Trudy Morris, Chief Executive, Caithness Chamber of Commerce:
The chamber network serves as a unified voice, representing the interests of its members worldwide. In Scotland, this network comprises 30 local chambers, advocating for 12,000 businesses and over half of the private sector workforce. Engaging in proactive lobbying and policy initiatives at Holyrood and Westminster, the chamber network ensures that the concerns of Scottish businesses are heard on a national stage. Here in the North Highlands, Caithness Chamber plays a crucial role in amplifying the voices of our region’s businesses within this narrative.
A cornerstone of the UK’s economic analysis, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Indicator survey, painted a sobering picture at the outset of 2024. The report, covering quarter 1 2024, highlighted pervasive challenges across Scottish industries. Significant cost pressures and recruitment issues are creating a tough operating environment, impacting companies across all sectors. High operating costs are affecting cash flow and profitability, with potential long-term implications for the economy.
Geopolitical tensions, both national and global, underscore the need for government action to ensure smooth trade. Economic uncertainty continues to dampen investment, with over half of firms reporting no expected changes in this current quarter.
There is discontentment among businesses with government tax policy, with concerns about the impact of income tax differences between Scotland and the rest of the UK, and its impact on the ability of businesses to attract and retain talent, something that’s particularly close to our hearts here in the Noth Highlands.
Locally, our members in the North Highlands are reporting inflexibility from some banks and a struggle to maintain necessary liquidity for asset replacement, growth, and seizing new opportunities. This hampers growth and frustrates business owners striving to survive in turbulent conditions.
The challenges highlighted in the survey are a perfect storm impacting investment decisions: recruitment challenges, tax burdens, weak cashflow and declining profits.
Despite these challenges, Scottish businesses are showing resilience, with business confidence and recruitment plans holding steady. Locally we have seen this with an increased number of businesses recruiting apprentices.
With a change of leadership in Holyrood and a UK general election now called for early July, businesses face further uncertainty and change.
It’s important to remember that these obstacles are not new; inflation and political uncertainty have always been realities for businesses, and there are strategies to navigate them successfully.
Business resilience is never tested more than during challenging economic circumstances. Building a more resilient business, with more resilient processes, can be the difference between surviving and going under.
In times like these, finding the right advice is crucial. Seeking expert financial advice can help optimise tax strategies, manage debts, and ensure long-term stability.
In April, during our Members Insight Session, we welcomed Kevin Philip, Director and Financial Advisor at Phil Anderson Financial Services, where following our motto of “stronger together” Kevin provided expert advice and knowledge sharing on financial planning for businesses with our members, including commercial lending, tax-efficient protection for business owners, retirement planning, tax advantages of salary sacrifices and investment planning.
Kevin also discussed the need for business protection against unforeseen events, such as illness, disability, or death of key personnel, and covered key person insurance, shareholder protection insurance, and business loan protection.
In times of uncertainty, solidarity and knowledge-sharing among our members become essential, we are pleased to be here as a Chamber facilitating these connections and supporting businesses in our region.
Business Insight, Phil Anderson, Phil Anderson Financial Services:
In today’s rapidly changing financial landscape, the need for personalised and accessible financial advice has never been more crucial. At Phil Anderson Financial Services, we are committed to providing the local business community with the financial guidance and advice they need to navigate these challenging times.
One of the significant advantages of having a local financial adviser is the ability to meet in person. This face-to-face interaction fosters a deeper understanding of our clients’ financial situations and goals. It allows us to build trust and offer bespoke solutions that might be overlooked in more impersonal settings. In an era where several banks have closed local branches, having access to local advisers becomes invaluable. We are trying to fill the gap left by these closures, ensuring that the people of Caithness continue to receive the financial planning they deserve. Our office in Wick is home to two exceptional advisers: Kayleigh Ross, our financial adviser, and Louise Cormack, our mortgage adviser.
We offer comprehensive financial planning, including tax planning, investment advice, retirement planning, and protection advice which is often seen as the cornerstone of financial planning. Tax planning, in particular, is an area where many businesses can benefit significantly. By working with a financial adviser, you can ensure that you are making the most of available tax allowances and reliefs, ultimately enhancing your financial position. Businesses can take advantage of capital allowances on equipment and machinery, claim research and development (R&D) tax credits, and ensure that they are utilising annual investment allowances.
Tax-efficient structuring of a business, such as choosing the right business entity (sole trader, partnership, or limited company), can also significantly impact the amount of tax payable. Properly planning for VAT, managing payroll taxes efficiently, and taking advantage of any available local business grants or incentives can also significantly enhance a business’s financial health.
Businesses in the North Highland region should also be aware of specific nuances that could impact their tax planning and financial strategies. The region’s unique economic drivers, including renewable energy projects, tourism, and agriculture each come with its own set of financial opportunities and challenges. Understanding these local characteristics allows us to provide tailored advice that maximises the financial benefits.
By working closely with a local financial adviser who understands the regional landscape, businesses can navigate these complexities more effectively and position themselves for long-term success. Our goal is to make financial advice accessible to all, providing clarity and confidence in making informed financial decisions.
Leading precision manufacturer Cube Glass has secured a series of new contract wins in the North of Scotland totalling £250,000.
The Cumbernauld-based company, which manufactures and installs aluminium doors and windows, is set to undertake a curtain walling installation at Castletown Distillery in Thurso and a similar installation at the new ferry terminal at Uig on the Isle of Skye.
In addition, Cube Glass will undertake projects to install a mix of double glazed silicon jointed glazed screens and external doors at Old Clyne School in Brora, a 12m wide sliding door screen with windows utilising electrically charged smart glass for a private home in Dornoch, and a brace of bi-folding door projects in Inverness.
Gary Thorn, Founder and Managing Director of Cube Glass, said: “These are a mixture of new contracts which showcase our versatility and fabrication skills and we have installation dates for each of them reaching into mid-Summer.
“We have a strong record of undertaking successful project in the Highlands and Islands and our team of installers always look forward to their journey northwards.
“We consistently stress the benefits of natural daylight on mental health and recognise how much better we all feel when we are subjected to more natural daylight within a secure and ecologically sustainable environment.”
Cube Glass enjoys fruitful relationships with a number of leading specialist suppliers including Portugal-based Panoramah, which makes a unique range of minimalist sliding doors and curtain walling with ultra-thin sightlines, high-end French design and engineering specialist Bel’M. And most recently Glazing Vision rooflights which designs and manufactures innovative architectural glass rooflights for customers across the globe.
Its valued supplier relationships also include those with industry-recognised specialists such as Senior Architectural Systems, Metal Technology and Schüco.
The Cumbernauld-based business has pushed its turnover to a record £4.5m in the year to October 2023, up from £3.25m in the previous year. It now hopes to consolidate future revenues around this level.
Cube Glass, which was established in 2004, focuses on curtain walling, doors, windows, glass roofing systems and shop fronts as well as bullet, bomb and blast resistant glass. It supplies sectors including education, health, industrial, social care, commercial property and residential homes.
Malcolm Morrison, GMG Energy Director
GMG Energy, the rapidly expanding Highland timber products specialist which contributes significantly to the circular economy in the Highlands and the Northern Isles, has lent its support to the Royal Highland Educational Trust’s (RHET) first online Meet the Lambs initiative aimed primarily at early years schoolchildren throughout the Highlands and Islands.
The RHET “Year of Sheep” campaign, supported by the Royal Northern Countryside Initiative (RNIC) has developed a range of teaching resources for use in schools aimed at educating children about food production in Scotland and the contribution made by farmers to the countryside.
Over four days, from 22 to 26 April, over 6000 youngsters from 257 schools met lambs online from five different farms across the region and had plenty of opportunity to ask questions.
Malcolm Morrison, Director of Halladale-based GMG Energy said: “As both a sheep farmer and business owner, I wanted to provide financial support to this RHET initiative since in my view it is important to give our young people an enjoyable opportunity to really understand how the rural community contributes to the welfare of us all.”
Fran Matheson, RHET Highland said: “It is so important we bring the farming story into the classroom and touch on talking points like animal welfare, the sustainable uses of wool, and cover off even the questions you just don’t expect from a young audience.
“Many of the Year of Sheep Farm Visits in the 2023/2024 school term would not have been possible without the support of our supporters like GMG Energy, NFU Mutual, QMS and many other agricultural businesses who have given generously and in kind.”
GMG Energy, the rapidly expanding Highland timber products specialist which contributes significantly to the circular economy in the Highlands and the Northern Isles, has recently invested £150,000 in state-of-the-art sawmill equipment which takes its larger timber and processes it into posts, rail, cladding and purlins, or structural roof members.
As a major plank of its business model, the company is committed to replacing every log of timber that it uses, and plants 10,000 new trees a year, which grow to maturity in 35 years. It far exceeded this target in 2021, planting in the region of 20,000 trees.
Scottish EDGE is a large competitive fund to support home-grown entrepreneurial talent comprising a Dragon’s Den style pitching competition for ambitious entrepreneurs who wish to grow their business. Round 24 will launch on 14 August and close on 11 September 2024.
The competition is open to limited companies, social enterprises and charities in Scotland who have been trading for up to five years who wish to apply for up to £100,00 (max £30,000 grant, max £70,000 loan) to accelerate growth of their business. To date there have been 46 Highlands and Islands winners gaining combined monies in excess of £2.1m.
This webinar is open to HIE staff and Highlands and Islands businesses and social enterprises. Alistair Murray and Mike Muir of M2 Procurement and Commercial Services Ltd (who facilitate the programme on behalf of HIE), and a previous Scottish Edge winner will explain the methodology and benefits so that you can potentially explore if you would be suited to and may benefit from entering the competition.
Register for the GoTo webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2313201380997131351
Celebrating the North Highlands’ Entrepreneurial Spirit
We are thrilled to announce that the prestigious Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Business of the Year Awards are now open for entries! These awards are a remarkable opportunity to celebrate and honor the entrepreneurial spirit that drives the North Highlands forward.
Whether you’re a rising young entrepreneur or a dynamic young business, this is your chance to shine, boost your profile, and gain well-deserved recognition for your hard work and achievements.
Awards Details
Entries are open until 5pm on 30 July 2024, and winners will receive the following exclusive benefits:
Young Business of the Year (Less than five years old)
- 2 FREE places worth £160 at the Chamber’s annual dinner for the award presentation.
- 1 year’s FREE membership of Caithness Chamber of Commerce.
- Media coverage through press and the Chamber’s digital and social channels.
- Highlighted profile on the Chamber’s website.
- Young Business of the Year 2024 Trophy.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Younger than 30)
- £500 cash prize, generously sponsored by Saffery Champness.
- 2 FREE places worth £160 at the Chamber’s annual dinner for the award presentation.
- 1 year’s FREE membership of Caithness Chamber of Commerce.
- Media coverage through press and the Chamber’s digital and social channels.
- Highlighted profile on the Chamber’s website.
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Trophy.
Download an application pack below:
Young Business Entry Form 2024 AM
Young Entrepreneur Entry Form 2024 AM
For more information or a friendly chat before applying please contact us at info@caithnesschamber.com or call 01847 890076.
Norscot Joinery Ltd, a leading provider of high-quality timber frame kits, windows, and doors in the Highlands, is proud to announce a new charity partnership with Maggie’s, a renowned organisation dedicated to providing free cancer support and information to people living with cancer.
This partnership signifies a commitment by Norscot to give back to the community and support a cause that touches many lives. Over the next year, Norscot will be supporting Maggie’s through fundraising initiatives, volunteer efforts, and raising awareness of the exceptional cancer support services they provide.
To kick off this year’s donations, Norscot is thrilled to contribute £500, providing essential funding for a Cancer Specialist to listen, answer questions and guide people to the right information at the centre. Additionally, Norscot team members will participate in the ‘Paws for a Cause’ fundraising event in July, where they will aim to walk 60km, with or without their dogs, donating £1 for each kilometre walked. Prizes will be awarded to the Top Walker and the Best Furry Companion!
Jason Fraser, General Manager at Norscot comments:
“We are proud to partner with Maggie’s for the coming year. The work they do is incredibly important, and we are committed to supporting their mission in every way we can. This partnership reflects our values and dedication to making a positive impact in our community.”
Seonaid Green, Maggie’s Highlands Centre Head said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as Norscot’s charity partner and so grateful to them for everything they have already done to help us provide vital psychological and emotional support to people living with cancer, as well as family and friends, across the whole of the Highlands. As a charity, the majority of our funding comes from voluntary donations so this kind of support is invaluable and we look forward to welcoming the Norscot team to our centre.”
Maggie’s offers free expert psychological, practical and emotional support to people with cancer and their families and friends in the Highlands through its centre at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness and its other centres across the UK. Their network of warm and welcoming centres provides a full programme of support that has been shown to help people live better with cancer.
For 40 years Norscot has been manufacturing superior quality Timber Frame Kit Homes and replacement, made-to-measure windows and doors from its state-of-the-art factory and showroom in Bower, Caithness. It also owns a purpose-built showroom, sales office and storage facility on the Carse Industrial Estate in Inverness.
With the need for culture organisations to diversify and expand their skills more acute than ever, Culture & Business Scotland have unveiled a series of training opportunities and events designed to help the nation’s creative professionals equip themselves with new knowledge.
The charity, which works to facilitate mutually beneficial connections between the culture and business sectors, will host a series of upcoming events giving organisations well-rounded education in a range of subjects including fundraising through storytelling, legacy giving and the principles of board membership.
Next week, a short course on board membership taking place on Tuesday 4th June will give new trustees and board members access to two informative, hands-on sessions introducing them to their new roles and responsibilities.
On Tuesday 4th and Tuesday 11th June two sessions will explore the five stages of the copywriting process, while additional training courses will help participants to deeper their understanding of corporate sponsorship and discover the benefits and possibilities of legacy giving campaigns.
Along with full-length courses, Culture & Business Scotland run a series of Insights Webinars designed to empower individuals and organisations in the culture sector with knowledge and expertise from industry experts, and networking events, allowing attendees the chance to connect and collaborate with like-minded professionals in the culture sector.
David Watt, Chief Executive of Culture & Business Scotland said: ‘Our programme of events is designed to help both members and non-members to expand their skillsets and knowledge and empower them to feel confident in all aspects of their work. Thanks to expert guidance and structured, practical sessions, participants will gain a solid foundation in skills that are crucial in the evolving landscape of Scotland’s culture environment’.
Individuals and organisations interested in attending an event can find further information here: https://www.cultureandbusiness.scot/training-events/
Businesses and apprentices in the north Highlands can look forward to developing new skills for a greener future, thanks to additional support from the West of Orkney Windfarm.
The windfarm developer – which is planning a major offshore windfarm 25km off the Sutherland coast – has donated £50,000 to support a new apprenticeship programme.
The funds will go to FutureSkills, an apprenticeship grant scheme designed to tackle skills shortages and drive investment in new opportunities for businesses and young people in Caithness and north Sutherland.
The initiative is being led by the Caithness Business Fund and will offer eligible businesses the opportunity to access grant support of up to £24,500 over a maximum period of three years, towards employment and associated training costs of an apprentice.
It was established in March this year with initial funding from NRS Dounreay and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
The announcement was made last week (May 22) as members of the West of Orkney Windfarm team visited Caithness for a series of meetings including Scrabster Harbour Trust, Caithness Chamber of Commerce, Wick John O’Groats Airport and JGC Engineering and Technical Services.
Stuart McAuley, Project Director, West of Orkney Windfarm, said:
“The West of Orkney Windfarm has an ambition to deliver a world-leading energy project which will create long term social and economic benefits for businesses and communities in the north of Scotland.
“This will include employment opportunities through the construction phase and for many years of operation, and we would like as many of these jobs as possible to go to local firms. It is terrific to see local businesses already embracing this exciting new world.
“This donation is an investment in this future and will help up-skill young workers so they can participate in Scotland’s offshore wind energy industry – which will become a major force in the years ahead.”
In addition to the apprentice scheme support, West of Orkney Windfarm has kick-started a number of other initiatives in Caithness, Sutherland and Orkney including a £1 million research and innovation programme at EMEC, a £900,000 pan-industry programme to support ten new STEM coordinators across the UHI partnership, and £125,000 to enable up to seven local companies to take part in the rigorous 12-18 month Fit For Offshore Renewables (F4OR) development programme.
Trudy Morris, Executive Director of the Caithness Business Fund and CEO of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, managing agent of the Fund, said:
“Caithness Chamber has been engaged with the West of Orkney Windfarm for a number of years now and we are delighted they are able to support this excellent apprenticeship scheme.
“It’s open to businesses that can demonstrate a strong commitment to hosting a modern apprenticeship and targets SMEs with the aim of facilitating new apprenticeship opportunities to stimulate business growth and overcome potential financial barriers.
“I’d encourage local firms to apply.”
For more details, please visit the fund’s website here: www.caithnessbusinessfund.com
Farr North Community Development Trust and Caithness Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to reach out to businesses in the northern Highlands to raise awareness of opportunities for receiving support when hiring apprentices.
The Farr North Apprenticeship Scheme is managed by the Trust and is supported by a grant of around £100,000 from the SSE Renewables Strathy North Community Fund. The scheme offers eligible businesses up to £15,000 over a three-year period towards the costs associated with employing and training an apprentice. In some cases this can be combined with the Caithness Business Fund to bring the overall level of support to over £24,000.
Apprenticeships provide a cost-effective way to upskill and expand the workforce. Taking on an apprentice can be a smart investment, benefiting both the business and the local skills base. But as a business in the north, where do you begin?
A good place to start would be Caithness Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber offers a huge range of help and advice to businesses across the north (not just in Caithness!) and they have links and contacts with agencies that could help you. Through this network the Chamber can help you to decide if an apprenticeship would be right for your business, help to identify suitable training opportunities for your apprentice and help you find the right person for your company.
Find out more on about The Farr North Apprenticeship Scheme on the Caithness Business Fund website.
David Shearer, SSE Renewables Community Investment Manager commented:
“Investing in young people is a particular focus for our community funds and we have a number of apprenticeship programmes available in Sutherland. The apprenticeship programmes ensure that there are viable employment opportunities to retain young people in the local area and also helps to ensure that the local economy benefits from thriving local businesses.”
Simon Lee, Manager of Farr North Community Development Trust commented:
“Farr North is working to develop vibrant and resilient communities. We are delighted to be able to work with the other SSE apprenticeship programmes in Sutherland and working with Caithness Chamber of Commerce brings even more opportunities to support local businesses, develop workforce skills, and encourage our young people to stay in the area.”
CASE STUDY
GMG Energy and Finlay Mackay Modern Engineering Apprentice.
Nestling in the Strath of the river Halladale, GMG Energy is an ambitious timber processing company established by Malcolm Morrison in 2016.
Finlay began his apprenticeship with the company in 2022 whilst studying at the Engineering Maintenance framework at UHI. He is now working towards his SVQ3 work-based qualification. Malcolm is delighted with his apprentice:
“He’s a bright kid, learns quickly and is a great asset to the company.” He enthused recently.
Finlay is equally enthusiastic about the experience:
“I feel I’ve really landed on my feet. GMG Energy has given me a huge range of opportunities to apply the knowledge I get from college. I’m gaining experience, I’m learning and I’m earning! What could be better?”
Businesses in the region have opportunities to thrive by investing wisely, upskilling their workforce, and embracing apprenticeships. It’s heartening to see the positive impact on both businesses and individuals