18-30 Enterprise Show - 9 February 2008

PSYBT is again taking the lead role in the 18-30 Enterprise Show to be held at the Edinburgh International Exhibition Centre on the 9th February. This inspiring and innovative event is aimed at existing and potential young entrepreneurs and provides not only information about the support that is available across Scotland but the chance to discuss your plans one-to-one with the likes of PSYBT, the Business Gateway, Shell LiveWIRE.

This FREE event kicks off at 8.45am with FREE Breakfast, a FREE Goodie Bag and the day continues with workshops, FREE lunch, entertainment and a wide range of networking opportunities. Michelle Mone will be talking about her eventful path to success, and there'll be displays and talks from other young entrepreneurs.

And all capped by the rare sight of at least one middle-aged advisor looking particularly uncomfortable in a red T-Shirt. (Some PSYBT staff can, however, get away with it -see below).
















Previous events have attracted over 400 attendees and have been universally acclaimed as one of the major highlight of the enterprise calendar.

Just turn up on the day or, preferably, register online and get more information here

Martin Currie Rob Roy Challenge

For those of you with an athletic bent, here's an opportunity to prove yourself and raise some cash for some worthy charities (including, of course, this one).

The 2008 Martin Currie Rob Roy Challenge covers 55 miles of the spectacular Rob Roy Way. Teams or individuals walk 16 miles from Drymen, near Loch Lomond, north-east through the Trossachs to Callander, where they switch to bikes for a 39 mile cycle to Kenmore - all in around 8 - 12 hours.

On arrival at Kenmore on Saturday evening, there will be a sumptuous feast and party, followed by camping on the stunning banks of Loch Tay or accommodation in local hotels. Breakfast will be served on Sunday before you depart for home (or probably, in the case of PSYBT's Grampian Manager, the local Accident & Emergency Dept. )

Through the sponsorship of individuals and teams, the event will raise money for Martin Currie Charitable Foundation and its partners. The partners are: Habitat for Humanity; The Prince's Trust; The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) and Place2Be.

You can register online at www.robroychallenge.com

Oh Canada!

Brian Weaver, Head of Business Growth at HIE and one of PSYBT's biggest supporters at the agency, is off on secondment to Toronto for three months. He'll be working with Scottish Development International, looking at inward investment in the technology sectors and building on his work with the Hothouse Challenge and MIT Media Lab.

No doubt Brian will have a good time in the snow enjoying local hospitality (like baby seals he can sample Canadian Club on the Rocks) and his lovely wife will undoubtedly regard the placement as respite care.

Happy New Year

First, apologies for taking so long to update the blog. Apart from the festive break, in company with a fair chunk of the Highlands, I was struck down by the flu which did put a damper on procedings somewhat.

So I'd better give an update of where we're at.

In mid-December, I was lucky enough to be invited to meet representatives of Saudi Arabia's Centennial Fund who, like PSYBT, are members of Youth Business International. The delegation led by Chief Executive, Hesham Tashkandi, was visiting PSYBT Head Office as part of an exchange of Best Practice. Timing precluded a visit to the Highlands so I took a bit of the Highlands to them and, hopefully, was able to demonstrate how we support our clients in more remote areas.

That same week, I attended a meeting of Healthy Routes in Fort William which aims to improve the wellbeing of the travelling community through improving access to education, health services and employment opportunities. It's always a pleasure to work with Christine Clephan, the coordinator of these events and to meet both the clients and the advisors (and probably quite useful for me to meet a nutritionist).

And thence to Christmas (which already seems a distant memory ) . This year's PSYBT bash was held at Sloan's in Glasgow, part of the ever-growing, DADA empire. (DADA was originally assisted by PSYBT and now owner, Oli Norman, is a PSYBT Ambassador.) A great time was had by all; thanks are due to Santa and his elves for making it such a brilliant event at the end of a pretty hectic year.

So that's a quick catch up. Here's to 2008. Heartfelt thanks to eveyone who helped make 2007 such a success for PSYBT clients in the Highlands.

There are considerable changes planned for the the enterprise network in 2008 (Who knows what the economic challenges will be for all of us in the Highlands?) but I do know that everyone will be really working hard to ensure that support for our clients will be maintained and enhanced.

Happy New Year