New River Crossing will leave lasting legacy for Port of Rosyth
The Port of Rosyth, owned by Forth Ports, is playing a major role in the construction process of the new £1.4billion Firth of Forth road bridge – the Queensferry Crossing – which is set to leave a legacy securing the long term future of the port.
With the arrival of 36 x 270 – 350 tonne large steel deck sections on 14th August aboard the specialist heavy load ship, the ZPMC Zhen Hua 24, Forth Port’s marine and heavy load handling experience came into their own as Rosyth welcomed the largest ship ever to visit the port.
Since 2011, the Fife port has been the marine hub for the construction project which has seen the port transformed with significant investment in works to: strengthen the quayside storage areas at North Wall to accommodate heavy loads; install a new security gate and road network; provide offices for the project’s marine team and bespoke warehousing for storage and steel preparation.
Commenting on the legacy for the Port of Rosyth, Charles Hammond, Forth Ports’ Chief Executive, said: “We are thrilled to be playing our part in this significant construction project and our key location close to the construction site ensures that materials, including the steel delivered last week, are only a matter of minutes away by water delivery. The Forth Ports team did a great job with the ZPMC Zhen Hua 24 which is one of the largest specialist vessels we have welcomed to our port and a milestone for the construction team.
“The significant investment by Forth Ports and the FCBC project team in strengthening the quayside storage areas at North Wall; security systems; and warehousing at the port; as well as the new improved roads infrastructure that the opening of the new bridge will bring, will position Rosyth as a key location for specialist project work, heavy lift operations and will make the port very attractive to the North Sea oil & gas sector.”
Commenting on the role of the Port of Rosyth, Transport Minister, Keith Brown MSP said: “We have always been clear about the benefits from the Forth Replacement Crossing project for the Scottish economy and Scottish businesses. This investment is via FCBC an excellent example of where the project is leaving a lasting legacy for the Port of Rosyth.”
Commenting, Carlo Germani, FCBC Project Director, said: “From the 2011 start of construction works on the Queensferry Crossing, we have had a close working relationship with Forth Ports. Their help and co-operation with our complex operations both on the water and in Rosyth Docks has been invaluable. It will remain so until the completion of the new bridge in 2016. We are delighted that our investment in improving the dockside facilities will be to the lasting benefit of Forth Ports.”
The ZPMC Zhen Hua 24 arrived into the River Forth this week. The highly skilled marine team ensured the safe passage of the 81,000 DWT, 40m wide ship through the busy shipping lanes in the Forth, under the existing bridges and manoeuvred her alongside at the port. The experienced Forth Ports quayside team supported with the handling of the oversized cargo from the ship.
Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) chose the Port of Rosyth as their marine hub for transporting materials and equipment between the Port and build site. FCBC have taken around 20 acres of land, offices and warehouses within the port. Preparatory work began in October 2011 in the Forth and the project is expected to be completed and the bridge opened to traffic by March 2016.
6th ICARB conference introduction
The battle to slow climate change is being won and lost in cities. They are responsible for over seventy percent of global CO2 emissions and two-thirds of worldwide energy consumption. Cities are also the engines of economies. Balancing local economic imperatives against the social and environmental benefits of reducing ghg emissions is mired in then complexity surrounding the issues and tools for correct accounting. Confidence is increased by using rigorous accounting protocols but it is in their day to day application that the need for harmonisation of assumptions arises. Local Authorities, under mandatory obligations to report emissions, often find it a difficult and expensive challenge. For local communities and businesses developing robust benchmarks and effectively targeted actions plans, also requires a good understanding of ghg accounting. Facility managers often find it difficult to produce energy records that are compatible with ghg accounting procedures. The ICARB conference provides a forum for all these stakeholders to catch-up on the latest updates on carbon disclosure and community accounting protocols and programmes, to learn from developments in cities, research and the front-line professions and to join in workshops designed to explore and improve ghg accounting practices across sectors and scales in Scotland and beyond.
The Initiative for Carbon Accounting (ICARB) warmly invites you to our 2014 conference on Carbon Accounting for Cities and Communities on the Friday5 September 2014 at the City Chambers, Edinburgh, to learn from, and network with, leaders in the field from Scotland and Europe.
Join us to catch-up on the latest ghg accounting tools, what’s changed in the sector, and to meet cities, community groups, businesses, professionals and researchers who are tackling the challenges of carbon accounting in their local areas, communities and businesses.
The 18 speakers include VIEW SPEAKER LINE-UP:
– Amanda Howarth-Wiklund, Director of the CDP Nordic: The Carbon Disclosure Project: Progress and Challenges for Cities.
– Chang Deng-Beck, ICLEI World Secretariat: GPC 2.0 – the Global Protocol for Community-Scale GHG Emissions.
– Morten Højer, Speical Adviser on Climate and Economy, City of Copenhagen: The Pros and Cons of Streamlining the C40 process: Lessons from Copenhagen.
– Graham Pinfield, Glasgow City City Council:Lessons learned from the Scottish STEP project.
– The conference will bring together many of the people involved in carbon and ghg audits for buildings, micro-grids, communities, towns and cities.
Attend to:
– Hear about the launch and progress with city and community scale ghg emissions inventories and programmes
– Catch up on Best Practice lessons learned from cities and communities
– Join interactive workshops on building, business, community and city level accounting. Make connections with experts, researchers and organisations who are leading on carbon accounting and management.
Register now at www.icarbconference.org. Exhibitor registration is also available for organisations interested in having a display or stall.
For more information contact Sue Roaf on enquries@icarb.org.
ICARB hopes you can join us for a stimulating day of learning and knowledge exchange at the forefront of carbon accounting in Scotland. We look forward to seeing you soon.
The annual Edinburgh Rugby Open Night takes place on Thursday 21 August (6pm – 9pm) at BT Murrayfield, to which everyone is invited to attend.
Be the FIRST to see the new home and away kit (modelled by the players) and be one of the first to purchase the brand new kit from the new look Scottish Rugby store.
For more information please visit: http://www.edinburghrugby.org/edinburgh-rugby-open-night
Many investors tend to exhibit a strong preference for their domestic equities, despite the highly integrated nature of financial markets that nowadays offer widespread access to capital. This observed lack of international diversification is commonly referred to as home bias.
Failing to globally diversify your portfolio can be costly, but the persistence of home bias suggests that the familiarity of domestic markets adds an additional benefit, in the form of emotional comfort, not usually factored in by a theoretical framework. This concept is not novel: John Maynard Keynes, in 1934, stated that it is inefficient to place faith in stocks which one has “no reason for special confidence”.
Traditional financial theory states that an average investor should optimally hold domestic assets in proportion to their country’s share of world capitalisation. The segmented nature of capital markets means that investors have the ability to reduce exposure to specific risks by adding an appropriate allocation of foreign securities to their portfolio. As a result, the international diversification opportunities gained from holding assets with lower correlations are likely to lead to greater risk-adjusted returns. This concept is central to modern portfolio theory.
The internationally diversified portfolio also exhibits much lower annual volatility than the individual countries, thus evidencing the potential for risk reduction when investing in a range of global equities. While a home investor may, on average, achieve greater returns than an internationally diversified portfolio, it is likely that the global investor will attain better risk-adjusted returns over the same investment horizon.
Given that home bias is costly, the question remains as to why so few investors pursue a globally diversified approach to investing? Institutional-based explanations such as currency fluctuations, transaction costs, trade barriers and information asymmetries do not collectively explain the “persistent” nature of home bias.
Instead we need to consider behavioural aspects. Investors may a have tendency to shy away from foreign investments because their expected risk and returns are perceived with greater uncertainty than domestic assets, while they also often add a risk penalty. Our conclusion is that the home-country bias problem is likely to be driven by the behaviour of the individual rather than financial market trends.
The intelligent house of the future has become a reality with the launch of Inspiro, a revolutionary application of technologies which allows householders to control their homes’ utility, entertainment and security functions from anywhere in the world.
Inspiro, the residential arm of Perth-based d3 Audio Visual, the industry-leading professional AV and network solutions provider, has created a smartphone-style touch and slide control which can monitor and adjust every aspect of the home environment including lighting, heating systems, audio and video systems and, of course, home security.
Marc Heath, Managing Director of d3AV, said: “Inspiro provides an energy-efficient, secure and automated environment for the discerning homeowner and gives our residential customers the control and flexibility which previously has only been available to large commercial enterprises.
“Inspiro represents a giant leap forward for homeowners who will now be able to see what is happening in their homes while they are away and enable them to take appropriate action simply by using a hand-held device.”
Inspiro, which launched this month, is the result of years of intensive research and significant investment by d3AV, a business which already plays a significant market role in monitoring commercial premises. Some such systems control in excess of 1000 individual technological components.
The Inspiro system works via a unique home-based server which can be accessed remotely by the customer. Ideally, the wiring – as in wiring for home entertainment systems – is installed at the build stage of the home, but in most cases it can be retro-fitted.
David Gill, Business Development Manager at d3AV, said: “Inspiro controls anything electronic – from lights and blinds to audio, video, central heating and home security. Equally, energy consumption can be regulated by allowing the remote control of individual thermostats in separate rooms which in turn send signals via actuators on the radiator to ensure that the temperature is fully controlled.”
Inspiro is targeted at mainstream housebuilders, small scale developers, self-builders, and individual residential customers.
For further information, contact d3 Audio & Visual Ltd, Westpoint, 4 Redheughs Rigg, South Gyle, Edinburgh, EH12 9DQT: 0131 3386868 W: www.homecontrol.technology
If you are serious about taking your business to the next level and want to learn how to turn your Marketing and Advertising into an investment, rather than an expense, a great investment of your time would be to attend this 3 hour seminar on Monday 20th October at 6.30pm.
Brad Sugars is a regular columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine and is the author of 15 books including “Buying Customers” and “The Business Coach”. He founded the World’s No1 Business Coaching Company, ActionCOACH, at just 22 years of age and has since grown it to 1,000+ world class business coaches in over 50 countries. In short you are about to experience three hours with a bonafide business genius.
All you have to do is register at www.buyingcustomers.com and quote promo code: SCASM18.
If you want to find out more please feel free to contact Alan Smith via the contact details below:
Mobile: 07972 310997
Email: alansmith@actioncoach.com
Qatar Airways’ recently introduced Edinburgh-Doha service means travellers benefit from significantly reduced journey times to Perth and Melbourne.
Following the launch in May, journey times to Perth reduced to just 20 hours with one quick international transfer while total journey time to Melbourne is 21 hours 40 minutes, with a short 1 hour stopover in Doha.
The new 5 times a week service is the first for Edinburgh to the Middle East region, removing the need for any extra domestic transfers within the UK.
Qatar Airways passengers enjoy a high standard of comfort on board one of the world’s newest aircraft, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with direct aisle access for all 22 Business Class seats and individual 10.5 inch television screens for all Economy Class seats.
To book your next flight to Australia with Qatar Airways, please contact your local travel agent or book online at www.qatarairways.co.uk
Edinburgh businesses vie for prestigious green accolade
Six businesses from Edinburgh have been shortlisted for this year’s Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards – Scotland’s leading environment awards scheme. Wind and Cloud Travel, Grease Monkey Cycles, Edinburgh Leisure, Mercat Tours, Soilutions and Celtic Renewables have been chosen as six out of 24 Scottish businesses.
Companies from all over Scotland entered the Awards, which recognise businesses that contribute to Scotland’s sustainable development through improving processes or developing new products and services.
Wind & Cloud Travel, shortlisted in the Transport category, is an Edinburgh-based tour operator, offering German speaking eco, hiking, trekking, whisky, sailing, food, rail and photography tours for individuals and small groups in Scotland. Grease Monkey Cycles, also shortlisted in the Transport category, is a cycle servicing company who also lend courtesy bikes to customers if necessary and guarantee a turn-around within 48 hours.
Edinburgh Leisure, shortlisted in the Management (large) category, is a social enterprise created to manage and develop sport and leisure services on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council. Mercat Tours, shortlisted in the Management (small) category, operates scheduled and private walking tours of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and Blair Street Underground Vaults.
Soilutions shortlisted in the Environmental Product and Service category, provide remediation of contaminated soils and waters on sites to remove the need for disposal of contaminated materials to landfill. Celtic Renewables, also shortlisted in the Environmental Product and Service category, is one of the most innovative companies in sustainable biofuel, commercialising the copious residues of Scotland’s most iconic export, the £4-billion malt whisky industry.
The awards aim to encourage efficient use of resources, improvement of environmental performance, enhancement of business competitiveness, and support for wider sustainable development.
2014 has seen a streamlining of the Award categories, comprising Management (SME and Large), Environmental Product or Service, Transport, Co-operation, Hydro-Nation, Circular Economy and Micro Business.
Winners of the 2013 VIBES Awards include Airdrie based, Albert Bartlett & Sons Ltd., Dryden Aqua Ltd., Rabbie’s Small Group Tours and Vegware from Edinburgh, Whitmuir Organics from West Linton, Peeblesshire and Biomatrix Water Solutions in Morayshire. Many of the 2013 winners signed up as VIBES Ambassadors in 2014, promoting the benefits of entering the awards to their wider business networks.
Gillian Bruce, Chair of VIBES, commented: “The VIBES Awards have been recognising champions of sustainability for 15 years it is encouraging to see so many entries from such a wide range of sectors from across Scotland in 2014.
“Scotland’s businesses have proved yet again to be blazing a trail in their sustainable practices and every one of those on the shortlist can be proud of their achievements.”
The VIBES Awards ceremony, which is a great networking opportunity for like-minded businesses, will take place at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow on 27 November 2014. Details are available from www.vibes.org.uk
Sponsoring the event and award categories this year are Business Stream, Albert Bartlett and Sons Ltd, ScottishPower, Scottish Government, Zero Waste Scotland, Lothian Buses Ltd. and NetRegs. The University of Stirling Management School is a venue sponsor.
The VIBES Awards are a strategic partnership between Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Scottish Government, Scottish Water, Scottish Enterprise, Highland and Islands Enterprise, Zero Waste Scotland, Energy Saving Trust and the 20:20 Climate Group. The Awards are further supported by CBI Scotland, the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses and Bright Green Business.
The Awards are accredited by the RSA Environment Awards Accreditation Scheme (www.rsaaccreditation.org).
Impact Arts is delighted to present our first feature length play at Edinburgh’s world famous Fringe Festival! Our home in Leith, The Printworks, is an official Fringe venue (no. 404!) and for three days will play host to a sparkling commedia dell’arte called ‘After Aria’. The play has been devised by young people on Impact Arts’ Creative Pathways Programme.
The 18 week theatre arts workshops for 16-19 year olds who are not in employment, education or training, are split into three groups: Costume Design, Set Design and Performance. The young people in the performance group came together to write a play based around the idea that a young woman named Aria, the only daughter of Lord Pantalone and Lady Signora, is getting married. The audience are cordially invited to her engagement party…
Taking place in the garden of a wealthy merchant in Venice, the set of the site-specific play has been designed by the Set Design group. The players in this Renaissance street theatre will be clothed in Mediterranean garb with elaborate masks created by the Costume Design team.
The young theatre aficionados are excitedly anticipating the opening show:
“I have made a mask and kimono and I’m currently making a skirt which will all be used in the Fringe performance. I feel proud for being part of something and for making costumes which will be used in the After Aria show for everyone to see.”
Emma, Costume Design Group (Creative Pathways)
Tickets are only £8 or £7 concession and are available here. Please see the flyer above for the showtimes and location!
In Michael Gerber’s brilliant book “The E-Myth: Why Small Businesses Fail And What To Do About It” he quotes a scary statistic…..80% of businesses fail within their first 5 years and of those who do survive beyond this period, 80% of them fail in their second 5 year period. This means that only 4% of businesses survive beyond their 10th anniversary! Told you it was scary!
Gerber quotes the reason for this as being the fact that small business owners typically are ‘technicians’ working IN their business and not ON it. The fatal assumption that leads to most businesses failing is that if you understand the technical work of a business, you understand a business that does that technical work. No so!
A business owner must wear three hats in equal balance – The Technician who can do the technical work of the business, The Manager who can create the systems & processes that make the business run smoothly and The Entrepreneur who can look up and anticipate and plan for what’s ahead.
It’s a fabulous book and one I would strongly recommend to anyone wanting to have a successful business and who recognises that they are a ‘technician’ in their business.
As a business coach I help owners work ON their business using a proven framework that has helped thousands of SMEs grow in a profitable and sustainable way. The definition of a successful business is “a commercial, profitable enterprise that works without YOU”. If you are interested in hearing more please feel free to make contact.
Also, have a look on Page 55 of the most recent edition of BC magazine for a bit more about me.
Alan Smith
Mobile: 07972 310997
Email: alansmith@actioncoach.com
Alan Smith – Action Coach
