Andrew Byers

Well worth listening to, IMO energy security for UK is the most pressing issue, we are currently importing between 10 and 20% of our electricity demand, and importing gas. We have the resources and capability to produce all our own energy needs today and transition to zero carbon in future. we need politicians and civil servants to listen to Jenny Stanning, and OEUK LIMITED and urgently act.

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CHH is passionate about operating as an ethical and responsible business and we are proud to be launching our Sustainability Plan 2024 Read about how we are supporting the triple bottom line of people, profit and planet by embedding ESG principles throughout our organisaiton. Consultancy Wylde Connections has helped us develop a robust Sustainability Strategy, Action Plan and Road Map to support our ambitious growth plans. It gives us the insight and tools we need to minimise negative impacts and drive positive interventions. It is an exciting time to be providing smart connectivity solutions and there are great opportunities for CHH to help secure a more sustainable future. We are ideally placed to support the rollout of renewable energy, help deliver smart cities, and develop a business model that keeps precious resources in the value chain. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/exmdEiEs #CHH #ClimateChange #ESG #SmartConnectivitySolutions #SustainabilityStrategy #PeopleProfitandPlanet #TripleBottomLine

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I was invited to attend today an Industrial Strategy Forum meeting with Department for Business and Trade, it was a focused roundtable discussion chaired by the Minister of State for Industry Sarah Jones MP with DBT Permanent Secretary Gareth Davies MP As Chair of Build UK, I was keen to share some of the current challenges not only in the construction sector but for all SME leaders. We need a strategy for the UK and it needs to look beyond 10 years as businesses don’t just invest for the short term, they make big decisions to innovate, purchase plant, equipment, take on new staff, invest in apprenticeships, all of which look at the long term picture. Any strategy also needs to work alongside Government decisions, for example the new employment framework will have an impact on companies, particularly SME’s decisions to employ people and invest. As a sector we have 5Ps that would power up Construction and some aspect of construction whether it is new roads, homes, factories, shops, is required by all other sectors. Pipeline … Places to Live … Procurement… Performance… People Great to have the opportunity to be part of the conversation and shape what this key strategy might look like. #construction #SME #business

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Did you know that the largest council led mobile coverage survey in Scottish history has just been commissioned? 🚀 I'm pleased to announce that the Glasgow City Region (GCR) has recently chosen Streetwave to survey the mobile coverage quality across 8 councils including: 1. Glasgow City Council 2. North Lanarkshire Council 3. South Lanarkshire Council 4. Renfrewshire Council 5. East Renfrewshire Council 6. West Dunbartonshire Council 7. East Dunbartonshire Council 8. Inverclyde Council The surveys will see mobile and LoRaWAN coverage quality benchmarked across every road in each of the councils - more than 10,700 km in total. We are collecting this data by mounting Streetwave's data collection units on waste collection vehicles in the councils. The GCR will use the data to identify communities suffering from mobile coverage and capacity issues. Our partnership with Commsworld will then enable the GCR to offer fibre access to tower companies and mobile operators to deploy new masts in these locations. The 1,850,000 people living in the region will also be given the ability to check which mobile networks have the highest performance outside areas of interest through Streetwave's free to use and independent coverage checker. I would like to give a huge thanks to Theresa Searle, Barry McNally MSc MA and Craig Scott for their hard work in getting this project off the ground. Stay tuned for insights across the region... #GlasgowCityRegion #Commsworld #MobileCoverage #Connectivity #Innovation #NetworkSurvey #UKInfrastructure #DigitalTransformation

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Interesting report from the British Business Bank. SMEs often need access to funding options in order to grow. Ensuring they have a strong business plan and commercial strategy is key to unlocking finance and achieving that growth. #Fractional experienced resource can help develop the strategy for the next phase of growth AND help deliver it, sleeves rolled up. If you haven’t considered using fractional resource (be that in #marketing, #sales, #finance or #HR) take a look at how it works. For #scaleups and #SME’s it’s a more flexible and cost effective way of accessing experienced talent when you need it.

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What is most important is a just transition on jobs and circumstances. This is important to align with any climate change mitigation. Scotland's ecosystem is becoming capable of renewable energy management yet it cannot rely on old polluting industries. I am glad Grangemouth is closing. The impact on local health outcome is going to be so huge. Yes industry should replace jobs and just transition has to be top priority. In reskilling, re employing and transforming a low emission economy. This similar to other renewable transformation initiative is an opportunity for citizens in improved circumstances, aspirations, health and access to this low emission economy. It is similarly an opportunity for Scottish suppliers, international organisations and governments to optimally transition to this low emission economy.

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GB Energy 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿- My interview is headline story this morning @West Fm Bauer Media Group on the UK government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero GB Energy Policy and why Ayrshire should be considered for the new Scottish HQ for GB Energy. Firstly, I welcome the UK Governments GB Energy vision for Scotland and the UK. However we must not forget West of Scotland and our former mining community heartlands who have never recovered from the deindustrialisation of the 1980s. With areas like Cumnock & Doon Valley population decline from 1960s -53,000 to 33,500 @ 2022 and a further predicted 7% decline by 2028 we are seeing the continued demise of the West working population opportunities . Referring to the Coalfield Regeneration Trust report “The State of Coalfields 2024” 16.8% of 16-24 year olds are out of work and on benefits @ Sept 2023 in Cumnock & Doon Valley. The rate of new jobs in former Coalfield towns are slower than regional cities.Just two statistics . Our communities should not be viewed as statistics but beating hearts of opportunity. We have great communities throughout all of Scotland’s former mining areas who deserve #Hope. Ayrshire has skills, great education, supply chain , innovation and our people. If a city is the chosen location to be the GB Energy HQ there must be a mechanism put in place to support all of Scotlands former energy heartlands to drive jobs from GB Energy. #Barony #Killoch #Dallmellington #Southhook #Caprington … #Energy #Ayrshire #Jobs #Scotland

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As we knew in the industry already, this report clearly outlines the myth of the STL sector's involvement in the housing crisis. Obviously there is some impact, but the fact it accounts for just 0.8% of homes (while generating near to £1billion in economic activity and supporting 30k jobs) vs the 3.6% of empty homes (which generates £0 and 0 jobs) means the whole STL sector is being used as a political patsy and scapegoat. If the government/councils really want to solve the housing crisis, deal with the empty homes and actually get on with building more (affordable) homes.

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In today's challenging business landscape, CFOs are emerging as pivotal stewards of investment capital, leveraging transformative technology and innovation to evolve businesses, accelerate revenue streams, and drive meaningful outcomes. Navigating significant headwinds such as shifting regulations, ESG requirements, and inflation, CFOs are crucial in driving productivity, cost efficiency, and business value through new technology. Recently, EY’s CTIO and AI Strategy Leader, Catriona Campbell MBE, shared insights on market trends and revolutionary transformation programmes at the Scottish Finance Leaders Network event. Scottish Water Executives John Cairney and Nisarg Hirani discussed their innovation programme, emphasising AI’s role in productivity gains, competitive advantage, up-skilling and increased employee satisfaction. To read the full article including our key takeaways, click here: https://loom.ly/DOS8mlw 🔗 If you’d like to join our Scottish Finance Leaders Network, please email us at sfln@fwbltd.com 📧 Michael Dickson Jennifer Carroll Graeme Menzies Stewart Macintosh Nicola McIntyre Nicola McIntosh, FCMA Laura McDonald Ally Scott Richard Rainey Kirsten Hendry Graham Burns Lindsay Cramond

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CodeBase is partnering with Aberdeen City Council - City Development & Regeneration and Scottish Borders Council to offer an artificial intelligence (AI) programme for local SMEs. The ‘AI Navigator’ programme run by the technology ecosystem specialist is designed to help SME and small business leaders use AI to improve productivity, reduce costs, and make data-driven decisions. The Aberdeen and Scottish Borders programmes, which are free for participating companies, take place between January and March 2025, with applications closing at the end of this month. The programme is jointly funded by each council and the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Qualifying companies must have 5 employees or more, and revenue in excess of £500,000. Lauren Wilson, Head of Mobilisation at CodeBase, said: “In practice, AI is less about robots taking over the world, and more about tools that can boost your efficiency. When it comes to organising your business operations, AI can streamline processes, save time, and create efficiencies that benefit your team, your customers, and ultimately your bottom line.” Lauren Wilson added: “At the speed thatAI technologies are constantly evolving, it can be hard for SMEs to keep up and work through what will deliver tangible business benefits. AI Navigator is positioned to cut through the noise and help SMEs focus on what is really important - howAI can be transformational to their businesses’ efficiency and keep them competitive in fast-moving markets.” Global research by workplace communication platform Slack revealed that the use of AI tools in the workplace rose 24 per cent during the last quarter of 2023. Around 80 per cent of businesses said AI has improved their productivity. At the same time, while 42 per cent of the sample said they were “excited” for AI and automation to handle tasks from their current job, 31 per cent were “neutral”, and 27 per cent were “concerned”. Lauren Wilson said: “There are still a lot of misconceptions around AI, that’s something we aim to cut through on the Aberdeen and Scottish Borders AI programmes. And overall, we’re excited to get going with talented local businesses in each region at the beginning of next year.” Companies can apply for the ‘AI Navigator x Aberdeen City Council’ and ‘AI Navigator x Scottish Borders Council’ programmes here: https://lnkd.in/eZK-gsZx

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SME businesses in #Ashfield and #Mansfield - did you know that you can have a professional energy audit at no cost to you? Through the Accelerator programme delivered by East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire), businesses can access an energy audit on their premises to help identify ways they can lower their energy consumption, carbon emissions and energy costs. Audits are completed by Sophie Wragg of Be Your Best Version - Sophie is a published author and national speaker on climate issues and is without doubt an expert in her field. This is what businesses have said about their audits: Sophie visited our site and put together a comprehensive and easy to understand report which provided an overview of changes and improvements which could be made. This detailed precisely what cost savings could be made by making these changes. This has enabled us to pick out some easy wins that will make more of an immediate difference but at a lower initial outlay, as well as enabling us to make a plan for the future for further alterations we can make which will help reduce energy costs more significantly. Interested? Register for the Accelerator programme on the link below: #energy #decarbonisation #green #emissions

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Article calling for more powerful mayors - my earlier video calling for mayors to fix housing https://lnkd.in/e337Hm4y Are metro mayors key to improving Scotland’s economic prospects? https://lnkd.in/eEf6eTjF

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📢 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗞. 🎉 Today the The Crown Estate working with Great British Energy has announced the Marine Delivery Routemap which outlines a long term strategy for our marine space, supporting net zero, energy transition and energy security in the UK. ♻ This will help to deliver sustainable growth, a more systems led, co-ordinated approach across multiple sectors and through continued collaboration with partners and stakeholders 🤝 The report “Future of Offshore Wind – Considerations for development and leasing to 2030 and beyond” also released today looks at the early thinking on the ‘what, when, where and how’ for future seabed development to support the offshore wind industry in meeting potential demand out to 2040. ✅ This report marks an exciting step towards unlocking the next 20-30GW of offshore wind pipeline. Much of this new offshore wind capacity is expected to be in areas of North East England and the Celtic Sea. 🌊 Additional smaller areas of opportunity, that could accommodate smaller scale developments, lie off the coasts of North Wales, North West England, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. The precise approach to development remains under consideration but is expected to include a mix of fixed and floating foundations. This is such welcome news for North East England, both NOF and Energi Coast have worked extremely hard recently through our Deepwater Offshore Wind campaign to promote why this region is so well placed and prepared for more leasing rounds. The news today will also mean the region will see yet more supply chain opportunities, more jobs, more social value and community benefit. 🤝 North East England stands ready to support The Crown Estate and Great British Energy to help deliver our renewables future. https://lnkd.in/epNNbGHf #nof #energicoast #offshorewindnortheastengland #fixedoffshorewind #floatingoffshorewind

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As the Strategy and Investment Lead for the The Scottish GovTech Cluster, I get to work with some exceptional ventures and Dundee's Alator Data Services Ltd is no different… I’m genuinely excited to share an opportunity for businesses and organisations to engage with Alator’s innovative TrakAer system. As expertly explained to me by David and Luke, this is a continuous greenhouse gas monitoring solution that is highly relevant in today’s climate-conscious environment. Alator’s TrakAer uses cutting-edge technology to measure key gases contributing to climate change and this includes CO2, methane and nitrous oxide. This system is an essential tool for industries that are under increasing pressure to reduce their environmental footprint and comply with international agreements such as the Paris Agreement. With the growing need for transparent, real-time emissions monitoring, TrakAer offers a robust solution for both governments and organisations seeking to track, manage and reduce their GHG emissions. What sets TrakAer apart is its advanced sensor technology. It employs multi-pass NDIR sensors that enable accurate gas detection with heightened sensitivity. Continuous monitoring is far more effective than periodic spot checks, capturing critical data that informs operational adjustments and leak detection before significant inefficiencies or regulatory penalties arise. Additionally, the data collected is presented in an intuitive online dashboard, or can be directly integrated into existing systems via API. For those focused on #ESG goals, the TrakAer system helps meet critical compliance requirements by providing verifiable, real-time data on emissions. Not only can it improve a company’s sustainability profile, but it also has the potential to enhance stakeholder confidence by demonstrating transparency and accountability. So to the ask… Alator’s solutions are well-suited for collaborative projects. Whether your organisation is aiming to reduce its carbon footprint, improve operational efficiency, or increase ESG compliance, the Alator team (tagged above) are keen to explore how they can support your efforts. They're particularly interested in hearing from partners who see the commercial potential of this technology across various sectors, including manufacturing, energy and agriculture. The Alator team will be delegates at the FinTech-Tables Climate Collaboration Conference in Glasgow tomorrow. Please reach out directly to Alator to discuss how you can work with them to achieve these vital environmental goals or contact the The Scottish GovTech Cluster for more details. #climatechange #ghg #collaboration #tech #IoT #GovTech #Scotland

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I’m very excited about the government’s steps. Great British Energy is a huge leap forward, and for this to work, we need talent. Skilled workers, engineers, and technicians are essential to building our clean energy future. Without them, these plans won’t succeed. The UK needs 400,000 more workers by 2030 to meet energy goals. At Rullion, we see the talent shortage firsthand with clients like EDF (UK) , UK Atomic Energy Authority and E.ON UK . The nuclear sector alone needs to double its workforce by 2050. Love the idea of government and private sector working together. Skills England will help, too. Key is giving access to underrepresented groups, expanding mentorship, apprenticeships, and extending training to more people so instead of hunting in an ever shrinking talent pool, we get to add more 🐠 . #FutureOfWork #GreenEnergy #LabourVictory #Infrastructure #TalentDevelopment #WorkforceSolutions #DiversityAndInclusion #SkillsGap #RenewableEnergy #UKGrowth

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Agreed, it's not what you build, it's how you build it. However, new builds aren't really the environmental problem when compared to the existing 28million buildings we already have. The solution there is to get clean electricity into them and remove gas. But the grid can't cope. It is only by installing micro-grids locally that we get around the grid problems, democratise the energy supply and create a smarter grid, not a fatter one! We're installing them at zero cost to the landlord / tenants as the savings in cost fund the capital. And because every house already has an electricity supply, we don't need to dig any holes! And quickly! Dale Vince #housebuilding #netzero #decarbonisation

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