Jeanette Forbes appointed entrepreneurship ambassador

Press and Journal – 31/07/2011

Aberdeen-based businesswoman Jeanette Forbes, CEO of PCL Group, has become the North-east of Scotland’s first UK Female Entrepreneurship Ambassador (UKFEA).

She joins a select group of 50 successful businesswomen across the UK who have been invited to join UKFEA, part of a wider EU-funded ambassadors programme set up across 22 countries in Europe. The European network has 250 female role models, from across all business sectors, and only six of those are based in Scotland.

As an ambassador, Jeanette’s role will be to campaign on behalf of women, to encourage and inspire them to become entrepreneurs and set up their own business.

Jeanette set up her own company in March 2000 after being made redundant the previous year during a downturn in the oil and gas sector. Working from her dining room table and with just £100 in her bank account, she built the PCL Group up to become a global IT service provider to the offshore, marine, commercial and industrial industry sectors, based in Regent Quay, Aberdeen.

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Dispelling the myth of a man’s world

Business Bulletin – June 2011

The journey to success has not been without its steep inclines for Jeanette Forbes, CEO and founder of PCL Group. She is justifiably proud of her achievement in becoming a leading woman in oil and gas in what has been regarded as predominantly a man’s world, having built a successful information technology service company.

She launched PCL from her dining room with just £100 after being made redundant and just as it started to flourish she was hit by a massive bad debt. She ignored her banker’s advice to throw in the towel before the effort to survive killed her and now counts blue chip companies among the growing number of clients PCL serves.

Born in Yorkshire, she moved to Aberdeen with her children almost 30 years ago and regards the Granite City as home.

“I adopted Aberdeen and I would like to think that the people of Aberdeen have adopted me,” she said.

Her father was in the army and her early working life was spent in communications with the Royal Signals. On leaving army life, she returned to civvie Street and a job in the communications centre at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

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PCL Group proud sponsors of Broomhill Junior 15’s 2011 Cup Champions

Broomhill Juniors Newsletter – 29/05/2011

Broomhill Juniors ended a difficult season due to the adverse weather conditions last winter, finishing 3rd in the Great Northern Trophies A League which is the top league in the NE of Scotland and also winning their first trophy for the club by winning the Belmont Trophy by beating Albion BC 3-2 on penalties after the game ended 2-2 after extra time.

Congratulations to all the players on a tremendous effort and a special thank you from PCL Group to all those who give their time freely to train, support and encourage this young football team.

Movement calls on people to help restore city’s worldwide reputation

Press and Journal, p3 – 27/05/2011

City leaders are joining forces to spearhead a new campaign which aims to restore Aberdeen’s reputation around the world.

Lord Provost Peter Stephen says he is tired of people running down the city – and he had recruited an A-list of influential Aberdonians to spread the word about everything it has to offer.

The Aberdeen 1st movement will bring together business figures, athletes, public servants and charity workers to inspire citizens to take a pride in their city and shout about its charms.

Mr Stephen said “It’s about starting a culture change – a different attitude. We want people to realise what the city has to offer.”

He will chair the new Aberdeen 1st Core Group, which also includes deputy lord lieutenant Dennis Davidson as deputy chairman and Alan Reid, communications director for city social care charity VSA, in charge of publicity.

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PCL Group engineer competes in 10K

Baker Hughes 10K – 23/05/2011

PCL Group has again shown how committed they are to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by one of their engineers completing the run on Sunday 22nd May 2011 dressed up as Hulk Hogan.

Roy Ritchie completed the 10K in a time of 52 minutes 27 seconds in aid of the charity Children 1st.

The City of Aberdeen Baker Hughes 10K and Fun Run is a well established race and for many runners the highlight of their running season.

The course is based around Aberdeen beach and harbour area and has some spectacular views of the North Sea and the famous Beach Ballroom on the route.

The race started as a marathon and in 1987 changed to a 10K which it has been ever since with a number of different courses.

With over 4000 runners competing in the 25th Baker Hughes 10K event it was the well supported and congratulations go to all those who crossed the finishing line.

You can view all the information on the race including the results on the link below.

Baker Hughes 10K Run

North-East businesswoman signs up to bolster private-sector input on partnership

Press and Journal – 11/10/2010

Leading businesswoman Jeanette Forbes has joined the management team of Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (ACSEF).

The public-private sector partnership has appointed her to strengthen its private sector representation on the team, which manages the delivery of the region’s economic development strategy.

Ms Forbes is CEO of Aberdeen based PCL Group, an IT company servicing primarily the marine and offshore industries internationally.

She said: “I am delighted to be able to give something back to the region where I have built a highly successful business.

“However, if businesses like mine are to continue to grow and prosper, the long-term strategy has to be about creating jobs and wealth that supports the local communities.

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