PSYBT/Royal Bank of Scotland Awards

Well that's that done for this year (at least in Highland - we still have the Orkney Final which will be held on the 25th September).

And the winner was.........Angela Stewart of Angela Stewart Flowers . A nice little event held at the Sports Centre (thanks to them and to the Highland Council caterers for their help). Angela received a cheque for £600 and a certificate.

From L-R:
PSYBT Panel Chair, Hamish Campbell; RBS Representative (and PSYBT Volunteer), Alan Maddock; Stephen Foster (Volunteer); Angela Stewart; Cllr Drew Hendry; Grant Campbell (Angela Stewart Flowers); Bruce Morrison.

Pic: Clive Grewcock

Unfortunately the runners up, Highland Eggs, couldn't make the event but Bruce Morrison, Highland Eggs' aftercare advisor, was able to accept a cheque (£300) and certificate on their behalf. This was donated by the Highland Council and presented by Councillor Drew Hendry.

As ever, it couldn't have been done without the help of our very own Alithea Watson who was printing programmes well past her bedtime the night before.

The event was held in conjunction with Highland Spotlight and PSYBT Highland had a presence as part of the "Business Growth Zone" sponsored by Highlands & Islands Enterprise. It was good to catch up with some old friends including Casia Zajac, Inverness Chamber of Commerce's new Chief Exec. and former PSYBT Communications Manager.

PSYBT/Royal Bank of Scotland Awards

Tuesday 11th September sees our Regional Final of the PSYBT/Royal Bank of Scotland Awards. These awards celebrate The Royal Bank of Scotland’s sponsorship of PSYBT and the achievements of our clients.

This year we're holding the event as part of The Highland Spotlight business-to business exhibition being held at the Inverness Sports Centre. Our two finalists, selected from our most dynamic clients, are Angela Stewart of Angela Stewart Flowers (Beauly) and Gordon & Leanne Whiteford of Highland Eggs, Ardersier. The winner will be announced at the event and may then be selected to take part in the Scottish Final in Glasgow.

Unfortunately, spaces at the Regional final are extremely limited this year but I would encourage anyone to come along to the Highland Spotlight and meet us at our stand in the Business Growth Zone.

EBG Revisited

Cast your minds back to the end of June when the Highlands hosted The European Business Game. Well, my good friend Irene Visentini has posted some great photo's onto the net, Seen mainly from the the Italian viewpoint it is a great record of a very enjoyable week. Have a look here.

Business Idea Competition

We're gearing up for this year's Business Idea Competition in conjunction with the UHI Millennium Institute and Highlands & Islands Enterprise. Expanded from last year's successful debut, the basic premise is the submission of a business idea via a simple online form

Finalists (in two age ranges) are selected by a panel of business sector judges and are encouraged to develop their ideas further with the help of HIE/PSYBT. This proposal is then judged in a (thankfully more relaxed and less confrontational) "Dragon's Den".

There are two categories in the competition:

- Age 16 - 24
- Age 25 and over

There are 1st, 2nd and 3rd cash prizes in each category of £500, £300 and £200 respectively. These prizes are generously provided by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. In addition, all entrants will have the offer of advice and training to explore their ideas further.

For more information, click here