Influential electrical trade body SELECT has launched a new public safety campaign to help raise awareness of the new heat and smoke alarm regulations being introduced across Scotland next February.

Scotland’s largest construction trade association has produced an engaging and informative animation to clarify what householders and landlords need to do to comply with the standard, in line with Scottish Government guidance.

It has also created a dedicated page on its new website for the public and electrical contractors that delivers FAQs, downloadable resources and details of training and available certification.

The organisation is now encouraging its 1,250+ member businesses to use and share the range of resources to familiarise themselves with the new rules and help educate the public.

Bob Cairney, Director of Technical Services at SELECT, said: “Our main aim is to help the public understand what they need to do, clearly and concisely, and where to go for help if they need it. This includes stressing the importance of using a qualified electrician to carry out the work.

“We also want to develop SELECT Members’ understanding of what is required  by giving them the tools they need to help their customers.”

As well as the animation, SELECT has produced three downloadable guides, social media templates, training opportunities and details of available certification. All are hosted on a dedicated section of the revamped SELECT website, which was launched on 27 September.

The animation was developed by Iain Mason, Director of Membership & Communication at SELECT, who said: “Serving the public interest is at the heart of every professional organisation’s mission and SELECT is proud to lead the way.

“We hope the impact of this animation and other material will be to help as many people as possible get ready and comply with the new regulations before the implementation date.”

The new standard, which is applicable from 1 February 2022, requires that all homes in Scotland must have a smoke alarm on every storey including hallways and landings, a smoke alarm in the most frequented part of the house, such as the lounge, a heat alarm in the kitchen and a carbon monoxide alarm wherever there is a fuel burning appliance.

In addition, all the heat and smoke alarms must be interlinked, either mains-powered with battery back-up or be battery powered by a tamper-proof long-life battery to ensure there is an effective warning system to keep everyone and their property safe.

For mains-powered alarms or where householders cannot fit the battery-powered alarms themselves, they are being urged to use a qualified electrician.

The information campaign is the latest initiative from SELECT, which has a long track record of promoting safety messages around the industry and safeguarding the welfare of customers as well as the 15,000 people and 3,500 apprentices who work in it.

SELECT has also been leading a long-running campaign with other leading industry bodies to ensure that those who work in the industry do so in a safe and competent manner. It currently is engaged with the Scottish Government over the regulation of the industry.

• Ex-Sony Senior VP Tim Stokes to lead growth in emerging markets
• Over £300k international fee work landed this year
• Turnover up 20 percent to £1.25m; profit up 13%

Scots business strategists Genoa Black have made three key hires to boost international growth.

The Edinburgh firm, which launched their Genoa Strategy management consultancy division earlier this year, has brought on board senior talent from London, Houston and Edinburgh – including former Sony Sales and Marketing Vice-President, Tim Stokes – to win new clients overseas.

The new posts follow strong growth abroad, with increased profits and a £300k international order book – in markets including USA, Singapore, the Middle East and Europe – forecast to reach £500k by the year end. Recent new clients include multinationals Danfoss and trade body Scottish Renewables.

Tim Stokes will head up the firm’s London offering with a focus on emerging markets including Asia, Latin America, Middle East and Russia, whilst Sara Macauley joins from Houston, where her long experience in banking and oil and gas, gained in Scotland and Singapore, will drive growth stateside.

Tim Stokes, International Strategy Director, says:

“Twenty years spent growing Sony Interactive Entertainment across the globe has given me a deep understanding of the complexities of international expansion. I will be leveraging all my expertise in emerging markets to the benefit of Genoa Black’s full client portfolio. In the current context of the Covid recovery and Brexit, I will undoubtedly be focused on the need to help leaders de-risk decision making and capitalise on the growth that does exist across key industry sectors.”

In Edinburgh, Viv Sutherland joins the team as UK Strategy Director, bringing a track record in marketing, sales and business development for firms including Hewlett Packard, Lloyds TSB and Matalan. Her role is to win business in financial services, retail, technology and construction.

Commenting on the hires, Genoa Strategy Director of Strategy Rob Potter says:

“Our expertise is working with clients to understand their challenges and offering strategies which help them develop robust, sustainable, future-proof businesses.

“Tim, Viv and Sara are recognised experts who bring deep sector knowledge as well as hands-on experience of strategy and execution that will help us deliver value to clients and expand our offering to new markets and sectors.”

www.genoastrategy.com

MacDuff Butcher teams up with French director Franck Ribière as traditional Native Angus beef goes on sale in Scotland’s capital for first time in 30 year

Netflix film-maker Franck Ribière is coming to Scotland to help celebrate the revival of Scotland’s traditional Native Angus breed of cattle, once perilously close to extinction.

The director, who’s renowned for his films Steak (R)evolution and Wagyu Confidential, is taking part in an exclusive “Meat and the Maker” event with MacDuff Butcher at Scotland’s new Food Hall, Bonnie & Wild.

The event on Thursday October 7th will celebrate the return of Native Angus beef, and chart its story from being on the “critically endangered list” and the compelling 30-year mission to bring it back to Scotland’s kitchens and dining tables.

Once on the verge of extinction, Scotland’s traditional Native Angus breed had in the past 50 years been altered by the taller Aberdeen Angus, a breed considered the archetypal Scotch beef cattle, despite its mixed heritage involving imported genetics from North America and Canada.

Now, after a 30-year mission to revive the traditional Scottish Native Angus breed, MacDuff Butcher and Franck Ribière are hosting an exclusive event at Bonnie & Wild’s Edinbrugh Food Hall to celebrate the return of the iconic Native Angus.

Andrew Duff of MacDuff 1890 said: “This ‘Meat and the Maker’ event is for everyone interested in where their beef comes from. We’re excited that Franck Ribière will be there to discuss his own film-making background, which includes the acclaimed films Steak (R)evolution and Wagyu Confidential, as well as his latest release, Look Back In Angus.

“We’re also giving attendees the opportunity to buy this exclusive pure Scotch beef for the very first time in 30 years!”

Franck Ribiere, who is only in Scotland for this exclusive event, said: “I am thrilled to be part of this new opening in Edinburgh as I have known Andrew for a while now and I know his true dedication to good meat and good food. Also, having Native Angus meat for the show is quite a dream too!”’

Mr Duff explained that it was a small cattle farm in the north of Scotland that deserves the credit for saving the Native Angus breed, which was being lost while in competition with the larger continental breeds such as charolais and limousin.

He explained: “The campaign to save the species was championed by Geordie and Julia Soutar of Kingston Farm, up near Forfar. In the 1990s, there were only 27 Native Angus cows left in existence, and over the past quarter century Geordie and Julia have sourced the last remaining Native Angus cows, including their genetics, semen and embryos, to save the breed. Now, Dunlouise is the only farm in the world to hold all nine original Native Angus bloodlines.”

In 2020, Geordie Soutars was awarded an MBE for his work in safeguarding the breed and getting Native Angus off the “Critically Endangered List”. The couple have since achieved special designation status for this pure Scottish cattle, which has no imported bloodlines.

Now, with cattle numbers at a safe level, the Native Angus beef is going on sale in the capital for the very first time at MacDuff 1890 Butcher next week. Next week’s launch event will see film director Franck Ribière, renowned for the films Steak (R)evolution and Wagyu Confidential, discuss his latest film Look Back in Angus, which tells the compelling story of how a small Scottish cow came to dominate global cuisine. Franck will also be joined by the Soutars who will be able to add their own insight into how the Native Angus was saved.

Attendees at the event will also have exclusive access to cuts of Native Angus beef, which will be available on the night from MacDuff’s butcher counter at Bonnie & Wild’s Scottish Marketplace. It is the first time in more than 30 years that 100% Native Angus beef will be available to purchase from anywhere except the Soutars’ own Kingston Farm and their local butcher, and guests will have the option of taking a cut home or having it cooked in front of them by chef John Munro of The Gannet.

Book your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-franck-ribiere-tickets-172604473627

Addressing the HGV driver crisis, Ann Frances Cooney, employment law partner at DWF, the global provider of integrated legal and business services, comments on what needs to change to combat the chronic shortage of drivers.

Ann Frances said: “The problems currently facing the UK logistics industry have been brewing for at least the last decade. The current concerns over access to fuel and empty shelves at the supermarket are only highlighting what is an age old problem.

“For a long time, the image surrounding logistics has been negative. Although a skilled occupation, HGV drivers have tended to be low paid and expected to work long hours. In a workforce that is dominated by older men (the average driver age is late 40s), there has been little progress made in balancing gender inequalities and attracting younger staff.

“Many employers are taking steps to promote driving as a career choice for women but the current problems suggest that this may be too little too late and diversity needs to be prioritised and driven up the commercial agenda much more quickly.

“Drivers complain about the inadequacy of roadside and on-site facilities. The availability of trucks stops has been reduced and hygiene facilities have traditionally been of a very low standard. The current crises and our dependency on effective logistics during past lockdowns makes clear that this industry provides an essential service and much more effort needs to be put into it being seen as a career path of choice.

“As a starting point, there is much room for improvement of the infrastructure drivers rely on. Lorry parks could be increased and rest room facilities brought up to a standard befitting the UK in the 21^st century.  Qualification attainment could be better supported and respected and (as with any job) pay and benefits could be redesigned to better reflect the skill involved and to compensate for the long hours worked.

“An image overhaul is needed to attract younger drivers in particular. The sedentary nature of the work is not perceived as being conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Several logistic employers recognise that many individuals could be attracted to the solitary working aspect of driving and are changing working hours to promote employees having more control over their own hours.

“Logistics firms were already struggling with recruitment and heavily reliant on agencies supplying the right level of skilled staff at the right time when, in April 2021, changes to the off payroll working rules (IR35) meant that this well used staffing model was no longer financially viable and added an administrative burden at a time when businesses were grappling with many other issues such as Covid working rules, flexible furlough staffing rotas etc all on top of the daily operational issues.

“Brexit has forced many drivers to leave the UK and Covid rules have led many to decide to return home so as to be close to family and continue earning an income without the requirement to isolate on crossing borders. There are some measures in place to help address this issue (e.g. the Frontier Work Permit applies to those who had begun cross border working before 31 December 2020) however the red tape and complexities that surround these schemes are often off-putting to employers.

“The Government is aiming to tackle the crisis with increased testing capacity, writing to drivers to encourage them to return to the industry and most recently has added HGV drivers to the existing Visa scheme until Christmas.

“We need a long term strategy to make the logistics sector more appealing to a wider audience, one that clearly addresses all of the issues drivers and their employers are facing and doesn’t push the issue further down the road. Otherwise, the profession will continue to struggle to attract and retain drivers in the long run.”

 

The Bank of Scotland Business Barometer survey was conducted from 1st September – 15th September 2021:

• Scottish business confidence rose for a second consecutive month in September, up five points to 39%
• Hiring intentions increase by 13 points with a net balance of 33% of firms planning to increase staff levels over the next 12 months – the highest reading of 2021
• Overall UK business confidence rose by 10 points to 46% as the number of firms planning to create jobs more than doubled from 18% to 37%

Business confidence in Scotland rose five points during September to 39%, the second consecutive month of growth, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking.

Scottish firms reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 14 points at 39%.  When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down five points to 38%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 39%.

The Business Barometer questions 1,200 businesses monthly and provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. This month’s survey was conducted before fuel disruption and ongoing supply chain issues tightened their grip.

Overall UK business confidence rose 10 points in September to 46%, with all regions and nations reporting double-digit confidence levels. The number of businesses planning on hiring new staff more than doubled from 18% to 37% as firms plan to increase headcount over the next 12 months. Overall confidence in trading prospects rose by nine points to 43% and firms’ optimism in the economy increased by the same amount to 48%.

All bar three UK regions reported an increase in confidence with Wales (up 27 points to 46%) and Yorkshire and Humber (up 22 points to 48%) reporting the biggest jumps. Firms in the North West (down 17 points to 47%) and East of England (down nine points to 30%) reported falls in confidence but both remained comfortably in positive territory. Businesses in the South East reported no change month on month at 32%.

Fraser Sime, Regional Director for Scotland at Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking, said: “While some protective measures remain in place, the easing of most lockdown restrictions has been a welcome boost for firms up and down the country. This has had a positive impact on several sectors as they return to normal trading

“Confidence remains solid and the number of firms planning to expand their teams is at the highest level recorded this year. While there are still challenges on the road to recovery, not least with the current fuel disruption, and supply and staff shortages, firms remain resilient and we’ll be by their side to help them in the months and years ahead.”

Confidence increased across the four broad sectors, notably in manufacturing and services. Manufacturing (up nine points to 49%) reached a four-month high, while services gained 11 points to 47%, the highest since early 2017, with particularly strong trading prospects in hospitality and financial & business services. Retail confidence improved by 8 points to a four-month high of 42%, while construction only edged up by 1 point to 41% which was nevertheless a three-year high.

Paul Gordon, Managing Director for SME and Mid Corporates, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “The economic growth outlook strengthened in the first part of September following rises in business confidence across nine of the 12 regions and nations.

“There are obvious challenges ahead in terms of labour availability, and the impact this has on the post pandemic recovery. It also remains to be seen how the recent events in the fuel market might impact businesses’ outlook.  However we can seek comfort in recent progress across the sectors and of the levels of confidence recorded in manufacturing, hospitality and financial & business services.”

Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “It remains encouraging to see a further improvement in business confidence reaching its highest level since April 2017.

“Employment expectations have risen significantly, with more than half of businesses expecting to recruit in the next 12 months. The hope is that the availability of labour will increase to alleviate current staff shortages for many firms, which will help to underpin UK economic growth over the medium term.”

Shepherd and Wedderburn is continuing its investment in Aberdeen by moving into flexible Grade A office accommodation, which offers capacity to double the firm’s headcount in the city as it anticipates sustained growth in the region.

The law firm’s move to premises at 37 Albyn Place later this year comes as part of an ambitious three-year strategy to grow its business across the north east by supporting clients active in key growth sectors, such as renewable energy.

Shepherd and Wedderburn’s market-leading Clean Energy Group comprises 90 lawyers, who advise on landmark clean energy projects across the UK. The team has more than 30 years’ specialist experience in the clean energy sector, spanning offshore and onshore wind, wave and tidal, low carbon infrastructure, hydro, biomass and energy from waste. In addition, the firm now has one of the largest private wealth and tax practices in Scotland, following the acquisition of Dentons’ 20-strong Scottish private client team earlier this year.

Andrew Blain, Managing Partner of Shepherd and Wedderburn, said: “This latest investment in our Aberdeen presence underscores our commitment to our clients in the north-east and reflects our confidence in the economic potential of the region, particularly in sectors where we have particular expertise, such as renewables, education, corporate, agribusiness and private wealth and tax. Our ambitious three-year strategy for the region will build on our reputation for quality, service and building long-standing relationships of trust with our clients, and focus on those sectors that will spur the region’s future economic growth.”

Tim Stevenson, Director of landlord GSS Developments, said: “The address at 37 Albyn Place is currently one of the most sought-after areas for the commercial property market in Aberdeen and it is particularly pleasing that this letting now sees the property fully let, particularly given the current COVID-19 environment; a testament to the quality of the product in an undoubted location. We are delighted to offer Shepherd and Wedderburn a modern, bespoke office base in the heart of the city centre from which to further expand its horizons.”

Dan Smith, Director and Head of Office at Savills in Aberdeen, said: “We undertook a comprehensive search for alternative office accommodation on behalf of Shepherd and Wedderburn. This search ultimately settled on 37 Albyn Place. The building has recently undergone extensive refurbishment, and the quality and specification of the product – being open plan and highly specified – is unique for the prime West End of Aberdeen.”

In August, Shepherd and Wedderburn reported 4.1% turnover growth to £59.3 million in the year to 30 April 2021, with profits before partner distributions rising 13% to £25.3 million. In 2020, Shepherd and Wedderburn was named Regional/Offshore Firm of the Year in the Legal Business Awards in recognition of effective leadership, impressive financial performance and increased market share.

Over the years, the phrase ‘work hard, play hard’ has become increasingly common and is often mentioned by ambitious workers who want to reach the top while enjoying a socially active life at the same time. Social media certainly has a role to play in this kind of ethic as there is a constant need for people, particularly of the younger generations, to appear that they have it all.

A study by Lonnie W Aarssen and Laura Crimi, published in The Open Psychology Journal in 2016, tested the theory of ‘work hard, play hard’. The results found ‘a conspicuous association between desire to work hard and desire to play hard’.

And these kinds of pressures can be extremely damaging to our mental and physical health as we over-exert ourselves both in and outside of work to present the illusion of having the perfect life. When we burn the candle at both ends, we could find ourselves suffering from a range of mental, emotional and physical disorders such as:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Sleep disturbances
• Headaches
• Depression
• Exhaustion

In the long run, the ‘work hard, play hard’ ethic is not only bad for the company you work for but it’s also damaging to your health.

How can we have it all?

For those of you who still want to have it all: the high-profile job; the impressive bank balance; and the enviable social life, you can have all of this but be aware, it usually comes at a cost to your health and wellbeing. At some point in the future, something has got to give, so whether you cut back on your working hours or take a night off from the social scene, you need to make time for the simple things that let you recharge your batteries and avoid burnout.

1. Take a holiday and totally switch off.It’s so important to get away from it all, whether it’s to an exotic location or even somewhere closer to home where you can escape the rat race and party scene. Make sure you turn on your out-of-office message so that you’re not disturbed and try to resist the urge to party all night just so that you can post your photos to social media.
2. Know your breaking point and take a break before you reach it.Taking a break can take the form of many activities such as a walk among nature, 15 minutes of mindful meditation, or even getting lost in a great book. Just make sure whatever you choose to do, you aren’t thinking about work.
3. Take a nap.You don’t have to be of a certain age to enjoy a cat nap and even a 20-minute snooze can replenish your energy levels and refresh the brain. Try not to sleep for much longer than this as it could affect your sleep patterns at night.
4. Do some exercise. You might be thinking that exercise will make you even more tired, but a study published by Science Dailyshowed that regular exercise reduces fatigue and increases energy levels.

 

If you have any questions or queries regarding our service or resources, please contact us on 0845-872-1780 or by email at info@firstpsychology-assistance.co.uk. Our team are available during normal working hours and we would be delighted to help you.”

Aberdein Considine has boosted its Dispute Resolution team with the appointment of a banking and commercial litigation specialist in Aberdeen.

Elaine Elder, who is currently an Associate with Aberdein Considine and is based in the Granite City, is joining the firm’s nationwide Dispute Resolution team following substantial growth in business volumes.

Since qualifying in 2013, Elaine has worked across a range of contentious matters including professional negligence, commercial debt recovery, insolvency, and landlord and tenant disputes.

She developed her knowledge on commercial contracts and corporate law when working in-house as Legal Counsel for Ethos Energy, a subsidiary of Siemens and Wood Group, and latterly she has focused primarily on complex recoveries in relation to business and commercial debt.

Karolina Naglik has joined the Dispute Resolution team as a trainee in Aberdeen. Prior to commencing her traineeship Karolina completed a summer placement with the firm in 2018 and also worked in the Conveyancing department of the firm’s Stonehaven branch whilst studying. She graduated with a First Class LLB Law (Hons) degree in 2020, completing her Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in 2021.

Following a number of acquisitions over the last few years, the firm has been focusing on expanding and strengthening its legal teams and specialisms throughout the country.

Euan McSherry, Head of Dispute Resolution at Aberdein Considine said:

“Elaine is a strong and effective litigator. She has developed her experience and skills both inside the firm and externally, bringing a commercial edge to every situation, and we’re delighted to have her moving across to the Dispute Resolution team.

Karolina has worked extremely hard and demonstrated great potential over the last few years and she will be an excellent addition to the team during her traineeship.”

The UK construction sector cannot ‘firefight’ inflation but needs to look at a range of levers to manage the prospect of tender price rises to 5.5 percent as far ahead as 2025, according to Turner & Townsend.

The global professional services business’ latest UK Market Intelligence Report (UKMI) shows large upward revisions to its quarterly forecasts.  The business warns that the UK sector should prepare for tender price inflation to remain high in the short to medium-term on the back of rising client demand, heavily disrupted labour markets and dislocated supply chains currently being seen across the UK and global sectors.

The report predicts 5.5 percent real estate tender price inflation in 2021, up from a Spring forecast of 1.5 percent. Whilst 5.5 percent is expected in 2021, the upside forecast suggests some projects may experience inflation of up to 10.0 percent. Following these highs, inflation is set to settle for a period before normalising to 4.5 percent in 2025. Infrastructure tender prices lag slightly behind but also show a high medium-term trend, forecast at 3.0 percent inflation for 2021, increasing to 5.0 percent by 2025.

The forecasts are underpinned by significant wage and product price rises, with a 14.4 percent quarter on year increase in average construction weekly earnings in Q2 2021, and 20.1 percent material cost inflation in the 12 months to July 2021.

The report scuppers hopes that the inflation seen in the past months might subside after a quick economic rebound post-pandemic, with rises being sustained by a wider structural evolution of the UK economy as a result of Brexit, changing consumer behaviour following national lockdowns and the recalibration of the economy around climate action.

The report argues that the need to tackle these structural changes – especially around net zero targets – means that the sector cannot rely on traditional routes to mitigate cost rises.  Instead, it must adopt a programmatic approach which considers the impact of multiple cost drivers together.

Andy Outram, Director and Scotland Strategic Lead at Turner & Townsend said:

“All the industry indicators are that we are heading into a very difficult period in Scotland with demand and shortages on construction materials driving up inflation and cost. Warnings are also being given about the availability of more sustainable materials. Most of the timber we use for construction here is imported from Scandinavia, and this is predicted to be seriously under pressure in 2022.

“It is absolutely critical that this doesn’t cause us to lose focus on industry change, particularly in terms of the net zero agenda. Instead, we need to see this as an opportunity to innovate and concentrate harder on the alternatives, including how MMC can be utilised as well as the reuse and recycling of materials. This should become the longer term default position in our thinking in the industry as we move forward into a changing post pandemic, post Brexit industry.”