North of Scotland KTP Centre in conjunction with Highlands and Islands Enterprise are hosting an event for Orkney-based businesses and key organisations on the value of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) at the ORIC in Stromness on 13^th August.

Join the session to hear about Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) and Innovation and how your business can be supported.

Sessions will cover:

What are KTP’s?

KTPs are collaborative projects involving:

• A graduate or postgraduate (known as a KTP Associate)
• A business, not-for-profit, or public sector organisation
• A university or research institution (Knowledge Base)

KTPs have been fostering innovation for nearly 50 years, aiming for lasting and transformative change.

Direct access to information

• A comprehensive overview: gain a thorough understanding of the KTP scheme, its objectives, and how it operates.
• Detailed insights: learn about the types of projects that can be supported, including those with commercial businesses, third sector, and public sector organisations.
• Funding information: learn about the funding structure of the KTP scheme, and how it supports the development and implementation of innovative projects.

Real world examples

Case studies: hear from three real world examples that illustrate the diversity and potential of KTP projects. These will provide inspiration and practical insights into how KTPs have been successfully implemented.

Networking opportunities

Make connections with the KTP community

• Dr Ian Heywood, the Knowledge Transfer Adviser for the North of Scotland, will provide insights into how Innovate UK Business Connect can help you to identify ways to collaborate and share knowledge.
• Laura Dee, KTP Development Executive from the North of Scotland KTP Centre, can help build connections with universities, research institutions, and other potential partners involved in KTP and develop robust applications with a high chance of securing funding.

Tailored advice and support

1-2-1 meetings: opportunity to arrange individual meetings to discuss potential project ideas and receive tailored advice. This direct interaction can help in refining project concepts and understanding the specific benefits of KTP for your organisation.

Wider benefits of KTP

Resource access: gain insights into the resources and expertise available through KTP partners, including access to research and development capabilities.

Support for local development: understand how KTPs can contribute to the goals of the Islands Deal, helping to drive local innovation, economic growth, and delivering environmental and societal impact.

Lorraine Thomson, Interface’s Business Engagement Manager for Highlands and Islands will be in attendance at this event and available to chat about business academic collaborations and how we can help.

Redefining hospitality through a culture of innovation, sustainability and embracing diversity, equality and inclusion

Background

Glen Mhor, a hospitality business based in Inverness, is committed to redefining hospitality by fostering a culture of sustainability, green energy innovation, improved mental health and wellbeing, and embracing diversity, equality, and inclusion.
In 2006, Jon and Victoria Erasmus bought the Glen Mhor Hotel, and have since expanded by purchasing neighbouring buildings converting them into hotel accommodation and apartments. They have also built a low carbon Brewery and Distillery within the grounds of the hotel.
In 2022, they opened their river water source energy centre to decarbonise the hotel’s heating and hot water system. Through the construction of groundwater boreholes and the use of water source heat pumps, there is only one building left to connect in 2024 to see the business entirely gas free. This water source energy centre is the first of its kind in Scotland.
Their mission is to provide an exceptional guest experience whilst leaving a positive impact on the planet and community.

Challenges

Jon and Victoria were keen to explore two distinct areas of their business which they recognised would require external expertise.
The first, to develop a robust, evidence-based methodology for assessing and monitoring the new water source energy centre. As this is the first of its kind there is no data available to study the usage and contrast of how this compares from the old gas systems.
The second challenge focussed on their workforce and the adoption and integration of new workforce processes and practices to enable inclusive workforce onboarding and practices to support neurodiverse staff.

Solution – energy centre

Interface connected Glen Mhor to the School of Engineering, Computing and the Built Environment at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) who have expertise in the area of energy management, carbon assessment and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Professor Jim Baird undertook a detailed assessment of the metered energy systems and costs to develop an economic model for the hotel. The system analysis will also determine the amount of carbon emissions saved through the implementation of the energy centre.
This project was funded through a Standard Innovation Voucher designed to support the development of a new product, process, or service for a company.

Solution – workforce

Interface identified expertise at Edinburgh College from lecturer LizAnn Francis and Student Services Officer Rachel Robinson. Through this partnership, Glen Mhor and Edinburgh College devised a new recruitment policy and inclusive job advert template – both of which prioritise inclusivity, offering a sensory-friendly experience from application to employment.
This project was funded through a Workplace Innovation Voucher designed to develop a company’s internal workforce, including new or enhanced workplace processes, innovative workplace practices, or innovative business expertise.

Business Benefits

• Sharing best practices and looking at ways to future proof and develop its green vision further is core to Glen Mhor’s mission.
• Following the project with GCU Glen Mhor fully realise the benefits of their energy centre investment and are well placed to promote the project as best practice to the wider Scottish community.
• They have safeguarded and created jobs, increased turnover and reduced costs.
• For their work with Edinburgh College, early benefits include tailored support for job applicants and improved staff retention using health passports.
• Looking ahead, societal impacts are expected to include a more inclusive work environment, increased job satisfaction, and meaningful employment for neurodivergent individuals and those facing mental health issues.

University and College Benefits

• The project has offered Edinburgh College a greater understanding of workplace requirements to support neurodivergent people, mental health and disability employment. The cross collaboration within the college between the commercial department and the college student services provided real insight and practical solutions to what is normally theoretical HR policy.
• For Glasgow Caledonian University, their project has provided an opportunity to gain insight into the economics of transitioning low carbon solutions for heating commercial properties. It is hoped that further analysis can take place as more data is collected from the new system.

Inverness Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual business to business events and exhibition from 23rd to 27th September in Inverness culminating in the Highland Business Awards Lunch. This annual, five day event offers highland businesses opportunities to exhibit, network, collaborate and celebrate.

Launched this month, Highland Business Week 2024 is an opportunity to network, showcase and celebrate, whatever the scale of your business or organisation. Anchored by the popular Highland Spotlight exhibition and the annual Highland Business Awards, the week itself is an opportunity for the Inverness business community to be part of the programme and showcase their specialisms through crafted events, workshops or masterclasses that inform, inspire and educate.  Organised by Inverness Chamber of Commerce, and supported by media partner Highland News & Media, the annual business festival will take place from 23 to 27 September.

Lorraine Thomson of Interface will be in attendance during the week.

Highland Business Awards

The Highland Business Awards are now open for entries. They’re a great opportunity to tell the Highland business community about your success. The Awards are open to all Highland businesses – large and small, new and well established, and from every sector – so there should be an award category for every business to enter – you don’t even have to be a Chamber member! You can nominate your own business or any other organisation that you think deserves the recognition. Closing Date is Friday 9 August.

Contact the events team for more information: events@inverness-chamber.co.uk

The Highlands’ biggest dedicated business to business exhibition returns on Tuesday 24 September, providing organisations and companies the time and space to meet together in a collaborative setting. 

Part of the tenth Highland Business Week, which this year will run from Monday 23 to Friday 27 September, Highland Spotlight provides an opportunity to forge lasting connections with people across the region and learn more about the products and services available on our doorstep.

Entry for business visitors is free. Save time on the day and pre-register online.

Pre-registration will close at 5.00pm on Thursday 19 September.

Moray Business Showcase – Moray Chamber’s business to business exhibition is the perfect opportunity for networking, collaboration & growth. Giving you the opportunity to make new business connections and gives your business the perfect platform to sell itself.

Wednesday 5th June 2024
From 10am – 2pm
Moray Sports Centre,
Linkwood Road, Elgin

Whether you want to work with local businesses for procurement, recruitment, business services such as legal, accountancy or even stationery supplies, then the Moray Business Showcase provides you the opportunity to grow your network.

Carol-Ann Adams of Interface will be hosting a table at the showcase so be sure to pop along and say hello and find out how Interface can help you.

Presented in Partnership with Interface and the School of Innovation and Technology (SIT) at Glasgow School of Art.

Tapping into academic skills, resources and capacity can be a powerful way to explore and unlock innovative new products, service and processes for your business, organisation, freelance practice or network. It can also help you think differently about how you approach problems, create additional resource to develop and test ideas and offer valuable support to realise your ambitions more fully.

Although deeper collaborative relationships between academia and the creative, heritage and business sectors holds significant potential, bringing these elements and their distinctive talents together for mutual benefit can be challenging. In this insightful session, Professor Steve Love, School of Innovation and Technology (SIT) at Glasgow School of Art, will offer an overview of their dynamic knowledge exchange ambitions, discuss the specific support programmes networks can access— and look at how this relationship could pave the way for exciting new possibilities.

This interactive online workshop will offer an overview of SIT’s design-led innovation approach and how they could support your businesses, organisations or networks regardless of scale or capacity to engage in the below key areas:

• Take an active part in co-designed activities to enable capacity building and knowledge exchange to collaboratively uncover new opportunities.
• Design, prototype and evaluate new services, applications and work practices.
• Bring cutting-edge thinking into your business to tackle cultural, social and economic challenges, unlock new opportunities and increase innovation more meaningfully.

Carol-Ann Adams, Business Engagement Executive at Interface, will also provide an overview of how they can help make your links with academia work, including the potential to access innovation grants.

The event will also offer attendees the opportunity to discuss their specific projects in more detail, find out how SIT and Interface could support their ambitions and establish next steps.

The School of Innovation and Technology

The School of Innovation and Technology (SIT) at The Glasgow School of Art was formally launched in August 2023 and is a merger between the Innovation School and The School of Simulation and Visualisation. SIT is based at The GSA’s main campus locations in Glasgow and at the GSA’s highland campus in Altyre, Forres.

SIT’s Knowledge Exchange (KE) strategy is based on creating a scalable KE Impact & Innovation Ecosystem and impact-based culture that makes a significant local, national and international difference beyond academia.

Interface

Based regionally throughout Scotland, Interface works with organisations of all sizes and in all sectors, to match them to Scotland’s world-leading academic expertise, to help with their growth ambitions or solve a challenge they may be facing. Our primary aim is to encourage individuals, community groups, businesses & social enterprises in Scotland, to work with a university partner to drive innovation and encourage creativity, turning knowledge and ideas into value for society. With connections into all Scottish universities, colleges and research institutes, Interface has an established and efficient process that will save time and money in identifying and accessing academic expertise, research, technologies, specialist equipment and funding. Our free and impartial service has helped thousands of organisations become more competitive, enabling them to increase their profits, reach new markets and ultimately become more sustainable.

Steve Love

Professor Steve Love is Head of Knowledge Exchange activities in the School of Innovation and Technology at The Glasgow School of Art. His primary research expertise is investigating the impact of digital applications and services on people’s behaviour and lives. His work has been sponsored by funders such as the AHRC, EPSRC, ESRC, InnovateUK, Scottish Funding Council, European Space Agency, the European Social Fund, BT, Sharp Laboratories Europe and “3”. He has extensive experience of managing multi-disciplinary teams from both academia and industry. He is a member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Peer Review College and a Fellow of the Design Research Society.

Carol-Ann Adams

Carol-Ann worked for 29 years in banking, latterly working in the Corporate Markets division, and attained Chartered Banker status during her career. Having embarked on a lifestyle change, Carol-Ann relocated to the Highlands in 2014, and worked for Highlands and Islands Enterprise’ Inward Investment Team for just under a year. This gave her a fantastic breadth of knowledge of the region in a relatively short space of time. Joining the Interface team in early 2015, Carol-Ann’s role concentrates on promoting the Interface service to as many businesses as possible, encouraging them to enter successful academic collaborations.

Join Visit Moray Speyside for the first collaboration event with Moray Climate Action Network [Moray CAN] to hear from speakers about sustainable tourism.

This event aims to highlight the significance of sustainable tourism practices, shedding light on how collective efforts can contribute to preserving the beauty of Moray.

The event will feature The Cabrach Trust, Duffus Estate, Threaplands Garden Centre, InKeith and Strathisla and WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre who are all dedicated to being a sustainable business/organisation. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation and learn how you can contribute to responsible tourism while enjoying the best that Moray has to offer.

The Food and Drink TechHUB Business Support are running a FREE online Workshop on “Green Marketing”. The free 3 hour interactive workshop will Include sessions from four experts on sustainability, marketing and messaging for the food & drink industry. There will be plenty of interactive elements, loads of time for Q&A and some 1on1 virtual time with the experts. The workshop will take place on Wednesday 31st January 2024, 10am – 1pm TechHUB Green Marketing

With Environmental, sustainability and carbon messaging becoming even more important to the consumer, it’s critical that your business gets the right messaging and you make the best possible decisions to be more sustainable.

It’s crucial that in doing so, you avoid green-washing, avoid using banned terminology, avoid fines and that you provide a true and authentic picture of your business’ sustainability. This interactive virtual workshop will help cut through the confusion and help you to get it right.

Aquaculture UK is the UK’s largest meeting place for aquaculture professionals.

Meet the companies driving infrastructure, farming technology and equipment forward. You’ll discover real-time solutions that boost production and profitability. And take away key insights on sustainability, welfare and environmental challenges.

Join your industry on 14-15 May at Macdonald Aviemore, Scotland, and share ideas to define the future.

Find out more and register.