New Chair for Edinburgh College

The Scottish Government has appointed Nora Senior CBE as the new Chair of the Edinburgh College Board of Management.

Over the course of a 30-year career in industry, Nora has held several senior leadership positions, latterly as Group Executive Chair of global communications and government relations consultancy, Weber Shandwick, and previously with Saatchi and Saatchi.

A former Businesswoman of the Year, Nora holds extensive experience at non-exec board level in both public and private sector organisations, having been Chair of the Scottish Government’s independent Enterprise and Skills Board and as President of British Chambers of Commerce.

She was honoured with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2017 for services to UK businesses.

Ms Senior said: “I am really excited to be taking on the role of Chair of Edinburgh College Board of Management and working with the Board and Audrey and the team to accelerate the focus, purpose and importance of the college within not only the education sector but as part of the wider innovation and business transformation landscape.

“I look forward to working with our staff and students to deliver an exceptional teaching and learning experience and placing the college at the heart of our community.

“My thanks go to Ann Landels for her strong guidance and contribution to the work of the college as Interim Chair.”

Edinburgh College Principal and Chief Executive Audrey Cumberford said: “Having had the privilege of working with Nora in her capacity as Chair of the Scottish Government’s Enterprise and Skills Board I am both delighted and excited with her appointment as the new Chair of Edinburgh College, Scotland’s Capital College.

“Nora’s extensive leadership experience in industry and the public sector, alongside a deep understanding and passion for the role that colleges play in their local communities and wider regions will be invaluable as we strive to realise our full potential and ambitions.”

Nora takes over the position from Non-Executive Board Member (and Vice Chair) Ann Landels, who acted in an interim capacity for over two years. Ann said: “I am delighted to welcome Nora as the new Regional Chair of the Edinburgh College Board.

“It has been my privilege to be Interim Chair of the Board since November 2019 and to lead the Board through the challenging times presented by Covid-19. It is a testament to the work of the Principal, the Executive Team and all our staff at Edinburgh College that we continued to deliver high quality education throughout that time.

“As we anticipate the resumption of a more normal College experience in the 2022/23 session, I am very much looking forward to supporting Nora in her new appointment as I resume my role as Vice Chair.”

Welcome to Weber Shandwick!

From three hundred applicants to three appointments – apprentices join world’s top communications firm here in Scotland

Three Modern Apprentices have joined the 50-strong team at Weber Shandwick in Scotland as the consultancy signs up to the Young Person’s Guarantee and commits to supporting more young people into a career in communications.

Erin Butler, Olivia Yeneka and Ewan Bruce were selected from over 300 applicants to the programme, which is being delivered in partnership with Kelvin College.

Over the next year they will enjoy a mix of classroom and on-the-job training, which will see them develop skills in media relations, social media, creative, public affairs and insights.

Natalie Buxton, Managing Director of Weber Shandwick in Scotland is also a member of the Scottish Apprenticeship Advisory Board and a Chair of its Gender Commission.

She said: “Our industry is growing and we need more people from more diverse backgrounds to consider a career in communications. In addition to offering excellent career opportunities for our apprentices I believe they will make us better at delivering for our clients.

“Erin, Olivia and Ewan have joined a fast-paced and exciting working environment and are already learning from some of the communications industry’s best talent, not just here in Scotland, but with colleagues across the UK and globally. I am really excited to see how they develop over the next year and beyond.”

Minister for Youth Employment and Training Jamie Hepburn said: “The Young Person’s Guarantee is a joint commitment to provide opportunities for all 16-24 year olds in Scotland through jobs, apprenticeships, further and higher education, training programmes and volunteering.

“I’m delighted that Weber Shandwick have signed up to the Guarantee and are creating such valuable work-based learning opportunities. I would encourage all employers to think about how they can help our young people at this time.”

The apprentices are full-time, paid employees who are earning a Living Wage while they learn. They can expect to gain an SVQ Level 7 Qualification at the end of their 12-month contract. Weber Shandwick has committed to delivering a combination of formal and on-the-job training including strategic planning, creative, media relations and digital strategy across a range of sectors, including consumer, tech and energy.

Weber Shandwick has won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry; in 2020 it was named to Ad Age’s Agency A-List and honoured as PRovoke’s Global Agency of the Decade. The agency was also nominated as one of the Best Places to Work in 2019.

Senior Associate Rebecca Halligan, who joined Weber Shandwick through the apprentice scheme in 2017, said: “Becoming an apprentice at Weber Shandwick was an excellent way to join the world of PR.

“I was allowed the opportunity to develop my skills in the areas I enjoyed and have been able to maximise my potential since joining the team.

“From working on big brands since day one, training in offices across Europe, and being welcomed with open arms into the team, Weber Shandwick’s apprenticeship programme is an unbeatable start to a career in communications.”

Global PR firm Weber Shandwick on the hunt for three new apprentices in Scotland

Weber Shandwick, the world’s most award-winning communications company, has joined forces with Kelvin College to recruit three Modern Apprentices.

The firm, which employees a team of 50 consultants, creatives and designers in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow, is enjoying a great start to 2021 and has already bolstered its team with five new recruits this year.

Natalie Buxton, Managing Director of Weber Shandwick in Scotland, said: “We believe that the more open, varied and diverse we are as an industry the better the work we will do. So, whether you’re a school/college leaver, returner or interested in a new career, we are looking for smart people from all backgrounds who are restless and want to do impactful work.

“Our aim as a business is to nurture, grow and retain talent. I joined the company as an Account Manager 15 years ago and many of the team here came on board early in their career and have worked up through the ranks to senior positions.

“The apprentices will get the opportunity to work with some of the communications industry’s best talent, not just here in Scotland, but with colleagues across the UK and globally.”

The apprentices will enjoy a combination of formal and on-the-job training and can expect to gain an understanding of strategic planning, creative, media relations and digital strategy across a range of sectors, including consumer, tech and energy.

Apprentices are full-time, paid employees who will earn while they learn and can be based at any of the company’s offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen.  The apprentices will receive a Living Wage for a twelve-month contract and will earn a SVQ Level 7 Qualification at the end.

Weber Shandwick has won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry; in 2020 Weber Shandwick was named to Ad Age’s Agency A-List and honoured as PRovoke’s Global Agency of the Decade. The agency was also nominated as one of the Best Places to Work in 2019.

Senior Associate Rebecca Halligan, who joined Weber Shandwick through the apprentice scheme in 2017, said: “Becoming an apprentice at Weber Shandwick was an excellent way to join the world of PR.

“I was allowed the opportunity to develop my skills in the areas I enjoyed and have been able to maximise on my potential since joining the team. From working on big brands since day one, training in offices across Europe, and being welcomed with open arms into the team, Weber Shandwick apprenticeship programme is an unbeatable start to a career in communications.”

Find out more at: https://www.webershandwick.com/work-at-weber/careers/?gh_jid=5260202002&gh_src=90759b712us