Scottish innovation centre BE-ST has named the finalists for the 2026 Accelerate to Zero Awards, its fourth annual industry recognition programme for organisations and individuals decarbonising Scotland’s built environment. The winners will be announced at voco Grand Central in Glasgow on the evening of Thursday 5 November, on the closing evening of BE-ST Fest 2026.

Finalists span ten categories covering hero contributions, collaborative partnerships, gamechanger technology, diversity and inclusion, circular economy, technology impact, skills, retrofit acceleration, community championing and a BE Changemaker award for individuals early in their careers. Category sponsors include Balfour Beatty, Ryden, Zero Waste Scotland, KORE Retrofit, Vital Energi and BE-ST itself.

Scottish companies and projects feature strongly in the shortlist. Edinburgh-based recycled-construction-materials firm Kenoteq is nominated in the Gamechanger Award category — sponsored by property consultancy Ryden — for its K-Briq, a low-carbon unfired brick made largely from construction and demolition waste. Trust Housing Association is nominated in two categories, Accelerate to Zero Hero (alongside Kier Construction’s Prospecthill Court project and Energiesprong’s Emily Braham) and Technology Impact. The City of Edinburgh Council’s High-Rise Retrofit Programme is a finalist in the Collaborative Partnership Award category, and North Lanarkshire Council’s Embedded Retrofit Delivery Model is shortlisted in the Retrofit Accelerator Award — sponsored by KORE Retrofit.

Other finalists include Cundall (three nominations, across Gamechanger, BE Changemaker and Circular Economy), consultancy AtkinsRéalis, BakerHicks, the Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, engineering firm Vital Energi’s Seaham Garden Village scheme, Dundee-based Rock Solid Processing Limited (twice, including a KTP with the University of Dundee), Good Green Futures, Lothian Heat CIC, Moredun Holistic Improvement Programme, SmartSTEMs, SWIP (twice), and academics Dr Anitha Karthik of Edinburgh Napier University and Stephen Smith of the Glasgow School of Art.

BE-ST — full name Built Environment – Smarter Transformation — is Scotland’s innovation centre for the built environment. BE-ST Fest is the annual programme it describes as the UK’s largest festival for a zero-carbon built environment, hosting discussion and knowledge exchange across the sector. Tickets for the awards ceremony are available on the BE-ST website.

The full list of 2026 finalists is:

• Accelerate to Zero Hero (sponsored by BE-ST): Trust Housing Association; Prospecthill Court – Kier Construction; Emily Braham – Energiesprong.
• Collaborative Partnership Award: Transform-ER (Transform. Engage. Retrofit); University of Dundee and Rock Solid Processing Limited KTP; The City of Edinburgh Council High-Rise Retrofit Programme.
• Gamechanger Award (sponsored by Ryden): Material Health – Cundall; K-Briq – Kenoteq; Seaham Garden Village – Vital Energi.
• Diversity & Inclusion Award (sponsored by Balfour Beatty): Dr Anitha Karthik – Edinburgh Napier University and Centre for High Density Net Zero Buildings; SWIP; AtkinsRéalis.
• BE Changemaker Award: Jude McLoughlin, Cundall; Molly Armstrong, BakerHicks; Stephen Smith, Glasgow School of Art.
• Circular Economy Award (sponsored by Zero Waste Scotland): Good Green Futures; Rock Solid Processing; Cundall.
• Technology Impact Award: Trust Housing Association; Dynamic Knowledge and Intelartes Ltd; TRACE (Transforming Resources and Advancing Circular Economy).
• Skills Impact Award: Glasgow Chamber of Commerce; SWIP; SmartSTEMs.
• Retrofit Accelerator Award (sponsored by KORE Retrofit): Estate Retrofit Tool – Architype; Embedded Retrofit Delivery Model – North Lanarkshire Council; GreenFlip.
• Community Champion Award (sponsored by Vital Energi): Neil Pearce, Energiesprong; Moredun Holistic Improvement Programme; Lothian Heat CIC.

Edinburgh-based luxury leather goods brand Strathberry has secured a growth investment from London-based private equity firm Soho Square Capital, marking the debut deal from Soho Square Partnership Capital Fund II and Strathberry’s second round of institutional financing since it was founded in 2013.

The value of the investment was not disclosed. Soho Square, which typically structures its investments through senior or preferred capital with minority equity stakes and can commit up to £40 million in any given transaction, said the deal enables husband-and-wife co-founders Guy and Leeanne Hundleby to retain control of the business, supported by managing director Martin Byrne. Soho Square Director David Steel will join the Strathberry board. Soho Square succeeds BGF as Strathberry’s institutional partner; BGF invested £8 million in the business in January 2022.

The capital will be used to accelerate the brand’s global expansion, with a particular focus on North America — already Strathberry’s largest market globally — alongside a roll-out of new stores and continued investment in the brand. Beyond the UK and North America, the release cites continued demand from APAC and GCC markets, and from newer territories including Australia and Germany. Strathberry ships to more than 100 countries and, according to the release, has delivered a compound annual growth rate of 43% over the past three years.

“This investment marks an incredibly exciting chapter for Strathberry. Since founding the business, our ambition has always been to build a global brand with a distinct point of view, while staying rooted in our commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, creativity and thoughtful design. This partnership gives us the opportunity to accelerate that vision and invest in the next phase of our growth. We look forward to working closely with David and the whole team at Soho Square Capital,” said Guy and Leeanne Hundleby, Co-Founders of Strathberry.

“Strathberry is an exceptional brand with a rare combination of craftsmanship, a distinctive design signature and a genuinely international, loyal customer base. The label’s ‘high-end quality at accessible prices’ ethos is resonating with shoppers disillusioned with top luxury houses. Guy, Leeanne and the team have created something special, and there is significant scope to grow the business further, particularly internationally. We are delighted to be backing the team and look forward to supporting their plans,” said David Steel, Director at Soho Square Capital.

Strathberry sells through a digitally led direct-to-consumer channel supported by a small estate of stores — including Burlington Arcade and Covent Garden in London and Multrees Walk and Victoria Street in Edinburgh — and a curated wholesale presence in leading luxury retailers. Every bag is designed in Scotland and handcrafted in Ubrique, Spain, described by the company as the same artisan heartland used by Europe’s leading luxury houses.

Standard Life plc — the Edinburgh-headquartered retirement savings group that renamed from Phoenix Group Holdings in February 2026 — reported IFRS adjusted operating profit of £563m for the six months to 30 June 2026, up 25% year on year, alongside Operating Cash Generation of £745m (+6%) and total cash generation of £900m (+15%).

Assets under administration rose 5% in the six months to £333bn, cumulative annual run-rate cost savings increased to £210m, and the group declared a 2026 interim dividend of 28.05 pence per share, up 2.6% on H1 2025. On regulatory capital, the Shareholder Capital Coverage Ratio stood at 169% and the Solvency II leverage ratio improved by four percentage points to 29% — meeting Standard Life’s c.30% target for the end of 2026 ahead of time.

The group also confirmed that its £2 billion acquisition of Aegon UK, first announced on 15 April 2026, remains on track for completion around the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Standard Life said the deal — funded through a mix of debt, cash and new ordinary shares representing approximately 15.3% of the enlarged share capital, issued to Aegon — will establish it as the largest player in the UK Pensions and Savings market on a pro forma basis, underpinned by number two positions in both the Workplace and Retail segments. At announcement in April, the group set out expected total net synergies of £0.8bn (including £110m of run-rate pre-tax cost synergies and roughly £340m of one-off capital synergies) and incremental excess cash generation of £0.4bn over five years after financing and one-off costs.

Alongside the Aegon deal, Standard Life pointed to a proposed up-to-£2bn Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) partnership announced on 20 August 2026 with CVC Capital Partners, Prudential Financial, Goldman Sachs, MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings and other long-term institutional investors. Standard Life will have operational control and a 25% economic interest — contributing £500m over five years of the up to £2bn initial combined capital commitment — and the partnership is designed to support incremental PRT volume capacity of £5–7bn a year on top of Standard Life’s own volumes, targeting schemes over £2bn in size. It is expected to launch in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.

“Standard Life continues to demonstrate exciting momentum against our vision to be the UK’s leading retirement savings and income business. Our strong half year results reflect how we are helping more customers achieve better outcomes and we remain on track to deliver our end-2026 financial targets, while our profitable growth and strong cash generation is increasing our financial flexibility. The £2 billion acquisition of Aegon UK and our recently announced UK PRT partnership will further strengthen our capabilities and customer offering. Standard Life champions the belief that everyone’s journey to and through retirement can be better and we look to the future with confidence,” said Andy Briggs, Group Chief Executive Officer.

Standard Life said it is on track across all its 2026 financial targets, including c.£1.1bn of IFRS adjusted operating profit for the full year and £250m of annual run-rate cost savings by year-end. It expects to deliver around £500m of excess cash in 2026 — its final year of using excess cash to de-lever — and will present post-2026 strategic priorities and new financial guidance at a Capital Markets Update on 30 November 2026.

Glasgow-based STV Group plc reported group revenue of £66.1m for the six months to 30 June 2026, down 27% from £90.0m a year earlier, as Studios revenue fell to £15.5m (2025: £42.2m) and the division swung to a £3.2m adjusted operating loss.

Group adjusted operating profit slipped 12% to £5.9m, cushioned by a 5% rise in total advertising revenue to £48.1m — slightly ahead of guidance and boosted by the FIFA World Cup — and by ongoing cost savings. The group booked a non-cash impairment charge of £25.4m against Studios, producing a statutory operating loss of £20.5m (2025: profit of £3.3m). Adjusted basic EPS was flat at 7.1p; statutory basic EPS was a loss of 45.8p.

The board is not proposing an interim dividend, citing “the continued uncertain trading environment” and a focus on preserving financial flexibility, and said it will review the position at the full-year results. Net debt fell slightly to £42.9m (start of year: £45.3m) and STV said it is on track to deliver £8m of annualised run-rate cost savings by the end of FY26, following a completed restructuring exercise that reduced roles across the business by around 60.

Guidance was updated in several places. Studios is now expected to be breakeven for FY26, with the group citing delays in commissioning decisions; a return to profit in FY27 is described as subject to positive decisions on a small number of material commissions, alongside a portfolio review. In the Audience division, Q3 total advertising revenue is expected to be down around 5%, broadly in line with Q1’s year-on-year pattern. Total net debt is expected to end the year in the £40–45m range. STV also confirmed a re-phasing of defined benefit pension scheme contributions, reducing cash commitments by £13m in FY27 and extending the recovery plan by one year to 2031.

“Our first half performance was in line with our expectations and previous guidance. The boost to advertising revenue and viewing from the FIFA World Cup, combined with disciplined cost management, helped offset reduced Studios profitability which reflects the timing of delivery of scripted programming and continued weakness in the commissioning market,” said Rufus Radcliffe, Chief Executive.

Radcliffe added: “The Studios division delivered several notable creative and commercial successes in the first half, including Primal Media’s first commission for Disney’s Hulu and our in-house drama label, newly rebranded Blackhill, giving Netflix a global number one drama in The Witness, continuing the growth of our international customer base. We also strengthened our scripted pipeline through our exclusive partnership with renowned actor and director Kevin McKidd’s Ferryman Films. Given the prolonged slowdown in commissioning activity, we have recognised a non-cash impairment charge in Studios, reflecting a prudent reassessment of short- to medium-term market conditions while remaining confident in the long-term growth prospects of our business and the opportunities ahead.”

On the group’s newer ventures, Radcliffe said: “Our audio venture continued its strong start with STV Radio entering Scotland’s top ten most-listened-to commercial stations after just six months on air, well ahead of our expectations. In Q4, we will launch our AI-powered advertising service, ADapt, offering businesses an unrivalled cross-platform audience reach across broadcast, digital and audio in Scotland.”

STV said its Studios production orderbook of contracted activity stood at £36m at end-June 2026, up from £33m at end-2025.

Scottish Enterprise says it helped Scottish businesses generate £2.15 billion in international exports in 2025/26, describing it as one of Scotland’s strongest trade performances of the past five years.

The figure heads a set of results from the agency’s 2025/26 annual report, alongside more than 12,450 new and safeguarded Real Living Wage jobs — nearly 5,000 of them higher-paid roles — £348 million in growth funding leveraged by Scottish businesses, £355 million in innovation investment, over £1 billion in business capital expenditure and 518,000 tonnes of CO2 savings across supported businesses and projects. Scottish Enterprise said it achieved or exceeded target ranges across most of its key performance measures during the year.

The results were unveiled during a visit to Stirling-based CAVU Aerospace UK, a Scottish space engineering company developing mission-critical technologies for satellites and deep-space missions. With Scottish Enterprise support, CAVU generated more than £7.5 million in export sales during 2025/26, securing contracts across Europe, Asia, America and the Middle East.

“Scottish Enterprise has delivered another strong performance, meeting key targets by drawing on established strengths in internationalisation, innovation and investment and creating significant economic impact for Scotland. We’re delivering regionally, nationally and internationally for Scotland’s economy,” said Adrian Gillespie, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise.

“Companies across Scotland continue to show ambition, innovation and resilience, and are expanding into international markets, developing new technologies, creating high-quality jobs and securing investment that will create future growth. CAVU is a fantastic example of this, and it was great to visit them and hear about their ambitious growth plans. It’s exciting to see CAVU strengthen Scotland’s expanding space sector with its capabilities and growing international experience.”

Gillespie added: “We’ve delivered this performance while contributing to the Scottish Government’s Public Service Reform agenda, creating savings to invest in digital and AI capability to develop new approaches to support businesses that will ultimately deliver even greater economic impact for Scotland.”

Scottish Enterprise said the 12,450 jobs figure was slightly below its expectations for the year, reflecting the impact of global challenges on major investment decisions, but described it as a strong performance in the current climate.

“Scottish Enterprise has played an important role in helping us promote Made-in-Scotland at global space events, supporting our journey into international markets and contributing to our involvement in ground-breaking space missions worldwide,” said Dr Ali Maani, Chief Engineer at CAVU Aerospace UK.

“Today, we export high-tech products like flight computers and cameras to space agencies, prime contractors, satellite companies and universities across the USA, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Europe and beyond.”

Maani added: “We are ambitious to grow further and contribute more in space missions to help humanity expand our understanding of the universe and materialise multiplanetary life by delivering world-class space technology from Scotland.”

“The ability of Scottish companies to grow both domestically and internationally is critical to Scotland’s economic growth. So I warmly welcome Scottish Enterprise’s ability to secure £2.15 billion in export sales last year. At a time of heightened challenge in global trading, this is a resounding endorsement of the resilience and ambition of our Scottish businesses, and the high quality goods and services they sell around the world,” said Stephen Flynn, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport.

The UK Government has released the first £52.1 million from its £140 million Local Growth Fund to Scotland’s Regional Partnerships, after green-lighting three-year investment plans covering five regions.

Year 1 funding cleared to regional Accountable Bodies on or around 28 August 2026 and is being delivered directly to Regional Partnerships — collaborations between local government, the private sector, education and skills providers, enterprise and skills agencies and the third sector. The Government said the fund is designed to build physical infrastructure, establish high-growth commercial spaces and close skills gaps in areas with the lowest Gross Disposable Household Income (GDHI) per capita, including West Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire, Dundee, Clackmannanshire and Fife.

Year 1 allocations, released now to enable delivery to begin, are:

• Glasgow City Region: £22,684,596 released, of a total three-year allocation of £60.9 million.
• Edinburgh & South East Scotland: £14,095,909 released, of £37.8 million.
• Tay Cities Region: £7,256,931 released, of £19.5 million.
• Ayrshire: £4,400,298 released, of £11.8 million.
• Forth Valley: £3,665,499 released, of £9.8 million.

“The UK Government is committed to empowering local communities by spreading power throughout the country. These funds will support local leaders throughout Scotland to create skilled jobs, help start up businesses and revive our local high streets,” said Douglas Alexander, Scottish Secretary.

“After months of close working directly with regional partners across Scotland, the UK Government is now releasing £52.1 million directly to regional leaders who know their communities best so delivery can begin.”

The Local Growth Fund runs over three financial years, from 2026/27 to 2028/29, with funding for Years 2 and 3 rolled out as regions progress through their plans, subject to regular updates and annual reviews. Eligible regions were selected using objective GDHI-per-capita data and allocations set proportionally by population.

The Government said Scotland will be up to £25 million better off through the Local Growth Fund, Growth Mission Fund and Pride in Place funding than under the Shared Prosperity Fund, with up to £250 million of investment expected in Scottish communities over the next three years. Wider, it said it is investing more than £2.3 billion over 10 years in local and regional projects across Scotland.

SaxaVord Spaceport has welcomed UK Government plans to invest £30 million as part of a wider £60 million public-private investment programme to accelerate the UK’s orbital launch capability.

The Government investment, subject to due diligence, forms part of the UK’s updated space strategy and is to be matched by £30 million of planned private investment. The money will fund completion of key infrastructure at the Unst site — all three launchpads, mission management infrastructure and a second integration hangar — as SaxaVord moves towards regular commercial launch operations.

SaxaVord, the UK’s only licensed vertical launch spaceport, holds regulatory approval for up to 30 launches a year and is being developed to accommodate multiple launch providers. Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) is working towards the first vertical orbital test flight from UK soil, while HyImpulse is preparing a sub-orbital launch campaign. The company said it is also in discussions with further launch service providers.

“This is a hugely significant vote of confidence in SaxaVord and in the UK’s determination to establish its own launch capability,” said Scott Hammond, SaxaVord CEO.

“We have transformed a former RAF radar station in Unst into the UK’s first licensed vertical launch spaceport. This government investment, which will unlock a matching amount of private investment, will help us take the next step – establishing regular launch operations from the UK and building a sustainable commercial spaceport for the long term.”

Hammond added: “We are building the spaceport for the thousandth as much as the first launch, creating a safe, secure and trusted home for our client launch providers for many years to come.”

Lise Kaae, CEO of Heartland — which through its investment arm Wild Ventures holds a majority stake in the spaceport — said: “We are very pleased to welcome UK Government as an investor and partner in SaxaVord. Their commitment is a strong endorsement of the ambitions for the company, the spaceport in Shetland and the potential we have believed in for many years. As long-standing supporters and partners, we are proud of the development so far and look forward to continuing the journey alongside the UK Government.”

The company said the Government investment remains subject to due diligence and final sign-off, and that it intends to make a further announcement, including full details of the investment programme, once the agreement has been settled.

Technology and business consultancy Waterstons Ltd has relocated its Glasgow operations to a larger facility near Central Station, a strategic move driven by substantial expansion in its Scottish client base and team. The firm reported a 31% increase in its Scottish revenue over the past two years, necessitating an office more than double the capacity of its previous West Regent Street location.

This growth is primarily attributed to deepening client relationships across Scotland, particularly within the energy and social housing sectors. Key partnerships highlighted by Waterstons include Fidra Energy and Kingdom Housing. Fidra Energy, established in 2024 and headquartered in Edinburgh, specialises in the development, construction, and operation of large battery energy storage projects across the UK and Europe. Kingdom Housing Association, a Registered Social Landlord based in Fife, delivers affordable housing and support services throughout East Central Scotland. These collaborations have increasingly drawn Waterstons’ wider team to Scotland to support the expanding technology and business requirements of these organisations.

The decision to maintain a central Glasgow presence underscores Waterstons’ commitment to accessibility for its clients, partners, and the broader Scottish business community. Glasgow stands as Scotland’s most populous city and the third-most populous city in the United Kingdom. Its city centre is recognised as a vital commercial and retail district, while proximity to Glasgow Central Station, Scotland’s busiest station, offers crucial transport links to destinations across Great Britain.

Beyond accommodating a larger team, the new office has been designed as a versatile space capable of hosting various events, including meetings for membership organisations, client workshops, and networking gatherings. Waterstons also intends to make the facilities available to clients and partner organisations for training sessions and meetings, reinforcing its stated role as an active participant within the Scottish business landscape.

Colin Speirs, Waterstons’ Scotland Regional Lead, commented on the relocation: “This move is about more than just square footage. This is a real statement of intent about our ambitions in Scotland. We’ve seen fantastic growth over the past couple of years, both in our team and in the strength of our client relationships here, and this new office gives us the space to keep building on that.”

Mr. Speirs further added: “Staying in the heart of Glasgow was really important to us. It’s where our clients are, it’s where our team wants to be, and it puts us right at the centre of the business community we’re so passionate about being part of.”

Waterstons, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in April 2024, provides expertise in data, technology, software, and cyber security. The firm also operates offices in Durham and London, UK, and Sydney, Australia. The broader UK management consulting market, valued at approximately £10 billion, has experienced strong growth in recent years, with technology consulting identified as its largest segment. Looking ahead, Scotland’s technology sector expressed cautious optimism in 2026, with a majority of businesses anticipating sales growth, particularly within regulated industries such as energy and financial services.

Thousands of jobs and tens of billions of pounds of investment in Scotland’s offshore wind sector could be put at risk by the UK Government’s forthcoming energy blueprint, industry leaders have warned in a joint letter to Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh.

The signatories include Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Global Underwater Hub, Opportunity North East, Energy Transition Zone Ltd and port operators including Aberdeen, Peterhead and Montrose. They wrote amid concerns the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) could sideline Scottish floating offshore wind and jeopardise major ScotWind projects.

The letter warns that choosing the wrong path would “put a substantial part of Scotland’s offshore wind opportunity at risk”, with projects potentially “delayed, scaled back or face a much harder route to construction”.

It said: “That would send a negative and unwelcome signal to developers, manufacturers, ports and investors that the UK government sees a much diminished role for Scottish offshore wind in Britain’s future energy system.

“That would weaken confidence across the supply chain, reduce the prospect of contracts coming to Scotland and make further investment in Scottish ports and industrial facilities harder to justify.

“The lowest-cost or most readily deliverable pathway in the near term will not necessarily provide best value over the full life of the plan.

“The decision must capture the long-term scale and industrial value of ScotWind, including the consequences for energy security and North Sea communities.”

The letter added: “These benefits depend on projects reaching construction. Ports and industrial sites across Scotland are already investing in the facilities, land and capability required to support offshore wind.

“Future investment decisions depend on confidence in a substantial and deliverable pipeline of projects.

“The consequences will be felt across Scotland, with particularly high stakes for the North Sea transition.”

Renfrew-based Beeks Financial Cloud Group plc has signed a multi-year agreement with the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) to deploy its Exchange Cloud® platform across the SET market.

Announcing the deal on 1 September 2026, AIM-listed Beeks (AIM: BKS) said it would deploy Exchange Cloud® to underpin SET’s market infrastructure, “delivering a suite of connectivity market data and co-location services within a single managed environment”.

The service is expected to go live in H1 FY27, with revenue recognition thereafter under a revenue share model, “supporting Beeks’ base of long-term, high-quality recurring revenues”.

Beeks said SET is “one of Southeast Asia’s most established and actively traded capital markets”, and that the decision to deploy Exchange Cloud® reflects “the increasing adoption of on-premise cloud as an exchange’s infrastructure and SET’s ambition to position itself as a technologically advanced trading environment”.

The company said the agreement represents “a significant milestone in expanding Beeks’ footprint in the Asia-Pacific region, establishing Beeks as the partner of choice for major exchanges across multiple target regions”. It marks the eighth exchange to adopt Exchange Cloud®.

Gordon McArthur, CEO of Beeks, said: “This adoption of Exchange Cloud® by the Stock Exchange of Thailand demonstrates the growing global appetite for on-premise cloud as an exchange’s infrastructure. SET is one of Southeast Asia’s most important and dynamic exchanges, and we are proud to be the infrastructure partner they have chosen.

“The contract expands our presence in the strategically important APAC region, strengthens our forward revenue visibility, and further reinforces the substantial market opportunity for Exchange Cloud®.”

Beeks Group, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Renfrew, is a managed private infrastructure provider for capital markets. It employs over 100 people, with the majority based at its Renfrew HQ.