AER ARRAN announces AER LINGUS regional summer schedule 2012

Aer Arann today announced its summer 2012 Aer Lingus Regional flight schedule which will see its Aberdeen-Dublin route increase in frequency to a daily service from 25th March.

University shortlisted in national work experience awards

The University of Aberdeen has been announced as a finalist in the National Council for Work Experience (NCWE) awards.

Cash boost available to employers for apprenticeships

As the New Year gets underway, employers will be keen to know that they can now get up to £2000 when they employ any young person as a Modern Apprentice, in addition to the funding contribution available towards their training.

Ledingham Chalmers LLP appoints first business development director

Highly-experienced solicitor John Campbell arrives from Brodies LLP

LEADING Scottish regional law firm Ledingham Chalmers LLP today announces the appointment of its first business development director, John Campbell, who will support the firm's multi-sector growth strategy across its offices.

Atlas launches 50 new courses for office and shore based health and safety

International learning and skills specialist Atlas has significantly grown its content library with the launch of a new suite of 50 office and shore based health and safety courses for the oil and gas industry and other safety critical industries.

Aberdeen to host Cameroon Olympic Team

The Cameroon team, consisting of 60 athletes and staff across 11 sports, will come to Aberdeen for their Pre-Games Training Camp between 2 and 16 July 2012.

Aberdeen Airport has unveiled details of a major investment boost for 2012

Millions of pounds are set to be invested this year upgrading the busy terminal building to improve passenger facilities and provide more capacity.

Law Firm McGrigors Confirm Merger Talks

Scottish legal firm McGrigors has confirmed it is in talks over a potential merger with Pinsent Masons.

MMS announces further lateral partner hire

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP (MMS), the leading UK commercial law firm, has hired litigation partner David Scott from rival McGrigors, to boost its ten-strong Construction & Engineering team. The move marks MMS’ sixth partner appointment in three months, across the firm’s corporate, commercial dispute resolution and real estate departments.

2012 – We’re Facing a Challenging Year

Unfortunately, it looks as if 2012 will continue the theme of the last couple of years for businesses. The year ahead will be very challenging, however, the north east of Scotland may weather the year better than some areas due to oil prices and exploration and production companies firming up their capex spend for the following year. The Wood Mackenzie annual report issued last week suggested that capital investment in the North Sea in 2011 reached a high of £7.5billion, though this did not meet the £8billion forecast set by industry body Oil and Gas UK.

Cash boost available to employers for Apprenticeships

City businesses can now get up to £2000 when they take on any young apprentice.

Granite PR and Business Plus Scotland at The Events Event

Granite PR and Business Plus Scotland will be side by side on stand B 13 at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre for the Events Event 2012.

Brodies' Clare Munro named as 'Hot 100' lawyer for 2012

Clare Munro, Partner and Head of the Oil & Gas team at Brodies LLP, has been named as one of The Lawyer magazine's 'Hot 100' - its prestigious annual round-up of the stars of the UK legal profession.

MCGRIGORS ANNOUNCE ABERDEEN INVESTMENT PLANS

Law firm McGrigors has announced plans to double its presence in Aberdeen after closing a deal to move into new headquarters in the city.

New Lawyer joins expanding Bond Pearce Oil and Gas team

Laura Petrie is the latest addition to the growing oil and gas team in the Aberdeen office of national legal firm Bond Pearce.

Success in Brazil

“A series of workshops designed to inform business about establishingtrade with Brazil and how to reduce risk by understanding the culture and market potential.”

Budding Legal Eagles learn about Mentoring Scheme

A group of sixth year pupils from Robert Gordon’s College were invited to attend a question and answer session with trainees from Aberdeen’s largest commercial law firm, Paull and Williamsons.

International Sponsorship Opportunity

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce now have an exclusive opportunity to sponsor our 2012 Export Documentation Price List.

FIFTH RING LEADS SCOTTISH AGENCIES IN RAR TOP 100

Aberdeen-based marketing communications firm Fifth Ring, has been ranked 13th by Recommended Agency Register (RAR) in its latest survey of the top agencies outside London.

OIE Services expanding into new markets and boosting workforce

Specialist oil and gas recruitment company, OIE Services, is on track to treble its turnover in the next 12 months.

SBP Chartered Accountants Reels in New Business

A North-east accountancy firm specialising in the fishing industry has seen a large increase in fishing clients over the past few months.

DM Training attended Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland Annual Awards

DM Training Consultants Ltd (DM Training) attended the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) Annual Award Ceremony on Thursday 18th November at the Apex International Hotel, Edinburgh.

MMS poised for growth with four new partners

Maclay Murray & Spens LLP (MMS), the leading UK commercial law firm, has further reinforced its commitment to targeted growth with two lateral partner hires and two internal partner promotions. The move sees Wayne O'Neil join MMS’ London corporate team from Rosenblatt Solicitors, Douglas Blyth rejoining MMS’ Glasgow commercial dispute resolution team from HBJ Gateley and the promotion of commercial property lawyer Alex Coulter, based in MMS’ London office, alongside litigation solicitor advocate, Euan Palmer.

NLS OFFERS ONESOURCE OF FREE GLOBAL BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR SCOTTISH COMPANIES

Scottish companies can now get free and instant access to crucial information about customers, suppliers, business partners and competitors to help them grow and prosper.

Personal Invitation to a free lunch – your quest to find a Business Mentor [also free!] starts here

This is a personal invitation to the leader of your organisation to hear more about an easy-to-access peer to peer Business Mentoring programme. The programme has been running for a number of years, but not everyone knows about it.

Benefit cheat nabbed by council fraud squad

A benefit cheat who fraudulently claimed almost £30,000 of council tax and housing benefits has been locked up for 10 months.

Training provider receives accreditation from Learning Institute

An Aberdeen based computer skills training provider has been recognised as an accredited Small Business Learning and Development Provider by the Learning and Performance Institute.

Important Change: The Dutch Authorities have extended the Dutch social security regulations to include the Dutch Continental Shelf, effective from 1 January 2012

Alison Sellar, Managing Director, activpayroll said, “This change will impact many North east firms, they need to take proactive action to ensure they comply whilst working on the Dutch Continental Shelf or risk legal action. Although the industry has benefited from exemptions in the past, the Dutched Authorities have clamped down, now demanding social security contributions from non-residents operating in their territory.”

Forth Replacement Crossing “Opportunities for Local Businesses”

Wednesday 30^th November 2011 Carnegie Conference Centre, Halbeath, Dunfermline

MONTHLY ECONOMIC REPORT for NOVEMBER 2011

We estimate that economic output in the North East in September was approximately £943 million. That is +1.7% higher in real terms than the September 2010 figure.  Read more...

CALL FORNOMINATIONS!

Nominations are now open for the prestigious 2012 Offshore Achievement Awards, sponsored by TAQA Bratani.

LARGE BUSINESSES CONCERNED ABOUT UK TAX REGIME: TAX RATE OF FTSE-100 COMPANIES DROPS NEARLY A THIRD IN LAST TWO YEARS

The tax rate paid by FTSE-100 companies has dropped almost a third over the last two years, according to new research by UHY Hacker Young, the national accounting group. The effective tax rate of FTSE-100 companies (i.e. the percentage tax they pay on their profits) is now just 26% compared to 35.8% two years ago. This tax rate has fallen even as profits have risen. This is partly a result of a fall in the headline corporate tax rate over the last two years.1

Granite Expo 2011 Attracts 1000 Visitors

Around 1,000 visitors flocked to a successful new event designed to showcase the very best of North east business on Thursday, October 27th.

Business Growth Fund and Scottish Venture Fund join forces

The UK’s Business Growth Fund (BGF) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Scottish Investment Bank’s (SIB) Scottish Venture Fund to boost availability of equity funding for ambitious Scottish businesses.

Mackinnons Solicitors are delighted to announce various senior appointments and promotions.

Ashleigh McConnell and Morag Christoffersen are promoted to become Associates in the Private Client and Commercial departmentsrespectively. Ashleigh specialises in trusts and executries. Morag specialises in shipping and commercial law.  The Firm has created the new post of Practice Manager with Nicola Elder taking this position. Bruce Craig becomes Managing Partner taking over from Charles Scott who held the post for more than 20 years and who remains as Senior Partner.

Leading Business Speakers To Share Expertise At Granite Expo

A line-up of leading speakers from the local business community will share their expertise with visitors to tomorrow’s Granite Expo event in Aberdeen.

Granite Expo - Showcasing the Best of Local Business

A major new event which will showcase the very best of North east business will take place in Aberdeen this week.

NORTH EAST SCOTLAND SALARY GUIDE - OFFSHORE EUROPE SPECIAL EDITION

Companies in Aberdeen City and Shire are focusing on growth according to a leading Aberdeen recruitment company.

Perth and Kinross Sustainable Travel Summit

SSE, supported by P&K Council and P&K Chamber of Commerce, are organising and hosting this important engagement event on the 27th October at Perth Racecourse. The event which will have a focus on how large companies through to SMEs can reduce their carbon footprint by looking at alternative travel methods to work.

Carollers start tuning up for city’s Christmas Concert

Aberdeen’s Singing Chorus was in fine voice this week as the rigorous rehearsals for the city’s perennially popular Christmas Concert got under way.

BP AND PARTNERS INVESTING £10 BILLION IN UK OIL AND GAS PROJECTS

BP and its partners are developing four new oil and gas projects that together will involve a total investment of almost £10 billion in the UK’s oil industry over the next five years and help to maintain BP’s production from the North Sea for decades to come.

Health and Safety Basics

Chamber members are invited to participate in a free workshop, funded by the Scottish Centre for Healthy Working Lives.

Committee tells Chancellor of Scottish concerns on banking reform report

In a letter sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon George Osborne MP today, the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee expressed serious concerns about the lack of specific proposals to tackle the lack of competition and diversity with the Scottish financial sector in the Independent Commission on Banking’s final report, which was published last month.

Micro Tyco

Micro-Tyco is a fun, fast and furious new enterprise challenge running in November for companies, colleges, universities and schools designed to reignite the spirit of enterprise across our whole country. Created by WildHearts, Micro-Tyco has already been adopted by RGU as a compulsory part of their business degrees and is being championed by Annette Bruton, Aberdeen City Council's Director of Education, Culture and Sport as a wonderful way for Aberdeen companies to support local schools.

activpayroll shortlisted for Four industry, on the month it celebrates it's 10th Birthday

activpayroll, a leading global payroll, expatriate taxation and people management software specialist, has been shortlisted for four industry leading awards. The award nominations also mark the companies 10th anniversary this month.

Hall Morrice Appoints Latest Employee To Management Team

Hall Morrice today (Tuesday 4th October) announces the promotion of Paul Archibald to the position of Audit and Accounts Manager. Paul has worked with Hall Morrice since graduating from Robert Gordon’s University in 2007.

Brodies expands corporate client service with two new senior hires

Brodies LLP announces that it is further strengthening its pensions and employee benefits services to corporate and pension scheme trustee clients with the recruitment of two new senior lawyers – Juliet Bayne (Partner) and Nigel Watson (Director).

Granite Expo 2011 - A Celebration of SME's Across the North-east

Date: Thursday October 27, 2011

Time: 9am-6.30pm

Venue: Hilton Treetops Hotel, Aberdeen

NEW DIRECTORS OF ANDERSON ANDERSON & BROWN LLP

The partners are delighted to announce the appointment of three new Directors. They are Gordon Steele in Corporate Finance along with Chris Masson and Ian McPherson in Audit.

Commercial Opportunities

2011 Saudi Aramco Technology Quest

The 2011 Saudi Aramco Technology Quest, an invitation-only innovation symposium will bring together the world’s top scientists and researchers to discuss opportunities to collaborate with Saudi Aramco in the development of breakthrough upstream technologies. Aimed at SMEs with leading edge technology and hosted by Aramco Overseas Company in Aberdeen on the 10th – 12th October the event offers companies, scientists and researchers a unique opportunity to collaborate with Saudi Aramco during the conceptual/research stages of technology development, by submitting proposals that meet highly potent upstream technology challenges.

Saudi Aramco Technology Quest

Aberdeen, October 10 - 12 2011

For more information visit : www.techquest2011.com

St. James's Place Wealth Management - Market Bulletin - Monday September 19, 2011

Market Eye

A superficial glance at where global stock markets ended last week makes for encouraging reading.

cHeRry picked for an award of its own!

Aberdeen event management company cushydoos, which has recognised many outstanding individuals in the fields of HR, training and recruitment through its cHeRries awards, was itself celebrating last night after the initiative was named the ‘Best Awards Scheme’ at the Scottish Event Awards in Edinburgh.

Reports to HMRC of fraudulent emails soar

Reports of fraudulent “phishing” emails have risen by 300 per cent over the past year, HM Revenue & Customs has confirmed.

Wings Travel Management Invite You to Celebrate New Aberdeen Office Opening

Please join Wings Travel Management in celebrating the opening of their new Aberdeen Offices.

St. James's Place - Wealth Management - Market Bulletin - Monday September 12, 2011

Market Eye

Financial markets remained volatile last week, buffeted by good and bad news alike, as investors

endeavoured to price in more positive data from China versus deteriorating confidence in the

eurozone.

Brodies launches pioneering legal training Academy for junior surveyors

Brodies LLP is launching a unique programme of training and networking seminars in Scotland to enhance the legal knowledge of junior surveyors and help them build contacts that will be invaluable during their professional career.

Opportunity to get involved with helping Aberdeen renew its Fairtrade City status

Aberdeen City has been a Fairtrade City since 2004 and will shortly have to submit an application to renew its status.  A key preliminary step is to set up a stand-alone Fairtrade Steering Group which will make the formal application.

NORTH EAST SCOTLAND SALARY GUIDE - OFFSHORE EUROPE SPECIAL EDITION

Companies in Aberdeen City and Shire are focusing on growth according to a leading Aberdeen recruitment company.

SCOTTISH CHAMBERS TAKE HIGH SPEED RAIL MESSAGE TO WESTMINSTER

Granite Times - Offshore Europe Special Edition

To view Mondays Granite Times Offshore Europe Special Edition, click here.

The long-awaited Agency Workers Regulations take effect in October 2011.

The new rules implement a European Directive ensuring that Agency Workers receive equal treatment on basic working and employment conditions when compared to the permanent employees and workers of the hiring organisation.

Low Carbon Skills Fund

The Low Carbon Skills Fund gives Scottish businesses with up to 250 employees the opportunity to apply for up to £12,500 towards employee training costs. It  provides funding for up to 25 episodes of training provides 50% of training costs, up to a maximum of £500 per episode.

City council financial planning sets standard for Scottish public sector

Audit Scotland has highlighted Aberdeen City Council’s financial management and budget processes as models for the rest of Scotland’s public sector.

Success for Business - Property Lunch

Bank of Scotland/Lloyds TSB Scotland Commercial is hosting a property lunch focussing on the property investment and property development markets.

Market Bulletin - Monday August 22, 2011

St. James's Place - Wealth Management

VoIP Communications Specialist in Himalayan Adventure

Internet Telephony Service Provider SureVoIP is part of the Suretec Group which was established in 2003. The company recently worked with London-based travel firm himalayasnepal.com to create a high-tech link to an office in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu.

Ernst & Young Aberdeen to launch networking group for emerging leaders

Ernst & Young Aberdeen launches its Connecting Emerging Leaders (CEL) programme at the Carmelite Hotel on Tuesday 6 September from 18:30 to 21:30.

Birthday Boost For Law Firm

UK law firm Bond Pearce is increasing its presence in Aberdeen as it celebrates the fourth anniversary of its arrival in the city.

Search on for Aberdeen eco-champs

The hunt is on to find Aberdeen’s eco-champions.

Short Courses at RGU School of Computing

The School of Computing at RGU has recently developed a portfolio of short courses including, Advanced iPhone/iPad Programming, iPhone Mobile Applications Business Overview, IT Project Management, Agile Software Development and Introduction to Cloud Computing.

‘It’s Like Climbing Everest 14 times’: Outdoor Enthusiast Prepares for Record-Breaking Munro Challenge

When Ben Hunter was laid low with a bout of swine flu whilst living in Australia last year, he had a lot of time to think about his life. Through his week-long illness he formulated a plan that, once recovered, would see him return to his Scottish homeland and undertake a huge outdoor challenge.

Cutting red tape for business: new guidance on basic health and safety

Health and Safety law applies to all businesses, whatever the size.  A new online resource, Health and safety made simple, provides employers with straightforward step-by-step guidance on what they need to do to achieve a basic level of compliance.

Inverness, Dundee and Aberdeen firms given the £1 million chance to join the Wealth Wheel

NEW ULTRA-LOCAL APPROACH TO HUMAN RESOURCES HITS ABERDEEN

Tomorrow (Wednesday 20 July 2011) marks the first of four human resources and payroll support surgeries in Aberdeen’s commercial hubs.

BP and Co-Venturers Approve £3 Billion Re-Development of Schiehallion and Loyal Fields

On behalf of its co-venturers BP is pleased to announce an agreement to progress a major re-development of the Schiehallion and Loyal oil fields to the west of the Shetland Islands.

HM Treasury and Chief Scientist meet with key financial figures to discuss the future of computer trading

Senior experts from the fields of finance, trade and regulation are meeting today to provide insight on the risks caused by technological advances in computer trading for investors, businesses and the public.

Skills Development Scotland - Exam Results Helpline

Students from schools and colleges in Aberdeen will be among 160,000 young people in Scotland who will receive their exam results via email, text or by post on 4 August 2011.

Open Viewing of G25K Headquarter Offices at Abercrombie Court, Westhill, Aberdeen, AB32 6FE

Gladman Developments invites you to view it's latest 25,000 sq ft building in Westhill, Aberdeen on Tuesday 9th August. Please feel free to join us at any time between 10am and 3pm.

Encourage the UK’s sole traders to create jobs

• New survey finds employment legislation including pension requirements, dismissal rules and sickness absence rules deter sole traders from taking on first employee

OPITO Safety and Competence Conference 2011 - ‘Competence vs Compliance’

For those wishing to attend OPITO’s second annual international safety and competency conference – OSCC 2011 – in Abu Dhabi on the 22nd of November, the conference website is now live for registrations - www.opito-oscc.com

BusinessPort’s Agility Software – helping companies prepare for The Bribery Act

BusinessPort, a leading provider of Business Management System software are offering companies the opportunity to view the latest version of their Agility Business Management System in order to demonstrate how it can help them remain compliant with The Bribery Act.

New Aberdeen to Frankfurt service connects Europe’s oil and energy capital to Lufthansa’s gateway to the world - Connections to almost 80 oil and energy destinations worldwide

A new service from Aberdeen to the German city of Frankfurt will offer a quick and easy connection into Lufthansa’s ‘Gateway to the World’ for both business and leisure travellers in the north-east of Scotland.

Corporation Tax consultation

The Scotland bill is currently progressing through the Westminster Parliament.  Its passing will bring significant changes to the way Scotland is governed, including, for the first time, the Scottish Government having the responsibility to raise a proportion of its own revenue through devolution of the power to set and levy certain taxes.  Corporation Tax is not currently included in these proposals, but a wide-ranging, high profile debate is taking place among politicians and the media as to whether it should be.

In order to make sure that Scottish business has a voice in this debate, Scottish Chambers of Commerce wants to consult widely with members. The enclosed paper sets out the background to the issue.  Please feedback any comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Please also advise if you would like to be involved in a policy discussion on this. Deadline for responses is  July 7, 2011.

Call to Offshore Wind Innovators for Aberdeen Supply Chain Event

Interested in exploring your company’s opportunities in the offshore wind sector?

Support for changes to SEPA’s new environmental protection regime

Scotland’s environment watchdog, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), has moved one step closer to making some big changes to Scotland’s environmental protection regime following a resoundingly positive response to its recent consultation. The overall findings of the public consultation were published on Friday (17 June).

Complementary Currencies Creating Exchange Systems that Keep Wealth Local

A seminar and round table discussion with Richard Logie, Founder, Business Exchange and Jonathan Dawson, Head of Economics, Schumacher College.

HR winners celebrate in style at the cHeRries awards 2011

The winners of the fourth annual cHeRries awards, which recognise outstanding human resources (HR), recruitment and training achievements in the north-east, were announced last night.

Volcanic Disturbances in the Workplace

Another volcanic ash cloud has been causing disruption across the country once again this week, leading to travel chaos across Scotland and elsewhere.

Market Bulletin - MONDAY 23 MAY 2011

This weekly Briefing Note aims to pick out some of the key financial and economic issues touched on in the press over recent days and from time to time includes the views of some of our independent fund managers.

SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS CUSTOMERS KEY TO SUCCESS

• £2.1 billion of new lending to business customers in just six months

• Consistent support and real choice for Scottish businesses

• Pro-business initiatives supporting commercial growth

Brodies announces 300th fee-earner

Law firm Brodies LLP today announces that its 300th fee-earner, Elaine Ramsay, has joined the firm. The news follows the recognition earlier this month that Brodies is, for the second year in a row, Scotland's largest legal resource, with more qualified lawyers and more total fee-earners than any other firm (source: CA magazine May 2011).

Broadband Survey

The disadvantages faced by the  North-east because of poor broadband connectivity is the subject of a special study commissioned by ACSEF.

Celebrate Aberdeen – get involved now!

Celebrate Aberdeen is an exciting charity parade that will be taking place down Union Street in Aberdeen.

City Gardens design completion

Companies interested in taking part in an international competition to design a major new public space and gardens in the heart of Aberdeen have just over a month left to submit their proposals.

2020 SEARCH JOIN WITH AGCC

CITY-BASED CONSULTANCY TOAST FIRST YEAR SUCCESS

Seattle recognises Edinburgh and Glasgow as two of the world's most competitive cities

Sixty of Seattle’s most prominent business, government and non-profit leaders are visiting Scotland this week to meet with some of Scotland’s most ambitious companies.

Skills Shortages

If skills shortages impact your business, it is vital that you contribute to the current review of the Skilled Shortage Occupation Lists, being undertaken by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) on behalf of the UK Government.

LAUNCH OF IMaGeS

Robert Gordon University’s Research Institute for Management, Governance and Society (IMaGeS) is delighted to invite you to the launch of our multi-disciplinary research centre.

London 2012 Tender - OJEU - Photovoltaic Panel Installation Framework

The Contracting Authority is seeking to procure a design and build framework agreement (“the Agreement”) to provide photovoltaic (PV) panel installations (“the Projects”) at various locations as summarised in the PQQ available on the London 2012 eTendering site.