Jason White joins Xodus to Middle East

Former Scottish rugby captain Jason White is pulling on his boots for the first time since November to take part in a pair of all-star matches organised by Aberdeen-headquartered energy consultancy Xodus.

Jason White is taking part in all-star rugby matches organised by Xodus. Picture: Getty

White, who is a business performance coach for the firm, will play a key role in the games, taking place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi today and Friday.

The events will raise money for the Bill McLaren Foundation, which was set up to honour the legendary commentator. Xodus has been expanding its presence in the Middle East, and chief executive Colin Manson said he wants to support initiatives that benefit the region, where interest in rugby is growing rapidly.

Tourist chiefs on US Patrol

VisitScotland chairman Mike Cantlay and chief executive Malcolm Roughead packed their kilts and Homecoming Scotland banners and led a delegation over the Atlantic last week.

The clan army on the march to promote Scotland also included scallop diver Guy Grieve, chef Jeff Bland from Number One at the Balmoral and Howie Nicholsby, owner of 21st Century Kilts.

Over the course of the week, Team Scotland met numerous business and investment contacts, conducted a whirlwind of media interviews and attended and launched key events including the Diaspora Breakfast, New York Tattoo and Trade Mission Lunch.

A visual highlight of the week was Scottish “medieval rock band” Saor Patrol storming the famous Brooklyn Bridge to promote Bannockburn Live. The band, which combines bagpipes, drums and electric guitar, is comprised of members of Clanranald who will be choreographing “The Battle” at Bannockburn Live, which takes place in June.

Corker of a night in capital

a NIGHT of celebration will be held next week to mark the shared heritage of Cork and Edinburgh, though exactly what heritage the two cities share is unclear.

A Google search of the two revealed only an off-licence in Marchmont Road – the Cork and Cask – and the fact that both are linked by an M8 motorway.

All will be made clearer on 24 April when the Lord Mayor of Cork city, Catherine Clancy, and the Mayor of the County of Cork, Noel O’Connor, will be at the event at the Assembly Rooms.

If the cultural and economic links prove to be in short supply there will at least be plenty of food and drink in celebration of the region’s gastronomy, as well as a performance of Cork’s Pulses of Tradition.

On the move at Oswalds

Oswalds director Andrew Cockburn has made his latest move – not that the long-serving company man has switched job.

Cockburn has been with the company formation specialist for almost 40 years, joining the firm when it was based in Castle Street. It moved to Great King Street 25 years ago and has now relocated to George Street.

Oswalds was established in 1878 as John Oswald & Son and since 1979 it has been part of the Jordans Group. It proudly claims to have formed more companies in the UK than anyone else.

The relocation has been accompanied by a rebranding for the business.

Cockburn says: “Recent years have seen many of the capital’s corporate, professional and financial communities relocate to George Street and the surrounding areas and we have now taken a strategic decision to follow suit.”

New Kitchin assistant

Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchin is helping to nurture a new generation of gastronomic experts by hosting young assistants at his Leith restaurant The Kitchin.

He has just welcomed the second of three winners of the Electrolux Chef Academy 2013 competition to his ranks – 22-year-old Giuseppe Finocchio, who is on a 12-month work placement, having already completed a similar stint with Jonray and Peter Sanchez-Iglesias at the Michelin-starred Casamia in Bristol.

Kitchin should therefore get good value from Finocchio, who will hone his skills as a commis chef.