News

Succession planning is never an easy topic for business owners. Passing on an independent or family run business as a going concern will be one of the first priorities when looking to retire or move to a different role within the business, writes Bruce Farquhar. Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) an

Abbiecraig Services in Freuchie, Fife, has enjoyed a successful first six months in business following its refurbishment, which was enabled by a £1.2 million funding package from Royal Bank of Scotland. Husband and wife team, Elaine and Steve Cunningham, used the funding to demolish an existin

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has today issued updated guidance for auditors which may be facing practical difficulties in carrying out audits as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (coronavirus).

Fourteen social entrepreneurs from across Scotland have secured a share of £67,000 from social enterprise start-up agency Firstport. Start It awards are part of the Scottish Government’s Social Entrepreneurs Fund, supporting individuals who are focussed on piloting new ideas th

The Bank of England is considering introducing electronic banknotes for use by consumers and businesses. Mark Carney, the bank's outgoing governor, said that the bank was in the "middle of a revolution in payments". He urged that the bank must look into how electronic money could work.

Howard Brown, famous for being the face of the Halifax, is switching to the Royal Bank of Scotland as part of a £175 switcher offer. Mr Brown was photographed at the bank’s St. Andrew Square branch in Edinburgh and also at the Gordon St. branch in Glasgow, where he posed for selfies with

Alistair Greig, the financial services chief behind a £13 million Ponzi scheme, is facing jail time for the scam. The fraud saw 165 victims of the scheme convinced to place their money in “guaranteed” high-interest accounts which cost many victims their life savings.

Accountancy firm EY has appointed Hywel Ball as its UK & Ireland managing partner and chairman as it prepares for its audit and consultancy divisions to be divided.  EY offered the job to Mr Ball after a leadership content where he beat Lynn Rattigan, EY’s current UK chief operating o

Edinburgh-based investment manager Cameron Hume Ltd has announced two senior appointments, with Brian Jack taking up the role as head of money markets and Andy Kelly joining the team as business development manager. By hiring Mr Jack, the company is expanding its offering to clients b

Aberdeen Smaller Companies Income Trust Plc, a fund managed by Aberdeen Standard Investments, has posted strong full-year results for 2019 with the company’s net asset value having increased by 34.3%. The trust’s share price total return also stood at 578%, this compares with a total ret

Chartered accountants Wylie & Bisset has said that Rishi Sunak’s maiden Budget speech still leaves many Scots facing the impact of the widening income tax gap. The coronavirus was naturally the focus of much of the Budget, with significant funding pledges for those affected by th

Blairgowrie-based Pet wellness brand Bella & Duke (B&D) has raised £3.5 million in its latest funding round. The fresh investment will be used to help the firm expand into the cat food market and to grow B&D’s sales, marketing and recruitment activities as it continues t

Wednesday’s Budget announced that the income thresholds for calculating the tapered Annual Allowance will increase by £90,000 from 6 April 2020, a move which was broadly welcomed by General Practitioners and members of the NHS Pension Scheme. From 6 April 2020, only those with a total ta

Edinburgh-based science investment company Frontier IP has announced that one of the companies in its portfolio – The Vaccine Group has started work on a COVID-19 vaccine. The Vaccine Group completed a £680,000 equity fundraiser in January 2020 that valued TVG at £9.

Betway has been ordered to pay an £11.6 million fine by The Gambling Commission for failing to ensure that money deposited by gamblers was not obtained through criminal activity.