News

James Kergon, a partner and head of KPMG's deal advisory team in Scotland, looks back at 2019 and previews 2020 from an M&A perspective, focusing on how data and tech are going to drive a lot of future Scottish activity. In recent years, Scotland’s business community has become increa

Glasgow-based investment business Nevis Capital did not complete any deals in the latest year naming the unrealistic price expectations of sellers as the principal reason. The company, founded by John and James Pirrie, said that the price expectations of some sellers caused complications in the mark

An uplift in housebuilding and infrastructure spending is expected to boost Scottish construction activity during 2020 after a quieter end to 2019 saw workloads flatten in Q4, according to surveyors.

Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) has appointed Sree Kochugovindan as its new senior research economist and Robert Gilhooly as senior emerging markets research economist. As part of the ASI Research Institute, Ms Kochugovindan and Mr Gilhooly will work alongside a team of economists and researcher

Businesses are in a period of stasis with global and domestic factors all contributing to subdued levels of confidence and investment, according to the latest Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) Quarterly Economic Indicator (QEI) survey for Q4 of 2019. The quarterly survey was carried out between No

The proposed Non-Domestic Rates Bill risks significant damage to investment in Scotland’s student accommodation sector, the Scottish Property Federation (SPF) has warned. Student accommodation, like any domestic premises, is exempt from business rates. However, the SPF said this principle is c

Alastair McCoan, building consultancy partner at Knight Frank Glasgow, discusses how businesses can avoid being hit with a large dilapidations bill when making an office move. A new year, a new office – it can be an exciting time for any business as it embarks on an expansion, with some stylis

Aviva has begun the search for a new chairman as Sir Adrian Montague announces his retirement. Sir Montague informed the board of his decision to retire as chairman of the company in 2020 once a successor had been appointed.

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has urged credit card providers to show sensitivity and flexibility towards customers in persistent debt as new rules begin to come into force this month which allow them to impose sanctions.

Seven out of ten overdraft users will be better off or see no change when new rules on overdrafts come into force in April, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said. Around 14 million people use an unarranged overdraft each year, and all of these users will be better off or see no change. The

A lawyer has been fined more than £2,000 for punching a fashion designer in an argument over a front-row seat at the opera.

Edinburgh-headquartered innovation advisors ABGI UK has appointed Joe Matusiak to head up its newly launched grants division.  The new division will provide clients with an ‘end-to-end’ grants consultancy service, which includes writing and submitting grant applications, advising on

Tesco Bank is to create 100 new technology and change rolls in its Edinburgh office as part of a wider investment in customer-centric solutions that will help better meet the needs of Tesco shoppers. A further 20 jobs are to be created at Tesco Bank's Newcastle office. This is in addition to the 20

Marketplace lender Assetz Capital has provided a £350,000 refinance loan to The Crown Tavern pub in Lanark to fund a refurbishment and third-floor residential conversion.

The number of corporate and personal insolvencies for the whole of 2019 has increased, according to the latest Scottish Insolvency Statistics from Accountant in Bankruptcy. Overall, corporate insolvency numbers in Scotland for the whole of 2019 were 4% higher than in 2018, and were at their highest