Scotland’s financial services sector could boost GVA by 21% and create 16,000 new jobs by 2028, according to new research from EY.

The report highlights Scotland’s strengths in talent, innovation, and cost competitiveness but also outlines key barriers to growth, including high personal tax, limited R&D support, and challenges surrounding attracting top-tier international talent.

Roland Inglis and Andrew Wilson are to be appointed to the board of Scottish Financial Enterprise, following a competitive process and bring extensive experience in industry and across Scottish public life to the SFE board.

Global technology consultancy Synechron has stepped up its partnership with Scottish Financial Enterprise after selecting Scotland as a new hub for business growth and innovation.  

Our end of year member update rounds up another busy few months for our industry. It also provides some key facts about our reach, engagement and influence in 2024.

Heriot-Watt University has announced a strategic collaboration with J.P. Morgan for the provision of multiple Graduate Apprenticeship positions, based in Edinburgh, a positive step in addressing the pressing demand for generating new talent for Scotland’s financial services sector.

Research from the Financial Conduct Authority’s Financial Lives survey shows that while the overall picture has improved slightly over the past year, many people continue to struggle to meet financial commitments. 

JP Morgan has unveiled a major new investment in Edinburgh for its private banking and wealth management division, further cementing the firms commitment to Scotland ahead of the opening of its new technology hub in Glasgow later this year.

We were delighted to contribute to Johnston Carmichael Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers’s new Financial Services Index, a helpful tool to track the performance and key trends shaping financial services in Scotland an across the UK.

‘Shaping our Economy’, commissioned by membership body Progress Together, is the largest study into socio-economic diversity and progression in financial services in the world.

Law firm and SFE member Addleshaw Goddard has unveiled the 15 high-growth tech businesses chosen for its 2023 AG Elevate mentoring scheme, with three Scottish businesses making the final cut.

We were pleased to partner with KPMG and Progress Together last week for a roundtable discussion around social mobility, and how we ensure the industry is accessible to all and there are equal opportunities for progression for people from all socio-economic backgrounds and demographics. Read this article from Scottish Financial News which shares some key findings and takeaways from the event.

Global digital transformation consultancy Kin + Carta has acquired the data service provider Forecast Data Services, further strengthening its global enterprise data and artificial intelligence (AI) services.

Global technology and management consultancy Capco has reaffirmed its commitment to Scotland’s financial services industry by moving to partner level membership of Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE).

Global investment bank Morgan Stanley is looking to identify 10 early-stage businesses from applicants across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) in 2023 to take part in its Inclusive Ventures Lab (MSIVL).

It’s been a busy month to round off an exceptional year for the team at SFE. It’s difficult to put into words how much we have accomplished in 2022, so I thought I’d give you some numbers instead!

International law firm Addleshaw Goddard has launched its search for the best high-growth tech businesses to join its 5th AG Elevate programme – an accelerator for those looking to become the next tech unicorn.