Who can believe it's already been two weeks since the Business Excellence Awards 2019, but would you be surprised to learn that we've already begun planning next year’s event?  This time we want to know your thoughts - should it be a daytime or an evening event? Let us know by completing the one-question survey via the link below.

On to non-awards related updates, on Wednesday 13^th November Scottish Borders Council became a Real Living Wage accredited employer and I was fortunate enough to attend the launch event, along with a number of local businesses.  As stated in a previous bulletin, Scotland leads the way with the highest number of accredited Living Wage employers in the UK and as the largest employer in the Scottish Borders, it is great to see that the Council have achieved that accreditation too.
 
I attended a joint Chamber event with our colleagues from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth Chambers hosted by Peebles Hydro Hotel, showcasing their magnificent new Gin Academy.  I cannot recommend a visit highly enough and it was great to see some familiar faces from the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce in attendance.  Sadly, I was unable to sample their 1881 Gin at the event but can highly recommend their Pink Grapefruit Tonic!
 
Finally, I attended Google’s Digital Garage event hosted by the Royal Bank of Scotland.  Who knew that Google could provide you with so much analytical information in relation to the performance of your business?  I would highly recommend this session to any business who are keen to understand how to improve their search engine listings and understand where their customers originate from.
 
If you have any events to promote that support business in the Scottish Borders then please get in touch via email to chairman@borderschamber.com or communications@borderschamber.com
 
 

Your 2019 Winners!

Take a look at our video of this year's Scottish Borders Business Excellence Awards.

Winner's Profile - Hutton Stone Company.

Launched in 1994, Hutton Stone Company has organically grown over 25 years from one 5th generation quarrier employee (our Managing Director) supplying small masonry projects in the Scottish Borders to over 40 highly skilled staff in quarrying extraction, sawing, polishing, masoning, carving and walling production; supplying major projects throughout the UK from three exclusive quarries and two factory production sites.

Stocking an additional 20 other stone types allows the company to supply all areas of our richly diverse geological country with the correct material. Currently they are supplying stone for St. Andrews University new Music Centre, The Royal Academy of Art in London, The Scottish National Gallery extension in Edinburgh’s Princes Street, West Register House restoration in Charlotte Square, Cameron House Hotel Rebuild at Loch Lomond, restoration repairs to Alnwick Castle, new build housing estate supplies into Yorkshire, Lancashire, Northumberland and other office and hotel developments in the central belt we are able to demonstrate reliable and consistent supply across all project types to contractors and clients large and small.

Very much still a family business, priding themselves on quality first and focus on customer loyalty, they are extremely proud to champion indigenous natural stone use and its sustainable use within UK construction, ensuring our built environment remains in keeping, promoting training, skills development for the young workforce, sustainability, ethical sourcing and issues around both the rural and larger circular economy.

The company's Managing Director uses his current position as the President of The Stone Federation of Great Britain to reinforce these messages and we are proud to do all of this from our rural Scottish Borders base.

South of Scotland Enterprise
Call for Board Members

Digitally Boosted Thanks to the Royal Bank

More than 40 businesses from the Scottish Borders got an insight into the value of using cloud-based business tools and search engines at an event arranged by Royal Bank of Scotland.
 
The bank hosted a Google Digital Garage session at Tweed Horizons in St Boswells as part of its Boost Your Business programme. Attendees were given an insight into how to gear their business to move higher up the Google search rankings and provided learnings on how Google Analytics can be used to drive an increased online presence and help users reach their target market effectively and efficiently.
 
Keith Crombie, Business Growth Enabler for the Scottish Borders supported the event.
 
He said: “There is clearly an appetite to learn more about how businesses can use Google to good effect and we were delighted to see such a great turnout for the event. 
 
“Michael Knowles from Google Digital Garage shared his knowledge and tips on how to gain more business opportunities by using Google in an effective manner. I know that many of the people in the room left with a lengthy list of actions they would like to implement in their business.
 
“If anyone wants any more information on the Google Digital Garage service or would like insight into other digital services which could boost your business, please let me know.”

Praise for Borders Businesswoman as Sarah Lights up SQA Awards

A Borders-based businesswoman, whose support has seen Hospitality Modern Apprentices go on to become award-winning chefs at restaurants around the country, has been recognised at this year’s Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Star Awards.
 
Sarah Dalrymple, director of SD Consultancy, co-ordinates the delivery of Modern Apprenticeships to candidates in their workplace from her office in Melrose. Her dedication to these candidates and her clients has seen Sarah highly commended in the SQA Appointee of the Year category.
 
The SQA Star Awards recognise the achievements of individuals working towards SQA qualifications as well as the schools, colleges, training providers and employers who help to deliver SQA qualifications — that enable learners to achieve their ambitions.
 
Sarah and her guests were joined by other nominees from across the country and further afield at a glittering ceremony at Glasgow’s renowned Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
 
A huge well done to Sarah (here on the left) and her team at SD Consultancy.

Tapestry Director Appointed 

Excitement is building for the Great Tapestry of Scotland visitor attraction, with the landmark facility’s opening date confirmed and new Centre Director announced.
 
Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Committee will be advised at their Tuesday 19 November meeting that the exciting development – which will help kickstart the regeneration of Galashiels - will open to the public in spring 2021.
 
The project will be led by internationally experienced director, entrepreneur and expert marketer Sandy Maxwell-Forbes, as Centre Director for the Great Tapestry of Scotland.
 
Sandy is part of the Live Borders team, operators of this major addition to the tourism sector in the Scottish Borders, working in partnership with Scottish Borders Council and the Tapestry Trustees.


Sandy Maxwell-Forbes, The Great Tapestry of Scotland Visitor Centre Director.
© Image Phil Wilkinson 

The visitor attraction is seen as a catalyst for the regeneration of Galashiels, which has a proud textile heritage, and the wider Scottish Borders, providing significant economic, social and educational benefits. 
 

Announcing ERIBÉ’s new knitwear showroom in Melrose

STEM Networking Event Shows the Way to the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Borders College recently opened its doors to a group of influential businesses and industry professionals who were invited to hear about the social and economic benefits of learning and education, and how future jobs and the economy will be driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Keynote speaker for the event was Wendy Pring, who is Chair of South of Scotland Regional Committee and board member at Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), STEM ambassador, and Women’s Enterprise Scotland ambassador.

As a civil engineer, who runs an environmental services consultancy, Wendy is passionate about attracting young women into careers in Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) where they are traditionally underrepresented.

Held at Borders College – Centre for Business Development in Hawick, delegates also had the opportunity to find out about the recent STEM Developments at the Hawick Campus. The project, which is part of the South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SoSEP) investment in the South of Scotland, has the aim of creating a digital learning platform and infrastructure to provide access to learning opportunities for individuals of all ages, irrespective of location.

Borders College Principal, Angela Cox commented: “Our STEM Hub is part of SoSEP Funded Digital Skills and Learning Network, developed in conjunction with Dumfries & Galloway College. It connects virtually with our Technology Enhanced Care Hub facility on our Galashiels Campus and with the similar hubs in Dumfries & Galloway providing digital learning opportunities through 20 spokes located across the South of Scotland in schools, businesses and community locations.



“By providing expertise and accessibility to technologies locally we will improve productivity for local businesses and prepare your future workforce.  In addition, we’ll work with our national innovation centre partners to make innovation locally accessible, leading the way to a progressive future.”
Delegates also heard about the latest SCDI projects, research and events designed to support businesses in the South of Scotland, as well as touring the STEM facility and speaking with a number of businesses who were on hand to discuss their products.
In addition to the event and as part of the ongoing partnership, Borders College has developed a hot-desking facility for SCDI members within the Campus. Angela Cox presented Sara Thiam, SCDI Chief Executive, with a plaque to officially mark the launch of the new area.

The official opening of the STEM Hub, in Hawick, will take place in December and there will be opportunities for both the local community and local businesses to visit the Campus to find out about the latest developments in the coming months.

Getting Your Head in the Game.
Workplace Wellbeing

You’ve been staring into space for the past 10 minutes. There are 10 different things to be getting on with but you’re just not feeling it. Energy and motivation levels are low. For whatever reason - and there are hundreds of possibilities - you’re just a bit flat. 

Most people feel like this at some point during the day. The problem is our modern working practices can promote it. We are designed to think, and we are designed to move yet so many of the things we do at work mean we don’t do either. 

And this is detrimental to our Health and Wellbeing.

This workshop will challenge our working cultures and behaviours, placing Health and Wellbeing at the very centre of your working day. Over a stimulating, thought-provoking and entertaining 2 hours we will examine some of the latest research and thinking whilst giving attendees practical solutions that can integrate into their working day.

At Take Your Marks we believe that when you get wellbeing right, everything else is easy.
 
Click here to book your place
 

Borders College Christmas Shopping Event

If you have not started your Christmas Shopping, or are looking just for a wee treat, why not come along to the Borders College Christmas Fayre on Thursday 5^th December between 10:00 – 14:00. 

At the event, students will be showcasing their creative skills with a mix of crafts, arts, nail bar and gifts.  Why not treat someone special by buying them a voucher for our Hair and Beauty Salon, and finish off with a lovely meal in our Hospitality Restaurant.  A selection of local traders will also be there so handbags, driftwood gifts, hand-made jewellery, cashmere gifts and much more will all be available. 

Come and listen to some Christmas Carols while having a mince pie and coffee in our Union.  

Where:  Scottish Borders Campus, Nether Road, Galashiels, TD1 3HE
When:  5^th December 2019, 10:00 – 14:00