Business

Murray International Trust Plc, a fund managed by abrdn, has posted a net asset value return of 14.1% for 2021. The company has no benchmark, but this performance compares with a rise over the same period of 7.6% for the UK Retail Price Index and a total return for the Reference Index, the FSTE ALL

Engineering consultancy firm David Narro Associates has opened a new office in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, which will be the firm's first location in England. The firm has continued its growth and expansion over the past two years. Since its founding in Scotland in 1986, the firm has worked with Archi

Local politicians have confirmed that 222 employees at OVO Energy's Perth office will take voluntary redundancy. The remainder of the staff at the Perth site, which employs about 700 people, will work from home for the foreseeable future.

Following support from Business Gateway, Today Agency, a media agency focused on connecting independent businesses with social media savvy students has expanded its presence in the UK and Africa, driving the future growth of its services. Edinburgh-based Today assists independent businesses with cre

Aberdeen’s office market could outperform 2021’s total take-up in the first half of this year, as confidence picks up and the oil price remains at sustained high levels, according to new analysis from Knight Frank.

Wave power specialists Mocean Energy have secured a major new investment to accelerate the commercial roll-out of their ground-breaking wave energy technology. The Edinburgh firm has raised £730,000 equity funding from existing funders, led by angel syndicate Equity Gap, together with Old Coll

Arbroath-based AGR Automation, which designs, develops and manufactures bespoke advanced technology automation solutions, has secured a new multi-million-pound contract, with support from Bank of Scotland.

Perth-based insurance giant Aviva has announced a proposed return of capital of £3.75 billion to the holders of its ordinary shares. The shares will be returned by the way of a B share scheme. This is in addition to the £1 billion share buy-back which is underway

Blue Rock Insurance Brokers has opened new premises in the Bellshill area, generating three new jobs and bringing a customer-focused approach to the businesses of the surrounding areas. With headquarters in Ayrshire, where the Blue Rock brand was launched in 2018, the leadership team made the decisi

abrdn has reported a 6% rise in profits before tax with figures reaching £1.15 billion in 2021. Adjusted operating profits rose to £323m, an increase of 47% from the £219m reported in 2020. Total assets under management and administration also increased by 1% to £542bn.

Mackie's of Scotland has posted record revenues and profits despite the dual challenges of rising costs and Covid-lockdown restrictions. Turnover at the family-owned firm increased by 11% to £18.5 million (up from £16.7m) while operating profit rose by 19% to £4.1m (compared to &po

Business confidence in Scotland fell two points during February to 35%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking.

Burges Salmon has advised award-winning hotel franchise group Atlas Hotels Limited on the acquisition of the Chardon Group, which sees Atlas adding six new properties to its portfolio. The six hotels are located across Scotland, in Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth.

Glasgow-based packaging firm Macfarlane Group has posted a 50% increase in profits in 2021, despite rising input costs and supply chain constraints. The firm said that in face of "challenging market conditions" its team had shown "great commitment and dedication" in servicing its customers.

Projects funded by the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) will deliver additional turnover of £50 million per annum for the companies involved by 2026, according to new research. The economic impact assessment produced by Frontline Consultants and independent economist Steve West