Royal Bank to hold first ever startup Accelerator Pitch competition in Scotland
The Royal Bank of Scotland has announced that it will bring its Accelerator Pitch competition to Scotland for the very first time.
Entrants are already able to compete for a £30,000 prize pot which will be awarded at a live final on 24 April. The final will take place at the formal opening of the Royal Bank’s new Accelerator hub building in Edinburgh.
One of the award winners will also receive an Out-of-Home advertising campaign delivered by JCDecaux UK.
Royal Bank Pitch competitions are designed to help founders build the confidence they need to secure investment, while also recognising the innovative ideas that will deliver future growth.
To enter, entrepreneurs based in Scotland, are required to submit a 60 second pitch video on their product and business by 5pm on 26 March. Six businesses will then move forward to the final to make their pitch in front of a live audience.
The announcement follows successful Accelerator Pitch Live events delivered in Manchester and London, with another due to be held in Northern Ireland at the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards later this month.
Heidi Simpson, Regional Accelerator Director, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “We are delighted to announce that we will be bringing our Pitch competition to Scotland for the very first time.”
“This Royal Bank Pitch competition is all about recognising the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that is at the heart of so many founder’s stories. We are looking for the exciting ideas that will transform and grow Scotland’s economy and build the employers of the future.
“I can think of no better way to launch our new Edinburgh Accelerator Hub building than hosting the Pitch final. The competition has gone live today, and I wish all entrants the best of luck.”
Thanh Catachanas, Head of Collaboration and Acquisition, JCDecaux UK, said: “Following the success of our collaboration with the NatWest Accelerator Pitch in London last November and our ongoing partnership with Royal Bank of Scotland, it’s fantastic to be involved again by offering an Out-of-Home advertising campaign to the winner of the Edinburgh pitch final. Edinburgh has a thriving startup and scale-up community, and it’s exciting to support founders who are building the next generation of ambitious businesses. As brands grow, visibility becomes critical, and Out-of-Home plays a powerful role in helping scale-ups reach new audiences and build trust. With our strong presence across the city and partnerships with Edinburgh City Council, Network Rail and Edinburgh Airport, we’re proud to help connect innovative businesses with the people and places that help them grow”
Ecclesiastical opens new office in Scotland
Ecclesiastical Insurance has opened a regional office in Glasgow to strengthen its presence in the Scottish market.
The specialist insurer has seen a surge in new business in Scotland and is doubling the size of its team to support the growth opportunity.
Joining Gerard Hamilton, strategic account manager, and Caroline Quinn, development underwriter, is recruit Alexander Connon as development account manager, an additional development underwriter is joining the team in May.
The team will be based at 9 George Square in the heart of Glasgow’s business district. The new office boasts modern, light-filled interiors and flexible workspaces, and provides a great space for face-to-face engagement and collaboration with key broker partners and customers.
The office will form part of Ecclesiastical’s northern region, led by regional director Andy Williamson.
The move reflects Ecclesiastical’s dynamic growth ambitions and supports its journey towards reducing its direct climate impact by moving to offices with a low carbon footprint, with the building boasting an EPC B rating.
Dave Carey, Intermediary Managing Director at Ecclesiastical UK, said: “Scotland is an important and growing market for us and the opening of the new office reflects the scale of our ambition as a business. We want to grow the business further and be the first choice for Scottish brokers in our target markets.
“The move enables us to get closer to our brokers and customers, supporting them with the specialist knowledge, exceptional service, and trusted underwriting we are famous for. We are growing an already talented team and we’re looking forward to further strengthening our relationships with our broker partners in Scotland.”
The new office officially opens on Thursday, 24 April, with a reception for brokers and customers by invitation only.
Built in 1922, the former McLaren Warehouse and Repository is listed by Historic Environment Scotland for its architectural significance.
It’s the latest office move for Ecclesiastical following the Northern team’s relocation to 11 York Street in Manchester last year.