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

Winning Business in Libya: - A Practical Guide for UK Companies.

This new conference has been designed as an A-Z guide on how to win business in Libya. It focuses on strategies and advice that will enable British companies to position themselves so that they are well placed to secure contracts.

Catering Contract

Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) is taking place in Stavanger on 28-31 August. ONS, the sister event to Offshore Europe, is one of the biggest Scandinavian energy exhibitions attracting close to 50,000 visitors from all over the world. www.ons.no

Selling to the MOD

Exploring defence procurement requirements for 2012

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.

Chamber awarded new VQ contract

The VQ Training Team are pleased to announce they have been awarded a contract from Skills Development Scotland (SDS), to deliver a number of funded vocational qualifications in Business & Administration, Customer Service, and Management & Leadership.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE LAW

The inexorable rise of social media brings with it new opportunities, challenges and threats for business.

PLEASE HELP US TO MAINTAIN OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE

The Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums have for over thirty years by membership fees, donations, and fund raising events, supported the Art Gallery and Museums in all aspects of their work.

Local Transport Strategy

Aberdeenshire Council is reviewing the current Local Transport Strategy and we want to hear your views…

Scottish Enterprise 2011-14 Business Plan

Please find attached a link to Scottish Enterprise's 2011-14 Business Plan.

It's an ambitious plan, with a clear set of proposals to deliver economic growth in Scotland. Across all sectors the emphasis is on working to create more globally competitive companies which innovate, attract investment and internationalise.  There is a particular focus on the Renewables sector which we believe offers some of the best opportunities for Scotland's economy.

PLEASE HELP US TO MAINTAIN OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE

The Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums have for over thirty years by membership fees, donations, and fund raising events, supported the Art Gallery and Museums in all aspects of their work.

Do you run a family business that has been passed down through generations?

Are you finding it tough in the current economic climate?

Free Training to Help Your Business Grow

Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils are hosting a Tender Ready in 10 Steps training event.

Scotland's Biggest Networking event ever (and a free breakfast)!

This promises to be Scotland’s biggest networking event of the year.  A priceless opportunity to meet hundreds of new clients and business contacts AND even grab a free breakfast along the way!

Scotland Bill Committee publishes radical plans

The Scottish Parliament should have the power to decide its own rate of income tax, raise up to £5 billion to fund major infrastructure projects by borrowing or issuing bonds and introduce new taxes, according to a report published by the Scotland Bill Committee.

Support for jobs

John Swinney announced yesterday in Parliament on 22nd February up to 5,000 people will be helped into work in Scotland through a new funding package worth £10 million.

ACCOUNTANTS ADD THEIR SUPPORT TO ARCHWAY

Aberdeen Chartered Accountants, Anderson Anderson & Brown LLP (A2+B) has raised a fantastic £8,000 for their charity of the year, Archway.

£1,000 Funding to SME's who sign up to the latest Impact Programme

Investors in People Scotland is offering the first 50 businesses to apply to the Impact Programme a £1,000 discount - a saving of between 27-43% depending on the size of your business.

On The Money

Continued improvement in the local oil and gas employment market is predicted by a leading Aberdeen recruitment company.

In its newly published north east Salary Guide, Thorpe Molloy Recruitment reports increased recruitment activity across its specialist divisions.

Tendering for the Olympics Games 2012

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has announced commencement of its tender process for selecting suppliers for :

BBC 2 profile opportunity

Do you run a family business that has been passed down through generations?

Are you finding it tough in the current economic climate?

A UNIQUE CELEBRATION OF ABERDEEN’S THIRD SECTOR

Aberdeen’s charities, social enterprises and volunteering organisations will take to the streets next summer in a unique celebratory parade right through the heart of the city.

Chamber updates Secretary of State on business issues

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has started off a new year of lobbying activity on behalf of business by meeting with Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore to brief him on some of the key national issues which affect the North-east.