NatWest Group has agreed to acquire wealth manager Evelyn Partners from funds advised by Permira and Warburg Pincus for an enterprise value of £2.7 billion. By integrating Evelyn Partners’ £69bn in assets under management with NatWest’s existing portfolio, the combined entity
Appointments
See all articlesMaven Capital Partners has strengthened its Scottish presence with the appointment of Nicola Holloway and Andrew Leslie as portfolio directors. Based in Glasgow, both Ms Holloway and Mr Leslie bring extensive corporate finance expertise to the firm, further enhancing Maven's capacity to support the
Forvis Mazars has welcomed a new partner to its Scottish risk consulting service line with the appointment of Chartered Accountant Elizabeth Young, who joins the firm’s Glasgow office. In this role, Ms Young will establish and grow a dedicated risk assurance practice in the region, with a part
Three directors have been appointed to the board of Scottish Renewables, including the Scottish National Investment Bank's executive director for sustainable investment, Jimmy Williamson. Mr Williamson joins the board alongside Gillian Noble, managing director for onshore origination and development
Lloyds Banking Group's Emma Noble has joined the board of Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE). Ms Noble, group director of conduct, compliance and operational risk (CCOR) at Lloyds, replaces Jackie Leiper, who stepped down from the board at the end of 2025.
AMS Group has announced two appointments to its payroll and employment tax team in Aberdeen, including the recruitment of Michael McAllister as partner and head of payroll and employment taxes. Mr McAllister joins the accountancy group from Johnston Carmichael, where he led its payroll services team
Remy Lammertsma has joined Dains as chief financial officer in the group's second senior leadership appointment this year. Mr Lammertsma's appointment follows that of Fiona McSwein as chief client officer late last month.
Accountancy
See all articlesScotland-founded AAB and Kreston Reeves have announced a deal that propels the combined business beyond the £200 million annual revenue threshold. Supported by investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives, this partnership represents AAB’s largest deal to date and its 18th since 2021. The
Forvis Mazars has welcomed a new partner to its Scottish risk consulting service line with the appointment of Chartered Accountant Elizabeth Young, who joins the firm’s Glasgow office. In this role, Ms Young will establish and grow a dedicated risk assurance practice in the region, with a part
By 2035 how, when and where finance professionals work, as well as the nature of the work itself, will look very different, according to ACCA. In a new survey by ACCA, 55% of UK respondents said flexible career paths will replace linear paths within the next decade. A further three in ten (30%) in t
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) has issued a strong response following the UK government’s announcement that the Audit and Corporate Governance Reform Bill has been scrapped. The accounting body's CEO, Gail Boag, described the decision as "deeply frustrating" highligh
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has published the pass rates for the December 2025 exam sitting, marking the largest volume of exams undertaken since December 2021.
Business
See all articlesOver half (55%) of mid-sized businesses in Scotland are planning to increase apprenticeship hiring in 2026, according to BDO. BDO’s survey of 500 leaders of mid-sized businesses reveals that over a third (39%) in the country said they will start hiring apprentices, while 16% are increasing the
Business confidence in Scotland remains weak, according to the latest Fraser of Allander Institute Scottish Business Monitor, with firms pointing to cost pressures, subdued investment and little expectation of short-term relief.
Scottish business confidence saw a marginal increase in January, rising one point to 37% according to the latest Bank of Scotland Business Barometer. This growth was driven by a significant 15-point surge in firms' confidence regarding their own trading prospects, reaching 53%. When taken alongside
Scottish bid and tender expert Andrew Morrison has joined forces with Glasgow-based specialist Chris Denyer to launch a new company they plan to make the “Waitrose of bidding”. The new Edinburgh-headquartered venture, Aspire Bidding, comes just eight months after Mr Morrison sold Bu
Scotland again experienced dramatic increases in business distress in the last three months of 2025, well ahead of UK averages, according to Begbies Traynor The business rescue and recovery firm's latest Red Flag Alert data, released every three months, shows the most serious ‘critical’


