The Royal Family’s commitment to championing Scottish agriculture and rural life is set to continue as King Charles III is announced as the patron of RHASS (Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland).  

Queen Elizabeth II was a patron of RHASS for 70 years, with her dedication to many aspects of rural Scotland, from equestrianism to agriculture and livestock, invaluable to the society and communities across Scotland, the UK and the Commonwealth. 

The Royal Family’s association with RHASS can be traced to 1787 when the society was granted its first royal charter. The Royal Highland Show, which is run by the society, also has a long history with the Royal Family and members attending the show. It was during the 1948 show held in Inverness that the royal title was bestowed on the event by King George VI.
  

The King’s patronage comes as the society celebrates its 240th anniversary year. Planned activities acknowledging the year include a yearlong audio and visual storytelling project, 240 Years of Stories, to contribute towards the legacy of Scotland’s agricultural and rural community, a mass Munro challenge and a series of Harvest Thanksgiving services. 

Commenting on the announcement of King Charles III’s patronage, Alan Laidlaw, RHASS Chief Executive, said: “We are honoured and humbled that King Charles III is to continue the Royal Family’s long-standing tradition of supporting Scotland’s agricultural and rural communities through the work of the society. In what is our two hundred and fortieth anniversary year, when we are celebrating all that has been achieved over the last two centuries, and looking ahead to supporting the future of industry, it is fitting that we have a new royal patron to support Scotland’s agricultural achievements.” 

Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has hired forensic accounting specialist David Lister as Partner to bolster its professional services capabilities in investigations and fraud risk management.

Edinburgh-based David was previously at a Big Four accounting firm where he was a partner for ten years. He joins the Pinsent Masons Forensics & Accounting Services (FAS) team as the firm continues to build its multidisciplinary approach to serving clients.

David has extensive experience as a forensic accountant with a particular focus on investigations and fraud risk management in the energy sector.

Head of Risk Advisory Services at Pinsent Masons, Jim Cormack, said: “David’s reputation and wealth of forensic accounting experience will play a critical role in driving our growth plans for the FAS team.

“His entrenched knowledge and experience of the energy sector aligns well with our client base and we’re confident that David will be an asset to the firm as we advance our legal and professional services for clients and offer clients a complete investigations and fraud risk management service.”

The hire follows the promotion of forensic accountant Hinesh Shah to Partner and the hire of regulatory investigations Partner Melanie Ryan in the firm’s multi-disciplinary investigations practice.

Hayley Boxall, Head of FAS, said: “David’s experience and reputation will enable us to focus on growing our multi-disciplinary investigations and risk management offering alongside our successful disputes and consultancy services.”

David Lister added: “Pinsent Masons reputation, its clients in the energy sector and its investment into forensic accounting, make the firm an excellent fit for me and my practice.

“Internal investigations and fraud risk management requirements are constantly evolving, the creation of the new UK corporate offence of failing to prevent fraud, for example, will impact many clients and necessitates a combined financial and legal response. I’m excited to engage with colleagues across Pinsent Masons to advance innovative and creative solutions for clients.”

Supply chain security, trade deals, tariffs and planning permission were the big issues during the BCC’s 5-day mission to the US to promote business and investment.

Director General, Shevaun Haviland’s, trip was organised ahead of the US elections as issues around trade agreements, tariffs, supply-chain disruption, subsidies, protectionism and geo-political tensions all gather momentum.

On her return to the UK, Shevaun said:

“Many of the issues for businesses in the US are very similar to the ones in the UK. The last three years have taught us that the assumptions that underpinned global trade for the first two decades of the 21st century cannot be relied upon.

“More attention is being paid to supply chain security following the disruption caused by the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and shifting geo-political tensions in the Middle East and China.

“This isn’t just about guaranteeing the supply of raw materials, but also small and large components and the intellectual property rights that underpin manufacturing.

“The UK and US are natural and historic trade partners, so it makes sense to work together on this, and avoid tariffs between us that make that more difficult.

“It was also interesting to hear that, whatever happens in November, many in the US do not think a free trade agreement with the UK will be priority. But that the agreements the UK has struck with individual states, like Texas and Florida, especially if they lead to mutual recognition of qualifications and sectoral deals, have potential.

“There is a focus on energy, tech, finance, healthcare, life sciences, security and defence which aligns well with many of the UK’s burgeoning and most successful businesses.

“But I was also intrigued to hear that many firms in the US are grappling with a planning system that is too slow and holding back development. They were keen to hear about the steps being taken by Government and business in the UK to address this.

“It is a key issue holding back domestic and foreign investment in both our economies.

“Overall, the trip was a successful fact-finding mission for the BCC. We engaged with key organisations, putting us in good stead, as our countries face general elections in the coming months.

“Both governments and business communities must continue to work in close partnership to make the most of our collective opportunities. We look forward to continuing that dialogue and engaging with businesses and politicians on all sides.”

Background to trip

Shevaun flew to Washington DC on Monday April 29 before travelling up to New York on Wednesday May 1, and returning to the UK on Friday May 3

In Washington she met with the US Council for International Business, the US Chamber of Commerce, the Minister-Counsellor for Trade and Global Issues at the British Embassy, SelectUSA and the US Treasury.

In New York she spoke to His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for North America and visited the United Nations.

She also spent time with the BCC’s US affiliate – British American Business, and supported a West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce trade reception at the British Consulate.

The West & North Yorkshire Chamber’s visit was celebrating the links between the historic cities of York and New York, and the global opportunities that exist for trade between the two.

END

BBC Daytime has commissioned new series of hit antiques programmes The Travelling Auctioneers, Antiques Road Trip and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip from production company STV Studios.

An afternoon stalwart since its launch in 2010, Antiques Road Trip has been recommissioned for a 29^th series on BBC One (20 x 45’), while a 13^th series of sister show Celebrity Antiques Road Trip will air in primetime on BBC Two (16 x 45’).

Production has already begun on a third 20-episode series of The Travelling Auctioneers. Launched in 2022, the show sees auctioneering experts join forces with masters of restoration to uncover neglected treasures in family homes which, with a little bit of TLC, can be turned into winning lots at auction.

The second series, which aired in January, featured auctioneering experts Christina Trevanion and Izzie Balmer, along with restoration maestros JJ Chalmers and Robin Johnson. The Travelling Auctioneers was named Best Daytime Show at the RTS Scotland Programme Awards 2023.

Muslim Alim, Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime and Early Peak, said: “Get ready for a treasure trove of entertainment! With their long track record, we’re thrilled to be working with STV Studios on these returning hit series.

“All three of them promise to deliver more riveting journeys from across the UK as experts hunt for, restore, and auction off unique finds.” 

Craig Hunter, Creative Director of Factual at STV Studios, said: “I’m delighted with the ongoing success of these returning STV Studios formats. This order is a testament to the BBC’s commitment to the Nations and I couldn’t be prouder of the hard-working teams that continue to deliver a fresh twist on these much-loved brands.”

All three series are produced by STV Studios and commissioned by Rob Unsworth, Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak Commissioning for BBC One (Antiques Road Trip, The Travelling Auctioneers), BBC Two (Celebrity Antiques Road Trip) and iPlayer. The Commissioning Editor is Muslim Alim.

For Antiques Road Trip and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, Rosy Marshall-McCrae is Executive Producer and Ami Anderson is Series Producer. For The Travelling Auctioneers, John Redshaw is Executive Producer and Julie Grant is Series Producer.

STV Studios manages overseas distribution for Antiques Road Trip and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, while DCD Rights manages overseas distribution for The Travelling Auctioneers.

Those interested in taking part in the new series of The Travelling Auctioneers can apply by emailing auctioneers@stv.tv 

• BCC’s Trade Confidence Outlook for Q1 2024 shows most SME exporters struggling to boost sales.
• More than half of all SME exporters (53%) saw no change in overseas sales, and 23% reported a decrease.
• Just under a quarter of exporting SME firms (24%) saw their overseas sales rise in Q1
• BCC indicators show SME exports have consistently underperformed compared to domestic sales since the pandemic.

The Trade Confidence Outlook, conducted by the BCC’s Insights Unit, is a survey of more than 2,000 UK SME exporters.

It shows the percentage of SME exporters reporting increased exports has been static since the pandemic, and has weakened slightly since the end of 2023. SMEs are less likely to report increased exports compared to before the pandemic and Brexit

In Q4 2018, 28% of SME exporters reported an increase in overseas sales (4 points higher than Q1 2024) and 16% reported a decrease (7 points lower than Q1 2024).

By contrast, domestic demand for SME exporters remains consistently more buoyant, with 35% reporting an increase in domestic sales Q1 2024, against just 24% for overseas sales.

The proportion of businesses reporting decreased overseas sales began to rise in the run up to Brexit and has remained stubbornly higher ever since.

The situation remains more volatile for SME manufacturers than other sectors, with 27% reporting an increase in exports, 46% no change and 27% a decrease.

This compares to SME services exporters supplying end customers (B2C), where 22% saw an increase, 51% remained constant and 27% saw a decrease. Firms supplying services to other businesses (B2B) saw the most stable performance – with 22% reporting an increase in exports, 59% seeing no change and only 18% reporting a decrease.

William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:  

“The outlook remains fragile for 2024, notwithstanding forecasts of stronger global trade growth, due to ongoing geo-political uncertainty and growing concerns about the resilience of supply chains

“There is also the spectre of further trade barriers with the EU, as the UK’s regulatory divergence increases.

“But the UK’s brand and competitiveness remain strong, so we must lean more heavily into the advantages we possess. We are already a world-leader when it comes to digital trade, and we must continue to push for its wider uptake.

“Business needs to work with Government to put in place a framework that makes use of all the advantages the UK has, to keep us at the top table, and to access incentives for our exports overseas.

“We must also look again at fixing some of the growing trade barriers with the EU. It is still our biggest trading partner, but firms continue to express huge frustration with the complexity and costs involved.”

• Accessing capital to fund growth plans is one the biggest challenges for more than a quarter (28%) of Scottish businesses
• Declining customer demand continues to be a top challenge for just over a fifth (21%) of regional businesses
• Despite difficult trading conditions, almost half of Scottish businesses (49%) feel more confident about their business prospects this year, compared to the second half of 2023.

Accessing capital to fund growth plans remains one of the biggest challenges facing Scottish businesses over the next six months, according to accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO.

BDO LLP’s latest bi-monthly Economic Engine survey of 500 mid-market businesses, has revealed that more than a quarter of regional businesses (28%) are struggling to secure funding, whether that’s through bank loans, private equity, private credit loans, or government grants.

The survey of mid-sized businesses has shown that despite inflation easing in recent months, reaching its lowest level for more than two years, regional businesses are still suffering from inflationary pressures. Just over a fifth of Scottish companies (21%) said declining customer demand, triggered by consumers spending less due to ongoing high living costs, as well as an increased number of B2B customers going out of business, was impacting their bottom line.

Rory McPherson, BDO partner in Scotland, commented: “Inflationary pressures continue to be a significant thorn in the side of Scottish businesses, with many still feeling the effects of stubborn energy costs and rising wage bills, amongst other things. As a result, access to capital is absolutely key to allowing these businesses to grow, but it is clear that there needs to be significant improvements in this area.

“Despite trading conditions remaining difficult, the outlook for businesses is starting to shift. According to our survey, almost half of Scottish businesses feel more confident about their business prospects this year, compared to the second half of 2023 when the UK recorded a technical recession.

“It is positive to see some optimism, but Scottish businesses cannot achieve their growth ambitions alone. The political landscape is still unclear but, whatever the outcome, businesses need to see better access to capital and more progress on levelling-up high up on the list of priorities.”

Blackadders LLP is to support the Digital Xtra Fund to help every young person in Scotland have access to innovative and digitally creative activities.

Funds raised by the charity Digital Xtra are awarded to schools and community groups across the country, providing kit and extracurricular activites to inspire young people to learn digital technology skills. The initiative is open to every young person regardless of their gender, background or where they live.

Blackadders LLP is to become a partner to the Fund and will invest in at least one standalone project.

Kirk Dailly, Head of Blackadders’ Business Services Group, said: “We are delighted to be able to help with this fantastic scheme. It is vital that young people are given the help and inspiration they need to pursue careers and hobbies in technology.

“We have seen through our extensive work across the games and technology sectors that the demand for new talent is as strong as ever. If Digital Xtra can inspire young people to at least consider taking their interest in tech further and help them to develop the skills they need then it will have done an amazing job for the country.”

Blackadders LLP is regarded as having Scotland’s leading video games team and has worked with and advised some of the biggest players in the sector including 4J Studios Ltd (developer of Minecraft console edition), as well as acting in various publishing deals for major console releases. Blackadders was reappointed official legal partner of Scottish Games Week.

 

Digital Xtra has seen demand skyrocket for after school coding clubs and wider STEM activities. It has called for industry make up a current government shortfall in funding. The work of the Fund is particularly important as recent figures have shown a decrease in the number of computing teachers across Scotland.

Despite the shortage of teachers, there are passionate educators across the country who run coding, robotics, and games development clubs, funded by Digital Xtra, because they understand how important these skills are to our young people’s future.

Over the past eight years the charity has funded 163 digital skills learning initiatives, to the tune of almost £1million, reaching nearly 55,000 young people across Scotland, from the Borders to the Outer Hebrides.

Kraig Brown, Partnerships and Development Manager for Digital Xtra said: “Digital Xtra is pleased to welcome Blackadders as our newest industry partner. Digital skills are no longer just for people working in the tech sector, but are increasingly critical across sectors including legal, finance, and manufacturing. Even if young people today don’t become future developers, they will still need digital confidence and an understanding of tech. For example, Blackadders provides advice and solutions covering a range of digital tech including software development, mobile apps, AI, IoT, video games, and FinTech. As such, they recognise first-hand the value of supporting young people to achieve this confidence and understanding.”

Other Digtial Xtra Partners include Chroma Ventures, Skyscanner, Baillie Gifford and JP Morgan.

One Square, The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa’s award-winning bar and brasserie, has unveiled a unique Afternoon Tea menu inspired by Edinburgh’s best storytellers and their famous tales. Each dish will take guests on a journey of escapism through different chapters of history inspired by Edinburgh’s greatest stories, poetry and prose. 

From Robert Burns to Irvine Welsh and many in between, the new afternoon tea menu draws inspiration from each storyteller’s depiction of our city and each dish represents a different chapter, fact or fiction, that will leave guests wanting to return time and time again.

One Square’s expert chefs have spent months researching both flavour and infamy to curate this one-of-a-kind menu. The inventive menu consists of everything from Robert Burns’ Haggis Bon Bons with soured neeps chutney, to Irvine Welsh’s Lind & Lime Gin cured salmon, citrus brioche and smoked poppy seeds. Edinburgh’s Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is represented on the new menu through a flavour-changing cucumber based sandwich with both hot and cooler taste profiles.

Other storytellers found on the sweet section of the menu are J.K Rowling and a wizard inspired Jelly Bean tart, Arthur Conan Doyle’s raspberry cranachan and an ode to Rob Roy with a dark chocolate sweet vermouth-laced sponge.

From £59 per person, guests can enjoy One Square’s afternoon tea from 12:30pm-5:00pm, Wednesday to Saturday. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available upon request. 

Nick Durham, Director of Food and Beverage at The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, explains: “Edinburgh – the world’s first UNESCO city of literature – is home to some of the greatest storytellers in the world, past and present. At One Square, we’re proud to have Scotland, and its stories, at the heart of everything we do. We wanted to create a menu that reflects and celebrates our deep-rooted culture and creativity. We’ve had a lot of fun designing our Afternoon Tea and believe the end result is unmatched and like no other. 

“Whether you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion or simply fancy a relaxed afternoon with friends, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.”

The new menu is available from today. For more information and for bookings, please visit https://www.onesquareedinburgh.co.uk/

Full-service legal firm Gilson Gray has appointed former Scottish football player and experienced solicitor David Winnie to lead its service offering in the sports sector.

Combining David’s legal expertise with his experience and knowledge of the sporting world, he will head up the new sports and immigration specialism, working alongside Gilson Gray’s corporate team. David has previously represented players, clubs, sporting associations and governing bodies across football, rugby, golf, motor racing and other professional disciplines.

Following a career in professional football which included spells in Scotland, England, Australia and Iceland and representing Scotland at under-21 level, David qualified as a solicitor in 2009. Most recently, he was partner and head of sports at London-based firm Burlingtons Legal and held the same position at Blaser Mills Law from 2021 to 2023.

David also serves as an arbitrator for the Football Association (FA) and Scottish Football Association (SFA) and was recently appointed to the panel for Sport Resolutions – an international dispute resolution service dealing with high-profile cases.

In his new role at Gilson Gray, David will offer client counsel in professional sports on matters including contracts and sponsorship agreements, litigation and dispute resolution, immigration, regulation and disciplinary proceedings. The firm’s growing corporate team now spans across locations in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and London.

Glen Gilson, chair and managing partner of Gilson Gray, added: “We are delighted to welcome David to the firm. We have represented numerous sports people and sporting institutions over the years and David’s expertise takes our practice to yet another level. His general corporate and immigration expertise makes David a valuable addition to our team. As Gilson Gray expands across the UK, lawyers like David, who enjoy a UK-wide client base, are an ideal fit for our growing business.”

David said: “Gilson Gray has developed a reputation as a disruptor in the Legal market and has become a go-to for the full suite of legal services. The firm’s leadership, ambition and culture struck a chord with me, and I jumped at the opportunity to join the growing team. I look forward to leading the sports offering and developing this service line.”