Scottish Business Briefing - Friday 10 August, 2012
INSURANCE
US operations are focus of sell-off talk after Aviva posts £681m loss
AVIVA, Britain’s second-biggest insurer, plunged to a £681 million half-year after-tax loss after writing down the value of its US business, fuelling speculation that the operation will be sold. (Scotsman)
ECONOMICS
Equity expert’s recovery warning
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Hide AdOne of Scotland’s leading private equity specialists has warned the UK Government history tells us “we cannot cost-cut our way to recovery” and called on ministers to implement a strategy to boost economic growth and stimulate investment. (Herald)
ENERGY & UTILITIES
Water firm takes the plunge into Wales
WATER quality engineering company Panton McLeod is setting up an operation in Wales after securing a three-year contract with Welsh Water, and has moved to a much bigger head office in the Scottish Borders. (Herald)
FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE
Potato industry sees upside of low yield
POTATO industry experts meeting in Dundee yesterday were agreed on one issue and that was this year’s crop yield will be well below average. (Scotsman)
MEDIA & LEISURE
DC Thomson to axe 59 jobs
SCOTTISH media group DC Thomson is considering outsourcing distribution of the Press and Journal and Evening Express newspapers in Aberdeen in a move which could affect 59 members of staff. (Scotsman)
PERSONAL FINANCE
Aegon well set for industry’s new regime
LIFE and pensions group Aegon UK has insisted it is well placed to cope with the new regulatory landscape after seeing its second-quarter profits more than double. (Scotsman)