Search: financial focus

Andrew Bell Launching a new business venture can produce a multitude of feelings: excitement, fear of the unknown, nerves and anticipation. But the one emotion that undoubtedly binds everyone going solo with their own company is one of being overwhelmed.

UK insurance giant Aviva, which employs about 1,300 staff at its hub in Perth, has moved to calm fears over its position after its share price fell from 444.5p on Thursday to close at 378.1p on Friday, as markets reacted to Britain’s decision to leave the European Union. Despite a further 4 per ce

Royal Bank of Scotland has revealed that it is cutting 900 jobs as part of its ongoing drive to save £800m by the end of this year. The Edinburgh-based bailed-out lender, which is still 73 per cent state-owned, has already cut more than 2,500 jobs since January.

The Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed a company’s appeal against HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) contention the company was not entitled to deduct VAT on accountant’s fees as input tax under the contract. The Supreme Court dismissed Airtours Holidays Transport Ltd’s appeal by a majority

Standard Life has announced the acquisition, through its subsidiary Standard Life Savings, of AXA Portfolio Services Limited (trading as Elevate) from AXA UK. The deal will create one of the UK’s largest adviser platform businesses with combined assets under administration of £36.4bn, bring more

Debbie Mayor New research from Grant Thornton's International Business Report (IBR) has revealed business confidence in Scotland remains high, despite Brexit fears and the ongoing oil and gas downturn.

Scottish local authorities will receive a total funding package of £10.3 billion in 2016-17 as council tax will be frozen for the ninth consecutive year, deputy first minister John Swinney confirmed yesterday. The settlement includes over £26 million for Discretionary Housing Payments, part of the

Aberdeen Asset Management has completed the acquisition of the commercial element forming Liverpool's Albert Dock development from Albert Dock Company, a subsidiary of Arrowcroft in a £42.75 million deal representing a net initial yield of approximately 5.6 per cent. The investment totals over 400,

Royal Bank of Scotland has signed a series of exclusive agreements with three separate investment partners in a move that the 73 per cent state-owned lender says will provide UK businesses greater access to capital investment. Edinburgh-based RBS has teamed-up with AIG Asset Management, Hermes Inves

Robert Perrie Yorkshire-based finance and marketing consultancy ABL Business has expanded its operations into Scotland after spotting a gap in the market.

Malcom Buchanan Royal Bank of Scotland has appointed a new head of its operations in Scotland.

Edinburgh-based Lloyds Banking Group has posted a 28 per cent increase in profits before tax for the third quarter, up to £958m from £751m in the same period last year. However, the group,which includes Bank of Scotland, set aside another £500m to compensate customers over the mis-selling of Paym

Angela Mitchell The UK public sector faces a decade of recalibration to adjust to lower spending levels, according to a report by Deloitte and think tank Reform.

Edinburgh-based asset manager SVM has recorded a third successive year of losses of over £1 million. SVM, the 25 year-old firm that is 98 per cent owned by Colin McLean and his partner Margaret Lawson, reported that loses for the last 12 months were similar to the pre-tax loss of £1.46m loss regis