Search: financial focus

The body representing Scotland’s SME resource and waste management operators has warned the decision to award the Scottish Government’s deposit return scheme (DRS) contract to a US-owned corporation will lead to job losses across its sector and increase CO2 emissions.

Despite the largest interest rate rise in a generation, middle market businesses are demonstrating remarkable resilience, investing in people and productivity to rebuild profit margins, RSM’s latest Middle Market Business Index (MMBI) has shown. The MMBI has risen to 131.4 in Q1, an incre

Concerns have been raised by Audit Scotland over the final costs and completion dates of two delayed lifeline ferries, Glen Sannox (801) and vessel 802 as well as over the payment of performance bonuses to senior managers at Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow. In total, the two vessels are currently estim

Jeremy Glen and Erin Findlay take a look at the state of the UK fintech sector and discuss its future potential. The UK fintech sector is the largest in Europe, second only to the United States globally. As the UK Government aims to strike a balance between innovation and the maintenance of a secure

The former owner of Aberdeen Business Network (ABN), Andrew Smith, has published a new book to help individuals and companies win more business. Mr Smith owned ABN for 14 years before agreeing the sale of his company at the end of 2022. During this time, ABN helped firms win more than £27

Pictured (L-R): Alastair Johnston, Emma Wright, Chris Clarkson, Alan Burns Morton Fraser has made five new appointments this month.

Analysis by Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) of polling by YouGov found that as a result of rising energy bills, 48% of adults in Scotland (roughly 2.2 million) have had to cut back on household spending; of them:

Seven young people have been appointed in a range of posts in the Outer Hebrides by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The posts, which have all been filled in recent months, are based in Benbecula and Stornoway and have an important part in helping businesses and communities to develop and gro

Scott Hutchinson, a relationship manager at Unity Trust Bank, discusses the state of the healthcare sector and its challenges. The challenges facing the healthcare sector are rarely out of the news, but behind the headlines are many encouraging stories of practitioners and businesses investing in th

Hamilton-based specialist operator Asanti Datacentres Limited has acquired five UK data centres from Daisy Group, one of the country’s largest communications and IT services providers. Asanti was recently acquired by Invesis, global investor and developer of infrastructure projects. Invesis ha

A total of 45% of Scotland's wealth is held by 10% of households, whilst a tenth of households have no, or negative wealth, according to a new report from the Fraser of Allander Institute (FAI). The report, carried out by the institute, which is part of the University of Strathclyde, explores trends

Property factoring specialist Newton Property Management has appointed Karen Trickett as CEO. Ms Trickett will work alongside Newton’s existing leadership team and founding chairman Stephen O’Neill as the property firm sets its sights on continuing growth in the sector.    

UK Assets Under Management (AUM) are expected to fall by almost a tenth (9.9%) this year – the biggest annual decline since 2008 – according to the latest EY ITEM Club Outlook for Financial Services. Only a modest reversal is expected in 2023 (to 2.5% growth) due to the difficult global

HSBC Group reported its 2022 Q3 results and subsequently announced the appointment of Georges Elhedery as group CFO and an executive director of the board as well as the appointment of Greg Guyett as chief executive of global banking and markets (GBM). Mr Guyett's appointment is effective

What can your pension scheme do for you?