Cost cuts help Aegon return to profit
Aegon UK returned to profit in the final quarter of 2012 on the back of higher pensions sales and a cost-cutting programme that led to hundreds of job losses at the Edinburgh-based firm.The Dutch-owned...
View Article‘Batman’ helicopter firm in speeding scares
Pilots at a Scots helicopter firm which provided aerial filming for Hollywood blockbusters, including the Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises, have been ordered to drop their speed after two...
View ArticleJobs boost in North Sea as Mariner plan goes ahead
BRITAIN’S biggest offshore oil project in more than a decade has been given the go-ahead, signalling a huge boost to jobs in the North-east.Announcing the UK government’s decision, Energy Secretary Ed...
View ArticleCo-op Bank loses CFO amid talks on Lloyds branches
THE Co-operative Bank has been dealt a blow after it lost one of its top executives. James Mack, the bank’s chief financial officer (CFO), will leave the bank only 18 months after he was appointed to...
View ArticleWinter break surge increases Prestwick passengers
PRESTWICK airport expects passenger numbers to take off this year thanks to a resurgence of traditional holiday destinations and plans by Ryanair to increase its capacity this summer. Scots flocking to...
View ArticleDavid Forde named new head of Heineken UK business
DUTCH brewer Heineken named the new head of its UK business yesterday a week after it revealed current managing director Stefan Orlowski was departing to become president of the company’s Americas...
View ArticleLombard to sell artery repair kit in United States
SHARES in Lombard Medical Technologies soared by a third yesterday after it was given access to the US market, sparking talk of takeover bids from American life science giants.Its stent devices are...
View ArticleAdrian Grace ‘excited’ as Aegon posts profits rise
AEGON UK chief executive Adrian Grace has insisted the life and pensions group has turned the corner after unveiling a sharp rise in profits.Having overseen a cost-cutting exercise that led to about...
View ArticleDeer farmers given hope in battle for support
A CHINK of light appeared this week in the lengthy battle by Scottish deer farmers to gain financial support for their sector.Part of the £2 million promised to farmers not getting a single farm...
View ArticleLocal heroes are the key to future
BUY local was the message put out yesterday by Scottish farming and meat industry leaders after they visited a Scottish meat processing plant as part of their campaign to stand apart from the on-going...
View ArticleSales slump batters retailers’ shares
LISTED retailers suffered a mauling yesterday as official figures revealed a shock fall in UK sales.Marks & Spencer and B&Q owner Kingfisher were among the casualties, but the wider market...
View ArticleJohn Downie: The Work Programme is about handouts to business, not jobs for...
MINISTERS said they were “disappointed and surprised” after university graduate Cait Reilly won her Court of Appeal claim that forcing her to work for free at a Poundland discount store or lose her...
View ArticleComment: US mega–deal fever could spread to Britain
COULD 2013 see a return of the mega-deal? After all, interest rates are rock bottom, companies have more cash than they know what to do with, and everyone is talking up economic growth. What better...
View ArticleCosalt’s offshore business to merge with ATR
OIL services group Cosalt Offshore is being bought by a private equity company in a deal which will see it merge with fellow Aberdeen-based business ATR Group.The deal, which was due to be finalised...
View ArticleJohn Browett chief executive of Monsoon Accessorize
Former Dixons boss John Browett is making a return to the high street as chief executive of fashion retailer Monsoon Accessorize, months after his shock departure from Apple.Browett said he was...
View ArticleBMG buys Universal’s Sanctuary label for £40m
SANCTUARY Records, home to heavy metal acts Black Sabbath, pictured, Iron Maiden and Motörhead, is being bought for an estimated £40 million by music rights management company BMG.The German group has...
View ArticleSTV revives Catchphrase
STV Productions has been commissioned by ITV to make a one-hour celebrity special of Catchphrase, the show it is reviving this year after more than a decade off the screen.The one-off hour long episode...
View ArticleChris Weston replaces Phil Bentley at British Gas
CENTRICA has moved swiftly to resolve a dispute among senior management by putting its US retail boss Chris Weston in charge of British Gas. He replaces Phil Bentley, who is standing down after six...
View ArticleBetter Capital shareholders to share £14m in windfall
Venture capitalist Jon Moulton’s investment vehicle, which is in talks to rescue coal miner ATH Resources, has unveiled plans to return £14.1 million to investors.Better Capital said shareholders in...
View ArticleBusiness briefs: Weir Group | Anglo American | Towry | Skoog
ENGINEERING firm Weir Group has appointed Charles Berry, chairman of coal-fired power station owner Drax, as a non-executive director.The Glasgow-based group said Berry, who is also a non-executive of...
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