I think it’s safe to say that the events calendar for the Chamber is certainly filling up and we were excited to release the date and location for our next Speed Networking Event on Friday 23rd August at The Roxburgh Hotel & Golf Course. Even though the date was only released on Wednesday, spaces are filling up fast, so if you are interested in attending, I would recommend booking sooner rather than later! All the dates for the Speed Networking Events will be available on Eventbrite, so if you can’t make it to this one, I hope to see you at another event soon.

We are also hosting our first Golf Event in a while, which will be taking place on Friday 13th at the Cardona Hotel, Golf & Spa and likewise, we have had great interest in this event too and hope to be adding more dates to the diary for this and other ‘alternative’ networking events in the not too distant future.

I had the pleasure of attending the Border Union Show and meeting a number of our members at the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce Business Hub. I was joined in the Hub by BCCA, Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers, Business Gateway and George F. White who like me, had a rewarding couple of days, despite the extreme weather conditions! I was also very fortunate to meet another of our Business Excellence Award sponsors, NFU Scottish Borders who were actively promoting their category at the event. On Friday I met the First Minister for Scotland Nicola Sturgeon during her visit to the show and on Saturday, John Lamont, MP for Berwickshire, Roxburghshire and Selkirk dropped by the Business Hub for a chat.

As the closing date for entries to the Scottish Borders Business Excellence Awards looms ever closer, I once again met with the judges, Edmund Johnston and John Morton and Emily McGowan of McGowan Marketing to fine tune proceedings for the upcoming judging. If you haven’t already nominated your business, I would strongly encourage you to do so as soon as possible and spread the word amongst your network, as the Scottish Borders is filled with phenomenal businesses who deserve to be recognised for the outstanding work and contribution that they make to the area and economy.

Member Profile: Macdonald Cardrona Hotel

Hi, my name is Michael Marini.
I worked at the Macdonald Hotels Head Office for 2 years, before becoming the Sales and Marketing Manager at the Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Peebles in June this year.

Being from this area, I know how important it is for local businesses to work together in order to succeed and that’s why one of my first points of contact was the Chamber of Commerce and I attended their speed networking event – which, although it gave me a sore throat for a couple of days, was great fun!

Since joining the Cardrona, I have been working hard to develop relationships with all our neighbouring businesses, with some great partnerships being formed as a result. I have been working closely with Moira and Emily from the Chamber and together have come up with some great ideas on how the hotel can assist in really bringing together the businesses in the Borders (utilising resources like our championship golf course – look out for that!).

In the future, I would love for our hotel to be a real hub for the area. Businesses would gather and be able to network here and use the space on offer and guests would come from all over the country in order to stay and visit the vast number of local businesses and attractions that the Borders have to offer! That’s why I think that it is so important to build these relationships that the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce is trying to promote, because, as Henry Ford once said, ‘if everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.’

We would like to showcase as many Borders businesses as possible, so if you would like to submit a Member Profile for the eBulletin, please don't hesitate to contact Emily.

Radio Borders Cash for Kids

Cash for Kids is the official charity of Radio Borders. It works all year round to ensure those children residing in the Borders who are living in poverty, with additional support needs and suffering from life limiting illnesses get the opportunity to live their lives to the full. Last year the Chamber supported the charity helping to make a big difference to local kids.

Cash for Kids runs a number of key fundraising campaigns throughout the year including Mission Christmas and Super Hero day. In addition, some individuals go the extra mile and develop a bespoke fundraising event.

Borders businessman Phil Morris turns 50 this year, and to celebrate he’s taking on a Deca Ironman (10 Triathlons) in 10 days for Cash for Kids – with a £50,000 personal fundraising target! To put that in perspective just one Ironman Triathlon involves a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.22 mile run – all without a break. The challenge will take place in and around the beautiful Scottish Borders from Friday 6^th – Sunday 15^th September.

Phil said: “We moved to the Borders over five years ago now and we love it here. It’s so stunning and if you love the outdoors and sport, it’s the perfect place to live. But there’s also sadly a lot of hidden poverty and we thought this would be a great way to bring the community together to help raise money for Cash for Kids which help underprivileged children – and have a little fun along the way!”

Would you or someone you know love to work with amazing companies and inspiring volunteers to develop the brand and raise even more money to help local kids?

Radio Borders Cash for Kids has a fabulous opportunity for an energetic and highly motivated individual to join its dynamic and dedicated team as Charity Manager. For more information about this role click here, email recruitment@brucetaitassociates.com or call 01786 542 224.

Join us at Macdonald Cardrona Hotel for a morning of golf and networking.

Come along at 9am for welcome tea and coffee and introductions. Then tee off in a four-ball, enjoying the stunning front nine of the hotel's championship course.

Break for bacon rolls, tea/coffee and networking.

Then the choice is yours, head back to work or carry on with the back nine.

To book your place, click here to visit the Eventbrite booking page.

Back by popular demand. Join us at our next Speed Networking Event, sponsored by GB Technologies, at the SCHLOSS Roxburghe Hotel, Kelso.

Did you know there are over 5,000 businesses in the Scottish Borders? Take time to meet a few of the people who make up this diverse business community and build mutually beneficial connections.

Our Speed Networking event is an ideal opportunity to promote your business and find out about other businesses based right here in the Scottish Borders. For more information and to book, click here.

An Opportunity to Make a Difference

These are exciting times for the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce and we are now actively seeking to appoint four new members to our Board of Directors, joining our recently appointed Chairperson, Moira Wilson, and our current Board members.

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.