Blackadders’ Employment Team has been nominated for the “Innovation in Practice Award” at the Scottish Legal Awards 2018.

The team has received recognition for their series of podcasts – Employment Lawyer In Your Pocket – which are available for free on both the website and on iTunes.

Simon Allison who heads up the Employment Team was also nominated for the “Lawyer of the Year Award”, unbeknown to him he was put forward for the award by fellow team member, Associate Solicitor, Jack Boyle. When asked why Jack nominated Simon he said; “That’s easy. Simon deserves this award because he has unparalleled success DESPITE having a stroke early last year. As Simon himself says, “When the going gets tough and I wonder why I am doing this, I remind myself, it’s because I can.”. Simon commented that it was “a lovely surprise to be nominated for the Lawyer of the Year Award and that he is truly honoured although he is also going to keep a closer eye on Jack in future”.

When asked about the team nomination Simon commented, “We are absolutely delighted to be nominated for this accolade. It is recognition of both the quality content and the hard work which the team has put into their podcasting journey. Both Blackadders and the Employment Team are flattered to be named as one of the finalists.” 

The team commenced their podcasts in December 2016. Series one was entitled “Eight steps to conduct a fair dismissal”. Series two was entitled their “How To” series of podcasts where the team cover such topics as “How To Be A Good Witness”, “How To Deal With Stubble and Tattoos”, “How To Manage Your Apprentices” and “How To Appoint A Data Protection Officer”.

Simon commented, “Each podcast lasts for approximately 10 minutes. The rationale was that a ten minute podcast was longer than the length of time for Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and less than Meatloaf’s I Would Do Anything For Love (album version). Believe it or not, there is no actual script. And editing has been minimal to ensure that the natural flow of our friendships was not missed.”

The purpose of the podcasts was not to be the best podcasters in the world. Instead it was to raise the profile of the firm and to generate new business and new clients. We have been really successful in all of these criteria both locally and throughout the UK.

“We were advised that if we managed to get 150 listeners for each season, that would be a great result. By the end of season one, we had over 800 listeners. Season two ended in December and at the last count, there were over 3600 subscribed listeners.”

If you want to ask the team a question which may be featured in season three of their next series, you should tweet them using the #ELiYP hashtag.

Simon has promised the team that he will take them to watch a Real Madrid match if they win the award.

Let’s hope that, for Simon’s sake, the team will be dining on mince and tatties this summer as opposed to tortillas.

Bidding and tender specialists, AM Bid Services, received news last week of their nomination for two national awards at the prestigious Amazon Growing Business Awards.

The company has been shortlisted to the final four for the Young Company of the Year and Micro Business of the Year awards, and has been invited to a Judging Day with a range of high profile judges, sponsors and other finalists in London.

The Young Company of the Year award acknowledges new businesses who are rejuvenating the UK’s economy. This award recognises first-class new companies that are changing/challenging their industry and are on track to be significant players in the future.

The Micro Business of the Year award recognises outstanding companies with small but perfectly formed teams of ten or fewer staff, who the judges deem to be of exceptional quality.

Following the Judging Day, the winners of the 2017 Amazon Growing Business Awards will be announced at a Gala Dinner in London on 29th November.

David Gray, Bid Development Director at AM Bid Services, said:
“We’re delighted to make the final four for both of these highly coveted awards. I’m especially proud of the fact that we are one of only four companies across the UK nominated for two awards. Being formally recognised in both categories is testament to the hard work and application of the whole AM Bid Services team.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the judges, sponsors and our fellow nominees at the Judging Day, and of course to the announcement of the winners at the awards ceremony in November!”

Further information about AM Bid Services can be found at: www.ambidservices.co.uk

• Nomination in leading UK transport and logistics award scheme
• Jacqueline Taggart heads up Customer Experience in ScotRail Alliance

The ScotRail Alliance’s Customer Experience Director Jacqueline Taggart has been nominated in the prestigious 2017 FTA everywoman in Transport & Logistics awards.

Jacqueline is one of three nominees in the Leader section of the Passenger Award category which rewards enhanced customer experience.

Now in their 10th year, these Freight Transport Association awards recognise and encourage the work of female role models in the transport industry. A total of 33 women are nominated across the range of awards from customer experience and innovation, to supply chain and retaining talent.

On hearing the news that she’d been nominated, Jacqueline, from Blantyre, Lanarkshire, said: “I’m honoured and just a bit gobsmacked. I may be the nominee but it’s the work of my team around our network that ensures we’re doing everything we can to make customer experience as good as it can be for every one of the 96 million journeys made on our services every year.

“Of course I hope to win on 21 June and, if I do, it will be a reward for everyone’s effort, not just mine.”

Jacqueline is one of only two Scottish-based nominees who are in line as potential winners across all the categories at the UK-wide event. Her role is wide-ranging, with the majority of customer-facing teams coming under her responsibility. This includes all stations in Scotland, all booking offices, gatelines, and hospitality teams.

Maxine Benson MBE, co-founder of everywoman, said: “In the 10 years since everywoman created these awards to celebrate women working in transport and logistics, there have been significant changes in the industry landscape, not least in an increased focus from all sectors to attract more talented women to it.

“These awards continue to play a critical role in demonstrating the breadth and variety of careers transport and logistics has to offer women. This year’s finalists are all great role models and ambassadors for the industry and we wish them all continued success.”

The awards finale – a gala dinner where the winners will be announced – takes place in London on 21 June.

For further information please contact ScotRail Communications on 0141 555 4105/4247 or email communications@scotrail.co.uk

Pictured above: Jacqueline Taggart, ScotRail Alliance Customer Experience Director