News

Interest rates will need to rise quickly to head off the threat of inflation, according to the Bank of England’s chief economist. Huw Pill told an audience in Edinburgh that there were “dangers” in waiting for firmer evidence of the impact of conflict in the Middle East, reports ou

Standard Life has appointed Emma Furlonger as managing director of its workplace and retail intermediary businesses. She led the businesses on an interim basis since April 2026, after Gail Izat was made chief operating officer for its pensions and savings business. Ms Furlonger has around 30 years&r

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has sounded the alarm over a handful of asset managers dominating the ballooning private credit market. Following a review of the latest UK Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) data between 2021 and 2025, it found that the top five asset managers hold 28% of the ma

Pepper Money has appointed Michael Walsh as regional development manager (RDM) for Scotland to lead its broker engagement ahead of the launch of its First Charge mortgage proposition in the region this September. Mr Walsh will work closely with intermediaries across the country, helping them access

Aubrey Capital Management has relocated its Edinburgh headquarters to 37 Melville Street from its base on Coates Crescent. The new office will provide its teams with a "modern, professionally managed working environment", alongside enhanced facilities for hosting clients and business partners.

Royal Bank of Scotland has provided £82.6m of funding to support Rosethorn Capital Partners and Eagle Street Partners with the acquisition and repositioning of three purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) assets in Birmingham, Edinburgh and London. The financing will support the acquisitio

Sandy Begbie has a message for anyone convinced artificial intelligence is about to wipe out entry-level jobs in Scottish financial services: it isn't happening, not yet, and not the way the debate suggests. "No one is saying to us that there's any major job losses," the Scottish Financial Enterpris

M&G has swung to a £165m loss for the six months of the year, driven by a £325m write-down, due to the Labour government's introduction of a cap on existing ground rent. The insurer and asset manager still managed to beat market expectations. Adjusted operating profit, which excludes

Lloyds of London saw its profits before tax decrease to £3.5bn in the first half of 2026, down 16.8% from £4.2bn for the same period, warning that "geopolitical instability" is threatening syndicates. Lloyd's explained that its investment returns of £1.8bn, down from £3.2bn,

Restructuring, turnaround and insolvency professionals expect artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce administrative burdens, according to new research. The report, The impact of AI in restructuring, turnaround and insolvency practice, by R3 in association with Alph4, reviewed how professionals in th

Chancellor John Healey is facing "sleepless nights" over a growing "inflation monster" due to surging oil prices, rising interest rate expectations and spikes in government gilt yields threatening markets on both sides of the Atlantic ahead of his inaugural Budget. High borrowing costs are expected

AJ Bell has announced a series of governance changes, including two new non-executive directors, three board departures, and a new independent chair of its investment committee. Craig Gentle joins the board as a non-executive director with effect from 1 September 2026, and Steve Langan joins as a no

Schroder Oriental Income Fund (SOI) has appointed Winterflood, a division of Marex Financial, as the company's sole corporate broker and financial adviser with immediate effect, replacing Deutsche Numis. The board confirmed that Winterflood will undertake market purchases of ordinary shares in the c

Financial planning group Ascot Lloyd has consolidated its Glasgow operations to bring its brands under one roof for the first time. The group moved into a newly refurbished office at 145 St Vincent Street from its previous base in Blythswood Square. The letting represents an investment in one centra

Helge Skibeli has announced plans to retire from J.P. Morgan Asset Management in February 2028 following almost four decades in the industry. Mr Skibeli is one of the three portfolio managers responsible for the JPMorgan Global Growth & Income fund (JGGI). He joined JPMorgan in 1990, where he wo