Exciting progress continues at Sutherland Spaceport, as Orbex move closer to establishing the UK’s first vertical launch spaceport on the north coast of Scotland. Work packages for Phases 3 and 4 of construction are now open for tender, marking another key milestone in the development of this state-of-the-art facility.
Sutherland Spaceport will play a crucial role in the UK’s space industry, supporting environmentally sustainable launches and fostering innovation in satellite technology. This is your chance to contribute to a pioneering project that will position Scotland at the forefront of the global space sector.
The following trade packages are currently open for tender:
• Earthworks & Excavations
• Concrete Foundations and Slab
• Reinforcement to Concrete Items
• Drainage
• Steel Frame (supply only, install only, or supply and install)
• Roof and Wall Cladding
• Gutters, Downpipes, and Superstructure Drainage
• External Doors
• Windows
• Roller Shutter Doors
• Mechanical Installations (e.g., plumbing, ventilation, heating)
• Electrical Installations (e.g., lighting, power, data)
• Fencing
• External Concrete (similar to concrete foundations and slab)
If you’re interested in applying or would like more information, please contact Bryan McGhie by 29th November at bmcghie@nascentcc.co.uk
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the development of this exciting project!
- DASA has launched a new Themed Competition: PYRAMID for avionics and mission systems
- Funded by Air Command – Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO)
- The total possible funding available for this competition is £4 million (excluding VAT)
- Competition closes at midday 14 January 2025 (GMT)
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called PYRAMID for avionics and mission systems. Run on behalf of Air Command – Rapid Capabilities Office, this competition seeks proposals that can develop new, or adapt existing, air systems software applications to comply with the PYRAMID Reference Architecture (PRA).
PYRAMID is a UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) initiative to develop time and cost efficient avionics and mission systems to deliver operational advantage. PYRAMID is suitable for both future air systems and legacy systems.
This DASA Competition will give you the opportunity to align new, or modify existing programmes to demonstrate compliance with PYRAMID. This approach not only offers numerous benefits but also improves compatibility with major air programmes.
Learn more about PYRAMID in the full competition document.
Key dates and funding
The total possible funding available for this competition is £4 million (excluding VAT). We expect to fund a number of proposals.
The deadline to submit a proposal is midday 14 January 2025 (GMT).
Do you have an innovation? Read the full competition document and submit a proposal.
Supporting events
Launch Webinar
On Thursday 14 November, join us for a competition launch webinar; providing further detail on the challenge area and a chance to ask questions in an open forum. If you would like to participate, please register on the Eventbrite page.
Please attend the launch webinar or reach out to your local Innovation Partner if you have questions on DASA’s application process.
1-2-1 Sessions
A series of 15 minute one-to-one teleconference sessions, giving you the opportunity to ask specific technical questions to the competition team in a closed forum. Registration details for these sessions can be found in the competition document.
Get up to speed with all the details by reading the full competition document.
Submit a proposal
Do you have a novel idea that can benefit end-users working in UK Defence and Security? Read the full competition document to learn more and submit a proposal.
On Thursday, 12th September 2024, the highly anticipated Caithness Chamber of Commerce 50th Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony took-place at the Norseman Hotel, Wick. This prestigious event has become a cornerstone of the local business calendar, annually attracting the region’s most prominent business figures. In honour of this milestone, the evening’s theme was 1974 – the year the first chamber of commerce was founded in Caithness.
Guests from across the UK were warmly welcomed by Stephen Sutherland, Chair of the Caithness Chamber of Commerce. His speech reflected on the Chamber’s pivotal role in shaping the local business landscape, highlighting key moments over the past five decades that have contributed to the region’s growth. This was followed by an address from Stuart McAuley, Project Director of the West of Orkney Windfarm and the event’s principal sponsor. He commended the county’s welcoming nature and praised the Chamber’s support, as well as the high calibre of skilled businesses in the region.
The evening featured a keynote speech by The Rt. Hon. Lord Thurso, long-standing Patron of the Chamber, who delivered an inspiring address in celebration of the Chamber’s 50th anniversary. His speech centred on the people of Caithness. Reflecting on past events, Lord Thurso read an extract from the Caithness Courier, published on 6th November 1974, during the Friends of the London-Caithness Association gathering. He noted that this had been his maiden public speech.
“The basic Caithnessian was what made Caithness tick. They possessed an openness and hospitality that was unrivalled and had an adaptability and ingenuity borne of many years of simply having to manage or make up for what was needed but unobtainable. They had a wonderful ability to turn a sassenach visitor into a spiritual native of Caithness in a very short space of time. The way in which the “Atomics” had become such a vital and important part of the community was only one example of this work. He believed that the true basic wealth of any county, or for that matter any country, could be measured in terms of its inhabitants. It was the people that were a country’s greatest asset.”
The highlight of the evening was the glittering Business Awards Ceremony, offering a platform for innovative companies and entrepreneurs to showcase their achievements. This celebration of success brought the community together to recognise and applaud the region’s brightest talents.
The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2024 was presented to Megan Love of Studio Wellness, Halkirk, by award sponsor Coll Murchison-MacDonald, Partner at Saffery Inverness. Specialising in remedial and sports massage, cupping, and kinesiology taping, Studio Wellness distinguishes itself as the only business in Caithness offering Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation and Spinal and Peripheral Joint Mobilisation. Megan’s warm, compassionate nature and dedication to continuous learning have earned her a loyal client base and an excellent reputation. She was commended by the judges for her passion, commitment, and holistic, client-focused approach, as well as her ambition to expand into wellbeing coaching.
Trudy Morris, CEO of Caithness Chamber of Commerce, presented the Community Business Award 2024 to Wick River Campsite, which was reopened under the management of Wick Development Trust in June 2022. Under the Trust’s stewardship, the campsite has undergone a remarkable transformation, securing £450k in funding for a state-of-the-art, fully accessible, energy-efficient, net-zero toilet and facilities building, which opened in June 2024. The judges were highly impressed by the extensive renovation of the campsite and praised the dedication of the board and team, who have successfully led this transformative social enterprise, creating jobs and significantly enhancing the town of Wick for both visitors and residents.
Matthew and Chloe Mackay, the husband-and-wife team behind Cakes and Bakes at Comlifoot, received a Highly Commended recognition in the Young Business of the Year 2024 category, presented by award sponsor Andrew Mackay, Director of the Caithness Collection. Since opening their cake honesty box in Halkirk in 2022, the pair have transformed their passion for home baking into a thriving business that has become a local favourite. The judges were impressed by the tenacity of this growing venture and captivated by the ambition and enthusiasm that Chloe and Matthew have demonstrated. Their journey highlights how, with a strong work ethic and creative thinking, a small initiative can be turned into a successful enterprise.
The Young Business Award 2024 was presented to Fresh Favourites, founded in 2022 by Derek Balloch and Debbie Mackay, by Richard Copeland, Director of Pentland Floating Offshore Windfarm and sponsor of the award. Fresh Favourites has transformed the takeaway experience by maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality and freshness, ensuring that each meal is crafted from the finest ingredients and bursting with flavour. The judges also praised the business for its strong community focus, including its initiatives supporting local senior citizens. Looking ahead, Fresh Favourites plans to open a storefront, which will not only enhance the customer experience but also showcase products from local suppliers.
Adding to the evening’s excitement, guests were treated to a surprise performance by renowned magician, scientist, and comedian Kevin Quantum. His captivating show left the audience mesmerised with seemingly impossible illusions and mathematical wizardry. The evening concluded in style with a live performance by vocalist Sara Mackay, celebrating some of the best hits of 1970’s – including Abba’s iconic 1974 Eurovision-winning song “Waterloo”.
Trudy Morris, CEO of the Caithness Chamber of Commerce commented:
“We are thrilled by the success of the evening and were delighted to see such positive energy in the room. It’s amazing to bring together so many business leaders to celebrate 50 years of business excellence in our region. The. Rt. Hon Lord Thurso himself couldn’t have said it better—the North Highlands is a place full of ingenuity and an unrivalled welcoming spirit.
Congratulations to our young entrepreneur and all of our business award winners. We look forward to what the future holds for our region in the next 50 years!”
Photography by Colin Campbell Photography & Videography by Local Lens Media.
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is excited to announce the launch of a new Early Market Engagement (EME) pilot initiative, on behalf of The MOD Innovation Directorate on the theme of Uncrewed Systems. This pilot aims to collaboratively challenge MOD problem areas and identify potential solutions that could rapidly deliver capability for defence and determine whether a full competition in this area is required.
The initial pilot will concentrate on two critical sub-systems of Uncrewed Systems:
- Position, Navigation and Timing in Highly Contested Environments
- Low-cost, Fast Engines
In short:
- DASA is running an Early Market Engagement (EME) pilot activity on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) on the theme of Uncrewed Systems.
- The EME pilot will take a collaborative approach to problem curation with industry/academia to establish the requirement for a full competition.
- Workshops will be held in Bristol, London and Newcastle and welcome participants from both industry and academia. Applications for workshop attendance closes 12:00pm midday 31 October 2024 (GMT)
Learn more and apply to attend a workshop here
DASA is delighted to bring you their latest Case Study – the story of an innovation designed to combat a serious modern threat – that of the Unmanned Air System (UAS) or drone.
Cheap, off-the-shelf drones present a serious challenge to defence and security due to their easy accessibility and very limited radar signature. As their use continues to rise, they pose more of a threat to both military forces and national infrastructure. Therefore, it has become more important than ever to develop an effective counter-UAS innovation.
With the help of DASA funding, West Sussex-based SME LiveLink Aerospace has risen to the challenge, spearheading a consortium to develop a low cost, easy to integrate counter UAS solution.
The consortium developed a flexible and scalable sensor unit for tracking multiple UAS – called Passive Detection & Ranging (PDAR).
This technology has proved to be so successful in field trails, that the Royal Navy has purchased the sensor for use on frontline ships.
Aleks Kowalski, LiveLink Aerospace’s Business Director said:
“Not only did DASA have the vision to support a high risk project where the commercial market was failing, but working with DASA provided wider benefits. The project liaison staff provided by DASA were excellent. They provided constructive criticism when required, represented the ‘voice of the customer’ to challenge the development team, and much appreciated enthusiasm and encouragement throughout. Additionally, compared with other grant awarding bodies, the whole paperwork and process was streamlined and well thought through – we didn’t need to employ additional staff for their paperwork!”
Read the full LiveLink Case Study here
Climate Springboard is a free online programme that helps a business measure its carbon emissions in-house, create a Net Zero action plan, and deliver this using simple, low-cost action plans. The next cohort starts on 8th August, with many more dates throughout the year.
130 businesses have joined the programme, and 100% of recent attendees stated they would recommend the course to another organisation.
What to expect:
- 3 online workshops, fortnightly, 2 hours long.
- Access to 1-2-1 support
- Simple-low cost action plans for carbon and cost reduction
Sign up here: Climate Springboard Sign Up 2024 (jisc.ac.uk)
Find out more: Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) (edinburghcentre.org)
Climate Springboard is a free business support programme that has now opened its doors to any Scottish SME. Designed to simplify the net zero landscape, this unique and action orientated programme was created from a partnership between ECCI, the University of Edinburgh and Royal Bank of Scotland.
Why take part in Climate Springboard?
In response to the Climate emergency, Scotland has set a target to transition to Neto Zero by 2045. SMEs are key to this transition. Not only are businesses now facing new regulation and funding requirements based around climate, but are feeling the effects of climate change today. It is now essential that businesses can report on their climate emissions, implement a climate strategy and adapt.
The net zero landscape can feel overwhelming for SMEs who are juggling other commitments. Climate Springboard breaks it all down to simple to follow steps.
What to expect from the programme?
Climate Springboard will provide an overview of the Scottish net zero landscape including; upcoming regulation aimed at businesses, funding requirements and supply chain fluctuations.
The programme will provide businesses with the tools and knowledge to report your carbon emissions and develop a strategy document in line with government protocols.
Climate Springboard allows businesses to gain access to low-cost action plans and get tailored support to reduce their energy consumption and costs.
You will get to connect with likeminded businesses and learn from each other.
Find a full overview of the programme and information on how to get started on the Climate Springboard website.
The August edition of Executive Magazine is here, and we’re excited to relaunch the Caithness Chamber of Commerce Newsletter—brimming with the latest business insights and success stories from across the North Highlands!
Grab your coffee and dive into this must-read issue, featuring the latest industry news, movers and shakers, and exciting opportunities, including:
- O’Brien Recycling: A SEPA-accredited family business in the North Highlands, leading the charge toward ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ with expert waste management and strong community ties.
- Gow’s Lybster: Expanding horizons, Gow’s Lybster secures major contracts in the UK’s nuclear and energy sectors with their enhanced mechanical engineering services.
- Orano in Caithness: Leveraging global nuclear expertise, Orano bolsters local supply chains while supporting decommissioning efforts at Dounreay.
- Green Engineering Course at UHI: UHI North, West, and Hebrides launches a fully funded green engineering course, empowering local engineers with sustainable skills.
- Thistle Wind Partners Event: Thistle Wind Partners is set to host a dynamic supply chain event in Thurso, engaging local businesses in the future of offshore wind projects.
- CC Chocolatier: Satisfy your sweet tooth—CC Chocolatier opens a new shop in Bower, offering delectable patisserie treats and handcrafted chocolates.
- Taste North Food & Drink Festival 2024: Calling all exhibitors—join the celebration of Highland food, drink, and crafts at this year’s Taste North Food & Drink Festival in November.
Don’t miss out—read all this and more in the latest issue!
Rooted in the Highlands, Driven by Sustainability: Discover How O’Brien Recycling is Shaping a Greener Future.
Located on their family croft in East Caithness, with breathtaking vistas over the North Sea, O’Brien’s Recycling is a standout in the recycling industry. Originally established as a scrap business in the 1980s, this family-run enterprise has been a cornerstone of the North Highlands community for over three generations. By adding skip hire and waste management to their services in 2014, their unwavering commitment to ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ has turned waste into valuable resources, fostering sustainability and innovation in their community.
With the husband-and-wife team, Alan and Lisa, now leading the charge, the SEPA-accredited O’Brien’s Recycling is poised for a bright and sustainable future, and their dedication is making a lasting impact on both the environment and the local economy.
You commit to ensuring ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’. Can you explain how this is implemented across your operational practices?
Our commitment to ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ is central to everything we do. Each skip we process is meticulously sorted by hand and segregated into specific waste streams to ensure that nothing is missed. We recycle or reuse everything we handle, and any material that cannot be reused is sent for further processing or converted into waste-to-energy. This rigorous approach ensures that we minimise our environmental footprint and contribute positively to the circular economy.
Our meticulous sorting process and partnerships with specialised processing facilities enable us to uphold our sustainability commitment and consistently achieve our ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ goal. O’Brien’s is proud to be the only SEPA-accredited recycling centre north of Alness, providing a vital local recycling and waste management facility for Caithness, Sutherland, and the northern Highlands.
What services do you offer and what differentiates your business from your competitors?
Our waste management licence offers our customers complete peace of mind. Being SEPA-controlled means we adhere to strict protocols, and our commitment to waste segregation is guaranteed as all processes are conducted in-house.
We offer a wide range of services, including skip hire, scrap metal recycling, and comprehensive waste management solutions. What truly sets us apart is our hands-on approach and dedication to ensuring that every piece of waste is handled responsibly.
Our family values, combined with decades of expertise and a forward-thinking mindset, ensure that our customers receive reliable, environmentally conscious service that makes a real difference. We work in partnership with our customers to help them meet their own sustainability commitments. This commitment is just one way we contribute to a more sustainable future for all.
In what ways does O’Brien’s Recycling contribute to the local economy and community in Caithness? Are there any partnerships or initiatives you’re particularly proud of?
We are deeply invested in our local community, and giving back is a core principle of our business. We proudly sponsor several local sports clubs and groups, promoting health, wellness, and community spirit in Caithness, including, Wick Academy, Wick Golf Club, Brora Rangers, Keep Lybster Tidy, and Thrumster Primary School.
As a family-run business operating for over three generations, we also provide stable employment opportunities. Our small but growing team is comprised of individuals from the local area, ensuring that our success directly benefits the community.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for O’Brien’s Recycling? Are there any upcoming projects or goals that excite you?
We are proud of our journey and excited about the future. Our values and accreditations have helped us secure new contracts with major organisations in the region, including NRS Dounreay, NHS Highland, Vestas, Farrans, and SSE. We believe that by continuing to innovate and expand our services, we can make an even greater positive impact on our environment and community.
We are particularly excited about upcoming projects that will enhance our recycling capabilities and further reduce waste. These initiatives will reinforce our commitment to sustainability for generations to come and ensure that O’Brien’s Recycling remains at the forefront of environmental responsibility in the North Highlands.