Mid-market private equity investment in Scotland fell in the first half of this year, according to KPMG UK’s mid-year private equity pulse. The mid-year study into private equity deal activity found that interest in the region’s mid-market declined, with 24 deals completing and deal volu
Appointments
See all articlesWright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM) has bolstered its commercial property team with the appointment of Stuart Dickie as a new associate. Mr Dickie joins the expanding team based in Edinburgh’s Hope Street office. He brings a wealth of experience across the real estate spectrum, wit
Financial leader and arts advocate John Taylor has been appointed to the Board of Trustees for the Edinburgh International Festival. Formerly president of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, he brings a wealth of experience from senior roles at the Bank of England and as a governor of the Royal
Award-winning Scottish hospitality operator, Buzzworks Holdings, has appointed industry figure Robert Cook as its new non-executive chairman to guide its expansion into accommodation. Mr Cook brings over 35 years of experience in the premium hotel sector, including notable leadership roles as CEO of
Wbg has appointed former Tesco Bank chief Benny Higgins as its new chairman to spearhead an ambitious national growth strategy. Currently chairman of Glasgow-based investment firm N4 Partners, whose seven-figure investment last year made it the majority shareholder of Wbg, Mr Higgins succeeds Lorna
Scottish green chemical manufacturer Celtic Renewables has bolstered its senior leadership team with the appointment of Kerry Crawford as chief financial officer and Bettina Brierley as chief commercial officer. Ms Brierley and Ms Crawford have been brought on as Celtic Renewables seeks to scale up
Supply chain membership organisation British Water has appointed Stephen Slessor, chief executive of Ross-shire Engineering (RSE), as chair, succeeding Dr Mark Fletcher, director and global water business lead at Arup. Mr Slessor brings extensive sector experience, spanning 25 years in engineering,
Accountancy
See all articlesHywel Ball, the former UK head of EY, has warned that the Big Four professional services firms face significant challenges in adopting artificial intelligence due to their sheer size. Announcing his new board roles at two AI-focused boutiques, Mr Ball argued that smaller, more nimble start-ups have
Twelve of Scotland’s most promising accountancy students have been named recipients of the 2025 Charles Scott Prize by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS). The prizes are awarded in recognition of outstanding academic achievement in accountancy at Scottish universities.
Wbg has appointed former Tesco Bank chief Benny Higgins as its new chairman to spearhead an ambitious national growth strategy. Currently chairman of Glasgow-based investment firm N4 Partners, whose seven-figure investment last year made it the majority shareholder of Wbg, Mr Higgins succeeds Lorna
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) has expressed its concern at the news the UK government is no longer planning to bring forward the already delayed and long promised audit reform and corporate governance bill in the current Parliamentary session, despite a draft bill ap
Inverurie has welcomed a new addition to its local business community as B W Accountancy Services officially opens its doors at 25A Market Street, right in the heart of the town. Founded by respected industry professionals Colin Webster and Fiona Barron, the firm brings with it over 50 years of comb
Business
See all articlesScottish businesses are showing tentative signs of recovery, despite tremendous uncertainty in business confidence and economic outlook for the remainder of 2025, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde. The latest edition of its quarterly Scottish Business Mon
Business confidence in Scotland rose by nine points during July to 56%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland. While Scottish firms’ optimism in the economy fell five points to 43%, their confidence in their own business prospects rose 23 points month-on-month to 70%
An expanding Scottish hospitality tech firm has opened a Cape Town office and made two senior appointments as it seeks to become a leading player in South African tourism. Hop Software, co-founded by Highland hoteliers Richard Drummond and Jon Erasmus, has seen its all-in-one hotel Property Ma
Funding to inspire young people to set up their own business has been increased by more than a third. The Entrepreneurial Education Fund 2025-26 will make up to £1.2 million available for courses and projects that will encourage more young people, from a wide range of backgrounds, to choose bu
Scottish councils must be more transparent about how much they spend with small businesses, if Scotland is to deliver on its ambitions to increase spending with local firms, new research has revealed. Gaps and inconsistencies in the way local authorities record their spending with small and local co