activpayroll, the global payroll and tax compliance specialist headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland has grown its Edinburgh presence after opening a new office and announcing it has trebled its workforce in the capital.
activpayroll’s Edinburgh operation started in 2009 with a small office, but due to growing customer demand, this has resulted in the firm already moving premises twice.
The new office is located in London House on East London Street within the East End of the New Town area of central Edinburgh. This is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in an attractive location with a variety of commercial, business and residential uses. Along with the ever-increasing customer base, activpayroll’s employee headcount has trebled and the company is continuing to recruit for additional posts.
The new office offers bigger and improved facilities to allow activpayroll to continually expand, host workshops with customers and offer training space for the in-house CIPP payroll academy. The academy was the first ever in-house payroll training programme in Scotland, launched by activpayroll in 2015 in collaboration with the CIPP (The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals) to train employees from all backgrounds, giving them the knowledge and qualifications to pursue a fulfilling career in payroll services.
Graham McKechnie, Global Tax Director of activpayroll, said: “We are thrilled to have moved to our new premises in London House. This is a great location and offers a comfortable environment for our team members.
The city’s excellent transport links make it easier for our international customers to come visit us and the office will be pivotal to continue to support our customers in the North of England and the Central Belt. Edinburgh has such a diverse market, constantly offering exciting opportunities and the universities situated in and around the city enable us to attract and hire fresh talent.
We are now looking forward to settling in our new premises and building our reputation here even further.”
Pictured (L-R); Sian Odgers, Business Services Director of activpayroll and Graham McKechnie, Global Tax Director of activpayroll.
Shepherd and Wedderburn has completed the Shariah-compliant refinancing of high value office accommodation in Aberdeen.
The firm acted as legal advisor to Youngberry Properties, the owner of Bridge View and Consort House, on the refinancing of those premises.
The properties, which total 159,170 sq ft of floor space, are fully let to the oil and gas service provider Petrofac as its North Sea office headquarters and NHS Scotland.
Gatehouse Bank, a wholesale Shariah-compliant investment bank based in London, advised Youngberry on the investment and financing aspects of the deal.
The funding was completed by way of a commodity murabaha facility from an established international bank. A murabaha transaction is a form of Islamic financing based on the purchase of underlying assets and their sale at a profit mark-up that enables a financier to provide funding without an interest-bearing loan.
Shepherd and Wedderburn provided Youngberry with banking, real estate, construction and tax advice.
Peter Alderdice, a senior associate in Shepherd and Wedderburn’s banking & finance team, said: “This is a very significant deal for Youngberry Properties and we are pleased to have used our expertise in Islamic finance to help secure the refinancing of two of the largest commercial properties in the city. Having completed a number of Islamic finance deals of this kind, we know how to overcome the challenges involved in order to ensure smooth, successful transactions.”
Reflecting the firm’s steady growth and commitment to nurturing talent, leading UK Law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn has promoted 11 solicitors to the position of Associate across its offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and London.
The total number of associates and solicitors now stands at 148, with the firm wide headcount at approximately 500. With a premier client portfolio and a reputation for the highest quality service, the firm is renowned for its ability to innovate and handle unique, unprecedented projects.
Stephen Gibb, Chief Executive, Shepherd and Wedderburn said: “This is a really strong group of new associates, and reflects the strength in depth and quality of our people across the business. Our strategy has always been to provide first-class expertise combined with personal service and I know that our new associates will play a key role in delivering this. This group in particular has demonstrated a strong professional ethos and an unwavering commitment to our clients and colleagues. Their promotions are well deserved.”
The new associates are Gina Johnston, Chris Garden and Charles Boyne who specialise in Commercial Disputes & Regulation; Alison Blair in Banking & Finance; Flora Asplin in the Private Client team; and Chris Devlin, Ian Mack, Stephen Maughan, Stephanie Mill, Emma Paton and Julian Poullain in Property & Infrastructure.
This autumn we will be offering a series of informative and entertaining seminars, which will be hosted at our offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
As part of our commitment to going above and beyond for our clients, we run BInformed, which brings together the wide-ranging expertise of our lawyers in one place and includes blogs, legal updates, e-bulletins, videos, training sessions and our popular free seminar programme.
The wide variety of hot topics that will be discussed include what organisations should be doing now to prepare for the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR); IP protection; an update on the All Scotland Personal Injury Court; recent trends and issues in commercial law; managing corruption risks; Entrepreneur’s Relief; the impact of Brexit on environmental law; and claim defensibility training.
Please download our brochure and visit us at http://www.brodies.com/seminars-and-events to sign up today!
Please use our hashtag #BInformed to pose questions before each seminar, and to give us your thoughts and feedback.
If you have any questions or queries relating to our seminars, please do not hesitate to contact us at seminars@brodies.com
We look forward to seeing you!
Capital Document Solutions would like to invite you to their upcoming HP Tech Hub Roadshows.
Capital Document Solutions is hosting a series of HP Tech Hub Roadshows across Scotland.
We’re demonstrating the latest in HP technology in our offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and also Aberdeen at the end of August and start of September.
You’re invited to attend any of our HP Tech Hubs. We’ll be showing the latest innovation in printing and computing solutions, with the chance to experience the following:
Thought Leadership
Our experts will cover key themes of discussion in today’s technology world. These include innovative IT solutions and ways of doing business.
Latest HP Technology
We’ll showcase the latest HP products, with a focus on innovative business printing solutions. This includes a first look at the new HP A3 printing line up.
Networking
A great opportunity for you to network with HP and Capital. A chance to discuss IT solutions that could change the way you do business.
What can you see at the HP Tech Hub Roadshows?
• The new generation of HP PageWide and laser printers will be on display.
• The latest HP Sprout technology. Sprout is a fully integrated desktop 3D scanning solution with 3D object capture, editing and multiple streamlined 3D print options.
• Samples of HP’s up to date laptops, mobiles and tablet devices.
• The soul of a powerful PC inside a beautiful modular body. HP Elite Slice is like no desktop you’ve ever seen. Watch the video:
https://youtu.be/aoyRd8KjZnE
The HP Tech Hub Roadshows will consist of either morning (10am-1pm) or afternoon (2pm – 5pm) sessions. The dates are Edinburgh 29th August, Glasgow 31st August, Inverness 5th September and also Aberdeen 7th September. So to visit the booking sites please click on your desired location link.
HP are one of the world’s greenest companies and are continual winners of Excellence and Global Sustainability awards.
As an HP Gold Partner, Capital has achieved the highest level within HP’s select group of print specialists.
Images and video by permission of HP Inc UK Limited.
The ScotRail Alliance is urging customers on the Aberdeen to Inverness route to check their journey times before they travel, as train times will be altered over the bank holiday weekend.
Buses replace trains between Inverness and Keith on 27 – 29 May to allow for engineering works to take place. Customers are being encouraged to plan ahead and check their journey plans on the ScotRail app or at scotrail.co.uk.
A ScotRail Alliance spokesperson said: A ScotRail Alliance spokesperson said: “We appreciate our customers’ patience during these essential works.”
Standard Life has today published further information regarding the recommended all-share merger with Aberdeen Asset Management PLC. This follows approval this evening from the UK Listing Authority.
Three RNS announcements have been made in total by Standard Life. The first confirms the publication of a Prospectus and Circular for Standard Life shareholders (link). The second confirms the composition of the proposed Board of the Combined Group following the completion of the merger (link). The third provides a Q1 assets and flows update from Standard Life (link).
In addition, Aberdeen has issued an RNS confirming the publication of its Scheme Circular document for its shareholders. A link to this RNS announcement is here (link).
You will find the Standard Life Prospectus and Circular and the Aberdeen Scheme Document here – https://www.standardlife.com/dotcom/potential-merger.page
Content guide
The table below provides a guide to the contents of the Standard Life Prospectus.
Board Directors of the Combined Group – 60
Timetable of events – 62
Cost synergies – 70
Management, employees, branding and location – 73
Q1 assets and flows – 76
Dividend policy post completion – 79
Director biography details – 149
Executive Managers of the Combined Group – 161
Remuneration for Executive directors – 163
Key Board committees – 166
General Meeting resolutions – 206
Synergy Information – 223
Standard Life Q1 assets and flows
The Standard Life Prospectus contains a Q1 assets and flows update from Standard Life (p76).
Keith Skeoch, Chief Executive, Standard Life plc, has made the following comment regarding these results:
“We have made further progress in the first three months of 2017 with inflows from our growth channels, including notable growth in flows in our Pensions and Savings business. This has been supported by strong investment performance over the short and long-term. We continue to benefit from diversifying our sources of assets, and this strategy will be further enhanced by our proposed merger with Aberdeen. Standard Life remains confident about capitalising on industry trends, to meet the evolving needs of our clients and customers and to create long-term value for Standard Life Shareholders.”
The table below provides a guide to the contents of the Aberdeen Scheme Document.
Expected timetable of events – 13
Reasons for the merger & strategic positioning of Combined Group – 16
Value creation potential of the merger – 20
Management, employees and governance branding and location – 22
Branding and location – 23
Statements of support – 24
Dividends and dividend policy – 25
Next steps
Standard Life will hold a General Meeting at 2.00pm on 19 June at the Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, Edinburgh to allow Standard Life shareholders to vote on the resolutions required to approve and implement the Proposed Merger and related matters. These resolutions will require approval by a simple majority of the Standard Life Shareholders present and voting (in person or by proxy) at the Standard Life General Meeting.
Aberdeen will hold a Court Meeting and General Meeting on 19 June. The Scheme will require the approval of Aberdeen Shareholders at the Court Meeting (by a majority in number of the Aberdeen Shareholders present and voting (in person or by proxy) at the Court Meeting, representing not less than 75 per cent), and the passing of a special resolution at a general meeting of Aberdeen Shareholders.
Contact Details
For any queries related to today’s announcements please call:
Standard Life:
Barry Cameron 0131 245 6165 / 0771 248 6463
Katy Hetherington 07841 344 374
Michelle Clarke 0207 353 4200
(Tulchan Communications)
Aberdeen:
James Thorneley 0207 463 6323
Guy Nicholls 020 7463 5809
Kate O’Neill 020 7379 5151
(Maitland)
ScotRail has confirmed it is adding extra carriages to key trains to help Aberdeen fans get to the Aberdeen V Celtic Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park on 21 May.
Extra carriages will be added on what are predicted to be eight of the busiest services between Aberdeen and Glasgow. To avoid disappointment, the ScotRail Alliance is advising customers to book ahead and reserve seats for their journeys now, as queueing systems will be in operation and only fans with train reservations will be guaranteed boarding.
Those wishing to avoid the crowds may want to travel on the 0526 and 0634 departures from Aberdeen, although these are also expected to be much busier than usual.
As with all special event trains, alcohol bans will be in place and extra staff will be at key locations across the network to assist.
A ScotRail Alliance spokesperson said: “We’re doing everything we can to make sure the Dons are well represented at Hampden. Please be on the ball and get to the station early, as trains will be extremely busy.
“To help things go smoothly, please plan ahead and follow instructions from staff.”
A spokesperson for Aberdeen Football Club said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership again with ScotRail in ensuring that as many of the Red Army as possible have a choice of transport mode that can get them to and from Hampden on the 27th May to enhance what is always a special day out for all the family and one that we have not been in a position to enjoy for 17 years.”
