Business News Archives - St Andrews Business Club

2021 AGM – Guest Speaker Jamie Andrew

3rd June 2021 Yvonne McAulay

Remaining online for the Club’s 2021 AGM, the conference celebrated this season’s committee and members for hosting a share of memorable virtual events throughout these exceptional times.

Immediate Past President Marie Paterson acknowledged the resilience and dedication of the club’s members in continuing to focus on business development despite the difficult challenges posed the past year. Despite membership dropping from its all-time high of 130, approximately being cut in half as a result of the pandemic, the organisation’s bank balance is in good shape as the club looks to start the new season with face to face meetings.

Marie praised the outgoing Committee for creating engaging and productive zoom sessions combining the likes of food, wine, networking and education. Events covered a range of pressing topics including ‘leading change; podcasting; embracing diversity; and the impact of Brexit.’ Similarly, the club’s first partnering with the Home Start St Andrews charity at Christmas proves a new annual means of support to the community.

2021-2022 Committee

The 2021-2022 elected committee are:

65th President Christopher Trotter
Vice President – Heather Stuart
Secretary – Emma-Jane Kerr
Treasurer – Alasdair Kyle
Immediate Past President – Marie Paterson
Committee members – Reseda Muir, Edward Obi, Andrew Stewart.

Marie gave great acknowledgement to secretary Emma-Jane Kerr for her major role in improving the club’s operation. She also thanked Immediate Past President Caroline and past Treasurer Michael for their longtime service as they stood down from their respective positions. Similarly, Marie thanked her Vice President Reseda and the rest of the committee who are continuing their roles in the upcoming season. Last but not least she thanked Marketing-communications interns Sanaa and Stanley for all they have done in promoting the club the past two years. Stating, “I am especially delighted to be handing over to a really strong group of office bearers who I know will see us through the next year, whatever life throws at us.”

Lastly, Marie enthusiastically introduced the newly elected committee before ‘passing the medal’ on to Newly-elected President Christopher Trotter. Trotter, a longtime member and St Andrews native, thanked Marie for her unwavering service and saluted his Committee, marketing communications interns and members for a much-anticipated return in-person events.

Christopher’s first order as President was to encourage each member to invite a colleague to the club’s future events, a sure way to increase membership numbers for the coming season.

Closing the AGM, Christopher introduced the long-awaited guest speaker for the evening’s inspiring presentation, which was given by Jamie Andrew, OBE. Jamie detailed his experience of losing all of his limbs after being trapped by a storm atop a mountain in the French Alps. Following this, Jamie’s inspiring story shows his recovery from his injuries and him going on to be the first quadruple amputee to climb the Matterhorn, as well as other mountains, alongside completing marathons and Iron Man triathlons. Jamie’s story, recounted with honesty and passion, is nothing short of incredible.

Member News – Portable desktop screen enabling vital face-to-face community support to continue mask-free

19th November 2020 Yvonne McAulay

Gail Penman and Andy Simpson with the portable screen they co-designed. Picture: ASM Media & PR.

A portable desktop screen co-designed by an Angus therapist and Business Club member Andy Simpson is enabling community support workers to continue vital face-to-face sessions in a Covid-secure way.

The 60cm-square polycarbonate screen can be removed from its travelling case, assembled quickly and sit on a desktop thanks to removable feet – allowing support workers to talk face-to-face with their clients on the other side of the screen without the need to wear face coverings.

This enables better support than is possible via video calls through being more able to read clients’ non-verbal communication, allowing greater facial recognition and avoiding the distraction of masks or visors. It also allows children, or the therapist, to draw on it using whiteboard markers.

Supporting organisations

The screen is already being used by Angus community support organisations to continue vital face-to-face support sessions with the vulnerable people they serve. It’s hoped other groups in the county and elsewhere will use the screen to deliver the same benefits.

The idea and initial design for the screen came from Gail Penman, a director of North East Wellbeing Solutions CIC (known as NEW Solutions CIC), who provides a mental health and wellbeing support service to pupils, parents and staff in schools in Angus and Dundee from her Montrose base as well as bespoke mental health training programmes for workplaces.

During Lockdown she realised the limitations of working with clients over video calls – they don’t allow her to see what’s going on off-screen – such as the person fidgeting or the anxiety of a parent. Masks also have their limitations: “In therapy, wearing masks reduces the ability to see what’s going on. You need to see all communication – as you use a lot of observation to assess how best to identify and adapt the need and direction for intervention,” explains Gail.

Idea

So as plans were being made for reopening schools she came up with the idea of a portable screen which she and other support workers can carry with them – to enable mask-free face-to-face support sessions without screens having to be permanently installed at each location.

Gail took her initial prototypes and the challenge of making the screen freestanding to CeeD member Andy Simpson, managing director of Brechin-based Angus 3D Solutions. He designed the detachable polycarbonate feet and revised the screen so they can just slot in before making the new design for Gail.

She then had Montrose Rope & Sail create a custom padded shoulder bag to carry the screen in. Financial support for the project came from the Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Fund.

Bought screens

After she started using the portable screen for school visits, together with Covid security measures such as wiping surfaces and the screen, Gail mentioned the project at a meeting of an Angus third-sector collaborative group. As a result, Angus Women’s Aid, Angus Carers Centre and Deaf Links – the Tayside Deaf Hub service – have all bought screens for their support workers from Angus 3D Solutions at a price of £95 each.

So far 12 have been made and Andy expects more orders as word spreads among groups for whom it can re-enable face-to-face contact within the relevant Covid security rules. He hopes the price per screen can reduce if the volume of orders increases greatly and the cost of materials allows it.

Speaking about the project, Gail said: “While I now have to use Zoom again for ‘home visits’, the portable screen has enabled me to provide the face-to-face support sessions in schools vital for those who need them, particularly with the extra pressures the Covid-19 pandemic has placed on peoples’ mental health. Andy’s design and manufacturing expertise has been vital in bringing my idea to fruition.”

‘Extra safety’

A spokesperson for Angus Carers Centre said: “The screens are practical, easy to carry around and assemble and have been used within our counselling services to adult carers, and within school settings with young carers, providing carers and staff with the extra dimension of safety.”

Andy Simpson said: “We’re delighted to have been able to use our R&D experience to help Gail create a viable product and manufacture more for other community support groups whose work is essential. We’re sure there are lots of other groups and companies for whom this would also enable Covid-secure face-to-face sessions and we’d be happy to make more for them.

“It also feels good to use our expertise to enable important support services to continue in a Covid-secure way. We also made custom screens for Angus Council vehicles – so workers can share them safely.”

To enquire about screens, email Andy Simpson on andy@angus3dsolutions.co.uk

Member News – Fife vintage specialist goes global with 1st HBO/Sky TV role

16th September 202015th September 2020 Yvonne McAulay

Jude Law stars in The Third Day as a man drawn to a mysterious island.

While most UK retailers are announcing bad news, Fife vintage specialist Scaramanga is celebrating its products being seen for the first time on a global network TV drama.

Innovative new show, The Third Day, starring Jude Law, Emily Watson and Naomie Harris, premiered on HBO on Monday and Sky Atlantic and NOW TV last night. It “chronicles the individual journeys of a man and woman who arrive on a mysterious island at different times” and will allow viewers to follow the events of a single day in real time.

The show is unique in that, as well as pre-recorded, scripted episodes, it will include a live broadcast of a theatrical event on Sky Arts and online planned for October 3. It’s also the first original drama co-production between Sky’s new production house, Sky Studios, Brad Pitt’s production company Plan B Entertainment, world-renowned immersive theatre company Punchdrunk and writer Dennis Kelly.

Cupar-based vintage interiors and leather bags firm Scaramanga supplied an extra-large iron antique padlock and a large iron one to the show’s props buyer in August last year for filming, which took place in the UK. They’re now being seen by a global audience with up to 5 million subscribers in the US alone as well as up to 19 million on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK.

Reputation

Speaking about the firm’s first global network TV supply role, Scaramanga founder and Managing Director Carl Morenikeji said: “While our reputation as vintage specialists has seen our products used in 12 Hollywood and major UK movies to date, as well many UK network TV shows, this is the first time they’ve been aired on TV around the globe. We’re natural delighted.

“Better still, another three US network-made shows have bought Scaramanga products for props use and these will air next year as most are still being filmed. We’re hoping this will drive interest in our brand Stateside and in other places the shows are aired.”

The company, which also sells its bags, vintage furniture and homewares online and in its Cupar store, has previously been used as a supplier of vintage and antique props for UK TV shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Peaky Blinders, The Crystal Maze, Celebrity Big Brother, Hollyoaks, The Greatest Dancer, 60 Minute Makeover and Jericho.

Movie supply roles include Mama Mia! Here We Go Again, Paddington 2, Maleficent and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Dumbo, The Hobbit and Dark Shadows.

Vintage fans can find the full range of Scaramanga trunks, chests, homewares and bags on their website at www.scaramangashop.co.uk

Members’ Presentations – How to get your business through Covid-19

4th June 20204th June 2020 Yvonne McAulay

Since we started holding our Member Presentation Evenings two years ago, it has been one of our most popular annual events. Club members, talk for five minutes each and answer questions to share some useful knowledge and demonstrate their skills and expertise.

This year, given the challenges presented by Covid-19, we asked them to talk about what will help businesses survive and thrive during and after lockdown.

First to speak was Club President and well-being expert Marie Paterson who provided top tips for maintaining health throughout lockdown, whether it be through a healthy structured diet or a consistent sleeping pattern.

Next to speak was new Club committee member and Director of HRHUB Plus, Edward Obi who offered detailed HR advice to employers during the Covid-19 crisis.

Third to speak was Club Treasurer Michael Stephenson, of EQ Accountants, who offered advice on furloughing employees and accounting throughout lockdown.

Next to speak was Andrew Stewart from A S Wealth Management, who discussed the importance of financial planning during and beyond lockdown.

Fifth to speak was Heather Stuart, Chief Executive of ONFife who talked about opportunity spotting during lockdown.

Last but not least was committee member Jonathan Gibson of Wells Gibson who talked about the importance of purpose driven wealth.

Thanks to Members and guests who took part.

NEXT EVENT: The Club’s next event is June 24: Summer Social with a difference. While we’re unable to meet and taste some wine and food as planned, we will still join together virtually with two specially-selected wines and some delicious food, hosted by Christopher Trotter. Notice of the wineand food which needs to be bought in advance will be available soon!

2020 AGM Evening – Guest Speaker Andy Lothian

21st May 202021st May 2020 Yvonne McAulay

By Sanaa Sachdev

64th President Marie Paterson (left) and Immediate Past President Caroline Rochford at the Club’s 70th birthday dinner-dance in February.

In the Club’s 2020 AGM, held online for the first time via Zoom, outgoing President Caroline Rochford reported Club membership was 132 by the end of April, 12 ahead of this time last season, making it a third successive year of growth for the Club.

The Club’s finances are also in a healthy state, allowing the new Committee to consider more new initiatives next season.

In her President’s Report, Caroline reminded members of the events held so far this season before thanking the outgoing Committee, Marketing Communications interns and Marketing Assistant for their hard work.

Speaking about the club year, Caroline said: “As I step down from my presidency, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge what an incredibly friendly and successful business club we are. I love hearing from visitors that they have found the club to be friendly and welcoming and long may that continue.

“It has been hard work behind the scenes, but I know that I have been able to build on the great work that previous Presidents and Committees had already put in place. Thank you for the privilege it has been to be your President.”

2020-21 Committee

The 2020-21 Committee elected are:

64th President – Marie Paterson
Vice-President – Reseda Muir
Secretary – [Position vacant]
Treasurer – Michael Stephenson
Immediate Past President – Carolyn Rochford
Committee members – Alasdair Kyle, Jonathan Gibson, Christopher Trotter, Heather Stuart, Kirstin Uhlenbrock

Newly-elected President, Marie Paterson, thanked Caroline for her dedicated service to the Club before asking members to approve honoraria for Emma-Jane Kerr and Alan S. Morrison for ‘going the extra mile’ for the Club during the year and a gift to Caroline.

Marie then closed the AGM before introducing the Guest Speaker, Andy Lothian, Chief Executive of Insights Group.

Insights Group CEO, Andy Lothian, was guest speaker.

“I’ve often said self-awareness is the foundation on which all else is built.”

Almost 30 years ago, Insights Group Chief Executive Andy Lothian left the City of London to build a business with his father, Andi Lothian, in his home town of Dundee. From a humble two-man operation, the Insights Group is now one of Scotland’s fastest-growing and most successful businesses.

Andy shared his personal story of success and revealed the principles that have guided him over the years before talking about how your personal purpose and strategy should help guide your thinking about how to take your business through the Covid-19 crisis. Thanks to Andy for sharing his story and expertise with our Members and other attendees.

For more information about Insights Group and its work, go to its website at https://www.insights.com/

NEXT EVENT: June 3 – Members’ Presentations Evening – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/members-presentation-evening-member-only-event-tickets-106209752228

Inspiring Women 2020

5th March 20206th March 2020 Yvonne McAulay

In the week of International Women’s Day, the annual celebration of the contribution women make to the world, St Andrews Business Club held its third annual Inspiring Women event, this time in conjunction with Fife Women in Business.

As in the past two years it welcomed two more inspiring women who have achieved much to date in their careers and lives.

Rachel Weiss, Partner at Rowan Consultancy, shared her story in St Andrews Business Club’s 3rd annual Inspiring Women event.

Rachel Weiss shared how after studying mathematics at Oxford she began her career as a school teacher before becoming a counsellor and coach, founding Rowan Consultancy in Perth in 1997. It now has a network of counsellors from London to Inverness, together with coaches and trainers throughout Scotland, helping people to live more satisfying lives.

In 2017, she also founded the Menopause Café charity which coordinates pop-up events worldwide, where people gather to drink tea, eat cake and talk about menopause. It also runs the world’s only Menopause Festival – #FlushFest2020 will be held in Perth on May 29 and 30.

Rachel spoke engagingly about her fascinating journey, the setbacks she’s faced and how she’s overcome them.

Rachael Nixon, Owner of Chanix Millinery, shared her career journey in St Andrews Business Club’s 3rd annual Inspiring Women event.

Rachael Jayne Nixon explained how she began her career as a children’s nurse. Her interest in millinery came after she moved back home from a spell living in Saudi Arabia, where she’d bought a large and expensive ‘hatinator’ to attend a race day organised by the British Embassy.

On her flight home, the hatinator was accidentally destroyed by another passenger. As she had several weddings to attend that year, Rachael, who’s been into crafts since childhood, ended up making a replacement herself because she couldn’t find any she liked and matched her outfits.

Her Chanix Millinery business began when she posted a photo of the hatinator on Facebook and got two orders for more! Since then she spent three years teaching herself the traditional millinery skills before studying it formally at Glasgow Clyde College .

She went on to share how in a short time she has become an international award-winning milliner, including first place at the Lincoln International Millinery Competition, Best Hat at a Melbourne Cup event in Australia and Winner of Amazing New Business Innovator in No1 Magazine’s Amazing Women Awards 2020. Rachael spoke movingly of how she’s gained confidence through overcoming barriers.

Thanks to both women for inspiring everyone!

For more photos, go to the Album on our Facebook page.

NEXT EVENT: The Club’s next event is April 22: Business Communications, when Eugene Clarke will help you achieve your goals through effective communication.

70th Anniversary Dinner

22nd February 202023rd February 2020 Yvonne McAulay

Club President Caroline Rochford welcomed everyone to the 70th Birthday dinner-dance held by St Andrews Business Club at The Old Course Hotel.

To celebrate the Club’s 70th birthday a special dinner-dance was held at the Old Course Hotel.

Members past and present and their guests were welcomed by a piper before enjoying a glass of fizz and networking.

A photograph of all the Club Presidents present was taken before everyone took their seats.

Presidents past and present (from left): Frank Quinault (2007-8), Bruce Alexander (1985-6), Ewen Sparks (1999-2000), Caroline Rochford (2019-20), Alan S. Morrison (2018-19), Ronnie Murphy (1991-2) and Stephen Westwood (2010-12).

In her welcome, Club President Caroline Rochford explained the Club began in 1950 when ex-Provost George Bruce took up the idea of David Thomson to have a business club to help local businesses discuss and address issues affecting trade. Thus the first meeting was held on January 24 1950 in the Town Council Chamber.

Although Mr Bruce paid tribute to the part played by women in the business life of St Andrews, women were not initially admitted but it was agreed they might be permitted to attend meetings. Women were, of course, later admitted as members.

Caroline went on to explain that the club’s strength, then and now, is the breadth of its membership, who as individuals are involved in a wide range of business interests, local, national and in some instances global.

As Mr Bruce was keen to ensure younger businessmen were involved in the Club, Caroline said she was sure he would be delighted to learn of the introduction of the new daughter club, St Andrews Business Club Students, created last year by the current marketing communications interns, Sanaa Sachdev and Stanley Parker.

Caroline than through some of the Club’s past meeting places, including McArthurs Café – now The Rule – on South Street, the Scores Hotel and the New Golf Club, before listing some of its most prominent speakers, who include Sir Tom Farmer and Andy Irvine. A message was read out from Glen Pride, who was President in 1967-8, recounting how he was invited to join the Club before becoming its President the following year!

Caroline then thanked the committee members who helped organise the event, the staff of the hotel for their excellent service and to Audrey Clarke for her piping.

After dinner, Past Presidents Frank Quinault, Stephen Westwood and Ewen Sparks talked about times past in the Club before a raffle was held in aid of the Refugee Survival Trust, which Food For Support – a fundraising initiative co-founded by Stanley Parker – supports year-round through donations from special dishes sold at local eateries. It raised £534.

The prizes, mostly kindly donated by member businesses, were:

The Old Course Hotel – Champagne Afternoon Tea for 2
Fairmont St Andrews – Champagne Afternoon Tea for 2 in the Atrium Lounge
Scaramanga – Citylander laptop bag
Fife Cultural Trust – a Theatre gift voucher for one of their venues
West Port Print & Design – A voucher for a pull-up banner or box print from
Luvians – A bottle of wine
The club – A bottle of champagne

Finally, all enjoyed dancing till midnight to renowned band Ceilidhdonia.

For more photos, go to the Album on our Facebook page.

NEXT EVENT: The Club’s next event is March 4: Inspiring Women, when the speakers will be entrepreneurs Rachel Weiss of Rowan Consultancy & Rachael Nixon of Chanix Millinery.

Festive Social – Fairmont St Andrews

12th December 201912th December 2019 Yvonne McAulay

Report by Sanaa Sachdev & Pictures by Stanley Parker

Members enjoyed the Club’s 2019 Festive Social at Fairmont St Andrews.

The five-star resort encapsulates luxury, elegance and truly breathtaking surroundings and prides itself on its array of facilities, including two championship golf courses.

Along with 211 luxury guest rooms, it also offers a unique dining experience at the La Cucina Italian eatery and the recently awarded second AA Rosette – St Andrews Bar and Grill. Its services expand beyond dining with a world class spa facility that includes a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and relaxation room.

Club President Caroline Rochford welcomes everyone to the event.

Stewart Elder, Fairmont St Andrews Director of Sales, welcomes Club members.

The event was held at the newly-refurbished Zephyr Sports Bar and began with a warm welcome and a short presentation by the Hotel’s Director of Sales, Stewart Elder.

Members enjoyed networking over drinks in the Atrium on arrival at Fairmont St Andrews.

Members enjoyed networking and festive canapes and drinks in the Zephyr Sports bar at Fairmont St Andrews.

It was followed by an evening full of networking, drinks, canapes and a quiz! The Christmas spirit definitely brightened the ambiance, making it one of the many great nights we’ve had with our members.

Thanks to Fairmont St Andrews for kindly hosting this event and becoming a corporate member of the club and to all our members for attending it.

For more photos, go to the Album on our Facebook page. 

NEXT EVENT : The Club’s Next Event is Sustainability – benefiting your business and the planet on January 22.

Our first event of the New Year brings this in to focus with three guest speakers: Fiona Flynn of Resource Efficient Scotland, Reseda Muir of Muir Walker Pride and David Stutchfield of University of St Andrews, who will talk about ways in which you can make your business have less environmental impact, an example of how it’s done and how you can market your ‘greenness’ to build relationships with stakeholders.