Insight into Sustainability / Net Zero Transition Journey

Director at RI Cruden Mechanical, Electrical & Renewables

RI Cruden are an award winning renewable energy contractor based in Inverness. Their approach to sustainability and training the next generation has seen the business grow from strength to strength and was awarded Highland Business of the year in 2023. Callum is the IoD sustainability ambassador for the Highlands & Islands, he specialises in renewable energy and helping business transition to Net Zero.

Managing Director M&H Carriers

With Distribution depots across Scotland and over 170 vehicles delivering all over the country particularly more remote areas.

M&H Carriers won Scottish Environmental Haulier of the year at the 2023 Transport awards due to their approach to sustainability.

Sustainability Manager, Johnstons of Elgin

Iain is the sustainability specialist at Johnstons of Elgin and recently worked to gain B-Corp status for the business. He specialises in Circular Economy and systems for sustainability understanding using the Framework For Strategic Sustainable Development (The Natural Step), Planetary Boundaries and Future Fit Business Frameworks as applied to transforming business from linear to circular business models. Also experience with ISO14001, Cradle to Cradle. Co-ordinator for the first successful certification for The Alliance For Water Stewardship in the UK.
Iain guided the NHS Highland application to the first Alliance For Water Stewardship Certified Hospital in the world, 2018.

RSE are an award-winning business recognised for delivering energy-saving measures for their water treatment installations and activities across the UK wide business portfolio.

RSE are committed to ambitious Net Zero targets with the aim of achieving Operational Net Zero by 2030, and Full Net Zero by 2035.

Har how RSE are closing in on their own net zero target with the transition to a 100% green electricity supply, alongside switching to greener energy sources such as a biomass boiler, solar panels, and hydro-treated vegetable oil. They have additionally introduced sustainable transport measures by converting to an electric vehicle fleet and providing EV charge point facilities to staff, clients, and visitors to our locations.

Partner, Saffery LLP, Inverness

Margi specialises in providing tax planning advice to private clients and their business interests. Her client base is varied but has a private client bias. She provides advice and tax planning to a number of wealthy entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals, professional partnerships, family businesses and landed estate clients. She also provides consultancy work for one-off instructions.

Margi presents at both internal and external seminars and training conferences, including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Society of Law Accountants of Scotland (SOLAS), Scottish Rural College (SRUC) and the Scottish Government Farm Advisory Service (FAS).

Margi joined Saffery in 2017, having previously worked in several firms in the Inverness area. Having grown up on a farm and dealt with rural businesses over many years in the Highlands and beyond, she is extremely familiar with many of the challenges they face, both large and small.

Director at Glen Mhor / Uile-bheist

Victoria is a dedicated and experienced business women deeply invested in propelling growth within the industrial and educational sectors. Owner of hotels, bars and restaurants around Scotland, HOP software company and a teacher, her awareness of the current challenges within tourism fuels her constant mission for innovative solutions. Central to all activities is the integration of sustainable tourism and inclusivity, exemplified by opening their leading energy solution centre in Inverness at the Uile-Bheist Distillery/Brewery. This ground breaking centre uses wells to extract water and heat and allows the site to remove all gas, provide all the heating and water for the Glen Mhor hotel and Uile-Bheist distillery and brewery complex. Making it one of the lowest carbon footprint brewstilleries in the country and the only hotel with both a whisky distiller and brewery on site.

Victoria is a serial entrepreneur and has created comprehensive work-based training initiatives. These programs cover industry-specific subjects and emphasise sustainable and inclusive practices whilst addressing the disability employment gap and rise in mental health.