Scottish Business Briefing - Monday 2 September, 2013
Scots universities ‘bring in half of foreign investment into Scotland’
SCOTLAND’S universities play a crucial role in attracting foreign investment to the country, a report claims today. The higher education sector is one of the key reasons foreign investors come to Scotland, the new analysis by Universities Scotland reveals. The report found universities produced highly skilled graduates, world-class research and development facilities, and clusters of industry, all of which helped attract overseas investors (Scotsman)
MANAGEMENT
Albion eyes Scots health, renewables deals
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Hide AdVENTURE capital outfit Albion Ventures is on the verge of signing a series of life science and renewable energy deals north of the Border. Andrew Elder, lead healthcare partner at London-based Albion Ventures, told The Scotsman that the string of deals is expected to be completed within the next six months. Elder said: “I’m keen to invest in Scotland. We think there are great opportunities (Scotsman).
ENERGY
Fury as profits soar by 56% at heating oil firm
Profits at the firm behind heating oil giant Scottish Fuels jumped by 56%, with revenues up £1.8billion because of the harsh winter. Energy giant DCC said its “excellent year” had been driven by the country’s return to freezing weather. However, rising winter prices pushed hundreds of thousands of Scottish homes into fuel poverty – and there were calls last night for greater regulation of the kerosene market (P&J).
RETAIL
Bullough family invests £1m in McEwen’s of Perth
THE owners of one of Scotland’s last independent department store chains are drawing up plans to invest £1 million in its flagship shop in Perth. John Bullough, managing director of McEwen’s of Perth, said his family would expand the store’s cosmetics floor and develop a rooftop restaurant. The plans come as the company confirmed it is in consultation with staff prior to closing its branch in Inverness due to poor trading (Scotsman).
SCOTSMAN CONFERENCE
The Future of the UK Aerospace Industry, 5 Sept – Prestwick
Last chance to book for this unmissable industry event. Featuring expert speakers including: Scott McLarty of Spirit AeroSystems, Alan Fraser of BAE Systems; Jim Houston of Woodward & Gavin Campbell of Bombardier Aerospace. See The Scotsman Conferences website for more details
TRANSPORT & INDUSTRY
Scottish engineering orders at highest since 2011
Engineering orders in Scotland are at their highest level since the start of 2011, according to new figures. Industry support group Scottish Engineering said its latest quarterly review also showed output was improving. Almost half (45%) of members who contributed to the survey reported an increase in orders, 34% said they stayed the same and 21% reported a drop (Scotsman).
Firm hails a bumper half-year for deals
AGM Group, the commercial interiors and maintenance specialist, has secured contracts worth £800,000 during a bumper first half for the Port Glasgow-based firm. The contracts, which mark a 70% uptake on business for its interiors division and a 65% increase for its reactive maintenance arm, include head office refurbishments for a major financial institution in Glasgow (Herald).
(http://www.scotsman.com/business/food-drink-agriculture|Read all today’s food, drink and agriculture news from scotsman.com|Click here}