Search: financial focus

Helen Brand, chief executive of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), discusses how the association is marking Earth Day this year. This year, Earth Day is themed ‘restore the earth’ and here at ACCA we’re marking this occasion by focusing on the vital role the

Fraser Kane looks at the shape of things to come for non-transferable debt securities. On 19 April 2021, the Treasury launched an open consultation concerning the future regulation of the issuance of non-transferable debt securities (NTDS), also commonly known as “mini-bonds” in the

Bladnoch Distillery, one of Scotland’s oldest single malt whisky distilleries, is targeting international growth after securing a £10 million loan from HSBC UK. The distillery, based in Wigtown, Galloway, will use the asset-based lending facility to support its overall growth strategy, w

Audit, tax and consulting firm RSM has promoted Victoria Kirkhope to partner within its internal people team and appointed two new partners, Grant Morrison and Paul O’Leary to strengthen the audit and technology risk assurance teams, respectively. Glasgow-based Ms Kirkhope is RSM’s head

Bancon Group has announced positive trading results for the year ending 31 March 2020 despite the economic upheaval of the coronavirus pandemic. A marked improvement in margins at the Aberdeenshire housebuilder and construction group led to an increase in operating profit from £10.3 million in

NatWest bankers will offer customers video meetings outside of normal working hours as part of a revamp of the lender’s retail banking division. NatWest, which owns the Royal Bank of Scotland, has formulated a new strategy for the business, including plans to offer new products for savers, exp

Barclays is issuing a scams warning focused on the 26,525 property and construction companies based in Scotland. Data released by the bank has revealed that scams targeting businesses increased by almost a third (31%) in January and February, when compared with last year.

Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) chief officer Phil Prentice has welcomed a Scottish Government cash boost to support the nation’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). The Scottish Government has confirmed that it will provide another £600,000 to further the work of BIDs a

Bank of Scotland owner Lloyds Banking Group has resumed dividend payments despite reporting a 72% drop in profits. For the year ended 31 December 2020, the bank's profits dropped to £1.2 billion, down from £4.39bn last year. Lloyds Banking Group has also allocated £4.bn to cover fu

Two Aberdeen-based firms, STC Global and Insiso, have merged to realise a shared vision for providing business performance improvement through the smart integration of process design, health & safety solutions, training and innovative software. Under their new name ‘STC INSISO’, the

Thousands of small business across the UK are set to receive insurance payouts covering losses from the first coronavirus lockdown after the Supreme Court substantially allowed the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) appeal on behalf of policyholders in its business interruption insurance test

Neil Francis, interim managing director of Scottish Enterprise, outlines the support available to Scottish companies as the EU transition period comes to an end. The past year has been incredibly tough for businesses the length and breadth of Scotland.

Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) has launched an Emerging Markets Sustainable Development Equity Fund that aims to deliver both an attractive return for investors and a positive societal impact. By leveraging ASI’s extensive research platform and ESG resources, the Fund will invest in Emerg

A number of new business support models are available to small businesses, providing a one-stop-shop of support and facilitating their growth, according to a new study by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Traditionally, government initiatives and high street advice outlets p

Nearly £760 million is wasted every year on unwanted Christmas presents for children, according to new research from St James's Place (SJP). The wealth management business said nearly a fifth (18 per cent) of children's gifts across the whole of the UK are unused, unwanted, exchanged or thrown