Invest in Angus

Biochar: Taking commercial British apple production to Net Zero
2026-02-26 13:00 - 14:00 UTC
Find out more about Biochar as a solution to ‘end of orchard life’ wood and understand why LCA shines a light on packaging materials.
Commercial apple is a low emission crop but there are challenges at end of orchard life and in terms of the lifecycle carbon analysis (LCA) of the crop production. This Innovate UK funded project considered these and other challenges with actionable results for all growers.
Learn more about Biochar as a solution to end of orchard life wood and understand why the LCA shines a light on packaging materials.

Make the Most of the Scottish Thistle Awards
2026-02-26 14:00 - 14:30
Join us just before entries open for the 2026 Scottish Thistle Awards and discover what makes these awards different from any other in the industry.
Learn how to showcase your excellence, what judges are really looking for, and how winning can bring real benefits to your business.

Training your own AI: How to build custom AI tools for daily tasks
2026-02-26 14:00 - 15:00
Today’s businesses are surrounded by AI tools, but many people are unsure how to use them in a practical, meaningful way.
Off-the-shelf AI agents like Microsoft Copilot, Gemini and Claude can dramatically improve productivity, efficiency and creativity when they’re set up with the right use cases, prompts and guidance.
Join this free Tech Hub webinar to explore how your small business can configure AI assistants to support its everyday work, without needing technical skills or complex systems.
You’ll hear about common small business scenarios and how you can tailor popular AI tools to your workflows, tone of voice and goals, from handling customer questions to supporting marketing, planning and admin tasks.
This session focuses on real world examples and clear explanations, helping you understand what’s possible today and how to apply it responsibly in your own business.
What you’ll learn

What AI agents can and can’t do: Setting realistic expectations for off-the-shelf tools
High-impact use cases: Practical examples for productivity, efficiency and creativity
Configuring your AI assistant: How to guide tools like Copilot, Gemini and Claude to work for you
Prompting and guardrails: Teaching AI your context, tone and boundaries
Using AI responsibly: Accuracy, privacy and human oversight

Social media essentials: LinkedIn
2026-02-26 14:00 - 16:00
No longer just an online CV, LinkedIn can be an incredibly powerful – and profitable – business tool.
During this webinar, you will:

Learn how to create a LinkedIn strategy to boost your business reputation via marketing and brand promotion initiatives
Learn the difference between personal and company profiles and how to optimise them for both maximum visibility and brand awareness
Understand that content is king on LinkedIn, and we’ll show you how to plan and produce captivating content that enriches your brand

A step-by-step guide to building your business plan
2026-02-27 10:00 - 12:00
New and established businesses will require a business plan for getting a loan, grant or just to consider the direction they wish to go in. This webinar will teach you what you need to include and how. We will walk you through what should be included within a business plan, how a business plan is used to improve your prospects for a loan or a grant, and how you can develop a business plan to meet your needs.
We will:

Provide a structure for a business plan
Review each section of what should be included within the business plan
Explain when and how to use a business plan
Explore the connections (and importance) between the words and the numbers
Look at how to identify and manage cashflow within the business planning process

Turn Every Customer Visit into a 5-Star Review
2026-02-27 10:00 - 15:30 | The Stag, 140-144 Castle Street, Forfar, DD8 3HX
Great customer service is essential for any business. Whether you’re in tourism, hospitality, retail, leisure or professional services, how customers feel at each stage of their journey directly affects loyalty, reputation and repeat business. And with online reviews shaping decisions more than ever, consistent and confident service is vital.
This workshop is for Angus businesses that work directly with customers, clients or visitors. We’ll cover first impressions, why customers return, how to build a consistent customer journey, the role of social media, how to handle complaints and negative feedback, and the core skills needed to deliver excellent service every time.
What we’ll cover:

Nailing First Impressions
Why Customers Return
Customer Needs vs Expectations
Designing a Smooth Customer Journey
The Power of Social Media
Handling Complaints and Reviews
Skills for Excellent Customer Service

Ideal if you want to improve customer interactions, turn reviews into opportunities and build a more consistent service approach.

How to improve your Google search rankings - Part 2: Off page optimisation & technical considerations
2026-02-27 14:00 - 16:00
Join us as we take a further, more detailed look at how the Google search engines indexes and ranks websites based on a number of external (off-page) and technical factors. Implementing this learning will increase your chances of customers discovering your business through Google – the world’s leading research tool.
We will cover:

How to block or control what websites are allowed to ‘index’
The importance of a fast loading mobile website
How security and usability influence Google
What “off-page” optimisation means, and tactics to generate back-links
The importance of Local SEO, and why a “Google Business Profile” is vital

Google Analytics – Understand how your website performs
2026-03-02 14:00 - 16:00
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that helps you understand how your website is performing. It helps answer lots of questions, including:

Which marketing channels drive traffic to your site?
What pages are users looking at the most?
What impact does mobile have on your potential customers?

During this webinar, we’ll help you understand how Google Analytics is set up and give you an overview of key reports. We’ll also look at other web analytics tools to help you online.

Floating Offshore Wind Conference 2026
2026-03-03 09:00 - 17:00 | One America Square, London, EC3N 2LB
The Floating Offshore Wind Conference: Technical Advances & Commercial Success is back by popular demand with critical updates in 2026.
Collaborate with key players such as developers, regulators, policymakers, engineers, technical leaders, supply chain officers, stakeholder managers, investors, insurers, consenters and more as they share unmissable insights from the front line on technological advancements to scale-up the floating wind industry.
Compare notes and gain practical takeaways from both structured and unstructured networking, plus join us the night before or after the conference at our informal get-together.

Tay Country Tourism Conference
2026-03-03 09:30 - 15:00 | Apex City Quay Hotel, 1 West Victoria Dock Road, Dundee, DD1 3JP
Join tourism and hospitality professionals from across Tayside and Fife for the Tay Country Tourism Conference 2026 taking place on Tuesday 3 March at the Apex City Quay Hotel in Dundee.
This is a key event designed to inspire collaboration, share insights, and drive sustainable growth across our regional tourism industry.
Programme:
08:30 Registration & Refreshments
09:30 Welcome: Caroline Warburton, Destination Development Director, VisitScotland and Alistair Heather, host for the day
09:45 ‘Capitalising on the Transformation Economy – Scotland’s Competitive Advantage’ Vicki Miller, CEO, VisitScotland
10:00 ‘The Visitor Economy – the Icelandic Way’. Jóhannes Þór Skúlason, Managing Director, Icelandic Travel Industry Association
10:25 In Conversation with Vicki Miller and Jóhannes Þór Skúlason – Alistair Heather
10:45 Short presentations from businesses across the region
11:10 Networking & Refreshments
11:30 Short presentations from businesses across the region – continued
12:30 Lunch
13:30 ‘Scotland’s Theatre in the Hills’. Dougie Cameron, Interim CEO, Pitlochry Festival Theatre
13:45 ‘Preparing your tourism business for the age of AI’. Sam Weston, Head of AI & Marketing, 80 Days
14:15 ‘Inclusive Tourism: A Lived Experience Perspective’. Carrie-Ann Lightley, Writer, Speaker and Content Creator
14:40 Final Speaker to be announced
14:50 Closing Remarks
15:00 Conference Close
You’ll also hear from innovative local businesses making a meaningful impact and enjoy valuable networking opportunities to connect with peers from across the region.
Whether you’re new to the tourism sector or an established operator, this is your chance to connect, learn, and shape the future of Tay Country tourism.

Meet the Buyer Tayside 2026
2026-03-03 10:00 - 14:00 | Michelin Innovation Parc, Baldovie Road, Dundee, DD4 8UQ
Don’t miss the annual Meet the Buyer Tayside event, on Tuesday 3 March 2026 (10am – 2pm) at the Innovation Hub at Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc, Dundee.
Dundee City Council and the Supplier Development Programme, invite local businesses of all sizes to this free, in-person event, which will take place at the Innovation Hub at Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc, in Dundee.
This Meet the Buyer event will provide suppliers with an opportunity to hear about upcoming contract, supply chain and sub-contracting opportunities across the Tayside region, from public and private sectors buyers.
Attendees will also have the chance to learn about the business support available, to help them expand their skills, grow their business and improve their chances of winning work.
Confirmed exhibitors include:

Dundee City Council
Angus Council
Fife Council
Perth and Kinross Council
Procurement for Housing (PfH)
Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA)
Supplier Development Programme

All suppliers are welcome, please register your place in advance.

Scottish Food & Drink Ambassadors – Open Hour Info Session
2026-03-03 12:30 - 13:30
An informal online session for current Ambassadors and anyone curious about getting involved.
Who this session is for

You’re a current Scottish Food & Drink Ambassador and would like a refresher or a chance to reconnect
You’ve recently registered as a Scottish Food & Drink ambassador and are unsure what to do next
If you’re curious about volunteering as a Scottish Food & Drink Ambassador and would like to learn more before deciding

What the session will cover

An introduction to the STEM Ambassador programme and the role of Scottish Food & Drink Ambassadors in inspiring young people
An overview of how the programme works in Scotland and how we support you to get involved
A practical walkthrough of the STEM Learning platform, including how to get started, find opportunities and record your activity

What you will take away

A clear understanding of how the Scottish Food & Drink Ambassadors programme works
Confidence to get started or feel reconnected as an Ambassador
Practical know-how on using the new STEM Learning platform
Clarity on where to find opportunities and how to record your activity
Answers to your questions from the team supporting the programme

Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit
2026-03-04 09:00 - 2026-03-05 16:00 | QEII Centre, Westminster, London, SW1P 3EE
On 4-5 March 2026, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit returns to the QEII Centre, London, co-located with Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit. This major two-day conference and expo brings together senior procurement and supply chain leaders to tackle today’s biggest challenges: supply chain resilience, cost efficiency, risk mitigation, and long-term value creation.
With 1,000+ in-person attendees across both events, it delivers practical strategies, peer-led insights, and high-value connections to support smarter, more sustainable operations.
Featuring more than 50 expert speakers, 10 focused content tracks, and 4 executive workshops, the agenda is tailored for decision-makers leading transformation across global supply networks. Whether your focus is reducing supplier risk, improving operational agility, or building a more responsive and future-ready supply chain, this is where strategy turns into execution.

Making Tax Digital Explained: Businesses With Over £50k Turnover
2026-03-04 10:00 - 11:30
Whether you’re a sole trader, landlord, or small business owner, this friendly, no-nonsense session will get you up to speed.
If your combined income from self-employment and property is £50,000 or more, you’ll be required to follow the new rules from April 2026. We’ll cut through the confusion, explain what’s changing, and show you how to stay compliant without the stress.
This session will be presented by Rebecca Mackellar from Red Tag Bookkeeping and Training Service..
By the end of the session, you’ll be able to:

Understand who MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment applies to and when it starts
Know exactly what you’ll need to submit to HMRC – and how often
See how cloud accounting can save time and make things easier
Get tips on choosing the right digital tools for your business
Feel confident about taking your next steps toward compliance

This session is a must to small businesses that meet this level of turnover – so please do come along to find out more.

Delivering profit to drive growth
2026-03-04 10:00 - 12:00
The course covers financial analysis, strategic decision-making, resource allocation, and the role of innovation and scalability in leveraging profit for long-term success.
We will cover:

Getting to know your financials
Controlling growth
Improving decision making
Opportunities
Cash is king
Controlling change
Pricing strategies for maximum profit
Measuring profit

Why your business needs a blog
2026-03-04 14:00 - 16:00
This webinar will provide you with the knowledge and understanding you need to create a blog that promotes your business.
We will cover:

What a ‘blog’ is, how to set one up and what it takes to make them work
Other small and medium sized businesses who already blog successfully and what you can learn from them
Options for monetising a blog
How to promote your blog
How your blog can help move your website higher up search engine ranking
Understanding analytics and measuring the impact of your blog

SCOTO Gathering 2026
2026-03-05 09:00 - 2026-03-06 17:00
For SCOTO’s fourth annual Gathering, we’re excited to be heading to a city location for the very first time! This year, the SCOTO Gathering will take place at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, just a short walk from Queen Street Station.
An inspiring programme is coming together, and we can’t wait to welcome both familiar faces and new networkers to join us in Glasgow. With support from Scottish Community Alliance, Glasgow Life and the Glasgow Convention Bureau, the event will showcase an inspiring range of community-led tourism initiatives from across Glasgow.
While previous Gatherings encouraged the sector to pause, reflect and reimagine, 2026 is about taking confident, coordinated steps forward.
Communities across Scotland are already leading the way in Europe – revitalising local places, building regenerative visitor experiences and demonstrating how tourism can be a force for good in local communities. What is needed now is a shared direction: a framework rooted in your experience but aligned with national ambitions.
The 2026 Gathering will bring together community organisations, social enterprises, policy leaders and partners across the tourism sector to explore how we move from ideas to developing a blue print for wider change.

DPIA’s: How to document and manage data protection
2026-03-05 09:30 - 10:30
Join Loretta Maxfield and Morgan O’Neill for an expert-led session to explore the topic of Data Protection Impact Assessments and to understand your organisations obligations to complete DPIA’s under Article 35 of UK GDPR.
The webinar will provide an overview of what a DPIA is and when is it required, how to complete a DPIA and we will look at how to complete a DPIA for AI technology. We will conclude with a Q&A where you can submit questions to our specialists.

Understanding and Bidding - Frameworks and Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS)
2026-03-05 13:00 - 14:30
Frameworks and Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS) are fast becoming a popular way for buyers to manage common purchases. Frameworks and DPS’s can also be a lucrative source of business for suppliers but it is vital you understand the agreement before getting on a Framework.
At this training, you will get an understanding of what a framework is, the common features of a framework and why buyers use frameworks. One of SDP’s expert trainers will also talk you through the two main methods of winning business on a framework i.e. Direct Award and Call Off Contract.
Overview of what you will learn:

What is a Framework?
How to get on a Framework
How to win business off a Framework
What is a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS)?

At the end of the session, there will be an interactive Q&A session where you will have the opportunity to ask any burning questions you may have. As well as the chance to hear what other SME businesses on Scotland have to say.
This event is suitable for Level 2 (Intermediate) for people who know about bidding but need to develop specific knowledge and skills.

How to deliver low-cost, high impact marketing
2026-03-05 13:00 - 15:00
When budgets are tight, it can be difficult to find the funds for marketing. This webinar will offer marketing tips and advice that you can then use across your business – without bursting the bank.
We will look at:

How marketing extends way beyond what most businesses consider it to be and how it provides opportunities for businesses to make transformational change with little or minimal extra spend
Identifying marketing priorities and using these to reshape your business
The marketing mix as a tool for reviewing how your business plans and delivers its marketing activity
How your marketing activity is delivered successfully and effectively in your business
A series of top tips including the importance of understanding your customers, the core components of a brand, the value of strong and consistent branding, the value of a clear focus and the power of creativity
The many options available with traditional advertising and promotion as a way a company communicates what it does and what it can offer customers, but also looking how this has changed in a world where marketing has moved online
The foundations of effective marketing in a digital age, looking at how your business can grasp new ways of marketing such as social media, web and digital PR

How to build a digital marketing plan
2026-03-05 14:00 - 16:00
This webinar will guide you through the steps needed to create an effective digital marketing strategy, ensuring you focus on the right tactics to meet your business objectives and goals.
We will cover:

The importance of planning your digital marketing activities
Building your plan around a simple framework
Conducting a situational analysis (and understanding customers and competitors)
Developing your brand and tone of voice
Planning your content strategy
Prioritising digital channels
Evaluating your Digital Marketing efforts

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.

Working with nature: Practical parasite control in sheep and cattle
2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:30
Practical, nature-friendly approaches to livestock parasite control that protect both animal health and wildlife.

Animal Health and Welfare Plans (or Livestock Management Plans if you are organic) are now a Whole Farm Plan requirement, but what does a whole-farm approach to animal health look like in practice?
This webinar, jointly hosted by Soil Association Scotland and Nature Friendly Farming Network, is led by Dr Claire Whittle, regenerative vet and farmer. Claire brings practical, nature-friendly approaches to livestock parasite control that protect both animal health and wildlife.
Rising parasite resistance and fewer new worming actives mean farmers need smarter, gentler ways to care for stock and nature. In this 60-minute, farmer-focused webinar, you’ll learn to keep your sheep and cattle thriving while treating less, better, using practical, nature-friendly methods.
Topics covered:

Why this matters now: Resistance, environmental impacts, and animal wellbeing
The 3 IPM pillars: Know your risk, measure what matters, and treat selectively
Targeted Selective Treatment (TST): Treat the right animals at the right time
Pasture-as-medicine strategies: Grazing design to reduce parasite pressure naturally
Protecting dung life and wildlife: Minimise harm to beneficial insects, soil, and water
Next 30 days action checklist: Simple steps for sheep and cattle.

Who should attend:
Farmers, livestock keepers, and graziers looking for practical, nature-friendly parasite control that supports animal health, soil, and wildlife.
We will also hear from the Soil Association Fly Strike field lab group on practical ways to reduce chemical treatments whilst maintaining high welfare.
Join us for an insightful and interactive session!
FREE and open to farmers, crofters, growers and land managers.

Bookkeeping essentials
2026-03-06 10:00 - 12:00
At the end of this session, you will be able to:

Implement basic bookkeeping skills across your business
Create a profit and loss account
Understand what expenses can and cannot be claimed
Use financial management to increase revenues and profits
Understand capital and revenue costs and how they are treated

You will also receive a workbook on excel to help you manage and monitor costs and sales.

Introduction to Canva
2026-03-06 13:00 - 15:00
Canva is an all-in-one online design tool that makes it simple to create graphics, edit photos/videos and write content.
In this webinar, you’ll learn how to navigate Canva with confidence, starting with a broad overview of what you can create and do with Canva including a live demonstration of the Canva Editor.
We’ll then explore how to:

Design professional printed marketing materials and edit photos with ease.
Create engaging social media content, including videos and images for posts and ads.
Write creative blog content and make stunning presentations.

We’ll finish this beginner’s guide to Canva by looking at some clever strategies for improving how you market your business with your new suite of creative marketing materials.
As a result of attending this webinar, you will gain practical knowledge of the basics of Canva and learn how to save time when marketing your business online. We’ll be focusing on the free features of Canva for this webinar but some paid ‘Canva Pro’ features will be demonstrated also.

How to start a business: The basics
2026-03-07 10:00 - 12:00
Whatever your reasons may be for considering being your own boss, we are here to support you and help you decide if this is the right path for you.
We will cover:

Personal finance
Planning – how much do you need to earn?
Researching your market – who your customers are, understanding your competition and what the trends are within your chosen field
Business structure – what are the core business structures? How to decide which is right for you and how to register as a business
Creating your start-up action plan – an outline
Marketing
Pricing
Naming the business
Basic bookkeeping
Forecasting
Financing, banking, insurance, and VAT
Tax

Scotland's National Events Conference 2026
2026-03-09 | Technology & Innovation Centre, 99 George Street, Glasgow, D1 1RD
The 2026 National Events Conference will take place on Monday 9 March at the Technology & Innovation Centre in Glasgow’s city centre.
Scotland’s National Events Conference is the flagship industry conference for the events sector in Scotland. It is produced for all those working to create, deliver, and support Scotland’s cultural and sporting events, and is aligned to Scotland’s National Events Strategy, Scotland The Perfect Stage (2024 – 2035).
The events and festivals sector is a significant contributor to the Scottish economy. Events enhance Scotland’s international profile and bring wide-ranging social, wellbeing, and cultural benefits. They also unite and engage our diverse communities.
The conference seeks to highlight the sector’s importance and the valuable contribution that it makes. It also provides a forum for learning (or ideas) around the opportunities and challenges that the sector faces.

How to plan and schedule your online content
2026-03-09 10:00 - 12:00
Businesses who plan their content in advance, aligning their channels with actual business objectives, customer themes and national events, and then schedule it to ensure it reaches the target market at the right time, on the right platform – hugely increase the chances of achieving impact.
In this webinar, you will learn how to:

Plan content based on your business and your customer needs
Evaluate current social media dashboards and management tools
Create a social media content calendar and schedule updates automatically
Reach more people through automating your blog and email newsletter content
Implement simple automation techniques to increase efficiency

Having great content is just the start. This webinar will help you better organise and setup your content strategy through simple planning and effective scheduling, to achieve great business results.

Video production for digital marketing
2026-03-09 12:00 - 14:00
Video captures people’s attention online and is important for getting your message across, while engaging with your target audience.
Learn how to:

Choose what type of video to create to suit your business objectives
Plan, shoot, edit, and upload video without special kit or expertise
Get to know the various digital platforms that can be utilised to view and share video content
See what editing apps are available and how to add music and subtitles

SMAS Making Change Happen workshop
2026-03-10 08:30 - 10:00
Join us for a focused breakfast briefing to explore one of the biggest challenges facing organisations today: how to make change stick.
Using engaging examples and practical insights drawn from well-known change thinking, this session will look at:

Why change is often resisted
Why so many change programmes fail
What differentiates organisations that achieve sustainable results from those that don’t

We will place particular emphasis on the people side of change – beliefs such as behaviour, leadership, culture – and how these interact with process and performance to deliver real and lasting improvement
The briefing will also introduce our new Lean Competency System (LCS) and accredited Business Improvement Academy (BIA) and explain how the academy can support your organisation to turn change intent into action.
The BIA uniquely combines people, behaviours and practical improvement tools, recognising that sustainable change only happens when all three are addressed together.
You’ll gain an overview of how the academy works, what you can expect from the academy, and how it can help leaders and teams build the capability to improve continuously.
During the briefing, there will be time for questions and discussion, with further details available if you’re interested in attending or sponsoring places on the academy.
