgin Energy and will deploy solar PV panels supplied by global provided Canadian Solar.

The 13MW scheme has been constructed on 70 acres of land and will ultimately provide power for more than 3,500 homes.

The land was initially promoted for development by Thomas Macmillan, Renewable Energy Director of Savills, in 2011. According to Savills, this project is proof that large scale solar PV systems work well on the east coast of Scotland and the firm is continuing to source solar sites across Scotland, with a view to developing schemes that are financially viable without subsidy support.

MacMillan said: “Solar technology has a far greater role to play in Scotland’s energy mix than many people might realise.

“Due to reducing installation costs, and a climate of support from Scottish Government, we are continuing to see an appetite from developers to take forward new development sites, even with reducing subsidy support from the Westminster government.”

More from Scottish Energy News.


Screen Shot 2016-06-07 at 10.45.51Collaboration set to create a more entrepreneurial Scotland 

On Thursday 2nd June Deputy First Minister, John Swinney announced plans to deliver change in the quality and availability of enterprise and entrepreneurship education within post-secondary education.

Swinney outlined how the structured collaboration will focus on delivering optimum enterprise support for those in education to help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.

He said: “Our ambition is to be a world leading entrepreneurial and innovative nation – a Can Do place for business.

“There are excellent examples of how to encourage students to consider going into business for themselves but this innovative collaboration will increase these opportunities across Scotland.

“Together we can encourage greater entrepreneurial ambition and ensure that there is the practical enterprise support needed to properly nurture it.”

The partnership was announced at the first event between Converge Challenge, Scottish Institute for Enterprise (SIE) and Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) named ‘Educational Journey of An Entrepreneur.’

For more information on Converge Challenge and the new partnership, visit: www.convergechallenge.com


Screen Shot 2016-06-07 at 10.51.23£250,000 Scottish Silver Scholarship scheme launched by Edinburgh Business School 

The scheme has been launched to celebrate Edinburgh Business School’s 25th anniversary.

Under the scheme, 25 individuals, resident in Scotland, will be awarded a fully-funded place to study the world-renowned Edinburgh Business School Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme, delivered by independent learning.

The Edinburgh Business School MBA can be studied entirely by independent learning which enables working professionals to combine studying with work, family and other commitments. They continue to earn while they learn, putting their new skills and expertise into practice immediately.

Each of the 25 scholarship recipients will have their nine self-study MBA modules and exams fully-funded. The cost of each scholarship is valued at more than £10,000 and will also include a four-day on-campus teaching seminar and two-day revision session for one course.

Applications must be received by June 30, 2016 with the programme starting in September 2016.

For more information about the scholarships and how to apply.


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About the author

Rhona Middler

Rhona was Business for Scotland's Engagement Executive and Events Manager.

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