2019 will offer opportunities as well as challenges for businesses operating in North-East Fife.
Many of the factors, good and bad, influencing the business environment here will come from outside the area, such as Brexit and the Tay Cities Deal, but others will come from or be influenced by Fife Council and the University of St Andrews.
Gordon Mole, Chief Officer, Economy, Planning and Employability at Fife Council.
Gordon Mole, Chief Officer, Economy, Planning and Employability at Fife Council gave an overview of the Tay Cities Deal and the Fife economy – its history, ambitions, challenges, goals and the strategy being used to deliver them – as well as the Fife perspective on Brexit.
Professor Brad MacKay, Vice-Principal, International, Strategy and External Relations at the University of St Andrews.
Professor Brad MacKay, Vice-Principal, International, Strategy and External Relations at the University of St Andrews talked about its success to date and economic impact locally, regionally and nationally and how the new University Strategy and Eden Campus will help it build on this success over the next five years.
Thanks to them both for sharing their expertise and the Members, Guests & Visitors who attended.
For more photos, go to the Albumon our Facebook page.
People doing business in North-East Fife can learn how to use research to drive innovation and business growth at St Andrews Business Club’s next event on February 13.
In the joint event with Business Gateway Fife, to be held at the Old Course Hotel from 5.30pm, business people will hear from Dr Lorna Howarth of KTN and Paul Kyle of CIK Solutions.
Dr Howarth is the Knowledge Transfer Advisor for Fife & Tayside for Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN). A highly-experienced knowledge transfer and open innovation specialist, she provides support to companies wishing to benefit from grant funding offered by the UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership program and will explain how to connect with researchers and have your business benefit from knowledge transfer.
Paul Kyle works with businesses to drive performance and organisational optimisation. His specialisms include R&D Tax Credits. He will provide a deeper understanding of how innovation within business can be funded – specifically the value of HMRC’s R&D Tax Credit scheme as a source of funding.
Anyone wanting to learn about this important business topic for business, as well as network, is asked to book via Eventbrite.
A poster for Stan & Ollie, which includes an antique suitcase supplied by Scaramanga.
Cupar vintage specialist Scaramanga, founded and run by Club Member Carl Morenikeji, is on Cloud Nine after one of its antique suitcases is used in a ‘significant’ scene in the new Laurel & Hardy biopic Stan & Ollie, released in the UK last Friday.
The film is the ninth Hollywood or major UK movie to use products from the Cupar-based firm in seven years. It stars Steve Coogan as Stan Laurel and Oscar nominee John C. Reilly as Oliver Hardy and follows the comedy legends’ ill-starred variety hall tour of Britain in 1953. It was written by Philomena screenwriter Jeff Pope and was filmed at Pinewood Studios, Dudley, Bristol and Worthing.
The new role for the Cupar vintage specialist came about when a props buyer who’d sourced items for 2015 movie Pan from Scaramanga called owner Carl Morenikeji in December 2016 looking for a period suitcase urgently for a “a significant scene”. Carl was able to supply a very large 1920s/’30s brown leather suitcase with corner-protecting patches and leather internal straps.
The large antique suitcase supplied by Scaramanga to Stan & Ollie.
Now Carl and the staff at Scaramanga are waiting with bated breath to see what role their case plays in the film, which reveals the tensions in the relationship between the comedy legends.
Major movies
Other major movie supply roles for the Fife firm have included last summer’s Mama Mia! Here We Go Again, Paddington 2, Maleficent, Victoria & Abdul, Pan, The Legend of Tarzan and Dark Shadows.
The company, which also sells its bags, vintage furniture and homewares online and in its Cupar store, has also been used as a supplier of vintage and antique props for TV shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Peaky Blinders, The Crystal Maze, Celebrity Big Brother, Jericho, Hollyoaks and 60 Minute Makeover.
Speaking about the firm’s latest silver screen success, Carl Morenikeji said: “It’s great to see another of our products chosen for a key role in another fine film. Although this is the ninth major movie to feature our products, we’re as excited as we were the first time.
“I’ve been a fan of Laurel and Hardy since I was a child and have visited the Laurel and Hardy Museum in Ulverston, Cumbria.
“We recently decided to stock even more of this kind of vintage travel case and trunks as they’re becoming more popular for use as home storage, so anyone wanting to buy something similar can do so on our website. Or pop into our store on the outskirts of Cupar to see these and other items just like those we’ve sold to film and TV productions.”
Vintage fans can see the full range of Scaramanga trunks, chests, homewares and bags on their website at www.scaramangashop.co.uk
They can also walk around its Cupar store in Google Street View® via its Google Street View Trusted® tour at https://goo.gl/maps/vi7oYKCxck92
Members of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) can from today buy cutting-edge off-grid power products at privileged prices after a young Scottish company started by a St Andrews Business Club Member sailed its way to its second deal with a well-established brand.
Created this year, Dundee-based Powercases (Scotland) Ltd has a partnership to exclusively represent the Canadian Powercases brand in Europe. Since 2012 Powercases has created state-of-the-art Lithium-Ion rechargeable power packs and cases for devices such as phones and laptops as well as jump-starters for cars, motorcycles and boats.
The Scottish firm, headed by sales coach Peter Waggott, will from today offer a range of its products to the more than 110,000 members of the Royal Yachting Association at privileged prices via Staples Solutions UK, with which it recently entered into a supplier agreement.
Speaking about the deal, Peter Waggott said: “We’re delighted to be accepted as a recognised Member Reward Partner by the Royal Yachting Association – the national body for all forms of recreational, competitive and professional boating in the UK.
Crucial
“Having power on demand when you’re at sea is crucial. Our products allow sailors to stay connected wherever they are and our Marine Jump Starter battery allows you to check your running lights with the mast down – the first product to offer that feature.
“We’re already talking with other trusted brands and expect to be announcing more similar agreements with major, trusted and well-established names in their sectors in the coming months.”
Powercases in Canada is in advanced talks with Kia Canada to offer its range of products via dealerships there. It’s looking to do the same in the UK.
RYA Members can take advantage of this great new offer by visiting the Powercases Member Benefits page for their exclusive discount code www.rya.org.uk/go/powercases
Powercases Brand Ambassador Jamie Matthew using the 2-in-1 Phone Case Charger during training.
Portable power products brought to Europe by a young Scottish company headed by a Club member are helping the Scot coaching GB Snowsport’s top park and pipe World Championship hopes use his video camera and phone longer on the slopes to help them gain a winning edge.
Started last year, Dundee-based Powercases (Scotland) Ltd has a partnership to exclusively represent the Canadian Powercases brand in Europe.
The Scottish firm, headed by sales coach and Club Member Peter Waggott, last October arranged for the GB Snowsport Park and Pipe Freeski Head Coach Jamie Matthew (31), from Kirriemuir, to test its 2-in-1 Phone Case Charger and Universal Charger products during training in Austria.
Impressed
Jamie was so impressed with their ability to extend how long he can use his phone and video camera on the slopes for performance analysis in sub-zero temperatures that he agreed a one-year rolling contract as ambassador for the brand in November.
Since then he’s been promoting the products via Instagram posts to his more than 2,400 followers and in person to the athletes. He’s also giving the company product feedback to improve their performance even further.
Jamie said: “I’m using the Powercases 2-in-1 Phone Case Charger to keep my phone charged on the hill and the Universal Charger to keep the camera charged.
“I film the athletes in practice and go over their planned runs with them prior to competition. Having a fully-charged video camera is essential in this review process. It allows the athletes a direct visual aid in helping to make final tweaks and decisions on game plans.
Godsend
“The temperatures in Colorado average around -15 to -20C in December, so the powerbanks’ ability to keep them fully functional in the extreme cold is a godsend as it avoids having to take breaks to change batteries or recharge.
“It’s also very important to keep my phone charged during competition as that’s how I keep an eye on the live scoring and make judgement calls throughout including any changes in strategy. It also allows me to keep in close contact with management back at HQ – to co-ordinate any media-related information or pass on info to our medical team.”
Jamie, who was one of two coaches who trained teen Izzy Atkin to Britain’s first Olympic skiing medal at PyeongChang last year, is a former ski slopestyle and half pipe skier. Unfortunately, he was forced to retire from competitive skiing in 2012 after shattering both heels in an accident. But his talent is so great he was immediately offered a coaching post.
Jamie had competed at European and world level before his injury, but at that time they weren’t Olympic events. He won some European-level competitions. Jamie has been instrumental in nurturing the talent of Izzy Atkin and James Woods.
Speaking about the deal and Jamie’s role, Peter Waggott said: “I’m delighted our products are playing an important role in helping our GB Snowsports stars go for gold.
“Jamie is a fantastic ambassador for our brand and a pretty good photographer too. We’re excited to be supporting him and the team.”
Leo Hector learning about coffee production in an Ethiopian forest.
A 24-year-old Fife coffee professional in training overcame issues with anxiety to organise his first solo foreign trip – to learn about coffee in Ethiopia and work towards a career as a green coffee buyer.
Leo Hector, from Ladybank, landed a job at social enterprise We Are Zest Café in St Andrews after impressing on an eight-week post-college work experience placement during which he gained more control over his anxiety. The self-funding ethical café provides training and paid work for people with additional support needs to help them learn valuable work skills and maintain or achieve employment.
Leo developed a passion for coffee after learning more about it from owner Lisa Cathro, who’s a member of St Andrews Business Club. After he set himself a career goal to become a green coffee buyer, Lisa suggested he go to Ethiopia to learn further on one of the coffee tours organised by her friend Joost Leopold, a Speciality Coffee Association trainer and coffee expert.
‘Very beneficial’
So, in September, Leo set about organising the 10-day trip after he got the backing of his parents. The group set off on October 27 and after, arriving in Addis Ababa, they spent a day visiting coffee related places including the Ethiopian coffee exchange (ECX) – the Government market place where coffee is traded nationally and internationally.
They later visited a centre where the beans are graded, a storage facility, plantations and got to pick coffee cherries. Leo even got a pat on the shoulder from a farmer – which means he picked well! The group also visited Mankira forest, the location where the first coffee tree was found, and sampled different varieties. Leo and the group also learned about the financial side of buying and exporting.
“For someone who wants to be in this industry, the trip was very beneficial,” says Leo. “This trip has given me more understanding of coffee processing and lots more on the economics of coffee trading.
“I’m going to continue developing my coffee knowledge and gaining more experience, so I can find a job where I can increase my portfolio and get a foothold in the industry.
Grateful
“I’m so grateful to Lisa for giving me that opportunity! Lisa is someone who will help to get you where you want to be. She’s made me believe in myself and my capabilities to go forward in life and for that I’m truly thankful.”
“Putting the coffee aside, I learned that I can’t take anything for granted because we can get what we want when we want it but Ethiopian people can’t. Seeing it first-hand has changed my outlook on life – not to take things for granted and to appreciate everything I have.
“One of the highlights for me was visiting a wild coffee plantation which grows in the cloud forests in Kaffa. It was stunning and just listening to the owner talk so enthusiastically about how coffee should be grown and how people should respect the coffee more was inspiring.”
Lisa Cathro says: “The whole Zest team are really proud of Leo for pursuing his goals and pushing himself to keep learning and developing. I have no doubt Leo will get to where he wants to be career-wise and we’re happy to have played a part in his journey.”
Joost Leopold said: “Leo shared a great interest in the coffee trade. Maybe one day in future he will be a green coffee buyer. Leo showed lots of enthusiasm during the trip and it was obvious that this experience was a crucial step for him.”
Gordon Mole, Chief Officer, Business and Employability, Fife Council (left) and Professor Brad MacKay, Vice-Principal, International, Strategy and External Relations, University of St Andrews, will speak at St Andrews Business Club on January 16.
People doing business in North-East Fife can hear about the likely effects on the economy of North-East Fife of major factors such as Brexit and The Tay Cities Deal at a St Andrews Business Club event on January 16.
In the event, to be held at the Old Course Hotel from 5.30pm, Gordon Mole, Chief Officer, Business and Employability, at Fife Council and Professor Brad MacKay, Vice-Principal, International, Strategy and External Relations at University of St Andrews, will talk about what they believe 2019 will and may hold for St Andrews and North-East Fife which will affect businesses and for which they need to have a plan.
Gordon Mole is responsible for employability, economic development, economic policy, town centres and tourism and is the council’s business lead for Brexit. He has worked on economic development and employment initiatives for major construction programmes including London’s Shard of Glass, Heathrow Terminal 5 and Tate Modern, and as Employment and Brokerage Manager for Crossrail.
Prof MacKay is Professor of Strategy in the University of St Andrews School of Management and was appointed Vice-Principal, International Strategy and External Relations, in August 2017.
Prof MacKay’s responsibilities include oversight of the development of the university’s institutional strategy (2018-2023) for the post-Brexit era and development and management of practices and policies related to strategic relationships national and international including membership on a range of government and sector-wide committees and delegations
Anyone wishing to learn about this important business topic, as well as network, is asked to book via Eventbrite.
Retiring founder Terry Scanlon (left) is presented with his Auchterlonies vouchers by Stephen and Claire Simpson.
St Andrews businessman Terry Scanlon is handing over his ink roller to swap printing for more putting and poolsides in the sun after 35 years running West Port Print & Design and 54 years in the print trade.
Terry (69) started the business in 1983 with just two staff and one small, single-colour press after learning his trade over 18 years with the University of St Andrews Printing Department.
Over the years West Port’s reputation for quality fuelled its growth and in 1997 it bought its first full-colour press and was one of the first to offer a ‘while-you-wait’ colour copy service. Since then the business has expanded to a staff of 12 and continues to advance through embracing the latest technologies for its clients, many of which are prestigious locally-based brands such as the R&A, St Andrews Links Trust and the Old Course and Fairmont hotels.
For customers the story is ‘business as usual’ because the new owners are existing directors Stephen and Claire Simpson. Stephen, a Member of St Andrews Business Club, joined the firm in 1997 and became a director in 2008. He and Claire aim to continue the firm’s growth.
Expanding
While they’re expanding its services, Terry plans to be hitting the fairways and travelling to Portugal with his wife Catherine (who used to help out in the shop on Saturday mornings) more often, where he enjoys golf, cycling and eating fresh fish by the sea. His retirement gift? What else but Auchterlonies vouchers!
Speaking about hanging up his printer’s apron, Terry said: “It has been a blast for 54 years. The changes in technology have been unbelievable!
“I must thank all my staff for their hard work and my customers for their loyal support over the years. I hope they’ll support Stephen and Claire just as much.”
Stephen Simpson said: “Terry’s legacy in building West Port Print & Design to the high standing it now enjoys now has to be acknowledged as a phenomenal achievement. Claire and I have a very hard act to follow, but we’re keen to build on the reputation we’re inheriting.”
For more information about West Port Print & Design, go to its website at www.westportprint.co.uk
Members of St Andrews Business Club and their Guests are shown around the building by one of the tour guides.
Thanks to Members and Guests for attending the Club’s 2018 Festive Social at V&A Dundee – the No.1 choice of Members in the Summer Member Survey.
It topped off a record year for the Club perfectly – with a new record attendance for an event!
Best wishes for the festive season to all our Members and the wonderful people who make St Andrews and North-East Fife the uniquely amazing place it is.
For more photos, go to the Album on our Facebook page.
Report & Pictures by ASM Media & PR
NEXT EVENT: The Club’s next event is January 16: North-East Fife 2019 when Gordon Mole of Fife Council and Prof Brad MacKay of the University of St Andrews will give their insights into the business environment next year, including the effects of Brexit and the Tay Cities Deal.
William Dowson, Bank of England Agent for Scotland, shared the Bank of England views on the current economic climate, interest rates and the business environment, as well as explaining his role and talking questions at the event held by St Andrews Business Club at The Old Course Hotel. Pic: ASM Media & PR
In our latest business learning event at the Old Course Hotel, William Dowson, Bank of England Agent for Scotland, shared the Bank’s views on the current economic climate, interest rates and the business environment as well as explaining his role and talking questions.
Thanks to him for sharing his time and expertise.
Mr Dowson became Agent for Scotland in 2010. He joined the Bank in 1995 and was a Senior Manager in the Bank’s Foreign Exchange Division before joining the Agency Network.
He has held a range of analyst and management positions in the Banking, Financial Stability and Markets areas at the Bank.
William has a BSc in Business Studies and an MSc in Finance, both from the University of London.
People doing business in North-East Fife can learn how to use research to drive innovation and business growth at St Andrews Business Club’s next event on February 13.
