News

BGF has reported strong activity in Scotland through 2025, with a successful new deal, follow-on to support growth in the portfolio and three positive exits, including one with a partial reinvestment. The growth capital investor last year completed a £15 million investment in Cruden, one of Sc

KPMG UK has announced a series of promotions in its Aberdeen office, with Chris Brown taking on the role of audit director. Mr Brown will play a key role in supporting audit clients across the region, working closely with businesses operating in sectors including energy, infrastructure and the wider

World Liberty Financial, the cryptocurrency venture associated with US President Donald Trump, has taken steps to formalise its banking operations. Its subsidiary, WLTC Holdings, has submitted a ‘de novo’ application to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a n

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce has warned that sharp business rate increases due to take effect this April will push otherwise viable businesses of all sizes, in every part of Scotland, “to the brink". Businesses across every sector and region are facing rate bills several times higher than

Belhaven has confirmed a significant capital injection into the Scottish hospitality sector, investing nearly £5 million across 22 managed, tenanted, and franchised sites in 2025. This comprehensive investment programme represents a fourfold increase in refurbishment activity and marks a miles

Ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, CBI Scotland has issued a clear challenge to Scotland’s party leaders to make growth and competitiveness the central pillar of the election campaign, as well as asking parties to commit to tangible pro-business policies in their respective manife

The board of Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust (EWIT) has secured further crucial backing in its ongoing defence against activist investor Saba Capital. Glass Lewis, a prominent independent proxy advisory firm, has advised shareholders to reject all of Saba’s proposals at the requisitioned

Mining giants Rio Tinto and Glencore have resumed negotiations regarding a potential £190 billion deal that would establish the world’s largest mining company. On Friday, the two firms confirmed preliminary discussions concerning a combination of businesses, expected to be structured as

Pension schemes will need to publish clear data on their performance, costs and quality of service, under proposals announced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and The Pensions Regulator (TPR). If a pension offers poor value, firms and trustees must

A tourism professional has been appointed to champion Scottish businesses as the new ambassador for a major national gift card initiative. Jamie Corkery will lead merchant engagement for the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, working alongside over 7,000 existing businesses who are part of the initiati

The Scottish Government’s plan to introduce a new tax on housebuilding to help fund the removal of dangerous cladding has cleared its first parliamentary hurdle, despite fears it could deepen Scotland’s housing emergency.

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander has launched the Local Growth Fund, a £140 million initiative designed to drive economic prosperity across Scotland.

Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, both part of housebuilder Barratt Redrow, have injected £342.7 million into the Scottish economy for the year ending 29 June 2025, reinforcing their role as key contributors to economic growth, housing delivery and employment across the country. In total 1

Ahead of the draft Scottish Budget, due to be unveiled in Holyrood on 13 January 2026, Donald Parbrook, tax partner at Azets, argues now is the ideal time to simplify Scotland’s complex tax rules and achieve better alignment between the country and England. Mr Parbrook said: “While our f

Roisin Currie, the Glaswegian chief executive of Greggs, has acknowledged that the rising popularity of appetite-suppressing medications is undeniably influencing the bakery chain’s business model. However, Ms Currie emphasises that the shift towards smaller portions and a focus on nutritional