Invest in Angus

Young Professionals in Heritage - Networking Workshop
2025-09-11 10:30 - 13:30 UTC
Come join Historic Environment Scotland at Made In Stirling on 11 September for a morning of networking and learning.
This event is perfect for young people in the heritage sector looking to dymystify networking and boost confidence. Share your experiences, gain insights, and expand your network!
Tea, coffee and cake will be provided.
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and build valuable connections. See you there!

Reach Japanese consumers with Rakuten marketplace
2025-09-12 10:00 - 11:00
Following our recent trade mission to Tokyo, join us for an exclusive webinar designed for UK companies looking to break into Japan’s thriving online retail space. Learn how Rakuten Marketplace can be your gateway to millions of loyal Japanese customers.
This online webinar you’ll:
• Learn about the Japanese ecommerce opportunity
• Learn about Rakuten marketplace
• Learn about the strategies that can help you build long term success.
Are you ready to take your brand to Japan? Japan is home to the fourth largest e-commerce market in the world and Rakuten is at its heart. This online marketplace serves a vast number of consumers across many retail goods categories and offers an ideal entry point for brands looking to tap into this marketplace.
This online webinar, will give you an overview of the opportunity and platform, a deep dive into the requirements to sell, and a look at the strategies that can help you build long term success.
If you are a UK-based brand or retailer with strong international experience and a great product, this webinar will provide you with valuable insights on the Rakuten Japan opportunity. You’ll also get details of how you can sign up and support to help you with sustainable business growth in Japan.

Powering the Future: Forth Ports & Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm Construction
2025-09-12 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for an informative online session that dives into the heart of Scotland’s next big renewable energy milestone. After the highly successful Inch Cape Offshore Supplier event in Montrose this June, Forth and Tay Offshore is teaming up with Forth Ports to unlock supply chain pathways at the Ports of Leith and Dundee – your gateway to the foundations and turbine marshalling facility for Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm.
Why Attend?

Discover how the Ports of Leith and Dundee will become Scotland’s bustling hubs for Inch Cape’s offshore foundation and turbine activity
Find out more about port expansions, fabrication zones and vessel logistics
Position your business at the forefront of a multi-billion-pound green energy programme

Agenda

Welcome and opening remarks
Spotlight on Forth Ports: port developments, capacity and access routes
Supply-chain opportunities with Forth Ports for Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm
Live Q&A with Callum Hogan, Asset Manager – Forth Projects at Forth Ports
Closing summary and next steps

Key Capabilities Sought

Drone inspection services
Equipment provisions (forklifts, etc.)
Personnel provision (HSEQ personnel, Document control, Operational support, Welding support)
Facilities management

How to improve your Google search rankings - Part 1: On page optimisation
2025-09-15 10:00 - 12:00
Join us to look at how Google and other search engines decide the order in which they list their search results. We will show you how to maximise your chances of appearing towards the top of the search rankings, ensuring you understand what key words and phrases your potential customers are using when searching online, and how to optimise your website as a result.
We will cover:

How search engines work, and the ‘on-page’ factors used to rank your site
Understanding customer search behaviour
Keyword research tools and how to benefit from them
Optimising your website content for search engines

Your Business Matters – Angus Drop-In
2025-09-15 10:00 - 14:00 | Arbroath Courthouse, 88-92 High Street, Arbroath, DD11 1HL
The ‘Arbroath Places for Everyone’ project has brought significant changes to Arbroath’s town centre. With the works now complete, we want to look forward and hear directly from Arbroath businesses about the support that matters most to you.
This is your opportunity to tell us:

What support would make the biggest difference for your business right now?
What challenges are you facing across in your business, and what help would you like to see available?
What’s working well, and how can we build on it?

This informal drop-in session is a chance to share your views and help shape the type of advice and support delivered in the region.
What to expect:

A welcoming space to talk openly about the opportunities and challenges facing your business
The chance to raise ideas, suggest solutions, and learn about the support already on offer
Drop in at any point during the event, or book in advance if you’d like a tailored 1-to-1 session with a business adviser

Lunch and Learn: Five steps to using AI authentically
2025-09-15 12:00 - 12:30
Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere, but are you telling your clients and customers you’re using it?
Transparency and authenticity are key when implementing AI within your business or workflows. Whether you’re using it to save time, create content or win work, Natalie Luckham covers the key steps to consider when implementing or scaling up your use of use.
Topics covered in this session:

How to crafting a transparency statement and why it’s key
How to make sure your content looks and sounds like you
How to have conversations with customers about AI

Global Growth Opportunities in Women’s Health
2025-09-15 14:00 - 15:00
The women’s health industry is currently experiencing increased investment, innovation, and market growth.
Delivered in partnership with Frost & Sullivan and The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre, this webinar will provide information on why this industry is attracting global attention, the companies leading in the field, and how you can get involved.
Speakers include Nitin Naik (Global Leader, Healthcare and Life Sciences), Anantharaman KV (Global Research Director), and Alejandra Parra (Research Analyst) from Frost & Sullivan, as well as representatives from Scottish Enterprise, who will discuss the support we can offer.
Open to companies in Scotland involved in digital health, care and life sciences. This webinar explores health conditions that disproportionately affect women, policy drivers, global hot spots for innovation and companies leading the field.

Driving Success in Scotland's Hospitality & Accommodation Sector
2025-09-16 10:30 - 12:00
The hotel market in Scotland has seen mixed performance this year, driven largely by an increase in supply in the capital. While Edinburgh remains a strong market, the growth in hotel stock — alongside a noticeable slowdown in the domestic audience, greater price sensitivity, and a reduction in short-term let accommodation — has created tougher year-on-year comparisons. Other regions across Scotland, however, have continued to perform well, supported by steady demand and major events such as Oasis and AC/DC shows bringing strong peaks in occupancy.
International investors continue to be attracted to the country and are driving an exuberant transactions market, which is set to grow further this year and is seen as a focal point for significant capital deployment.
While the outlook for the strong pipeline of hotels remains positive, particularly in the luxury segment, the industry faces a series of headwinds, including the confirmed tourism levies in Edinburgh (5% for all bookings made for stays from July 2026 onwards, for reservations made from 1st October 2025) and Aberdeen (7% from April 2027), as well as an ongoing skills shortage. These factors are placing pressure on profits and Scotland’s ability to remain competitive as a leading tourist destination.
The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) is delighted to once again be partnering with HotelPartner, a trusted market leader in revenue management and distribution services for the hospitality and tourism industry, to explore the solutions available to Scottish hoteliers to ensure that the market can continue to thrive.
Whether you operate a luxury hotel, a budget accommodation, a boutique property, or a youth hostel, this webinar will share accessible and actionable advice on tackling challenges such as the skills shortage, optimising performance, and making the most effective use of technology in your operations.

Lunch and Learn: What is invoice finance and how does it work
2025-09-16 12:00 - 12:30
In this webinar, Richard Tamlyn explains clearly how invoice finance works, the benefits it can offer your business and how you can implement it in a way that supports growth, frees up cash flow and gives you flexibility – without needing to wait for payments.
Topics covered in this session:

What invoice finance is and how it works
The benefits of invoice finance and what to consider when using it
How your business can access invoice finance

Unlocking the Potential: The Power of Inclusive Marketing
2025-09-17 11:00 - 12:00
Open to all Scottish tourism business.
Join us for an insightful session designed to help you maximise your impact in the inclusive tourism market.
We’ll explore:

Current market insights from Sarah Muir, Product Manager (Abbey UK), a travel intermediary working directly with clients seeking inclusive holiday experiences. Learn what information these customers need to confidently choose your business.
Inclusive marketing in action with expert Carrie-Ann Lightley (Accessible Travel Writer & content creator ), who will share practical tips on how to use photography, content, and messaging to authentically connect with this growing market.
Support tools and resources available through our Business Support Hub to help you implement what you’ve learned and enhance your visibility to inclusive travellers.

This is a valuable opportunity to strengthen your approach and better connect with the inclusive tourism market.

Navigating the New Skilled Worker Salary Rules
2025-09-17 13:00 - 14:00
Hosted by Scotland’s Migration Service, this free webinar will help employers in Scotland understand the changes made to the Skilled Worker visa route in July 2025.
You will hear from legal experts on how these changes affect recruitment and how your organisation can continue to access skilled international talent.
This session will offer practical, legally informed guidance on:

Sponsoring international workers under the new Skilled Worker visa rules
Understanding the revised list of eligible occupations
Meeting new salary thresholds
Adapting your workforce strategy in response to UK-wide policy changes

Tech Hub bootcamp: AI, reporting and the future of digital tax
2025-09-17 13:00 - 15:00
In these two Tech Hub bootcamps, we’re joined by Jonathan Dowden and Chris Downing, two industry experts from Sage. They’ll provide practical advice for small business owners on financial reporting and Making Tax Digital (MTD).
1pm to 2pm | Financial reporting with Jonathan Dowden

Find out how to become more confident in your financial reporting – with a focus on using AI to help you
Get a demo of Sage tools that will support your reporting
Ask Jonathan any questions you might have in a Q&A

2pm to 3pm | Making Tax Digital with Chris Downing

Get up to speed on MTD: Understand how the law will affect your practice or business, the services you offer and how to effectively communicate your plan.
Simplify financial admin: Discover practical ways to manage digital records and reduce manual work.
Explore the future of finance: See how Sage Copilot, a new AI-powered tool, can help streamline your workflow and transform your approach to accounting.
Ask Chris any questions you might have in a Q&A

Bookkeeping essentials
2025-09-18 10:00 - 12:00
This webinar is for those who are entering business for the first time or require an understanding of what is involved in financially managing a business, including basic bookkeeping, and creating a profit and loss account. You will also get an understanding of what expenses the business can claim and then how to fund your business. At the end of the session, you will receive a workbook on excel to help you manage and monitor costs and sales.
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

Selling Your Business Masterclass
2025-09-18 10:00 - 12:00
Have you considered a succession plan for your business? Have you considered selling your business to an employee ownership trust? It’s never too early to start thinking about your options.
Employee ownership is fast becoming the preferred exit route for business owners. Attend this free online workshop to learn how employee ownership offers a tax efficient exit route that protects your company’s legacy while ensuring you get a competitive price for the business.
Aimed at business owners considering an exit from their company, this free online session will give you the opportunity to hear from Isle of Arran based Auchrannie Resort and UK and Ireland specialist holiday firm McKinlay Kidd. They’ll talk about the factors they considered in choosing employee ownership and how things have worked out.
Ralph Leishman from 4-consulting will talk through all your ownership succession options before focussing on employee ownership and how to ensure the employee buyout is a smooth process.

Lean & Clean: Smarter Food Safety (Part 1)
2025-09-18 10:00 - 16:00 | The Stag, 140-144 Castle Street, Forfar, DD8 3HX
Don’t miss this essential workshop for food and drink manufacturers in Angus. If you’re a small producer or a growing operation, there’s something here for everyone! During these two sessions, you’ll gain practical tools and insights to streamline your processes, improve product safety, and boost efficiency, without breaking the bank.
Session 1: Efficiency in Every Step
Discover how LEAN methodology and HACCP planning can streamline your processes, improve food safety, and boost operational efficiency—all in one practical, hands-on session.
Session 2: Smart Spaces, Safe Food
Learn how strategic factory layouts, guided by LEAN tools and HACCP prerequisites, can reduce waste, lower risks, and create safer, more efficient production environments.
Want even more practical tips? Join Lean & Clean: Smarter Food Safety (Part 2) on 24 September, where we’ll explore methods for allergen and foreign body control, and how affordable automation can help tackle labour challenges and cut costs.

Lunch and Learn: How to create an AI action plan tailored to your business
2025-09-18 12:00 - 12:30
AI isn’t just for big tech companies – it’s now an affordable, practical tool for every small business.
In this 30-minute session led by Jacob Colton, we’ll strip away the jargon and give you ideas on how AI can save you hours of work and help grow your revenue.
You’ll hear about AI tools you can use right away for marketing, customer service, admin and data analysis. You’ll come away with a simple action plan so you know exactly what to try first.
Topics covered in this session:

The basics of AI in plain English – what it is, how it works and why it matters for small businesses
Practical, low-cost AI tools for marketing, customer service, admin and data analysis that you can start using immediately
A simple AI action plan tailored to your business so you know exactly what to try first to save time and increase revenue

VisitScotland bitesize webinars: How to work with travel distribution partner
2025-09-18 14:00 - 14:30
Get advice on how to pitch your business to a travel distribution partner and create a handy product sheet. Learn how to focus on your key selling points, tailor your message to different audiences, and create variety in your delivery.
Ideal for those looking to start building relationships with travel distribution partners and attend trade events.

Introduction to Canva
2025-09-18 18:00 - 20:00
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.

Lunch and Learn: Simple Excel techniques to help you save time
2025-09-19 12:00 - 12:30
Excel – “can’t live without it” or “can’t understand what the fuss is about”?
Excel is a fantastic tool to organise information in a clear way – think of it as a simple CRM, sales data or a way to manage your social media schedule. And it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming list that takes a lot of wrangling to find what you need.
In this webinar, Alison Pollecutt will show you how to create some simple rules to get Excel to tell you the things that matter (so you don’t need to go searching), help you tame your data and set yourself up for success.
Topics covered in this session:

How to highlight important dates, so you know exactly what’s coming up
How to hide what’s not important and reduce overwhelm
How to fill in your spreadsheet faster and more accurately

How to improve your Google search rankings - Part 2: Off page optimisation & technical considerations
2025-09-22 10:00 - 12:00
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

Lunch and Learn: Simple, low-risk ways to start outsourcing today
2025-09-22 12:00 - 12:30
Great leaders focus on the road ahead, not clearing up what’s already passed.
In this session led by Abi Phillips, we’ll explore how outsourcing helps you step out of the weeds and lead from the front. From virtual assistants to accountants and specialist freelancers, you’ll learn how to identify the right tasks to delegate, choose the right people and make it cost-effective.
Create the space to focus on strategy, growth and the work only you can do – without hiring a full team.
Topics covered in this session:

How to spot the tasks holding you back from leading effectively
Simple, low-risk ways to start outsourcing today
How to treat outsourcing as a strategic investment in leadership and growth

Social media essentials: Instagram
2025-09-22 14:00 - 16:00
Thinking about using Instagram to communicate with existing and potential customers? Want to showcase your products or services using it? During this webinar we will cover:

Getting the setup right and benefitting from the available business tools
Best practice profiles, and some strategies to help your business stand out from the crowd
The types of audience you can reach via this platform and the factors and analytics such as cost and timing of posting images and how that can maximise impact
The various types of content you can post to Instagram, from regular posts to Stories and Reels

How to build a digital marketing plan
2025-09-22 18:00 - 20:00
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

Thorntons Webinar - Employment Law
2025-09-23 09:30 - 10:30
Join Debbie and Amy to discuss the tricky issue of assessing employment status and why it’s important. The webinar will include:

The differences between self-employment, worker and employment status (employment rights, tax position and right to bring employment claims)
Why it’s important to identify the correct employment status, particularly the importance of ensuring that an individual is genuinely self-employed
The key areas to take into account when assessing employment status

This webinar will be useful for business owners, those responsible for employing staff and those either engaging or considering engaging self-employed consultants/contractors.

Why your business needs a blog
2025-09-23 10:00 - 12:00
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

THRIVE+ : Introduction to Sustainable Marketing Strategies
2025-09-23 10:30 - 12:00
This event is part of a series of THRIVE+ skills development events delivered by experienced industry trainers.
Key topics:
1. Introduction to ESG and Sustainability Terminology
a. Understanding carbon footprint, carbon neutral, net zero, and other essential sustainability terms.
b. The importance of sustainability for food & drink businesses and why ESG practices matter.
2. Sustainable Packaging Solutions
a. Overview of sustainable packaging options: biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable materials.
b. How to start implementing eco-friendly packaging that aligns with brand values and customer expectations.
3. Crafting Your Sustainability Message
a. How to build a simple and authentic sustainability narrative for your business.
b. Best practices for communicating your sustainability efforts clearly to customers through various marketing channels
There will be a Q&A section at the end of the session.

Cyber security made simple
2025-09-23 12:00 - 13:30
Cyber threats aren’t just a problem for big businesses – they affect organisations of all sizes, and small businesses are increasingly being targeted. That’s why it’s so important to build cyber awareness into your team from the very beginning.
Cyber Security Made Simple is a free, CPD-accredited training session designed especially for anyone starting-up or running their own business – from start-ups to scale-ups. Led by Katie O’Neill, Head of Skills Academy, Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland, this interactive session will give you and your team the confidence and practical skills to:

Spot and avoid phishing attempts
Secure devices and data
Respond effectively to cyber incidents

By attending, you’ll be taking a proactive step to protect your business from reputational and financial harm, showing investors and clients that you take cyber resilience seriously. It’s also a great way to start building a strong security culture that grows with your business.

How to start a business: The basics
2025-09-23 18:00 - 20:00
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

Delivering profit to drive growth
2025-09-24 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

Lean & Clean: Smarter Food Safety (Part 2)
2025-09-24 10:00 - 16:00 | The Stag, 140-144 Castle Street, Forfar, DD8 3HX
Don’t miss this essential workshop for food and drink manufacturers in Angus. If you’re a small producer or a growing operation, there’s something here for everyone! During these two sessions, you’ll gain practical tools and insights to streamline your processes, improve product safety, and boost efficiency, without breaking the bank.
Session 3: Beyond Clean
Explore how the 5S methodology enhances allergen and foreign body controls while improving workspace structure, safety, and overall efficiency.
Session 4: Automation Unboxed
Find out how modern automation—now more accessible than ever—can help food producers of all sizes tackle labour challenges, cut costs, and stay competitive.
New to Lean thinking? Make sure to book Part 1 on 18 September, covering process efficiency, HACCP planning, and smart factory layouts.
