News

Scotland’s next generation of entrepreneurial talent has been crowned at the University of Dundee’s annual competition for new business concepts. Eight enterprising individuals have been awarded a share of a £60,000 prize pot after being named winners of Venture 2026. Students, sta

An uncertain and rapidly changing world means that Scotland’s CEOs need to be able to stick to their vision and call on their determination to overcome challenges, but softer skills are increasingly coming to the fore, according to research from Livingston James and EY UK. The firms’ Inv

Dubai-based planning, design, engineering and project management group Sidara has completed its acquisition of Aberdeen-based John Wood Group plc for 30 pence per share, or approximately £210 million. Wood Group expects its shares will be suspended from trading today, and its listing later can

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce has announced plans to lead an all-women trade mission to the Netherlands in partnership with Scottish Government, as part of the International Trade Partnership. The mission aims to help more women-led businesses expand internationally, as Scotland marks Internatio

Scotland’s luxury hotel market saw healthy increases in room rates and profits last year, despite continuing headwinds, RSM Hotels Tracker: Focus on Asset Classes has revealed. This contrasted with the wider UK picture, which showed little profit increase, despite rising room rates.

The fuse is burning down on the UK government’s inheritance tax (IHT) changes for farmers, experts from Azets have warned. Under the Finance Act 2026, new restrictions will apply to the amount of Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs available to farmers dying post 5 April 2026.

Rathbones has appointed Bruce Saunderson as senior director of wealth planning, based in Glasgow. Mr Saunderson joins the firm this week, bringing over 20 years’ experience advising private clients, families and business owners. He joins Rathbones from Trinity Bridge, where he was private clie

Businesses across Scotland’s homebuilding and renovation sector are invited to attend the 2026 Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Shows and explore opportunities to exhibit at future events.

Antisocial air passengers who play music from their smartphones out loud now face being banned from a world-leading airline. United Airlines, by some rankings the world's biggest airline, has revised its contract of carriage to require passengers to use headphones when listening to a device, CBS New

Pension and investment mutual Royal London has posted an 18% rise in profits, with its Scottish operations playing a central role in the company's continued growth. The mutual, which employs around 1,800 people across offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh, reported an 18% rise in adjusted profit before t

Aberdeenshire engineering specialist Brimmond is celebrating 30 years in business after delivering the strongest financial performance in its history, while continuing to expand its international presence despite a challenging year across several key industries. Headquartered in Kintore, Aberdeenshi

Scottish craft brewer Innis & Gunn has collapsed into administration, with its brand and global intellectual property acquired by C&C Group in a £4.5 million deal struck as part of a pre-packaged sale. The business entered administration on Friday 6 March, when Christopher Jon Bennett,

Jeff Soar, EY’s former managing partner for tax & law in the UK and Ireland, has been appointed by European tax firm, WTS, to build and lead WTS UK – a new tax advisory firm. Free from the constraints of audit conflicts and the layers of bureaucracy of its larger competitors, WTS UK

Oil prices have surged past $105 (c. £78.5) a barrel, touching a high of $119 (c. £89), as global markets face the mounting economic consequences of an escalating geopolitical conflict.

Lloyds has appointed Trusha Pillay as a new managing director in its Infrastructure and Project Finance team. Ms Pillay will focus on expanding Lloyds’ debt advisory and debt structuring business while supporting the bank’s clients across core and emerging infrastructure and power-relate