Moray submarine hunter targets business growth
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Award winner Bill Ruck
FORMER submarine hunter Bill Ruck has his sights fixed on growing his marine business.
And the ex-RAF serviceman is well placed to achieve that goal after landing a top Moray business award.
Up to £30,000 of investment could also be available to Mr Ruck’s Moray First Marine Ltd following his success in the ‘What’s the Big Idea" competition.
The Moray Chamber of Commerce event saw four entrepreneurs pitch their expansion plans to a panel of business leaders on Wednesday at Horizon Scotland in Forres.
Mr Ruck’s desire to introduce a more powerful Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to provide an enhanced service to the renewable sector and fish farming industry impressed the judges.
He currently provides an underwater survey service to clients from his Lossiemouth-based boat.
Fresh investment will allow him to source ROV equipment which will allow him to operate in more demanding conditions and secure bigger contracts.
"Renewables are the main target and this is an industry right on my doorstep," he said.
"I am very pleased to win this award. In the last year I have taken on a full-time employee and three part-time."
Mr Ruck (47) served in the RAF for eight years and latterly was an air electronics operator on Nimrod aircraft at Kinloss, involved in submarine hunting.
The others who made pitches were:
•Daniel Ketelaar of AC Gliders, who wants to start a tours business in Moray using Segway Personal Transporters in public parks and other land areas. The two-wheeled transporters are environmentally friendly and electrically powered.
•Online sports media businessman Steven Rattray, a former Highland League player, is keen to develop the traditional referee’s notebook with a slimline touch screen device, which would provide live an accurate information to the media and fans. Mr Rattray believes this could revolutionise the sports industry.
•U2 Business Solutions provides telecom and IT products and services, as well as utility and merchant services. Already well established across Scotland, sales and managing director Eddie Pellegrom said the investment would help the business identify further growth opportunities.
The finalists had to pitch their ideas to a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style panel at the headquarters of Highlands and Islands Enterprise in Moray.
The judging panel consisted of Alistair Simpson, managing partner of accountancy firm Ritsons; Peter Murray, partner of Ledingham Chalmers solicitors and legal sponsors of the event; Moray Chamber president George McNeil, who is also retail managing director of Johnstons of Elgin and Lesley Ann Parker, chief executive of Moray Chamber of Commerce.
Get ‘The Northern Scot’ on Friday for a full report and pictures from the event.
