Business Matters Winter 2015

INSIDE: ROCCO Winners, Annual Review in pictures, Members news, Council updates, Young people & lots more…

ROCCO 2015 THE WINNERS

MattersBusiness

WINTER 2015 EDITION HELPING RENFREWSHIRE GROW & PROSPER

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper 32 Business Matters Winter 2015

• Our best ever results from the annual member’s survey.

• Our largest B2B yet, with over 75 exhibitors taking part.

• We became the 1st Living Wage Accredited Chamber in the UK.

• We refreshed our meeting facilities, including the installation of new large LED screens. A thank you to the College Apprentices who took this on as a live project.

• We became the 1st Investors in People Gold Accredited Chamber in Scotland.

• We achieved 100% in our BCC accreditation (for the 2nd time).

• We held what many are saying was our best ROCCO yet, 110 entries, 16 awards, 500 guests.

• Our new website went live.

Throughout the year we have also attracted 65 new members and held 50 events.

November saw the launch of Paisley City of Culture BID – Paisley 2021. Your Chamber was involved in the launch and in the associated media coverage in print and on TV.

Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021 is part of a bigger agenda to use the town’s internationally -significant heritage and cultural assets to transform its future, including the

creation of jobs and providing new opportunities for local businesses.

Paisley once stood at the very heart of a global industry, and home of the Pattern which once carried Paisley’s name around the world.

I encourage all members to back the bid – raise awareness amongst your own staff and clients and use #paisley2021 on social media to find out more. The competition will be tough with Cardiff, Coventry, Perth & Sunderland all expected to enter - however Paisley has a lot to be proud of and to build on.

We have Scotland’s second highest concentration of listed buildings from the 850-year-old Paisley Abbey to the Victorian-era town hall; we have significant heritage and cultural assets; a thriving cultural scene and a host of famous sons and daughters.

Going back to our Chamber – A lot of the success of the Chamber over recent years has been down to the team at the Chamber and in that regard I wish to inform you that your Chief Executive, Bob Davidson, is moving on to a new role in the New Year.

Some of you may be aware that the Scottish Government has set out to establish Regional Invest in Young People Groups across Scotland.

The industry (private sector) led groups will focus on encouraging and supporting employers to engage with education and to recruit young people. This work is part of the wider Developing the Young Workforce Programme – a key policy area for Scottish Government.

I am delighted to say that Bob Davidson has been appointed as the senior executive to take forward this work in the West Region – which spans Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire and Inverclyde. Acting as the conduit and ambassador for the Developing the Young Workforce Group, the Director role responsibility is to lead and manage the West team and drive the programme of delivery.

I am aware that the post attracted a lot of interest and a significant number of high calibre applications so I am sure you will support me in congratulating Bob on his appointment. His previous experience in private industry and at the Chamber will be invaluable. The down side of course is that this means a period of change for your Chamber.

Bob Grant will become Acting Chief Executive and the Board will manage the process of recruiting a new CEO that will be open to internal and external candidates in the New Year.

I am sure you will all join me in thanking Bob for his contribution to Renfrewshire Chamber and wish him well in his new post.

And finally, our 1st event of 2016 will be our annual Burns Lunch at Ingliston Country Club on the 28th January, always a popular affair – with Russell our regular piper (from UWS), Martin Cassidy returns as our Burns speaker and this year we have the Young Traditional Musicians of the Year for 2014 & 2015 (Robyn Stapleton and Claire Hastings).

All that remains for me to say is, enjoy the break over the festive period and I hope you get the chance to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends. I look forward to seeing many of you in 2016.

President’s Welcome

Audrey Cumberford, President Renfrewshire Chamber

Welcome to our final Business Matters of 2015, our Winter Edition. As the year draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to look back at just some of the key achievements of our last year.


Printed on ECF paper sourced from sustainable forests using vegetable based inks.

Renfrewshire Chamber of CommerceBute Court, St Andrews Drive, Glasgow Airport, PA3 2SWt: 0141 847 5450 / f: 0141 847 5499e: [email protected] / w: www.renfrewshirechamber.com Next issue of Business Matters is Spring 2016 Deadline for editorial and adverts is 4th March, issued end of March.

Advertising & Editorial: Euan Keltie 0141 847 5464 / e: [email protected]

Print and Design by: The Print Brokers (Scotland) Ltd / e: [email protected]

Business Matters Winter 2015

P R E M I E R P A R T N E R

Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce would like to acknowledge the support of our Premier Partners:

Follow the chamber:

Bob Davidson,Chief Exec’

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Members, welcome to the Winter edition of our popular Chamber magazine, Business Matters, in what is my last Chief Exec’s welcome. I leave the Chamber at Christmas having been offered and accepted a new post leading the Invest in Youth Group for the West Region – as part of the Scottish Government’s Developing the Young Workforce initiative. I’ll be managing a small team based at West College Scotland covering Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire – focusing on improving the relations between employers, schools and colleges with a view to further reducing youth unemployment and helping create a stronger Scotland.

So after almost 6 ½ years at Renfrewshire Chamber I am saying

farewell. It has been the busiest job I have ever had - long hours, lots of stress - but also very rewarding. The Chamber has a great team and Board behind it - who are all passionate about business in Renfrewshire.

I would to take this opportunity to thank all the Chamber supporters, our members, Premier Partners, ROCCO sponsors and many more who have understood what a Chamber is all about and that working together is how real success is achieved.

Bob Grant will become Acting Chief Executive and the Board will manage the process of recruiting a new CEO that will be open to internal and external candidates in the New Year. I am sure you will give Bob and the team all the time and support you have afforded me.

Wishing you all a wonderful festive season.

Farewell from your Chief Executive


The recent cyber-attack on Talk Talk and the widespread publicity that it attracted will have many organisations considering whether their cyber security measures are sufficient to protect the data that they hold.

How can a cyber-attack damage your business?It is hard to measure what the biggest consequence to your business would be if you fell victim to a cyber attack. However the main impacts include damage to your reputation with existing and future clients, damage to your networks, servers and web applications including your website, the creation of complicated compliance issues, fines and the drain on your time and resources whilst recovering from the breach.

The government predicts that cyber crime has cost UK businesses an eye watering £27bn to date with the figure continuing to rise. A cyber security expert recently stated that there are only two type of business; those who know they have been hacked; and those who don’t know yet. Which are you?

Who is most at risk?With technology a major part of our day to day lives, no business is safe from a cyber attack or data breach but undoubtedly some businesses are more at risk than others. Organisations with lots of data are more of a target, particularly when that information has value, such as credit card, medical or IP details.

Similarly, those that are connected to more controversial activities, such as animal testing or energy supply, are perhaps more of a target. There is also a more recent trend for smaller businesses to be

targeted. This is partly due to less stringent control measures, but also because those businesses can be used as a conduit for something bigger. For example, if a small business has a contract with a much larger organisation, which allows them network access to the larger organisation, hackers may target the smaller business as a route into the larger one.

What can be done to protect your organisation?With such a large volume of attacks being perpetuated, businesses must ensure that they have processes in place to ensure the data that they hold is as well protected as possible. Although

there are undoubtedly costs involved in development and maintenance of robust cyber security methods, these should be considered long term savings against the costs of any breach, which would include fines, reputational damage and the costs associated with any damage limitation programme.

MacRoberts LLP has expertise in and advises on a wide range of cyber security issues, particularly the obligations in relation to data security assessment, breach prevention, detection and response. For more information, please contact David Flint at [email protected] or John McGovern at [email protected]

Poor cyber security is bad for business

David Flint


Heading to the Cloud shouldn’t cost the EarthAfter 11 years of experience and a significant move away from our modest beginnings in PC repair, pcr have taken the next step forward, in identifying the three core components needed for business; cloud services, hardware and IT support. In doing so, we have developed and now offer an innovative solution, through our newest service, bizanywhere.

Working off the longest and largest Cloud network, bizanywhere offers a bundled solution, to suit everyone, anywhere. Years of research, experience and a re-focus on the business-to-business market have allowed us to identify the need for up-to-date software, high-spec hardware and expert support, all of which are required for the efficient functionality of your business.

As part of the bizanywhere community, your business is promised both

functionality and reliability, with access to the latest developments and devices, such as the Microsoft Surface Pro, allowing you to work anywhere. The available email and calendar services, powered by Microsoft allow you to manage your individual meetings and projects while OneDrive and SharePoint provide a new level of collaboration with colleagues.

Online meetings and instant messaging are also made possible using Microsoft Outlook, while your very own social network improves communication of your team. Each of these services are within your reach as part of the bizanywhere service.

As part of these bundled services, we also offer expert helpdesk support and detection of potential issues before they arise and affect your productivity in any way.

As an extremely cost-effective solution,

bizanywhere allows your business access to a wide range of Microsoft’s very innovative services. Smaller monthly subscriptions mean that this service is not only advantageous for your team but for your business alike.

In revolutionising the purchasing of IT services, bizanywhere meets the wants and needs of any business, offering a reliable and secure service, working towards improving the efficiency of your business. Start your business’ innovative journey today by contacting pcr for more information.

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Contact us today:[email protected]

0141 644 8960


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1) Cyber Crime. The spate of cyber-attacks on publicly listed companies at the end of 2015 will have jolted the business population at large into action. SMEs in particular will start to take the threat more seriously from 2016. For most this will include a serious rethink about the cloud. People will lose their irrational fear about cloud being less secure because it feels so - and get to grips with the fact that on premise isn’t a utopia of security. The answer really lies with properly researching your potential cloud partners and understanding where your biggest risks lie. For example, a disgruntled employee is a more likely form of attack than an external source. 2) Cloud First will become a strategy for many SMEs. The acceleration of the cloud is partly driven by the security question posed above. Mostly, SMEs will

be driven towards a more sustainable, environmentally friendly solution. The government already have a Cloud First policy, driven by the requirement to be more efficient. 3) Connection is King. In 2016 I think businesses will start to realise that connectivity is the key to success, be it broadband connectivity or systems integration. Businesses which don’t already operate integrated systems will be looking for a way to get their systems “talking”. Older, legacy systems which are particularly unyielding will be binned in favour of more fluid software structures. 4) Convergence of Digital and Physical. The automation of processes will herald a rise in things such as digital assistants and algorithmically driven agents. Some supervisory duties such as measurement

and management of incentives can easily be programmed these days and will eventually be tasks delegated to software, which could spell the end of the physical supervisor.

Paul Tindal, Owner, Cofficient Ltd

Tech Trend Predictions


Why use video content?Reach new demographics: Video can help you reach audiences that TV can’t – for example, millennials are especially fond of online video content, watching more content on the web than on television. With that in mind, if you’re trying to reach a younger audience, video could be the ideal content marketing channel for your business.

Improve the perception of your business: They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and according to Forrester’s research, a minute of video is worth 1.8 million words. However many words it’s worth, there’s no denying that video can capture emotions where copy sometimes fails (think of the John Lewis and Sainsbury’s Christmas adverts going viral now). As a result, research by Axonn found that seven out of 10 people view brands in a more positive light after viewing their video content.

It’s easier than ever before: Not ready for full-on Hollywood blockbusters? Why not dip your toe into video content by trying social video? Channels like Vine, Instagram video and Periscope allow businesses to create online video quickly, easily and cheaply – no production crew required. With phones now capable

of filming in high definition, there’s no excuse not to give video content a try.

Getting startedPlanning to start creating online video content? Here are some pointers to keep in mind…

Focus on quality not quantity: Video can do a lot for your business, but quality is paramount. Good sound is vital and it’s better to go shorter than longer, as people lose interest quickly. The average length of a video on YouTube is less than three minutes.

What’s the aim of your video content? Not every business will be suited to video. Think carefully about what you want your video to achieve before getting started. Is it for attracting new customers, or demonstrating your expertise to prospects? Being clear on the objectives also helps you to measure the success of your video more easily.

Plan how you’ll distribute your video content: How will people find your masterpiece once it’s created? Before you start, work out how you’ll get your video seen by the right people. If you decide to share your video on Facebook, for example, you can make sure that you’re creating something with the right specifications. An integrated

content marketing campaign, working in tandem with your email marketing, social media and online advertising is likely to prove most effective.

ConclusionVideo content marketing can be extremely powerful,

but it pays to invest in quality content and plan the objectives beforehand. If you’d like help planning content marketing, including video production, please get in touch with our expert team today.

Gary EnnisNSDesign Ltd: Making Digital Work. web: www.nsdesign.co.uk email: [email protected] twitter: www.twitter.com/nsdesign facebook: www.facebook.com/nsdesignltd tel: 0141 585 6390

Should your business invest in video content?

With content marketing now a common practice – the latest figures suggest over 80% of businesses are creating marketing content – it’s getting more important to stand out and get noticed. One way to do that is through video.According to the stats, online video consumption is growing rapidly, and now one in three people view at least one online video a week. So should your business be investing in video content?




Contact Aileen GatesPhone 0141 886 6644Email [email protected]


On 8th November 2015, team NSDesign had the pleasure of attending Scotland’s Modern Apprenticeship Awards 2015, in association with Skills Development Scotland, at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh. We were shortlisted for both:

· Modern Apprentice Ambassador of the Year

· Micro Employer of the Year

Jonny Campbell scooped the first award of the night, winning the Modern Apprentice Ambassador of the Year award. Comment on his win Jonny said – “For the past two years, it would be fair to say

that I’ve worked hard in the promotion of Modern Apprenticeships to other youngsters in and around Scotland. From radio and television interviews, careers fayres, school visits, and even by providing professional voiceovers, during my Apprenticeship as a Web Designer and Hosting Trainee with NSDesign so it was only fair that I won, right? In all seriousness though, a massive congratulations to all the finalists – each

and every one of them worked incredibly hard over the year in the promotion of apprenticeships within Scotland – we’re all winners!”

NSDesign were also runners up in the “Micro Employer of the Year” category.

Scotland’s Modern Apprentice Ambassador of the Year 2015


Capital Allowances are often missed by small businesses but could provide a generous tax break on investment in plant and machinery. The current regime means that 100% allowances are available to most small businesses.

HOW DO CAPITAL ALLOWANCES WORK?When buying plant and machinery for your business, you cannot deduct this expenditure as an expense in arriving at taxable profits for the year in which the purchase is made. Without capital allowances, businesses would not get any tax relief on plant and machinery until the asset was eventually sold. Claiming capital allowances is a way of spreading the tax relief and allows a business to claim a deduction reflecting the falling value of the asset over time.

WHAT COUNTS AS PLANT AND MACHINERY?Any asset owned by the business will qualify for capital allowances if it is:

• movable plant used in the business or, • an integral feature in the business

premises.

Assets such as land and buildings, including doors and mains water and gas systems are not counted as plant and machinery. If you are a sole trader and use the asset for both personal and business use, capital allowances can be claimed on the business use part of the asset.

RATES OF CAPITAL ALLOWANCESCapital Allowances can be claimed at either 18% or 8% per year, on a reducing balance basis. The rate of allowance varies depending on the type of asset.

In some instances, it is possible to claim 100% of the cost of an asset in the year of

purchase. This can be done by utilising the Annual Investment Allowance and Enhanced Capital Allowances.

Annual Investment Allowance (AIA)AIA can be claimed on expenditure up to a total of £500,000 per year on plant and machinery. Note that cars used in business, although eligible for capital allowances, are not eligible for AIA.

The AIA limit has varied over the last 5 years and is now at the highest it has ever been. It is important to utilise this allowance as soon as possible as the level will reduce to £200,000 from 1 January 2016. Care must be taken in dealing with the transitional rules where an accounting period runs over this date.

Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA)Purchases eligible for ECA can also attract

a 100% deduction from your taxable profits. This can be claimed in addition to the AIA and does not count towards the AIA limit.

ECA can be claimed for energy and water efficient equipment which features on HMRC’s Energy Technology Product List and can be claimed on low emission cars. Examples of purchases eligible for ECA include energy efficient boiler equipment, hand driers, refrigeration equipment and taps.

If you think you have incurred expenditure which could have been eligible for capital allowances but you have not claimed – it’s not too late. So long as you still own the asset you can claim capital allowances after purchase.

For further information, do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected].

The Time to Consider Capital Allowances is now



Contact Aileen GatesPhone 0141 886 6644Email [email protected]


Aileen Gates, Partner, Campbell Dallas


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Get your business in gear this winterIf you are looking to launch and grow a successful business, then Business Gateway Renfrewshire has a network of support available to help you chart the way forward.

From fine tuning your business plan and creating a marketing strategy to employing staff, looking for funding and exploring exporting and online sales opportunities, Business Gateway’s team of expert advisers has the skills, experience and contacts to help you.

“Starting a business is one thing but ensuring that it continues to grow and develop presents a whole new set of challenges,” says Graeme Currie from Business Gateway. “At Business Gateway we can help you do both.

“Our advisers have extensive experience of starting and running their own successful businesses so they know exactly what needs to be done and what challenges you may face during the start-up and growth phases.”

Designed to provide intensive one-to-one tailored support on topics relevant to the local Renfrewshire business community, Business Gateway’s hour long Expert Surgeries aim to arm attendees with the information needed to tackle specific business issues head on.

The fully funded surgeries, available to all Renfrewshire business owners, take place in Business Gateway’s offices at Hillington Park Innovation Centre and include:

• Marketing – Wednesday 13th January. This surgery will review your current strategy and look at possible additional marketing activity including both traditional and digital techniques.

• E-Business/ICT – Tuesday 19th January. This surgery will provide information on SEO, web design, compliance and other related web issues.

In addition, Business Gateway Renfrewshire’s Business Skills Toolkit includes a series of specialist workshops that not only provide training in key skills but also create a thriving networking environment that allows attendees to meet up with likeminded business owners.

To reserve a place at one of the Expert Surgeries or to find out what winter workshops are coming up, visit www.bgateway.com/askrenfrewshire or call your local office on 0141 530 2406.

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- Power One Group go back to traditional training methods to ensure the Future is Bright!Paisley based Street Lighting and Electrical Contractor Power One Group has recently employed five apprentices all based locally and they have all been enrolled on a 3 year course at West College Scotland.

The innovative idea by MD Mark Ward, has led to a bespoke apprenticeship for electricians, with a special element focussing in Street Lighting. With the vast majority of Scotland’s 900,000 street lights likely to be converted to LED over the next few years, and the decline in numbers of a skilled workforce, Power One have teamed up with West College Scotland and SPEN to ensure a sustainable, skilled workforce is available - with the potential to create a further five jobs for apprentices every year. With large infrastructure projects such as the Second Forth Road Crossing, Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and the M8 /

M73/ M74 Junction improvements, the limited resource available is already at a premium.

Power 1 Group is a privately owned Contractor, who specialize in Electrical and Communication works, over the last 3 years we have also developed into one of the leading contractors in the LED Retrofit Market. Formed in 2007 by current Managing Director Mark Ward, the Paisley company have invested heavily in the training and development of their 45 strong workforce and developed key supply relationships over the last few years. These relationships with blue chip companies such as BAM, Mercury, Morgan Sindall, Thorn Lighting, GallifordTry Construction, CTIL, Mono Consulting and Maclean Electrical ensure that the company can deliver the very best in product, design and delivery across all the sectors we operate in.

All of the company’s delivery teams are HEA accredited and utilise their G39 trained electricians to carry out virtually all of the company’s work in these sectors. The recent accreditation as an Independent Connection Provider (ICP), has also given the group the ability to provide a complete “one stop shop” to its’ clients.

The company has recently received major contract awards in its street lighting and communications sectors, totalling £13 million, with a target turnover of £30m by 2020.

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My name is Thomas Daley - with over 30 years in logistics, comprising of 10 years being a courier and 15 years being a taxi driver, I’ve been doing sub-contract chauffeur work for the past 5 years.

In Feb 2014 it was time to set up on my own and I formed my company, CLASS ARRIVAL EXECUTIVE HIRE LTD. I started off with one E class vehicle, now I also have a Mercedes Viano and a Mercedes Vito, and I’m gradually building up my own customer base. I’ve just recently finished working with Arclight films from London and Mumbai, who were filming a Bollywood movie in and around Glasgow. It was really enjoyable working alongside some great people and I’m looking forward to help working on the next film being made early next year.

Thomas Daley - Class Arrival Executive Hirewww.classarrivalexecutivehire.co.uk

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Working with a range of diverse businesses, Essence of Calm Therapeutics supports and enhances the Health and Wellbeing of employers and employees alike with a uniquely developed holistic approach to the practice and theory of Integrated Therapeutic Massage.

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D.O.M. Art is an award winning artist based in Paisley, part of the InCube Renfrewshire creative incubator. Dominika (the lady behind D.O.M. Art) offered to paint our CEO Bob Davidson (pictured). You can see Dominika’s work in the InCube shop in Paisley and on her website at www.domart.co.uk – she has a 15% discount for the festive period for all commissioned portraits.

Portrait offer from award winning artist

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Mirren Chambers41 Gauze Street, Paisley, PA1 1EX1,000 sq ft (92.90 sq m) – 1,400 sq ft (130.06 sq m)To LetOFFICE SUITES OFFERED WITH DEDICATED PARKING

Mirren Chambers is located in Gauze Street in a popular area of Paisley Town Centre. We currently have two suites to let of around 1100sqft and another floor divided into smaller individual offices from 150sqft which are offered on fully inclusive rents from £175 + VAT/pcm.

The offices have private car parking and are well located across from Renfrewshire Council with many local amenities including the Lagoon, cafes, bars and shops in the Abbey Quarter The offices have excellent transport links and are within minutes of M8 / Glasgow Airport and Paisley Gilmour Railway Station. Easy access for staff and visiting clients alike.

If you or anyone you know is looking to move please call Mark Dinardo, DP Group on 0141 843 4211 or our agent Peter Leburn, Knight Frank on 0141 221 9191

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The first HR-V appeared as a concept car in 1997 at the Tokyo Motor Show, and the new 2015 model is full of the original’s unique character and heritage.

The coupé-styled SUV has all the smart looks of its bigger brother (the Honda CR-V) while boasting distinctive bumpers and a bold front grille. It hasn’t just been designed with looks in mind but also to make it as aerodynamic and efficient as possible.

There are 4 trim levels - S,

SE, SE Navi and EX. All models come with climate control, cruise control and auto headlights.

When it comes to engine, you can choose either a brand new 128bhp 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol or a 118bhp 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel – with the latter returning up to 71mpg. On top of this, the diesel has CO2 emissions of 104-108g/km, meaning you can expect to pay only £20 a year in road tax.

Inside, the HR-V has clever and compact styling with plenty of room to spare.

The famed Magic Seats can configure in lots of useful ways – increasing the HR-V’s boot capacity from 470 to 1533 litres.

It’s safe to say that the new arrival fits in to all lifestyles, whether it be as a business car or for a family. Watch this space.

The stunning new Honda HR-VThe Honda HR-V signifies the brand’s return to the compact crossover market, but it offers much more than this.


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Glasgow Airport rounded off what was a hugely successful 2015 by becoming the first UK airport to hold the top three awards on offer within its industry at the one time - Scottish Airport of the Year, UK Airport of the Year and Airport Operators Association (AOA) Airport of the Year between 3 – 10 million passengers. Glasgow was also highly commended by its European trade body, ACI Europe, and it received the ROCCO Award for Excellence in Customer Service.

In 2015 alone, Glasgow Airport secured 26 new routes and services including direct flights to Halifax, Nova Scotia; Budapest, Prague and Las Vegas. ACI Europe confirmed Glasgow Airport was one of Europe’s fastest growing airports in its category during 2015.

Over the course of the past two years, Glasgow has invested over £25 million in terminal redevelopment works. This included a major refurbishment of international arrivals and the £3.5M

extension of its east pier, allowing the airport to accommodate an additional 750,000 passengers per year.

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “To have been named both Scottish and UK Airport of the Year, as well as AOA Airport of the Year, is a tremendous honour and it is an achievement the 5,000 people who work at Glasgow Airport can be proud of……Despite securing an additional one million passengers, 99.4% of passengers have passed through security in less than 10 minutes during 2015.

Glasgow Airport has continued its success into 2016. On 14 June, Air Canada

will launch new seasonal non-stop flights from Glasgow to its Toronto hub, Toronto Pearson. On 30 May, Air Transat, Canada’s leading leisure airline, will introduce a new service from Glasgow to Montréal. EasyJet, Europe’s leading and Scotland’s largest airline, will further expand its Scottish network with the launch of a new route to Marseille on 29 June 2016.

Glasgow Airport Scoops Hat-Trick Of Industry Accolades


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patients. We offer consultant-led care and diagnostic imaging to ensure you get a quick diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your needs. Should you require an in-patient stay, you will receive your own private room with en-suite facilities, healthy nutritional meals and exceptional standards of cleanliness. Free car parking is also available for you and your visitors.

At BMI Healthcare we welcome insured and self-pay patients.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMING BUSINESS >25 STAFF

For more information

CDS11511_Rocco Business Advert_180x130_v2.indd 1 08/12/2015 13:39

Our Business Mentoring service can help business owners like you realise your personal and business growth ambitions, giving you the ability to take your company to new heights.

We can put you in touch with highly experienced entrepreneurs who are ready to share the secrets of their success. Using this service will not just give you the confidence to develop your business it will also introduce you to a great network of contacts who can open doors and inspire new thinking. Support can be on a one-to-one or group basis to suit you and your business needs. With a large and diverse pool of mentors across all sectors, you will be matched with someone who has the right skills and experience to add value to their business. Example of where business mentoring can help are:

• Business strategy• International business knowledge

• Team development• Creating business opportunities• Innovation• Leadership skills

If you are a Scottish business already

generating a steady turnover but want

to increase it by £200,000 or more over a three-year period you can access the service at no cost to you.

Contact Mark Brown, Business Mentoring Executive on [email protected] and tel 07525 323500 / 0141 847 5458.

Get 2016 off to a great start with a free business mentor


ROOMS AVAILABLE FOR HIRE AT

GLASGOW AIRPORT• Ideal for meetings, interviews, training, seminars & workshops

• 4 rooms, space for 1-20 people • Free wifi & free parking• New LED screens - HDMI & VGA ports

• Catering available • Price guarantee

Glasgow Airport Business Centrec/o Renfrewshire Chamber

Bute Court, St Andrew’s DriveGlasgow Airport PA3 2SW

0141 847 [email protected] www.renfrewshirechamber.com

Export DocumentationDid you know we certify 15,000 export documents a year for 70 clients?

Members receive a significant discount. Contact Laura Connor at the Chamber for more info [email protected] / 0141 847 5465

The new directors are:• Jamie Cumming, MD of Patrizia

Hillington Park (the largest business park in Scotland)

• Morag Malloy, MD of Fission Creative• Robin Stevenson, MD (Non-hazardous

waste) at the William Tracey Group

Commenting on the announcement, chamber president Audrey Cumberford said “I am delighted to welcome Jamie, Morag & Robin to the Board of Renfrewshire Chamber. They all have senior roles in organisations across Renfrewshire representing sectors that we previously didn’t have on the Board. Renfrewshire

Chamber continues to go from strength to strength shown recently by our Investors in People Gold Accreditation (the 1st Chamber in Scotland to be awarded Gold). The addition of these new directors allows us to have a stronger more representative Board that can champion Renfrewshire and the needs of our members.”

Chamber welcomes new DirectorsRenfrewshire Chamber is delighted to announce 3 new directors to the Board following a recruitment drive earlier this year.

Jamie Cumming, MD of Patrizia Hillington Park (the largest business park in Scotland)

Morag Malloy, MD of Fission Creative Robin Stevenson, MD (Non-hazardous waste) at the William Tracey Group


Get your business off to a great start in 2016…Join Renfrewshire Chamber before the end of January and save 25%

Access discounted products & services including:

• networking events • marketing channels • business mentor • lobbying • HR & legal • health • export documentation • merchant services • meeting rooms

Renfrewshire Chamber “Helping Renfrewshire grow & prosper since 1964”

www.renfrewshirechamber.comContact Bob Grant, Deputy Chief Exec’ on 0141 847 [email protected]

New mem

bers get

1st networking lunch free

and content in our magazine

The Green Umbrella program, designed and delivered for Renfrewshire Chamber by member Mabbett & Associates Ltd proved to be in high demand from Renfrewshire businesses. Over the three workshops, 20 delegates from 14 companies attended. The program helped chamber members save on their energy, water and waste costs.

Mabbett Environmental Consultants Carrie Brown and Suzanne Nelson delivered three half day in-depth sessions full of expertise and guidance to help delegates develop

their own Environmental Management System (EMS) to BS 8555 standard, enabling progression half way to ISO 14001.

Attending companies included Bray Controls, Campbell Dallas, Claire Clifford, Eclipse Blind Systems, Jaw Brew, Linstone Housing Association, Peak Scientific, Power One, Quarriers, RAMH and Vascutek.

The Chamber is very grateful to Mabbett for financing the Green Umbrella program to the value of £2000 per head allowing delegates to attend free of charge.

Mabbett was established in 1996 and today is recognised

as one of the leading independent environmental, engineering, health and safety and sustainability consultancies in the U.K., Ireland and Europe.

To find out more about their

international environmental, engineering, health and safety, and sustainability consultancy services contact Suzanne Nelson 0141 227 2300 or email [email protected] www.mabbett.eu

Success for Green Umbrella with Mabbett & Associates

Fill R 16 G 127 B 28Fill R 16 G 127 B 28 Green Umbrella


January

April

June

February

March

February lunch speaker Gary Ennis NSDesign

March - Young Enterprise Finals

January Burns lunch

April lunch speaker Fraser Campbell - Senior Partner, Campbell Dallas

February speed networking

March lunch speaker Malcolm Roughead CEO Visit Scotland

May

May - Voyager finale

June - Chamber golf day Elderslie

June lunch speaker Tony Fitzpatrick

May eSpark lunch

May b2b day2 BBC’s Douglas Fraser, host

May - Living Wage accreditation - 1st Chamber in UK

May b2b day1

June - Chamber awarded Invest in Renfrewshire Business Recognition award


August

September

October

August lunch speaker Amanda McMillan OBE

September Mark Brown jumped out of plane for Parkinson’s UK

August - Chamber became 1st IIP Gold Chamber in Scotland

September lunch speaker Paisley First September Chamber support Primary Engineer event

August - new management trainee Nicole started at Chamber

November

October - 3 new Directors join the Chamber Board

October - Chamber and council ran a STEM fortnight

October lunch speaker Bill Munro Chairman Barrhead Travel

November lunch speaker - Sandra Black CEO Renfrewshire Council

100% Accreditation score for the 2nd time

November ROCCO winners

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper 23

New MembersOn behalf of the Board of Directors and the Chamber staff we would like to welcome onboard the following new members.AbleMed Health LtdHealth & WellbeingHazel Bookham0141 551 [email protected]

ADS Biotec LtdPersonalised medicine biotechKenneth MacFarlane0141 892 [email protected]

Bella BrillaLuxury Bridal AccessoriesKirsteen Connell07515 549 [email protected]

Class Arrival Executive HireChauffeur ServicesBrian Hutcheson0141 212 [email protected]

Cloud Global LtdAviation SupportGraeme Frater0141 447 [email protected]

D.O.M. ArtFine Artist & Art ClassesDominika Zurawska07415 884 [email protected]

Essence Of Calm TherapeuticsHealth & Wellbeing / MassageElizabeth MacDonald0141 533 [email protected]

Etellect LtdeSolution SpecialistsJulia Lavelle0141 883 [email protected]

Grasshopper ToysToy WholesalerDr Wendy Hamilton01436 [email protected]

Hoolahan SlidesGuitar slides & tunersPhil Hoolahan07803 741 [email protected]

JW Filshill International LtdCash & Carry / Craft BeerChris Miller07717758807chris@craftbeerclanscotland.comwww.craftbeerclanscotland.com

Paisley FirstBusiness Improvement DistrictSunil Varu07809 105 [email protected]

PMA Contracts LtdPrincipal Contractor/commercial/industrial fit-outPauline Calder07867 503 [email protected]

Scotch Whisky AuctionsOnline Whisky AuctionsBill Mackintosh0141 243 [email protected]

Squarestone Growth LLPPropertyPaul Coulter0141 887 [email protected]

Star ProjectConsultaion & trainingSharon McAulay0141 889 [email protected]

Treetops BoutiqueChildrens Clothing BoutiqueSuzi Somerville07885 404 [email protected]

Vouch For That LtdGift Voucher schemesCatharine Anderson0141 301 [email protected]

22 Business Matters Winter 2015

Helping Renfrewshire Grow & Prosper 23

Please find below the latest edition of the Renfrewshire Local Economic Report, containing economic data, including the number of local businesses, new business start-ups and labour market information as well as key national indicators such as inflation, GDP and export data.

Renfrewshire Economic report from Scottish Chambers

See our events section on our website: www.renfrewshirechamber.com

0141 847 [email protected]

twitter.com/renfrewshirecoc

facebook.com/renfrewshirechamberofcommerce

Follow the chamber:

Up & Coming Events

Burns Lunch 2016Thu 28th January at Ingliston Country Club, 12-2.30pm with Burns speaker, piper & the Young Traditional Musicians of the Year 2014 & 2015

Annual golf dayKilmacolm Golf Club, Friday 17th June 8am-3pm

ROCCO 201618th November, The Normandy


The annual business awards of

Renfrewshire ChamberSponsored by:A ssell-out crowd of 500 watched 16

awards presented at the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew on Friday 20th November at the ROCCO’s; the annual business awards of Renfrewshire Chamber. The area’s premier business event, established for over a decade, was this year sponsored by the Ministry of Defence who gave a surprise event opening with the band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines. The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines


New Chamber President Audrey Cumberford (West College Scotland’s Principal) addressed the audience focusing on the Chamber’s successes in the last year and gave special mention to the Paisley City of Culture Bid encouraging all businesses and organisations to ‘back the bid’. Captain Chris Smith gave the main sponsor address highlighting the importance of Britain’s military especially given recent tragic events. Captain Smith focused on reservists and called on local business to support staff that wish to become one and highlighted the benefits to the individual and the employer.

ROCCO regular Fred MacAulay hosted the event and like many was blown away by the quality of entertainment from Sam Holloway, 14yo sax player; 11yo singer Hollie Robinson; & 17yo guitarist Jay Fitzpatrick. The ROCCO raffle raised £8,000 for local charities and good causes with Accord Hospice and Kintyre Base being the Chamber’s main charities for the next year.

The 16 ROCCO winners were:

Continued overleaf...

ROCCO Award for Excellence in Customer Service Sponsored by the Scottish Leather Group

WINNER: Glasgow Airport

ROCCO Award for Enterprise in Education sponsored by University of the West of Scotland

WINNER: Arkleston Primary

Scottish Leather Group

Captain Chris Smith from main sponsor Ministry of DefenceChamber President Audrey CumberfordROCCO host Fred MacAulay



ROCCO Award for Excellence in Manufacturing sponsored by Campbell Dallas

WINNER: Bridge of Weir LeatherROCCO Award for Innovation & Technology sponsored by Hillington Park

WINNER: Thermo Fisher Scientific

ROCCO Award for Most Promising New Business sponsored by Business Gateway

WINNER: Commando X-Fit

ROCCO Award for Renfrewshire’s Favourite Business sponsored by the Paisley Daily Express

WINNER: Blend Coffee

ROCCO Award for International Trade sponsored by Glasgow Airport

WINNER: Red Rock Automation

ROCCO Award for Invest in Renfrewshire sponsored by Renfrewshire Council / Invest in Renfrewshire

WINNER: Xtensive Web Design



Contact Richard PattersonPhone 0141 886 6644Email [email protected]


Making leather without costing

the earth.

Scottish Leather Group LimitedLocher House, Kilbarchan Road, Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, PA11 3RN Scotland

T: +44 (0)1505 691725enquiries@scottishleathergroup.co.ukwww.scottishleathergroup.com

Running a growing business in Renfrewshire? Make us part of your plans

For any successful business a network of trusted advisers is vital. Business Gateway Renfrewshire

provides practical support and advice to growing Renfrewshire businesses every year.

0141 585 6353www.bgateway.com

Business Gateway services are delivered by Local Authorities, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Government with the support of associated partner organisations.



ROCCO Award for Employer of the Year sponsored by Rolls Royce

WINNER: Clyde Marine Training

ROCCO Award for Family Business of the Year sponsored by The Malcolm Group

WINNER: Spectrum Service Solutions

ROCCO Award for Outstanding Performing Business with 5 or less employees sponsored by intu Braehead

WINNER: Lochlie Construction

ROCCO Award for Outstanding Performing Business <25 employees sponsored by Renfrewshire Council

WINNER: Braehead Clan

ROCCO Award for Young Business Person of the Year sponsored by West College Scotland

WINNER: Justin Mayes, Summits Outdoor

ROCCO Award for Community Champion sponsored by Engage Renfrewshire & The Royal Bank of Scotland

WINNER: I Am Me

THE ROYAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTHINSTITUTE OF SCOTLAND

First Aid

West College Scotland offers a range of professional training and development courses to help you update your skills.

“ I’d like to update my professional qualifications ”

t 0300 600 6060w www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk

Clydebank Campus0141 951 7555

Greenock Campus01475 553 044

Paisley Campus0141 581 2121


Commenting on the awards, chamber chief exec’ Bob Davidson said “thank you to all our sponsors, raffle prize donators and congratulations to all the finalists and winners – ROCCO 2015 was another great success. All the images are on our facebook page and you can see all the positive comments online across social media using #2015Rocco. We hope all the winners will use their ROCCO win in their PR. Thanks to all the Chamber team for making the night run smoothly – the night really is a year in the making. Special thanks to main sponsor the Ministry of Defence, Diageo who supplied our drinks reception, Cameron Presentations & Gap TV for all the AV and the Normandy Hotel for a lovely meal – and finally to the young people of Renfrewshire who provided the amazing entertainment and the wonderful precision drummers from the Royal Marines Band – they all made this year’s ROCCO extra special.”


ROCCO Award for Outstanding Performing Business >25 employees sponsored by Phoenix Car Company

WINNER: BMI Healthcare National Enquiry Centre

ROCCO Award for Business Leader of the Year sponsored by Diageo

WINNER: Professor Craig Mahoney, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of the West of Scotland

The popular Diageo barROCCO piper, Russell Campbell from UWS

ROCCO dessert ROCCO trophies

For more info on the ROCCOs visit www.roccoawards.com

The Band of Her Majestys Royal Marines ROCCO programme


Special Chamber members advertising rate - call us now 0141 887 7744

At the heart of Paisley & Renfrewshire

Local news, local stories, local entertainment, local sport, local people...

IN PRINT | ONLINE

The William Tracey Group is one of the UK’s leading recycling and resource management companies.

We are committed to delivering a zero waste Scotland, working with Scottish businesses and local authorities to recycle as much of the waste we produce as possible.

Material which cannot be recycled is turned into a fuel for the production of renewable energy, avoiding landfill.

Our mind-set of regarding waste as a valuable resource helps our customers control their waste costs and improve their environmental performance.

www.williamtraceygroup.com T: 01505 321 000 William Tracey Group, 49 Burnbrae Road, Linwood, PA3 3BD

The William Tracey Group is delighted to have been shortlisted for the ROCCO award categories Employer of the Year and Outstanding Business Greater than 25 Employees. Congratulations to all winners and shortlisted companies.


January 2016 sees the launch of the next Renfrewshire Schools Dragons Den Programme currently supported by Renfrewshire Children’s Services, West College and Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce.

I am delighted to announce that whilst the initial part of the programme will be held as usual in Renfrewshire, 2016 will see the inaugural regional programme involving Inverclyde and West- Dunbarton. This will involve identical Dragons’ Den programmes running across all three local authority regions.

West College Chief Executive and Chamber President Audrey Cumberford has pledged the support of the College to the programme across all three regions with the college campus regions in each area providing a focus for local events.

This Social Enterprise programme has run continuously in Renfrewshire since 2010 with 30 + establishments receiving funding to develop social enterprise business models and success has been recognised both locally and nationally for many of our education establishments who

have taken part.This is a REAL event which allows our

schools and their pupils to be innovative and create sustainable business ideas which they will now take forward as a REAL business, where they have RESPONSIBILITIES and they also have a very important ROLE to play.

Most recently, Arkleston Primary School who received funding in 2014, won the Chamber Rocco Award for Enterprise – recognising the entrepreneurial and business focus that many of our young people in Renfrewshire possess. This programme allows them the opportunity to develop key skills for learning life and work.

This year the pupils are required to submit a business plan by April 1 outlining their venture and their funding requirements. The plans are then reviewed and a shortlist drawn up enabling young people to then move forward to present their ideas to the ‘Dragons’ for funding.

At the end of the final event in late May our business Dragons will award funding to successful business plans across all

sectors in Renfrewshire. The young people will then be asked

to return to school and use this funding to develop their business idea. They will then be invited to take part in a Regional Showcase Event alongside young people from the other two local authorities in January 2017.

This is a project that is pupil driven allowing them the opportunity to embrace a culture of innovation and bring benefits to a community outside their own school.

Once again we thank our sponsors for their continued support and if any local business would consider supporting the 2016 event please contact Wilma Leburn, Development Officer Employability at [email protected]

The Dragons Return

Business matters, so when it comes to events call Cameron’s - The Event People.


A pair of 19th Century weavers’ scissors from the Sma’ Shot Museum were used to cut a giant shop label and mark the official opening of the new InCube Shop. The mix of old and new emphasised the link between Paisley’s traditional crafts and InCube’s contemporary design.

Councillor Mark Macmillan, Leader of Renfrewshire Council, declared the shop open for business and said: “InCube is developing 11 growing businesses in Paisley and seven of them are selling their wares in this shop. The textiles, art and design on display here echo the standards of excellence, craftsmanship and creativity which has characterised Paisley for centuries.”

The shop, at 9b Gilmour Street, sells fashions and textiles from: Amy McGregor,

Vonnie Designs, children’s clothes by Treetops Boutique, bridal accessories by Bella Brill, Art by DOM Art, Houlahan guitar accessories and hats from Pea Cooper. All businesses are part of Invest in Renfrewshire’s business incubator, InCube, where they are receiving a year’s support to kick start their enterprises.

Business is booming in the run up to Christmas with children’s clothes and fashion accessories proving particularly popular with Paisley shoppers.

The InCube shop’s window was dressed for the opening to support Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021 with brilliantly coloured threads linking the modern products with a vintage sewing machine. For Christmas, the window will display a winter’s cityscape, reflecting the town centre’s architectural style.

Councillor Macmillan continued: “Entrepreneurs are vital to Renfrewshire’s economic growth and I congratulate all the InCube creative enterprises and wish them every success. The InCube shop and the business base at 27 High Street are lively additions to the town centre and will help establish Paisley as a centre for creative entrepreneurs.

Renfrewshire Council Updates:

Sma’Shot Scissors Open InCube Shop

Renfrewshire Council Leader, Mark Macmillan, opens the InCube Shop with entrepreneurs: Saman Salam, Suzy Sommerville, Siobhan Gray, Dominika Zurawska and Karen Milne


Thanks largely to cooperation between Renfrewshire’s business community and the council, we have been able to report that Renfrewshire’s unemployment rates are falling, that City Deal plans for major infrastructure projects are progressing and that Paisley is among the nation’s favourites to win its bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021. More good news is in the pipeline; two new creative businesses have advanced plans to open in Paisley Town Centre and Invest in Renfrewshire, the council’s business support and employability partnership is on the brink of announcing the creation of 1,000 jobs since its launch in 2012.

I’d like to thank Renfrewshire’s business community for its part in this success. 850 local enterprises have worked with Invest in Renfrewshire to create work experience, training and long term career opportunities for our residents of all ages, experience and educational backgrounds.

While I hope that these businesses benefited from the staff they employed,

I’d like to highlight the effects that their commitment has had in the wider community.

In September, Renfrewshire’s youth unemployment rate fell to below that of the Scottish average for the first time. In October, it fell again to sit at a level lower that the UK average. When Invest in Renfrewshire started, 10.9 of our young residents were without a job. Now, that figure is 2.0%. (The Scottish rate is 2.3% and the UK’s, 2.1. The recent figures also show a drop in the overall rate of unemployment across all age groups.

People with jobs can expect to build a career, a family, and a community. Thanks to businesses’ willingness to work with Invest, there are residents throughout Renfrewshire who are planning positive futures in our towns and villages.

Some of those people had been unemployed for a long time and needed the chance to get back into employment. Others had never worked but by helping to develop their skills, local businesses have increased their employability. Some people, who now have jobs, were never

expected to work because the barriers of ill health, financial instability, or family commitments seemed insurmountable.

Businesses who take on modern apprentices and graduate interns are doing more than increasing their own skills resource. They are helping to up-skill Renfrewshire’s workforce and to create a thriving economy that will, in turn, support more business growth and inward investment.

The economic opportunities that will develop from City Deal, our town centre regeneration strategies and our bid to become UK City of Culture will all benefit local businesses but they will also be truly successful because of these businesses’ readiness to invest in Renfrewshire and its people.

I am grateful to the business community whose contribution to building a better Renfrewshire has been – and will be immense.

If your business would grow better with more people or new skills, please call Invest in Renfrewshire on 0300 300 1180 to speak to the team.

Council Leader Thanks Business Community for Investing in Renfrewshire


Euan Keltie, Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, Councillor Mark Macmillan, Laura Morrow of Paisley’s Casa Bebe


City Deal UpdateRenfrewshire Council Updates:

Renfrewshire is at the centre of current City Deal activity with the rail link between Glasgow city centre and Glasgow Airport now on track to be operational by 2025. A scheme to build a tram-train link is one of two options being put forward for a new connection between Glasgow city centre, Paisley and Glasgow Airport as the flagship project in the £1.13bn Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal.

Tram-train carriages would operate on the heavy rail network between Glasgow Central Station and Paisley Gilmour Street before moving on to new tram rails running between Paisley and the front of the airport terminal building. This would offer a 16.5-minute direct journey between the city centre and the front door of the airport.

A light rail personal rapid transit system is also being considered. In this scheme, passengers would travel by standard train to Paisley before disembarking and changing onto a new light-rail system to complete their journey to the airport.

Studies have shown that tram-train would offer the best value for money because it will be most attractive to users

and entail the shortest journey time. It would also come in at less than half the cost of a new heavy rail solution, which would cost an estimated £317m and is being ruled out as being too expensive.

The tram-train and personal rapid transit schemes are contained in a strategic business case which has been developed jointly by Renfrewshire Council and Glasgow City Council and is announced today. It will be put before councillors in both authorities before going to the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Cabinet for approval.

If approved, further work would be done to develop more detail on both of these options before a final, preferred choice is made next year.

It comes just weeks after Glasgow announced it had emerged as one of the strongest performing airports in Europe.

Councillor Mark Macmillan, Leader of Renfrewshire Council, said: “This new connection will contribute a great deal to the success of the City Region; supporting the airport’s continuing success and generating jobs throughout the area. City Deal has also committed £51million to the Glasgow

Airport Investment Area where further infrastructure developments will create a business location offering unparalleled air, sea and land connectivity. The airport and Renfrewshire will be fully integrated into the Region’s transport network and play a pivotal role in its thriving economic future.”

Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport said: “This flagship project presents an exciting opportunity to deliver real benefits to the city region and beyond. We welcome all the positive steps that are being taken to progress this important project and will continue to work closely with colleagues at Renfrewshire Council, Glasgow City Council, Transport Scotland and Network Rail through to successful delivery and operation.

“Improving transport links to Glasgow Airport is a top priority for us, particularly at a time when we are enjoying sustained passenger growth. Over the past 12 months alone we have welcomed an additional one million passengers through our doors, so it is important that improved transport links can be achieved as soon as possible.”

Councillor Mark Macmillan Leader of Renfrewshire Council, Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport and Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council


Megan Milligan is one of scores of Renfrewshire residents to get a permanent job after an Invest in Renfrewshire Graduate Internship. She is now a Project Assistant with “I Am Me”, an award winning project that works with Police Scotland to raise awareness of Disability Hate Crime.

Paisley born Megan attended Williamsburgh Primary School and Paisley Grammar before going to Glasgow University to gain a degree in English Literature & Theatre Studies. A hard worker and independent by nature, she also worked in retail from the age of sixteen. After graduating, Megan contacted Invest in Renfrewshire looking for an internship that would use her degree and kick start her career.

The Invest Internship programme offers businesses the chance to take on a recent graduate to work on a specific project for six to twelve months. It is an efficient way to supplement an enterprise’s skills mix. The Invest Team will work with potential employers to understand their requirements and find a graduate, in any degree discipline, who can meet their needs. Interns are paid a living wage and employers receive a subsidy of up to £5,000.

Internships give local graduates the chance to gain meaningful work experience

and build their skills and CVs. Invest in Renfrewshire is the council’s business support and employability partnership. Since its launch in 2012, it has worked with over 850 local businesses, created almost 1,000 jobs, and found work and training for more than 3,000 people.

Megan applied for the post with I Am Me; “because I felt like the job description was speaking directly to me. Disability Hate Crime and harassment is a subject close to my heart, and I really wanted to be a part of something that was trying to make a difference in the community.” Her role was to raise awareness of Disability Hate Crime which is one of the most under reported crimes in the UK.

Councillor Mark Macmillan, Leader of Renfrewshire Council, said; “The internship programme is designed help businesses to meet their growth plans by bringing in skills. It’s good for graduates looking for that first step on the career ladder and it’s good for ambitious SMEs. Invest in Renfrewshire is committed to developing a thriving, skilled local economy and internships contribute to this aim by supporting businesses and helping to create local career opportunities for our young graduates.”

The Invest Internship Programme is open to

businesses with fewer than 250 employees, who are prepared to pay the Living Wage, to asign a mentor to supervise the intern’s progress, have fewer than 250 employees and, of course, be based in Renfrewshire. Internships should last between six and 11 months, be full time - 35 hours per week, and focus on a

specific project.If your business’s growth

plans would benefit from some graduate skills, please call 0141 618 4690 to talk to the team.

Anyone who is affected by Disability Hate Crime or who wants to know more about the issue should visit: www.iammescotland.co.uk


Internships Are Good for Businesses and Good for Graduates

Paisley Graduate, Megan Milligan, now employed by I Am Me


Paisley’s bid to be UK City of Culture in 2021 has taken a step forward after plans including a £56.7m transformation of the town’s museum were given the green light.

The ambitious proposals to turn the existing Paisley Museum into an international-class destination based on the town’s unique textile history are among a package of measures designed to put people at the heart of the bid.

Councillors approved a wide-ranging package of funding, including:• £15m towards the museum revamp,

with an application for a further £15m to be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund;

• a two-year sponsorship deal with St Mirren which will see the local football club change the name of their stadium to support the bid;

• £3.7m to fund the fit-out of a publicly-accessible museum store in a vacant unit on the town’s High Street;

• a £500,000 culture, heritage and event fund to support the local creative community and tap into the town’s cultural potential;

• another £2.7m earmarked from existing resources to support the potential development of a new library in the town centre;

The museum revamp is the flagship project of the council’s ambitious plans to transform Paisley’s future using culture and heritage, and is intended to be the catalyst for new town centre business to spring up around it.

The proposals would see an extension built into the hillside beside the building – and experts believe the project would triple visitor numbers to 150,000 per year, creating almost 250 jobs and generating £89m for the local economy.

The new museum store – due to open in 2017 in the basement of the former Littlewoods store on Paisley High Street – will make items not on display at the main museum available for the public to see, and will provide educational benefits.

And the culture, heritage and events fund will allow local people and groups

to apply for grants to run events which contribute to the City of Culture bid.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Mark Macmillan said: “This is hugely significant for Paisley and Renfrewshire – the measures approved by councillors will take the ongoing rebirth of Paisley town centre to an entirely new level.

“Through careful management of our own resources, the council has been able to set aside funds which will go a long way towards transforming the town into a thriving destination for heritage and cultural tourism and business.

“Of course the museum project doesn’t depend on winning UK City of Culture 2021 – we will deliver on our regeneration plans if we win or not, albeit the title would turbocharge that process.

“One of the key aims of the bid is to build confidence and pride in everything Paisley has to offer – this town’s contribution to the world has been absolutely massive and I don’t want anybody to be shy in shouting about it.

“The fantastic reaction we have had to the launch of the UK City of Culture 2021 bid from the local community and beyond shows people see that.

“And working in partnership with St Mirren we will be able to help spread that message to a massive audience throughout Scotland and the UK.

“These measures – in particular the creative fund – means the people of Paisley now have a route through which they can make the bid their own and I want them to do that. Together, we can make this happen.”

£56.7m Paisley museum plans get green light



What is UK City of Culture?UK City of Culture is run by the UK Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport and takes place every four years. The two previous winners were Derry (2013) and Hull (2017).

It sees a 12-month extravaganza of major national events in one place - for example, Derry hosted Radio 1’s Big Weekend and the Turner Prize, among others.

But it isn’t just a big year-long party...it’s about using the spotlight to create long-lasting economic, social and cultural change.

Bids are due to be lodged in spring 2017 with the winner to be announced at the end of that year – but we want to get Renfrewshire’s residents behind the bid now.

How will winning actually benefit Paisley and Renfrewshire?For us, a successful bid would put Paisley in the international spotlight, help us attract visitors, generate footfall for our town centre and bring new energy to our High Street.

It will also create jobs, change perceptions of the area at home and abroad and help us build a new sense of pride in Paisley.

And all of Renfrewshire stands to gain from this – we want to harness the power of culture and all the benefits it brings to people’s lives to create a lasting legacy for the whole area.

Paisley isn’t a city...so how can it be a city of culture?That’s easy to answer...the competition rules say it is open to large towns and urban areas. And as Scotland’s largest town, we are well equipped to apply and win.

What sort of culture have we got anyway? We have loads of culture! Think about what Paisley contributed to the world with the Paisley Pattern and as the one-time home of the world’s textile industry.

We have unique and beautiful buildings like Paisley Abbey and Town Hall, the Coats Observatory and the Grand Fountain, while Paisley Museum has a collection described as ‘internationally-significant’ by experts.

On top of that we are home to the University of the West of Scotland. Plus the town produced the likes of Gerry Rafferty, John Byrne, Gerry Butler, David Tennant and Paolo Nutini, among others.

And we also have a thriving contemporary cultural scene – including the annual Spree festival and PACE, the UK’s biggest youth theatre group – which will be the foundation for the bid.

So can we really win it?Absolutely! UK City of Culture doesn’t go to a city which is already the finished article – it goes to one which needs a boost.

We know Paisley has challenges but previous winners were places with a clear plan to use the title to change their city for the better. And that’s what we will spend the next 18 months producing.

Who is actually running the bid?The bid is very much a partnership and is being governed by a Paisley 2021 board, chaired by the leader of Renfrewshire Council and including senior people from UWS, West College Scotland and Glasgow Airport, as well as business and community representatives, including Renfrewshire Chamber.

We have also appointed a Bid Director to lead the work behind it – her name is Jean Cameron, she’s originally from Paisley, and she has worked in the arts across Europe over the past two decades.

Ok then - how can I get involved?Over the next few months, the bid team will be getting out and about in the community and trying to bring as many people on board as possible.

In the meantime you can show your support for the bid on social media by sharing your thoughts on what the town means to you and why you think we can win the title by using #Paisley2021

You can also visit our website at www.paisley2021.co.uk where you can sign up for our newsletter.

Paisley gets behind 2021 culture bid


A lot of people have been asking what Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture will mean for the area. Here, the bid team answer some of the common questions and explain how the bid will benefit the town...



UK City of Culture Bid

The people of Paisley have shown their backing for the town’s UK City of Culture 2021 bid after it was launched in the historic surroundings of Paisley Abbey.

More than 300 people gathered in the Abbey on Friday 13 November to hear speakers describe how the bid will help transform the town’s future, while some specially-commissioned performances highlighted some of Paisley’s cultural treasures.

Broadcaster Shereen Nanjiani, who went to school in Paisley, introduced a group of bid ambassadors which included Councillor Mark Macmillan, Leader of Renfrewshire Council and Chair of the Paisley 2021 Partnership Board; David Wallace, Executive Director of PACE Youth Theatre Company; Bob Davidson, Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce; Sharon McAulay and Emma Richardson of the local STAR Project;

and newly-appointed Bid Director Jean Cameron.

The visual identity for the Paisley 2021 bid was unveiled by a group of local school pupils who will be aged 21 in 2021.

Over the next few months, the bid team will be reaching out to all sectors of the local community to involve them in the bid.

You can find out more about the bid at the newly-launched website www.paisley2021.co.uk, follow it on Twitter at @Paisley2021 and show your support by using #Paisley2021.At the launch, Councillor Macmillan said: “There is no single voice for Paisley, we are a community of voices, and that message was delivered loud and clear.“We are not reinventing Paisley; the bid is utterly authentic. Now is the time to reach out to our communities across Paisley and Renfrewshire and build this bid.”

Shereen Nanjiani said: “I am a proud Buddie! I am wearing the Paisley Pattern today, and am very proud of the town and its people.”

Bid Director Jean Cameron said: “I grew up in Ferguslie Park, on Tannahill Road, named after Paisley’s famous poet and my belief in the transformational power of culture was nurtured in this town. Now we need to take the message out to the people of Paisley and of Renfrewshire, and our partners further afield, and ultimately, it will be its people who will make it happen for Paisley.”

Sharon McAulay of the STAR Project said: “Paisley is an inspirational, culturally- rich town full of proud people who carry a strong sense of identity and community spirit through good times and tough. A successful bid for City of Culture 2021 will inspire and energise all of our communities.”

Bob Davidson, Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to help Paisley become the great place it deserves to be – great for all businesses, their employees and their customers. Having been part of Paisley for over 50 years, the chamber fully supports the Paisley 2021 bid and encourages businesses and organisations of all sizes and sectors to do the same.”

David Wallace of PACE Youth Theatre Company said: “Bidding for UK City of Culture 2021 is an opportunity to celebrate and to develop the already thriving cultural sector here in Paisley

and Renfrewshire whilst creating new opportunities for potential national and international cultural partnerships.”

Further endorsements for the campaign were received from:“The bid will celebrate the diversity of Renfrewshire’s communities and provide an opportunity to remind the rest of the world what Paisley has done, is doing - and will do next!” Alan McNiven, Chief Executive of Engage Renfrewshire

“Paisley First completely supports the bid for City of Culture status. A successful bid will lead us to re-engage with our prime audience and help us to improve the overall quality of experience in the town centre”. Sunil Varu, Paisley First

“We can use the process of bidding for UK City of Culture 2021 to leverage social change through cultural regeneration; inspire our artists, musicians and people to tell their stories and demonstrate the depth of cultural engagement we have in the communities we serve.” Professor Gayle McPherson, Chair in Events and Cultural Policy at University of West of Scotland

“A successful bid from Paisley would highlight the fantastic industrial and commercial heritage that Paisley possesses, how this has contributed to the fabric and skyline of the town and how this business success lives on. Paisley was built on the back of the creative textiles industry and the legacy of this is clear to see in the town.”Nick Shields, Scottish Enterprise

“Over the years Paisley has raised and taught men and women who have gone on to change the world. Today it remains one of Scotland’s great centres of education, where new generations of young people are equipped with the skills to help them shape the future.”Audrey Cumberford, West College Scotland

“The announcement of the bid, and indeed the journey and the prize of Paisley City of Culture 2021, is the single most important step that has been made for Paisley. This will put Paisley on the world map where it rightly belongs and will no doubt create a great tourism, education and cultural centre for all to enjoy.”Tom Stewart, Ashtree House Hotel, Paisley


Renfrewshire’s council leader reckons the deal to rename St Mirren FC’s home as The Paisley 2021 Stadium will help carry the town’s UK City of Culture ambitions around the world.

The club has changed the name of St Mirren Park to the Paisley 2021 Stadium to support the town’s campaign in the lead-up to the winning bid being announced in 2017.

As well as the renaming of the stadium, the two-year, £33k per annum sponsorship includes programme and pitch-side advertising, branding inside and outside the stadium and promotion of Paisley’s bid across all of the club’s digital media channels.

Councillor Mark Macmillan, who is also chair of the Paisley 2021 Partnership Board, said:

“The sponsorship deal we

have agreed with St Mirren FC will put the spotlight on Paisley’s bid, and not just for home supporters and visitors to the ground.

“Broadcast coverage of St Mirren’s home games will ensure that football fans and Scottish ex-pats across the rest of the UK and internationally will know about Paisley’s ambitions to become UK City of Culture in 2021.

“The support of our local club is a huge boost for our campaign to encourage people in Paisley, Renfrewshire and beyond to get behind this bid which will bring so much to the town.”

Paisley’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021 was officially launched earlier this month. The competition is run by the UK Government and is open to large towns and urban areas.

The sponsorship agreement was approved by Renfrewshire Council’s Economy and Jobs Policy Board on 18 November.

St Mirren FC chief executive Brian Caldwell said:

“St Mirren FC is proud of its roots in Paisley’s history, dating back to the founding of

the club in the town in 1877. “This sponsorship agreement

will see our stadium playing a key part of the City of Culture campaign and our fans are right behind it.”

For more information about the bid, visit www.paisley2021.co.uk

Renfrewshire Council Updates:Paisley 2021 Stadium will boost town’s culture bid

We have a range of funding packages available which could help your company, including:

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Calling all Renfrewshire businesses. We can help fund your growth.

Invest in Renfrewshire is Renfrewshire Council’s programme to boost the local economy

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Fire is the biggest threat to any business, capable of destroying a company’s premises and stock in a matter of minutes – a blow that many never recover from. And with Fire brigades called out to around 36,000 workplace blazes in the UK every year, it is a danger that no firm can afford to take lightly.

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Fire Risk Assessments, PAT testing and Fire Extinguisher supply, servicing and maintenance, making them a one-stop shop for businesses who need an honest appraisal of their fire risks and what they need to protect their premises and staff, and the equipment to do so.

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St Benedict’s High School Greenpower Go-Kart Challenge

St Benedict’s High School is starting a new project called Greenpower IET For-mula 24. The project will introduce pupils to the world of engineering. Here at St Benedict’s High School we are keen to set up links with local businesses to help engage our young people with the world of work and support our new pro-ject. The pupils involved are looking for sponsorships for their go kart; this would help towards the purchase and maintenance of the go kart. If you would like to spon-sor our team please contact the school.

What better introduction to the world of engineering than to Design, Build and Race your very own electric powered car.

St Benedict’s High School is starting a new project called Greenpower IET For-mula 24. The project will introduce pupils to the world of engineering.

Here at St Benedict’s High School we are keen to set up links with local businesses to help engage our young people with the world of work and support our new pro-ject. The pupils involved are looking for sponsorships for their go kart; this would help towards the purchase and maintenance of the go kart. If you would like to spon-sor our team please contact the school.

What better introduction to the world of engineering than to Design, Build and Race your very own electric powered car.

UWS recently hosted an ‘Enterprise Education: Kids and Creative Commerce’ event at its Paisley Campus. The event, saw over 200 Renfrewshire primary school pupils in attendance spanning Bushes Primary School, Lochfield Primary School, Brediland Primary School, Heriot Primary School and Langcraigs Primary School.

This 2 day event, was aimed at promoting the enterprise education agenda of the Scottish Government, which is designed to develop the creative confidence of every child in Scotland and encourage them to embrace entrepreneurship.

Pupils were tasked with designing a new toy for the Christmas market and the finalists pitched their final product to a panel of judges, comprising the pupils themselves as well as academics from UWS. Winning teams were identified on each day of the event.

SCHOOL UPDATES:

Kids get creative at

Linwood High School was over the moon to welcome business partners into school for the Employability Week in association with Skills Development Scotland’s Learn Through work Week.

Seniors experienced a Volunteering Event, thanks to Shelter, Barnardos, IVO, Engage and British Heart Foundation. S3 were visited by A+D Logistics to find out about Modern Apprenticeships, S1 experienced a Wider Achievement Workshop, thanks to Active Schools, Linwood Community Development Trust, Duke of Edinburgh Award and Renfrewshire Youth Services. Finally the S2 Careers Speed Network welcomed guests from Police Scotland, Carli’s Kindergarden, Renfrewshire Council, St Mirren and the NHS. Very grateful to our partners and the amazing contributions they made.

In St Fillan’s Primary in Houston, we initially set up our Fairtrade Cafe with funding secured as part of Renfrewshire Council’s “Dragon’s Den” opportunity, six years ago. Through this funding, the cafe was set up and now runs 3 times per week with the Fairtrade Committee organising this.

The Fairtrade Committee also organise and run termly community coffee mornings. A few years after set up, we continued to cement our Fairtrade status by introducing Fairtrade polo shirts as part of our uniform. We have had many Fairtrade events and have retained our award successfully. We also won the John McDowall trophy for excellent Fairtrade work in Renfrewshire schools.

Nine pupils at Paisley Grammar took on a djing course once a week leading up to their school’s ‘Halloween Rave’ on the 29 th of October. The 250 tickets were sold out after two days.

It was an epic night and as a result, each DJ has been offered a weekly DJing slot at an under eighteen’s club night at Fantoosh Nightclub. They are now getting paid to play thirty minute sets at Klub Kandy and some of the team have already taken bookings for private parties. Now that escalated quickly! Well done Nathan, Scott, Robert, Lewis, Marcus, Hayley, Corrie, Kyle and Liam.

Paisley Grammar’s DJing Team

Business Partners Making a Difference

Not just Fairtrade, its Fantastic Trade!

St Benedict’s High School Greenpower Go-Kart Challenge


The Craig Hepburn Memorial Garden is carrying out an exciting tree planting project. Fifty fruit trees will be planted in the grounds of Linwood High School as an organic orchard. We are offering the opportunity for your business to sponsor a tree, it will even help reduce your carbon footprint.

On sponsorship you will receive a certificate that allocates you a tree and a plaque with your name and logo will be placed beside your tree, so it can be easily identified. You will also receive an annual gift from the garden. The money from your tree will go to support the orchard and our other social enterprise projects which include helping families in the local

community to grow their own fruit and vegetables in a mini allotment.

Get in touch with us at linwoodhighenquiries@ renfrewshire.gov.uk or call 01505 336146. Fruit trees are £100 each.

TREEmendous opportunity at Linwood High

Primary 7 & Primary 6/7 at Kirklandneuk Primary School were fortunate to participate in an exciting Construction project in December. As part of our focus on Skills for Life, Learning and Work we work closely with a range of agencies to develop their understanding of different industries as well as developing our pupil’s skills.

Irene Lang from Constructions Skills worked with the pupils in constructing a Giant Tetrahedron, 4 metres by 4 metres, from just wooden dowels and elastic bands. The children listened carefully to the instructions and created 64 small tetrahedrons before constructing the large one. The children worked effectively as a team and supported each other. The children felt very proud of their achievement and were delighted to have completed the task successfully.

From the 1st November to the 30th of November, both primary 4 classes at Bishopton primary school became global, ethical investors by undertaking the entrepreneurial challenge, Micro-Tyco. Each group were given a loan of £1 making £11 in total.

To grow the pound, the children first held a bake sale and raised £251.50. The children then spent this money on plates, baubles and decorative pens and glitter. They set up an Elf Workshop where they decorated to the demands of the customers.

The children also held a Micro-Tyco day with a range of activities and a raffle.

The final total was £686.45.

Micro-Tyco Whole School AssemblyBusy Christmas Elf Workshop Successful Bake Sale

Castlehead High School’s Enterprise team have been working hard to create a viable business. The group have devised a high-quality product range, which include candles that look like mugs of hot-chocolate topped with whipped cream in a Christmas themed mug, and candles that look like jars of jam.

The products are all hand-made and scented for the customer’s enjoyment. The Enterprise team have called their business ‘Sweet Scents’ to best reflect their product range. They are delighted to have won the competition at Braehead for the best trade stand and are looking forward to competing at the event in March.

Micro-Tyco at Bishopton Primary School

Kirklandneuk Primary SchoolSkills for Life, Learning and Work

Castlehead High School


19 teams from across Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde & Dunoon – that are taking part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme – displayed their products at the annual trade fair at Soar intu Braehead 3rd December.

Thank you to: All the teams, the link teachers (centre leads), business advisers. To Snow Factor our trophy sponsor and Soar intu Braehead for having us back at the venue. The photography students from West College Scotland. Big thanks to all our judges and special thanks to Bill Leeming who organised the whole trade fair. Thank you to all the teams for taking part, the standard of products, display stands and interaction was of a very high standard. Reminder that the area finals will be 17th March at the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew. Teams were advised to use the experience from the trade fair in their preparation for the finals and to “keep trading & learning”.

WINNER: Sweet Scents, Castlehead HSRunners up: Spare Time, Gryffe HS & Fairtrade Fanatics, St Stephen’s HS Banter Award Winners:• Inverclyde - Luke Stewart, Glass Act,

Inverclyde Academy• Renfrewshire - Sarah Hogg, eARTh,

Renfrew HS• East Renfrewshire - Scott McQuiston,

Green Minds, Mearns Castle HS

Young Enterprise Christmas Trade Fair 2015

Calendar Chef - Eastwood HS eARTh - Renfrew HS Ambition - Gleniffer HS

Aspire - St Andrew’s Academy Focus - Notre Dame HS Glass Act - Inverclyde Academy

Grammar Records - Paisley Grammar Empire - Clydeview Academy Fair Trade Fanatics - St Stephen’ HS

Bright Sparks - St Luke’s HS Gryffe HS - Spare Time Green Minds - Mearns Castle HS

Opus - Linwood HS Orbit - St Columba’s HS Lazer Customs - Dunoon Grammar

Synergy - Belmont House Silhouette - Williamwood HS Unity - Port Glasgow HS

Sweet Scents - Castlehead HS

Runners up - Fair Trade Fanatics, St Stephen’s HS

Winner Sweet Scents - Castlehead HS

Runners up - Spare Time, Gryffe HS

Banter Award - Luke Stewart, Glass Act, Inverclyde Academy

Banter Award - Sarah Hogg, eARTh, Renfrew HS

Banter Award - Scott McQuiston, Green Minds, Mearns Castle HS


The best plumbers and heating engineers of the West region

The College’s Paisley Campus hosted the Charted Institute’s quarterly meeting this autumn, welcoming around 30 members and guests. During this event, the College was presented with their certificate.

Allan McIntosh, Past President of CIPHE, travelled south from Aberdeen to present the certificate. He said: “It is my great honour to present West College Scotland with their Approved Training Centre plaque, as this proves a commitment to new entrants to the plumbing industry.”

This is a fantastic recognition of our continuous efforts to develop and deliver training meeting the highest standards and the industry’s evolving needs.Andrew FogartyHead of Energy and Engineering, West College Scotland

Presentation of the Approved Training Centre certificate.Allan McIntosh, Past President of CIPHE (left) and Andrew Fogarty from West College Scotland (right)

To learn more about our business training offer, visit www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk/training-for-business or contact our dedicated Business & Enterprise team at [email protected]

West College Scotland’s business training offer extends to a number of sectors including Energy & Engineering, Construction, Hospitality, Care, Information Technology, Beauty and much more. We use innovative teaching approaches and outstanding support services to help people and businesses achieve their goals.

Business training that extends beyond

Two of the College’s engineering lecturers, Harry Hunter and Paul Lynn, were also presented with their CIPHE Master Plumber ties and congratulated on attaining their Fellow status within the Charted Institute.

Allan McIntosh added: “The presentation of the official Master Plumber tie is of a particular significance as these ties cannot be bought and are required to be earned through a lifetime of training, assessment and commitment to the art of Plumbing.”

will be trained at West College Scotland

West College Scotland has been named the first in the West region and the second one in the whole of Scotland to become an Approved Training Centre for the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE).


UWS has established a formal partnership with one of the UK’s leading producers of digital sports content, QTV Sports.

QTV Sports specialises in live and post-production video content for international federations and national governing bodies and the ‘University-Industry Partnership Agreement’ will see UWS and the Glasgow-based company working on a range of knowledge transfer projects.

The University has longstanding links with QTV and over 40 UWS students have undertaken placements at the company. This formal partnership will result in an ever-increasing number of students having the opportunity to benefit from valuable work experience at QTV.

Johnny Mone, Head of Enterprise Services at UWS, said: “We are delighted to have established this important partnership with QTV Scotland.

“The University is committed to making a key contribution to the growth of the Scottish economy and has close ties with a number of organisations and businesses throughout the country. This new partnership will have important benefits for our students and academic teams, and will enable us to establish a valuable, new partner relationship.”

Jack McGill, CEO of QTV Sports, said: “Providing young people with employment opportunities is a key part of our ethos at QTV Sports. We’re proud of our record of introducing the next generation of TV sports production staff to the industry and hope that this new partnership will lead to a wider range of benefits for both UWS and QTV Sports in the future.”

QTV Sports works with over 20 sports including organisations such as the International Cricket Council, International Hockey Federation, and

with British Tennis. In Scotland they have provided live event coverage for a wide range of sports governing bodies, including November’s Scottish Open Badminton Grand Prix at the Emirates Arena and December’s Scottish National Shortcourse Swimming Championships at the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh.

Professor Belinda Dewar, Professor of Practice Improvement at University of the West of Scotland’s Institute for Care and Practice Improvement, has been named in the Nursing Times Leaders list for 2015.

The Nursing Times (NT) announced its list of the country’s most inspirational nursing leaders in 2015 at a reception in London on 30 September. The 48 individuals come from all aspects of the nursing profession including frontline patient care, management, research and academia, national organisations and charities.

Many of the leaders were nominated by NT readers, and the list was selected by a panel of expert judges that included the chief nursing officer for Northern Ireland, and has been endorsed by the chief nurses of all four countries in the UK.

The Nursing Times Leaders recognises and celebrates nurses and midwives who are pioneers, entrepreneurs and inspirational role models in their profession.

This list comprises nurses who have changed practice for the better, shown visionary thinking, had a major positive impact and role modelled exceptional behaviours for others to imitate, as well as those whose influence spreads beyond nursing to benefit of the wider healthcare arena.

Professor Dewar, who has extensive experience in the field of research, as a nurse and educator, said: “I am delighted to be named in the Nursing Times Leaders list. This is a huge honour and I am extremely proud, and flattered, to be recognised in this way.”

Nursing Times editor Jenni Middleton said: “This list celebrates a group of the most influential, intelligent and impactful nurses in the profession, and demonstrates the huge contribution nurses and midwives make to defining and implementing excellent patient care. I hope they will inspire others in the profession to have the confidence to achieve their full potential, and highlight

to the wider public just how far nursing has come in the past two decades.

“Nurses are no longer junior partners in healthcare – they influence all levels of healthcare from clinical practice to government policy, and patients benefit from their skills and insight.”

Academic named in prestigious Nursing Times Leaders list

UWS establishes formal partnership with QTV

Johnny Mone and Jack McGill

Professor Belinda Dewar


University of the West of Scotland has announced the appointment of Professor Ehsan Mesbahi as its new Vice Principal & Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise).

Professor Mesbahi, who takes up the post in January 2016, currently holds the position of Dean and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Newcastle University International Singapore (NUIS).

Professor Mesbahi, who has over 20 years’ experience of working in the higher education sector, also holds the post of Chair of Marine Informatics at Newcastle University.

Professor Mesbahi has an extremely strong research background in marine engineering and was the founder and director of Newcastle University Marine International (NUMI). He has served in a number of strategic and policy making committees such as United Nation’s Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC); Chair of Newcastle University’s Governance Committee for Internationalisation, (Singapore); the Management Board of the Newcastle Institute for Research on Sustainability (NIRes); as well as a strategic advisor to many governments and universities for development of their research, academic and global policies and implementation plans.

During his academic career he has been the project lead on over 25 national and international research projects, generating research grants totalling over £10 million.

As Vice Principal & Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise), Professor Mesbahi will grow UWS’s range and quality of research activity in support of its academic ambitions.

In this key senior management positon he will lead the delivery of the University’s research and enterprise enabling plan; innovation and knowledge exchange; commercial exploitation and

development; business development; and student employment and work placements.

Commenting on his appointment at UWS Professor Mesbahi said: “UWS has an extremely strong reputation within the UK higher education sector and I am delighted to have been appointed Vice Principal & Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise).

“It is an exciting time to be joining UWS and I am looking forward to working with colleagues to build on and develop our research and enterprise successes.”

Professor Craig Mahoney, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, said: “Ehsan will be a huge asset to UWS. He is extremely well respected in the university sector and will be perfectly placed to drive forward the development of our research agenda.

“We are delighted that he has taken

up the extremely important post of Vice Principal and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) and will lead the development of research activity aligned to our new Corporate Strategy.”

UWS is a teaching-led modern university that is research informed and received very positive ratings in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The results, published in December last year, highlight the international excellence of a number of areas of the University’s research. Overall the University saw its research recognised at ‘international’ standing in terms of its originality, significance and rigour. Building on this success, figures released earlier this year by Innovate UK, which manages the UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme, lists UWS as the second most active knowledge transfer higher education institution in Scotland.

New Vice Principal & Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) named by UWS

UWS Professor Ehsan Mesbahi


To find out more about undergraduate and postgraduate study options visit www.uws.ac.uk, call 0800 027 1000 or email [email protected]

/ New social and learning spaces

/ Entrance gateway hub, meeting areas and café

/ £13.2m Storie St student residence

A £12m investment programme in information services across our campuses is also underway

DREAMING / BELIEVING / ACHIEVING / WWW.UWS.AC.UK @UniWestScotland /UniWestofScotland

Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce Awards 2015 Business Leader of the Year award won by Professor Craig Mahoney, Principal & Vice-Chancellor of UWS

Investing in UWS Paisley Campus.

Christmas is traditionally a time of mass communication not only for consumers, but also for many businesses, with messages and gifts bombarding customers and consuming corporate budgets.

Lunches and party nights also provide the opportunity to press the flesh, but we might also ask: is all this forgotten in the cold light of New Year?

Today businesses need to stand out in a sea of communications messages, and one strategy might be to target customers when surprise and responsiveness can best be achieved.

There’s an old adage in marketing that says ‘in order to be a bullfighter, one must first learn to be a bull’. From a customer’s perspective: when do they ideally need to

hear about solutions that we can provide?Depending on the sector, early

January can sometimes provide a better opportunity for businesses than Christmas, as many financial year-end budgets must be spent by spring, and New Year tends to create impetus.

Other novel times to communicate with customers include Valentine’s Day, pre-Easter and pre-summer, which are all ‘feel good’ occasions which may offer customers a fresh start.

In the School of Business and Enterprise at UWS, we run both undergraduate and post graduate Marketing degrees, and also workshops focusing on the kind of fresh communications ideas that can help kick-start your business.

A Communications Message is not only for Christmas

Russell Campbell, Lecturer in Marketing, School of Business and Enterprise, University of the West of Scotland


Milne Craig is a top 30 firm of Chartered Accountants, Chartered Tax Advisers, Chartered Financial Planners, Business Advisers and Insolvency Practitioners advising mainly small and medium sized businesses and their owners on a wide range of services including audit, financial reporting, tax, financial planning, insolvency and restructuring, corporate finance and bespoke advisory work.

We are one of the largest single office practices in Scotland and our team of 75 is based in Paisley minutes from the motorway network. Our

team have a broad range of experience in almost every sector, having a diverse client base which includes most business types you could think of. The firm offers a one-stop shop solution to our client needs at the heart of which is quality advice and excellent service.

The firm has grown significantly from the referrals of our existing clients who are kind enough to tell their connections about the quality and value they receive from Milne Craig. It is paramount to us that our clients are confident that they receive first class advice and customer service

as well as excellent value for money. Our senior team are very hands on and work hard to deliver a responsive service and provide the confidence that we are there for our clients when they need us.

Our team provide local knowledge and national coverage where our clients are the priority.

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, DELIVERED

Do you love shopping, dining and entertainment as much as we do? There’s so much to do at intu Braehead, so we are inviting you to #Dothelot.

We have everything you need for an epic day out including 150 of the best stores to choose from, indoor climbing, a real snow slope at Snow Factor, Odeon; IMAX, over 30 restaurants, ice skating at the Arena and even our very own ice Hockey team ‘The Braehead Clan’. So why not shop, have a bite to eat and have fun in one of our many attractions. But the big question is…can you #Dothelot?

Check out intu.co.uk/braehead for more of the action.

Are you up for a challenge?

Share your experiences of shopping, eating and having fun at intu Braehead and Soar using #Dothelot on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

#Dothelot

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Paul Craig FCCA, Director

Abercorn House, 79 renfrew roAd, PAisley, PA3 4dA Tel: 0141 887 7811• fAx: 0141 887 7753

[email protected] • www.milnecrAig.co.uk

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Documents

Business Matters Winter 2015