Judging is well underway for this year's Scottish Borders Business Excellence Awards and I had the pleasure of meeting with the event sponsors at Ednam House Hotel on Friday 30th August. I know that all of the sponsors were eager to attend their category interviews, which started on 2nd September, and learn more about the entrants before making the difficult decision.

I attended my first Scottish Chambers of Commerce council meeting on the 29th and meeting Chairs and Chief Executives from throughout Scotland. It was interesting to learn of the challenges faced by each of the Chambers and likewise the exciting initiatives that they run in each of their areas. The hot topic of conversation related to changes to immigration laws post-Brexit and the impact this will have on every business sector in Scotland. This then led on to the ageing Scottish workforce and how important it is to attract and retain young people/families, as by 2042 the majority of our population will be of retirement age.

The Royal Bank of Scotland hosted an event in Kelso recently, where Professor Russell Griggs told us more about SoSEP and the initiatives that they have supported throughout Southern Scotland. Professor Griggs talked at length about the new South of Scotland Agency which comes into operation in April next year and how he is currently in the process of recruiting a new Chief Executive to join him and his board with the exciting challenges ahead. I know that one of their main objectives is to assist in creating more further education learning opportunities within the learning establishments in the Scottish Borders, to prevent young people moving out of the area to study and never return.

Details of our next Speed Networking Event have just been released and this time we are heading west, holding the event at the beautiful Peebles Hydro Hotel. Once again the event is sponsored by GB Technologies and magnificently coordinated by Emily McGowan and her team at McGowan Marketing. Given that this is now the official ‘hot ticket’ event in the Borders business calendar, I would suggest booking your ticket soon to avoid disappointment.

Our next Speed Networking Event is at the Peebles Hydro Hotel on Monday 28th October 2019.
Make sure you get a seat at the fastest table in the Borders!

Member Profile: EcoSafety Ltd

The words Health and Safety generally make everyone who asks what we do for a living recoil in horror and move on swiftly. 

The general perception of our line of work is seen in such a negative way, due partly to misconception and partly due to the media. We all know the headlines of “Kids banned from playing conkers in the playground due to Health & Safety fears” or  “Company fined 0.5 million pounds due to breach of Safety Regulations following death of employee” Then there is the perception that it is restrictive, more red tape, with yet another new regulation introduced to tie up your business … does my washing liquid really need a CoSHH assessment? 

Safety should be an integral part of any business, not feared, it is fundamentally there to protect your people and you as an employer.  

Our mission at EcoSafety is to challenge the traditional safety concepts, to remove the fear factor, to help and not create a barrier to what you do. 

It's really all about the culture. If you embrace Safety in the same way you do Finance, Marketing and Operations and encourage positive communication that engages your people, safety will become second nature.

We adapt our approach to suit your own business needs. Why should a small business have the same system as a large national organisation?

Does your safety stuff sit gathering dust in a folder on that shelf? 

We use technology to simplify the process and recognise the value and efficiency of mobile phones, laptop and tablets can bring to our approach.

Our daily challenge is always to focus on how we make Safety an attractive and integral part of business life.

Where is your culture, are you safety compliant, would you like to adopt an alternative approach to safety?

Contact us on info@ecosafetyltd.com or by telephoning 01835 822342.

Priority towns for regeneration get funding boost

Scottish Borders Council has welcomed funding support from the Scottish Government through the South of Scotland Economic Partnership for the recruitment of Community Enterprise Managers in priority regeneration towns of Eyemouth, Hawick, Jedburgh and Galashiels.

The pilot project, which has been developed alongside Dumfries and Galloway Council and is based on a successful Highlands and Islands Enterprise programme, has been awarded £510,000.

It will see specialist advisors work with the local communities to support new and developing projects which will have a positive local economic impact in towns and locations across the South of Scotland. It aims to encourage an ambitious, enterprising approach towards supporting enterprising community and business activity and potentially developing new financially sustainable projects.

The project is a pilot for 12 months with lessons learned planned to be fed back to the development of community support within the new South of Scotland Enterprise Agency.

Councillor Mark Rowley, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Business and Economic Development, said: “This project is a fantastic opportunity to support communities to deliver new services and projects which will ultimately generate greater economic impacts within their towns.

“This is over and above the Council’s own regeneration funding and support and will help those very active local business and community groups in Eyemouth, Hawick, Jedburgh and Galashiels to take forward more projects and ideas to improve their towns.

“In the Highlands and Islands this type of support has proved invaluable, and this is a chance to test if this type of approach can be adapted to suit some of the unique challenges we face in the south of Scotland.”

The Council will work with host organisations in each of the four towns in the Scottish Borders to recruit appropriate staff and deliver the project. The aim is for the Community Enterprise Managers to be in place by late autumn.

In addition to this support, £72,500 has also been awarded through the South of Scotland Economic Partnership for a partnership project in Galashiels to deliver some elements of the former Galashiels Business Improvement District (BID) plan to support the regeneration of the town and enhance the visitor experience.

The £310,000 ‘Building a Better Galashiels’ project has received funding from the Council, Energise Galashiels, the private sector and community contributions. It has four main themes: developing events and attractions; promoting a vibrant Galashiels; creating a welcoming environment; and business development.

Councillor Mark Rowley, added: “The Council is fully committed to working with local and national partners to support the regeneration of Galashiels town centre. One of our key investments, the development of the Great Tapestry of Scotland Visitor Centre, is a first step to realising this. The local business community is keen to build on that and continue to develop Galashiels as a vibrant visitor destination.

“Through events like Galashiels Goes Extreme and the soon-to-be-launched Coulter’s Candy statue and town trail, the community has shown the potential that a coordinated effort can have to bring in people from across the Scottish Borders and beyond to Galashiels, and there are many fantastic opportunities to do even more to make Galashiels a destination town. This project will help to bring some of those about and provide a clear direction going forward and I’d encourage all the town’s businesses, local stakeholders and community groups to get behind these efforts.

“This project and its community approach, if successful, could act as a pilot for similar schemes elsewhere in the Scottish Borders and south of Scotland as a whole, which is of particular importance ahead of the establishment of South of Scotland Enterprise next April.”

Mike Gray of Energise Galashiels said: “Energise Galashiels is determined to help create a more vibrant, confident and inviting community, and this project and various other efforts under the umbrella of ‘Tomorrow’s Galashiels’ and the support of partners will help us achieve those aims.

“The efforts of the town’s business community is vital going forward, and despite the disappointment of the BID ballot result the ongoing commitment to increasing footfall, making the town centre more welcoming to shoppers and visitors and attracting new businesses is unwavering, because they all understand how important that is to their own futures.”

Tour of Britain 2019 Success

Huge crowds enjoy Scottish Borders stage of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain

The Scottish Borders welcomed the OVO Energy Tour of Britain with bright sunshine and huge crowds on Sunday 8th September.

The Stage Two start in Kelso was very well attended, with large numbers of people watching some of the world’s top professional cyclists roll out of town at 11am ahead of a 166km route around the Scottish Borders.

With a variety of entertainment throughout the day, live coverage of the race on two large screens and many shops and food and drink businesses open too, the town centre was busy right through until the stage finish at 3pm.

Councillor Mark Rowley, Executive Member for Business and Economic Development, said: “We had the perfect day for the Scottish Borders hosting the Tour of Britain and it was fantastic to see so many people in Kelso, not just for the start and finish but throughout the day, and I am sure that many local businesses will have had one of their busiest days of the year.

“It was equally pleasing to see large numbers of people watching all along the route, and not just in towns and villages, and the global television coverage will certainly have shown off our beautiful region at its very best.

“The Council’s commitment and investment to bringing major events to the area is a key part of our economic development strategy and the success of the event on Sunday will have had a significant positive impact, both on the day itself and also in its legacy – in this case highlighting what an amazing event arena Kelso town centre is and why we are Scotland’s leading cycling destination.”

Charity Live Borders and Visit Kelso put on a range of entertainment and activities during the day in the town centre, with local musicians and members of Live Borders’ Borders Young Creatives programme Becc and Forth, Evie Archenhold and Erin Highton taking to the podium stage. There was also a cycle pump track/skills area and drop-in spinning fitness sessions and the ‘Great British Bike Off’, with Kelso Wheeler Callum Dickson taking the title of fastest local after racing to 1000m on a static bike in just 55 seconds.

Many town centre businesses also got into the spirit of the day with fabulous window displays. The winner was Clothworks, with Tweed Podiatry and Evie Jane Fabrics following close behind.

Tina Newton, Chair of Visit Kelso, said: “The town looked amazing on Sunday for the Tour of Britain and the atmosphere was electric. The sunshine really did help to show Kelso off at its best, with many businesses opening especially for the occasion. Along with those who had decorated their windows to compliment the Tour and all the activities in and around The Square, it certainly made for an exciting day.

“And as for the finish, what can I say, it was nail biting! Cheering Alex Dowsett on to be the first British stage winner of this year’s race and then him being pipped at the post by Matteo Trentin really was spectacular.

“Many of the people visiting the town commented on how lovely it is here and while they had come to see the bikes they will be back to take in the whole town.”

A spectator survey is available at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2019OVOTOB with an opportunity to win Tour of Britain and partner prizes for those who complete it and choose to enter the free prize draw.

The 2019 OVO Energy Tour of Britain will finish in Greater Manchester on Saturday 14th September.

Be Part of the Borders Picture

Once again, we would like to encourage as many Borders businesses as possible to take part in the Quarterly Economic Indicator survey.

The survey is one of the most comprehensive undertaken across Scotland so Borders participation is hugely important. The next survey is now live. Click here to take part.

Express Your Interest. 

We have been delighted with both the number and quality of applications received from those interested in joining our Board of Directors over the last few weeks. Thank you to everyone who has reached out so far.

If you are interested, there is still time. We will accept notes of interest until the end of September, with appointments made by mid-October.

This voluntary role would be ideal for any professional keen to secure a voice for their sector at the Chamber's table, and influence change at a local and national level. It is also an opportunity for anyone looking to add Board level experience to their CV.

If you would like further information, please email the Chamber Chairperson, Moira Wilson.

Business Gateway Borders Conference

It’s that time of year again when it’s all hands on deck at Business Gateway as they organise their annual conference, and this year is shaping up to be one of the best yet.

This year's venue is Kelso Racecourse and speakers are coming from both near and far, including local businesses ThermaFY & ReTweed and from further afield we have IndigoLeap, Harris Tweed and Mackie’s of Scotland.

The conference, and the guest speakers, are aimed at inspiring, encouraging and supporting local businesses to grow and adapt. The event also offers a fantastic opportunity to make new connections, share experience and learn about the exciting prospects for the region’s economy.

The free full day conference is being held on Wednesday 30th October at Kelso Racecourse and is open to business of all sizes and in all sectors. This event is being funded from the European Regional Development Fund. Space is limited to 150 places so please book early to avoid disappointment.

The guest speakers are:

• Mark Hogarth, Harris Tweed - Mark has been creative director of Harris Tweed Hebrides since 2008 and works as a branding consultant in fashion and textiles. His work as part of the multi award winning Harris Tweed Hebrides has been credited with transforming the unique heritage industry.

• Hazel Smith, ReTweed - Hazel set up ReTweed in Eyemouth as a social enterprise, offering women a new way to think about their futures by gaining the skills and experience for creative industries.

• Sarah Johnson, IndigoLeap - Sarah is a seasoned digital marketer, with over 15 years' experience in the industry. She is Co-Founder and Director of IndigoLeap, a data-led marketing agency helping clients achieve their business growth objectives, quickly and profitably.

• Amanda Pickford, ThermaFY-CEO and founder of ThermaFY in Kelso, a software company who develop specialist thermal analysis solutions.

• Karin Hayhow, Mackie’s of Scotland - Karin Hayhow is Marketing Director of Mackie’s. The family business is based in Westertown which has been home to an ice cream factory since 1986. The firm remains a popular and well-known household name and established global brand, and continues to expand its product range to now include crisps, popcorn and chocolate.

  Business Gateway’s start up and growth business advisers will also all be on hand at the conference to answer any queries and discuss the range of support that can be provided.

  Spaces at the conference can be booked via the Scottish Borders Business Gateway website or by calling 01835 825600.

Succession Planning Event

Please join the Royal Bank of Scotland & Saviour Associates on Monday 7th October 2019 from 5pm – 6.30pm in the Cross Keys Hotel, Kelso.

Succession Planning
Succession Planning can be one of the most difficult subjects for businesses and families to discuss. Failure to properly address this issue can result in businesses encountering many problems which can prove difficult and expensive to resolve.
 
Heather Wildman from Saviour Associates will discuss how to approach family succession in a calm and structured way that allows any business to tailor their own succession plans in a way that works for them.
 
This event is open to all – you don’t have to be a Royal Bank of Scotland customer to attend.
 
How to register
If you would like to attend the event please register using the link below:
 
Register Now

Join us for the next Speed Networking Event on Monday 28th October at Peebles Hydro. Click here to book your place at the networking table next month.