Bupa’s biggest ever SME campaign shines a light on the commercial benefits of investing in the health and wellbeing of employees

10/06/24: Bupa UK Insurance is launching a major brand campaign aimed at the UK’s 1.5m small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SME)[1] with employees, to show how proactive health and wellbeing support is key to achieving growth ambitions with a team that is more productive, resilient and motivated.

B2B brand and content agency Rationale has undertaken Bupa’s first brand-building campaign specifically targeted at SMEs, spearheading an always-on, through-the-funnel programme of activity. It stretches across addressable TV, CTV, digital radio and podcast advertising, out of home (targeting business commuters and trade SMEs in transport hubs and on arterial business routes) and is supported by paid social media activity on LinkedIn and Meta. A forthcoming partnership has also been established with The Times.

‘Let’s Get Growing’ features happy and healthy small business teams at the top of their game, driving key moments of business growth such as expansion, winning new clients, meeting increased demand and performing under pressure. The campaign showcases businesses across a range of sectors, representing the diversity of UK SMEs and Bupa’s customers. Its hero campaign film can be viewed on Vimeo here.

The campaign team identified that many SMEs need a partner to help support their employees’ health and wellbeing and tackle challenges such as presenteeism, burnout and staff turnover. These held team performance back and ultimately stifled business growth.

Analysis of Bupa’s current SME customers revealed they have been three times more likely to experience more than 30% revenue growth in two years, compared to the average performance of small businesses in the UK.

Daniel Sullivan, Director of B2B Marketing, Proposition & Product Delivery at Bupa UK Insurance, said: “This campaign marks an important milestone for Bupa B2B, representing our biggest ever push to help SMEs realise their growth potential by finding a partner who can support the health and wellbeing of their people, and realise the benefits of workplace healthcare. SMEs are the backbone of the British economy and we want to make sure they have the happy, healthy people they need to support their growth ambitions.

“Whether providing fast access to GPs, comprehensive mental health support or HR advice and resources for business owners, Bupa is committed to keeping SME teams at their best and ready to grow,” he added.

Co-founder and Managing Director of Edinburgh-based Rationale, Rowan Morrison, said: “Rationale is incredibly excited about our role in bringing the ‘Let’s Get Growing’ campaign to life. It is an excellent demonstration of our ongoing strategic and creative partnership with Bupa, and we’re proud of what we have achieved by working so closely with the Bupa B2B team.

“At Rationale, we support our clients to create more valuable connections with their customers; and with the ‘Let’s Get Growing’ proposition we feel we are speaking directly to the needs and ambitions of Bupa’s SME audience. The potential for these businesses to benefit from health insurance has been a huge motivating factor for us in creating a campaign that resonates,” she continued.

Working alongside Rationale to deliver the campaign is media agency Initiative; marketing consultancy Stick & Twist; film production agency Lost Clock; and photographer Harrison Reid.

[1]https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/business-population-estimates-2023/business-population-estimates-for-the-uk-and-regions-2023-statistical-release

Nathan is one of eight live folk and country music acts performing across Friday 21^st and Saturday 22^nd June at The Royal Highland Centre 

Event welcomes families with special new family zone 

 

(Monday June 17) – Today passengers on one Edinburgh tram were treated to a very special journey as TikTok sensation, Nathan Evans, gave an impromptu gig.   

 

A special guest at the Royal Highland Hoolie at the Royal Highland Show, Nathan Evans of Wellerman (Sea Shanty) fame had everyone’s toes tapping as they travelled from Princes Street to Ingliston, the home of the Royal Highland Show. (June 20 – 23) 

 

The line-up for this year’s Royal Highland Hoolie will see some of Scotland and Ireland’s liveliest musicians take to the stage, with eight folk and country acts set to entertain crowds across two nights in June, the same weekend as the Royal Highland Show.  

 

Sharing a stage with Nathan on Friday (21^st June) will be headline act, Tide Lines, who have just released their latest single, Homeward Bound and six-piece band, Trail West, who have recently returned from a European tour and who continue to rise in popularity from their modest roots as a four-piece West Coast Ceilidh Band The Peatbog Faeries, recognised as one of Scotland’s best known contemporary folk music bands will complete Friday’s line-up.  

 

On the Saturday (22^nd June) night, award-winning Irish country music singer and songwriter, Derek Ryan, returns to headline the Highland Hoolie. He will be joined by Scottish singer Lisa McHugh, Highland accordionist and vocalist, Calum MacPhail and “Cotton Eye Joe” chart toppers, Rednex, who will make an exclusive appearance.  

 

Welcoming families, this year the Royal Highland Hoolie will have a special family zone for those with children aged between five and twelve.  With picnic tables and space for little ones to play, families can enjoy the music safely and away from the crowds. 

 

The Royal Highland Hoolie is run in partnership with promoters Farmers Bash. 

 

Nathan Evans said, “I’m so looking forward to playing at the Royal Highland Hoolie this weekend. It was brilliant fun to give a warm up gig on the tram which will be taking people to and from the Hoolie. It promises to be a great event!“ 

 

Derek Ryan said, “I am delighted to be headlining again at the Royal Highland Hoolie this year. We love coming back to Scotland and have been regular visitors to the concert and festival circuits here for the last 12 years now. My Scottish fans never fail to deliver the enthusiasm, the excitement and the warm welcome we always receive here.  

 

“The Royal Highland Hoolie is definitely the festival we look forward to every summer. Last year’s crowd and the incredible atmosphere is something I will never forget. I’m really looking forward to headlining once again and the line-up this year looks like it’s shaping up to be the best year yet.  

 

“See you all on the 22^nd June. Hold on to your hats!” 

 

Mark Currie, Director of Venue for the Royal Highland Centre said:  “The Royal Highland Hoolie brings together some of the very best of Scotland and Ireland’s homegrown talent to the Royal Highland Centre. With the Royal Highland Show one of Europe’s most prestigious agricultural shows, we are absolutely honoured to have some of the best names across folk and country music join us as to contribute towards what we hope to be a fantastic weekend for the agricultural and wider community.”

Farmers Bash promoter Nigel Campbell, added:  “The Royal Highland Hoolie offers something for everyone, whether you’re a fan of the musicians involved or looking to enjoy an evening of live music with friends. We’re excited to have some fantastic names join our line-up this year and encourage those hoping to come along to get their tickets early to avoid disappointment.” 

 

Various ticket types are available, including two combined Royal Highland Show and Royal Highland Hoolie tickets which allow for people to enjoy both events at a discounted rate with a limited number of Hoolie only tickets.  Ticket prices start at £35.00 and are available to buy from the Royal Highland Show website www.royalhighlandshow.org  

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland has thanked the 4,000 incredible volunteers who support the charity following the 40th Volunteers’ Week (3rd-9th June 2024).

As well as a crucial opportunity to thank volunteers and recognise the value of their time, passion and skills, Volunteers’ Week also acts as a chance to inspire others to give volunteering a go.

Volunteers support Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland in retail, driving, kindness, administration and event fundraising roles to help CHSS provide support for those with chest, heart and stroke conditions as well as Long Covid. Together, volunteers help to ensure there is no life half lived in Scotland.

Those selfless volunteers include people that give up their time in 13 peer support groups and seven CHSS shops in the Edinburgh area. The support groups offer a range of help and advice for people with chest, heart, stroke and Long Covid conditions. For more information on those groups go to www.chss.org.uk/services/peer-support-groups.

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Chief Executive Jane-Claire Judson commented: “I want to say a huge thank you to all our volunteering heroes at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.

“Their commitment and dedication to volunteering with CHSS allows us to support the 1 in 5 people living with chest, heart and stroke conditions across Scotland to live their lives to the full.

“Their contribution to our charity cannot be overstated. Last year our volunteers gave a total of 183,439 hours and the estimated value of their volunteering time is worth £2.7 million to the charity.

“But volunteering is about more than monetary value. Volunteers bring human connection and understanding when it is most needed, often when people are at their most vulnerable and lonely, and bring this to all the work we do.

“By giving us their time, our volunteers enable us to run our retail stores, support groups, Kindness call service, fundraising events and much more. Quite simply, we couldn’t do what we do without them.”

Volunteers’ Week is a UK wide campaign that takes place in the first week of June every year. It’s a time when volunteering involving organisations and groups are encouraged to thank their volunteers, past and present and celebrate and recognise volunteering efforts.

Volunteering even just a couple of hours a week can have a huge impact, not only for charities and their service users, but also for the volunteer, improving mental health, fostering friendships, and helping with social isolation.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities with Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland please go to Volunteering – Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (chss.org.uk).

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce today welcomed two significant announcements which will impact the economic growth of Scotland’s Capital. First, that a new 8500 capacity arena has been approved for the Edinburgh Park area in the west of the city, and second, that the Forth Green Freeport has officially opened for business.

The new arena will be developed by AEG Europe, which operates 325 venues across the world and ran the Taylor Swift Concerts at Murrayfield  last weekend.  It will be situated opposite the Edinburgh Park Train and Tram station, and is expected to host 150 shows a year including concerts, comedy shows, boxing and festival shows. Hundreds of new jobs will be created – around 250 directly and another 700 in the wider area – when it opens by 2027.

Alongside this news, the Forth Green Freeport (FGF) has formally opened following approval from the Scottish and UK Governments of its Outline Business Case and the designation of its three tax sites located in Grangemouth, Rosyth, Mid-Forth (Leith and Burntisland). This major step unlocks the investment incentives to deliver the green freeport vision and will attract new businesses and new jobs into the FGF area, aided by a suite of financial incentives to deliver major economic and net zero benefits for Scotland as a whole. Forecasts indicate the potential to attract £7bn of private and public investment over the next decade, delivering Gross Value Added (GVA) of £8.4bn.

On the new Edinburgh Arena, Joanne Davidson, Director of Policy at the Chamber, said: “This will be a very welcome and much needed addition to Edinburgh’s world class event space. Attracting 700,000 visitors per year, and spanning 18,500 square meters across three levels, the venue will fill a gap in the market, meaning that Edinburgh will no longer be one of the UK’s largest cities not to have a major indoor entertainment venue.  That said, whilst we welcome this development, the city needs to ensure that the right transport and infrastructure is in place as part of a holistic review of the West of Edinburgh to allow this growing part of the city to prosper and thrive.”

On the Green Freeport, she said: “This was something we have been extremely supportive of, as it has the potential to help create a sustainable, growing economy for the entire area and is forecast to create up to 38,350 well paid, highly skilled, green jobs, with almost 19,000 of these being direct gross jobs linked to the freeport’s target sectors and tax sites.

“Through its combination of incentives for investment, it is expected to attract £7 billion of investment over the next decade.

The potential of the FGF was highlighted by the news that Vestas has identified the Port of Leith as a possible location for a wind turbine blade manufacturing facility. This is an example of how Green Freeport status can be used to boost Scotland’s renewable energy credentials with the potential to create hundreds of quality, green jobs in Scotland, supporting the just transition to net zero.

The investment incentives will only apply to businesses who commit to and deliver against a set of demanding Investor Principles that will guide all landowners and developers.  This will include abiding by the Fair Work Charter, which prioritises the rights, wages and working conditions of employees. The principles also require businesses to buy into Forth Green Freeport’s net zero commitments, supporting Edinburgh’s net zero ambitions.

Scottish law firm, Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM) has announced a legal director promotion and made four new appointments.

Private client specialist Beth Fleming steps up from Associate to Legal Director working out of WJM’s Glasgow base.

With more than 12 years’ industry experience, she specialises in advising on wills, estate planning, trusts, powers of attorney and estate administration.

Beth has worked with WJM for six years, advising high net worth families on estate planning, administering cross-jurisdiction estates and much more. She is also a long-standing member of the Society of Trust and Executry Practitioners (STEP).

In an additional boost to the firm’s private client offering, talented solicitors Zoe Hayward and Rebecca Dyer have been appointed in Inverness and Dunblane, respectively.

In Glasgow, Karen Wallace joins the private client team as an associate, bringing more than two decades of experience.

Meanwhile, the Edinburgh office welcomes new solicitor Humairaa Jamal, who joins the commercial property team.

Fraser Gillies, Managing Partner at WJM, said: “We are proud to grow expand our teams across Scotland with these skilled new recruits as demand across private client and commercial property continues to accelerate.

“These appointments come hot on the heels of a particularly exciting twelve months of growth for private client, with our acquisition of Macandrew & Jenkins significantly increasing the strength of our offering in Inverness, coupled with several high calibre appointments and senior promotions.

“I’m also incredibly proud to promote Beth to Legal Director. She has earned a sterling reputation for her dedicated, personal service and consistently going above and beyond for clients, which is the reason so many of them keep returning to us time and again.”

As WJM continues to bolster its team, it is currently recruiting for a range of vacancies across its Scottish offices.

The Royal Highland Show, running from June 20^th – 23^rd 2024, promises to offer an unforgettable experience with a wide array of trade stands featuring everything from artisanal crafts to cooking demonstrations and agricultural machinery. With over 800 exhibitors spread across the 110 acre site, it is set to surprise and delight show-goers with this year’s theme being ‘acres of epicness’.

For the foodies: Stuffed full of food and drink, the show offers boundless opportunities to sample Scotland’s finest produce. There are also cookery demos on offer in the Food for Thought Cookery Theatre, with some of the country’s top chefs including Head Chef at The Globe Inn, Fraser Cameron, FutureChef Winner, Phoebe Lawson, and Head Chef at Benugo, Emma Clark-Szabo, to name a few. There will also be a huge choice of food vendors serving everything from haggis neeps and tatties to freshly prepared fish and chips and from lobster rolls to Greek gyros.

With Scottish staples such as Mrs Tilly’s, Mackies of Scotland, Innis and Gunn and Highland Park, there are options for those with a sweet tooth or looking for a tipple to tide them over. The world-renowned Johnnie Walker whisky will have a pop-up bar showcasing their vintage truck, ensuring the taste of Scotland’s quintessential whisky is shared with visitors. There will also be a Taproom Bar from Innis & Gunn.

For the shopaholic: For the avid shoppers, a vast range of retail opportunities await, spread across numerous shopping villages, offering clothing, shoes, crafts, gifts, pet supplies, art, toys and a range of premium shopping outlets which can be found at the Countryside Village. Event attendees also might be surprised to find the Renewable Village, offering a variety of sustainable products and services including wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, tidal, biomass companies and more.

 

This year the Home and Gift Hall has had a layout revamp and now includes the Scottish Handcrafts Championships. There will be a number of notable clothing retailers available such as Beaumont & Bear, Elm of Burford and Lanx Shoes. Hoggs of Fife, known for its hand welted country footwear, will also be offering a 20% discount on all items for RHASS members.

For music lovers: For those wearing their dancing shoes, the West Stage line-up is not to be missed. Performances to suit all music tastes from folk rock and swing to reggae and opera will take place in addition to daily ceilidh sessions.

Additionally, tickets are available to purchase for the Royal Highland Hoolie presented with Farmer’s Bash which is back with eight live folk and country music acts performing on the evenings of Friday 21 and Saturday 22 June. From viral sensation Nathan Evans, Scottish folk pioneers Tide Lines and the eclectic sounds of the Peatbog Faeries, the diverse range of sounds offers a little bit of something for everyone.

For families: Experience a world of fun and creativity at the Royal Highland Show, where kids go free! Explore and discover activities linked to food, farming and the working countryside under one roof at the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) Discovery Centre. Circa Alba’s exciting mix of movement and circus skills, including juggling, parkour, capoeira, along with professional face painting and Annie the alpaca and her family from the Alpacas Trekking Centre, will let little imaginations soar. Dive into abstract art where kids can engage in animal-themed arts and crafts, creating personalised keepsakes to take home.

For the farmers: The Royal Highland show offers farmers the chance to see some of the best livestock and machinery available up close and personal! As well as the latest labour, time and money-saving gadgets being on display at the RHASS Technical Innovation Awards.

The Scottish Association of Young Farmers (SAYFC) will also be present throughout the show, with visitors encouraged to stop by and experience what it means to be part of Scotland’s largest rural youth movement.

David Tennant, Head of Royal Highland Show, said: “This year’s Royal Highland Show is bigger and better than ever and it’s all thanks to the wide variety of exhibitors. The diverse array of trade stands is a true celebration of everything Scotland has to offer in agricultural heritage, artisan crafts and rural communities. We are on track for a sold-out show, so if you’d like to experience a mix of entertainment, sample Scotland’s wonderful larder and see the very best in livestock, from the traditional to the unexpected, it’s worth purchasing your tickets now. It’s not to be missed!”

Explore a wide variety of products and services at the Royal Highland Show. Mark your calendars for June 20-23, with limited tickets available please visit https://www.royalhighlandshow.org/ to book your spot.

Programmes for the show can be purchased from the Official Royal Highland Show Merchandise Shop opposite the Main Ring clock tower or from roving sellers throughout the site.

Please drink responsibly – UK Chief Medical Officers recommend men do not regularly exceed 3-4 units daily and women, 2-3 units daily. For more information please visit; www.Drinkaware.co.uk

The Insect Café won in the ‘individual cake’ category at the National Scottish Baker of the Year Awards 2024/25

An Edinburgh bakery business that uses insect protein in its baking is looking to expand its operations after the owner accessed specialist support from Business Gateway.

The Insect Café was launched by Nahla Mahmoud in October 2023. Its products which use four varieties of insects in the baking process, range from nutty cricket brownies to spicy mealworm cakes. Keen to promote the nutritional and sustainable benefits of insects, Nahla’s bakes are high in protein and have a low carbon footprint, using UK suppliers for the insects themselves.

Using no butter, no preservatives and no artificial ingredients, the range of baked goods mean are high in nutritional value. Nahla aims to make nutritious food accessible and affordable.

Nahla sells her bakes at the Grassmarket Market in Edinburgh, which takes place on the first and third Saturday of every month. She is now looking to increase the number of locations where she sells her baking, including potentially looking at premises for a café. She’s had a positive reaction to her bakes and is naturally met with curiosity, so she can let people know the benefits. She has a lot of returning customers, including those coming to her after a run or cycle.

Thanks to the popular reception for her bakes, Nahla has now been able to give up her full-time job in International Development to focus fully on The Insect Café. Her recipes are inspired by recipes from her childhood and her travels, as well as experimenting with new flavours and combinations.

The Insect Café won in the ‘individual cake’ category for their Larva cocktail ball at the National Scottish Baker of the Year Awards 2024/25 and was also nominated in the Customer Choice category.

Through Business Gateway, Nahla has received support from local adviser, Jeff Hume. Jeff has provided 1:1 support to Nahla, and signposted her to seminars and webinars on marketing, business planning, growth planning, market research and employment.

Through Business Gateway, Nahla was also signposted to a start-up grant from the City of Edinburgh Council which helped her set-up the business. She was also able to take on her first two members of staff, summer interns, thanks to the support.

Looking to the future, Nahla plans to make use of Business Gateway’s Research Service to identity new locations to exhibit at, as well as helping Nahla with looking for an ideal premises to set up a permanent café.

Nahla Mahmoud, owner of The Insect Café, said: “My Business Gateway adviser Jeff has been a fantastic support in setting up my business and helping me with growth. The whole service is a brilliant support. It’s an unusual business concept but is one I truly believe in, and I’ve had a lot of happy returning customers who see the health benefits and appreciate the delicious bakes.”

Jeff Hume, Business Gateway adviser, said: “Working with someone who is as passionate as Nahla is about her business has been fantastic. She has worked hard to build her business and the fact she is seeing such progress and can look to the future for her brand is really exciting and shows her enthusiasm.

We’ve been glad to be able to support her on her journey and to provide her with specialist advice that’s been key to growing her business.”

To find out more about how Business Gateway can help your business, visit https://bgateway.com.