News

The Scottish construction industry is experiencing a boom, according to the latest survey of the sector's small and medium-sized (SME) firms. The latest State of Trade Survey from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) found that Scottish SME construction companies are enjoying their fastest growth

The level of interest in exploiting the North Sea’s remaining oil and gas reserves was described as a “very positive message” yesterday after the Oil and Gas Authority confirmed one of its biggest rounds of licencing awards in the industry’s history. However, applications for the new licence

Bladnoch Distillery, thought to be Scotland’s most southerly whisky producing site, is set the restart production after six years following its acquisition by an Australian entrepreneur. The distillery, which has lay dormant since 2009, has been acquired by David Prior, who has pledged “substant

Scottish manufacturers’ exports fell in the last quarter at their fastest pace for 30 months, according to latest CBI Scotland data. The body’s survey showed that in the three months to July manufactured export orders were hit by the strengthening of sterling.

Bank of Scotland has provided cloud computing and internet hosting business Iomart with a £60 million funding package to serve as an acquisitions war chest. The Glasgow-based business, whose customers include online travel site Skyscanner, banking software firm Misys, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation

After a relatively modest start to the year, demand for commercial office space is now at the highest level since the downturn, according to latest figures. The surge has been driven by strong city centre take-up in Edinburgh, with both Glasgow and the capital showing impressive growth in out-of-tow

Scottish Equity Partners has further expanded its infrastructure team with the appointment of Romain Keyen as associate and Adam Delaney as director of finance. Mr Delaney is based in SEP’S newly opened Edinburgh office and will take responsibility for infrastructure fund accounting, as well as as

Sarah Donn Aberdeenshire-based housebuilder and construction group Bancon has appointment Sarah Donn as its new finance director.

Brendan Devine Scottish insurance broker Sure Thing Insurance Services has attracted 80,000 customers in its first year of operation.

Local authorities in Scotland are taking years to honour some of their debts, according to latest data. The revelations show that charities, companies, other councils and even the TV Licensing Company have been left waiting extraordinary lengths of time for their money.

Blair Nimmo A total of 60 staff at construction firm Stewart McNee (Dunoon) Ltd are being made redundant after the firm was placed into administration last week.

A social enterprise scheme in Glasgow is giving current and former offenders the chance to help build 40 affordable homes funded by a £2 million bond which has been issued to investors. The capital raised will be used to build social housing over the five-year life of the bond, as well as complete

Scottish lawyers Brodies LLP have reported an 11.2 per cent increase in turnover to £57.94 million for the 12 months to 30 April 2015. During the past financial year, the firm continued to develop client services across its offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, increasing costs by 8.8 per cen

Perth-based energy giant SSE looks to remain defiant on maintaining its current price levels despite haemorrhaging 90,000 customer accounts over the last three months. Shares fell 4 per cent as the group also said that annual profits from its energy supply arm were likely to fall.

Dundee-based fund manager Alliance Trust has promised a raft of changes this autumn to help reverse a long-running slump in fortunes. The pledge came as the company dropped into the bottom quarter of funds based on performance.