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A new £1 million digital support programme for creative and cultural businesses has been launched by the Scottish Government. The Creative Digital Initiative will help the sector develop digital capabilities in response to the limitations imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Portlethen-based fintech FinQ Business Solutions has attracted a UK-wide customer base and secured a six-figure investment in its first year. The firm was launched by Russell Jaques in January 2020 after his previous employer, nSYS Systems was wound up.

Housing minister Kevin Stewart has written to the UK Government to urge a rethink on VAT rates for building refurbishments and renovations. In his letter to Treasury minister Jesse Norman, he argues the current situation acts as a disincentive to improvement work that might make buildings more energ

Suzi Smith, commercial litigation associate at Shoosmiths in Scotland, discusses the significance of the recent launch of the Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS) for SMEs. The Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS), launched on 15 February 2021, is a new dispute resolution service aimed a

Steven McKay and Graeme McInally, two of the advisory team at Mearns & Company, have moved into new associate director roles. Steven McKay, head of employee benefits, and Graeme McInally, chartered financial planner and planning team leader both stepped into their new roles in January 2021.

Wood Group is aiming to settle long-running investigations into bribery allegations by paying out about $197 million. The engineering company confirmed yesterday that it will pay almost $9 million to Scotland’s Civil Recovery Unit.

An investigation has been launched into how £3.3 million has had to be refunded to thousands of savers as a Barrhead-based community bank collapsed two years after auditors cast doubt over its future as a going concern. Pioneer Mutual Credit Union went into insolvency and had failed to provide

Wylie & Bisset has appointed Craig Allison and Elaine Ramage as senior managers in the firm's business recovery and insolvency team. Mr Allison joins from French Duncan while Ms Ramage takes up her new position following the firm’s recent recruitment of the management team from mlm Solutio

Andrew Bailey, the governor of the Bank of England (BoE), has said that the UK economy is set to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year. This morning, Mr Bailey said that a recent rise in interest rates in financial markets was consistent with an improvement in the economic outlook.

Clydesdale Bank, the Glasgow-based bank owned by Virgin Money, is supporting the ambitious growth plans of Organic Sea Harvest (OSG), a salmon farming initiative on the Isle of Skye. Organic Sea Harvest (OSH), the first independent UK start-up salmon farm in 30 years, has signed an agreement for fin

Dundee-based manufacturer, stockist and supplier of UK ground screws RADIX is unveiling its expansion and move into new 3,000 square foot premises in the city, accommodating dedicated office space for its growing team. Whether a holiday park or a housing development, foundations prese

Edinburgh-based global data consultancy business Forecast has announced two significant hires, with former Royal Bank of Scotland managing director Chris Wilson joining the firm as a non-executive director. The firm has also appointed Euan Cranston as head of technology. The two hires will expand th

Scottish factoring firm Newton Property Management has launched an industry-first loan scheme for staff to help provide interest-free access to funds if they need it. The company, which has offices in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness, has pledged a six-figure employee benevolent fund to provide finan

Emergency funding schemes launched in reaction to the coronavirus pandemic led to gross bank lending to small and medium-sized companies rising by 82% last year to £104 billion, fuelling concerns amongst UK firms about business debt.

RSM’s corporate finance practice in Scotland has seen a doubling in deals activity when compared to last year - despite an unprecedented economic landscape due to the impact of COVID-19. The Scottish corporate finance team has advised on over 40 transactions in the last 12 months, including th