Family businesses inhabit every street of our towns and cities and are prevalent in rural communities, especially in the Highlands & Islands. Their contribution, financially, socially and spiritually, and the stability those businesses create cannot be underestimated. In today’s turbulent times, they are a hidden lever as a force for good in so many ways.

With the season of goodwill in full swing, it’s a poignant time to reflect on how important it is for businesses to embed social value at the heart of everything they do. This has certainly become a strong part of Cruden’s culture over our 80-year heritage as one of Scotland’s leading housebuilders and developers.

Long-term regeneration projects are often made up of a consortium of multiple businesses, across several teams and dozens of people. Therefore, communication will play a central role in managing reputations, maintaining relationships and achieving collective goals.

Earlier this month Scotland’s homebuilding industry gathered for the annual Homes for Scotland conference in Edinburgh, a city in the grips of a housing emergency.

The homebuilding industry makes a critical economic and social contribution through investment, employment, community financial support and, of course, the homes provided, both for private purchase and social housing…

Last week, Homes for Scotland held its annual conference in our great capital city, less than a fortnight after City of Edinburgh Council declared a housing emergency. Sadly, this reflects the unfortunate reality across the country. I believe that Scotland’s people deserve so much better and it’s time to stop going round in circles on what is the foundation of our society.

In an ever-changing world, one constant remains - the power of education. It is the foundation upon which the future of our nation is built, shaping not just the individuals who engage with it, but also the very fabric of our society.

This week celebrates World Science Day on 10 November. Working with many science clients, this is a sector close to our hearts. This date gives a chance to celebrate the incredible advancements in science, including Scotland’s achievements and ambitions in precision medicine.

We’re thrilled to appoint industry leader Ed Monaghan as non-executive director of Perceptive Communicators with immediate effect. As the leading communications consultancy for the built environment in Scotland, we’re delighted to bring Ed on board with a wealth of industry knowledge and experience.

Housing, for most of us, is one of the very few constants in our lives. Our home plays host to some of the happiest moments in our lives, provides us with fundamental security and is the key to improving life opportunities. It is somewhere we should be able to feel safe, warm and part of a community.

New pictures give a first look at the world’s first inland surfing resort in Edinburgh. Lost Shore Surf Resort will be Scotland’s newest premier tourism and leisure destination. Complete with luxury lodges, premium accommodation pods, restaurants, spa and shopping, it is set within a 60 acre country park and will open in September 2024.

With just two weeks to go until Scotland’s annual event for innovation in business, the CAN DO Innovation Summit, I’ve been reflecting on how to best support start-ups and small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to implement innovation to boost productivity for economic sustainability and social value.

Family owned construction and property firm, Muir Group has celebrated fifty years in business with its founder, John Muir, still serving as chairman.

Mr Muir, a former joiner, set up the company in 1973 after managing another homebuilding business. Muir Group has since grown into one of the most well-known family run firms in the country, employing around 250 people.

The return of the iconic Bridgeton Umbrella has been marked with a celebration ceremony after significant restoration works on the Category A listed, Victorian era bandstand. The intricate cast iron structure has been a feature and focal point of the local area since it was gifted to the city by a local company in 1875.

Over 100 people are estimated to be rough sleeping each night in Scotland’s two biggest cities. At a recent count, where Simon Community volunteers combed city centres late at night, they located and supported 80 people sleeping rough in Edinburgh, and 35 people in Glasgow, with this single evening snapshot reflecting the scale of the challenge faced by the charity.

Eighty per cent of homes in 2045 will be the homes we live in today and therein lies a dilemma: How do we achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045/50 when most of these homes and some of the of 23,000 new builds typically completed each year still do not feature the essential, integrated, flexible renewable energy technologies which will help us get there affordably?

Today (10 October) is World Homeless Day, providing an important chance for us all to consider the impact of our homes on our health, and how we would feel if we didn’t have this place of physical and emotional security. It’s no coincidence that today is also World Mental Health Day, reflecting how mental health challenges can all too often be a cause or result of homelessness.

With over 358,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland, accounting for over 99 percent of all private sector firms, SMEs are crucial for the economic and social success of this country.

Award-winning developer Cruden Homes and leading social enterprise, Places for People, scooped the top ‘Development of the Year’ title at the Herald Property Awards 2023. The annual awards bring together leading property experts from across Scotland to shine a light on the most impressive projects over the past year.

Many believe that our current society allows women to access all jobs and positions, and that it is inconceivable to pay a man more than a woman to do the same job. The reality is far from that; while there is an increasing number of successful women in the construction and property industries, the percentage of women in construction still only sits at 15.4%; the gender pay gap is 23%, and only 2.7% of apprentices are female, so the industry has far to go to achieve gender parity.

Have you ever thought about starting your own business? Maybe on a Sunday evening when the fear of work on Monday starts to seep into your bones, or after a particularly difficult week and you're offloading with friends down the pub?