New OneRen director says he is 'proud' to call Paisley his home
New OneRen senior executive Gordon Morrison says he has 'fallen in love with Paisley ' as he bids to boost leisure, culture and sport in the area.
The Renfrewshire town has left a defining mark on Mr Morrison who has just started as director of business development. The organisation runs leisure, cultural and sporting services across the area.
It is a role which will see him operate not just as part of the senior team delivering Paisley's £100 million cultural transformation, but the swimming pools, gyms, sports areas, libraries, community halls and arts venues which are at the heart of life-improving health, wellbeing, social and cultural opportunities.
And given his love for life in the town, and the wider Renfrewshire area, it's perhaps no surprise he has seized an opportunity to work here as well.
He explained: 'As I got to know Paisley, I was really taken aback by its striking architecture and the quality of its public parks. It's a great place to bring up a family.
'My partner, Lesley, is a Buddie by birth. We met in Edinburgh but she always said that, when we started a family, Paisley would be our home. So, that's what we did in 2019. We've two children now and I love living here.'
Mr Morrison's key role will see him work to unlock new commercial opportunities which aims to further OneRen's work to enrich lives locally and reinvest in facilities – which include the Lagoon, ON-X Linwood and Renfrew leisure centres.
The 49-year-old brings with him more than 20 years' experience of working to enhance and develop visitor attractions – most recently as chief executive of the Association for Cultural Enterprises.
Before that, he was chief executive of the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions and has also worked for VisitScotland.
He added: 'When the chance to be part of something so exciting came up, based in the town I'm now lucky enough to call home, it was just too good to turn down.
'I'm looking forward to championing the region and have others discover – or rediscover – just how special it is. The cultural regeneration alone is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
'It's arguably the biggest and most ambitious project of its type in the United Kingdom. From people I've spoken to, I know that communities across the country are looking at Paisley to see what they might be able to achieve.
'They are keen to see the vision for the region to succeed. That makes this a really exciting time to be joining OneRen, which really is a dynamic organisation.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
14 hours ago
- Times
Total cost of private school to almost double to £380,000
The cost of sending children to private school will almost double after the introduction of VAT on fees, analysis suggests. The parents of a privately educated child leaving school this year after A-levels are likely to have spent an average of £204,622 on fees, according to Weatherbys Private Bank. The cost of putting a child of the same age through boarding school is estimated to have been £413,471. However, costs vary widely with the Good Schools Guide putting the highest annual fees at £75,000. Weatherbys says that for a child starting in reception at a private school this September the cost could ultimately reach £377,000 — £763,000 if they were boarding. This assumed annual inflation of 3 per cent, which accounts for two thirds of the increase, with VAT responsible for the rest. Last September private schools put up fees by an average 6.7 per cent. When 20 per cent VAT was imposed in January, many schools initially cut fees by 5 per cent to cushion parents from the immediate impact, but overall, the average fee rose by about 22 per cent. Oliver Barnett from Weatherbys said: 'I'm sure sending out invoices with VAT on was a nailbiting moment for some heads, nervous about losing pupils. We expect that schools will attempt to recover some of the discount they gave in January. Historically, schools increase fees above inflation, so our 85 per cent growth estimate is conservative.' Barnett said there were other pressures on schools. Some years had a 5 per cent drop in pupil numbers, while schools have lost their eligibility for business rates charitable relief and are dealing with higher employer national insurance contributions. Although many schools are expected to manage these pressures, others may struggle to remain financially viable. Barnett said parents should consider the long-term stability of a school to avoid disruption during their child's education. Fiona Fernie from the accountancy firm Blick Rothenberg said: 'Labour's intention to target wealthier families with VAT on school fees overlooks that many families making sacrifices to afford private education are not necessarily very wealthy. 'Some send their children to private schools because local state schools are inadequate or cannot provide necessary specialist services. These families will be hit hardest, with many likely to be priced out over the coming years. 'While the revenue from VAT on school fees is intended to fund state schools and hire 6,500 new teachers, there is little evidence that this teacher pool exists or that funding will cover additional classrooms needed for increased pupil numbers. More pupils in state schools with fewer resources will create challenges.' Rathbones Asset Management has estimated that parents will pay up to £111,300 more per child over their school life because of VAT. Richard Cook from Rathbones said: 'The earlier parents start saving and investing for private school fees the easier it is to spread the cost and manage finances. Investments may help beat inflation and compound returns over time, unlike cash savings. A qualified financial adviser can help families plan cashflow and investments aligned to their risk appetite, ensuring education goals don't compromise broader financial resilience.' Julie Robinson, the chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), said: 'Schools will always do all they can to keep fees affordable for parents. A third of pupils at ISC schools receive some sort of fee assistance, and the amount spent on bursaries is at an all-time high. However, the government's decision to tax education will inevitably have an impact on cost, with a cumulative effect over several years.'
Fashion United
a day ago
- Fashion United
On slips into the red in second quarter despite sales increase
Swiss sportswear supplier On Holding AG set another sales record in the second quarter of the 2025 financial year. Negative currency effects resulted in a substantial loss. Despite this, the trainer specialist raised its annual forecasts on Tuesday due to the unexpectedly strong growth in its operating business. Asiapacific sales more than double In the period from April to June, sales amounted to 1.48 billion Swiss francs. This represents a 32 percent increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year, exceeding market expectations. Adjusted for exchange rate changes, revenue grew by 38.2 percent. The company's own retail sector was the growth driver, with an increase of 47.2 percent (currency-adjusted 54.3 percent) to 308.3 million Swiss francs. Wholesale business revenue increased by 23.1 percent (currency-adjusted 28.8 percent) to 441 million Swiss francs. Revenue in the Asia-Pacific region once again saw the most dynamic development. At 119.2 million Swiss francs, sales were more than double the previous year's quarter (101.3 percent, currency-adjusted 110.9 percent). In America, sales grew by 16.8 percent (currency-adjusted 23.6 percent) to 432.3 million Swiss francs. In the EMEA region, which includes Europe, the Middle East and Africa, revenue reached 197.8 million Swiss francs. This represents a 42.9 percent increase (currency-adjusted 46.1 percent) compared to the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA increases by 50 percent Thanks to the higher revenue share from the company's own retail sector and further efficiency improvements, the gross margin increased from 59.9 to 61.5 percent. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), adjusted for special effects, therefore increased by 50.0 percent to 136.1 million Swiss francs. Due to negative currency effects, however, the company reported a net loss of 40.9 million Swiss francs. In the same quarter of the previous year, On had achieved a profit of 30.8 million Swiss francs. In the first six months, sales reached just under 1.48 billion Swiss francs, an increase of 37.2 percent (currency-adjusted +39.1 percent). Net profit shrank by 87.1 percent to 15.8 million Swiss francs. Management raises annual forecasts In light of the strong sales growth and the increase in operating profitability, management raised its forecasts for the year. For 2025, it now expects currency-adjusted sales growth of at least 31 percent to at least 2.91 billion Swiss francs. Previously, currency-adjusted growth of at least 28 percent to over 2.86 billion Swiss francs had been forecast. The gross margin is now expected to reach 60.5 to 61.0 percent in the current year, up from the previous expectation of 60.0 to 60.5 percent. The target for the EBITDA margin, which had previously been 16.5 to 17.5 percent, was specified to 17.0 to 17.5 percent. This article was translated to English using an AI tool. FashionUnited uses AI language tools to speed up translating (news) articles and proofread the translations to improve the end result. This saves our human journalists time they can spend doing research and writing original articles. Articles translated with the help of AI are checked and edited by a human desk editor prior to going online. If you have questions or comments about this process email us at info@
Times
3 days ago
- Times
This Crete hotel ticks all the boxes for a multigeneration getaway
Extensive flower-filled gardens, various lagoon-style pools (for style, not swimming) and a calming decor of whites, creams, marbles and natural woods give this large Grecotel resort a Grecian palace feel. It's immediately visually impressive, with sea views from the open-air check-in area and a fairly sizeable sandy beach beyond. It's a true family paradise, with an outdoor (shaded) kids' club and park, and nightly mini discos — a hit with stylish parents and grandparents too. The hotel is trialling extending the season to December; it'll be a bit nippy, but could be a stylish base for blue skies and island exploration. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue Score 8/10There are 212 rooms, suites, bungalows and villas in the resort, across a staggering 31 categories. All are simple yet elegant and immediately calming; think cream and white palettes and gold accent mirrors, plus statement ceramic lamps. Stone or wooden bedside tables sit beside huge beds of crisp white linen, while marble bathrooms have seriously strong rain showers. Many bedrooms have balconies and the large two-bedroom villas deliver really special sea views. All villas have plunge pools, but the orientation of the two-bedroom variety means you won't actually get much, or any, sun on your outdoor loungers or pools. A better bet would be one of the smaller, single-floor villas, which have gardens (great for families), direct beach access and the opportunity to move your lounger to catch the sun. On the other side of the hotel you'll find the swim-up pool suites, which feel more sociable with loungers laid out next to your neighbours'. You're also closer to the pool and kids' club here — but nothing is ever more than a couple of minutes' wander away. Ahead of your stay you can fill in a form for all the child kit you'd like, from baths to potties, changing mats and cots. Score 7/10 If there's a slightly disappointing element to your stay here it will probably be some of your meals. Service is reliably friendly and efficient, and the setting for breakfast is lovely — with a lagoon pool at the centre — but the small buffet room gets crowded and the start of the day can be a little fraught because of it. The choice, however, at breakfast and lunch is great — with yoghurts, fruit, every possible bread, freshly made omelettes, salads and cooked options. Staff are extremely efficient at whisking away used cups and delivering flat whites. At lunch, you'll find dozens of salads, dips, pasta dishes and souvlaki (with fish fingers and fries for children — and adults so inclined). The buffet evening meal is the biggest disappointment, however: again, long queues, jostling to the front and a selection of dishes that don't sit well together. That being said, the buffet is hugely helpful for families with children (the majority of guests here have them). It starts from 6.30pm and requests for oat milk in beakers for bedtime are not an issue. There are à la carte options too. The setting of the restaurant Lago di Candida would be spectacular in the summer, with tables hovering above the decorative lagoon. When it's a bit chillier you'll be seated beneath the dazzling spotlights in the Minotaur restaurant, a room that lacks atmosphere despite the colourful Picasso ceramics. Dishes, including prawn salads to start and beef fillet for main, are good, but not memorable. In neighbouring Blue Monkey, an Asian fusion restaurant with a menu encompassing dim sum and katsu curry, the food is a little underwhelming. The outdoor seating — right by the beach — is lovely in the summer; indoor is another brightly lit room with tomato-red silk chairs and walls. That means the indoor atmosphere in both is lacking. Xasteria — the Greek — is good, with lovely local souvlaki, cheese and Cretan pasta dishes. You will have the option to dine at these restaurants with a voucher if you're all-inclusive, if not, you may be better off wandering to a local taverna as the dishes are pricey. • More of the best hotels in Crete• Best family hotels in Crete Score 8/10You will find golfers and honeymooners here, but it's families who seem to love it most, thanks to the activities on offer (children up to the age of 12 can also stay and dine for no charge). Grecoland is a large outdoor play area with swings, slides, giant chessboards and sandpits for diggers, plus a shaded play area for organised crafts and activities. In the summer, Grecoteens has a football academy, although parents may find the hotel is generally better for primary-aged kids, who adore the nightly mini disco at the amphitheatre, complete with dance routines from the Grecoland team, followed by outdoor film screenings. You'll see people doing lengths, aqua aerobics and cooling off in the Olympic-sized swimming pool, and there's a small shaded pool for toddlers, with loungers dotting the grass and a relatively large sweep of sandy beach. The Elixir Alchemy spa is small but does the job, with ayurvedic treatments and an indoor heated pool. Choose from two gyms — one outdoor, one indoor — three floodlit tennis courts and a good little water-sports centre to take kayaks out. A number of boutiques on site sell everything from sustainable deodorants and children's toys to glitzy jewellery and lovely kaftans, trunks and jumpsuits. Score 8/10You're about 15 minutes from Heraklion airport, right under the flight path — which could be a good or bad thing. It means, after a pretty long flight from the UK, you get to the hotel very quickly, but the planes can be relatively noisy. The hotel is on a blue-flag beach reached down a fairly nondescript road with minimarts and tavernas. You're a short drive or taxi from waterparks, Dinosaur Park and many ancient sites. Price all-inclusive from £239Family-friendly YAccessible N Hannah Summers was a guest of Grecotel Amirandes ( • Best all-inclusive hotels in Crete• Best things to do in Crete
