Scottish Business Briefing - Friday February 3, 2012
ENERGY & UTILITIES
McColl’s latest fund picks up £420m with US investors leading the way
CLYDE Blowers Capital, the private equity vehicle set up by Jim McColl, has attracted more than £420 million from investors for its latest fund to back engineering businesses (Scotsman).
Sparrows looking for new recruits to meet demand
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Hide AdAberdeen-based oil service company Sparrows said yesterday it wanted to attract nearly 150 new recruits worldwide to meet increasing demand for its services (P&J).
INDUSTRY
Call for local councils to give land to housing associations
SCOTLAND’S main housing association body yesterday called on local authorities and other public groups to hand over land for free to meet demand for affordable homes and help the flagging construction industry (http://www.scotsman.com/business/call_for_local_councils_to_give_land_to_housing_associations_1_2093448|Scotsman|Scotsman}).
Row breaks out over Scottish steel for new Forth crossing
A ROW has broken out over claims a Scottish steelworks may have missed out to China and Europe on a contract for the new Forth Bridge (Scotsman).
MEDIA & LEISURE
Olympics already boosting Scots tourism businesses
Hotels and tourism operators north of the Border are already enjoying an Olympics-related boost, according to online travel website Expedia (Scotsman).
TECHNOLOGY
BT profits up on broadband and cost cutting
Telecoms group BT has reported a rise in profits, thanks to cost-cutting and an increase in broadband users. Pre-tax profits for the three months to the end of December were £652m, 48% higher than a year earlier. Revenue fell 5% to £4.77bn (BBC).