Founder Elias van den Akke, who established the firm in 1983, announced his retirement from his active role in the company.

The position of managing director has been taken by his long-term colleague and director Brian McVean, effective from September 1.

Mr van den Akker, known as Al, also announced that his son Scot would become chairman of the training provider.

The family business hosted an event at Voco Hotel in Glasgow to mark their 40^th anniversary, attended by directors, business associates, tutors and students.

Accolades were given to Al, whose firm earlier this year was named the Large Training Provider of the Year at the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) Luca Awards.

He said: “It has been a long journey, but over the years we have had some triumphs in not only guiding students to exam success, but also to improving their skills and job prospects.

“We have also taken on the challenge of facilitating accreditation, which is now a requirement for bookkeepers under money-laundering regulations.”

Scot talked about Al’s lifetime of achievement, from Holland to the US, including an honours degree in Economics and a return to his late wife’s home in Scotland to establish Ideal Schools, and an MBA.

He said: “When Al started out, there was no internet, no Facebook, X or Instagram, no electric cars.

“Nowadays there is so much chatter that it is hard to make an impression, but I think the interpersonal relationships between staff and students have helped immeasurably.

“Ideal Schools has always been student-centred.

“From the early days we have taken our lead from Al, who takes a genuine interest in every individual and encourages communication.

“This allows us to get to know our students and to achieve not only exam passes but also to attain our shared goals.”

Brian McVean said: “Like Scot, I started out helping in the office on weekends and in the holidays and the 40 years have gone by very quickly.

“I have always had a good working relationship with Al, who gave me an insight into what a good business should be like.

“When I was getting qualifications in management and accountancy, I did distance learning courses and that is just what they were – distant and uncommunicative.

“In contrast, Ideal Schools has always tried to ensure that students are treated properly and given the support they deserve.

“We now have a very good management system for students and our social media helps keep them engaged with each other as well as teaching them to work as a team.

“I have been very privileged to work with our amazing teachers in this fantastic community.”

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A 2023 report by the UK’s biggest housebuilder, Barrats Developments PLC, has revealed that 31% of prospective buyers in Scotland are considering buying and renting out a room for additional income.

Barrats’ research showed a trend towards shared homeownership as consumers struggle to buy solo.

Additionally, the report found that of those already on the property ladder, 50% would consider downsizing to a cheaper home to save money on bills.

The ‘Tackling the Cost of Living Crisis’ report highlighted how the squeeze in peoples finances is changing the criteria set by home-buyers in Scotland, with clients sharpening their focus on long term income.

To help ease the financial burden of purchasing a new home, Barratt Developments recently announced a deposit or mortgage contribution scheme, offering homebuyers up to £30,000 towards their deposit or mortgage repayments.

According to the House Builders Federation, Barrat homes are up to 64% more energy efficient than others, potentially saving new buyers money on household bills.  

Doug McLeod, regional managing director for Barratt Developments Scotland, said: “There’s no doubt that the cost-of-living crisis has changed the way people are buying homes.

“Worries around rising interest rates, inflation and energy bills have seen people consider new ways to generate income, including renting out a spare room.

“Despite this, our research shows that people are still confident in the UK housing market.

“With this in mind, we have launched a variety of schemes to support those looking to invest in property, including mortgage contributions and deposit help for first time buyers.”

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The report by Edinburgh-based digital technology company Forrit reveals that the data breaches occurred through the firms’ contenent management systems (CMS).

It explores issues identified by marketers around using a CMS and offers tips to overcome challenges with security, regulation, branding, integration, efficiency and ease of use.

The report also notes that using more than one CMS – as 88% of the organisations surveyed do – could result in an increased security risk.

Peter Proud, CEO of Forrit, said: “Given the highly sensitive nature of information and extensive regulatory requirements in the financial services sector, we know security and compliance are paramount.

“Options like a cloud-based CMS that integrates with the rest of your system and using templates can help marketers be confident they’re reducing security risk while increasing compliance.”

Forrit commissioned Censuswide to survey 254 heads of marketing working in the banking, financial services, insurance, reinsurance and wealth management sectors across the UK in June.

Its subsequent report found that the banking and wealth management sectors were more likely to have suffered a data breach through their CMS in the past three years.

It also notes that three-quarters (75%) of marketers do not consistently use templates, which makes it more difficult to maintain compliance and brand consistency.

Meanwhile, the report also found that over a quarter (27%) of marketers do not localise content for different countries, which could cause compliance issues.

Other issues identified by financial services marketers across the board included ease of use (47%), enforcing brand guidelines (38%) and difficulty integrating with other systems (34%).

Peter Proud continued: “Nearly all the issues senior marketers identified in our research could be mitigated by using a single CMS platform, regardless of the organisation’s size.

“An astonishing 88% of organisations in the financial services sector are using many platforms, which can only be contributing to their challenges.

“A single platform which is secure, flexible, easy to use, and scalable is the simplest way to overcome all the pitfalls marketers identified around their CMSs.

“It’s more secure and can develop alongside your organisation as it grows,” he added.

Founded in 2014, Forrit is an Edinburgh-based digital technology company that has developed enterprise CMS software.

Its full report, titled The Content Management System market in 2023: what marketers in financial services really think, is available to download on the Forrit website.

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Panoramic is an established fund manager that invests across the UK – focusing specifically on Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England – and is usually the first source of institutional capital for the smaller businesses it funds.

Panoramic is known for its innovative approach, such as investing in a range of transactions including management buyouts and replacement capital as well as financing growth for aspiring business owners.

The new fund will have flexibility in its capital structuring and will invest through a combination of equity and loan notes, allowing Panoramic to fund growth opportunities and management transitions for smaller businesses across the UK.

Panoramic will invest between £2m and £8m into companies that have achieved EBITDA (business performance) of more than £500,000 in the prior 12 months and will invest across a range of sectors.

British Business Investments – a wholly-owned commercial subsidiary of the British Business Bank – aims to increase the supply and diversity of finance for smaller businesses across the UK by boosting the lending capacity of a range of finance providers.

Since it was established in 2014, British Business Investments has committed more than £3.3 billion to providers of finance to UK smaller businesses.

Stephen Campbell, Investment Partner, Panoramic, said: “Our ability to hit our hard cap of £100m is testament to our consistently strong track record and the business owners we have backed since our first fund launched in 2010.

“British Business Bank has been an investor in Panoramic funds since our inception and we are delighted that they have continued that journey with a £30m commitment to Fund 3.”

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The Stonehaven-based business, which designs, manufactures and installs timber systems, has appointed Kirsten Bell as finance director.

Kirsten has held the role of ERP (enterprise, resource planning) project manager with Deeside Timberframe for 18 months.

She was previously finance director of sister company, Bancon Construction, for almost six years.

With 16 years’ experience in finance in the construction industry, Kirsten held financial controller roles with Chap Group Ltd and Mansell before joining Bancon Construction.

Her appointment is part of a realignment of the senior management team aimed at delivering the firm’s growth plans.

Derek Wann, former commercial director, takes on the new role of UK business development director while former operations director, Stewart Ferguson, has been appointed contracts director.

Meanwhile, John Cain has been appointed to the new role of national sales manager as Deeside Timberframe looks to push into the English market.

David Crawford, managing director of Deeside Timberframe, said: “We’re thrilled that Kirsten is taking up the role of finance director after transforming our systems and reporting.

“Our restructured senior management team is now fully aligned with our business plan which seeks to deliver significant growth.”

Aberdeenshire-headquartered Deeside Timberframe, part of the Bancon Group, has been providing timber frames for over 40 years.

The company works with housebuilders, housing associations, construction firms and self-build customers to design, manufacture, and install timber systems.

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Whitney Ainscough has gained a large social media following through videos showing her cooking poor meals for her children, as well as bragging about how her benefits income compares to most salaries.

The 30-year-old mum of three has now explained why she doesn’t work and sees no need to, after revealing the whopping figure she receives through Universal Credit every week.

The video begins with Whitney from Rotherham, Yorkshire talking over a greenscreen background of her benefit entitlement document, which shows that she receives £1,151.90 per week.

She says: “Can somebody please tell me why I’d ever get a job when this is my weekly universal credits that I get.

“I mean, why would I get a job? I get your monthly wage in a week so why would I put myself out and get a job?

“I mean I’m living my f***ing best life, f***ing hell.”

Whitney uploaded the video to social media last month with the caption: “I will never get a job.”

The clip has since received over 48,000 likes and dozens of comments from outraged users.

One user wrote: “Exactly what’s wrong with the system.”

Another said: “Because I have self-respect.”

A third wrote: “Doing overtime just for you love.”

Another commented: “No need to rub it in though is there. I work full time and have to give up my house because I just can’t afford to go on.”

A fifth said: “It’s frustrating when my dad was really poorly with cancer and they told him he was fit for work and didn’t get a penny even though he worked 40 years.”

Another replied: “This gets me so mad but then I can’t really blame anyone for doing it.”

Speaking today Whitney said: “I wouldn’t get a job because you get more money on benefits, Universal Credit.

“I earn normal people’s monthly wage in one week.

“Everything is free in life for me, I live a luxury life on benefits and I drive a top of the range car, fully paid for by benefits mobility car.”

In Great Britain, there was a total of 5,893,386 people on Universal Credit (14.5%) in April 2023, according to the Department for Work and Pensions.

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Lawyers at Lindsays expect Companies House to begin action against those found in breach of their obligation to be named on the Register of Overseas Entities (ROE).

The register, aimed at preventing criminals from using UK property and land to launder money, came into force in August last year.

It was introduced as part of the UK Government’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and requires overseas entities who want to buy, sell or transfer property or land in the UK to register with Companies House.

Through this, they will declare who their beneficial owners or managing officers are.

The rules also apply to those who are mortgaging a property or granting a long lease.

Secondary legislation introduced last month has created powers to impose financial penalties for offences related to the ROE.

Official data shows that, of the 1,578 overseas entities which have bought Scottish property since December 2014, only 27% have registered in the ROE.

An overseas entity is not just a company, it can be a trust of partnership which has a legal personality under a foreign jurisdiction.

Entities which fail to register can face criminal and civil sanctions and will be unable to transact with their land due to the restrictions placed over it.

Companies House has said it is assessing cases for enforcement action, working in partnership with law enforcement bodies.

The financial penalties came into force on June 21.

They can be imposed if Companies House is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person/s involved have engaged in conduct amounting to an offence under the law passed last year.

Louise Norris, a Partner in the Commercial Property team at Lindsays, said: “The introduction of this secondary legislation is a clear signal that officials at Companies House are preparing to investigate alleged breaches and take action, where appropriate.

“There is no cap on the level of fines which may be imposed for the offence of failing to register, but the Secretary of State for Business and Trade has indicated that the starting point for fines will depend on the estimated value of a property.

“There are three bands, starting at £10k, then £20k and £50k respectively.

“Where the overseas entity owns more than one property, a fine will be charged to each property in its portfolio.

“With interest on unpaid penalties accruing at 8%, sizable penalties will quickly rack up.”

Ms Norris added: “This latest step is a timely reminder for property and landowners to ensure they have done all that they are legally required to. Any oversights could prove costly.”

Law Society of Scotland rules mean that Lindsays is unable to provide verification of application services for the ROE, but its lawyers can signpost clients to providers.

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The company has opted for the Lucent Building, becoming the first tenants of the £35m office space, which is being developed by Orion Capital Managers, a European real estate private equity firm.

A 15-year lease has been agreed which will see Pinsent Masons’ 300-strong Glasgow operation move to the ESG Grade A development at 50 Bothwell Street in 2024.

Pinsent Masons believes that this move represents their commitment to Scotland’s global business community.

In 2022, the business moved their Edinburgh branch into the new 25,000 sq ft office in the Capital Square development.

At Lucent, Pinsent Masons will occupy part of the 4th floor and the entire fifth and sixth floors, totalling 27,561 sq ft.

The fifth floor features extensive private external terraces, while the sixth floor offers a newly created rooftop reception and meeting space for clients, a spacious south-facing social space with a meeting terrace for staff and further private terraces. 

The Lucent building was selected by Pinsent Masons due to its strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) qualities and its adaptability to post-Covid work environments.

The building has been vacant since 2017 and was purchased by Orion in 2021 who redeveloped the building to enhance its capabilities to facilitate smart-enabled offices in Glasgow.

Located on the corner of Bothwell Street and Wellington Street, the redevelopment has almost 80% less embodied carbon than a new build office development and has integrated smart technology for occupier comfort and engagement.

Lucent’s reimagined design, executed by Mosaic Architects, preserves the original sandstone façade.

Lucent also houses a range of leisure facilities, including a stretch and fitness studio and a contemplation suite as well as dedicated dressing rooms, 95 cycle storage spaces, showers, lockers, a drying room and a bike repair station.

According to data from Savills, as of Q1 2023, the total Grade A office supply in Glasgow was about 425,000 sq ft of which only approx 82,000 sq ft is in a prime location.

Orion Capital Managers is currently working on a number of redevelopment projects of offices internationally including Panorama St Paul’s in London, Park West in Milan and Oriente Green Campus in Lisbon.

Pinsent Masons Partner and Head of Glasgow, Barry McCaig, said: “Lucent is a bold choice for Pinsent Masons.

“The inspired transformation of this stunning building on Bothwell Street times perfectly with our current lease expiry, which meant we were able to act fast to secure the top two and a half floors of prime real estate in Glasgow’s business district.

“Not only does Lucent have great kerb appeal, but the building delivers against our environmental objectives and will provide exceptional amenities that will help us attract and retain the best people and lay the foundations for the next generation of legal and professional services talent.

“Post-Covid, we all recognise that weekly working patterns have changed and staff have a wish-list and requirements of the office environment.

“Our vision for Lucent will exceed expectations and ensure Pinsent Masons remains an attractive proposition for current and future employees, wherever they are on the career path.”

Richard Low, Orion, Asset Management Director said: “We are delighted to welcome Pinsent Masons as our first occupier at Lucent.

“When we bought this building, we wanted to create a working environment which would encourage people to come into the office and make use of the amenities on site.

“We believe we will achieve that with Lucent and have created an environment that caters for companies of the future as well as contributing to the wider regeneration of Glasgow city centre.”

Angela Higgins of Resonance Capital, who are providing development management and marketing services, said: “We are pleased to announce this first letting to Pinsent Masons, where Orion has created Lucent around people, their wellbeing needs and the changing needs of the workplace that will also embrace the needs of communities in Glasgow.

“Access to external space, the natural energy of a light filled atrium and beautiful terraces are major design features of the building while a zero carbon roadmap draws on the themes that attract businesses and pull communities together to revitalise this key area of Glasgow‘s business core.”

The leasing deal was facilitated by Ryden and Knight Frank acting on behalf of Orion, and CBRE representing Pinsent Masons.

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Local community interest company The Leith Collective are reporting a higher level of anxiety than ever amongst Edinburgh parents.

Many said they will be cutting back on summer holiday treats this year to meet the rising cost of essentials such as school uniforms.

The Leith Collective’s goal is to help alleviate some of that anxiety with the launch of their free school uniform exchange.

This initiative will see locals donate good quality uniforms, school bags, pencil cases and school essentials to those in need.

Items will be available for anyone to collect completely free of charge, no questions asked.

The exchange will take place at The Leith Collective stores in Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal and Fort Kinnaird as well as Glasgow’s St Enoch Centre.

Speaking ahead of the launch, The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson said; “Demand for our free school uniform exchange last year was high.

“Sadly, due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, there is an increasing number of families from all walks of life who are genuinely anxious about how they will kit out their kids again this year.

“So, we felt it was essential that we launch our free school uniform exchange as soon as possible – so that parents have at least one less thing to worry about throughout the school holidays.”

This follows The Leith Collective’s winter coat exchange which received an overwhelming response, with over 7,000 coats donated and collected by locals. 

People can donate and collect items at The Leith Collective in Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird, and the St Enoch Centre during opening hours.

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MRM Global (MRM) has been selected by international beverage corporation Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits as its POS execution technology and printing partner in North America.

Southern Glazer’s on and off-premise field sales teams will use MRM’s technology to order on-demand, customised and compliant POS materials for their customers.

MRM’s unique proposition will enable Southern Glazer’s, the largest wine and spirits distributor in the US, to provide increased marketing support to more customers in less time.

MRM’s innovative on-demand technology and cloud printing model will also allow Southern Glazer’s to leverage a US-wide print network that will reduce the time and distance that print materials need to travel.

The on-demand nature of the POS production aims to reduce the amount of waste created and enable a more sustainable supply chain model for print POS overall.

MRM Technology is currently used in 34 countries by the world’s leading drinks brands and distributors.

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Senior Vice President Mark Chaplin commented: “With MRM’s relationship with SGWS, our sales teams will have access to cutting edge technology that provides best-in-class support services and a more sustainable POS supply chain to our customers and supplier partners.

“MRM’s industry-leading technology and cloud printing model will provide our sales consultants with superior capabilities that will add more value for our customers and suppliers by providing greater speed to market, increased compliance, and increased efficiency.”

Craig Letton, CEO at MRM added: “We’re thrilled to partner with Southern Glazer’s as the industry innovator in wine and spirits distribution.

“We’ve built a fantastic business working with beverage alcohol suppliers and distributors in over 35 countries but we’ve always wanted to bring our disruptive technology driven model to the USA and who better to partner with than the industry leader.”

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