Latest news with #AberdeinConsidine
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Over 80% of Scottish SMEs see risk to viability over next 12 months, finds report
More than 80% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland believe the viability of their business is at risk over the next 12 months, according to new research from Aberdein Considine. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The survey, carried out by Censuswide on behalf of the legal firm, highlights the mounting economic pressures and uncertain market conditions faced by small to medium businesses in key sectors across the country. SMEs account for over 99% of all private sector businesses in Scotland, and the survey captures their views one year out from the next Holyrood election, as candidate selection has begun. Respondents pointed to several factors that present financial challenges, including increased costs, supply chain disruption, access to finance and uncertainty arising from policy and regulatory changes, with the findings indicating that these challenges are being felt by businesses of varying sizes within the SME category. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The report also found that concerns around business viability were not limited to specific industries, with high levels of risk perception present across the energy, retail, hospitality and food and drink sectors. The findings suggest that a broad cross-section of Scotland's SME community is currently operating in an environment they view as unstable or unpredictable over the coming year. Ritchie Whyte, Partner, Aberdein Considine Scottish SMEs poised for a return to full-time office working The appetite for a full office return stands out against wider workforce trends, with over 90% (90.52%) of respondents noting a return to full-time office working as a priority over the next 12 months. This marks a notable shift in workplace planning, with the majority of businesses indicating a move away from hybrid or remote arrangements. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Government policy changes biggest challenge to business growth Equally significant is the pressure from policy and taxation, with over a third of businesses surveyed (37.16%) listing Scottish Government policy changes as the biggest challenge to business growth. Respondents reported that ongoing policy shifts have created difficulties in planning and investment, suggesting a widespread concern among firms about the impact of regulatory uncertainty on their ability to grow and operate effectively in the current environment. On a more positive note, over half (52%) of Scottish SMEs plan to invest in sustainability and ESG initiatives over the next 12 months; 39% intend to prioritise growing their workforce over the same period; and 58% are optimistic about the benefits associated with the energy transition. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ritchie Whyte, Partner, Aberdein Considine, said: 'Our survey's findings paint a picture of a very challenging environment for Scotland's small to medium-sized businesses. We know that businesses are facing intense financial pressures, and the fact that over 80% of firms now doubt their viability demonstrates the urgent need for targeted support, policy intervention and sustainable strategies to ensure not only their survival, but long-term resilience. 'Perhaps most telling is that more than a third of SMEs point to Scottish Government policy shifts as their biggest obstacle to growth. In practice, this means every tax or regulatory change can feel like an extra weight at a time when firms can least afford it. With less than a year to the next Holyrood election, we hope policymakers will take note. The pace of change must be managed carefully if businesses are to have the confidence to invest and expand. 'While the findings show that a significant number of Scottish SMEs – many of which are family-owned and run – are facing real concerns about viability in the short term, they also point to a business community actively planning for the future. 'The result that more than 90% of respondents say they are prioritising a return to full-time office working seems to run counter to broader workforce trends, but it perhaps highlights a focus across the industry towards strengthening collaboration and enhancing productivity. While approaches may vary, there is a shared intent among firms to stabilise operations and support long-term future growth.'
Scotsman
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Making a will can spare your loved ones further pain
What would have happened if Liam Payne had died intestate while living in Scotland? Aileen Entwistle has the answers Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... When a loved one dies suddenly, their loss throws those they leave behind into turmoil as they grapple with the shock and pain of their unexpected bereavement. And in the midst of their grief, family members must also get to grips with sorting out the legal and financial affairs of the person whose died. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In situations where the deceased hasn't left a will, though, this becomes an even more daunting task. Aileen Entwistle, Private Client Partner at Aberdein Considine (Picture: David Ho) It was reported recently that former One Direction star Liam Payne died without a will aged 31, leaving his estate worth over £24 million to be divided according to the laws of intestacy in England. His ex-partner Cheryl Tweedy, mother of his only son, has been appointed Administrator of his estate, along with lawyer Richard Mark Bray. As Liam Payne died domiciled in England his estate will be administered and distributed in accordance with the statutory intestate succession rules under the laws of England and Wales. Intestacy is the term used when you die without leaving a will. Applying the law of intestate succession in England and Wales, Liam's young son is the sole beneficiary and his family, including his parents and siblings, will not be entitled to a share. The law ensures that a young person's inheritance will be managed on their behalf and protected until they turn 18. However, applications to court are required to have a suitable Administrator appointed to manage the funds and there is a strict order of priority as to who can be appointed. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Would the outcome have been different had Liam Payne died in Scotland? On the whole, no, as under intestate succession in Scots Law, his son would still have been the sole beneficiary and an executor appointed (in Scots Law referred to as Executor Dative) to administer the estate, again following a strict order or priority. The primary difference in Scots Law is that under intestacy, a minor will inherit at age 16 with the management of the funds being directed by the Accountant of Court. Arguably, this is a young age at which to inherit such wealth. It's quite possible that the outcome of his son being his sole heir is what Liam Payne would have wanted had he drawn up a will. However, having a will in place would have allowed him to control who was to look after his son's inheritance and specify the age at which his son was to inherit. Through a will he would also have been able to make provision for his partner who, under intestacy, would have unlikely met the criteria for a dependant's claim under English Law. Under Scots Law, as his cohabitant, she may have considered lodging an application to court for financial provision, bearing in mind the strict deadlines involved in this type of claim. Having a will is important, but particularly so where young children may inherit as it gives you control as opposed to leaving it for the law to decide. According to the National Wills Register's most recent [2024] National Wills Report, in the UK only 50 per cent of women, and 57 per cent of men have made a will. This means that nearly one in two people dying in the UK (42 per cent in Scotland) are potentially setting their loved ones up for an even more tumultuous and stressful experience after they are gone, if there is no will in place.
Press and Journal
16-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Modern riverside home in the heart of Royal Deeside for sale
A large modern family house beside the River Dee in the heart of Royal Deeside is on the market. Number 12 Durward Crescent is situated close to the banks of the River Dee in the village of Kincardine O'Neil. The property offers uninterrupted views of the River Dee with an extensive south-facing garden. It has been listed with Aberdein Considine with a guide price of £775,000. Through the covered porch, you enter the hallway, which connects to the lounge on the right and features hardwood floors and French doors leading to the garden. A sun lounge, accessible off the lounge, has windows on three sides and can be used as an office or an extra bedroom for guests. Also off the hallway is a ground-floor bedroom with wardrobe space and an en suite. There is also a guest WC. The most impressive space in the property is the living, kitchen and dining room, which has a vaulted ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the river. There is a wine cellar off the dining area, which flows naturally into the open-plan kitchen, complete with a central island and marble worktops. At the end of the room is the family area, with doors opening onto the outdoor patio and skylights bringing in plenty of natural light. There is also a wood-burning stove in the corner of the room. The double garage is connected to the property via a utility room. Upstairs, to the left at the end of the landing, is the master bedroom suite. The room has space for a king-sized bed that faces the river and unique skylight windows that open out to form a small balcony. There is also a breakout seating area/dressing area, as well as an en suite shower. Also on the first floor are two large double bedrooms with river views. They share the family bathroom with a bathtub and separate shower. The final bedroom is front-facing with access to its own en suite shower. The property has oil-fired central heating, a built-in Sonos sound system, and an air recycling system. Kincardine O'Neil is a small village between Aboyne and Banchory, approximately a 32-minute drive from Aberdeen.
Scotsman
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Law firm supports disadvantaged children and young people with 2025 fundraising challenge
Staff at law firm Aberdein Considine from Peterhead to Manchester will be swapping their suits for active wear as they take on a series of fundraising challenges in aid of the firm's 2025 charity partners, Cash for Kids and the Russell Anderson Foundation (RAF). Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Following successful fundraising activities in previous years, which have seen Aberdein Considine employees raise more than £80,000 for various worthy causes since 2022, the firm is set to pull out all the stops in 2025 to support Scotland's disadvantaged children and young people. Team members from throughout the firm, which has 21 offices and more than 450 staff across Scotland and the north of England, will undertake a variety of challenges in 2025, including long-distance bike rides, marathons and a talent show, as they raise money for the two charity partners. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The RAF improves the lives of children in socially deprived areas of Aberdeen through life-changing programmes that make a sustainable and measurable difference to their health and wellbeing. L-R Sophie Reid, Sam Cardosi, Karayn Chisholm of Cash for Kids, Emma Roman and Robert Holland. Cash for Kids is dedicated to supporting children and young people across the UK affected by poverty, abuse, neglect, life-limiting illness and those with additional needs. Jacqueline Law, Managing Partner at Aberdein Considine, welcomed the decision to support the RAF and Cash for Kids as this year's charity partners and said the firm is ready to hit the ground running with a full programme of fundraising events. She said: 'Aberdein Considine has a strong presence across Scotland, but we know that being part of a community is about so much more than just having an office on the high street. This is why we selected the Russell Anderson Foundation and Cash for Kids, two charities that support children and young people close to home and across the UK, as our 2025 charity partners. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Our colleagues will be stepping out of their comfort zones to undertake a series of fundraising challenges, pushing themselves physically and mentally, to raise much-needed funds in support of our chosen charities and the vital work they do.' L-R: Danny Anderson, Megan Young, Elaine Elder, Ruth Aberdein and Russell Anderson. All members of the Aberdein Considine charity committee. Aberdein Considine's fundraising calendar kicked off last week as staff members took part in the Run Balmoral 10km. Next on the agenda is a 12-hour continuous walk, run and cycle challenge in Edinburgh on Thursday 1 May as part of Cash for Kids Day. Members of the team - including former Dons captain and 11-times Scotland player Russell Anderson himself, who is an independent financial planner with Aberdein Considine Wealth - will then join bp's Coast 2 Coast charity cycle from Dumbarton to Aberdeen, with staff also taking part in the Ellon Pedal Car Race, both in June 2025. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Later in the year, colleagues in the North-east will lace up their trainers to run the Loch Ness Marathon before employees from across the firm compete to receive a golden buzzer in the 'Aberdein Considine's Got Talent' competition in October. The firm will also cheer on Robert Holland, Partner and Head of Employment Law at Aberdein Considine, as he and his son look to conquer their shared fear of heights to tackle the K2 base camp trek at the second-highest mountain on Earth, all in the name of raising money for charity. Karayn Chisholm, Corporate Fundraiser for Cash for Kids, said: 'We are thrilled to have been chosen as a charity partner for 2025, and we're excited to work with such a dedicated and passionate team. The fundraising plans already in motion are both inspiring and ambitious, and we look forward to bringing them to life together. 'The support of Aberdein Considine will make a real and lasting difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in our local communities. With their help, we will be able to reach even more children and young people – helping them to feel supported, valued, and empowered to build brighter futures. We can't wait to see what we can achieve together.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Russell Anderson Foundation Chief Executive, Graeme Burnett, said: 'We are eternally grateful to Aberdein Considine for selecting RAF as one of the company's charity partners for 2025 as we rely heavily on the generosity of organisations in order to deliver our programmes which are quite literally transforming the lives of youngsters in the most socially deprived areas of the city.' Further events across the year will include a charity quiz and various runs across the North-east of Scotland. Jacqueline Law continued: 'We have been blown away by the level of support shown across the firm for our previous charity partners, with members of our teams giving up countless hours to take part in events, challenges and activities for good causes, and this year will be no different.' The firm also offers colleagues a day each year to take part in charitable work or volunteering, in whatever capacity they can, and encourages staff to use this day to give back to their local community.
The Herald Scotland
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Aberdein Considine swap suits for sportswear in mammoth charity effort
Team members from throughout the firm, which has 21 offices and more than 450 staff across Scotland and the north of England, will undertake a variety of challenges in 2025, including long-distance bike rides, marathons and a talent show, as they raise money for the two charity partners. The RAF improves the lives of children in socially deprived areas of Aberdeen through life-changing programmes that make a sustainable and measurable difference to their health and wellbeing. Cash for Kids is dedicated to supporting children and young people across the UK affected by poverty, abuse, neglect, life-limiting illness and those with additional needs. Jacqueline Law, Managing Partner at Aberdein Considine, welcomed the decision to support the RAF and Cash for Kids as this year's charity partners and said the firm is ready to hit the ground running with a full programme of fundraising events. She said: 'Aberdein Considine has a strong presence across Scotland, but we know that being part of a community is about so much more than just having an office on the high street. This is why we selected the Russell Anderson Foundation and Cash for Kids, two charities that support children and young people close to home and across the UK, as our 2025 charity partners. From left: Sophie Reid, Sam Cardosi of Aberdein & Considine, Karyn Chisholm of Cash For Kids, Emma Norman and Robert Holland of Aberdein & Considine. (Image: The Picture Agency) 'Our colleagues will be stepping out of their comfort zones to undertake a series of fundraising challenges, pushing themselves physically and mentally, to raise much-needed funds in support of our chosen charities and the vital work they do.' Aberdein Considine's fundraising calendar kicked off last week as staff members took part in the Run Balmoral 10km. Next on the agenda is a 12-hour continuous walk, run and cycle challenge in Edinburgh on Thursday 1 May as part of Cash for Kids Day. Members of the team - including former Dons captain and 11-times Scotland player Russell Anderson himself, who is an independent financial planner with Aberdein Considine Wealth - will then join bp's Coast 2 Coast charity cycle from Dumbarton to Aberdeen, with staff also taking part in the Ellon Pedal Car Race, both in June 2025. Later in the year, colleagues in the North-east will lace up their trainers to run the Loch Ness Marathon before employees from across the firm compete to receive a golden buzzer in the 'Aberdein Considine's Got Talent' competition in October. The firm will also cheer on Robert Holland, Partner and Head of Employment Law at Aberdein Considine, as he and his son look to conquer their shared fear of heights to tackle the K2 base camp trek at the second-highest mountain on Earth, all in the name of raising money for charity. Karayn Chisholm, Corporate Fundraiser for Cash for Kids, said: 'We are thrilled to have been chosen as a charity partner for 2025, and we're excited to work with such a dedicated and passionate team. The fundraising plans already in motion are both inspiring and ambitious, and we look forward to bringing them to life together. 'The support of Aberdein Considine will make a real and lasting difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in our local communities. With their help, we will be able to reach even more children and young people – helping them to feel supported, valued, and empowered to build brighter futures. We can't wait to see what we can achieve together.' Russell Anderson Foundation Chief Executive, Graeme Burnett, said: 'We are eternally grateful to Aberdein Considine for selecting RAF as one of the company's charity partners for 2025 as we rely heavily on the generosity of organisations in order to deliver our programmes which are quite literally transforming the lives of youngsters in the most socially deprived areas of the city.' Further events across the year will include a charity quiz and various runs across the North-east of Scotland. Jacqueline Law continued: 'We have been blown away by the level of support shown across the firm for our previous charity partners, with members of our teams giving up countless hours to take part in events, challenges and activities for good causes, and this year will be no different.' The firm also offers colleagues a day each year to take part in charitable work or volunteering, in whatever capacity they can, and encourages staff to use this day to give back to their local community. She added: 'We are excited to continue our work with charities and community groups to ensure that we can help to create real and lasting change in the lives of people who need it the most."
