Scottish company insolvencies rise 11% in March 2026 Company insolvencies in Scotland climbed 11% year-on-year in March 2026, with 131 cases registered compared to the same month in 2025.

Company insolvencies in Scotland climbed 11% year-on-year in March 2026, with 131 cases registered compared to the same month in 2025.

Scottish retail sales slump in March as Middle East fears dampen consumer confidence Retail sales in Scotland fell sharply in March as anxious consumers reined in spending amid growing concerns over the Middle East crisis and the threat of rising energy prices and inflation.

Retail sales in Scotland fell sharply in March as anxious consumers reined in spending amid growing concerns over the Middle East crisis and the threat of rising energy prices and inflation.

ICAS: Reports of employers withdrawing salary sacrifice schemes are unsurprising Nearly four in ten private sector employers are planning to scrap pension salary sacrifice schemes following the Chancellor’s decision to cap national insurance relief at £2,000 per year, according to research by Standard Life.

Nearly four in ten private sector employers are planning to scrap pension salary sacrifice schemes following the Chancellor’s decision to cap national insurance relief at £2,000 per year, according to research by Standard Life.

Anthropic rolls out Mythos tool to UK banks as regulators scramble Anthropic is set to release its Mythos cybersecurity product to UK financial institutions within the coming week, following a period of intense regulatory engagement on both sides of the Atlantic.

Anthropic is set to release its Mythos cybersecurity product to UK financial institutions within the coming week, following a period of intense regulatory engagement on both sides of the Atlantic.

Accountants Plus appoints Mark Mulholland as partner Motherwell-headquartered Accountants Plus has hired seasoned professional Mark Mulholland, a specialist in charities and agricultural businesses across Scotland, as a partner.

Motherwell-headquartered Accountants Plus has hired seasoned professional Mark Mulholland, a specialist in charities and agricultural businesses across Scotland, as a partner.

VINCI Energies acquires Ayrshire’s Novo Technologies VINCI Energies has acquired Irvine-based telecoms infrastructure services firm Novo Technologies Ltd, for an undisclosed sum.

VINCI Energies has acquired Irvine-based telecoms infrastructure services firm Novo Technologies Ltd, for an undisclosed sum.

Bank of England rate cuts hinge on Iran war resolution The Bank of England could deliver two interest rate cuts before the end of the year, but only if a resolution to the conflict in Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz materialises within weeks, according to Peel Hunt’s chief economist Kallum Pickering.

The Bank of England could deliver two interest rate cuts before the end of the year, but only if a resolution to the conflict in Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz materialises within weeks, according to Peel Hunt’s chief economist Kallum Pickering.

Adrian Murphy: We invest smarter for our kids than for ourselves Despite strong evidence that stocks and shares outperform cash savings, most UK adults keep their ISA money in cash – while investing the majority of their children’s Junior ISA contributions in equities, Adrian Murphy writes.

Despite strong evidence that stocks and shares outperform cash savings, most UK adults keep their ISA money in cash – while investing the majority of their children’s Junior ISA contributions in equities, Adrian Murphy writes.

Standard Life buys Aegon UK for £2bn in bid to dominate retirement market Standard Life has agreed to acquire Aegon UK in a £2 billion deal that will create the UK’s largest retirement savings and income business, with approximately 16 million customers and around £480bn in assets under administration.

Standard Life has agreed to acquire Aegon UK in a £2 billion deal that will create the UK’s largest retirement savings and income business, with approximately 16 million customers and around £480bn in assets under administration.

Five extension design mistakes that could cost Scottish homeowners thousands With more homeowners across Scotland choosing to extend rather than move, property experts are warning that poor design decisions can turn a dream renovation into an expensive mistake.

With more homeowners across Scotland choosing to extend rather than move, property experts are warning that poor design decisions can turn a dream renovation into an expensive mistake. #sponsored

SCC leads business trade delegation to New York City during Tartan Week Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) is heading to New York City as part of the annual Tartan Week celebrations, leading a senior business delegation aimed at deepening commercial ties between Scotland and the United States during America’s 250th anniversary year.

Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) is heading to New York City as part of the annual Tartan Week celebrations, leading a senior business delegation aimed at deepening commercial ties between Scotland and the United States during America’s 250th anniversary year.

Azets hires new Scotland tax partner Azets has appointed Josh Creedy as a tax partner as it continues to expand its private client and SME tax services offerings.

Azets has appointed Josh Creedy as a tax partner as it continues to expand its private client and SME tax services offerings.

UK construction PMI edges up but sector remains deep in contraction The UK construction sector remained in contraction during March 2026, with the latest S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising marginally to 45.6 from 44.5 in February, though still below the neutral 50.0 threshold for the fifteenth consecutive month.

The UK construction sector remained in contraction during March 2026, with the latest S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising marginally to 45.6 from 44.5 in February, though still below the neutral 50.0 threshold for the fifteenth consecutive month.

FTSE rallies and oil tumbles as US-Iran crisis steps back from the brink Global markets staged a sharp recovery on Wednesday after Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, stepping back from what had been an extraordinarily dramatic ultimatum.

Global markets staged a sharp recovery on Wednesday after Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran, stepping back from what had been an extraordinarily dramatic ultimatum.

Fife textiles firm Scott & Fyfe doubles profits as sales surge past £21m Pre-tax profits at Scott & Fyfe more than doubled to £2.34 million in 2025 as the Fife textiles business reported a near quarter rise in annual sales to just over £21m, up from £17m the previous year.

Pre-tax profits at Scott & Fyfe more than doubled to £2.34 million in 2025 as the Fife textiles business reported a near quarter rise in annual sales to just over £21m, up from £17m the previous year.

House of Bruar breaks £50m barrier for first time The House of Bruar has reported pre-tax profits of £3.5 million on record turnover of £51.2m for the year to 29 January 2025, marking the first time the Perthshire luxury retailer has broken through the £50m sales barrier in its 30-year history.

The House of Bruar has reported pre-tax profits of £3.5 million on record turnover of £51.2m for the year to 29 January 2025, marking the first time the Perthshire luxury retailer has broken through the £50m sales barrier in its 30-year history.

Luss Distillery earns five-star visitor attraction Luss Distillery has been awarded a five-star quality grading by the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA), just months after opening its doors on the banks of Loch Lomond.

Luss Distillery has been awarded a five-star quality grading by the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA), just months after opening its doors on the banks of Loch Lomond.

House of Bruar breaks £50m barrier for first time The House of Bruar has reported pre-tax profits of £3.5 million on record turnover of £51.2m for the year to 29 January 2025, marking the first time the Perthshire luxury retailer has broken through the £50m sales barrier in its 30-year history.

The House of Bruar has reported pre-tax profits of £3.5 million on record turnover of £51.2m for the year to 29 January 2025, marking the first time the Perthshire luxury retailer has broken through the £50m sales barrier in its 30-year history.

Jane Mitchell CA joins board of The James Hutton Institute The James Hutton Institute has appointed Jane Mitchell CA as a non‑executive director to its board.

The James Hutton Institute has appointed Jane Mitchell CA as a non‑executive director to its board.

Finance Officer - Almond Housing Association Find the latest vacancies in the Scottish finance industry on the Scottish Financial News website.

Almond Housing Association is recruiting a Finance Officer

Finance Officer - Almond Housing Association Find the latest vacancies in the Scottish finance industry on the Scottish Financial News website.

Almond Housing Association is recruiting a Finance Officer

MHA promotes two long-serving directors to partner in Scotland MHA has promoted two directors to partner level in Scotland, recognising the contributions of long-serving members of its Edinburgh and Aberdeen teams.

MHA has promoted two directors to partner level in Scotland, recognising the contributions of long-serving members of its Edinburgh and Aberdeen teams.

Sedulo expands into Scotland with first acquisition and new Glasgow office Sedulo Group has expanded into Scotland with the acquisition of accountancy practice Smith & Wallace and the launch of a new Glasgow office.

Sedulo Group has expanded into Scotland with the acquisition of accountancy practice Smith & Wallace and the launch of a new Glasgow office.

ICAS launches fast-track pathway to bring experienced international auditors to the UK ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland) has unveiled a new fast-track pathway that enables experienced auditors from around the world to gain the UK Audit Qualification (AQ) – and progress to ICAS membership and Chartered Accountant (CA) status – more quickly than ever before.

ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland) has unveiled a new fast-track pathway that enables experienced auditors from around the world to gain the UK Audit Qualification (AQ) – and progress to ICAS membership and Chartered Accountant (CA) status – more quickly than ever before.

Murphy Wealth: Cutting pension contributions over IHT concerns could be a six-figure mistake With pensions being brought into estates in a year’s time, savers are being warned not to stop or reduce their contributions to “the best way of building long-term wealth” just to avoid a potential inheritance tax bill.

With pensions being brought into estates in a year’s time, savers are being warned not to stop or reduce their contributions to “the best way of building long-term wealth” just to avoid a potential inheritance tax bill.

Loganair appoints Scott Cunningham CA as CFO Loganair has appointed Scott Cunningham as chief financial officer, bringing over 25 years of finance and leadership experience to the team.

Loganair has appointed Scott Cunningham as chief financial officer, bringing over 25 years of finance and leadership experience to the team.

KPMG cleared as FRC drops Entain audit investigation The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has closed its investigation into KPMG over the auditing firm’s work on Entain, the owner of Ladbrokes.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has closed its investigation into KPMG over the auditing firm’s work on Entain, the owner of Ladbrokes.

CT elevates Claire Proctor and Phil Pagan to director level Accountants and business advisors CT has promoted two of its colleagues to director level.

Accountants and business advisors CT has promoted two of its colleagues to director level.

Finance Officer - Abertay Housing Association Find the latest vacancies in the Scottish finance industry on the Scottish Financial News website.

Abertay Housing Association is recruiting a Finance Officer

Major new Scottish-based media company acquires Scottish business titles Newly inaugurated media company Hero Media & Entertainment Ltd has acquired Scottish Financial News as part of its purchase of Dundee Press Agency Ltd, E News Now Ltd, and Daily Business Ltd as a first step in its “buy, build and launch” media strategy.

Newly inaugurated media company Hero Media & Entertainment Ltd has acquired Scottish Financial News as part of its purchase of Dundee Press Agency Ltd, E News Now Ltd, and Daily Business Ltd as a first step in its “buy, build and launch” media strategy.