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Ian Mcconnell

Ian Mcconnell

Herald Scotland

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'Stupidest' and 'unhinged' seem like measured descriptions amid destruction Words such as 'unhinged' and 'stupidest' seem perfectly measured and proportionate in the scheme of things

It is now more than nine years since the UK electorate voted for Brexit but the issue - most justifiably given the damage it is causing to the economy...

latest 1

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

I remembered meeting Scottish company chief with such an inspiring tale It brought back memories of meeting the managing director of this Scottish business, which has such an inspiring story, about seven years ago now

I remembered meeting Scottish company chief with such an inspiring tale It brought back memories of meeting the managing director of this Scottish business, which has such an inspiring story, about seven years ago now

Reflecting this week on the ambitious expansion plans of one of Scotland’s largest structural steel fabricators brought back memories of meeting its...

saturday 5

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Are these Brexit revelations a mandate for Labour to take UK back into EU? There might still be the sounds of 'non, je ne Bregret rien' from those who voted for the folly.

Are these Brexit revelations a mandate for Labour to take UK back into EU? There might still be the sounds of 'non, je ne Bregret rien' from those who voted for the folly.

Les Britanniques “Bregret” beaucoup. That was the clear message coming out of a poll published last week by YouGov. This is, of course, no...

26.06.2025 4

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Worth the wait for those who like to see Scotland doing well

Worth the wait for those who like to see Scotland doing well

EY created a degree of suspense when it published strong 2024 financial services foreign direct investment figures for Scotland on June 9 and said it...

24.06.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

We can surely learn lessons from the tale of Barrhead Travel The story of Barrhead Travel, one of the best-known names in the overseas travel sector in Scotland, surely offers broader lessons

We can surely learn lessons from the tale of Barrhead Travel The story of Barrhead Travel, one of the best-known names in the overseas travel sector in Scotland, surely offers broader lessons

One of the best-known names in the overseas travel sector in Scotland celebrated its 50th birthday at a dinner at Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket last...

21.06.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Overseas positivity towards Scotland contrasts with domestic whingers

Overseas positivity towards Scotland contrasts with domestic whingers

There was much to grab the attention in the latest foreign direct investment figures for Scotland published this week. The top lines were mostly...

19.06.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Votes of confidence in Scotland highlight false narrative Votes of confidence in Scotland from overseas companies highlight wide of mark nature of narrative around the nation

Votes of confidence in Scotland highlight false narrative Votes of confidence in Scotland from overseas companies highlight wide of mark nature of narrative around the nation

There has been some good news on the Scottish economy in the last week, which has been all the more pleasing given the continuing difficult UK...

17.06.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Edinburgh Airport chief and the big Glasgow question The momentum of Edinburgh Airport seems difficult to overstate right now

Edinburgh Airport chief and the big Glasgow question The momentum of Edinburgh Airport seems difficult to overstate right now

The momentum of Edinburgh Airport seems difficult to overstate. This impetus has been crystal clear through the first half of this year and indeed...

14.06.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

This might not delight the pompous carpers

It was heartening indeed to hear Scotland not only managed to retain its impressive place as second only to London as a destination in the UK for...

12.06.2025 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Kate Forbes addresses same two big topics - one year on Kate Forbes addressed the two crucial issues - one year on

It was interesting to catch up with Kate Forbes last week for an exclusive interview in which she answered questions on a broad range of business and...

10.06.2025 40

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Major flights win is huge boost for Scottish airport The Scottish airport has announced some very positive news

Prestwick Airport has stayed firmly in the headlines in the past month with some very positive news on the cargo side of its business. As many...

08.06.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

The big problems with Labour's populist immigration proposals

Scottish Engineering chief executive Paul Sheerin is at times robust in his comments but always appears measured – which is all the more reason why...

07.06.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

North Sea row appears to be reaching boiling point The North Sea windfall tax has been sharply in focus again over the last week.

The North Sea windfall tax has been sharply in focus again over the last week. Major players in the territory are banging their drums loudly against...

03.06.2025 40

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Does 'ferry fiasco' vessel offer hope for Arran? What has the Glen Sannox's arrival meant for Arran, including hotels on the island?

Describing the Glen Sannox ferry as worth the wait would probably not be the best way of putting it, given the huge troubles the excruciating delay in...

31.05.2025 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

North Sea job losses warning by major player The nature of the debate on the future of the North Sea poses a risk to jobs

The chairman of one of the big North Sea players had plenty to say last week about the UK tax and regulatory regime. Serica Energy’s David Latin...

29.05.2025 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

This is no 'surrender' and sadly this Brexit nightmare is not dead Emotive language was inevitably in plentiful supply but this is no Brexit 'surrender'

Emotive language was inevitably in plentiful supply last week as the Labour Government unveiled a post-Brexit agreement with the European Union,...

27.05.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Holiday companies and airlines revelations are eye-catching The revelations about the summer state of play from the airlines and holiday companies are eye-catching

It was interesting to see both package holiday giant TUI and budget airline Ryanair use the word “robust” in recent days in relation to customer...

24.05.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Flights win 'game changer' for Scottish airport Having followed the fortunes of the airport closely, it was heartening to hear of another very significant win for it

Having followed the fortunes of Prestwick Airport closely, it was heartening to hear on Friday night of another very significant win for it. The...

22.05.2025 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Privatisation surely not the answer for Scotland's ferries CalMac and its ferries are once again very much in focus

There were certainly some positives for Scotland in a key economic report published last week. However, Royal Bank of Scotland’s growth tracker...

20.05.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Why this big CalMac news is such a huge relief The news on CalMac was a huge relief, having observed a litany of woe over decades

Having observed so many UK privatisation fiascos over the decades, it was such a relief to hear that the Scottish Government was making a direct award...

15.05.2025 8

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Double-take this was not Boris Johnson's Tories trumpeting There was a sense of déjà vu all over again as the UK Government trumpeted the deal

There was a sense of déjà vu all over again as the UK Government trumpeted its trade deal with India on Tuesday. It almost needed a quick...

13.05.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Major flights update revealed by Scottish airport chief The Scottish airport chief provided a major update on flights

It has been fascinating to cover some major developments affecting Scottish airports over the past month. The new owner of Glasgow Airport on April 23...

11.05.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: No fears so far after major Prestwick deal There is much going on in and around Prestwick Airport and this is a major deal

There is a great deal going on in and around Prestwick Airport and, while much remains to be seen and it is important not to be complacent, there...

10.05.2025 5

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Why distillery job cuts are so difficult for island community “It is without doubt the saddest day in the distillery's young life.” The distillery management team seems acutely aware of the profound effects of the decision

“It is without doubt the saddest day in the distillery's young life.” That was how Ron MacEachran, executive chairman and chief financial...

08.05.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Scotland resilience might surprise amid all that doomsaying The performance might surprise many given the downbeat narrative about Scotland from some politically motivated doomsayers

Amid the tumult of the Trump administration, official data revealing the US economy shrank in the first quarter of this year were hardly surprising. ...

06.05.2025 9

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Flights joy for Scottish airport on key routes The Scottish airport has unveiled two major wins in recent days

The momentum of Edinburgh Airport remains truly eye-catching, with a couple of very significant announcements in recent days. These two...

03.05.2025 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: A landmark moment but such a sad Scottish story

Much has been made in recent days of Royal Bank of Scotland owner NatWest’s imminent return to full private ownership. This will of course be an...

01.05.2025 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Big news on flights from Scottish airport

Scottish airports have been in sharp focus in the last week. It was heartening to see a huge investment in Glasgow Airport announced by its new...

29.04.2025 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Glasgow Airport chief flags Edinburgh lure as he bids to regain share Glasgow Airport chief says 'goal is not to steal anything that wasn’t naturally ours back from Edinburgh'

The new head of Glasgow Airport made no bones about its loss of market share in recent times as he talked this week about a huge investment in...

26.04.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Rival airport chief’s Prestwick compliments not to be sniffed at As we await the outcome of a takeover approach for Prestwick Airport, a recent conversation with the chief executive of a rival airport came to mind

As we await the outcome of a takeover approach for Prestwick Airport, a recent conversation with Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar came...

24.04.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Buckle up - Trump rollercoaster likely to have plenty more twists Donald Trump’s tariff soap opera has ensured it has been a rollercoaster week

Donald Trump’s tariff soap opera has ensured it has been a rollercoaster of a week. If anyone had thought peak drama had been hit with the US...

15.04.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Scottish airport boost as fast-growing airline launches flights What was particularly striking was the momentum of the airline

When interviewing the chief executive of SunExpress, what was particularly striking was the momentum of the airline. This joint venture between...

12.04.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Something for SNP to smile about in difficult relationship? Does this give the SNP something to smile about in what has been a difficult and at times stormy relationship?

There was much to digest in a major poll by The Herald of Scottish business leaders, and it looked as if it would be far easier for the SNP to find...

10.04.2025 5

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Much to build upon at Scottish airport as bidder emerges The Scottish airport is a major employer and helps support thousands of jobs in and around it

After the many difficult years which businesses in Scotland and throughout the UK have had to endure, one of the last things they would have wanted...

08.04.2025 50

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Scottish city 'lowest-performing' in UK blow The Scottish city is forecast to be the lowest-performing in the UK

There has been much to ponder in the last month, which has featured high-profile business and economic stories with major political dimensions at home...

06.04.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: Scottish economy outlook littered with unappealing adjectives There was little, if anything, to cheer the spirits in the latest Scottish economic outlook

There was little, if anything, to cheer the spirits in the latest Scottish economic commentary from the Fraser of Allander Institute. The University...

05.04.2025 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Ian McConnell: 'Abandon' Prestwick Airport? Surely not? It has undoubtedly been lamentable over the years to see Prestwick Airport used as a political football

It was somewhat disappointing last week to hear a Labour MSP banging the political drum over the future of Prestwick Airport. South Scotland Labour...

03.04.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

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...

01.04.2025 30

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

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 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

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 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

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 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

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

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 10

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?

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 10

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

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 20

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

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 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

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 7

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.

“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 10

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 10

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 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell