News

A new industry-led company backed by the UK's largest banks and a string of fintech firms has launched a payments scheme intended to provide a credible alternative to card networks and direct debit. UK Payments Initiative Ltd (UKPI) went live at the Money2020 conference, with founding shareholders i

Aberdeen Investments has appointed Shelley Morrison as head of private credit and fund finance. She succeeds Marianne Zangerl, who has been promoted to lead Multi Asset and Alternative Investment Solutions (MAAIS) within Aberdeen.

Shona Campbell, business recovery partner and chair at Henderson Loggie, has been honoured with a Special Recognition Award at the Inspiring Volunteer Awards in Edinburgh. She received the award from the Rt Hon Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, during a rece

Balmoral Group, the Aberdeen-based investment firm, has announced plans to restructure into a family office model and relocate to new headquarters, formalising a long-standing approach centred on family-led, long-term investment. The transition to a family office, which provides a formal structure t

Sumer Group has appointed Ellie Dignam as national head of accountancy and business advisory services (ABAS). Ms Dignam joins from BHP, part of Sumer Group, where she is partner and head of digital finance. Since joining BHP in 2012, she has helped build a modern accountancy and advisory service for

Half of UK adults say risk warnings on financial promotions put them off investing, according to new research from Scottish Friendly, whose chief executive Stephen McGee has backed calls for a more balanced approach to communicating investment risk and long-term opportunity. As part of its latest Fa

The Royal Bank of Scotland has become the first bank in Scotland to allow companies to borrow up to £10 million against the value of their Intellectual Property (IP).

Notes uncovered during refurbishment work at Edinburgh Castle have now been returned to the Crown Room where they were first found. Hidden behind the room’s historic oak panelling, the papers came to light earlier this year as work began to redesign the display of the Honours of Scotland &mdas

Private non-financial corporations (PNFCs) borrowed a net £5.5 billion of finance in April, up from £3.7bn in March, according to The Bank of England's latest Money and Credit release. The bulk came through £4.4bn of bank loans and £1.0bn of net commercial paper issuance, par

Benson Accountants has continued its expansion in Scotland, driven by sustained growth in its Scottish client base and the strengthening of its Perth office team. Founded in 2014 by Paul Benson, the Cumbria-based accountancy and business advisory firm has grown to a team of more than 40, supporting

The Scottish Building Society Foundation has passed a significant milestone, donating £182,000 to charities and community groups across Scotland since its launch. The achievement was announced at the Society's Annual General Meeting, held at The Hoxton hotel in Edinburgh on Wednesday 27 May.

The British Business Bank has passed the milestone of unlocking £200 million of debt finance for smaller businesses across Scotland through its Growth Guarantee Scheme. To date, 1,283 Scottish businesses have benefited, with the finance delivered through 32 lenders operating across the country

ACCA has urged the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) to adopt the International Standard on Auditing for Less Complex Entities (ISA for LCE), while pressing for a formal consultation before any move is made.

Wbg expects a 30% rise in fee income from its tax offering, driven by geographical expansion and the launch of a specialist VAT advisory service. The firm's tax service line has grown consistently by 10 to 15% per annum in recent years, prompting an expansion of its team from one partner to three. H

Cyber risk has surged to the top of the business agenda, with 40% of business leaders saying cyber is the top risk they are unprepared for – up from 23% in 2025, according to a new report from BDO. BDO’s Global Risk Landscape 2026 report found that cyber risk had jumped as organisations