Making it Happen 2011 - Energising tomorrow’s entrepreneurs

Date: Wednesday November 23 2011

Time: 09.30 - 5.00 pm

Venue: Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre

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.

WEBER SHANDWICK SCOTLAND NAMED CONSULTANCY OF THE YEAR

- Agency Scoops Ten Prestigious Industry Awards -

Scotland – 26 October 2011 – Leading public relations and public affairs consultancy, Weber Shandwick, is celebrating record success at the annual PRide Awards in Scotland after scooping ten prestigious industry accolades, including Outstanding Public Relations Consultancy.

Unprecedented growth prompts restructure for EPC Offshore

- New project-specific teams established to drive further growth –

Aberdeen-based EPC Offshore has made a step-change in its management structure with the creation of three dedicated business streams to capitalise on growth in key sectors of the North Sea oil and gas industry.

CALA GETS STAMP OF APPROVAL IN FOVERAN

CALA Homes has received the go-ahead to build 24 family homes in the village of Foveran, north of Aberdeen.

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.

Granite City greats - ‘Great Aberdonians: A Public Lecture Series’

A new series of free public lectures will celebrate some of the greatest names to hail from the Granite City.

The University of Aberdeen’s Research Institute of Scottish and Irish Studies and Aberdeen City Council has organised Great Aberdonians – to celebrate the achievements of former residents of the city.

KONGSBERG MARITIME LTD AWARDED OFFSHORE RENEWABLES CONTRACT WITH AQUAMARINE POWER

Kongsberg Maritime Ltd, the UK subsidiary of global marine technology company Kongsberg Maritime, has been awarded a contract with leading wave energy technology provider Aquamarine Power to carry out underwater noise assessments relating to its Oyster wave energy device. The Oyster device has been developed by Aquamarine Power to capture wave energy from near-shore sites and convert it into clean sustainable electricity.

Skibo Technologies expands workforce following contract wins

IT services company Skibo Technologies (Skibo) has recruited six additional members of staff to its support team after winning contracts worth in excess of £400,000. The Aberdeen-based firm has secured 18 new contracts for the provision of technical resources and ICT support for a range of clients in the energy & marine sectors. The recruitment drives brings the total number of people employed at the company to 34, and increase of 20% since the start of the year.

Dudley Sets Out Priorities For Stronger, Safer BP

• October 2011 is turning point for operations and production

• Company to build on strengths; increasing divestments to $45 billion; investing in projects with higher returns

• 2011 best year for upstream access for a decade; plans to double exploration

• Downstream on track to deliver record earnings

• Cash flow expected to grow some 50% by 2014

• Targetting higher investment and distribution to shareholders

University to help Gulf state to become the green building powerhouse of the world

The growing relationship between the University of Aberdeen and the Gulf state of Qatar will take another step forward in November, when University scientists travel to Doha to discuss the next stage in a series of projects that could revolutionise construction practices worldwide.

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.

City road to close for work at new housing development

Aberdeen’s Summer Street is set to close on three separate occasions to allow a heavy duty crane to access a new housing development.

Agency Workers Regulations - Agencies Should Take The Lead by Amanda McCulloch of Thorpe Molloy Recruitment

There’s been much hand wringing and negative speculation about the impact of the Agency Workers Regulations (“Regulations”) which came into force on 1st October giving additional rights to agency workers.

Two Weeks To Go! To Make Big Apple Dreams Come True

It’s count down time for two fit Aberdeen business women who are lacing up their running shoes to take part in New York’s world famous marathon.

EXPRO’S LATEST TECHNOLOGY ON SHOW AT ATCE 2011

Leading international oilfield service company Expro is showcasing its latest technologies to provide the complete package of solutions across the entire well lifecycle at the SPE ATCE2011, October 30 to November 2, Denver, Colorado (booth #2146) – bringing together our state-of-the-art innovations to benefit our customers.

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.

Resurfacing work scheduled for Aberdeen road

A section of the Chapel of Stoneywood to Kingswells road will be closed from Monday [24 October] for three weeks for carriageway resurfacing to take place.

The road will be closed between its junctions with Newhills Manse and the access to Hope Farm. Diversions, via Newhills Road, Kepplehills Road, the A96 or Hope Farm Road, will be signposted.

AKE Lowers Libya Risk Rating

LONDON – Risk consultancy firm AKE has lowered the security risk rating for Libya following the fall of Sirte and Bani Walid. These were the last two remaining cities under the control of Gaddafi loyalists.

KONGBSERG MARITIME ANNOUNCES SUBSEA SEMINAR 2011

Kongsberg Maritime, global leaders of marine technology, today announce that they will be holding a subsea technology seminar event on the 22nd November at the Mercure Ardoe House Hotel. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Integrating a New Generation of Technology’ and will be hosted by Kongsberg Maritime Ltd, based in Aberdeen.

Fallen Empires - Exclusive Album Playbacks in Malmaison Hotel Bars

The New Album Released 14th November 2011

Multi-platinum Irish/Scottish five-piece Snow Patrol release their sixth studio album ‘Fallen Empires’ on Fiction Records on 14th November 2011. Recorded in Los Angeles with long-time producer Garret ‘Jacknife’ Lee, ‘Fallen Empires’ features the hit ‘Called Out In The Dark’ and stunning new single ‘This Isn’t Everything You Are’.

A new way to ‘Keep Health and Safety Alive’

An innovative new collaboration has begun in Aberdeen that could change the way we think about Health and Safety forever.

Councillors asked to agree new admissions policy for pre-school places

Councillors will next week (Oct 27) be asked to agree changes to make the admissions policy in Aberdeenshire for pre-school places more efficient.

RGU Fashion students raise £10,000 for ARCHIE

Fashion Management students from Robert Gordon University (RGU) presented a cheque for £10,000 to the ARCHIE Foundation this week, after totalling up the final figures from their successful “Wonderland” fashion show which took place earlier in the year.

New exporter workshop for ‘smart set’ in Marischal College

Aberdeen City Council and Scottish Development International have hosted a special workshop to help local companies learn more about exporting overseas.

MacLean Electrical's International Projects Group continues its Worldwide Success

The International Projects Group of MacLean Electrical, the Scottish based hazardous area electrical

equipment and cable supplier, has enjoyed continuing success throughout 2011 despite world-wide

recession.

Kidnap Report

Click here to view AKE's new Kidnap Brief which summarises the findings of our quarterly Kidnap Report.

For a more detailed analysis of kidnap for ransom risks around the world, please contact the AKE intelligence department at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Brian Taylor's Big Debate - Stonehaven

Date: Friday November 11, 2011

Time: 11.30am

Venue: Stonehaven Town Hall

Trading standards staff gearing up for bonfire night

Trading Standards at Aberdeenshire Council are once again offering advice and assistance to local retailers to help ensure a safe fireworks season.

Stockland Muir announces speculative development at Aberdeen Gateway

Stockland Muir, the joint venture partners responsible for Aberdeen Gateway Business Park, have announced plans to invest £3million in a development of speculative industrial units.

EASTERN AIRWAYS IS NAMED NUMBER ONE CHARTER AIRLINE

Eastern Airways, which operates more flights from Aberdeen Airport than any other airline, has been named the Best Passenger Charter Airline at a prestigious industry awards ceremony in London.

Kawasaki to test tidal technology in Scottish waters

First Minister Alex Salmond today welcomed an announcement by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) that it intends to test its new tidal energy system in Scottish waters.

HVACR ATEX Specialist makes new addition to standard Hazcool product range

Leading HVACR ATEX specialist, HVAC & Refrigeration Engineering, based in Aberdeen, UK, has announced the launch of a fully DNV and ATEX certified pressurization and air conditioning packaged unit, within its Hazcool branded product range, which is specially designed to operate in extreme and harsh petrochemical environments where temperatures from -40 Degrees C through to +60 Degrees C can be experienced.

Recruitment Company Reports Surge of Activity.

A leading Aberdeen recruitment company is reporting a surge of activity for engineers.

Work starts at Aberdeen Energy & Innovation Park’s new Hub building

A new £2.4 million Hub development to support Aberdeen and Scotland’s leading position in developing global energy technology is on schedule for completion by July 2012 Scottish Enterprise has confirmed.

RGU hosts European Nursing Network

Robert Gordon University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery is currently playing host to academic staff from the European nursing education community as part of an annual exchange programme.

Drilling activity remains low on UK Continental Shelf in Q3

North Sea offshore drilling activity rose 45% from the second to the third quarter of 2011 but the overall trend continues to fall, according to the latest oil and gas industry figures released by Deloitte.

Public invited to attend inspirational evening at RGU

The Institute for Health and Welfare Research (IHWR) at Robert Gordon University is set to play host to Karen Darke who will speak candidly about how she overcame paralysis to reclaim her life as an athlete and outdoor adventurer.

AREG members tackle renewable energy challenges

Asset integrity and initiatives to tackle skills shortages are among the subjects to be discussed when Aberdeen City and Shire’s leading renewable energy industry body hosts a business seminar in Aberdeen today (Tuesday, October 18).

Sterling appointed Assignment Management Technical Partner to the RES Forum

London, 18 October 2011 – The RES Forum today announced that it has appointed Sterling Relocation as its Technical Partner for Assignment Management. Under the agreement, RES members will have access to advice and support on all areas of Assignment Management best-practice from Sterling’s Global Mobility specialists.

PILOT Share Fair

Date: Wednesday 2 November 2011

Time: 7.00am - 4.00pm followed by networking reception*

Venue: Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre

Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, AB23 8BL

Supply Chain Solutions Workshops - Aberdeen and London

Date: Thursday 27 October 2011

Time: 08:00 - 14:00

Venue: Oil & Gas UK, 2nd Floor, The Exchange 2, 62 Market Street, Aberdeen, AB11 5PJ

Date: Friday 2 December 2011

Time: 08:00 - 14:00

Venue: Oil & Gas UK, 6th Floor East, Portland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5BH

Oil & Gas UK Member Rate: £160.00 + VAT

Non-member Rate: £200.00 + VAT

ONLINE BOOKINGS OPEN - CLICK HERE TO BOOK

Innovation and Technology Event - develop innovative products and services

Date: Wednesday November 9

Time: 4-6pm

Venue: Barn and Bushel, Thainstone Centre, Inverurie

OFFSHORE EQUIPMENT RENTAL SPECIALIST ANNOUNCES NORWEGIAN EXPANSION AT OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY DAYS

The Ferguson Group, specialists in the rental of containers, accommodation modules and engineering modules to the offshore energy industry around the world through its divisions Ferguson Modular, Ferguson Seacabs and IceBlue, is expanding its business in Norway, the company announced this week at Offshore Technology Days (OTD) in Stavanger (Stand 2911, Hall B).

More than 38,000 road repairs done as council gears up for winter maintenance routine

Last winter Aberdeenshire Council repaired over 20,000 potholes during the critical winter months, completing nearly the same number again in summer.

Events Event 2012 aims to be bigger and better

Scotland’s only exhibition dedicated to the meetings, events and corporate hospitality industries will take place at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on January 19 next year. Building on the success of the first Events Event, sponsors Elite Promotions are confident that the 2012 exhibition will be even bigger and better.

Local Doric Event a sell Out!

Local Doric Festival event the Deeside Doric Dirl was a sell out event on Thursday 13th October 2011.

UK skills body appoints researcher to help oil and gas industry address its skills challenges

OPITO, the oil and gas industry’s skills body, has created a new research post to help the sector better map its future skills needs.

EnerMech Gets Lift With £3 Million Maersk Oil Crane Contract

EnerMech has secured a multi-million pound crane maintenance contract from Maersk Oil North Sea UK Limited (Maersk Oil) for assets operating in the UK.

Scottish IP Firm of the Year Harrison Goddard Foote does it again...

Dr. Gary Wilson Head of Harrison Goddard Foote patent and trade mark attorneys in

Scotland has been shortlisted by Intellectual property magazine as IP lawyer of the

year 2011.

Falck first to deliver groundbreaking training initiative in the Middle East

Falck Safety Services has become the first company in the Middle East to gain approval to deliver a groundbreaking new global training initiative for the oil and gas industry.

BP Announces Settlement with Anadarko Petroleum Company of Claims Related to Deepwater Horizon Accident

BP today announced that it has reached agreement with Anadarko Petroleum Company ("Anadarko") to settle all claims between the companies related to the Deepwater Horizon accident. Anadarko – which had a 25 per cent interest in the MC252 (Macondo) prospect – and BP have concluded that entering into a settlement is in the best interest of the parties to resolve pending disputes. The agreement is not an admission of liability by any party regarding the accident.

Consultation on Mintlaw Development Framework seeking local views

Residents in a Buchan community will be asked for their views on future development in the local area in a public consultation starting next week. (Oct 19)

Unique training centre for ‘explorationists’ opens at University

Time to look at new business models?

The recession has made many directors reconsider the way they do business. But, is it also a time to consider other business models? Are social enterprises and co-operatives now more in tune with the times?

Subsea Specialist Flexlife Signs Memorandum of Understanding With Petrobras International

Flexlife, an oil & gas industry specialist in subsea project and integrity management, announced today (October 13) it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Petrobras to develop and provide a new integrity management system and specialised engineering services for its international oil and gas projects offshore.

New Business Development Services provides tailored support for local businesses.

Robert Gordon University launches Business Development Services to share its expertise and provide support to external companies, from start-ups to multinationals.

Show us your Mo at Giraffe

November has been renamed Movember, the month when the nation’s men known as Mo Bros, get together to groom, trim and wax their way into the history of fine moustachery.

AECC: Winner of the Northern Star Green Award!

Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) are proud to announce that we have been presented with the AGCC Northern Star Green Award in recognition of the practices put in place to reduce the Venue’s impact on the environment.

EnerMech Complete Hose and Crane Contract in Singapore

Mechanical engineering group, EnerMech, has completed a joint hose management and crane refurbishment contract on the Glas Dowr FPSO in Singapore on behalf of Bluewater Energy Services.

RGU involved in major European study into systemic social work practice

Robert Gordon University is taking part in a €115,000 project to establish a common European perspective on systemic social work practice.

Waste reduction measures are the focus of new council committee

A City Council committee established to map the future of waste management in Aberdeen met for the first time today [11 October].

Michael Townshend to Join TNK-BP Board

BP announced today that it has appointed Michael Townshend as a non-executive director of TNK-BP with immediate effect. Townshend will also continue as president of BP in Iraq, overseeing the expansion of Rumaila, the world’s fourth largest oilfield. He takes up the position on the TNK-BP board recently vacated by Tony Hayward.

FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF SOME OF SCOTLAND’S MOST TALENTED PLAYERS

A group of talented junior golfers from across the north of Scotland will be raising their game in this year’s Grampian Houston Junior Golf’s 10th tour to Houston, Texas, to develop their skills on some of the world’s finest courses.

AKE Warns of Ukraine Violence

LONDON – Ukraine may see a rise in violence after the sentencing of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

Zenith Oilfield Technology celebrates Northern Star success

Fast-growing Inverurie company Zenith Oilfield Technology is celebrating after winning a prestigious prize at one of Scotland’s largest business award ceremonies this week.

Report Confirms the UK Oil and Gas Industry as a Leading Engineering and Manufacturing Base which is Making a Vital Contribution to the Economy

Oil & Gas UK’s 2011 Economic Report, published today (11 October), confirms the continuing significance of the oil and gas sector to the UK economy and highlights the increasingly important role of the country’s world-class oil and gas supply chain in fostering engineering, manufacturing and technology excellence as well as enabling production of the UK’s oil and gas resource.

ACE WINCHES APPOINTS NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

ACE Winches has appointed Graeme Wood as chief operating officer (COO) to guide the growth of the company as the leading deck machinery specialist eyes further expansion into international markets.

HYDRASUN RECEIVES TOP ACCOLADE FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Aberdeen-based Hydrasun Ltd, a leading specialist provider of integrated fluid transfer, power and control solutions, is proud to announce that it has won the Northern Star Business Award for Achievement in International Business.

Open Clinic

Date:Thursday 20th October

Time: 12-6pm

Venue:

Nuffield Health, Fitness & Wellbeing Aberdeen, Justice Mill Lane, AB11 6EQ

City roundabout to close for weekend resurfacing work

Essential resurfacing work is set to begin at the King Street - St Machar Drive roundabout on Saturday (October 15).

Young people with mental health problems waiting for three and a half years for treatment in Scotland is absolutely unacceptable - YoungMinds

Commenting on reports that some young people with mental health problems have to wait for up to three and a half years in Scotland for treatment, YoungMinds Director of Campaigns, Policy and Participation Lucie Russell said:

“Young people waiting for up to three and a half years for treatment for mental health problems in Scotland is absolutely unacceptable. Having to suffer and attempting to cope with issues like self harm, eating disorders and depression alone as young people navigate childhood and the turbulent teenage years puts unimaginable stress on them.

“Not intervening early just stores up the mental health problems of the next generation in Scotland and creates entrenched mental illness in adulthood.”

Cognity Appoints Business Development Manager as Part of Ongoing Growth Strategy

Specialist engineering consultancy, Cognity, is pleased to announce the appointment of Elinor Davison as Business Development Manager.

University winter concert series launches

The University of Aberdeen’s winter concert series launches next week with a repertoire ranging from early music to contemporary performances.

FIRE WARDEN TRAINING COURSE

If your company employs 5 or more staff it is now a legal requirement to ensure your staff are sufficiently trained in how to raise the alarm, evacuation and the use of fire fighting equipment.

Debaters reach Newcastle Final

For the fourth consecutive year, Robert Gordon's College debaters reached the final of the Northern Junior Debating Competition. The event was held in the Royal Grammar School Newcastle on Saturday 24 September and featured 52 teams from across the UK.

SUCCESS FOR FIRSTGROUP AT NORTHERN STAR BUSINESS AWARDS

FIRSTGROUP, the UK’s largest transport operator, enjoyed a successful evening at yesterday’s (6 October) Northern Star Business Awards. The Aberdeen based company picked up the coveted ‘Student Placement Award’.

Despite occupation, even footballers are employees

Carlos Tevez’s refusal to play in last week’s Manchester City game against Bayern Munich has brought a key issue to the forefront of the entire footballing industry: Who is in charge – a manager or a player?

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.

qedi’s global success honoured with prestigious industry award

Global-leading oil and gas commissioning and technology specialist qedi has been industry recognised with a prestigious award. The company - which is part of AMEC, the international engineering and project management company - won the Overall Global Business accolade at the 2011 Northern Star Business Awards last night (October 6).

MSE (CONSULTANTS) LIMITED AND APPLY SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT

Aberdeen-based MSE (Consultants) Limited has signed an agreement with Apply Altra and Apply Sørco for extended cooperation within the UK and Norwegian markets.

Council to welcome first parent representatives to Education Committee

Councillors today (Thursday) unanimously backed plans to invite two parents to stand as representatives on Aberdeen City Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee.

Young Speakers in the Spotlight

Robert Gordon’s College has made it through to the final of the North of Scotland Schools Public Speaking competition.

Marine pollution is focus for international conference

Local authorities from around Europe with an interest in addressing marine pollution will gather in Aberdeen this weekend. (Oct 7,8,9)

Discover your new career out at the North of Scotland Graduate Recruitment Fair.

The Robert Gordon University will welcome over 40 local, national and international companies to its Graduate Recruitment Fair on Wednesday 26th October 2011 from 11am to 3pm. This annual event gives you an excellent opportunity to meet with a range of recruiters keen to hire the best talent that is on offer from graduating students in the north-east of Scotland.

A journey through time

The Robert Gordon University Georgina Scott Sutherland Library is exhibiting a collection of objects depicting a journey through time in their Arts and Heritage Collection.

SITA UK TO DETER METAL THEFTS WITH SMARTWATER TECHNOLOGY

SITA UK, the recycling and resource management company, has introduced a new deterrent to combat the growing problem of metal and copper thefts from its landfill power generation sites across the North East.

New integrity group appoints Group FD as it heads towards first acquisition

ICR Integrity Ltd (ICR), the newly formed parent company of  Aberdeen headquartered Walker Technical Resources Ltd, has appointed a group finance director as it prepares for its first acquisition.

Hippsco Turn Up Pressure With £1 Million Investment in One-Stop HIPPS Systems

A new business has been launched to provide a one-stop design and manufacture service for High Integrity Pressure Protection Systems (HIPPS) for the oil and gas subsea and topside sectors.

RGU Students attend EuroPreneurship conference

Students from Robert Gordon University return from the ninth annual EuroPreneurship COEUR student conference in Germany.

Fermented Soya Beans Not an Acquired Taste for Dundonian Graduate After Scholarship Trip To ‘Land of the Rising Sun’

Twenty four year old Jen Rourke has always had a deep interest in the cultural links between Scotland and ‘the east’, an interest that has continued to grow since completing a six week scholarship in Japan. Jen, a graduate from the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee, has just returned from studying at The International Christian University in Tokyo after winning the annual Thomas Blake Glover Aberdeen Asset Scholarship.

Natural Energy Show back at Thainstone for third year

The Natural Energy Show is back for a third year this weekend (October 8) to showcase renewable energy and energy efficiency options for homes and small businesses.

City roads to close for essential repair work

Pitfodels Station Road and School Road will close on Monday (10 October) for essential repair work.

Crumbling historic city boundary wall given new lease of life

A historic Aberdeen wall that once formed an integral part of the old city boundaries has been given a new lease of life in a major restoration project.

St. James's Place Wealth Management - Market Bulletin - Monday October 3

Goodbye to an ugly quarter

With the exception of the US market, global equities advanced over the week as riskier assets ended a turbulent third quarter with a small rally.

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).

LAST COFFEE MORNING FOR CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE

Organisers of a popular support group are gearing up for their final coffee morning in the current building as CLAN Cancer Support prepares to move to its new centre.

TALISMAN ENERGY DECLARES SEMI-ANNUAL DIVIDEND

CALGARY, Alberta, October 3, 2011 - Talisman Energy Inc. today declared a semi-annual dividend of

US thirteen and a half cents (US$0.135) per share on the company’s common shares.

Bedford Road to close for resurfacing, kerbing and street lighting work

Bedford Road will close on Monday (10 October) for 5 days to allow for resurfacing, kerbing and street light repair works.

Aberdeen Agency Nominated for Top Award

Aberdeen based entertainment agency Elite Promotions have again been named as a finalist in the prestigious VOWS awards.