Duncan Wilson, co-founder of Crusaders Rugby, and his rugby playing son Campbell, model the Edinburgh charity rugby club’s brand new kit paid for thanks to sponsorship from Commsworld.
Crusaders Rugby wore the kit for the first time ever on Saturday (31st July) when they play in the Edinburgh City 7s’ elite category at Peffermill – more than two years after their previous kit was destroyed in a fire in a Stockbridge laundrette.
Following the freak blaze Commsworld, the UK’s leading independent network provider, stepped in and donated £2,000 to pay for a new set of 50 Canterbury tops, shorts and socks for the team, which raises money and awareness to fight male cancer.
The selfless gesture was made at the time by then Chief Executive Ricky Nicol, who himself has recovered following a battle with cancer. But the onset of COVID-19 led to the cancellation of Crusaders’ rugby fixtures.
Now, with the season set to resume this weekend at Peffermill, the players have finally got the chance to don the new kit, with Commsworld’s logo emblazoned across the front.
Duncan co-founded Crusaders Rugby with Mark Dainter in 2011. Both men successfully battled cancer, Duncan a tumour in his brain, while Mark had a tumour in his chest. Their mission with Crusaders is, through rugby, to make more men aware of cancer, its symptoms and to encourage early diagnosis.They also work with schools to educate boys about the importance of checking for testicular cancer.
Campbell was just eight when Duncan was diagnosed. He himself played for Crusaders – the club plays rugby at all levels and ages. He has gone on to have a successful rugby career, playing for Currie in Edinburgh – who dad Duncan also played for – Otorohanga in New Zealand, and now taking the field for Watsonians Super 6 team. He is also one of the Crusaders’ young ambassadors, and still turns out for the club to play in 7s events.
Mark, who formerly played for top English side Wasps, said: “It may be over two years ago that this fire happened, but we’re still so grateful to Commsworld for this kind gesture. Thanks to them we were able to continue our work raising funds which pay for things like prostate cancer checking events. But then COVID-19 happened, and we were unable to play due to lockdown. So Saturday will be a very sweet day for us, and a really great one for Commsworld too.”
Duncan said: “I am delighted with the new kit, and can’t thank Commsworld enough. Crusaders prides itself in not only providing entertainment through rugby, but also helping raise cancer awareness. This new kit means we can continue to wear our colours with pride on the rugby field and take the fight to cancer off it.”
Steve Langmead, Chief Executive of Commsworld, said: “Cancer is something that affects everyone. It’s also touched our Commsworld family, as the company’s founder Ricky Nicol has also battled throat cancer.
“So we were delighted to help Crusaders out with the sponsorship and proud to be playing a supportive role in the great work they do.”
A Scottish entrepreneur has fulfilled her ambitions and acquired her first dental practice, with support from Bank of Scotland.
Dr. Suelynn Tan-Stroud is a dental practitioner based in Midlothian. Suelynn graduated in 2012 from the University of Dundee and has since worked in dental practices around Tayside before joining the Magliveras Dental Care in 2018.
In April 2022, the Magliveras Dental Care in Penicuik was put up for sale and Suelynn spotted a chance to fulfil her ambitions and own her first dental practice.
To facilitate the acquisition, Suelynn approached Bank of Scotland and secured a six-figure funding package to acquire the three-practice surgery in Penicuik.
Since taking over, the business has been working to tackle the backlogs generated by the pandemic and ensure a return to normal treatments for NHS and private patients. Magliveras Dental Care has also kept the same team in place to ensure a smooth ownership transition.
The practice in Penicuik offers a range of services including implants, Invisalign, botox and fillers.
Dr. Suelynn Tan-Stroud, owner of Magliveras Dental Care, said: “Having studied dentistry at university and having worked in the industry for ten years now, I was ready to take the next step in my career. This is when I started planning how I could acquire my first practice.
“This year, the opportunity to acquire the Magliveras Dental Care in Penicuik arose and Bank of Scotland were on hand to help me achieve my ambitions and complete the purchase of the practice.
“The pandemic was an extremely challenging time for the Scottish dental industry and I’m committed to tackling our current backlogs over the coming months to ensure a return to normal treatment for all our patients at the practice.”
Scott Beaton, relationship director at Bank of Scotland, said: “A recent report[1] found that just 15.4% of Scottish businesses are owned by women, and this is indicative that much work is still needed to balance the scales.
“At Bank of Scotland, we want to help women achieve their business goals. We know it can be challenging for young entrepreneurs to take the first step and we were on hand to help Suelynn achieve her ambitions and acquire her first dental practice.
“We’ll continue to remain by the side of female entrepreneurs across Scotland and help entrepreneurs like Suelynn realise their business ambitions.”
For anyone that has missed it – We are partnering up with Department for International Trade, Scottish Development International & Spark Group of Companies to run a workshop around taking your business global – with specific focus being on North America.
Join us for the opportunity to learn how Department for International Trade and Scottish Development International can support your business to break into new markets. We will also hear from Spark Group about the support provided for businesses looking to enter into the Canadian market. Following the workshop you will have the chance to meet with the teams and speak to them on a 1-1 basis too.
The Details:
• Thursday 23rd June
• 12pm arrival for 12:30-1:30pm – Workshop
• 1:30pm-3:00pm – 1-1 slots with the teams
• Refreshments will be provided
To join, please register using this EventBrite link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/taking-your-business-global-tickets-350565830837
The University of Edinburgh’s first-class hospitality and events portfolio, previously known as Edinburgh First, has transitioned to a new identity closely aligned to the strong, globally recognised University brand.
The sleek rebrand includes the relaunch of the brand’s enviable accommodation offering. The new Hospitality and Events Collection now includes The Scott Hotel, a boutique hotel with 36 stunning suites and spacious bedrooms, perfectly positioned to appeal to those business and leisure travellers who are looking for a five star luxury experience. The hotels rebrand also includes KM Hotel & Apartments in Edinburgh’s old town, a mix of stylish, modern bedrooms and apartments and, finally, The Scholar Hotel, located in the beautiful grounds of the Pollock estate. This hotel now has a contemporary bar and restaurant, as well as rooms that have been designed to ensure maximum comfort and the best possible night’s sleep.
The conference and events portfolio has always been a core part of The University of Edinburgh’s Hospitality and Events Collection, and the rebrand will further strengthen this connection to the University. The University’s conference venues have always helped to attract global conferences and events with large delegate cohorts to the City of Edinburgh, and the team will work closely with academics and researchers to ensure that this grows even further.
The rebrand represents the growth of the University of Edinburgh’s commercial arm and further positions The University of Edinburgh Hospitality and Events Collection as a major player in the hospitality and business tourism industry.
Carina Svensen, Director, Accommodation, Catering and Events at The University of Edinburgh said: “The rebrand has been years in the making and our expert team has spent a lot of time analysing the market and exploring changing customer demands. Our transition has been expertly executed at every level to reflect the new hospitality, conference, and events landscape.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming guests old and new into our hotels, apartments, and unique event spaces.”
For more information, please visit: www.uoecollection.com
Scottish tech firm Earth Blox has secured £1.5m funding from Archangels to expand its global reach and further develop its no-code Earth Observation (EO) cloud-based SaaS.
Earth Blox enables users to create customised insights from satellite and geospatial data in a straightforward way to allow companies and organisations to make informed decisions based on powerful insights into the world and how it is changing. Ordinarily, harnessing satellite imaging data requires technical coding capabilities, but Earth Blox’s platform offers access to Google Earth Engine’s petabytes of planetary scale data with an easy-to-use ‘drag and drop’ interface.
The company’s no-code technology is designed to meet the growing need of a wide range of sectors, businesses, and users to quickly and easily access earth observation insights as part of strategic planning, monitoring and reporting. With net zero and ESG as key drivers, the EO market for value-added services like Earth Blox is forecast to double in the next ten years from £1.86bn in 2021 to £3.97bn by 2031.
Companies from across the energy, insurance, and environmental sectors, as well as some international NGOs use Earth Blox to inform critical decision making around climate and security risks, environmental degradation, and adaptation to climate change.
The £1.5 million funding was raised by Archangels, the world’s longest running business angel investment syndicate, which specialises in supporting emerging and ambitious Scottish SMEs in the life sciences and technology sectors. This seed round will allow Earth Blox to scale its product, to increase the volume of data sources, and to expand into new markets including, agriculture, urban development, finance for asset management, and ESG.
Already marketised and with major global customers, Earth Blox is one of the leading companies in Scotland’s burgeoning space, data and environmental tech sectors. Its customers include Shell Nature Based Solutions, the United Nations, Globe Underwriting, and ADM Capital Foundation.
Genevieve Patenaude, CEO at Earth Blox, said: “We are very pleased to secure this funding from Archangels and join a strong portfolio of businesses in the life sciences and tech sectors. Investment into innovative businesses like ours is vital to growth in all areas, from customer acquisition to building a great team. This investment will help us develop Earth Blox as a scalable SaaS and get the power of Earth observation insights into the hands of a range of users around the world.”
Niki McKenzie, Joint Managing Director at Archangels, said: “Earth Blox is pioneering the way companies and organisations can access and use satellite data to make better business decisions about the world and how it’s changing.
“Based in Scotland but with global ambitions, Earth Blox aligns perfectly with our aim of supporting Scotland’s best early-stage businesses with high growth potential. We look forward to supporting Genevieve and her team on this next step of the journey to further develop the product and open up new markets.”
Founded in 1992, Archangels is a leading business angel syndicate investing in early-stage Scottish life sciences and technology companies.
Archangels comprises around 120 members and a five strong full time executive team. In 2021, the syndicate invested £11.8m to reach a total of £23.6m including co-investment from Scottish Government agencies and other partners. There are currently 21 companies within the portfolio.
For further information on Archangels, please visit: https://archangelsonline.com/
For further information on Earth Blox, please visit: https://www.earthblox.io/
AND Digital has today (15 June) opened its second Club in Edinburgh which is set to create more than 100 new jobs in the city.
Ivan McKee, the Scottish Government Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise officially opened the new Club at 80 George Street.
This opening follows the success of the company’s first Edinburgh Club which launched in March 2020, and its first Glasgow Club which opened its doors in June 2021.
AND Digital’s second Edinburgh Club will provide roles for analysts, developers and designers across all levels as AND continues its mission to close the digital skills gap across Scotland.
Since its inception in 2014, AND Digital has grown to 1,600 ANDis (the collective name it gives to its people), and now operates across 19 locations in the UK and Netherlands.
AND Digital’s second Edinburgh Club will be another step forward to its ambitious goal of having five Clubs in Scotland with over 500 Scottish ANDis by 2025.
Ivan McKee, the Scottish Government Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise said: “AND Digital’s decision to open their third Club in Scotland in just over two years shows the appetite and demand which businesses have for digital transformation support.
“This Club opening will create more than 100 jobs in Edinburgh, benefiting our digital economy and ever-growing tech community. AND Digital’s work towards closing the digital skills gap is key and it is great to see companies like this continuing to invest in the workforce in Scotland.”
With Edinburgh ranked as the UK’s sixth best tech hub, and having attracted £74 million in tech investment according to recent figures, AND Digital believes the capital will continue its growth within the tech industry.
Andrew Smith, Chief for Next at AND Digital said: “Edinburgh has a thriving tech community and strong reputation for entrepreneurial spirit, so it is a natural fit for AND Digital. We want to nurture and grow digital talent, and our collaborative Club environment lets us do just that.
“We have an excellent Club lead in Fiona Burton, and we are excited to meet our new ANDis as we continue recruitment for this new Club. This is our third major investment in Scotland and we are confident that this Club will serve the growing demand for digital acceleration.”
Club Executive of the new Edinburgh Club, Fiona Burton, said: “This is a really exciting day as we open the doors to our new Club and begin to welcome new ANDis and clients. I’m looking forward to leading the team as we work to support new clients and continue to grow our customer base across Scotland.”
The brand-new Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is now taking reservations for its highly anticipated Commons Club
Edinburgh, June 2022 – Virgin Hotels, the luxury lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, announces that its flagship restaurant and bar, Commons Club, located inside the newly opened Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, is now open.
The luxurious modern day social club will officially open to the public on Tuesday 14th June. For those eager to get ahead of the crowd, reservations can now be made directly on the hotel’s website at https://virginhotels.com/edinburgh/dine-and-drink/the-commons-club/.
Nestled across two floors, Commons Club is designed to be a playful yet sophisticated environment for guests to eat, drink and vibe in the heart of Edinburgh and will showcase contemporary Scottish seasonal cuisine using the freshest produce straight from Scotland’s local larder for diners.
Newly appointed Executive Chef, Steven Wilson, has created a menu that will cater to all tastes. For starters, guests can enjoy an array of stunning dishes including, Ceviche with line-caught & cured wild seabass, shaved fennel, dill, nashi pear & green olive puree; Wagyu Tataki with Scottish wagyu beef “Tataki style”, fried garlic, ponzu green onion puree & parsnip crisp and Risotto with Scottish farm spelt & barley risotto, baby morels, lightly-roasted almonds & shaved fresh summer truffle.
Moving onto mains, guests can choose between Halibut with pan-seared Gigha halibut, confit aromatic farm seasonal vegetables in a light saffron & Shetland blue mussels velouté; slow roast Perthshire chicken “dinner” with fondant potato, baby leek, morel mushrooms & fresh peas, crispy chicken & Pata Negra croquet, bread sauce, roast chicken jus & chive oil and Isle of Mull seaweed tortellini pasta filled with wild herb ricotta, clay oven-roasted artichoke, pea & feve etuvee, vegetarian parmesan air.
Guests can also explore a range of bespoke cocktails created with locality in mind, helping to bring a sense of Scotland into each of the flavours. From a ‘Breakfast in the Highlands’ made with Glenfiddich 15 Single Malt Whisky, Brown Butter, Toasted Oat Amontillado Sherry, Heather Honey and Bittered Sling Kensington Aromatic, to a ‘Queen Street’ made with Bacardi Carta Blanca Rum, Martini Reserva Ambrato, Lemon, Celery Bitters and Islay mist, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Commons Club is situated within the brand-new Virgin Hotels Edinburgh located in the landmark India Buildings in Edinburgh’s Old Town, a stone’s throw from Edinburgh Castle. The finished hotel will feature 222 Chambers and Grand Chamber Suites and multiple dining and drinking outlets, all with their own unique space and distinct design. Accompanying Commons Club later in the year will be Eve, a vibrant, all-day dining space, offering a progressive approach to late night entertainment in Edinburgh. The hotel site is also home to a 19th century church, known as Greyfriars Hall, that is being beautifully restored and repurposed as a special event venue. In addition, the hotel will offer a rooftop sanctuary with unobstructed Edinburgh Castle views.
Scott McArdle, General Manager of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, commented: “Edinburgh is such an iconic city and we’re thrilled it will be the home of our flagship restaurant and bar within the first Virgin Hotels in the UK and across Europe. Commons Club is a unique offering that will complement the current offering of the hotel. The food and drink menus will bring an array of local flavours to the table and can’t wait to welcome everyone in to try them.
Steven Wilson, Executive Chef of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, said: “After years of travelling the world and working in some unforgettable restaurants and hotels, I’m so excited to be back in my hometown and to be part of this iconic opening in Edinburgh.
“We really do have access to the highest quality local produce right on our doorstep in Scotland and that’s something the menu at Commons Club celebrates. Guests will enjoy our timeless menu that will continue to evolve with the seasons, keeping them coming back time and time again.”
All guests can sign up for the brand-wide guest preferences and loyalty program ‘The Know’, which grants a personalised hotel experience that allows for access to room upgrades, member rates, special events and a complimentary cocktail hour in Commons Club – all when booking directly with Virgin Hotels. All Chambers and Suites have integrated tech capabilities, which can control lighting, thermostats, TVs, and order room service directly via the mobile app, Lucy which is exclusively available to Know members. Lucy also gives guests the ability to check in prior to arrival and can be used as an access key to their Chambers. Chambers are also pet friendly, with complimentary ‘pet-menities’ available, including dog beds and food and water dishes.
The hotel has been developed and is owned by Flemyn and managed by Virgin Hotels.
Reservations for the hotel are also open and can be made directly on the hotel’s website www.virginhotels.com/edinburgh.
Commenting on labour market figures, published by the ONS today, Debapratim De, senior economist at Deloitte, said:
“Despite the contraction in economic activity over March and April, employment and job vacancies rose and the unemployment rate fell to a new multi-decade low. This is an exceptionally strong labour market, making it easier for people to change jobs and secure higher pay.
“With bonus payments helping incomes outpace soaring inflation, there will be greater pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates and ensure inflation doesn’t become the primary factor driving wage negotiations.”
At LNER we are working hard to recover from the pandemic and transform our services for the long-term, attracting customers back, supporting our communities and continuing to be a great place to work.
Working together is the best way to deliver this bright future. For these reasons it is disappointing that the RMT has planned industrial action on 21, 23 and 25 June 2022 that will unfortunately impact LNER services.
LNER has contingency plans in place allowing us to run as many services as possible for our customers, however we will be running a reduced timetable between 20 and 26 June.
We have proactively contacted all customers in advance of the disruption and are in the process of sending further information to customers detailing the different options available to them and how to make any changes or requests for refunds as simply and smoothly as possible. Our dedicated webpage, Strike action | LNER, outlines what options are available to our customers whose journey with LNER falls between 20-26 June.
Due to the reduction in trains that will be running across the entire rail network next week, there will be a limited service running on all services, including LNER trains. We recommend customers only travel by rail if necessary. Those who need to travel should check before making their journey and should expect severe disruption.
For those customers that must travel we strongly recommend making a seat reservation before travelling on an alternative LNER service, otherwise they may need to stand. Reservations can be made here.
From Friday 17 June, customers will be able to request a full refund or change of journey with no additional charge via the LNER website or app. This is available to all LNER customers who wish to change their journey booking between 20-26 June 2022 (inclusive).
LNER customers can book another LNER train free of charge within seven days of their original journey date. We recommend customers book directly through the LNER website or app, as booking a new journey cannot be done at the station or onboard.
For customers who have made Passenger Assist bookings, LNER will be in touch directly with them to help with any changes or queries.
Please do share this information.
Deloitte has announced the appointment of a new senior partner for Scotland. Angela Mitchell has taken on the role and is the first woman to hold this senior position in Scotland.
Angela has been office senior partner for Deloitte in Glasgow since 2020 and has led the firm’s public sector practice in Scotland for 12 years. She has over 25 years’ experience of delivering services to clients across central government, local government, health, education, and policing.
Angela, who first became a partner at Deloitte in 2010, takes over from Steve Williams who has been in the role since 2015.
Commenting on her new role as senior partner for Deloitte Scotland, Angela said:
“Being appointed as the senior partner for Deloitte in Scotland is an honour and I’m looking forward to working closely with my fellow partners as we grow our practice. Continuing to develop our service offerings to support our local, national and global clients with their most complex challenges both now and in the future.
“One of the biggest challenges we face is climate change, and it’s vital that we all take action to address it. Businesses have a key role to play, and one of my top priorities will be expanding our capabilities in this area to help organisations transition to a low carbon economy.
“The talent we have here in Scotland is truly outstanding, and an important part of my role will be ensuring the ongoing development and wellbeing of our people. Creating a strong community alongside Deloitte’s hybrid working model which allows our people to choose where, when and how they best do their work, in balance with their professional and personal responsibilities.”
Dan Barlow, managing partner for regions at Deloitte, said: “As our practice in Scotland continues to grow, Angela will bring fresh thinking on how to drive forward our priorities for the firm, including goals around sustainability and inclusive growth.
“I would like to thank Steve Williams for his outstanding contribution in growing the practice over the last seven years. Steve has overseen the establishment and growth of our FinTech, Investment Management and Wealth capabilities, as well as being instrumental in establishing Deloitte Digital in Scotland.”
Steve Williams will now focus on his role on the firm’s Audit Governance Board, which oversees Deloitte’s operational separation and the firm’s continued investment in audit quality, as well as his position as Chair of Deloitte’s UK Oversight Board. Steve will also continue to work with a number of the largest financial services entities in Scotland and across the rest of the UK.
Angela is based in Deloitte’s Glasgow office and already sits on the firm’s Regions Executive. She is a consulting partner with a technology background and is passionate about helping clients transform their organisations. Angela enjoys flexing her working life around her family and supporting others to do the same.
