New Way To Measure Biodiversity At Rewilding Hotspot

 Articles, Environment  No Responses »
Sep 292016
 

With thanks to Richard Bunting, Director, Richard Bunting PR.

dundreggan-birch-trees-blue-sky-cloud-formation2

Birch trees at Trees for Life’s Dundreggan Conservation Estate

An innovative study of soundscapes at Trees for Life’s Dundreggan Conservation Estate aims to reveal new findings about woodland health and the richness of wildlife at the 10,000-acre biodiversity hotspot.
Composer and audio specialist Huw McGregor has carried out an initial investigation at the Inverness-shire estate as part of his Woodland Soundscape Project, using purpose-built sound recording equipment to collect and monitor forest sounds.

He hopes to develop a new way of measuring biodiversity at Dundreggan, by providing fresh data on the diversity and populations of species, and also to inspire people to visit and enjoy woodlands.

“People have long enjoyed forest sounds, but using modern technology to study the soundscapes of these precious habitats offers a new way of better understanding their development over time, and the diversity and behaviour of their wildlife,” said Huw McGregor.

“Strengthening understanding of our sonic environment, and its links to ecological health, can provide a useful new way of measuring the impact of conservation work. It’s fantastic to be working with Trees for Life, because rewilding is so important for the wellbeing of our children and the natural world.”

Dundreggan – Trees for Life’s flagship forest regeneration site – is gaining an international reputation for its biodiversity. It has been described as a Highlands ‘lost world’, where more than 3,000 species have been discovered, including 10 found nowhere else in the UK and others that are extremely rare.

Huw’s initial recordings at the site include the dawn and dusk choruses. Such recordings can be used to study bird population numbers and the range of species, as well as how species use different spaces to alter their songs or how sounds such as waterfalls, roads and human activity affect their behaviour.

Data on bird species can also be used as an indicator for overall biodiversity, and Huw is seeking funding to allow a deeper investigation of Dundreggan’s birdlife.

A permanent audio record will be gathered that could be used to help provide a detailed examination of Dundreggan’s ecological health, and to track progress in strengthening its biodiversity.

Encouraging people’s enjoyment of woodlands is also part of the project. Recordings of a ‘sound walk’ of Dundreggan’s waterfalls offer a sonic experience of the falls, for example, and musical sounds around rock pools have also been gathered. Some of Huw’s Dundreggan recordings feature on a new ‘Forests Of The World’ CD, available for free listening and download via woodcraftproductions.com.

Huw is also looking to explore woodlands in the Czech Republic and Wales, to develop the soundscape project into a wider study across nations. For more details about his work, see www.huwmcgregor.tk.

Award-winning Trees for Life – one of Scotland’s leading conservation charities – is restoring the Caledonian Forest in the Highlands to one of the UK’s wildest landscapes. See www.treesforlife.org.uk.

  • Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Charity Cyclists Swap Four Wheels For Two

 Aberdeen City, Information  No Responses »
Sep 292016
 

With thanks to Clare Scott, Communications Consultant, CJS Communication & Marketing.

tour-de-vardy-charity-cycle

Gavin Fairweather (left) and Richie Cooper will pedal for charity

Two members of staff from motor specialist Peter Vardy Vauxhall are preparing to tackle a self-styled Tour de Vardy in aid of charity following an inspiring summer of British cycling.

Richie Cooper, managing partner and Gavin Fairweather, new car sales manager, will pedal 230 miles from 1-3 October 2016 to raise funds for family support charity Home-Start Aberdeen.

The pair, both of whom are keen cyclists, have been in training for the challenge, which forms part of Peter Vardy Aberdeen’s year-long CSR (corporate social responsibility) partnership with Home-Start Aberdeen.

The cyclists’ 230-mile route commences from the Peter Vardy CarStore in Glasgow and incorporates stopping points over the weekend at the company’s showrooms in Motherwell, Edinburgh, Dalgety Bay, Kirkcaldy, Perth and Dundee. They will be followed by two colleagues in a liveried support vehicle and hope to receive lots of additional moral support during their stops along the route.

They are due to reach their final destination – the Peter Vardy Vauxhall showroom on Aberdeen’s Lang Stracht – late afternoon on Monday, 3 October.

“All of our colleagues throughout Peter Vardy in Scotland are aware of what we are doing and we are looking forward to seeing as many of them as possible during our scheduled stops on the Tour de Vardy,” says Richie.

“It’s a pretty challenging route so the friendly faces and encouragement will spur us on – along with the knowledge that we are raising funds for local families in need of help.”

Home-Start Aberdeen is a volunteer-led organisation, which provides vulnerable families with emotional and practical support in their own homes. Georgette Cobban, scheme manager, Home-Start Aberdeen says:

“We are thrilled that Richie and Gavin have chosen to raise funds for us in this way. The Tour de Vardy is an amazing challenge in itself, however we are aware that a lot of planning and training has also gone into this event.
 
“Although we have recruited a record number of volunteers this year, demand for our services continues to increase, so we desperately need to attract and train additional people.  The money raised by the Peter Vardy cyclists will help to support this work so that we, in turn, can support a greater number of families.”

The Tour de Vardy is one of a series of fundraising events planned by Peter Vardy staff throughout their year of joint working with Home-Start Aberdeen. The cyclists’ appeal has already received a boost in the form of a £2000 pledge from their employer. Anyone who wishes to support their efforts can donate at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/PeterVardyVauxhallAberdeen.

Further information on Home-Start Aberdeen’s support services for families is available at www.homestartaberdeen.org.uk, telephone 01224 693545.

  • Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Chicago The Musical at HMT: Duncan Harley Reviews

 Aberdeen City, Featured, Opinion  No Responses »
Sep 292016
 

Duncan Harley reviews Chicago the Musical at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen.

chicago_john_partridge_as_bill2Take a few soap stars, add some distinctly slinky costumes and pour in a few measures of Prohibition-era corruption and what have you got? Chicago the Musical, of course!
In modern times, superstars such as Oscar Pistorius and Phil Spector attracted extensive media interest before receiving lengthy terms of incarceration, following high profile televised murder trials watched in some cases by upwards of 100m viewers.

They were perhaps unlucky: if they had lived in Chicago in the pre-TV era, and had been female, things might have turned out very differently indeed.

The 1920s media moguls of Chicago Illinois were intent on selling newspapers at all costs, and were not above sensationalising the stories of low-life female killers in order to transform them into front page stars.

Crime reporters, known derisively as sob sisters, were despatched to the local prisons with firm instructions to work up a good story at all costs. Morality and criminal justice came second to a juicy tale, and a homicide involving a lover or a spouse often led to fast-track celebrity status.

Chicago the Musical tells just such a story. Based on a 1926 play of the same name by local newspaper reporter Maurine Watkins, the plot follows the corrupt creation of celebrity criminals in Cook County Jail in the U.S. state of Illinois. While media moguls and fat cat lawyers prospered, the rule of law went out the window as attractive prison belles were groomed to evade justice by playing on the public’s insatiable appetite for poor, but pretty and defenceless murderesses.

This new revival of Chicago strips back the production to the bare bones. Most of the stage is occupied by the band and the action features some highly minimalistic costuming, plus the very minimum of props.

The storyline is well known. Self-confessed murderesses get off with homicide due to good looks, or as headlines of the time put it more aptly “Pretty girls get free, ugly ones sent to Pen”.

As the band plays, the cast play out the sensational stories of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly in a series of high energy vaudeville routines interspersed with an occasional murder or two.

There are villains aplenty in this production, and apart from the pathetically downtrodden Amos, soundly played by Neil Ditt, the only real heroes are the cast.

chicago_hayley_tamaddon_as_rox2Emmerdale’s Hayley Tamaddon fairly threw herself into the 2010 TV production of Dancing on Ice, and she drew gasps from the audience this week as she strutted her stuff on the Aberdeen stage.
Playing the part of the unrepentant Roxie Hart, she proved once again that she can perform equally well with or without her ice skates.

Co-star Sophie Carmen-Jones also wowed the audience as double murderer Velma. In a series of complex song and dance routines she proved once and for all that vaudeville ain’t dead yet.

For my money though, the supreme accolade must go to seedy lawyer Billy Flynn. Flynn is played exquisitely by John Partridge of EastEnders fame, who not only manages to squeeze out the longest single note ever heard on an Aberdeen stage but, in a hilarious scene, also proves his worth as a stage ventriloquist.

This is an engaging and exciting production full of dark humour and fast movement. At its core Chicago the Musical presents as a satirical take on the cult of the celebrity criminal, and as such is as relevant today as it was when first produced as a play almost a century ago. A must-see.

Chicago the Musical performs at HMT Aberdeen until Saturday 1st October

Tickets from Aberdeen Performing Arts Tel: 01224- 641122

Words © Duncan Harley and Images © Aberdeen Performing Arts

Hundreds Take Part In CLAN Landmark Walk

 Aberdeen City, Featured  No Responses »
Sep 292016
 
CLAN CHARITY WALK 2016

Dr Colette Backwell, Lord Provost George Adam, Clancy and first walker Pam Kerr set the walkers off at Westburn Park

With thanks to Jessica Murphy, Senior Account Executive, Citrus:Mix.

Hundreds of walkers donned purple at the weekend to help raise funds and awareness for a leading north-east cancer support charity.

More than 300 people took part in CLAN Cancer Support’s fourth Landmark Walk on Saturday, September 24.

Participants tackled one of two routes of either 13 miles or 7.8 miles and enjoyed a variety of prominent landmarks and spots throughout Aberdeen along the way.

The event was officially started by Lord Provost councillor George Adam as walkers set off in their droves from the city’s Westburn Park to tackle the trail.

The sea of purple walkers were greeted by hundreds of supporters on their return to the park throughout the day, with the green space behind the charity’s CLAN House headquarters transformed into a fun play area. Bouncy castles, an inflatable assault course, tea cup rides and face-painting, as well as BBQ catering and sweet treats provided fun for all the family.

With sponsorships and donations pouring in, the event, which was generously sponsored by Macduff Shellfish is on course to raise thousands of pounds which will aid the charity in continuing to provide free support services to anyone affected by cancer throughout the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland.

Susan Crighton, CLAN’s fundraising manager, said:

“This is the fourth year we’ve held our Landmark Walk and the amount of support we have received for the event, from individuals, businesses, walkers and volunteers, particularly in the current economic climate, blew us away.

“Everyone at CLAN would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one for their contribution, whether it was by taking part in the walk, volunteering or sponsoring a participant.

“It was fantastic to see Westburn Park transformed into a happy sea of purple. It is always a special moment watching all the runners go past in their purple CLAN shirts. It was a very special day which was crucial in terms of raising both funds and awareness for the charity.”

CLAN Cancer Support is an independent charity which provides comfort support and information, free of charge, for anyone, of any age, affected by any type of cancer. CLAN aims to support people to reduce anxiety, stress and to increase their ability to cope with the effects of a serious illness.

Based in Aberdeen, the charity covers the whole of north-east Scotland, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. CLAN has a presence in Ballater, Banchory, Elgin, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Lossiemouth, Peterhead, Stonehaven, Turriff, Kirkwall and Lerwick.

For further information about CLAN Cancer Support please call (01224) 647 000 or visit www.clanhouse.org

  • Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Aberdeen 1 St Johnstone 0 – Betfred Cup 22.09.16

 Featured, Opinion, Sport  No Responses »
Sep 232016
 

By Red Fin Hall.

donsfansfinhallSince Aberdeen won the League Cup in 2014, their success in cup competitions has been non existent.

Tonight’s quarter final game against the team that they have had scant success of late, had the fans hoping that after their slow start to the season, they would follow up their away victory against Dundee with another emphatic victory.

A fine sunny day made conditions ideal for football. Aberdeen had planned lining up with two changes; with Stockley and Burns starting, and McGinn and Rooney on the bench, both of whom have been looking a bit tired in previous games.

But Hayes injured himself during the warm up giving McGinn a start.

Craig Thomson refereed this game, a game that was always going to be a close run thing.

Throughout the game Aberdeen tried their best to break down the resolute St Johnstone defence without giving keeper Zander Clark any saves to make. Saying that Joe Lewis in the home defence had nothing to do either. The first shot came from Shinnie after a Stockley cross, but it went well wide.

A crowd of around 9,000 saw four first half bookings, two each side, as both teams fairly evenly matched each other. Loan signing Maddison continued his flair playing as seen in the game against Dundee at the weekend, despite not getting enough of the ball.

Cup games under floodlights are the stuff that little boys, and girls, remember into their grown up years. This one however will not be one of them.

The tousy first half ended leaving the fans feeling a tad nervous, with the game having a no scoring draw written all over it despite a great ball in from Maddison to McGinn on the right wing, who crossed it to Burns who was running in. His shot went just past the post.

The visitors made their first substitution only three minutes into the second half, and they started off by going forward towards the Aberdeen goal, to no avail. The home team then set off on the attack, but that too petered out when a very poor Stockley ball fell woefully short of Logan and was easily tidied up the Perth men.

Meanwhile the signing section kept up their vocal encouragement to the accompaniment of their solo drummer.

In the 68th minute Wotherspoon had the ball in the back of the net, but, much to the relief of The Dons fans, he was clearly offside.

Aberdeen then made a double substitution, replacing Burns and Stockley with Pawlett and Rooney. The latter ‘s running in the opposition half made their defence work harder.

Five minutes from the end, St Johnstone were awarded a free kick 30 yards out. The same player who had the ball in the net, Wotherspoon, took the kick, which went over the wall and was heading for the net were it not for a remarkable save from Aberdeen’s number one, who deflected it onto the crossbar. The ball bounced back into play, and Ash Taylor cleared.

On the 90 minute mark, Shinnie made a run down the left, all but ignoring the three defenders covering him, he crossed the ball into the box in front of the home fans in the Richard Donald Stand to find the head of Rooney who directed the ball into the net.

1-0.

The resultant jubilation was tinged with a fair dose of relief. The visitors pressed hard in the couple of minutes added on, but the men in red fought even harder to hold onto their lead.

St Johnstone, up until that point were seemingly content with a draw, and were totally deflated when the final whistle blew denying them extra time.

Aberdeen now go on to play Morton in the semi final,who incidentally, were the first professional club that manager Derek McKinnes played for.

Two footnotes from the game.

Before the game Willie Miller was pulling into the club car park to do his Radio Scotland duties. The lady on duty, trying to be helpful, asked him,

“Have you been here before? Do you know where you are going?”

After the whistle had gone and the teams were in their respective dressing rooms, some of the away team took exception to the loud, celebratory music emitting from the home dressing room, ( the door was open), and went and shut the door. Some home players took exception to that, and a minor altercation took place.

The next match is Sunday 25th with The Rangers being the visitors.

Protestors Highlight Cruelty Of City Fur Retailer

 Aberdeen City, Opinion  8 Responses »
Sep 232016
 

A George Street clothing store’s unrepentant sale of fox and racoon fur items has sparked off a petition and a series of protests. The unrepentant retailer Escale France has not answered Aberdeen Voice’s request for comment on its choosing to sell items featuring the pelts of animals which would have suffered immensely in their brief, unnatural lives confined to cages before an eventual electrocution, drowning or bludgeoning to death.

As Escale France can neither find any words in defence of its position (if such is possible) or is unwilling to speak to the press, the press speaks to animal welfare groups, individuals, fashion experts – and children – as to what is wrong with the fur trade. By Suzanne Kelly

escale-france-protestors-by-s-reid-sept-16b

Protestors attended legal demonstrations on Thursday 15 and Saturday 18 September

Fur is making something of a comeback; a comeback among people who by default are lacking in compassion and empathy.

Horrific existences in small wire pens, torture, suffering and eventual terrifying deaths await fur bearing mammals that exist in the fur industry.

There is no excuse that their meat can be used to feed the hungry.

Depending on the animal, dozens of animas will be skinned (sometimes alive) to create a single garment. Escale France is not bothered.

Here are quotes from some of the protestors who attended legal demonstrations on Thursday 15 and Saturday 18 September (more demonstrations are planned).

Christine Arnold Solomon, fashion lecturer who is opposed to the use of animal fur, told Aberdeen Voice:

“Stella McCartney has built a whole designer empire built on not using any animal products in anything including perfume; she uses lots of beautiful faux furs and gets the same aesthetic.”

Fiona Melvin said:

“How the animals are raised; they grow up in a cage and the doors never open until it’s time for them to die.

“They are anally electrocuted when they are often still alive – they are shocked, terrorised beyond belief.”

Kairhys, a young man, said:

“It is murder. I have a dog, two rabbits, two rats, 3 cats… they all have feelings; they can get scared.”

The demonstrators had informed the police of their plans in advance; the police who attended were found to be very helpful by the protestors. Signs and  placards, chanted slogans and discussions with passers by took place.

Many people were shocked to find a store in Aberdeen selling real fur; one such piece for sale is a dead racoon’s pelt dyed a pink colour – which further begs the question as to why fake fur was not used – should any argument be  in the first place – a fake pink fur could have sufficed without the animal destruction.

A petition for those against this store’s use of fur can be found here:

Anyone wishing to join the peaceful protest group can leave a comment on this article, asking to join the closed Facebook group. A further protest is planned for Saturday 24 September at Escale France from noon until 3pm, close to John Lewis.

  • Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Tickets Go On Sale For Aberdeen Comedy Festival

 Aberdeen City, News  No Responses »
Sep 232016
 

With thanks to Jessica Murphy, Senior Account Executive, Citrus:Mix.

junior-simpsonTickets for a new comedy festival in the heart of the Granite City will be available to the public from Friday September 23.
Comedy fans can choose from over 65 shows from a fantastic line-up of comics during the 23 day Aberdeen Comedy Festival, which is taking place from October 14 to November 5.

The laugh filled extravaganza, which is being sponsored by local bar/pub McGinty’s Meal An’ Ale, will feature more than 250 comedians performing at over 20 venues throughout the city centre.

Junior Simpson, Phil Nicol, Shazia Mirza, Allyson June Smith, Seymour Mace and local favourite Gus Lymburn have been announced as the latest comics to take part in the inaugural event, which will mark the first time Aberdeen has hosted a comedy festival on such a big scale.

Finding his humour in the everyday and humdrum with anecdotes of his world travels as a comedian, Junior Simpson has a boundless joy and exuberance that has audiences hooked with hilarity.

With his infectious energy and huge stage presence it is easy to see why Junior Simpson is a circuit favourite. Junior has performed in countless festivals and is looking forward to taking part in the first Aberdeen Comedy Festival.

The festival will kick off in style with a gala launch event at the historic Tivoli Theatre in Aberdeen on October 14 as Australian funnyman Tom Stade sets the tone for the event.

Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said:

“Both Aberdeen Inspired and Breakneck Comedy have been working incredibly hard on planning the Aberdeen Comedy Festival and we are delighted to have reached this point.

“At what continues to be a difficult time economically for the city, we are pleased to bringing some laughs to Aberdeen with the first comedy festival of its kind and it is great to get support from local businesses like our main sponsor McGintys. There has been a fantastic buzz since we launched the festival and we are sure there will be great interest in the wide variety of comedians and shows that will be on offer from Friday.

“The launch event at Tivoli is shaping up to a tremendous event and we are looking forward to kicking off the festival in such wonderful and historic surroundings. Our ambition with the festival was to source the best comedy for both residents and visitors to enjoy and we hope the public will take advantage of this opportunity to see a varied range of comedy in the city centre.”

Operations Director, Alan Aitken of McGinty’s Meal An’ Ale, said:

“As a local business, we are delighted to support the first Aberdeen Comedy Festival. It is great to be involved in a new initiative for the North-east and hopefully this will encourage everyone to stay local in the city centre to enjoy what our great city has to offer. We look forward to welcoming all the comedy lovers and throughout the festival we will be serving the official festival ale ‘McGinty’s Barrel of Laughs’.”

Caroline Morgan, Theatre Manager at the Tivoli, said:

“The Tivoli is thrilled to be involved with such an exciting event and we are proud to be the Comedy Festival Gala Night venue. We know that audiences all over the city will have a great laugh and we hope it will bring new people to the theatre.”

The festival programme has been put together by Naz Hussain of Breakneck Comedy. Younger audiences will also get a chance to have some fun at a special show for kids, while anyone who has ever fancied their hand at comedy will have the chance with stand-up comedy workshops.

To buy tickets (from Friday September 23) and for more information on the festival visit http://www.aberdeencomedyfestival.com/

Tickets can also be bought in person at the Lemon Tree or HMT Box Offices.

Aberdeen Inspired is the banner under which the Aberdeen BID (Business Improvement District) operates. It is a business-led initiative within the city centre in which levy payers within the BID zone contribute.

Proceeds are used to fund projects designed to improve the business district. Further information on the work of Aberdeen Inspired is available at www.aberdeeninspired.com

  • Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Voluntary Disabled Charity Celebrates 8th Anniversary

 Aberdeen City, Information  1 Response »
Sep 232016
 

future-choices-16With thanks to Future Choices.

Future Choices is a local voluntary run Charity which provides social inclusion and recreational activities to some of the most vulnerable adults within the city.

To Celebrate this Anniversary, the Charity has teamed up with Fashion Guru, Lydia Kemunto, Director of Aberdeen Fashion Week to showcase some amazing fashion as well as putting on some amazing entertainment.

Lydia said:

“At Aberdeen Fashion Week, we are very passionate about supporting our community, that’s why we decided to be part of Future Choices 8th birthday celebrations. We will be doing a fashion show with 4 of our designers. We are very proud to be associated.”

Charity Vice Chairman, Devon Thompson added:

“Future Choices Celebrating 8 years of Voluntary work within the community touching so many lives in such a positive way is an amazing achievement. Without the support from the people of the city, we wouldnt be where we are now, so I thank you all so much.”

The Charity has also launched a TEXT giving service,so to donate to Help Future Choices raise much needed funds to help them carry on their voluntary work.

Text: FCIS08 £5 to 70070

Visit www.future-choices.org.uk for updates.

  • Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

City Print Specialist Launches Anniversary CSR Scheme

 Aberdeen City, Articles  No Responses »
Sep 232016
 

With thanks to Clare Scott, Communications Consultant, CJS Communication & Marketing.

xic2An Aberdeen-based print and design specialist is celebrating its thirtieth year in business by launching a CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiative to strengthen its support for local communities. XIC is offering to sponsor thirty small print projects throughout the year on behalf of third sector organisations, charities and social enterprises via its new Thirty Good Deeds scheme.

Organisations who meet the scheme’s criteria are invited to approach the company directly with a brief outline of their small print project, including quantities required and timescales.

Each request will be assessed and responded to as quickly as possible.

XIC director, Murray Alexander, said:

“Over the years we have acted as print sponsor for a number of charitable events and projects. Our thirtieth anniversary year provides the ideal opportunity to deepen this commitment and support a wider variety of the good work that goes on within our city and the surrounding area.

“Small businesses often have to get creative when it comes to CSR. The provision of services in kind is an ideal alternative to straightforward financial donations. Our own areas of expertise – design, print and digital – are required by all types of organisations, including charities and social enterprises. By providing some complimentary assistance, it is hoped that we can free up their budgets to allow them to focus on their important core work.”

XIC started life three decades ago primarily as a print and copying provider and today specialises in design, print and digital communications. The company operates from purpose-built production facilities on the south side of Aberdeen, with a sister company, Edinburgh Printing, based in Leith.

Organisations who wish to apply for the Thirty Good Deeds scheme can do so by emailing orders@xic.com or by calling 01224 878799.

  • Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.

Accountancy Firm Shortlisted For Best Employer Award

 Aberdeen City, Articles  No Responses »
Sep 232016
 

With thanks to Eoin Smith, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR.

Tuesday 26th August 2014, Aberdeen, Scotland. Hall Morrice Corporate Portraits (Photo: Ross Johnston / Newsline Scotland)

Shonagh Fraser, partner at Hall Morrice, which has been shortlisted for two categories in the Scotland’s Best Employer Awards.

Aberdeen-based accountancy firm Hall Morrice has been shortlisted for two separate accolades in a high profile awards scheme aimed at recognising the nation’s top employers.

The independent firm, which has a team of 50 staff, has been named as a finalist in the youth investment and training and development categories of the Scotland’s Best Employer Awards.

In addition to having their award applications scrutinised by a panel of HR experts, the entry process included an independently managed survey being conducted with staff.

They were required to give feedback to a number of survey questions covering everything on their thoughts on opportunities for career development within the firm to whether they felt invested in as individuals.

Hall Morrice partner Shonagh Fraser (pictured), who has a responsibility for HR, says the firm is honoured to have made the shortlist.

She adds,

“What makes this particularly special is that it is not just the senior managers putting forward an entry: we have been shortlisted because of the endorsement that we have received from our own staff.

“We are a mid-tier firm in general practice, and we believe that this sets us apart from other accountancy firms. We are small enough that we can focus closely on individual career development to ensure staff have the opportunity to move in the direction they want, but large enough that we can offer experience of the whole range of accountancy disciplines and services.

“The jobs market in the north-east has traditionally been very competitive for employers, as is the graduate market. We are therefore thrilled to have been shortlisted for Scotland’s Best Employer Awards as it underlines what we all believe – that Hall Morrice is a fantastic place to work.”

Hall Morrice has a long and proven track record as a training firm, and puts young people at the heart of its own growth strategy. Last year it took on a record number of new graduates, and around 30% of its team is aged under 24.

It has developed its own bespoke training pathway for young people studying towards Chartered Accountant status which offers a more seamless learning experience for graduates. This allows for all technical learning to be completed within the first 15 months, and leads to better support for students during their studies.

This innovative brand of training is producing improved exam results, with more students passing their exams at the first attempt.

But training does not stop with graduates: all members of staff have their own individual progression plan which is drawn up the moment they join the firm. Hall Morrice is committed to promoting internally and where no vacancy exists, new roles are created to ensure talent is retained.

Scotland’s Best Employer Awards are run by Scottish Business Insider and aim to recognise companies and organisations that put employees at the heart of their business, promoting their development, health and wellbeing.

The awards ceremony takes place in the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow on October 5, where the winners will be announced.

Founded in 1976, Hall Morrice celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. It is one of Scotland’s leading independent firms of chartered accountants and has offices in Aberdeen and Fraserburgh. Based at 6 and 7 Queens Terrace in Aberdeen, Hall Morrice can be contacted on 01224 647394 or at accounts@hallmorrice.co.uk

  • Comments enabled – see comments box below. Note, all comments will be moderated.
 Older Entries  Newer Entries