A group of students from Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh, have set the standard for an annual student physiotherapy conference to be held in Scotland. Final year physiotherapy students, Katie McGregor, Florence Cook, Jason Chang and Andrea Christoforou staged Scotland’s first Student Physiotherapy Conference at QMU on 25th October. The event attracted over two hundred physiotherapy students, practicing clinicians, educators and academics, as well as health and social care professionals from across Scotland and the rest of the UK. The success of the conference has already secured the second event of its kind in Scotland to be held at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in 2015.
Organised for students by students, last weekend’s event brought together those interested in enhancing knowledge, encouraging collaboration and inspiring innovation in the world of physiotherapy. The event also provided an excellent networking opportunity and supportive environment for students and newly-qualified physiotherapist to present their work. Highlights of the day included a keynote speech by Dr Elizabeth Dean, professor of physical therapy at the University of British Columbia, Canada, and a talk by Scottish racing cyclist, James McCallum.
Commenting on the success of the conference, final year physiotherapy student, Florence Cook, said: “We’re overwhelmed by the positive response to the conference from students, lecturers, physiotherapists and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. “We wanted to create an opportunity to reflect on where the physiotherapy profession has come from and how it can get even better. We’re confident that our event was able to deliver this goal and will act as a lasting legacy for other physiotherapy students around Scotland and the rest of the UK. The baton has now been passed to RGU, who we’re sure will do a fantastic job of running the conference next year.
“We’re really grateful to all our sponsors, including the QMU Student Development Fund, which was the first financial support we received. It not only helped to fund the conference and make it a huge success, it also gave us confidence that our event was worth the investment.” Delegates benefited from eight diverse workshops covering everything from cognitive behavioural therapy, elite sporting performance, specialist sports consulting, starting a physiotherapy-related business, soft tissue release techniques and paediatric communication tools and resources.
Research project presentations from students, recent graduates and newly-qualified physiotherapists were on offer, as well as an exhibition promoting resources and skills for students and clinicians, including Edinburgh Leisure, Pal Technologies Ltd, Proactive Training, Alzheimer Scotland and Riding for the Disabled. health and well-being programme – ‘Living It Up’.
(L-R): Andrea Christoforou (QMU phisiotherapy student), Katie McGregor (QMU phisiotherapy student), James McCallum (Scottish racing cyclist), Florence Cook (QMU phisiotherapy student) and Jason Chang (QMU phisiotherapy student). David Aveyard Photography http://www.davidaveyard.co.uk/Event-photography
- Business leaders asked about their prospects for 2015 at Bank of Scotland Gameplan event last night
- 93 per cent say that the economic recovery has presented growth opportunities
- 9 out of 10 businesses anticipate a growth in turnover, profits and headcount during 2015
Edinburgh-based companies say that optimism has returned to the area, with many business leaders reporting plans for growth in 2015, according to a new survey carried out by Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking.
More than 100 influential business figures from across the East of Scotland attended the latest Bank of Scotland Gameplan event in Edinburgh, hosted by former BBC journalist and broadcaster Declan Curry, last night to discuss the issues that will shape the future of business in the region.
A total 80 per cent of businesses surveyed said they were planning on increasing headcount over the course of the next year, with many (58 per cent) believing that a shortage of talent could hold their business back.
This confident view for prospects during 2015 comes as East Coast firms prepare to capitalise on the opportunities that the economic recovery has offered their businesses. Indeed, almost 50 per cent said that confidence and growth prospects are the highest they’ve been since the start of the recession.
East Coast business leaders believe that foreign markets offer the most opportunities, with 66 per cent saying they need to explore exporting if they are to continue to grow over the coming year.
The event brought together the region’s policymakers, lobbyists, academics and business leaders to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Edinburgh-based businesses.
It included a panel debate featuring the former BBC Breakfast presenter, Declan Curry, along with Scottish business leaders Colin Robertson, Chief Executive of bus and coach manufacturer Alexander Dennis, and Managing Director of Schuh, Colin Temple. Scottish Regional Director of the Business Growth Fund, Simon Munro and Jeremy Blood, Partner at investment firm Manfield Partners, also provided business insights as part of the panel.
The results revealed that an 86 per cent majority of business leaders in the East Coast area are expecting to grow turnover, profits and headcount during 2015.
Jane Clark-Hutchison, Area Director, Bank of Scotland said: “These encouraging results show that businesses in the area are beginning to put the confidence they’re feeling into action, and are predicting growth over the coming year.
“The Gameplan events give us a snapshot view of how businesses are feeling in the area, and help us to understand what the future looks like from our customers’ perspective. This insight is invaluable for us, and it also allows business leaders in attendance get an idea of where they sit in comparison with other firms across the East Coast.”
From left to right: Tim Hinton, Lloyds Bank SME & Mid-Markets Banking Managing Director/Scottish Regional Director of the Business Growth Fund Simon Munro/Schuh Managing Director Colin temple/Former BBC journalist Declan Curry/Manfield Partners’ Jeremy Blood/Bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis Chief Executive, Colin Robertson/Bank of Scotland Area Director, Jane Clark-Hutchison.
Students from a pioneering academy project visited the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 29th October to hear from Scotland’s Minister for Tourism about his aspirations for the future of Scotland’s tourism industry.
Fergus Ewing, The Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism in the Scottish Parliament, has been a big supporter of the highly successful Hospitality and Tourism Academy, a skills development project for school pupils aged between 15 – 18 years old.
The academies project is recognised as a highly successful partnership which is delivering educational and career opportunities for Scotland’s young people. From the onset, the Minister has been keen to help in its success, and since its launch at the Scottish Parliament in 2012, the academies project has grown significantly.
Fergus Ewing invited the academy students to Parliament, giving them an insight into the government’s plans for the future of the hospitality and tourism industry.
In just two years, the acclaimed academies project, spearheaded by Queen Margaret University and Edinburgh College, has grown from 34 young people from three East Lothian schools, to 450 pupils from nearly 50 schools in Edinburgh, East and Midlothian and the Scottish Borders. In 2012, the Hospitality and Tourism Academy led the way for pupils in East Lothian. A year later, three new academies were created – the Creative Industries Academy, the Health and Social Care Academy and the Food Science and Nutrition Academy – and the project was rolled out to schools across four local authority areas.
This summer, 400 new academy students started the two year-long academy programme of learning. The academy, which students commit to over and above their normal school curriculum, is helping them prepare for employment in some of Scotland’s most important growth industries. The thrust of the academies project is to provide young people with a real insight into key growth industries and improve their employability by developing specialist skills and knowledge.
Ray McCowan, Vice Principal at Edinburgh College, said: “A large part of the success of the academies project has been the total buy-in of industry partners, who have been quick to see the benefits for young people and the future availability of a skilled workforce that can help to raise industry standards.
“Fergus Ewing has shared our vision for the Hospitality and Tourism Academy since he hosted the opening reception at the Scottish Parliament in 2012. Two years on, the realities of our vision can be clearly seen with many of the young people now choosing to study towards careers in the Hospitality and Tourism industry or having used their transferrable skills to secure jobs. One of our young academy graduates is now working at the Scottish Parliament! The opportunity to visit the Scottish Parliament and hear the Minister speak was a significant moment in the academy students’ learning journey.”
Professor Alan Gilloran, Deputy Principal at Queen Margaret University, explained: “All of our academy students are provided with an excellent insight into the industries associated with their academy. Right from the onset, we have enjoyed significant involvement from hotels – major international chains as well as smaller high end local hoteliers – which have provided site visits, industry talks and placement opportunities for our young people.
“We’re delighted that Fergus Ewing was able to host this special event at the Scottish Parliament, which gave Hospitality and Tourism Academy students another perspective into this important growth industry. Aside from providing young people with educational and skills development opportunities, the Hospitality and Tourism Academy aims to raise the aspirations of young people and help them view Scotland’s Hospitality and Tourism industry as a first choice career destination. Fergus’s presentation about his future vision for Scotland’s tourism industry helped to provide young people with a more in depth insight into this important industry and to inspire them about future industry and career opportunities.”
Scotland’s Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing said: “Our tourism industry is vitally important to Scotland’s economy, supporting thousands of jobs and generating just over £9 billion in revenue every year.
“With that in mind it is essential that the sector benefits from a highly skilled workforce, and the Hospitality and Tourism Academy is a prime example of a project where young people can learn skills and expertise that the wider industry can ultimately benefit from.
“I was delighted to host academy students at the Scottish Parliament, and I look forward to hearing more about their experiences. Some of the industry’s leading employers have participated in the academy programme and have hailed it as providing the skills and capabilities they need, which is a huge testament to its success.”
The Minister was joined by Hospitality and Tourism Academy students in the first and second year of the academy programme (from S5 and S6 at school), as well as a small group of students who were amongst the first group to graduate from the Hospitality and Tourism Academy this September. Due to their successful completion of the academy programme, these students left school with an HNC in Hospitality. This allowed them to skip their first year at university and move directly into the 2nd year of the BA/BA (Hons) International Hospitality and Tourism at Queen Margaret University. The academies programme also gives students the chance to further their studies by progressing onto a course at Edinburgh College or another university.
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Utilitywise plc was declared Company of the Year at this month’s AIM Awards. This award is the ultimate accolade for any AIM company. In order to win, the company must demonstrate that it is a responsible, fully accountable, dynamic business with strong growth prospects and a commitment to AIM. Above all the business has to be a serious, well-managed company and have attracted public funding to enhance and develop its growth potential to the full.
Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce is working with Utilitywise to provide energy management and reduction solutions through our Chamber Energy Solutions service. Chamber Energy Solutions offers a range of exclusive benefits and services to members, including free bill analysis and water bill validation, to name but a few. Members utilising the services of Chamber Energy Solutions could reduce their energy consumption by as much as 33%.
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Sophie Raworth, awards presenter; David Snell, Partner and AIM Leader, PwC; Andrew Richardson, Chief Financial Officer, Utilitywise plc (winner); and Richard Killingbeck, Chief Executive Officer, WH Ireland Limited.
Scotland’s largest airports have today (Tuesday 28 October) made a joint submission to the Smith Commission, calling for Air Passenger Duty (APD) to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
APD is the highest air passenger tax in the world and together, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports have made the case for its devolution to Holyrood to allow, in line with the Scottish Government’s commitment, for its reduction and eventual abolition. In addition to costing Scotland over two million passengers per annum, a 2012 report, commissioned by the airports, warned that by 2016 APD will cost the Scottish economy up to £210 million in lost tourism spend per annum.
The UK Government has significantly increased rates and restructured APD since 2007. Rates for short haul travel have increased by around 160% with long haul rates increasing between 225% and 360%.
In April 2013 the Republic of Ireland scrapped its equivalent of APD entirely, leaving the UK as one of just five countries in Europe to levy a passenger departure tax. The tax raised £2.9bn for the UK Treasury in 2013-14, (approximately £200m from Scotland) however, research by PwC suggests that reducing or abolishing APD would pay for itself. Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport said: “If Scotland is to attract and sustain the routes that will enable it to compete effectively in the global marketplace then it is imperative the issue of APD is addressed. It is a significant barrier to growth and it also makes it extremely challenging to maintain our existing routes. Despite repeated representations to the UK Government, the industry and passengers have had to endure continued increases in this damaging tax. The reforms announced earlier this year by the Chancellor and which will come into effect in 2015 fall short of providing any material benefit to Scotland’s airports. “Given Scotland’s reliance on aviation and the Scottish Government’s appreciation of the role it plays in supporting our economy, we believe it should have full control over APD with a view to it being reduced and eventually abolished.”
Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: “Scotland’s airports unanimously agree that air passenger duty is hugely damaging to our industry. We‘ve argued long and hard for its reduction or abolition and have been ignored but now the evidence for its devolution to Scotland speaks for itself.
“Ryanair has already committed to delivering over one million new passengers in the event of APD being abolished so it’s obvious that airlines support our argument. They’re already indicating the size of the prize that’s just beyond our grasp.
“Following a year of unprecedented success and attention for Scotland it would be foolish not to harness this opportunity to deliver a tremendous boost to our country’s tourism industry. We shouldn’t wait for another two years of negotiations to end when we have the opportunity to devolve APD to Scotland now and have immediate control over its reduction and future abolition.”
Aberdeen Managing Director Carol Benzie was encouraged by the support received from across the political divide. She said: “It says a lot about an issue when there is near-political agreement on the subject across a number of parties, as well as support from the public and from businesses. The calls to completely reform this tax regime have been growing steadily louder over the years and are now almost unanimous north of the border. What we have is the perfect opportunity to make a real difference. By devolving control of this damaging tax regime we can transform Scottish aviation in the interests of all our passengers.”
For more information contact:
Gordon Robertson
Director of Communications
Edinburgh Airport
0131 344 3174 / 07785 372 961
Gordon_robertson@edinburghairport.com
Stuart Young
Communications Officer
Edinburgh Airport
0131 348 4213 / 07730 148022
Stuart_young@edinburghairport.com
Queen Margaret University (QMU) graduate, Shaun Bell, has won the prestigious title of ‘Outstanding Young Communicator’ at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Scotland PRide Awards 2014.
This national award recognises the achievements, performance and excellent work of young professionals in Scotland’s public relations industry who are making a valuable contribution to the organisations they work for and showing considerable promise as future leaders.
Shaun was praised by the judges for being ‘a breath of fresh air’, for demonstrating strong campaign results and having a clear passion for PR.
Shaun graduated from QMU, Edinburgh, in 2011, with a first-class BA (hons) Drama & Theatre Arts with specialism in Arts Journalism. He is now an Account Manager at Stripe Communications in Edinburgh, where he delivers strategic PR and social media campaigns for clients such as John Lewis, the Scottish Government and Young Scot.
Commenting on his award success and QMU degree, Shaun Bell said: “I’m incredibly proud to receive this award and recognition from CIPR Scotland. It’s a privilege to work with clients that I’m truly passionate about. Using public relations to campaign for change and help improve the lives of people in my country is what gets me out of bed in the morning.”
“I know my studies at QMU prepared me for the transition to the working world. Doing your utmost to gain professional work experience and continually thinking beyond the walls of the lecture theatre gives new graduates the greatest competitive edge. The skills and knowledge you gain at university can be your greatest asset when starting life after your degree.”
On Wednesday 5th November, Standard Life will host a breakfast session to discuss the benefits and considerations of becoming an accredited Living Wage employer.
As a Living Wage employer Standard Life is delighted to be joined by Angela Constance MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Training, Youth and Women’s Employment as well as some current Living Wage employers who are willing to share their journey to accreditation.
Issues surrounding low pay and in-work poverty are highly topical, which has led to an increased focus on initiatives such as the Living Wage. The Scottish Government has funded a Living Wage accreditor for one year, working with the Poverty Alliance, to help to increase take-up of the Living Wage in Scotland. 2nd-8th November is UK Living Wage week, and so it’s especially timely for a small panel of representatives to discuss the benefits and potential challenges of becoming Living Wage employers, before taking questions from other interested groups, and then allowing time for some networking and informal discussion. To reserve a place, please e-mail our mailbox at sustainability@standardlife.com
Further details below:
Date: Wednesday 5th November
Time: 8.30-10am (Breakfast will be provided)
Venue: Standard Life House, 30 Lothian Road
This invitation has been issued through representative organisations covering SMEs, the charity sector and financial and professional services. Standard Life hope you can join them for what they hope will be a lively and informative discussion. Places will be allocated on a strictly first come, first served basis – please e-mail sustainability@standardlife.com to reserve yours.
This is an award which recognises Langstane’s real excellence through the successful performance of their business.
The news marks the third year in a row, and sixth time in total, that Langstane – whose head office is in Aberdeen but has branches throughout Scotland – has been given the award.
An annual turnover approaching £28million makes Langstane Scotland’s largest independent office products company, and one of the largest independents in the UK. The success comes from an increase in sales in the sectors of Office Furniture and Health Care Products.
Colin Campbell, Managing Director who collected the award at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham said “It is very pleasing to receive this award for an unprecedented third year in a row. I am extremely proud of the whole team at Langstane, who through their hard work and professionalism bring us success year after year. Receiving this award acknowledges our approach to providing excellent customer service and recognises the efforts of our team who go to extraordinary lengths to satisfy our clients throughout Scotland on a daily basis”
Win lifetime membership of the Homeless World Cup Supporters Club. To mark the 12th annual Homeless World Cup, now underway in Santiago, and the launch of our new Supporters Club, We have 74 lifetime memberships to be won…representing the 74 countries of the Homeless World Cup movement. To enter please visit our facebook page at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/homelessworldcup/app_79458893817
