GEORGE Osborne must use next month’s spending review to boost “front line” support for exporters, business chiefs have warned, after a major survey laid bare the pitfalls facing firms that trade overseas.

HOMEOWNERS in Scotland are missing out on a golden opportunity to slash costs by failing to take advantage of rock-bottom mortgage rates, it has been claimed.

VODAFONE’S full-year results are being released on Tuesday amid continued speculation over a deal with its American partner.

OUTSOURCING group Quindell has seen significant volatility in its shares in recent days.

THE expected retirement this week of Martin Gilbert as chairman of transport operator FirstGroup follows similar announcements over the last month from Lord Smith at Weir, Sir Win Bischoff at Lloyds Banking Group and Richard Findlay at STV. The guard is clearly changing.

MARKS & Spencer boss Marc Bolland will aim to soothe City concerns this week over the cost of relaunching the retailer’s range of clothing as the chief executive aims to stem the chain’s decline in profits.

STANDARD Life has appointed international recruitment specialist JCA Group to search for a chief financial officer following the departure last month of Jackie Hunt.

MARTIN Gilbert is expected to announce his retirement as chairman of transport operator FirstGroup this week when the company might also unveil plans to raise up to £600 million and a sharp cut in its dividend.

LIFE sciences outfit Avanti-Cell has broken into the Japanese market by securing a contract that the Ayrshire-based company hopes will open further doors for it in the Far East.

ONE of the software pioneers behind property website Myhouseprice.com has created a mobile app that could slash millions of pounds from the cost of developing wind farms.

WHATEVER you might think of Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara, his role as a central bank governor probably comes low on the list of his most famous attributes.

THE annual gathering of shareholders for two of Scotland’s biggest companies yesterday gave us a snapshot of how they are dealing with past difficulties – and there are some positives to report.

MARKETS regard anything that cuts corporate costs as a reason to send company shares upwards as it means more on the bottom line. Even job cuts get a cheer.

WHAT is it that stock markets know that the rest of us don’t? Despite a near brush with a third recession, glacial growth performance and signs that the global economy may be slowing, stock markets round the world seem to have thrown caution to the winds.

WHERE is the fragrant Christine Lagarde? And where is “Team IMF” which flew into the UK last Wednesday for a week-long assessment of the UK’s books?

OIL firm President Energy recently said it believed progress at its interests in Paraguay was set to lead to a step-change at the 
company.

BUSINESS Secretary Vince Cable is encouraging firms to seize the chance of government match-funding to increase their energy efficiency and better compete with US rivals benefiting from America’s shale gas revolution.

SIR Tom Hunter’s West Coast Capital is involved in a sizeable acquisition in Canada that is close to reaching agreement.

FORGET Sir Alex Ferguson. The real sports news lies in the impending clash between league champions BSkyB and upstart BT, in the lucrative pay-TV market.

SAINSBURY’S was one of the first new entrants into banking 16 years ago when it set up its operations in Edinburgh in a joint venture with Bank of Scotland.