March’s Royal Bank of Scotland UK Regional Growth Tracker showed improved business growth in more regions of the UK at the end of Q1 – but the majority are still being affected by wider economic uncertainty. The Tracker – which surveyed businesses operating in the manufacturing and
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The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has fined EY nearly £4.9 million for "serious" breaches of standards in its audits of the failed travel company Thomas Cook. The penalty concludes a near six-year investigation into the firm's work on Thomas Cook's accounts for the financial years 2017 and
Al Denholm, chief executive officer of the Scottish National Investment Bank, has announced his intention to retire later this year, concluding a 40-year career in finance. Mr Denholm will remain in his post for at least a further six months until a successor is appointed to ensure a smooth leadersh
Speedy Gonzalez has been caught with an enormous haul of stolen supermarket goods, police say. A local police department in the US state of Georgia went viral after announcing the arrest and charging of a 40-year-old man seemingly named for the world-famous cartoon character.
Aberdein Considine has announced a series of promotions across its offices, recognising the dedication and expertise of its staff this spring. Key promotions include finance controller Ben Smith (Aberdeen) to director and finance operations manager Paul Cheyne (Edinburgh) to associate director. Elle
An Edinburgh-based IT professional is making a move into product design, with her debut product set to make shopping easier when it launches this spring, thanks to a recent funding boost to kick-start her business idea. My Trolley Mate is a mobile phone holder designed to help shoppers seamlessly us
The UK government is discussing its digital services tax (DST) and Online Safety Act (OSA) with the United States as part of negotiations aimed at avoiding American trade tariffs, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed. Washington opposes the DST, which levies taxes on large technology firms
Recycling and waste management provider The NWH Group has reported a record trading performance for the financial year ending 30 September 2024. Continuing its growth trajectory since 2020, the Group achieved revenues of £55.4 million, a 6% increase year-on-year, while operating profit su
Half of UK adults say they are now less likely to buy American products in the wake of Donald Trump’s tariffs on the UK, a new poll has revealed. The Savanta survey, commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, found 59% of UK adults support a 'Buy British' campaign in response, with support rising
Independent Scottish distiller Eden Mill has completed the commissioning of its new distillery near St Andrews, with production of both gin and single malt whisky now underway. The producer's first cask – a Scottish Oak cask – was filled on Monday 7 April. The occasion marks the end
Businesses in Scotland which have adopted a hybrid working approach believe it has boosted their people's productivity and wellbeing, yet many are still keen for their people to spend more time in the office than they do currently, according to Grant Thornton UK. The firm's latest Business Outlook T
The Bank of Lithuania has imposed a €3.5 million (c. £3m) fine on Revolut for deficiencies in its anti-money laundering (AML) processes, marking the UK-founded fintech's largest financial penalty to date. The Lithuanian central bank, which oversees Revolut's European banking operations al
A new service that allows individuals to verify their identity directly with Companies House has been launched. The introduction of identity verification is one of the key changes to UK company law under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Financial mutual Scottish Friendly has agreed a deal to acquire pension and annuity in payment books of business from Fidelity International. The acquisition consists of a block of unit-linked Section 32 pensions business comprising £2.16 billion assets under management (AUM) across 76 origina
A remarkable Paraíba-type tourmaline, weighing 181.61 carats and named the "Kat Florence Lumina", is set to be auctioned at Bonhams Hong Kong on 22 May.

