Farmers receive expert advice on renewables as part of Clydesdale Bank’s Business Week

15th May 2015

Scores of farming figures received expert advice on branching out into green technologies as part of Clydesdale Bank’s Business Week.

The session, which attracted 50 agricultural professionals from southern Scotland and the north of England, was held at Carlisle Golf Club on Wednesday May 13. It included presentations by guest speakers Victoria Lancaster, Renewable Energy Advisor at H&H Land and Property, and Richard Miller, who is head of law firm Burnetts’ Agribusiness and Property Team.

Among the topics examined were the pros and cons of different types of renewable technologies, such as solar PV, wind and biomass; energy security; incentives available to farmers for adopting renewable energy projects; and working with developers.

Clydesdale Bank customer and award-winning free range egg producer James Baxter also gave a first-hand account of the benefits of adopting biomass heating at his farm near Stranraer. The biomass system, which he installed with support from Clydesdale Bank, not only keeps his hens warm but also improves air quality.

Clydesdale Bank’s Business Week, which ran from May 11-15, has seen more than 250 customer-focused events take place in the Bank’s UK network of business and private banking centres. Sessions focused on issues including succession planning, employee engagement and managing growth.

David Hannon, Head of Clydesdale Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Carlisle, said:

“Business Week is a great example of how we aim to offer added value to our customers by providing them with networking opportunities, advice and insight. We’re bringing a genuine challenge to the market, and it’s been gratifying to see businesses coming together to learn from each other and build for the future.

“We’d like to thank everyone who took part in Business Week.”

As part of Business Week Clydesdale Bank has been encouraging SMEs to have a full understanding of their business’ value.

Research commissioned by Bank to launch Business Week suggested that the majority of small and medium-sized businesses in Scotland are underestimating their true worth by not taking into account the value of assets such as trademarks, patents and intellectual property. According to the study, only one in three (34%) Scottish SMEs has ever taken steps to value their non-physical assets.

Clydesdale Bank has strengthened its support for UK SMEs by becoming the first to partner with the British Business Bank under its ENABLE Guarantees scheme. Up to £125m of new lending by Clydesdale Bank, guaranteed by the British Business Bank, will help more small businesses achieve their growth ambitions.