Her Majesty The Queen and Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal have visited the University’s newly-named Edinburgh Climate Change Institute.

A leading law firm has expanded its Inverness offering with the appointment of a new Partner.

Magnus Mackay has joined Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP, where he will specialise in private client work including wills, estate planning, inheritance tax, trusts and powers of attorney.

Magnus joins from Stronach’s, where he has been since 2008, after joining as a trainee.  A full STEP member, Magnus’ appointment will make WJM the only law firm in the Highlands to boast two solicitors with this qualification, often regarded as the ‘gold standard’ for handling trusts and estates.

Magnus said: “I’m thoroughly looking forward to this new role.  WJM has a fantastic reputation in the Highlands, and this is a great opportunity to expand the Inverness office’s Private Client team, which is very highly regarded.

“I grew up on the Black Isle and studied at the University of Aberdeen, so I’ve always been interested in firms with bases in the North of Scotland.  I am hugely impressed by WJM’s commitment to establishing a really strong presence in the Highlands, and the way in which the firm’s Inverness office has grown and expanded in recent years shows their dedication to building a robust team and client base in this part of the country

“It will be great to be part of such an experienced team which also benefits from the firm’s wide network of offices and experts across Scotland.”

Magnus will work with the Private Client team to advise individuals and families on their legal affairs.

Rod MacLean, Private Client Partner at WJM’s Inverness office, said: “Magnus is going to be a fantastic addition to the team.  Private Client has remained a particularly strong element of our business over the last year and Magnus has a lot of skills which are in short supply in the local market.

“With Magnus on board, it’s safe to say there is no other firm in the Highlands that can match the size, experience and consistently high quality of our Private Client team.

“Our clients often tell us how much they value our local knowledge of the Highlands, so it’s great that Magnus can bring even more of that to the table, along with his extensive legal experience.”

For more information on WJM and its services go to www.wjm.co.uk.

Apex Hotels are set to give away five dream big days to NHS heroes as part of a continuing partnership with Operation Recuperation.

Operation Recuperation has been working with 20 of the hardest-hit hospital trusts throughout the pandemic and has gifted almost 1,000 stays and experiences to NHS staff.

Alongside the charitable organisation, the Scottish hotel group is giving away a total of five weddings or civil ceremonies to deserving couples across the UK.

Hotels participating include Apex Waterloo Place Hotel and Apex Grassmarket Hotel in Edinburgh, Apex City of Bath Hotel, Apex City of London Hotel and Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee.

The lucky couples will be treated to all the essentials to make their wedding day special, thanks to the hotels and their networks of key suppliers – with celebrations for up to 50 people being laid on.

Each property will provide one winning couple with a three-course wedding breakfast, drinks package, evening buffet, top table flowers, ceremony room hire and upgraded wedding night accommodation – as well as a traditional piper at the Edinburgh hotels.

Trusted suppliers will also contribute to each of the celebrations, with flowers, cake, DJ, hairdresser and make-up, covering almost every element of the dream big day.

The lucky couple will be selected from over 4,000 vetted front-line NHS workers who were invited to apply to Operation Recuperation over the course of the pandemic, many of whom have had to postpone or cancel their wedding plans as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.

Apex Hotels kicked off its partnership with Operation Recuperation earlier in the year, gifting 10 overnight stays at its hotels across the UK to nominated NHS workers as a well-deserved break.

Kim Wilkinson, Group Director of Sales for Apex Hotels, said: “We’re thrilled to be working again with Operation Recuperation – this time to turn deserving NHS workers’ dream big days into reality.

“Across five of our UK properties, we’ll be providing wedding packages worth a total of £30,000. Thanks to the unbelievable generosity of our trusted network of suppliers, we’ll be able to add lots of little touches to ensure a special day for each of our lucky couples.

“Our NHS heroes across the UK have worked exceptionally hard over the course of the past year and, like many others, have had major milestone moments like weddings either postponed or totally cancelled as a result. We want to do our bit to say ‘thank you’ for all they do by helping in any way we can – and luckily, we’re pretty good at weddings.”

Rachel Sherwood, founder of Operation Recuperation, said: “When the team at Apex asked if we’d like to help them give away wedding packages to NHS workers who’d had their big days postponed, the answer was a resounding YES!

“We’ve had a lot of superb donations to Operation Recuperation since March 2020 and it’s been a joy to give them away to almost 1,000 staff from the UK’s hardest hit hospitals.

“They’ve all made a difference but this one is extra special as it’ll be creating a lifelong memory for the NHS ‘winners’ and their loved ones. It’s a brilliant idea from a company who have been a joy to partner with and I can’t wait to help them make it a reality.”

Apex Hotels are also inviting other local suppliers who wish to help out with the wedding celebrations to contact Kirstie.logan@apexhotels.co.uk with details on what they do, how they can help and where they are based.

Couples invited to nominate themselves via Operation Recuperation will have until 24^th July to apply.

We are looking for a Senior Finance Officer to join the team.

This role involves recording the daily financial transactions for the Chamber, maintaining the sales and purchase ledgers, credit control, monthly payments and month end reconciliations, so good book keeping skills are essential. Ideally we would like to recruit someone who can take the monthly accounts to trial balance stage. We use Xero as our accounting package, so previous experience of using that software would be an advantage but not critical.

This role supports all the various departments within the Chamber so being reactive to their requests is crucial. A good working knowledge of IT and integration of software systems including previous experience of CRM systems would be an advantage too.

A salary of £25,000 pro rata.

Part-time hours: 20-25 per week

Application deadline: 05/07/2021

Currently working remotely.

• Four SMEs awarded a total of £100k airtime through the broadcaster’s Growth Fund
• Recipients include a social enterprise gift box business, an ethically sourced baby boutique, a charity supporting the diversity of deaf people across Scotland and a community interest company championing women in enterprise

 Four Scottish businesses with diversity and inclusion at their hearts have each been awarded £25k airtime from the STV Growth Fund, which exists to make advertising more accessible for the Scottish business community.

Finalists presented the ways in which they champion diversity, along with details of how they will grow their businesses through their focus on inclusion, to an expert panel of judges earlier this month.  The four winning businesses will now develop a commercial airtime campaign to run on STV within the next year.

The successful businesses are:

• Social Stories Club – an Edinburgh based social enterprise which produces gift boxes containing products from social enterprises, each with a fascinating story of social impact and helping communities and the environment.
• Daisy Tree Baby Boutique – a family run high street and online store based in Aberdeenshire, which only sells toys and clothes that are ethically and sustainably sourced, some of which are Fair Trade too. They strive to ensure that their marketing is diverse and representative of children across Scotland.
• Deaf Action – exists to support the diversity of deaf people. Based in Edinburgh, their work is geared towards empowering all deaf people to achieve their potential and fully participate in society, with equality of rights, access and opportunity.
• Women’s Enterprise Scotland (WES) – WES is a research-led, not-for-profit Community Interest Company which champions women-led and women-owned businesses. WES advocates for better evidence-based policy making and believes that delivering expert, needs-based business support will enable women to fulfil their aspirations.

STV has ring-fenced £1m in total for businesses specifically championing inclusivity from its £20m Growth Fund.

The panel of judges comprised Femi Otitoju, STV’s diversity and inclusion advisor and managing director of the Challenge Consultancy; Barrington Reeves, creative director and founder of creative agency, Too Gallus; co-founder of Black Lives Matter Scotland; and is founder of the Black Scottish Business Fund; Lee Beattie, managing partner of creative agency John Doe Group and co-founder of the Bloody Big Brunch and virtual venue SocialEyes; and Evelyn McDonald, chief executive officer of Scottish EDGE.

Danielle Kelly, Director of Sales and Strategy Scotland at STV said: “We were blown away by the passion shown by these businesses and their commitment to ensuring that diversity and inclusion is at the heart of everything they do.  We’re delighted to have them on board with the STV Growth Fund and can’t wait to develop and air what we know will be inspiring campaigns.”

Karis Gill from Social Stories said: “We are so excited to be awarded this opportunity from STV. We are proud to champion diversity and it’s fantastic for us that this has been recognised. At Social Stories Club, we create the most impactful gift hampers where the products are creating an enormous impact on educating girls, reforestation, and more. This opportunity will help us introduce more people to social enterprises through our gifts.” 

Claire Caborn from Daisy Tree Baby Boutique said: “I am so delighted to be partnering with STV, it means so much that my initiative to champion diversity has been recognised and is being supported by them. It is so important to me that Daisy Tree accurately reflects the world in which we live and I am looking forward so very much to working together with STV to further this aim. Thank you STV!”

Fiona Lavender from Deaf Action said: “We’re thrilled to have been given a membership to the STV Growth Fund and are grateful that STV value diversity and inclusion as much as we do. As a deaf-led organisation, this is huge for Deaf Action – deaf people, particularly BSL users, are under-represented in the media. This will give us the opportunity to raise the profile of hearing loss across Scotland.”

Carolyn Currie, CEO of Women’s Enterprise Scotland, said: “Women’s Enterprise Scotland is delighted to be working with STV to raise the profile of the Women’s Business Centre. The airtime will allow us to share our dedicated, free to access resource with as many women as possible, giving them the information and advice they need to fulfil their business aspirations. Collaborating with STV in this way will be pivotal in our aim of closing the gender gap in enterprise participation and helping rebuild Scotland’s economy after the pandemic.”

Cash is king – how businesses can take control of their outgoings

The impacts of the pandemic will be felt well into the future but for now, businesses are taking their first steps in gradually reopening.

Coffee shops and cafes are welcoming customers inside, hairdressers and beauty salons are switching on the lights and workers are starting to return to the office.

Despite these first steps, trading will continue to be difficult for some time, especially for small- and medium-sized firms.  These are the ones who will have seen their cash flow significantly hit and are now looking for all the help they can in trying to budget and plan for the future.

How businesses can avoid spending more than they have to

In these uncertain times, many businesses are looking for ways to save money and maintain a healthier bottom line. The good news is that getting a smart meter for your business is a small change that could make a big difference.

A smart meter can help businesses take control of their energy bills as they enable accurate, not estimated billing. Meaning, they only pay for what they use – helping to take the stress out of budgeting.

We all want to work smarter not harder. Smart meters send your gas and electricity readings directly to your energy supplier so you don’t have to!

Manage your environmental footprint

It is also important to bear in mind that it’s everyone’s responsibility to become more conscious of their environmental impact.  Regardless if your business has three employees, or three thousand, we all should be aware of how much energy we’re using and a smart meter is a simple way of doing this.

A smart meter is a positive step in taking control of business outgoings and if your firm has 10 employees or less your business could be eligible.

To find out more please click here. You can also contact your energy supplier or broker.  It could be one of the best calls you make this week.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” Charles Dickens, A Tale Of Two Cities

Leading organisations from Edinburgh have combined to create a blueprint to help accelerate the capital’s economic recovery from the pandemic – and they are urging political leaders in the city and the Scottish Government to work with them in genuine partnership.

The Edinburgh Business Resilience Group is made up of more than 60 organisations in the commercial, social and private sectors brought together by Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and tasked with finding ways in which the wider business community could work with policy-makers to help shape and support the recovery efforts.

Leading companies large and small, universities, colleges, Edinburgh’s Festivals and others have come together to form the group which believes the city needs to unite behind a shared vision and plan. The group today publish their “Prospectus for Growth” which delivers practical suggestions to place the economy at the heart of the city’s recovery from the covid 19 pandemic.

Chairman Ian Marchant of Dunelm Energy said: Edinburgh’s efforts at recovery cannot become a Tale of Two Cities – our own divided narrative between long-term political aspirations and the present day needs of businesses and organisations who will be expected to create the jobs and opportunities of the future. Do we work together, or do we labour apart? Do we simply talk, or are we prepared to listen? Is it to be the best of times, or the worst of times? Do we want the spring of hope, or the winter of despair?”

The former Chief Executive at utility giant Scottish and Southern Energy, added: “As we continue to emerge from the pandemic through the success of the vaccination rollout the economy must now be the top priority for our policy leaders. We need businesses to succeed and grow if we are to create jobs and opportunities for our citizens, if we are to encourage the move to net zero carbon, and if we are to tackle poverty through greater social inclusion.

“To achieve these aims we need businesses that are successful. To have successful businesses we need policies that encourage growth. We believe that by making the views of business known and by harnessing the expertise and energy our businesses have to offer, we can work with local and national government to deliver a better, stronger recovery.  But we need them to listen and we need them to engage.”

Liz McAreavey, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: “Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce is well-placed to convene this group. We were delighted at the stellar quality of those who took part in all of the meetings and conversations that fed into the production of the Prospectus for Growth.

“We are now seeking engagement with the Scottish Government, the UK Government and City of Edinburgh Council to see how we might work most productively together to deliver what is best for the city.”

The ideas being put forward by the Group are under three themes of Recovery, Growth, and Edinburgh as a Global City and include:

Recovery

• Accelerate return-to-work plans and revise social distancing when safe
• Support for businesses in tackling debt levels that will stifle investment
• Adopt a more enlightened, transactional approach to business taxation
• Increase investment in skills and R&D

Growth

• Create “Edinburgh Means Business” – joint venture involving key stakeholders to help promote and sell the city and, vitally, help to develop and land inward investment
• Appoint a “Business Champion” for the City to work with the city council and Government
• Create more diverse business ownership through shared strategy to develop entrepreneurial talent from under-represented groups and areas
• Simplify and streamline robust planning and licensing processes to encourage more people to do business in Edinburgh
• Encourage businesses to support our festivals and culture

Global City

• Do more to promote the city’s ambition to be Data Capital of Europe and enhance our reputation for innovation
• Better recognise the contribution of our tourism, culture, festivals and events sector to the city’s economy, quality of life and global reputation
• Develop a comprehensive aviation strategy – Edinburgh needs to remain a global city, and our airport remains a pillar of international trade and the gateway to the rest of Scotland
• Develop a world-class digital infrastructure
• Create a shared and coherent branding strategy for the city

The Prospectus document is being shared with political leaders and advisers at the Scottish and UK Governments and within the City of Edinburgh Council. Meetings between political leaders and those who led the Business Resilience Group’s work are now being sought.

Read the full prospectus here.

STV News has announced plans to host a media training session exclusively for women from Scotland’s business community, as part of an ongoing initiative to improve on-screen diversity.

The free online workshop, which will take place via Zoom on 26 August, aims to encourage more women working within the business sector to take part in broadcast interviews related to their line of work and wider industry.

STV, which strives to achieve a 50:50 gender balance across each of its programmes as a key part of its diversity and inclusion strategy, hopes the session will equip attendees with the confidence and skills required to appear on STV News bulletins and current affairs show Scotland Tonight as expert voices on the Scottish business sector.

As the country emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic and Scotland prepares to host COP26, the insight of informed representatives from within the business community is in increasingly high demand by news outlets.

STV is specifically looking for women who have thoughts and opinions on their own organisation, as well as the wider business sector, to take part in the training session which will be hosted by STV journalists and producers.

The company previously ran two similar workshops earlier this year, which focused on expert female voices in the fields of healthcare and science. Speaking of that session, Dr Stephanie Rainey from Glasgow University’s Centre for Virus Research said: “Female scientists have been disproportionally affected by the pandemic and sessions like this remind us our voice is needed and wanted.”

Nichola Kane, STV News’ Editor of Politics and Diversity, said: “Around 150 talented and knowledgeable women from the health and science sectors joined us for our previous Expert Voices workshops, and it’s heartening to see that so many of them now feel more empowered to share their valuable insight with viewers across the country.

“The business sector is a perennial fixture of the news agenda and, as with all our coverage, we’re working hard to represent a wider range of voices when covering business stories. Whether they’re experts in fishing or fashion, engineering or events, I’d encourage anyone who’s passionate about their industry and would like to be part of the on-screen conversation to join us for this free session.”

Expert Voices: Media Workshops for Women takes place at 7pm on 26 August. Visit bit.ly/STVExpertVoices to apply to take part.

 

Harvey Nichols is delighted to unveil its plans for a new International Accessories Department in the Edinburgh store, launching Thursday 8th July.

Boasting everything from heirloom handbags to cute-as-a-button keyrings and plush scarves, customers are invited to the new luxury setting on the Ground Floor to discover desirable international designers, including industry-leading labels like Balenciaga, Fendi, GUCCI, Loewe and Saint Laurent.

Newly arrived for 2021 Bottega Veneta will sit pride of place in the department. Celebrated for its iconic leather goods crafted according to long-standing Italian tradition, Bottega Veneta is defined by its exceptional craftsmanship, premium materials, innovative design and contemporary vision.

Meanwhile, must-have accessories from French designer CELINE, a byword for Parisian chic, and a brand that is exclusive to Harvey Nichols in Scotland, will continue to attract fashionistas from far and wide.

Louise Masson, General Manager at Harvey Nichols Edinburgh comments, “We are delighted to have relaunched our Accessories Department and can’t wait to showcase the new space to our customers. From contemporary textures and vintage-inspired designs, our carefully curated selection of women’s designer bags showcases the very best of the latest trends and new season styles.”

Louise continues, “We are proud to showcase the most diverse selection of luxury accessories in Edinburgh from a broad range of iconic international designers. With every brand on our department producing items of the highest quality, hand crafted by skilled artisans. Customers purchasing a luxury handbag are effectively investing in a portable piece of art, and one that, with a little care and a lot of love, will stand the test of time for many years to come.”

“At Harvey Nichols, we pride ourselves on offering premium products and recognise the global shift away from fast fashion towards shopping more sustainably. The new Accessories Department is a prime example of this, and we look forward to welcoming our customers into store.”

Jack Ross has made his second summer signing adding talented 22-year-old midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes to his squad.

Doyle-Hayes has won one cap for the Republic of Ireland U21s and made 30 appearances for St Mirren last season in all competitions. He scored his first and only goal for the Buddies in a 1-0 victory at Livingston.

Doyle-Hayes, who started his career at Aston Villa, was a standout performer for Jim Goodwin’s men last season as they finished seventh and reached two cup semi-finals.

“After speaking to the manager, I was delighted to get this opportunity,” said Doyle-Hayes after passing his medical at Hibernian Training Centre.

Doyle-Hayes has been largely deployed as a holding midfielder to date but enjoys getting box-to-box and is hoping to add more goals and assists to his game this season.

“I enjoy both sides of the game,” said Doyle-Hayes, whose idol is Roy Keane. “I enjoy digging in and defending and helping the back four, but I also like chipping in with a few assists and maybe a couple of goals if I am lucky.”

Doyle-Hayes will join up with the squad ahead of a pre-season training camp in England next week.

Fellow new signing Daniel Mackay, who arrived at the end of last season, is also set to make his competitive debut over the coming weeks.