Latest news with #Dundee-based
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
New markets to showcase creative talent heading to Glasgow
Tea Green Events is launching a series of design markets across Scotland, celebrating the work of emerging and established designers in venues including Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow. Founded by Dundee-based jeweller Joanne MacFadyen, the events will feature more than 70 designers presenting artwork, knitwear, jewellery, pottery and more. (Image: Steven McClure) Read more: GoMA workshop turns asylum seekers' art into postcards and tote bags Joanne said: "We held our very first market at the Glasgow School of Art Students' Union, so returning to the city always feels special, especially in venues as stunning as Kelvingrove and The Burrell Collection. "They provide the perfect backdrop for our designers' incredible work. "As a child, I spent a lot of time visiting these places and they were a huge source of inspiration to me. "Returning with Tea Green and some of Scotland's most talented makers is a genuine honour. "It's always so moving to see the people of Glasgow turn out in such numbers to support these creatives, many of whom are quietly working away in home studios across the city each day, perfecting their art. "People really value meeting the makers, hearing their stories, and discovering how each piece is made." The first market of the season will take place at Kelvingrove on June 28 and 29, with the 2025 calendar set to include events at The Burrell Collection, V&A Dundee, Aberdeen Art Gallery and National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait in Edinburgh. One of the designers taking part is artist and illustrator Steven McClure, who began drawing during the pandemic. Steven McClure is one of the designers taking part (Image: Andrew Jackson) (Image: Steven McClure) Read more: STV presenter 'brings the sunshine' to officially open Glasgow care home Steven said: "Living in Glasgow's West End and having a lifelong passion for architecture, I'm lucky to be surrounded by constant inspiration, not just in the beautiful buildings themselves, but in the personal stories connected to them. "My journey has taken me from designing buildings to selling them, and now to drawing them. "I love being part of the Tea Green markets because so many people stop by to share their stories about the places I've drawn. "It's lovely to hear how my work resonates with their own memories and experiences. "There's a real sense of pride that comes from selling or being commissioned to capture a building or landmark that holds deep personal meaning for someone. "From a business perspective, Tea Green has also been a brilliant platform. "It's raised my profile, connected me with buyers, and even led to some local shops now stocking my prints, which has been a fantastic step forward for my work."
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of Scots struggling to save for first home secretly barred from government's help to buy scheme
Dawn Ramsay, a Dundee-based mortgage broker, said the rule change was a 'kick in the teeth' for first time buyers 'kick in the teeth' Thousands of Scots struggling to save for first home secretly barred from government's help to buy scheme Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MOST first-time buyers have been quietly banned from an SNP government scheme to help people get on the housing ladder. The Open Market Shared Equity scheme allows people to pay for as little as 60 per cent of a sale price, with the state buying the rest. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Most first-time buyers have been quietly banned from the SNP help to buy scheme Credit: Alamy It had mostly been used by first-time buyers on lower incomes. But now first-time buyers have been locked out of the scheme unless they fit into a 'priority' group such as social renters or people with disabilities. Data obtained by the BBC shows that the majority of the scheme's past users did not belong to any of the priority groups. Dawn Ramsay, a Dundee-based mortgage broker, said the rule change was a 'kick in the teeth' for first time buyers. She said: 'It pushes the house price up because there could be five or six people looking at a property, and some of them may well have financial backing where they can pay over the asking price for that property. 'It's not a level playing field. These are the people that will keep our housing market moving.' And Scottish Tory shadow housing secretary Meghan Gallacher said: 'This is typical of the sleekit SNP. No wonder they didn't people knowing they had quietly ditched this flagship scheme during a housing emergency that has spiralled on their watch. 'SNP ministers appear hellbent on turning their noses up at those with aspirations of getting on the property ladder with short-sighted decisions like this.' Last year, 182 out of 210 successful OMSE purchases were made by first-time buyers with just six per cent in the priority groups. The scheme does not allow househunters to bid over the asking price so low-income buyers are frequently outbid by those that can afford to pay over the odds for property, particularly investors. Homeowners blast 'tone-deaf' plan by billionaire to build massive resort & rename town as they insist it'll 'destroy' it The scheme opened in 2007 and was mostly used by low-income first-time buyers seeking a way out of private lets or family homes. The Scottish Government declared a national housing emergency in May last year pledging to increase housing supply and tackle homelessness, with more than four in 10 Scots struggling to meet housing costs. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Supporting social renters to make the transition to affordable home ownership will help free up social rented accommodation, which in turn could help families move out of temporary accommodation.'
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
University bosses quit after 'devastating' report into financial crisis
An independent report found Dundee University's financial collapse was 'self-inflicted' Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The interim principal and vice-chancellor of Dundee University and two senior members of its governing body have quit in the wake of a 'devastating' report into its financial collapse. Professor Shane O'Neill, who took over in December and was previously deputy vice chancellor, said he was 'truly sorry' for the impact on staff and students as he announced his departure with a 'heavy heart'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It comes after an independent report found the failure of the university's financial governance system was 'self-inflicted and experienced multiple times and at multiple levels'. Dundee University | National World It said failures were compounded by a 'top-down, hierarchical and reportedly over-confident style of leadership and management, a lack of transparency and clarity in respect of financial data, the promulgation of a positive narrative around financial matters and a culture in which challenge was actively discouraged'. Tricia Bey, acting chairwoman of the university court, and Carla Rossini, convenor of the finance and policy committee, who were both due to step down from court this summer, are now bringing this forward and leaving with immediate effect. The investigation into the university's finances was ordered after it announced there could be hundreds of job losses as it struggles to deal with a £35 million deficit. It was was commissioned by the Scottish Funding Council, led by Prof Pamela Gillies and conducted by international professional services firm, BDO. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In her foreword, Prof Gillies wrote: 'The main causal factors of the financial failure uncovered by this investigation are largely specific to the University of Dundee. 'They include poor financial judgement, inadequate management and reporting, poor monitoring of the financial sustainability key performance indicator, lack of agility in responding to a fall in income by the University leadership and weak governance in relation to financial accountability by the Court. Financial oversight was lacking when most needed. 'These failings were compounded by the top-down, hierarchical and reportedly over-confident style of leadership and management, a lack of transparency and clarity in respect of financial data, the promulgation of a positive narrative around financial matters and a culture in which challenge was actively discouraged.' Dundee-based Scottish Labour MSP Michael Marra said: 'This devastating report lays bare the financial vandalism and appalling leadership that has tipped the city's most important institution into an existential crisis. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I am grateful to Professor Gillies for her work in uncovering the details of this scandal. She has been clear that this is an outstanding institution with committed, excellent staff doing world-leading work. 'The report shows that the institution was failed catastrophically by a small group of executive leaders entirely out of their depth and cowed by a hubristic Principal who brooked no dissent. 'Details of Iain Gillespie's leadership style are deeply troubling - sidelining, speaking over or publicly criticising women in the university who dared to speak up. 'There were also clear failures of governance, with inaccurate reports which masked the true financial picture and public statements by the principal that were purposefully misleading. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The so-called 'triumvirate' of the Principal, his Deputy and now Interim Principal and the Chief Operating Officer opened this proud university to the greatest risks of a broken funding system in Scotland. 'It is right that the Interim Principal has recognised his position is untenable - but the lessons of this go beyond a single institution. 'The Scottish Government must reckon with the fact that it has made all Scottish universities vulnerable to this kind of crisis, if they and the communities they serve have the misfortune of being led by a management so clearly out of its depth.' Scottish Conservative education spokesman Miles Briggs said: 'This is a devastating report into the gross mismanagement that has existed for far too long at the University of Dundee. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'In light of the damning findings it is welcome they have done the right thing and resigned from their roles instantly.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Dundee-based social enterprise uniting communities across Scotland thanks to Business Gateway support
A Dundee-based social enterprise supporting Ukrainian families is set to expand its services across Scotland after receiving vital support from Business Gateway. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Bring Together was co-founded in 2022 by Hanna Dushkova and Vitalii Diakov, who both relocated to Scotland following the war in Ukraine. Drawing on their personal experiences of displacement and background in law and mediation, they launched Bring Together to support others going through similar challenges and help create stronger, more connected communities. Since launching, Hanna and Vitalii have developed a wide range of services designed to promote trust, understanding and collaboration in communities and workplaces, including mediation services, conflict management training, cultural exchange workshops, and emotional intelligence training. These services are currently delivered to communities and also local councils, businesses and organisations across Dundee and Tayside. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hanna and Vitalii run the educational project to empower people from Ukraine and refugees to rebuild their lives and build supportive networks. Dundee-based social enterprise uniting communities across Scotland thanks to Business Gateway support Their Hidden Talents Programme and the Warm Circles Project focus on empowering communities through education and cultural exchange. These projects have helped build bridges between displaced people and local communities, fostering greater empathy and resilience. The pair also started the Sustainable Co-Production Project, a collaboration with HMS Unicorn, for Ukrainians now living in the region. Through cultural visits and engaging hands-on activities, participants have been able to develop valuable skills, including language proficiency and social integration, while exploring the charm of Scotland's oldest ship and going on visits around Dundee and Tayside. Bring Together is now planning to form new partnerships beyond Dundee and scale up its services to benefit more communities and organisations across Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Their 'Conflict management in the workplace' workshop at Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce promoted the benefits of employing effective conflict management strategies and raised awareness of the potential damage of the conflict not only to relationships and team performance but overall to the economy. Dundee-based social enterprise uniting communities across Scotland thanks to Business Gateway support Hanna and Vitalii have also developed programmes for local authorities sharing their lived experience and mediation skills. Hanna and Vitalii have been working with Business Gateway over the past two years to help spread the word about their work. Through the service, they were introduced to their Business Gateway adviser Liam Rae, who has given them one-to-one support, as well as providing a strategic review of their business plan to help streamline future plans. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Liam has also introduced Hannah and Vitalii to a network of contacts who can provide support to the business and has arranged marketing support to help the duo get in front of the right people. Dundee-based social enterprise uniting communities across Scotland thanks to Business Gateway support With Liam's help, the business secured 'Built It' funding from Firstport, enabling them to continue their impactful work and expand their reach. This support will allow them to grow and assist more communities and organisations with essential training and mediation services. Hanna Dushkova, co-founder of Bring Together, said: 'Education is the most powerful tool to change the world. Each of our projects is a learning journey – we're always asking, 'How can I bring value and support to people, communities and workplaces?' That's what drives us forward. Having the support of Business Gateway has allowed us to gain funding to help us progress and share our values with a wider audience. Liam's advice has been essential to help us grow Bring Together and help even more people.' Liam Rae, Business Gateway adviser, said: 'Hanna and Vitalii's vision for Bring Together is both inspiring and necessary. Their work is making a real difference to people's lives. It's been a privilege to support them as they've grown their enterprise, and I'm excited to see how their work continues to flourish.'
The Courier
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: Dundee University opens voluntary redundancy scheme
Dundee University has opened a voluntary redundancy scheme as part of a plan to reduce full-time posts by 300. An email seen by The Courier sets out the terms to staff days after we revealed the university had lodged a request for £100 million bail-out to reduce jobs losses and secure a stable future. The new voluntary redundancy scheme was put together after talks with campus trade unions and approved by the university court. The scheme opened today and runs until July 25. Staff accepting the deal will leave their jobs by September 30. A university spokesman said: 'This is an important step in the recovery plan for the university, as we look to reduce staffing by 300 fulltime-equivalent through the voluntary scheme.' Dundee-based MSP Michael Marra said the launch is welcome after a long wait. He added: 'It is right that employees have the chance to take control of their own future at a time of such huge uncertainty for the university community. 'I have been calling for many months for a scheme that can staunch the financial bleeding. This is a basic first step. 'We now need to see a published plan for recovery that can be scrutinised by parliament and the public as a very urgent next step.' Earlier, The Courier revealed a full funding request was received by the Scottish Funding Council after weeks of discussions with the university and government. It includes £40m over two years and access to a liquidity facility of between £40m-£60m to support day-to-day spending. Together, that means the government could be putting together a rescue package of £100m. This is all on top of a previous loan of £22m already provided in March.
