Search: financial focus

Andrew Aldridge, partner at Deepbridge Capital, discusses how investments in life sciences can be appealing to many investors as the COVID-19 vaccinations roll out globally.  The past twelve months have showcased the importance of medical developments like never before. Innovation in the life s

The board of the Aberdeen Smaller Companies Income Trust, a fund managed by Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) has published its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2020 in what the firm has labelled an "extremely challenging year". The trust's board said the £70 million trust had d

Michael Reid, managing partner Meston Reid & Co, discusses the next steps a personal services company (PSC) can take in relation to the introduction of the IR35 rule. For many years in the North East of Scotland, the personal service company (PSC), otherwise referred to as a one-man company, has

Murray International Trust Plc, a fund managed by Aberdeen Standard Investments, has posted positive annual results despite the economic upheaval of the coronavirus pandemic. The company's net asset value (NAV) posted a total return of 0.9%, although this is down from 12.4% in 2019. However, the fir

KPMG has confirmed that it has signed an unconditional agreement to sell its market-leading UK Restructuring practice to Interpath Advisory, a newly-formed company which is backed by H.I.G. Europe, the European affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, LLC. KPMG listed the division for sale last year because of

Roger Mayor, director, Advisory Corporate Finance at Deloitte, discusses the key trends driving spring optimism within the Scottish M&A market. At the start of 2020, M&A activity looked like it would continue to meet the high levels achieved in 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to an

Bill Michael, the chairman of KPMG UK, has apologised after receiving public backlash for telling staff to "stop moaning" about working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. In a virtual meeting with his team, Mr Michael was told about concerns over potential pay, pension and bonus cuts, the F

UK bosses have hit out at a government plan to shake up the audit industry by imposing fines and bans on directors for inaccuracies in their companies’ accounts.

Scotland’s private equity deal activity struggled in 2020 as uncertainty and public health restrictions dampened investor appetite north of the border, according to the latest data from KPMG. The data reveals there were just 23 mid-market transactions involving private equity investors in Scot

Finance secretary Kate Forbes did not announce any changes to income tax rates and bands in the coming year after she set out the Scottish Government's budget plans yesterday. Ms Forbes said that in light of the current coronavirus pandemic, it is vital that the Scottish Government continues to supp

The British accounting and tax system is the 11th most complex in Europe, a new report published by TMF Group, a multinational provider of professional services, reveals – making the country a trickier proposition for accountants than Russia, France or Germany. The report, entitled ‘Acco

FinTech Scotland and FinTech Wales have released a report proposing increased Research and Innovation (R&I) to drive acceleration in fintech development across the UK, nationally and regionally to support growth and new jobs. The report, entitled “Research and Innovation for UK FinTech&rdq

Two Lanarkshire brothers have pursued their lifelong dream of opening a microbrewery thanks to Business Gateway support. Launched in November 2020 by brothers Ronnie and Kenny Lees, Outlandish Brewing Company launched its first range of Scottish craft beers in December 2020.

Scottish accountancy practice Wylie & Bisset has promoted two of its directors to partnership level. The promotions of Laura Smith, head of the firm’s healthcare team, and Catherine Livingstone, head of its business advisory services team, take the number of partners at the practice to 11.

Highlands-based online beauty business bubu has received a funding loan of £25,000 from Scottish responsible finance provider DSL Business Finance Ltd. DSL’s investment allowed a completed funding round that enabled independent start-up skincare brand to acquire the necessary s