Thomson Cooper announced as SME of the Year Award Sponsor of the MELCC Business Awards

Thomson Cooper is an independent firm with around 100 staff based in Edinburgh and Dunfermline. They offer a wide range of accounting, audit, tax, outsourced finance, wealth management and debt solution services. By building relationships with clients and understanding how their business operates, they help owners tackle challenges with confidence and achieve their goals.

As sponsor of the SME of the Year category, Thomson Cooper brings with it a deep understanding of what it takes to build and sustain a successful small or medium business — and a long history of walking that journey alongside their clients.

” Small and medium-sized enterprises are at the heart of Scotland’s economy, and the people behind them show incredible dedication and adaptability every day. Given the challenges many businesses continue to face, it’s more important than ever to recognise their achievements. We’re proud to support this award and celebrate the teams making such a positive impact.”
— Carrie Campbell, Partner – Thomson Cooper

Keith Barbour, President of the Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce said:
“Thomson Cooper has been championing Scottish businesses for over 75 years. Their sponsorship of the SME of the Year category reflects exactly what they stand for — long-term, personal, expert support for the businesses that are the lifeblood of our region.”

ABOUT THOMSON COOPER
Thomson Cooper Accountants was founded in 1949 and has offices in Edinburgh and Dunfermline. The firm employs over 100 people and provides a full range of accounting, audit, business advisory, outsourced finance, wealth management and debt solution services to individuals and businesses across Scotland and the UK. Thomson Cooper is a member of the Accelerate network of independent accountancy firms.

For more information, visit: www.thomsoncooper.com

Scottish and UK governments urged to seize ‘genuine opportunities’ to revive the economy as business confidence slumps

New research from the Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) shows firms are entering the second half of 2026 with business confidence continuing to weaken, reinforcing a cautious outlook for growth. As a new Prime Minister prepares to enter Downing Street and the Scottish Government undertakes a review of Non-Domestic Rates, SCC urged both governments to take advantage of these opportunities to improve the conditions for investment and growth.

Representing more than 12,000 companies and more than half of Scotland’s private sector workforce, SCC said the findings reinforce the case for governments to introduce a Competitiveness Test at the heart of decision-making, ensuring future policies contribute to a revitalisation of the economy.
Key findings of the latest survey included:

• Confidence weakened further: 40% of firms reported a fall in confidence during the quarter, compared with 25% reporting an increase.
• Inflation is now the leading concern for firms: Nearly seven in ten (69%) cited inflation as a concern, overtaking taxation (57%).
• Investment remains subdued: Around half reported no change to investment levels, while all investment measures recorded negative net balances.
• Recruitment difficulties increased: More than half of firms (53%) reported challenges recruiting staff.
• Cost pressures intensified: Labour costs affected 75% of firms, while fuel costs rose sharply to 65%, one of the largest increases recorded in recent years.
• Further price rises expected: Three-quarters expected to increase prices over the next three months.

Doug Smith, Vice-President of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Chair of the Scottish Economic Advisory Group, said:

“Entering the second half of the year, firms are taking a ‘wait-and-see’ approach. Confidence has weakened, investment remains subdued, and recruitment challenges continue to grow. Until businesses see meaningful action that unlocks investment, it is difficult to see confidence recovering.

“Perhaps the defining feature of this quarter’s survey is that businesses are protecting today’s operations at the expense of tomorrow’s growth. That cautious approach may help firms weather current pressures, but it also places a hard ceiling on Scotland’s growth potential.

“The persistence of these pressures is forcing difficult decisions across the country. Three quarters of respondents expect to increase prices in the coming months because absorbing further costs is no longer sustainable. That has implications well beyond individual firms, affecting household budgets, supply chains and wider economic confidence.

“The encouraging aspect is that many of these pressures can be influenced through domestic policy. Decisions that improve competitiveness, reduce the cost of doing business and give firms a greater degree of certainty would help unlock investment and support growth across the economy.”

Charandeep Singh BEM, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:
“The first half of 2026 has been challenging for Scotland’s businesses. While many of those challenges originate beyond the control of Holyrood and Westminster, recent developments in both governments present genuine opportunities to improve the conditions for investment and growth. Our members across Scotland would urge ministers to seize them.

“Cost pressures are reshaping day-to-day operations across Scotland, making investment decisions harder and holding back opportunities for expansion. Policymakers must take the initiative and introduce a Competitiveness Test at the heart of decision-making. Every major economic decision should be judged against one simple question: will it make it easier or harder for businesses to invest, hire and grow?

“Every step that makes it easier to do business, reduces unnecessary costs, and gives businesses greater certainty, will pay dividends for years to come.”

Professor Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, said:
“While global conditions remain unsettled, from trade tensions to geopolitical disruption affecting energy markets, the Scottish economy has so far proved more robust than many had anticipated. However, as has been the case in recent quarters, that resilience should not be mistaken for strength.

“Despite these headwinds, firms continue to demonstrate a degree of resilience. Employment has remained broadly stable overall, even as recruitment challenges persist, and many businesses are continuing to operate in difficult conditions. But the overall picture is one of a fragile equilibrium – where resilience is being maintained, but at the cost of reduced investment, weaker confidence, and a more cautious outlook.”

To view the Survey Result –

Chamber Business Awards 2026 Finalists Announced

The Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for the 2026 Business Awards, celebrating the achievement, innovation and resilience of businesses across the regions.

This year’s awards attracted a high standard of entries from businesses of all sizes and sectors, reflecting the strength and determination of the local business community despite ongoing economic challenges. Following a rigorous judging process, finalists have now been selected across all award categories, with judges praising the exceptional quality of submissions received.

Keith Barbour, President of the Chamber of Commerce, said:

“The judging panel faced an incredibly difficult decision this year due to the strength of the entries we received. The quality, innovation and resilience demonstrated by local businesses has been truly inspiring. These awards are an opportunity to recognise the outstanding contribution businesses make to our local economy and community, and we congratulate all of our finalists on their achievement.”

The winners of the Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber Business Awards 2026 will be revealed at the awards ceremony and dinner on 17 September 2026 at The Venue – Eskmills, Musselburgh.

The event will bring together business leaders, sponsors and guests from across the region for an evening of celebration, networking and recognition of business excellence. More details about the awards ceremony, including ticket information, can be found HERE.

The 2026 Awards Finalists are

 

Anderson Strathern appointed to support major cultural project in capital

Independent Scottish law firm, Anderson Strathern, will provide advice for a landmark project at the historic Royal High School on Edinburgh’s Calton Hill.

The firm’s specialist teams will work closely with the National Centre for Music, the charity that is set to be the future tenant of the site, as it collaborates with the Royal High School Preservation Trust to transform Thomas Hamilton’s Category A-listed building into a world-class hub for music, education, performance and community engagement.

Anderson Strathern will advise the National Centre for Music on various aspects needed to deliver this ambitious cultural project, and to prepare the organisation to become a significant new player in Scotland’s vibrant musical landscape.

Dawn MacPherson, Partner at Anderson Strathern, said: “It’s a privilege to be appointed to support the National Centre for Music on such a significant project that will benefit Edinburgh culturally and economically.

The appointment is testament to the extensive experience of our people when it comes to redevelopment of historic buildings and the depth of resources and range of specialists we have to deliver this work. We’re looking forward to working closely with the team and helping them bring their extraordinary vision to life.”

On completion, the National Centre for Music will provide a home for music in all its forms, with plans including restored performance spaces, community facilities, and landscaped public gardens designed to reconnect the site with the wider city. The initiative builds on the vision to conserve the building and deliver a major cultural legacy for Edinburgh and Scotland.

Gensource sponsoring High Growth Business of the Year

Gensource, the Musselburgh-based renewable energy specialist and winner of the High Growth Business of the Year award at the 2025 MELCC Business Awards, has been announced as the sponsor of the same category at this year’s Awards.

Founded in December 2022 by Josh King and Robert Wilson — two former colleagues who began drafting their business plan in Josh’s spare bedroom in Musselburgh — Gensource has grown from a start-up to a team of around 20 people in just three years, recently moving into a new headquarters at Newhailes Business Centre in Musselburgh, more than double the size of its original home.

The company specialises in full turnkey sustainable energy solutions for commercial and domestic clients — including solar panel systems, battery storage, EV charging infrastructure, and energy monitoring. Its clients include the City of Edinburgh Council, the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland, and the Eastern Western Motor Group.

Gensource is deeply rooted in the Midlothian and East Lothian business community. Co-founder Josh King serves as Chair of Solar Energy Scotland and as a Board Member of Solar Energy UK, while the company has delivered community energy projects for organisations including Cycling Without Age and Portobello Community Energy. Earlier this year, Gensource completed its first fully managed commercial EV project at Archerfield Walled Garden in East Lothian.

Having won High Growth Business of the Year at the 2025 MELCC Awards, Gensource’s sponsorship of the same category this year is a powerful statement of what is possible when ambition meets action — and a genuine commitment to inspiring the next generation of fast-growing regional businesses.

Josh King, Managing Director of Gensource said: “It is a real honour for Gensource to support the Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce and sponsor the High Growth Business of the Year Award. Having won the award last year, we know first-hand how valuable that recognition and support can be for a growing business.
The Chamber network has had a real impact on our journey — from helping us find our first customer, to introducing us to fantastic local businesses and people to work with. The nominations this year look excellent, and we are excited to see who wins.”

Keith Barbour, President of the Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce said:
“Gensource is exactly the kind of success story these Awards exist to tell. From a spare bedroom in Musselburgh to a growing team delivering projects across Scotland in under three years — and now giving back by sponsoring the very category they won. It’s genuinely inspiring.”

ABOUT GENSOURCE
Gensource is a Musselburgh-based sustainable energy company founded in 2022 by Josh King and Robert Wilson. The company specialises in full turnkey sustainable energy solutions including commercial and domestic solar, battery storage, EV charging infrastructure, and energy monitoring. Winner of High Growth Business of the Year at the 2025 MELCC Business Awards, Gensource now employs around 20 people and operates across Scotland and the North of England.
For more information, visit: www.gensource.co.uk

Fred. Olsen sponsoring Family Business of the Year

Fred. Olsen Renewables, one of Scotland’s longest-standing renewable energy developers and a family-owned business with three decades of commitment to East Lothian, has been announced as sponsor of the Family Business of the Year category at the MELCC Business Awards.

Fred. Olsen Renewables is part of the Fred. Olsen & Co. group, a Norwegian family business with roots stretching six generations. In Scotland, the company is best known for Crystal Rig — its flagship wind farm in the Lammermuir Hills of East Lothian — which first began generating power in 2003 and now operates with 106 turbines, producing over 26MW of clean, green, renewable electricity, enough to power the equivalent of over 200,000 homes.

The company has spent over £920 million with Scottish businesses across its portfolio and has created 866 jobs in construction, operations, and maintenance in Scotland. In East Lothian, it has long prioritised local contractors and employees, embedding itself genuinely in the regional economy rather than operating at arm’s length.

Fred. Olsen Renewables was also a pioneer of community benefit funding in Scotland — voluntarily distributing funds to local communities long before it became standard practice. Across the lifespan of its Scottish wind farms, over £14.6 million will be distributed to local communities.

As sponsor of the Family Business of the Year category, Fred. Olsen Renewables brings its own family-business values to a category that recognises the unique character, resilience, and long-term thinking that family-owned businesses bring to the regional economy.

“We are proud to support the Family Business of the Year category because, as a family-owned business ourselves, we understand the long-term commitment, resilience, and sense of responsibility that often sit behind successful local enterprises. East Lothian has been central to our story for many years, and sponsoring this award is a meaningful way to recognise the businesses that help communities and local economies thrive.”
— Cris Thacker, Communications Manager, Fred. Olsen Renewables

Keith Barbour, President of the Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce said:
“Fred. Olsen Renewables is a genuinely rare thing — a global business that has stayed deeply invested in East Lothian for over twenty years. Their support for the Family Business of the Year category perfectly reflects those shared values of commitment, community, and looking beyond the short term.”

About Fred. Olsen Renewables
Fred. Olsen Renewables is a developer, owner, and operator of renewable energy assets, primarily onshore wind farms, with operations in Scotland, Norway, and Sweden and Italy. Part of the family-owned Fred. Olsen & Co. has been active in the onshore wind sector since the mid-1990s and is one of Scotland’s most established renewable energy businesses. Its Crystal Rig Wind Farm in East Lothian is its flagship UK project.

For more information, visit: www.fredolsenrenewables.com 

 

Hargreaves Land as Headline Sponsor

Hargreaves Land, the regeneration and property development specialist behind East Lothian’s landmark Blindwells development, has been confirmed as Headline Sponsor of the Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

Hargreaves Land is a national land and property development company with a strong and lasting presence in East Lothian. As the master developer behind Blindwells — a flagship 1,600-home new community near Tranent, including 480 affordable homes, a new primary school, and future town centre — the company has a deep investment in the long-term growth and success of the region.

The Blindwells project is one of the most significant residential developments in Scotland, transforming a former industrial site into a sustainable, connected community for East Lothian. Hargreaves Land is a principal operating division of Hargreaves Services plc, listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market, with a turnover of over £150 million and a team of more than 1,500 people across the UK.

As Headline Sponsor of the MELCC Business Awards, Hargreaves Land brings with it a commitment to celebrating the ambition and talent driving the regional economy — values that sit at the heart of both the Blindwells vision and the wider Hargreaves Land purpose of connecting people and places.

Niall McLean, Development Director at Hargreaves Land, said: “Blindwells is about much more than delivering new homes; it’s about creating opportunities, supporting economic growth and building a thriving new community for East Lothian. That’s why we’re proud to become Headline Sponsor of the Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.

“These awards shine a spotlight on the businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations that are driving innovation and making a positive difference across the region. We look forward to joining the Chamber in recognising and celebrating their success.”

Keith Barbour, President of the Midlothian & East Lothian Chamber of Commerce said:
“We are proud to welcome Hargreaves Land as our Headline Sponsor. Their commitment to East Lothian goes far beyond bricks and mortar — Blindwells is about building a community, and that is exactly the spirit these Awards are designed to celebrate.”

ABOUT HARGREAVES LAND
Hargreaves Land is a regeneration and property development specialist and a principal operating division of Hargreaves Services plc (AIM: HSP). With a pipeline spanning the Midlands, North of England, and Scotland, the company specialises in transforming brownfield sites into sustainable places where people and businesses can thrive. Its flagship Scottish project, Blindwells in East Lothian, will deliver 1,600 homes, employment land, education facilities, and a new town centre.

For more information, visit: www.hargreavesland.com | www.blindwells.co.uk

Successful internship results in a new website for ZOT Engineering

Vaikunth joined ZOT Engineering in March 2025 as an Intern Software Applications Engineer through ZOT’s collaboration with Bright Green Business, and since then launched a brand-new website for the contract electronics manufacturer based in Musselburgh.

“When I started my internship, my main responsibility was to build an improved structure for intranet resources spread across different divisions. My job was to connect these systems and build internal tools that would let teams track their performance metrics. Later on, the plan was to integrate live machine data so the company could monitor production in real time.

I also wanted the company to have full control over the customer-facing part of the company website instead of relying on a third-party hosting provider. What started as a personal initiative grew into a full project that eventually merged with the internal tool, creating a single, more customized platform. Management was very supportive, which gave me the confidence to push the idea forward.

My onboarding experience played a big part in helping me settle in quickly. Gordon, the company Director and other members of the firm, made sure I get the resources and support I needed, from equipment to introductions with key people. They explained how the company operates, what are the goals of the firm and what my role in achieving them would be. That really helped me understand how my work would fit into ZOT’s growth.

The company supported me at every step. Whenever I needed guidance or resources, the answer was always yes. I was also encouraged to attend research conferences and technical meetups, which allowed me to speak to more experienced engineers and learn from them.

Over the eleven months, I worked on a wide variety of projects: environmental dashboards, the new website, HR portals, and payroll tools. The opportunity to work with cloud deployment at scale was especially influential. It was completely different from the academic projects. I learned what it means to build systems at scale for wide range of users, how to allocate resources properly, and how vital tiny technical details can prove to be.

One of the most important lessons I learned was the value of continuous learning. All my colleagues had decades of experience yet still worked hard to stay current with new technologies. Their example motivated me to keep learning while delivering on my day-to-day responsibilities.

The biggest challenge I faced was understanding what other team members needed from our systems. I had to learn how to ask the right questions, figure out what information they actually wanted, and decide how it should be displayed. At first, it was intimidating, and I sometimes worried that my questions were too complicated or off the mark, but everyone I worked with was very encouraging and patient, which created an environment where I felt comfortable learning and improving. That level of support is rare, especially for someone new to the firm, and it made a huge difference.

Looking back, this internship gave me far more than technical skills. It taught me how to build systems that solve real problems, how to communicate clearly across teams, and how to balance learning with delivering results. It was a period of intense growth.”

Addressing the decreasing manufacturing workforce in the UK

The growing shortage of skilled workers choosing to build their careers in manufacturing continues to influence the performance of the industry throughout the United Kingdom. According to the Office for National Statistics (2025), the number of people employed in manufacturing decreased from over 4 million to just over 2.5 million in the last 25 years.

While this drastic change is partially an effect of process automation, and therefore a drop in the number of positions required to run a manufacturing operation, many businesses still struggle to fill all positions necessary for the industry to grow at a steady pace. Based on research conducted by Barclays in 2024, 97.5% of manufacturers agree that hiring and retaining skilled workers poses a challenge to their business. Additionally, 75% of surveyed manufacturers believe that a shortage of skilled employees is one of the top barriers to company growth. All of this presents a challenge for the manufacturing industry, as many businesses need to invest extra resources into attracting employees to join them, as well as take on more responsibility for their training.

This challenge needs to be addressed collectively by the manufacturing industry. Developing talent through apprenticeships, engaging with local educational institutions and people entering the workforce are necessary steps to attract and retain talent in the sector.

To change the status quo, ZOT Engineering, a contract electronics manufacturer based in Musselburgh, Scotland, recently hosted groups of students from Napier and Heriot-Watt Universities’ schools of engineering. By collaborating with the lecturers of these two renowned institutions, ZOT successfully introduced manufacturing as a potential career path for talented and skilled individuals who may now consider developing their skills in the field of electronics manufacturing.

While these visits will not bring immediate change to the shape of the industry, initiatives like this can certainly bring significant improvements to businesses on a smaller scale. Introducing one’s business to the emerging workforce during their education stage places them among the first to be considered when applying for a first job after graduation. Even more importantly, inviting university students to see behind the scenes of electronics manufacturing will allow them to enter the workforce with a unique insight into the operations of a business in the sector. One of the lecturers at Heriot-Watt University stated that the “students found it to be a thoroughly rewarding and informative afternoon”.

About ZOT Engineering
ZOT Engineering is a leading contract electronics manufacturer established in 1975. By offering an integrated service including PCB manufacturing, electro-mechanical assembly, sheet metal fabrication and final box builds in one location in Scotland, ZOT enables their teams and customers to grow in all areas of manufacturing.

Midlothian & East Lothian Business Awards Dinner and Ceremony postponed to September following business feedback

Following feedback from the local business community, we would like to advise that the awards dinner and ceremony, originally scheduled for 19 March at The Venue – Eskmills, has been postponed to 17 September.

This decision has been made to better accommodate businesses that are keen to be involved but are currently facing challenges associated with year-end workloads, staffing pressures, budget constraints, and other operational demands. By moving the event to later in the year, we hope to ensure greater participation and allow businesses the time and capacity to fully engage with the awards programme.

Importantly, the awards programme itself will continue as planned. We have already received a strong number of entries, and the judging process will commence from the end of this month. The shortlist of finalists will be announced in March.

There is still time to submit applications, with entries open until 27th of February. We encourage eligible businesses to take part and showcase their achievements. We look forward to recognising and celebrating the outstanding achievements of our business community at the rescheduled awards dinner and ceremony in September. More info on the awards here