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GLASGOW BUSINESS MARCH/APRIL 2013


CONTENTS/PRESIDENT


Varry McMenemy, President president@glasgowchamberofcommerce.com


Countdown begins to new opportunities


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As we reflected at our AGM in January, the Chamber has achieved a lot over the past year working with and for our members. That meeting confirmed the


progress that is being made increasing our services for members and our contribution to the Glasgow economy during a particularly challenging time. Our plans are in place for a very


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significant year ahead which will have a major effect on our city, our country and its place in the world. A major drive to boost our membership, themed events focusing on key sectors to the city’s economy and increased services for our members are all areas that will be rolled out in the months ahead. As we detail in this issue of Glasgow Business, we have launched Workforce Solutions, an exciting new service for our members. It will help cut through


News Chief Executive welcome


Chamber news Glasgow news Partner news Member news New members


Events Training


Chamber events programme


Behind The Scenes Glasgow Business Awards


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10 12 14 46


16 Past and forthcoming events 18


20 22 24


Features City of the future


Flying high


Healthy working life Get the right staff


Tell me about yourself The hiring minefield Member benefits City investment


Chamber Champion Member profile The Pitch


Column BIG talks


26 28 30 33 34 36 38 40 42 44 50


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Cover image: Land Securities Chief Executive Robert Noel and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP celebrate the opening of 185-221 Buchanan Street


the complexity involved in taking on new employees by helping at every stage of recruitment, including accessing the public sector support that is available. We look forward to hearing how that service is received and welcome any suggestions as to how it can be improved. We have announced more detail of


a tremendous series of Glasgow Talks events covering a range of key issues that face our member businesses and offering the chance to learn from the experience and knowledge of business leaders and commentators. We will hear from top business leaders Sir Brian Souter, Chairman of Stagecoach, and Keith Cochrane, CEO of The Weir Group. We are also delighted to welcome Martin Wolff, Chief Economic Commentator of the Financial Times, and Martin Powell, Head of Urban Development at Siemens, to our thought-provoking


themed Glasgow Talks on the Economy and Smart Cities. A Glasgow Talks event on whisky


will feature a panel of speakers including Gavin Hewitt, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association. The Chamber is working with the


business community to submit is views on the development of the city centre. We are very grateful to our members within the retail sector in helping create the Glasgow Retailers Association as a new vehicle to all retailers across the city.


This important work is about


attracting investment into the city centre and assessing what needs to be done to ensure that Glasgow continues to flourish. The Chamber has also begun its work on the constitutional debate. Members of the Chamber’s Council have met with Alistair Darling


of Better Together and Blair Jenkins of


Yes Scotland to examine


the issues as they affect our membership and our city economy. Council member Katy Wedderburn


of MacRoberts is chairing a group set up to carry on that task. In this issue, we begin a countdown


to July 2014 when the Commonwealth Games will open in Glasgow. We have met with Sports Minister


Shona Robison to discuss the Games. We discussed and will continue to work on two key themes on the Games. These are access to the city and how that will affect businesses during the Games and the opportunities for business for our members arising out of Glasgow 2014. Scottish-based businesses have already won £250 million worth of business from the Games, with more business available to win in the months ahead. We at Your Chamber shall do all


we can to prepare for an exciting year ahead for our city.


Glasgow Business . 3 www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com


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