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Ian McConnell

Ian McConnell

Herald Scotland

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What really stood out in those words from manager of £16 billion Scottish fund

What really stood out in those words from manager of £16 billion Scottish fund

The managers of the £16 billion Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust provided much food for thought when they presented its annual results last week....

latest 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Scottish airport's 'fairly incredible' progress as exciting megacity route opens

Scottish airport's 'fairly incredible' progress as exciting megacity route opens

“Fairly incredible” was how new Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn described the progress made by Prestwick...

previous day 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Prestwick Airport tops UK league table on key measure

Prestwick Airport tops UK league table on key measure

There has been a fair smattering of good news on the Scottish business and economic front in the past week. Given the tough backdrop, such cheer is...

01.06.2026 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Scotland's airports soar on back of big flight wins

Scotland's airports soar on back of big flight wins

There is much good news for Scotland’s airports in data released this week by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The numbers, covering the first...

29.05.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

What was it Swinney said that stood out?

What was it Swinney said that stood out?

One aspect of John Swinney’s speech to the Confederation of British Industry in Scotland’s annual lunch in Edinburgh on Friday stood out. This...

27.05.2026 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Scottish airport celebrates flights and Stephen Flynn in spotlight

Scottish airport celebrates flights and Stephen Flynn in spotlight

The Scottish airport had plenty of reasons to celebrate as it flagged the key flights milestone, writes Business Editor Ian McConnell. And the...

25.05.2026 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

This Scottish airport just keeps on clocking up milestones with key flight wins

This Scottish airport has enjoyed success after success in recent times, writes Business Editor Ian McConnell. And it is notching up milestone after...

22.05.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

How will Flynn fare with hard-to-please Scottish business community?

From a business and economic perspective, the big focus post-election was always going to be on who would succeed Kate Forbes in the economy role....

20.05.2026 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

So what is going on with summer holiday prices and bookings?

As the peak summer holiday season approaches, holiday companies and airlines are talking about booking patterns and pricing. Business Editor Ian...

20.05.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Swinney and Starmer and two oh so very different hymn sheets

John Swinney and Sir Keir Starmer both addressed the same big issue last week. However, while both in essence expressing pro-European sentiments, the...

18.05.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

At last some uplifting news in a tough graduate jobs market

The graduate jobs market is tough at a time when we are seeing the rise of artificial intelligence. Business Editor Ian McConnell analyses some more...

15.05.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Why I continue to write about Brexit nearly a decade after the referendum

So why am I still writing about Brexit? Business Editor Ian McConnell offers his views on why this topic is so crucial as we look forward. Before...

13.05.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Two great Scottish manufacturing success stories to celebrate

Amid the Scottish Parliament election campaigning last week, a couple of positive and non-contentious stories stood out on the business and economic...

11.05.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

One sure thing for the next Scottish government and a huge challenge

The next Scottish government, which now looks almost certain to be another SNP administration with or without a power-sharing agreement, can be sure...

08.05.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Shipbuilding 'step forward' and fantastic news on Scottish yard

It was great to hear the update from the owner of the major Scottish yard as a shipbuilding 'step forward' was celebrated, writes Business...

08.05.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Why did rules allow major Scottish company's entire board to be ousted?

Why did the rules allow a major Scottish company's entire board to be ousted? Business Editor Ian McConnell weighs the major issues raised by the...

06.05.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Reform UK Scottish leader stirs up hornets' nest

The Scottish Parliament election has not surprisingly dominated the headlines, writes Ian McConnell. The Business Editor considers the crux of the...

04.05.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Does Scotland need more Malcolm Offords?

Malcolm Offord set the cat among the pigeons with his declaration during Scotland’s televised election debate that he owns “six houses, five cars...

29.04.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Why was state-owned Scottish shipyard ruled out of ferry contract?

Should the state-owned Scottish shipyard have been ruled out of this lucrative contract to replace a vessel it built in 1989? Business Editor Ian...

29.04.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

More and more people realising those Brexiters sold them a pup

It was inevitable more and more people would realise they had been sold a pup by the Brexiters, writes Business Editor Ian McConnell. And, as we...

27.04.2026 10

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Brexit rears head on both sides of Scottish constitutional chasm

Brexit remains a very hot topic indeed in spite of the desperate efforts by those who visited the catastrophe upon us . It is hardly surprising to see...

24.04.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

So who is actually out of touch in fierce battle for major Scottish company?

The declaration last week from US hedge fund manager Boaz Weinstein’s Saba Capital Management that the board of Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust...

22.04.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

‘Absolutely amazing countries’ see surge in bookings at Scottish travel agent

Tourism has been in focus, writes Business Editor Ian McConnell, with a Scottish travel agent flagging a surge in bookings to 'absolutely amazing...

13.04.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Why this all adds up to a very big deal for Scottish National Investment Bank

There has been much politicking around the Scottish National Investment Bank, writes Business Editor Ian McConnell. But this all adds up to a very big...

10.04.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

What does business think of Scottish Government performance as election looms?

There is surely much to consider for the SNP and Labour in the findings of a major poll of Scottish business leaders by The Herald, writes Ian...

03.04.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

So just why are we not talking up the North Sea?

It would surely be no skin off the government's chin to talk up the North Sea, writes Business Editor Ian McConnell. And it would be ridiculous...

01.04.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Something very eye-catching on Scottish income tax front

There has been something eye-catching on the Scottish income tax front, writes Business Editor Ian McConnell. You would just about have had to be...

30.03.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Challenge for SNP clear in praise for Kate Forbes

Praise for Kate Forbes was among several notable things as another major success for Prestwick Airport was announced last Friday, writes Ian...

25.03.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Mixed emotions as Glasgow remains in spotlight

A couple of significant pieces of news produced mixed emotions, writes Ian McConnell. And hopefully there will be plenty more success stories to come...

23.03.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Daily China flights win a big deal for Scottish airport

The decision by the Chinese carrier to increase the frequency of its service at the Scottish airport to daily is a big deal, writes Business Editor...

20.03.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Big thing overlooked after distressing Glasgow Union Street fire

The Glasgow Union Street fire is a major blow but there is a big thing about the city that is often overlooked, writes Ian McConnell. Much tends to be...

18.03.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Good news on Scottish flights to US but also transatlantic strife

There were two very different transatlantic interactions on the Scottish business scene, writes Ian McConnell. Good news on US flights from Scotland...

16.03.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Sorry state of affairs as major Scottish company reaches 'end of the road'

It was dispiriting to hear a major Scottish company declare that it has "reached the end of the road" with a US hedge fund's obsession,...

13.03.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Hopes of major new flights win for Scottish airport fuelled by US airline

The major US airline executive's enthusiasm about Scotland was even more uplifting than the dulcet tones of Edinburgh Airport's chief...

11.03.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Major SNP Government call on historic Scottish shipyard can launch good chapter

Given what is at stake, it would be great to see everyone get behind Ferguson Marine or at least recognise the importance of having this shipbuilding...

09.03.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Even naysayers should welcome big SNP Government call on Ferguson Marine

It was great to hear this week of the Scottish Government's proposed award of major work to the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow, writes...

06.03.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Why owner of family firm making Scottish delicacy is shining example for bosses

There was one particularly striking point, among many, in the responses of the owner of an award-winning Scottish family business which makes a...

04.03.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

A big surprise for those doomsayers on Scotland?

The doomsayers on Scotland may have got a big surprise last week, writes Business Editor Ian McConnell. Given the doomsaying that seems to be an...

02.03.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Pathetic attitude to Scottish National Investment Bank misses whole point

The attitude of some people to the Scottish National Investment Bank misses the whole point, writes Business Editor Ian McConnell. There has been lots...

27.02.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian Mcconnell

Why departure of Scottish airport chief came as such a surprise

News of the departure of Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar came as such a surprise last week, writes Business Editor Ian McConnell. It...

25.02.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian McConnell

Two Scottish airports hit headlines in perhaps unexpected ways

Two Scottish airports have hit the headlines in perhaps unexpected ways in the last week. Business Editor Ian McConnell takes a look at these...

23.02.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Ian McConnell

Business guru’s welcome take on Scottish airport shows others on to plums

There has been much tiresome moaning over the Scottish Government's rescue of Prestwick Airport, writes Business Editor Ian McConnell. While this...

20.02.2026 150

Herald Scotland

Ian McConnell

Airlines and holiday companies good news could bode well for Scotland

There has been a flurry of good news from airlines and holiday companies in the last few weeks as the post-pandemic tailwind for the overseas travel...

18.02.2026 80

Herald Scotland

Ian McConnell

UK Government urged to 'get to grips with threat' as Scottish drama intensifies

The UK Government has been urged to 'get to grips with the threat' as the drama has intensified in a key sector in which Scotland has a...

16.02.2026 50

Herald Scotland

Ian McConnell

Unwanted drama for major Scottish company just goes on and on

The unwanted drama just goes on and on for a major Scottish company facing another attempt to oust its board, writes Ian McConnell. And the industry...

13.02.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Ian McConnell

Exciting news on major routes for Scottish airport

There has been some exciting news on two key routes for Glasgow Airport , writes Business Editor Ian McConnell . Things certainly appear to...

12.02.2026 60

Herald Scotland

Ian McConnell

Positive stories and expansion plans from two popular Scottish restaurant groups

Two major Scottish restaurant operators have positive stories to tell, in spite of the undoubted pressures on the hospitality sector, writes Ian...

10.02.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Ian McConnell

How about putting actual Brexit truths on a bus now tub-thumping has died down?

Labour's "red lines" are enabling the enormous economic damage from Brexit to continue, writes Business Editor Ian McConnell. The solution is a...

07.02.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Ian McConnell

Exciting story of Scottish restaurant group as it embarks on latest chapter

The Glasgow-based restaurant group behind Di Maggio's and Café Andaluz , and now also Paesano and Sugo , has had quite the journey, writes Ian...

05.02.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Ian McConnell

Glasgow Airport chief's major revelations on new flights

Glasgow Airport's chief was in ebullient form last week as he revealed talks with airlines about new flights to various destinations around the...

03.02.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Ian McConnell