Invest in Angus

The skills squeeze: Staying ahead in Scotland’s changing talent landscape
2025-11-25 11:00 - 12:00 UTC
Businesses in Scotland are facing a talent challenge. There’s a demand for new skills but a shrinking talent pool.
How can you overcome this? By attracting, developing, and retaining your most important resource: your people.
In this webinar, we’ll show you some of the ways you can do just that, and how Scottish Enterprise can support you.
We’ll explore how to tackle both the labour shortage and the skills gap, as these are two distinct challenges that require different strategies.
You’ll hear how inclusive recruitment can unlock hidden talent, from returners and career changers to those with caring responsibilities or long-term unemployment.
We’ll also look at how to future-proof your workforce. As sectors evolve and technology advances, upskilling becomes essential. Learn how to build pathways for learning across all career stages, and how AI can be used to enhance – not replace – human expertise.

HR support for small businesses – beyond the basics | Lunch and Learn
2025-11-26 12:00 - 12:30
There’s lots of support available to start a new business and get the basics in place for employing your first team member(s). But what happens when you need support beyond the basics?
In this webinar, join Rona Loweth to discover how to strengthen your HR practices, navigate 2025’s evolving workplace trends, understand key updates from the Employment Rights Bill and discuss the people challenges that matter most to SME employers.
Topics covered in this session:

Growing your team – progressing your HR policies, systems and processes beyond the basics (for example, policies, HRIS, absence and performance management, defining culture and expectations)
The changing world of work – key issues you should pay attention to as a small business employer in 2025 (EDI focus, flexible working, employee wellbeing and mental health)
Employment Rights Bill – brief highlights and thoughts on how it is evolving
Open question session – what people issues keep you awake at night

Finding, keeping and looking after your staff
2025-11-27 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-15 13:00 - 15:00
One of the most daunting challenges a business can face is the process of hiring employees, interviewing, payroll, pensions, contracts, remote working and more, it is a minefield for the business owner.
This webinar will allow you to have the key information in your possession to take on staff and look after your team.
We’ll cover:

Finding, keeping and looking after your staff
Attracting and recruiting the best people for your business
Your obligations as employers
How to retain staff members
Moving on
Dismissal
Restructure/Redundancy

We will also look at:

How in the current climate you can manage staff and teams in a remote environment, considering their productivity, efficiency, and the issues of home working
How you can best manage staff to ensure productivity is kept and mental health is supported
The impact of companies who may be considering restructuring and therefore redundancy for the first time and how that can be managed

Thorntons Webinar - Farming Focus: Civil Penalties & Right to Work
2025-12-09 09:30 - 10:30
Civil penalties have increased to £45,000 per worker for businesses who employ workers without the right to work in the UK. With enforcement action at an all time high, it is essential that farms are
carrying out right to work checks properly on all workers.
Join Jacqueline Moore, Partner in our Immigration team, and Robin Dunlop, Partner in our Land & Rural Business team, to find out what farms need to do to protect themselves from a civil penalty.

Thorntons Webinar - What to Expect in 2026
2026-01-20 09:30 - 10:30
In 2025, there were significant changes to UK immigration law which impacted international citizens living and working in Scotland. Further change is expected in 2026, with the UK Government expected to make further changes to work visa routes and the path to settlement and citizenship.
Join our specialist immigration team to find out what these changes mean for individuals, families and businesses.

Employment Rights Bill – Planning for Change
2026-01-22 16:00 - 18:00 | Business Gateway Arbroath, Unit 9 Harbour Visitor Centre, Arbroath, DD11 1PS
The approval of the Employment Rights Bill is your early warning and early action is always cheaper and easier than reacting later.
These sessions are ideal for SME owners, directors, and managers who want clarity and practical guidance without the fluff. They’re time-efficient, focused on what really matters, and delivered in plain English. Our HR Adviser will cover the Employment Rights Bill, key changes for SMEs, what to do now (and what can wait), and how to stay compliant.
You’ll learn:

What the Employment Rights Bill means in simple, plain English
Which changes are most relevant to SMEs
What actions you should be taking now
How to stay compliant without over-complicating your processes
How to manage employees confidently as expectations evolve

You’ll leave with clear next steps tailored to SMEs, practical examples you can apply straight away, and the confidence to manage people effectively as expectations evolve.

Thorntons Webinar - The Employment Rights Bill
2026-01-29 09:30 - 10:30
Trumpted as the biggest change in employment law in a generation, and with almost daily changes to the Employment Rights Bill being reported, keeping track of what is happening and when is a bit of a minefield.
This webinar will bring you right up to date on what is happening, and more importantly what you have to prepare for to ensure that you are fully compliant.
Join Noele McClelland, Head of Thorntons Employment Team is keeping abreast of developments, the priorities and pitfalls to look out for and how you can be ERB ready!

2026 employment law changes: What your business needs to know
2026-02-18 11:00 - 12:00
Major employment law changes are coming in 2026, affecting employee rights, leave, flexible working and statutory pay. Employers need to understand what’s changing to remain compliant and avoid risk.
Join LegalVision’s webinar, 2026 Employment Law Changes: What Your Business Needs to Know, with Saeidul Haque (senior associate).
Key takeaways from this session:

New unfair dismissal and day-one employment rights
Changes to leave, sick pay and flexible working
Statutory payment increases and compliance risks

How to make your business neurodivergent-friendly
2026-03-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Montrose Football Club, Wellington Street, Montrose, DD10 8QD
Creating an inclusive business isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a smart, forward-thinking strategy.
This workshop introduces the steps businesses can take to become more neurodivergent-friendly, both for their team and their customers. You’ll gain a clear understanding of neurodivergence, why inclusion matters commercially as well as ethically, and how simple, realistic adjustments can make a powerful difference.
The session is presented by James Cleves, founder of CleverVA, a virtual assistant agency supporting neurodivergent and disabled professionals. Drawing on lived experience and real-world business insight, James combines personal story with practical advice.
What we’ll cover:
• What neurodivergence really means and why it matters
• Why being ND‑inclusive benefits your business
• How accessible your business is today
• Ways to improve accessibility for your customers
• Effective accommodations and support options for your team
Book your place now and learn how to build an inclusive culture that strengthens your team and makes your business more accessible for every customer.

Agritourism: Human Resource Masterclass
2026-03-10 10:00 - 16:00 | Cairns Farm Estate, Kirknewton, EH27 8DH
A human resources masterclass, come along and have all your HR questions answered.
We will also be focusing on how you best match your staff team to daily demand and stand down staff if demand is low.
Sophie Henderson from Greenburn HR will be joining us.
Thank you to Satellite Monitor Farmers, Caroline and Graham Hamilton for being our host.

Discrimination Law Case Update
2026-03-11 09:30 - 10:30
Discrimination law continues to evolve at pace, and keeping up with employer responsibilities has never been more important – or more challenging. With the margin for error often narrow, even well‑intentioned organisations can find themselves exposed to risk.
Join Andrew Wallace and Jillian McLaughlan, where they will break down some of the most significant recent discrimination cases and explore what they mean in practical terms for employers. By highlighting the latest trends, key judgments, and common pitfalls, our employment law specialists will equip you with clear, actionable insights to help you navigate this complex area with confidence.

How to communicate effectively | Lunch and Learn
2026-03-16 12:00 - 12:30
Have you ever promised yourself you’d stay composed next time… only for your tone to sharpen, your heart to race or your thinking to spiral the moment you feel challenged?
Are you doing all the “right” leadership things, yet somehow your message keeps being misunderstood, resisted, or emotionally charged?
Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about emotional regulation, clarity and the ability to influence without force.
In this Lunch and Learn session, Aurore Prefumo will help you discover why leadership begins internally and why mindset alone isn’t enough.
She’ll explore how subconscious patterns shape the way you communicate, respond under pressure, handle conflict and inspire trust.
Topics covered in this session:

Why high performers still struggle with difficult conversations
How emotional triggers silently impact decision-making
The key shift that moves you from reactive to respected

Futureproofing Your Business – People, AI and Productivity
2026-03-17 12:00 - 13:00
Part of our megatrends series, learn how you can use emerging technologies to improve performance and support your workforce.
Global Megatrends can disrupt markets and challenge established business models, but they can also create powerful new opportunities for businesses that adapt early.
In support of the Fair Work Festival 2026. This webinar delivered in conjunction with Peer Works, is part of the Scottish Enterprise Megatrends webinar series and explores breakthrough technologies with a focus on people, AI and productivity. It will look at how businesses can use emerging technologies to improve performance while supporting fair work and better outcomes for their workforce.
The session will help businesses understand how to anticipate and respond to rapid technological change.

Employee vs contractor: Avoiding costly mistakes
2026-03-19 11:00 - 12:00
Hiring in any business moves quickly, but misclassifying workers can create serious legal and financial exposure.
In this session, LegalVision’s Comfort Nkang, Practice Leader, will explain how employment status is assessed across common business settings.
The webinar will cover typical role classifications, key legal obligations, and practical steps businesses can take to reduce risk.
Key takeaways from this session:

How the legal test for employment status applies in practice
Key rights and obligations for employees and contractors
Practical steps to reduce misclassification risk and liability

Managing neurodivergent individuals in the workplace | Lunch and Learn
2026-03-23 12:00 - 12:30
One in seven people are now estimated to have a neurodivergent condition, such as dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder.
Neurodivergent people can bring valuable strengths, ranging from deep focus and analytical thinking to creativity and innovation.
Without the right understanding and support, however, they may struggle within narrow definitions of “typical” performance and communication, leading to challenges which may affect them in the workplace.
By putting in place practical measures to recognise and support your neurodiverse talent, you can unlock your workforce’s full potential, increasing engagement, productivity and overall performance.
Topics covered in this session:

Recognising and understanding neurodiversity traits
Practical adjustments that allow neurodiverse people to thrive
Steps you can take to build a more inclusive and high-performing workforce

Earned Settlement: What employers need to know
2026-04-07 09:30 - 10:30
The UK Government has announced significant changes to the path to settlement for most international citizens. This will impact sponsored workers and also their sponsors, who now face an extension of sponsorship costs and compliance obligations for workers on a longer path to settlement.
Join Rebecca Engel-Morton and Catriona MacDonald to find out what we know so far and what steps sponsors and employers should take now.

Immigration Compliance: How professional advisers can support rural businesses
2026-04-29 09:30 - 10:30
Rural businesses rely on accountants, insurance brokers and other professional services to deal with all kinds of compliance issues. But immigration compliance often slips through the cracks. With civil penalties now starting at £45,000 and enforcement action at an all-time high, it is essential that rural businesses do not get caught out.
Join Jacqueline Moore, Partner in our Immigration team, and Robin Dunlop, Partner in our Land & Rural Business team, to find out how professional service providers can support their rural clients with immigration compliance.

Flexible Working 2026 and Beyond
2026-05-14 09:30 - 10:30
The world of work has changed substantially in recent years, due to the changes during and post the Covid pandemic, the increase in hybrid working and partly because of changing expectations and needs.
Join Thorntons Employment team as we look at the current landscape of flexible working and the changes being brought in by the Employment Rights Act 2025.

Global Talent Visas for academics & researchers
2026-05-20 09:30 - 10:30
Scotland’s universities and research institutions attract talented academics and researchers from all over the world. The Global Talent visa offers a highly favourable visa route for academics, researchers and their families.
Join the Immigration team for an in-depth session on the Global Talent visa route.
