Recent data has remained positive for the Scottish economy, but the outlook for future growth is being dampened by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute. In its latest Quarterly Economic Commentary, the Institute has downgraded its 2026 growth forecas
Appointments
See all articlesNewton Property Management has appointed Martin Brown as its first non-executive director. A founder of Fleet Alliance, Mr Brown brings three decades of experience building and scaling successful businesses. He was key to vehicle leasing and fleet management firm Fleet Alliance's growth, culminating
Commercial cleaning firm Capital Service Solutions has appointed Jill Thomson as head of business development. Ms Thomson brings over 14 years of experience within the cleaning and integrated facilities management sector. Throughout her career, she has built up a strong foundation of experience and
Blackwood Homes & Care has appointed Jenni Fairbairn as its new permanent director of finance & business services. Ms Fairbairn, currently working as a business specialist for South of Scotland Enterprise, and previously in senior finance roles at CHAS and Viewpoint Housing, will be joining
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Geoff Day as executive director of engagement and the promotion of Cat Devaney CA to executive director of learning. With an illustrious international career spanning 25 years, Mr D
JP Morgan has strengthened its UK retail banking operation by poaching Kunal Malani from Monzo, where he has served as chief banking officer since 2020. Mr Malani, a seasoned retail banker whose career includes stints at Barclays and HSBC, will now lead Chase UK, the Wall Street giant's digital bank
Motherwell-headquartered Accountants Plus has hired seasoned professional Mark Mulholland, a specialist in charities and agricultural businesses across Scotland, as a partner. The Lanarkshire firm, formed as a one-man operation by senior partner Bryan Wood in 2001, now has an annual turnover just sh
Accountancy
See all articlesACCA has published pass rates for the March 2026 examination sitting, with 92,224 students entering and 103,785 exams completed across the session. A total of 3,334 candidates passed their final exams, earning affiliate status.
VAT and indirect tax advisor (VITA) has accelerated its information and support campaign for the accountancy profession with a new initiative aimed at upskilling the sector and raising awareness of the complexities of one of the UK’s most important taxes. The Glasgow-based firm has launched a
ICAS has revealed the 35 leading Chartered Accountants aged 35 and under who make up its CA Rising Stars class of 2026, celebrating talent from across the global profession.
ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland) has unveiled a new fast-track pathway that enables experienced auditors from around the world to gain the UK Audit Qualification (AQ) – and progress to ICAS membership and Chartered Accountant (CA) status – more quickly than ever befo
Sedulo Group has expanded into Scotland with the acquisition of accountancy practice Smith & Wallace and the launch of a new Glasgow office. Sedulo is a national mid-tier advisory firm, ranked number 57 in the Accountancy Top 100, with offices in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, London
Business
See all articlesScottish all trades insurance reinstatement company Insurepair is expanding into Spain as part of a major international growth plan. The new division of the Edinburgh-based firm will be called Insurepair Spain and will initially support the thousands of UK property owners, landlords and property man
Almost half (49%) of the 55 profit warnings issued by UK-listed companies in Q1 2026 cited the impact of policy change and geopolitical uncertainty as a leading factor, according to EY-Parthenon’s latest Profit Warnings report. This marked the highest quarterly proportion recorded for this cau
A second month of employment growth offered some positivity during a modest month of business activity in March in Scotland. Despite increased staffing costs, businesses across all sectors reported an upshift in recruitment as Q1 2026 came to an end.
A pioneering Scottish dairy has secured a major London distribution deal as demand grows for less processed alternatives to raw milk.
Automotive retailer Vertu has expanded its relationship with Chinese car brand Geely Auto with the opening of a second dealership within Glasgow. Geely Glasgow Central will operate from Vertu’s iconic site on Port Dundas Road, recognisable to tens of thousands of motorists who pass by the deal
Whisky
See all articlesLuss Distillery has been awarded a five-star quality grading by the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA), just months after opening its doors on the banks of Loch Lomond. The new multi-million-pound distillery and visitor centre, developed by Loch Lomond Group, received the top rating
A family-run micro-distillery in Wester Ross is set for significant growth after securing a £105,215 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Badachro Distillery Ltd, founded in 2018 by Gordon and Vanessa Quinn in the grounds of their home in Gairloch, has grown from a garden-sh
Scottish green chemical producer Celtic Renewables has renewed its partnership with the independent ultra-premium whisky distillery Rosebank, part of Ian Macleod Distillers, for another three years. The partnership will see Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk send the pot ale by-product produced during i
Luxury private label Scotch whisky business Tailored Spirits Co has been named a winner at the Stelios Foundation UK Young Entrepreneur Awards 2026, with Co-Founders Adam Harding and Carl Johnstone jointly securing a £50,000 prize. Founded in 2024 and based in Leith, Tailored Spirits Co was aw
A major project to develop a new net zero distillery in Sutherland has secured up to £1.57 million from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Struie Distillery is being developed by the Dornoch Distillery Company Limited (DDCL), founded in 2016 by brothers Simon and Philip Thompson.

