People: Salmon pair get £25,000 grant

The pair are about to launch a new brand of smoked salmon and seafood named after Highland Mary, the famous sweetheart of Robert Burns, thanks to a 25,000 cash boost from ethical lender DSL Business Finance.

Baxter and McDougall, who have more than 20 years experience in the fish smoking and processing business, had originally secured finance from their bank but this was withdrawn at the last minute because of the crisis in bank lending.

After trying other banks, they turned to Glasgow-based not-for-profit business lender DSL, which runs a 1.5 million loan fund and can access the UK government's enterprise finance guarantee scheme.

Now the pair are targeting 400,000 of revenue in their first year by selling smoked prawns, mussels, oysters, clams and scallops as well as traditional hot and cold smoked salmon.

Eunice Lancaster, general manager at DSL, says: "Karen and Allan have a great idea and we are sure they will do well."

From one Scottish delicacy to another, with news that a haggis company is leading the way with a new type of modern apprenticeship.

David Candlish, a production operative at Grant Foods in Galston, Ayrshire, has become the first person in Scotland to complete a "level two" modern apprenticeship.

Kelvin Thomson, national development manager for Scotland at Improve, the food and drink sector skills council, explains: "Previously, modern apprenticeships were only available at level three, with funding only available for employees up to the age of 19.

"In an industry where the overwhelming majority of workers are qualified no higher than level two and where 95 per cent of the workers are aged 20 and over, this meant modern apprenticeships just did not fit the profile of the workforce."

Now, nearly 600 people from Scotland's 7.4 billion food and drink industry have started a modern apprenticeship in the past 12 months, compared with fewer than 25 the previous year.

STAFF will be spinning around at Axis Media Group after a couple of changes in the Glasgow-based agency.

Sabina Kadic, right, has been appointed as the new director of public relations and will now lead the growing division.

Bosnia-born Kadic joined Axis three years ago from London law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner as an account manager. The agency has also recruited Stirling University graduate Susan Allport as an account executive.

Managing director Paul Murricane, who founded the firm in 2000, says: "2010 got off to a great start for Axis with the addition of several new clients, including Accident Claims Scotland, EDTC Technology Gateway and Taylor Bowls. This positive trend is continuing with both Sabina and Susan's appointments.

"I am sure both will make a high impact in their new roles."

GOOD DAY

Elimma Ezeani

A LECTURER at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen has published her first book, outlining a theory on international trade that might "change the world for the better". Dr Elimma Ezeani, who is from Nigeria, analysed the World Trade Organisation and suggested how its reform could give developing countries more of an even playing field.

BAD DAY

Jeffrey Immelt

GENERAL Electric's chief executive revealed the group's first-quarter earnings fell by almost one-third, a further reminder of the challenges the conglomerate faces as it tries to return to profit growth. The GE Capital lending unit posted a profit, but losses remained high in areas such as commercial property. GE's industrial units also posted lower sales.