Tag: Rathbones

Rathbones enters partnership with SCVO Trustee Network to support good governance in voluntary sector

  • Rathbones will support the development of the SCVO Trustee Network, which provides invaluable support and guidance to the Scottish charity sector
  • The Network will host up to six ‘Good Governance’ seminars for trustees and boards

Rathbone Investment Management (Rathbones) has announced a new partnership with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations’ (SCVO) Trustee Network to help develop good governance across charities in Scotland.

SCVO is a registered charity and the national body for voluntary organisations in Scotland. Its Trustee Network provides charity trustees and boards with invaluable support, guidance, and toolkits, with the aim of driving crucial good governance across the Scottish voluntary sector.

The Network provides a wide range of content for trustees and boards to help them with all areas of governance – including useful support and learning materials to help them get to grips with the Scottish Governance Code and understand their roles and responsibilities.

The Network also produces a quarterly Trustee Bulletin to over 815 people, which offers practical information, guidance, and useful event signposting to its subscribers. In addition, it runs a platform that provides entry-level information and learning to help trustees, volunteers, and staff run their voluntary organisations.

As part of the new partnership, Rathbones will provide relevant content for the Bulletin and will occasionally speak at events. The SCVO Trustee Network will host up to six ‘Good Governance’ webinars and in person events, which will be held bi-monthly and cover the challenges facing Scottish charity trustees.

Rathbones will host an event at the 2022 Trustee Week, which takes place in November, and will also speak at The Gathering 2022. Rathbones will support the Scottish Charity Awards by sponsoring the Trustee of The Year Award.

Fiona Gillespie, Head of Charities at Rathbone Investment Management in Scotland, comments: “Being a charity trustee is a demanding but very rewarding role. Trustees play a significant role in overseeing and taking responsibility for everything their charity does.

“For many who become trustees, they join with the best intentions, but are often faced with time restraints and a lack of necessary training, making the role more challenging.

“Rathbones is very supportive of the SCVO’s great work in helping charity trustees understand their role and responsibilities, as well as the practical support they offer in helping trustees develop their skills for their positions so they can exercise good governance.

“We look forward to our new partnership with the SCVO Trustee Network and getting more people involved with becoming a trustee.”

Rathbones sponsors opening concert at Celtic Connections 2022

Rathbone Investment Management is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the opening concert, “’Neath the Gloamin Star”, at Celtic Connections this year.

With the first concert dating back to 1994, Celtic Connections is the UK’s premier celebration of Celtic music, held every January/February in Glasgow. The music festival is an integral element in showcasing the culture in Glasgow and attracts visitors from all parts of the world.

The title for opening night is an ode to the old Aberdeenshire love song popularised by the late great Tony Cuffe, “Neath the Gloamin’ Star”. The evening will showcase the generation of artists who have succeeded Cuffe and his peers as leaders of the Scots’ folk song revival.

With a line-up including Fiona Hunter, Steve Byrne, Paul McKenna, Ellie Beaton, Cameron Nixon and Jenny Sturgeon, plus joint musical directors Hannah Rarity and Innes White, the featured artists have researched and adapted material from archive recordings and other sources, crafting arrangements that highlight both the tradition’s enduring vitality and the performers’ contemporary creativity.

Rathbones’ sponsorship of Celtic Connections follows its support of the Scottish Ballet, Aye Write and Edinburgh International book festival last year in a continued effort to support creativity and wonder through applied craftmanship.

The past year has been a challenge for everyone working in the arts industry with losses to income, uncertainty of live performances and closed venues. Rathbones’ recent sponsorships aim to create awareness for the arts at a time when the industry is struggling the most, as well promoting Scotland’s pioneering spirit to champion creativity which chimes well with Rathbones’ own aim to Look Forward.

Angus Kerr, Head of Scotland at Rathbone Investment Management comments: “Celtic Connections is a true celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture and we are honoured to be a sponsor.  

“It’s an eclectic yet traditional event that showcases the creativity and passion of the Scottish people, and we are delighted to be supporting it this this year, especially at a time when the arts in Scotland and elsewhere have been hard hit by the pandemic.

 “Supporting the arts is particularly important as art facilitates a fundamental human need for expression, joy, and creativity.  It also promotes an exploration and representation of cultural narratives and memory.

“Having both social and economic value, Rathbones is proud to support the industry and local communities. We are looking forward to attending and supporting more events in the coming year.”

Rathbones supports Scottish Ballet by becoming their Corporate Dance Partners

Sponsorship en Pointe!

  • Rathbones commits to a 12-month corporate sponsorship
  • Sponsorship is welcomed following a challenging year for the arts industry as venues across the country remain closed

Rathbones has committed to a 12-month corporate sponsorship with Scottish Ballet, supporting their return to the stage in the coming year.

Scottish Ballet strives for excellence across everything that it does, placing particular importance on being inclusive and sharing the joy and benefits of dance with everyone, regardless of age, ability and background.

Rathbones wants to support Scottish Ballet in this and is delighted to become a Corporate Dance Partner and support their transition back to live events.

Founded in 1969, Scottish Ballet is based in Glasgow and funded by the Scottish Government. The company performs regularly across Scotland, throughout the UK and internationally, inspiring on stage and beyond.

The past year has been a challenge for everyone in the arts industry with venues closed, loss of income and uncertainty on dates for a return to live performances. Rathbones’ sponsorship aims to support Scottish Ballet during this period of transition as restrictions ease and life returns to normal.

Throughout the last year Scottish Ballet has been delivering everything that it can online. From ballet classes for absolute beginners to advanced dancers, alongside a weekly programme of dance health classes for those living with neurological conditions.

As well as creating and sharing new dance films to presenting dancer and creative team talks to its membership, Scottish Ballet also produced a critically acclaimed full-length feature film The Secret Theatre for audiences last Christmas. All of which have kept audiences at home and abroad entertained.

Scottish Ballet’s ambitions to promote Scotland’s pioneering spirit far and wide and explore new styles and push creativity chimes well with Rathbones’ own aim to Look Forward.

As part of the sponsorship Rathbones will be able to offer exclusive access to upcoming virtual events to clients, as well as the opportunity to attend live events when possible.

Adam Drummond, Regional Director at Rathbone Investment Management comments: “Scottish Ballet celebrates Scotland, showcasing our collective drive, passion and creativity across the world. We are proud to be able to sponsor such a vibrant and talented organisation, particularly at this challenging time for the arts industry.

“While theatres and other performance venues went dark last March, Scottish Ballet has continued to delight, support and interact with its members online. We are looking forward to making the most of these virtual events while we can, and to returning as audience members to enjoy the company’s live performances.”

Christopher Hampson, CEO/Artistic Director at Scottish Ballet: “We are delighted that Rathbones Investment Management is supporting the arts of Scotland through joining the Scottish Ballet family as Corporate Dance Partners. 

“We look forward to welcoming their guests and clients to our events, online and in person as we work towards our return to the stage.”

Quarter of Scottish businesses able to expand during pandemic

  • 16% of business owners said that they had started their business during the pandemic
  • But 40% of business owners say they have struggled in the last year
  • Business owners and High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI) in Scotland broadly optimistic over future economic outlook due to easing of social restrictions

Despite a difficult year, over a quarter of Scottish businesses have been able to expand during the pandemic indicating some ‘green shoots’ of recovery according to research by Rathbone Investment Management.

Indeed, some businesses have been able to adapt their business models during the pandemic, with many moving to online sales in order to generate income. This has had a positive impact with a quarter (26%) of business owners having expanded their business during the pandemic.

In addition, a further 16% of business owners founded their business during the last twelve months as the pandemic sparked new ideas and opportunities.

Businesses in Orkney and Shetland were the most likely to have expanded in the pandemic (33%), while Dundee, Perthshire and Angus had seen the highest numbers of newly created businesses (25%).

However, the pandemic has had significant implications for many businesses across Scotland, with four in ten (37%) reporting that they had suffered during the pandemic according to Rathbones’ research.

The ongoing social restrictions have forced large numbers of businesses to close over the last year, with businesses in retail, leisure and hospitality most impacted. Indeed, while a roadmap has been announced that spells out Scotland’s path out of lockdown, one year into the pandemic many businesses have seen significant losses in income.

It’s clear that the pandemic has had a mixed impact on Scottish businesses. As Scotland, alongside the rest of the UK begins to open up many of Scotland’s business owners and HNWIs (those with investable assets over £250k) are optimistic about the state of the economy.

Indeed, 59% of those surveyed by Rathbones said that they were optimistic about the economic outlook of the next twelve months. Of those, 44% said that the easing of COVID-19 restrictions was a key driver behind this belief in the future strength of the economy.

Simon Dewar, Regional Director at Rathbones comments: “The past twelve months have been difficult for businesses across Scotland with every organisation needing to adapt to some extent due to the pandemic.

“However, the impact has been disproportionate with some businesses severely financially impacted. While government support has gone some way to support these businesses throughout this period, its unlikely we’ll see a true recovery until restrictions are fully lifted.

“With the vaccine roll-out ongoing, many business owners will be holding their breath and hoping that this effort reaps dividends and we can stick to the timelines set out in the roadmap.

“It’s clear from our research that Scottish businesses are largely optimistic for the future, with a high proportion expecting a positive outlook for the economy in the next twelve months. As businesses start to recover from the initial impact of the pandemic putting a financial plan together to rebuild any safety net that may have been eroded away during this period will be key for business owners.

Many businesses have deferred any expansion plans over the last year as the focus has been on survival. As confidence grows, so will the sparks of entrepreneurial endeavour, with businesses dusting down these plans and using what they have learned through the crisis to seize opportunity and build robust businesses that drive our economy.”