Business succession: The four Fs in family enterprises
There are many Fs that could be considered regarding family enterprises, the obvious one being ‘family’ itself. But there are four other Fs which have been significant issues during my...
Why our pandemic saviours need a national champion
Practitioners tell The Business DealMakers’ event that life science sector is hampered by lack of funding and policymaking support Scotland desperately needs a national champion to re-ignite its struggling life...
A home is an opportunity for investment and a building block of our economy
Here in Scotland, housing is too often discussed in the context of crisis and emergency rather than opportunity. I write this with a clear understanding of why these labels have necessarily...
More Homes Scotland: Housing agency must be a catalyst for delivery
Scotland is now in the third year of a national housing emergency. The danger is that, unless we act with greater urgency, this becomes normality. This cannot be allowed to...
Retirement planning: Are baby boomers footing the bill for lacklustre economy?
Surge in number of pensioners paying income tax at the highest rates From whatever political standpoint there is general agreement that Scotland is a wealthy country. But there remains a...
PE investment must respect need for audit quality: ICAS calls for a review
Supporters of the buyout trend maintain that private equity will help mid-tier firms gain the financial backing and expertise to compete with the Big Four accounting firms – Deloitte, EY,...
Special report: How we must end temporary housing for good
Inspired by Chris Dougray, The Business held a morning seminar focused on the issue of temporary housing. Kenny Kemp reports on the problem – and some of the solutions The...
Accountancy review: A hotbed of dealmaking opportunity
Private equity investment and consolidation is reconfiguring Scotland’s fragmented and dynamic accountancy sector Only a few years ago, the accountancy profession was viewed as industrious but rather staid. Today, it’s...
Bellfield shows the way for community share schemes
A former church near Portobello’s seafront offers a practical lesson in community finance. Action Porty raised £186,750 from more than 1,000 shareholders to help improve Bellfield, now a hub for...
The numbers don’t add up: Why is no-one addressing this imminent financial black hole?
The challenge facing Holyrood: Scottish Government’s own projections show a £4.8bn shortfall between spending and funding by 2030. Our political parties spent this year’s Holyrood election campaign promising more spending,...