News

Staff costs in Scotland’s hotel sector jumped in January, hitting profits even before April’s rise in employers’ National Insurance contributions (NICs) and National Minimum Wage (NMW), meaning pressures are only set to intensify, according to the RSM Hotels Tracker. The data, whic

Three people have been convicted in England in connection with the theft of a solid gold toilet worth nearly £5 million. The 18-carat lavatory was one of a series created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and titled America.

Scotland witnessed a 10% increase in company insolvencies in February 2025 compared to the same month in 2024, with 103 businesses entering insolvency. This figure comprised 60 Creditors' Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs), 38 compulsory liquidations, and five administrations. There were no Company Volun

Civil servants are facing a widespread freeze of their government procurement cards this week, as the Cabinet Office seeks to cut wasteful spending. Almost all of the 20,000 cards will be suspended, requiring holders to reapply and justify their necessity or face cancellation.   

Global investors have significantly increased their allocation to UK stocks, reaching the highest level since June 2021, according to Bank of America’s (BofA) latest Global Fund Manager Survey.

Beeks Financial Cloud Group has announced a 22% increase in revenue, rising from £12.96 million to £15.79m for the six months ending 31 December 2024. This growth coincides with a significant new contract win with US cryptocurrency exchange Kraken.

Companies House has taken a step towards greater certainty about who is filing information on behalf of companies.  Today sees the launch of a new service that allows third-party corporate service providers, such as accountants, legal professionals and company formation agents to apply to regis

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie (WJM) is set to join forces with commercial law firm Davidson Chalmers Stewart in one of the most significant deals in both firms’ history. The move follows investment in WJM from Irwin Mitchell and marks a major step in their strategic plan for growth in Scotl

AAB has announced Derek Mair as the new head of office for its Aberdeen branch, effective 1 April 2025. Mr Mair succeeds Graeme Allan, who will transition to a non-executive director role on the AAB Group board.

Capital Credit Union (CCU) has recorded its highest-ever monthly intake of new members in its 35-year history, thanks to formal partnerships with Scotland’s sporting community and the greener energy supply chain. The Edinburgh-headquartered ethical lender attracted 522 new members in February

Commercial property company HFD has reported a successful first year for its flexible office service, Ospa, securing nearly 100,000 sq ft of lettings. Launched in February 2024, Ospa offers an all-inclusive office solution, eliminating hidden fees typically associated with serviced office spaces, su

Private bank Hampden has relocated its Edinburgh headquarters and rebranded from Hampden & Co to Hampden Bank. The bank has moved from 9 Charlotte Square in Edinburgh, where it opened in 2015, to a newly developed double-townhouse office at 20 and 21 Charlotte Square, the iconic square that is p

Eggs are being smuggled into the US from Mexico and Canada to satisfy black market demand amid skyrocketing prices. Egg prices have become synonymous with inflation in the US, where the price of a dozen eggs roughly doubled in a year to reach a record $5.90 (around €5.40 or £4.54) in Febr

Edinburgh-based Buccleuch Property has acquired three Sainsbury's Local stores in Telford, Colchester and Lewisham for a total purchase price of £5.6 million. The buildings are leased to Sainsbury’s for a term of 15 years with indexed rent reviews. The stores range in size from 3,337 sq

Industry research has revealed that UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are repaying debt at a rate 20 times higher than pre-pandemic levels, prompting a government review. Despite increased financial providers since 2008, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is concerned about