Members’ News Celebrations

V&A Dundee celebrates its first birthday

V&A Dundee welcomed over 830,000 visitors in its first year, 330,000 more than the pre-opening estimate of 500,000 visitors.

In the last 12 months the museum was visited by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for its official opening, made the front cover of TIME Magazine as one of the world’s Greatest Places of 2019, won numerous awards, hosted filming of BBC Antiques Roadshow and even featured in an IRN-BRU Snowman advert. V&A Dundee’s opening last year marked over ten years of planning and preparation, including the design of Kengo Kuma’s remarkable new building, major conservation projects including Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Oak Room, and a wide range of new commissions and learning projects. Philip Long, Director of V&A Dundee, said: “The last 12 months have been remarkable, and I can hardly believe all that’s been achieved in that time. As well as welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors and putting on world-class exhibitions

“As well as welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors and putting on world-class exhibitions championing Scottish and international design, the museum has really become part of the city...”

INTONA REACH 25 years Property Care Company, Intona Limited, reached a milestone this month. Established in October 1994 the company has now been trading for 25 years.

Intona, based in Tayside, has an impressive portfolio of satisfied customers throughout the country and as far as The Somme in Northern France. Intona was originally formed as a Timber Preservation Company dealing with woodworm, dry and wet rot and damp-proofing, then introducing loft insulation and small building contracts in the early years of the new millennium. This section of the company is overseen by Allan Blyth, an experienced Senior Surveyor with many years in the industry. Allan is also a qualified fire & flood restoration surveyor which allows Intona to work closely with insurance companies on both commercial and domestic claims. In 2005 the company started the Asbestos Surveying and Removal Division. This section of the company is overseen by Ross Duguid who spent many years with a national company before joining Intona. Ross has four qualified Asbestos Surveyors to call on along with fully trained removal Technicians. Intona carry out asbestos removal and asbestos project management. Intona are UKAS accredited to ISO 17020 for asbestos surveying. This is the International Standard for asbestos surveying and Intona are the only company in the North East with this accreditation.

championing Scottish and international design, the museum has really become part of the city, and for that I’d like to thank everyone for their support. “We’re very proud of the contribution we have already made to Dundee and Scotland, and the opportunities we are generating for our nation’s creative talent, such as our current exhibition of work by the brilliant young fashion designer Nicholas Daley. We look forward to welcoming many more visitors to our upcoming major exhibitions Hello, Robot and Mary Quant.” The museum is estimated to have had an economic impact of £23 million across Scotland in its first year, supporting 604 full-time equivalent jobs.

members’ NEWS CELEBRATIONS CONTD. TAYSIDE SOLICITORS RAISE OVER £7K FOR CHARITY CASH FOR KIDS Tayside based solicitors and estate agents Miller Hendry have raised over £7,000 for Radio Tay’s charity Cash for Kids, following a company challenge to complete the Dundee Kiltwalk in August.

Nine staff from Miller Hendry’s Dundee and Perth offices were presented with a silver disc in recognition of their efforts at their Dundee office this week. The team completed The Mighty Stride version of the Kiltwalk, which saw them walk 25 miles from St Andrew’s Old Course to Monifieth, at the event on 18 August. Perth based solicitor Michael Johnston also completed the Big Stroll, covering 11 miles. A further 40% is added to all funds raised by the Hunter Foundation, the organisation behind the Kiltwalk. This assisted Miller Hendry to raise a grand total of £7,027.30 for the charity.

Arbikie wins Best Brand Experience

Arbikie wins Best Brand Experience at The Scottish Gin Awards for its Edinburgh Fringe venue, The A Club.

Scotland’s leading field-to-bottle distiller, Arbikie was awarded ‘Best Brand Experience’ at the third annual Scottish Gin Awards for its Edinburgh Fringe Festival venue, The A Club. They were merited by the judging panel for capturing a global audience and taking their rural distillery to an international level. The A Club is one of the most luxurious venues at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival found in the stunning location at The Merchant’s Hall on Hanover Street. Working in partnership with Mackenzies Catering, Arbikie achieved yet another successful year at The A Club this past August, resulting in another sold out month for a fourth year running. Arbikie is one of the world’s few single-estate distilleries and are pioneers behind a sustainable and provenancefocused ethos. All ingredients for Arbikie spirits are planted, sown, grown and harvested in the surrounding 200 acres that make up the estate; with farming experience within the Stirling Family drawing back to the 17th century. Arbikie’s brand story and field-to-bottle ethos was augmented through various experiences at The A Club. This includes an Arbikie cocktail menu and pairing dinners, interactive Masterclasses and exclusive tastings with world-renowned whisky experts Charles Maclean and Blair Bowman. Not to mention The A Club’s presence in an international audience of 4 million people. Marketing Manager, Rachel Thomson commented: “Essentially, this year was our fourth month of running an international venue, so to be awarded with Best

“i’m immensely proud of our team for completing a very difficult challenge...”

Radio Tay’s Cash for Kids support children aged 0-18 who are disabled, disadvantaged or suffering from abuse or neglect in Tayside and North East Fife. Caroline Fraser, Partner at Miller Hendry, commented: “I’m immensely proud of our team for completing a very difficult challenge and raising a large sum for such a worthy cause. For me, the event was also a family affair, with my children completing the six-mile Wee Wander to enable them to make their own contribution.”

CCTV Accreditation ensures future growth

Securitay Limited, who started trading in 1985, are delighted to announce that their Control Centre in Broughty Ferry has been awarded a Public Space CCTV license by the Security Industry Authority.

The challenges to achieve this coveted accolade entailed bringing the existing Control Centre up to BS7958 standards. This included the purchase of equipment and the enhanced training and licensing of the existing Control Centre staff. To achieve this, Securitay decided to put in place a Control Centre Manager they promoted internally, and Martin Dunsmuir was appointed in early 2019. Martin’s previous experience in Control Rooms was invaluable in ensuring the upgrade and training of staff met the exacting standards. Martin is confident that his team operating the innovative control centre systems will attract new business, not just for CCTV, but for monitoring of outreach field operatives and lone workers. Also, this increase will allow him to recruit additional team members. Deputy MD Richard Jennings said: “We are delighted that the investment in the control centre facilities proved successful. Our industry is moving from physical on-site security guards to supplementary technical solutions. We are confident that this accreditation and new systems will enable us to further develop our diversity into the remote monitoring sector, guarantee future employment and grow our existing 130 strong workforce.”

“Martin’s previous experience in control rooms was invaluable in ensuring the upgrade and training of staff met the exacting standards.”

festive cheer at the wellgate shopping centre When was the last time you took a look inside The Wellgate Shopping Centre? With many exciting new additions, now is the time to revisit.

Dundee’s biggest festive market is coming to the Wellgate Shopping Centre. With something for everyone, this is the season to treat your family and friends to a Christmas surprise, your opportunity to commission something for that special person, and maybe treat yourself with a gift in the process.

With a comprehensive lighting refurbishment having recently been completed by the Wellgate team, the centre is up for the ‘Green Apple Environment Award 2019’. The award is for achieving a 60% reduction in energy output that has been achieved by replacing the old lighting system with a new LED system.

Patrons of the Wellgate can now enjoy a more considered flow throughout the centre with the introduction of a new escalator and stair system allowing for better access to all your favourite shopping destinations. The Dundee Design Project, a concept for local artists and designers to showcase their work, have recently taken occupation of a unit on the 3rd floor of the centre. With several variations seen across the globe, this is an exciting and welcome addition to the Wellgate Centre.

The recently rerouted bus loop, which now stops at the Victoria Road entrance, has facilitated a general increase in footfall and with strong operators including; TJ Hughes, Home Bargains, Exercise 4 Less and B&M, an environment where new businesses would be ideally placed to flourish.

To conclude a busy few months for the team at the Wellgate, the new website has been launched, allowing for an interactive experience and highlighting all that is Wellgate Shopping Centre.

The Wellgate Centre –BE PART OF IT. Should you wish to be represented within the Wellgate Shopping Centre, please get in touch with the team.

AWARD WIN SHOWS TRUE POTENTIAL True Potential have won the ‘Best Use Of Technology’ award at the Schroders UK Platform Awards 2019, celebrating achievement in platforms and technology.

Richard Taylor, Head of Platform, and Jamie Heaton, Lead Developer, were thrilled to collect the award, having been recognised by the judges as bucking the trend in completing a major platform migration project in house, successfully, and on time. Judges also examined the impact on the business, on customers, market uniqueness, delivery on time and budget, plus delivery on the basics such as security, reliability and regulatory compliance. The competition for this award was fierce and involved an in-depth application process to demonstrate True Potential’s technology and platform prowess. To have triumphed is a testament to the company’s commitment to technology and innovation. Daniel Harrison, True Potential Chief Executive, said: “We’re delighted with this win and I think it provides a really positive ‘job well done’ statement for the team at the end of the migration. We’re not resting on our laurels though and our next wave of planned platform changes will further revolutionise our platform.” The UK Platform Awards were held in London. This year marked the thirteenth year for these prestigious awards.