Mar 172017
 

With thanks to Karen Stewart.

Ex Scottish and UK Enduro/Trails Champion Gavin Johnston is gearing up to expand his innovative digital tourism solution UrPal into Glasgow and Edinburgh this April.

UrPal is a unique mobile application to Scotland having already been successful in Inverness with 7,000 users and recently launched in Aberdeen.

The app fills a gap in the market for both tourists and locals alike, giving them comprehensive up to the minute information at their fingertips on everything happening in an area including entertainment, eating out and in, tours, attractions, fitness, accommodation, activities, shops, health, transport and current news.

As well as being valued by users who access the app for free, UrPal is also a valuable source of promotion to local businesses and organisations, statistics say that 70% of online users now use mobile devices to access the web so it’s crucial that businesses are visible on such platforms. Visitors to Scotland are reported to have increased to 15 million annually and UrPal is ideally positioned to serve the growing digital tourism marketplace.

Gavin along with his partner Caren the founders of UrPal met almost 4 years ago in Romania, Gavin had been competing in the Redbull Romaniacs World Extreme Enduro Championship and Caren at the time was travelling for her work in architecture. The couple have now given up these roles to focus solely on UrPal and their other business Aberdeen and Inverness Taxis.

Gavin said

“working on UrPal couldn’t be more different to riding bikes and running a taxi company; I identified the need in the market from hearing  taxi passengers deliberate how to source information they required; Caren and I then put our heads together and planned and launched UrPal in Inverness and Aberdeen in 2016.”

He continued:

“with 7,000 users in Inverness UrPal is proving successful and as well as expanding by location we begin physical tours in April this year, 4 in Aberdeen and 8 in Inverness are already planned to destinations such as Peterhead Prison, Brewdog, Dunnottar and Crathes Castles, Glengarioch Distillery and Castle Fraser; we are really pleased that UrPal is fast becoming the go to place for people looking for things to do, and that it’s having a positive impact on the local economy.”

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Feb 202017
 

With thanks to Karen Stewart.

Grampian Business Finder on Facebook has exceeded 4000 Members in its first year of operation. The unique group was setup in February 2016 by Karen Stewart of This Little Piggy Marketing, to address the downturn in the oil price by encouraging business to be done locally whenever possible.

Grampian Business Finder supports consumers to find solutions to their problems in real time, assists businesses to receive recommendations to secure new customers, and allows Members a forum to find answers to questions and highlight shared issues.

Karen Stewart(pictured) is delighted with the progress of Grampian Business Finder, saying:

“it doesn’t feel like a whole year ago that I published Grampian Business Finder wondering if it would be useful to anyone; since then many Members have given me feedback on the value of the group both to them personally and to their businesses which is fantastic to know.”

She continued:

“feedback also demonstrates the very supportive nature of the Grampian people and an appetite for face to face meetings which will be launched this week, I’m keen that Grampian Business Finder continues to develop and find new ways to support the local economy in current challenging times and beyond.”

Local Photographer Michal Wachucik said:

“(Grampian Business Finder) has saved me £4000! A replacement boiler was going to cost me £4500. BUT when I posted (on Grampian Business Finder) I found a much better solution.”

Grampian Business Finder is at www.facebook.com/groups/GrampianBusinessFinder and Karen is keen to assist Members to make the most of the group and welcomes their ongoing feedback.

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Jan 272017
 

With thanks to Gemma Setter, PR Account Executive, Frasermedia.

ITCA’s new fabrication/welding instructor and assessor, Richard Femister.

A leading North-east apprenticeship-training centre has strengthened its team with two key appointments.

ITCA Training, which is headquartered in the Kirkhill Industrial Estate in Dyce, has recruited Stewart Caie as a business development executive and Richard Femister as a fabrication/welding instructor and assessor.

Mr Caie, 51, of Portlethen, has over 25 years experience in sales roles across a number of industries, including medicine and engineering, and previously worked in business development at a hydraulic engineering firm before joining ITCA.

Mr Femister, 34, from Aberdeen, originally started his career at ITCA, where he trained for his fabrication and welding certificates. Since then, he has gained 15 years experience in welding and fabrication and has two years of experience in inspection. He joins the firm from an oil and gas valve services company.

ITCA, which is one of the largest engineering apprenticeship-training firms in Scotland, works with a wide range of businesses across the North-east to provide training for young employees, with both traditional hands-on and business-focused courses and apprenticeships.

Mr Caie said:

“It is very rewarding to be working for a company that focuses on the development of the future workforce. It is my responsibility to develop existing business, as well as expanding ITCA’s current portfolio, and I am looking forward to building strong relationships with our clients.”

ITCA’s new business development executive, Stewart Caie.

Mr Femister said:

“Training at ITCA as an apprentice gave me the opportunity to learn and develop important skills in welding and fabrication, as well as the importance of health and safety.

“I am enjoying being back at the company where it all began, as I get the opportunity to share my knowledge and expertise with the range of learners who attend the courses at ITCA and the apprentices who are just at the beginning of their careers.”

Managing director of ITCA Training, June Jones, said:

“I am very pleased to welcome two highly skilled individuals to the ITCA team. Stewart and Richard each bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience, which will prove extremely beneficial to ITCA clients and our learners.

“Having Stewart on board will enable us to continue to develop, whilst Richard will help train the next generation to the highest of standards.”

ITCA Training, which is one of the largest engineering apprenticeship-training firms in Scotland, is situated at Howe Moss Drive in the  Kirkhill  Industrial Estate, Dyce. The base, which spans almost 22,000sq feet, includes offices, classrooms, a storage yard, and workshop space.

The company has been in operation in the  North-east  since 1989, and provides training for young employees in various sectors including welding, fabrication, mechanical engineering, business administration and logistics.    

To find out more about ITCA visit www.itca-training.com 

Jun 112015
 

Wednesday 10th June 2015, Aberdeen, Scotland. Team Recruitment. (Photo: Ross Johnston/Newsline Media)With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

One of Scotland’s leading recruitment organisations has revealed significant expansion plans that sees the creation of three new divisions and two key appointments at director level.

Founded in 1997, Aberdeen headquartered TEAM Recruitment appointed Lynne Duncan as its Managing Director in October and, since then, the former Aberdeen Football Club sales and marketing manager has undertaken a root and branch review of the business including the formulation of a long term growth strategy.

“I spent my first six months in post fact-finding and listening as it was crucial that I understood fully where we were in the marketplace and what was required to develop the business to the next level.

“While we were very well established in our core areas of ‘Offshore’ and ‘Trades’, we needed to broaden the base in terms of what we offer if we want to grow the business.

“Consequently I am delighted to confirm we are establishing three new divisions in ‘Commercial’, ‘Engineering’ and ‘Executive’ and are significantly strengthening the senior management team with the appointment of two extremely well-known and respected figures within the sector in Craig Finnie and Martyn Garvie as Commercial Director and Client Solutions Director respectively.”

Craig brings with him more than fifteen years of experience in recruitment, executive search, business development, people management and account management.

“I believe this is a chance for us to work effectively and efficiently, in conjunction with our clients, to build a strong and stable future. With our new business model, we have an ability to offer our clients an unparalleled level of service.

“We understand the importance of working collaboratively, which has always been a key driver for me and something that TEAM, as a business, strongly believes in.”

Martyn also boasts more than a decade and a half in the commercial environment, with over six years working in the recruitment sector.

“I am passionate about the global oil and gas industry and driven by my ambition to create a consultancy that is recognised as the best. The opportunity to work with likeminded people who are also driven to achieve these goals keeps me motivated to drive this business forward.

“I feel incredibly proud to be involved in what is a new chapter at TEAM and look forward to being part of a winning team.”

Lynne believes the significance of Craig and Martyn’s appointments should not be underestimated.

“We can now offer our customers the ‘complete package’ in terms of our service, with consistency for the clients across all areas of the business and dedicated teams to meet their varied requirements and that sets us apart from others.

“This is a hugely exciting step for the business and for me personally to be at the forefront of. Terry Allan, who set the business up, has worked tirelessly over the years to build a very solid operation and while we are creating a new structure to take the organisation to the next level, it will be built on the foundation Terry has fostered.

“While we will continue to work with personnel, candidates and clients of long standing, establishing the new divisions will introduce others to TEAM and we will be looking for all of them to be a part of our journey.

“While everyone knows TEAM by name, the key for us going forward is to communicate to everyone what we do and what we can deliver and with my background in sales and marketing that is something we will be undertaking with enthusiasm and vigour.

“At a time of uncertainty, the fact we are adding to our senior team and growing the business speaks volumes!”

TEAM Recruitment Ltd., has a successful track record in providing specialist personnel to clients across the energy industry. Based in Aberdeen and ideally situated to service the North Sea, TEAM also operates globally having serviced clients in projects across Europe, Middle East, Canada, Latin America, USA, Africa and Australasia. www.teamrecruitment.co.uk