featured articles
THE DEAL WEEK: Food & Drink fight for investors’ love while energy firms remain in vogue
Scotland’s food and drink sector cannot understand why it is being ignored by investors. It is now valued at a record £24bn to the Scottish economy, yet deal-makers and funders...
National bank’s £3.8m boost to SME builders in the Borders
The neglected community of small and medium size enterprise (SME) builders in Scotland has been given another vital boost by Scotland’s investment bank. Edinburgh-based house builder, Whiteburn Projects Ltd has...
Global Energy Group secure Chinese renewables contract work in Scotland
Inverness-based Global Energy Solutions has clinched four major renewable energy infrastructure contracts including with Chinese infrastructure firms operating in Scotland. The contracts come as Aventus Energy, a specialist inspection, maintenance...
WINDFALL ON LEITH: Forth Ports are favourites for massive Vestas wind assembly factory
Forth Ports – and the port of Leith – is the front runner for a new factory to assemble offshore wind components for a major Danish company. Leith’s harbour is...
Record year for Miller Homes as turnover hits £1.4bn
Miller Homes, founded in Edinburgh and now the UK’s sixth largest housebuilder and largest private housebuilder, has delivering a record year, driven by its integration of St Modwen Homes. The...
A SHIFTING CBD: EY to join Baillie Gifford as Haymarket Square’s new arrivals
The glass towers in Haymarket Square – across the street from the station and the tram link to the airport – are finally emerging as the shifting heart of Edinburgh’s...
FRENCH CONNECTION: EGIS CEO marks deal-making milestone in Edinburgh
Laurent Germain, the CEO of Egis, the global engineering company based in Paris with a footprint in Canada, United States, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, has been on a major...
Deals & Dealmakers
Spring Deals in Focus
Satellite specialist closes funding round Sofant Technologies raised £6.25m as it prepared to launch into commercial production. The fundraising was led and syndicated by existing investor EMV Capital Partners and...
Edinburgh Worldwide’s out-of-this-world masterstroke: Saba Capital outmanoeuvred
John Glover reviews a year of surprises One of the techiest dealmaking battles kicked off in 2024, ran throughout 2025, and concluded in spring this year. Or so it might...
Spring Deals in Focus
Satellite specialist closes funding round Sofant Technologies raised £6.25m as it prepared to launch into commercial production. The fundraising was led and syndicated by existing investor EMV Capital Partners and...
Edinburgh Worldwide’s out-of-this-world masterstroke: Saba Capital outmanoeuvred
John Glover reviews a year of surprises One of the techiest dealmaking battles kicked off in 2024, ran throughout 2025, and concluded in spring this year. Or so it might...
Economy
Growing pains: Government must prioritise a clear plan for growth
Facing a high degree of economic uncertainty as well as global turbulence, Scotland’s next government must prioritise a clear plan for growth Scotland’s next government must prioritise a clear plan...
From ruin to renewal: time to empower Glasgow’s city‑region
The recent Glasgow city centre fire has devastated businesses and wrecked livelihoods. But the blaze next to Glasgow Central station has also brought into focus the usually abstract topic of...
Growing pains: Government must prioritise a clear plan for growth
Facing a high degree of economic uncertainty as well as global turbulence, Scotland’s next government must prioritise a clear plan for growth Scotland’s next government must prioritise a clear plan...
From ruin to renewal: time to empower Glasgow’s city‑region
The recent Glasgow city centre fire has devastated businesses and wrecked livelihoods. But the blaze next to Glasgow Central station has also brought into focus the usually abstract topic of...
The Big Interview
THE BIG INTERVIEW: Sir Brian Souter: The Life of Brian
Sir Brian Souter is an extraordinary entrepreneur who has always broken the mould. Now a sprightly 71, what continues to drive this contrarian challenger? T urbulence in the Middle East...
The Big Interview: Dan McGrail of GB Energy switches on industry search lights
2026 is still in its infancy – but already one figure has emerged as a contender for those ‘Top Business Leaders of the Year’ slots. Dan McGrail, a Scouser who...
THE BIG INTERVIEW: Sir Brian Souter: The Life of Brian
Sir Brian Souter is an extraordinary entrepreneur who has always broken the mould. Now a sprightly 71, what continues to drive this contrarian challenger? T urbulence in the Middle East...
The Big Interview: Dan McGrail of GB Energy switches on industry search lights
2026 is still in its infancy – but already one figure has emerged as a contender for those ‘Top Business Leaders of the Year’ slots. Dan McGrail, a Scouser who...
Creative Industries
Why Glasgow’s love affair with cinema is up in lights
Glasgow Film Festival goes from strength to strength, while the city itself has become established as a hit location for directors When film actor James McAvoy recently brought his movie...
Community welcomes rebirth of Filmhouse in capital
It is heartening for cinephiles to see the former home of the Edinburgh International Film Festival making a comeback. In 2023, Scotland hosted three major international festivals: the Edinburgh International...
Why Glasgow’s love affair with cinema is up in lights
Glasgow Film Festival goes from strength to strength, while the city itself has become established as a hit location for directors When film actor James McAvoy recently brought his movie...
Community welcomes rebirth of Filmhouse in capital
It is heartening for cinephiles to see the former home of the Edinburgh International Film Festival making a comeback. In 2023, Scotland hosted three major international festivals: the Edinburgh International...
The Five-Minute Interview
‘I often say you’re only as good as your last match, or business wise, the last experience of the guests you’ve had to stay’.
THE FIVE -MINUTE INTERVIEW WITH EILIDH SMITH, CAPTAIN OF GB MASTERS TENNIS TEAM, AND OWNER OF MORTON OF PITMILLY, RURAL HOLIDAY RESORT IN FIFE. Hello, Eilidh. Thank you for inviting...
I started on the makeup counter, and now I’m back on the shop floor with my own brand. It’s the stuff of dreams
THE FIVE-MINUTE INTERVIEW WITH JAMIE GENEVIEVE, FOUNDER OF VIEVE AND EXPERT MAKEUP ARTIST Hello, Jamie. Nice to meet you. Are you expecting a busy festive spell? Lovely to meet you...
‘I often say you’re only as good as your last match, or business wise, the last experience of the guests you’ve had to stay’.
THE FIVE -MINUTE INTERVIEW WITH EILIDH SMITH, CAPTAIN OF GB MASTERS TENNIS TEAM, AND OWNER OF MORTON OF PITMILLY, RURAL HOLIDAY RESORT IN FIFE. Hello, Eilidh. Thank you for inviting...
I started on the makeup counter, and now I’m back on the shop floor with my own brand. It’s the stuff of dreams
THE FIVE-MINUTE INTERVIEW WITH JAMIE GENEVIEVE, FOUNDER OF VIEVE AND EXPERT MAKEUP ARTIST Hello, Jamie. Nice to meet you. Are you expecting a busy festive spell? Lovely to meet you...
SCOTTISH DEALS 2025
Featured in the Spring magazine
EDINBURGH DEALMAKERS' BREAKFAST
22 April 2026
INVERNESS DEALMAKERS' BREAKFAST
30 April 2026
Energy, Just Transition & Net Zero
Politicians speak out on Scotland’s energy policy
How do Scotland’s main political parties view the energy transition? At The Business Dealmakers’ Breakfast event in Aberdeen in January, the panel of speakers was: Stephen Flynn, SNP leader in...
Transition chief pleads for reliable projects to help preserve energy skills
While there are multiple reasons to be optimistic about the North-East of Scotland as the nation’s green energy powerhouse, there is a need for some cold and stark realism. So...
Politicians speak out on Scotland’s energy policy
How do Scotland’s main political parties view the energy transition? At The Business Dealmakers’ Breakfast event in Aberdeen in January, the panel of speakers was: Stephen Flynn, SNP leader in...
Transition chief pleads for reliable projects to help preserve energy skills
While there are multiple reasons to be optimistic about the North-East of Scotland as the nation’s green energy powerhouse, there is a need for some cold and stark realism. So...
Legal
Concern in the Capital over employment reforms
Joanne Davidson, director of policy and insights at Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, says the chamber has expressed “measured concern” about the UK Government’s Employment Rights Act 2025. “While we absolutely...
Seismic shift in employment rights ‘frightening for business’:
Government plan to ‘make work pay’ will also impose new compliance burdens on employers It has been billed as one of the most consequential periods of regulatory change in decades...
Concern in the Capital over employment reforms
Joanne Davidson, director of policy and insights at Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, says the chamber has expressed “measured concern” about the UK Government’s Employment Rights Act 2025. “While we absolutely...
Seismic shift in employment rights ‘frightening for business’:
Government plan to ‘make work pay’ will also impose new compliance burdens on employers It has been billed as one of the most consequential periods of regulatory change in decades...
Property & Housing
Scotland's Finest
FEELING THE HEAT: Masterchef Dean Banks hits out a crippling taxes on hospitality sector
The 1925 at the Pompadour restaurant in The Caledonian Edinburgh has every right to claim its crown among Scotland’s finest. For generations the place has hosted kings, queens, political leaders...
The local heroes who know premium homes market
There is a global market for Scotland’s premium homes. But selling them is mostly entrusted to local firms There is a curious mixture of envy and admiration when we delve...
CAPITAL GAINS: Standard Life makes £2bn agreed bid for Aegon UK
Standard Life has agreed a £2bn deal to acquire Aegon UK plc, which will have major repercussions for jobs in Edinburgh. Both companies have major operations in the Capital, with...
THE BIG INTERVIEW: Sir Brian Souter: The Life of Brian
Sir Brian Souter is an extraordinary entrepreneur who has always broken the mould. Now a sprightly 71, what continues to drive this contrarian challenger? T urbulence in the Middle East...
FEELING THE HEAT: Masterchef Dean Banks hits out a crippling taxes on hospitality sector
The 1925 at the Pompadour restaurant in The Caledonian Edinburgh has every right to claim its crown among Scotland’s finest. For generations the place has hosted kings, queens, political leaders...
The local heroes who know premium homes market
There is a global market for Scotland’s premium homes. But selling them is mostly entrusted to local firms There is a curious mixture of envy and admiration when we delve...
Business
EASTER DEALS REVIEW: A Week of Moonshots and softer office landings in Edinburgh
A Happy Easter to everyone. The Business hopes you will be able to enjoy the break. In the week when the Labour Government said it wants to press on with...
Hall steps up as Shepherd and Wedderburn managing partner
Shepherd and Wedderburn, the Scottish-based UK law firm, has announced that Andy Hall will succeed Andrew Blain as managing partner from 1 May 2026. Andy Hall, a trainee with the...
EASTER DEALS REVIEW: A Week of Moonshots and softer office landings in Edinburgh
A Happy Easter to everyone. The Business hopes you will be able to enjoy the break. In the week when the Labour Government said it wants to press on with...
Hall steps up as Shepherd and Wedderburn managing partner
Shepherd and Wedderburn, the Scottish-based UK law firm, has announced that Andy Hall will succeed Andrew Blain as managing partner from 1 May 2026. Andy Hall, a trainee with the...
Accountancy
Why long-term investing matters
Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have once again unsettled global markets, with disruptions to oil and gas supply chains drawing comparisons to the economic turbulence that followed the...
ICAS launches new ABP standard – only its third designation in 172-year history
ICAS, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, has launched a new professional designation in response to rising global demand for skilled accounting, finance and business talent. The Accounting and...
Why long-term investing matters
Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have once again unsettled global markets, with disruptions to oil and gas supply chains drawing comparisons to the economic turbulence that followed the...
ICAS launches new ABP standard – only its third designation in 172-year history
ICAS, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, has launched a new professional designation in response to rising global demand for skilled accounting, finance and business talent. The Accounting and...
Banking & Corporate Finance
CAPITAL GAINS: Standard Life makes £2bn agreed bid for Aegon UK
Standard Life has agreed a £2bn deal to acquire Aegon UK plc, which will have major repercussions for jobs in Edinburgh. Both companies have major operations in the Capital, with...
Bank of Scotland invests £18.8m in Kelvin Properties’ student accommodation in Glasgow
Kelvin Properties has secured an £18.8 million facility from Bank of Scotland to fund its first purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in the Glasgow’s West End. The 134-studio development on...
CAPITAL GAINS: Standard Life makes £2bn agreed bid for Aegon UK
Standard Life has agreed a £2bn deal to acquire Aegon UK plc, which will have major repercussions for jobs in Edinburgh. Both companies have major operations in the Capital, with...
Bank of Scotland invests £18.8m in Kelvin Properties’ student accommodation in Glasgow
Kelvin Properties has secured an £18.8 million facility from Bank of Scotland to fund its first purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in the Glasgow’s West End. The 134-studio development on...
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