ROCCO Awards 2011
Renfrewshire Chamber are delighted to announce that the ROCCOs, the annual business awards of the Chamber are now open for 2011.
The event last year was the biggest ROCCOs yet with just under 500 guests attending the areas Premier business event at The Normandy. 11 awards were presented from over 60 applicants with £15K raised for local Renfrewshire charities including Erskine and Loud’n’Proud.
This year the ROCCOs take place on the 11th of November, at The Normandy. We can also announce we have secured Fred MacAulay, a strong supporter of The ROCCOs. Fred is in high demand on the corporate circuit, and after his excellent performance last year, we can understand why. Read More
|
|
 Chamber receives Accreditation
At the lunch the Chamber received a significant award in the Chamber community. We have successfully achieved the Chamber Excellence Model. Head of Accreditation for BCC, Nigel Rudd, flew in from the BCC HQ in London to present the award to the Chamber. This is a significant achievement for a small but ambitious Chamber - well done team & Board - and thanks to our members old & new for all their support.
|
|
 July Networking Lunch
Richard Paterson, The Master Blender is our speaker for July - a true gent, raconteur and a genuine award winning global expert on whisky. This lunch will be held on the 28th of July at the Holiday Inn - Glasgow Airport from 12pm-2pm. Read More
|
|
Dates for your diary
Don't forget to reserve your place for our upcoming events
|
|
|
|
|
Renfrewshire Chamber News |
New Member Offer Leaflet - Members Only
 The Chamber is offering 40 members the chance to promote their products & services to fellow Chamber members via a new members offer leaflet.
The leaflet will have 40 advertising spaces each at a size of 88mm wide and 47mm high. It will be in a A3 colour trifold layout and will be distributed to all member businesses and possibly further afield to help secure more business for the membership. Each listing will include text on the company / offer plus a logo and contact details / website. We will also list offers on our website under a dedicated member to member offer page with a direct link through to your website.
The cost is £100 + VAT for 1 year and is for members only
If you're interested please contact Michelle Ferguson at the Chamber on:
0141 847 5464 / Mobile: 07702 909475 mferguson@renfrewshirechamber.com |
|
Davis Cup at Braehead
The GB vs Luxembourg event over the recent weekend was a great success and a complete sell out. I (Chief Exec, Bob Davidson) attended the final day. Let's hope Renfrewshire wins more big sporting events like this in the future. |
|
Business Estate Wins Biodiversity Benchmark
Hillington Park, Scotland's largest business location, has become the first such estate in Britain to be awarded a Biodiversity Benchmark by the Wildlife Trusts. The Benchmark is designed to 'manage, measure and improve environmental performance' in a wide variety of commercially-developed sites.
MEPC, the majority landlord at the historic 75-year-old estate on the Glasgow and Renfrewshire boundary, has in recent years pursued a policy of continuous environmental improvements, which included initiatives that recognised the potential for encouraging local wildlife to thrive at Hillington Park. Read More |
|
NUS Scotland Survey
 Funded by the Higher Education Academy, NUS Scotland is currently conducting a survey into graduate employability focusing on two specific aspects that enhance graduate attributes: international experience and co-curricular activity.
This Scottish-specific employer survey is the first of its kind to examine the economic impact that international experience and co-curricular activity may have on the lives of students who undertake them, specifically the impact on their future job prospects post study.
This survey provides an opportunity for Scottish employers to indicate how important they consider the acquisition of graduate attributes gained through international study placements and co-curricular activity for their future labour force.
The 12 question survey can be filled in here - Survey
|
|
Scotwest gives over £2,000 to Make a Difference to local organisations
 Since its launch in December last year, Scotwest Credit Union has given away over £2,275 to worthy causes in the west of Scotland.
Using the money for activities ranging from soil for flower beds to training tracksuits for a local football team, organisations in areas including Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Greenock were given the money following a successful application to the Scotwest Awards panel by a member of the credit union.
Rod Ashley, chief executive of Scotwest commented:
“So far, we have awarded 13 organisations throughout the west of Scotland over £2,000 following applications by our members in the area.
“It is very rewarding looking at who we have helped through the Making a Difference fund and we look forward to continuing to do so. Read More
|
|
Business Matters Magazine
 We are now managing adverts in house. Deadline for the Autumn Edition is 12th Sep 2011. Please direct all ad enquiries to Michelle Ferguson - mferguson@renfrewshirechamber.com / 0141 847 5464. Themes are Renewables, heritage and ROCCO shortlist. Magazine will be distributed end September. We will consider editorial from members upto 300 words max plus a logo and/or picture. Please email to
mferguson@renfrewshirechamber.com |
|
 #positivepaisley
#positivepaisley - is the hashtag local tweeters and a growing list of Chamber members are using online to promote Scotlands largest town. If you know of something positive to shout about Paisley, use the hashtag in your tweet, thanks. |
|
Calling all Members!
 Any members who have any news to tell, send it to us and we'll include it in our next eNews! Whether it's a new contract, staff members, new office, send all your news to fallardice@renfrewshirechamber.com
|
|
Can you help fix the cracks in a child’s life?
Children’s Panel members make vital decisions about the welfare of vulnerable children who may have been neglected, abused or have committed an offence, to help them get their lives back on track. New panel members are urgently needed from Renfrewshire. To become a Children’s Panel member you don’t need any qualifications but you must be aged 18 or over and have the time to commit to training and hearing sessions. To find out more call 0845 601 2770, text PANEL 4 to 61611 or visit www.childrenspanelscotland.org
|
|
Achievement Through Sport
Young Girls’ Equestrianism Project in Paisley
 Young people face many challenges in their development towards
becoming happy, fulfilled and responsible adults. In many areas, there are a series of barriers that prevent this from happening which results in dissatisfaction and alienation.
In Renfrewshire and Paisley in particular, a number of initiatives have been created to assist young people. Many of these relate to young males rather than young females or focus on a single area and social grouping. To promote greater inclusion and a shared understanding of different attitudes, there is a need to promote initiatives that cross social boundaries. There is also a distinct demand from young females in different communities within Paisley to become involved in such an initiative. Read More
|
|
St Vincent's Hospice launches new legacy appeal!
 The Footprint Appeal is a campaign aimed at encouraging the people of Renfrewshire to leave a donation to St Vincent's Hospice in their will, in a bid to ensure the hospice can continue to offer its vital services for many years to come.
The name for the appeal comes from a favourite quote from one of the patients of the hospice. A hospice spokesperson said "This was a favourite quote from one of our patients. She kept the quote in a small frame by her bedside and we all loved it. When we were trying to come up with the name for our new campaign, we asked patients and staff to come up with ideas and this was the clear winner."
In order to encourage people to think about leaving a donation to the hospice, St Vincent's is having a 'Make Your Will' month in July where 4 local solicitors have agreed to write your will in return for a donation to be paid to St Vincent's Hospice. Read More |
|
|
Latest News from The Travel Clinic
The Travel Clinic has been contracted by COPE Occupational Health and Ergonomic Services to provide a Travel Health Service for them. We are delighted that we have been selected by them to provide our services and are looking forward to working with COPE. www.copeohs.com
Another bit of great news is that Linda Gray, our clinic administrator has been awarded British Citizenship. Linda came to the UK in 2003 from Zimbabwe with her husband and son and has spent many years working towards her citizenship. She officially received this on Monday 6th July. Congratulations to Linda and her family. |
|
Kirsteen Maclean - Affiliate Membership of the IPA
Kirsteen Maclean of bto solicitors, has been accepted as an Affiliate member of the Insolvency Practitioners Association (IPA).
 This achievement follows Kirsteen’s attainment in 2010 of the Certificate of Proficiency in Insolvency (Scotland) qualification from the IPA. The CPI is a respected qualification, possessed by very few Scottish lawyers, and one which provides added value and expertise to the clients represented by Kirsteen.
Willie Young, bto’s Chairman, said: “We are delighted that Kirsteen has become an affiliate member of the IPA. This will enable her to enhance her already considerable practical experience in insolvency matters.” |
|
Scottish Chambers International Trade Deal Brings Chinese Ambassador to Scotland
 Scottish Chambers International (SCI) is pleased to announce a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between SCI and China Britain Business Council (CBBC) to be undertaken in Glasgow on Monday 11 July 2011. Commenting on the event, Mike Salter, Chairman of Scottish Chambers International, said:
“We are delighted to be signing this historic partnership with CBBC, a demonstration of our continued commitment to developing international business in Scotland.
“With China set to become the world’s largest economy within the next 10 years, we see this Memorandum of Understanding as a positive step towards improved engagement and the establishment of lasting relationships. We look forward to working closely with both Scottish and Chinese companies to enhance opportunities via our ‘China Business Clinics’, designed to help and support Scottish businesses with international ambitions on a free one-on-one basis. We are also delighted the Chinese Ambassador to Britain, Mr Liu Xiaoming, could be in Scotland on this his first official visit in order to sign and witness this agreement.” |
|
SCC Comment on Interest Rates
Scottish Chambers of Commerce have welcomed today’s decision by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee to keep interest rates on hold at 0.5% for a further month. Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“The danger of a premature rise in interest rates is clearly receding and the Bank of England are steering a sensible course by keeping rates as low as possible. Inflation does remain stubbornly high but this will reflect January’s VAT rise for the remainder of 2011, whilst external factors continue to exert the most significant inflationary pressures. Raising interest rates in the short term would not make much material difference to inflation but would run the risk of knocking the recovery off course.
Read More |
|
|
SCC Welcomes Strong Growth in
Manufactured Exports
 Commenting on the release of official data showing that Scotland’s manufactured exports grew by 3.9% in the first quarter of 2011, Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“The first quarter of this year was always likely to see a rebound in export growth following the severe winter, but these figures represent the best quarterly growth rate for almost four years. It is clear that much of our recovery remains export led and the good news is that Scottish firms are taking advantage of the opportunities that have opened up in international markets.
“We will be looking for signs that buoyant exporting has continued throughout this year and that Scotland’s exporters continue to lead the way towards sustainable growth in our economy.” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Get Networking!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
