Business organisations from across the north-east have joined forces to run a series of events this month highlighting how change can drive growth.
The fifth annual North East Business Week (NEBW) yesterday launched its programme for a week packed with networking events, seminars as well as a special dinner event for key business leaders to be addressed by the head of the new Oil and Gas Authority, Andy Samuel.
The Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC), Elevator, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) have organised the series of events around the theme “Change Driving Growth”.
The week runs between April 27 and May 1 across a number of north-east locations and includes topics such as how to deliver a pitch, links between business and schools as well as changes to the oil & gas industry.
James Bream, research and policy director for AGCC said: “2015 feels like a year of change in the north-east and so ‘Change Driving Growth’ feels like a perfect theme.
“Some of the necessary changes this year will be difficult but it is important for our future and if we can manage it properly it will be beneficial to the region. We will also see political change in the week after North East Business Week, something we will focus on during the collaborative events.”
Andy Willox, Scottish Policy Convenor for the FSB said: “Business of all sizes will at some point face the challenge of change, either dictated by internal or external factors such as skills needs, market forces or customer demand.
“The events taking place will touch on many of these and provide businesses with the skills needed to exploit development opportunities and the support available to help make this happen.
“These are exciting time for all businesses and North East Business Week will once again ensure that they can unleash their growth potential and help develop a stronger economic base across City and Shire”.
Ian Armstrong, regional director of the SCDI, said: “We are looking forward to working with our regional partners again. Collaboration will be one example of the behaviours many of our members will adopt this year to move their businesses forward.”
Associate partners this year include RGU, Aberdeen University, Skills Development Scotland and the Oil & Gas Academy of Scotland (Ogas).
The partners will also be grilling prospective candidates for the General Election on May 7.
Booking for events is now live on www.northeastbusinessweek.co.uk