News

Financial services business volumes have grown at a fast pace in the Q1 of 2024 after having fallen in Q4 of 2023, according to the latest CBI Financial Services Survey. Firms expect volumes to increase at an even quicker rate over the next three months.

Consilium Chartered Accountants has advised EDC Group on the successful transition to an employee ownership trust (EOT). Consilium provided corporate finance and tax advisory services to the outgoing owners of the business who have now sold 100% of the company shares to the trust.

New whisky data analysis has revealed that in 2023 whisky prices at retail were 50-75% higher than at auction, making it far more economical to purchase whisky at auction than at a whisky shop.

As ‘Swifties’ prepare to be dazzled at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium this June, demand for hotel rooms in the city has rocketed due to the ‘Taylor Swift effect.’ Audit tax and consulting firm RSM UK found one budget hotel in the city was increasing its nightly room ra

Scottish fintech companies are making their mark on the global stage, with FinTech Scotland leading a delegation to participate in New York Tartan Week and New York FinTech Week. Led by FinTech Scotland CEO Nicola Anderson, FinTech Scotland is accompanied by a select group of innovative Scottish fin

Edinburgh-based private bank Hampden & Co has experienced a nearly 20% increase in new client numbers during the financial year 2023, reaching a record high of 5,598. Client growth was driven by demand for personalised banking and bespoke lending following introductions from existing clients, pr

Indicating a positive start to the year for Scotland's commercial property market, Q1 2024 transaction volumes grew 33% year-on-year to £431 million. According to the latest figures published by property advisory firm Lismore Real Estate Advisors, pricing is showing signs of stabilisation, wit

The Hong Kong authorities have made the city's largest ever gold smuggling bust after seizing 146kg of gold which was disguised as machine parts. The bust is estimated to have captured more than HK$84 million (around £8.5m) in gold and was intercepted in March on route to Japan.

Harper Macleod has advised on the sale of the assets and operations of the Glendevon Hydro Scheme in Dollar, by Torishima Service Solutions Europe Limited to Renfin & Hydropol Group. The scheme, constructed by Torishima in partnership with Scottish Water in 2022, was one of the first of its kind

Plans to create a new conference centre that would double capacity at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow have been agreed in principle by the local authority, according to the venue's chief executive.

The John Lewis Partnership has appointed Jason Tarry as its new chairman, who will succeed Sharon White as she steps down at the end of her term. Mr Tarry brings over 33 years of experience at Tesco, where he most recently served as the UK & Ireland CEO for six years. His extensive bac

There has been a rise in optimism among CFOs of the UK's largest businesses, according to Deloitte’s latest CFO survey. A net 17% of CFOs are more positive about the financial prospects of their companies compared to three months ago, marking the third consecutive quarter of improved sentiment

A Pokémon fan who sold a rare card for a fraction of its value has recouped it after collectors informed him it was potentially worth thousands of pounds. Shared in a TikTok, user LeighCeezy took their childhood collection of Pokémon TCG cards to a local store in an attempt to earn som

RBS-owner NatWest has been criticised for paying its new chief executive, Paul Thwaite, a salary of £1.2 million despite his "limited experience" as a lead executive. Advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) warned that Mr Thwaite's salary would be the same as that of his predece

Scotland has experienced a continued deterioration in permanent staff placements during March, according to the latest Royal Bank of Scotland Report on Jobs survey. The survey, compiled by S&P Global, shows that while the rate of decline eased from the previous month, the number of people placed