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Ian Mcconnell

Ian Mcconnell

Herald Scotland

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Ian McConnell: Baffling decision which tied Labour’s hands It flagged a 'small margin against the risk', which was a somewhat different tone to that from Labour

Ian McConnell: Baffling decision which tied Labour’s hands It flagged a 'small margin against the risk', which was a somewhat different tone to that from Labour

So when is a fiscal event major and when is it not? That has been one of the big questions in recent days, with not everyone agreeing with...

yesterday 9

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Scottish city's climb all the more pleasing given challenges It was highly encouraging to see the Scottish city climb further up the global league table

Ian McConnell: Scottish city's climb all the more pleasing given challenges It was highly encouraging to see the Scottish city climb further up the global league table

It was highly encouraging to see Scotland’s biggest city climb further up the league table of global financial centres when the latest rankings were...

29.03.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: What I learned from my fascinating visit to Edinburgh Gin Distillery

Ian McConnell: What I learned from my fascinating visit to Edinburgh Gin Distillery

A visit to the recently opened Edinburgh Gin Distillery in the heart of the Scottish capital brought home the major investment in - and sophistication...

26.03.2025 4

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Clyde shipyard engulfed by political maelstrom in spotlight again

Ian McConnell: Clyde shipyard engulfed by political maelstrom in spotlight again

Two crucial and familiar business and economic topics have been very much in focus in the last week, both of which have in recent times been the...

25.03.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: A far cry from the heady days of the North Sea oil boom

Ian McConnell: A far cry from the heady days of the North Sea oil boom

It would surely be difficult to find a way to sugar-coat the forecast by EY that Aberdeen will, between 2025 and 2028, be the “lowest-performing...

22.03.2025 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Hollering Tories' remarkable stance on Clyde shipyard

Ian McConnell: Hollering Tories' remarkable stance on Clyde shipyard

There was much in the way of runes to read after Port Glasgow shipyard Ferguson Marine lost out in the contest to build seven small, fully electric...

20.03.2025 5

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: What now for Ferguson Marine after bitter blow? What now for Port Glasgow shipbuilder Ferguson Marine, after bitter blow on key contract?

Ian McConnell: What now for Ferguson Marine after bitter blow? What now for Port Glasgow shipbuilder Ferguson Marine, after bitter blow on key contract?

For people who understand the importance of the hundreds of jobs at Ferguson Marine and are passionate about harnessing Scotland’s shipbuilding...

18.03.2025 4

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Big week for pair who featured prominently in independence vote It has been a big week for two very high-profile figures who featured prominently, in quite different ways, in the referendum on Scottish independence

Ian McConnell: Big week for pair who featured prominently in independence vote It has been a big week for two very high-profile figures who featured prominently, in quite different ways, in the referendum on Scottish independence

It has been a big week for two very high-profile figures who featured prominently, in quite different ways, in the referendum on Scottish independence...

18.03.2025 6

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Someone Donald Trump would do well to take seriously He looks like someone that Mr Trump should certainly take seriously

Ian McConnell: Someone Donald Trump would do well to take seriously He looks like someone that Mr Trump should certainly take seriously

It seemed a bit surreal on Sunday to hear that Mark Carney, former governor of the Bank of England, was to be the next prime minister of Canada. ...

15.03.2025 7

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Was Nicola Sturgeon bad for business? What do cold numbers say?

Ian McConnell: Was Nicola Sturgeon bad for business? What do cold numbers say?

By the time Nicola Sturgeon departed as first minister in March 2023, the relationship between the Scottish Government and business had to put it...

13.03.2025 6

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: ISA and income tax fears as yet another Budget-type event looms? There have surely been far, far too many “fiscal events”. We have had so-called emergency Budgets. There have been Budgets in the autumn and spring.

Ian McConnell: ISA and income tax fears as yet another Budget-type event looms? There have surely been far, far too many “fiscal events”. We have had so-called emergency Budgets. There have been Budgets in the autumn and spring.

“We are committed to one major fiscal event a year, giving families and businesses due warning of tax and spending policies.” That was the...

13.03.2025 6

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: North Sea big calls as Scottish economy forecasts altered One story in recent days which really grabbed the attention was the reinstatement of vowels

One story in recent days which really grabbed the attention was the reinstatement of vowels in the name of a Scottish fund management giant. It has...

11.03.2025 8

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Major new flights hopes for Scottish airports The Scottish airports have revealed major new flight hopes

It has been fascinating in recent weeks to cover some major developments at Scotland’s airports, including through exclusive interviews with senior...

09.03.2025 5

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Airlines and package holiday giants reveal booking trends Major airlines and package holiday groups have revealed booking trends

The latest trading updates from airlines and holiday companies in recent weeks provide much brightness amid the gloomy UK backdrop - not just the...

08.03.2025 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Much at stake for North Sea and Scotland as huge decisions loom Much is at stake, not just with this project but with many other decisions that will have a very major bearing on future activity in the North Sea

No one should be surprised about the sharp focus on the Labour Government’s attitude towards the North Sea, and the welter of headlines around this....

06.03.2025 9

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Restaurant veteran's family tale epitomises spirit to succeed

It has been interesting to distil my thoughts on the future of Glasgow, as The Herald has in the last week focused on this important topic in a major...

04.03.2025 8

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Sighers and tutters may not have liked stronger Scottish showing

Scotland’s outperformance of the UK as a whole in the economic growth stakes last year will likely, as well as having confounded some forecasters,...

01.03.2025 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Why reaction of some to big Labour move is beyond the pale The reaction to the big Labour policy move has been breathtaking

The scale of the reaction by businesses to the impending hike in employers’ national insurance contributions has been very striking indeed. That...

27.02.2025 5

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Senior Labour figure's warning on Brexit reality is heartening He pointed out again the reality of Brexit, at a time when so many of his Labour colleagues would apparently rather avoid it

The UK economy has been firmly in focus in the last week. Sadly, there has been nothing to lift the spirits on this front, in terms of the outlook. ...

25.02.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: 'Never seen a market like this declaration is striking 'I have been an estate agent now for 39 years this September, and I have never seen a market like this'

John Kelly has been an estate agent for nearly four decades so when he declares he has “never seen” a housing market like the current one it...

22.02.2025 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: ‘Wake up’ warning amid ‘existential threat’ to vital Scottish sector 'The recent turmoil and extensive discounts have created new existential threats, which could be terminal if nobody speaks up for the value of closed-ended funds'

Valentine’s Day saw US hedge fund manager Boaz Weinstein’s Saba Capital Management notch up a seventh knockback in its campaign to oust the boards...

20.02.2025 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Flights hopes of Scottish airports revealed The two Scottish airports have expressed confidence as they have landed new flights

It has been heartening recently to hear the confidence of senior figures at two of Scotland’s airports, which have had contrasting experiences since...

17.02.2025 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Scottish airport success is a cause for celebration, is it not? The first thing that strikes you, going airside in a minibus, is the scale of the operations

The first thing that strikes you about the airport, going airside in a minibus, is the scale of the airfield and the aerospace cluster around it. ...

15.02.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Starkly contrasting tales of two Scottish airports The two Scottish airports have starkly contrasting tales

What was probably most striking when speaking to Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar last week was his confidence that the tailwind which...

13.02.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Restaurant group 'really excited' but challenges flagged The co-owner of the Scottish restaurant group said it was 'really excited' about the future

The hike in employers’ national insurance contributions announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her first Budget last October has been in the...

11.02.2025 4

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Move which has rocked key Scottish sector has been talk of town The move which has been the key Scottish sector has been like nothing seen before

Having covered the investment trust sector for decades, it was probably natural before Boaz Weinstein’s arrival on the scene to feel I had seen...

08.02.2025 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: 'Difficult to overstate just how different these restaurants are'

Scotland’s largest independent restaurant group has this week shown that, while it might not be easy to make money given the headwinds facing the...

06.02.2025 7

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: No party from PM but Brexiters can still laugh up their sleeves Leavers’ disappointment that Sir Keir Starmer did not throw a fifth anniversary party for Brexit on Friday was almost comical

Leavers’ disappointment that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer did not throw a fifth anniversary party for Brexit on Friday was almost comical. Only...

04.02.2025 8

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Major move by Scottish airport contrasts with rival's approach

News of the departure of Andy Cliffe as chief executive of Glasgow Airport’s owner was something of an eyebrow-raiser when it came this week. It...

31.01.2025 3

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: EU top choice in Reform constituencies – what next?

People’s views on what should be the UK Government’s top priority when it comes to trade, geographically speaking, might come as a big surprise to...

30.01.2025 5

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Hopes rise on island as Americans loom large over Scotland

Much of the focus in the last week, from a political and economic perspective, has unsurprisingly been on the return of Donald Trump as US President. ...

28.01.2025 3

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Scottish players focus as Trump makes first big moves on tariffs

Much has been made of the unpredictability of a Donald Trump administration in the US - probably for good reason given his previous term as President....

25.01.2025 7

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Scottish hotel highlights array of challenges of island life The Scottish island hotel has faced an array of challenges

Speaking to Auchrannie Resort’s finance director this week, one thing which came across very clearly was the array of challenges facing a Scottish...

23.01.2025 4

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: A huge moment, one way or the other, for crucial Scottish sector

It would be difficult to overstate the degree to which Boaz Weinstein’s salvo at seven investment trusts, three of them run from Edinburgh by...

21.01.2025 5

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: £12bn Scottish fund manager reveals views on Musk’s Trump push The manager of the £12 billion Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust revealed his views on Elon Musk’s Trump push

Donald Trump and Elon Musk were very much in focus in Edinburgh on Wednesday as the managers of the £12 billion Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust...

18.01.2025 4

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Scotland hotels group wins from oft-overlooked but very valuable thing The Scottish hotels group highlighted the benefits of an often-overlooked thing

Too often in the business world, especially these days, short-termism is the order of the day. This should perhaps be no great surprise. Executive...

16.01.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Compelling case for reversing Brexit but is it over-optimistic? The paper focuses on the idea of the UK Government reversing Brexit

Former Member of the European Parliament Andrew Duff’s analysis on the idea of reversing Brexit, published last week, makes a coherent and indeed...

14.01.2025 6

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Sorry Mr Musk but numbers show Scotland is great place to invest Elon Musk looks to have hit a bum note with his musings

From a Scottish perspective, Tesla and SpaceX leader Elon Musk looks to have hit a bum note with his musings about the propensity of companies to...

11.01.2025 5

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Post-apocalyptic vibe on Glasgow street but city has much to celebrate 'There has at times been a distinct post-apocalyptic feel'

There was much food for thought provided by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive when I interviewed him recently. Among the most...

09.01.2025 8

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Scottish economy prospects daunting. Here's why. The Scottish economy's prospects look daunting - here is why

Much is uncertain as we proceed - perhaps warily given the somewhat miserable economic backdrop that has dominated for the best part of two decades...

07.01.2025 4

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Brexit squad surrendering to what? Reason? This might surprise some, given the fervour with which the cause was promoted by the Brexit camp

As another year dawns, Brexit remains the issue that will just not go away for the UK. Of course, so many Brexiters appear to have for so long now...

02.01.2025 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Scotland question as many hundreds of jobs shed by household names Many hundreds of jobs are being lost from the combined workforce of the two companies, both of which are major employers in Scotland

It might have been the week of Christmas but that did not stop two household names in insurance, both with major Scottish connections, unveiling a...

31.12.2024 5

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: A tumultuous year and a big challenge for SNP in 2025 The relationship between the Scottish Government and business has once again been to the fore

During what has been a somewhat tumultuous year on the political front, the relationship between the Scottish Government and business has once...

28.12.2024 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Antidote to jeering and sneering over Ferguson Marine shipyard 'It is difficult not to see parallels between Ferguson Marine and Prestwick Airport

Clyde shipbuilder Ferguson Marine, under the ownership of the Scottish Government since falling into administration in 2019 and lamentably but not...

24.12.2024 7

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: The right person in the right place at the right time amid fears Brexit-loving government of Boris Johnson, for all its ideological wooing of Mr Trump, did not translate this pandering into any major gains

Lord Peter Mandelson becoming UK ambassador to the US would put a heavyweight political veteran with deep trade experience on the front line of...

21.12.2024 4

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: This 'disaster' surely makes grim reading for an open-minded Brexiter It must surely make miserable reading for any Leavers with open minds

If Sir Keir Starmer or anyone in his Cabinet have not yet read the London School of Economics and Political Science’s paper on the effect of Brexit...

21.12.2024 50

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: What kind of person would want Ferguson Marine to fail? Who would not want the shipbuilding capacity we have at this yard to continue for decades to come?

Given all the political mudslinging that has gone on over Ferguson Marine, the thoughts of a Scottish engineering industry leader on the Port...

19.12.2024 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Finally a point of light on Brexit front from Labour? The trip never looked likely to fuel any kind of hopes of meaningful mitigation of the Brexit damage but there was one point of light later in the week

Brexit has been back in the spotlight in the last week, in large part because of Rachel Reeves becoming the first UK Chancellor to attend a meeting...

17.12.2024 4

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: A crucial ray of sunshine amid great British gloom Airlines and holiday companies are providing crucial cheer amid great British gloom

The mood in Britain seems far from merry as we head towards Christmas. Households continue to carry the enormous burden of the cost of living...

14.12.2024 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Package holiday and airline giant reveals results and price moves

Package holiday giant and airline TUI has revealed record profits from its hotels and resorts, and cruises divisions, while reporting a 33% surge...

13.12.2024 4

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell