GDF Suez in talks to buy portfolio of North Sea fields from Shell and ExxonMobil

GDF Suez has entered exclusive talks to buy a portfolio of producing fields in the Dutch North Sea from Shell and ExxonMobil for €1bn (£808m), underlining the enthusiasm of international firms for the mature province.

No amount of money buys free kicks for five-a-side finance chief

You might have thought that running a five-a-side football business would provide some perks on the pitch. A few missed tackles from your opponents and the odd soft penalty should be the least expected by Goals Soccer Centres finance chief Bill Gow, who still loves his weekly runaround.

Pub chain freezes dividend as profits fall 11.4%

Pub chain JD Wetherspoon needs to boost sales by 3% this year just to keep pace with rising costs for food, drink and wages, its management cautioned yesterday.

Welcome comeback for SMG

Shares in SMG surged more than 10% yesterday in a small but welcome comeback after the Glasgow-based Scottish media group revealed plans to buy back up to £30m of stock through a tender offer.

Global fears see Footsie suffer worst week in six years

The FTSE-100 yesterday skidded to the end of its worst week in more than six years on the back of more global economic fears, falling oil prices and a jump in the US unemployment rate – all of which conspired to send stock markets elsewhere tumbling.

	Scoop up every spoonful of oil, CBI advises
	The UK Government must not impose an "arbitrary and unfair tax" on energy companies as household fuel bills surge but must invest alongside North Sea players to "scoop up every spoonful" of oil, the Confederation of British Industry's director-general declared.

BP resolves dispute with Russian partners

A long-running dispute between BP and the partners in its Russian joint-venture TNK-BP appeared to have been resolved today.

Standard Life drafts in Hunt to new post

Standard Life reignited speculation about its future leadership yesterday when it appointed a highly-experienced deputy to the finance director David Nish.

Peace breaks out for BP in Russia

BP has agreed a peace deal with the Russian investors with whom it has been at loggerheads that could ensure the survival of the company's key joint venture and help the country win more foreign investment.

Ross passes on Belhaven baton to Venters

Euan Venters, a Scots-born former Sara Lee executive, has been named as the new head of beer company Belhaven, taking up the baton from its long-standing chief executive Stuart Ross.

Nestle Americas chief to take helm at Unilever

Consumer products giant Unilever yesterday announced the departure of chief executive Patrick Cescau after 35 years with the company.

Trichet piles on pressure as rates are held

European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet unnerved stock markets yesterday by highlighting the nasty combination of a "trough" in growth in the 15-nation eurozone and upside risks on the inflation front, as the Bank of England held UK base rates at 5%.

Tough times stalling gender equality bid

The failure of women to apply for director-level jobs is a significant factor in maintaining the glass ceiling in the workplace, according to an industry expert.

JMH fires ahead as oil and gas side expected to balloon

Arbroath-based engineer John M Henderson (JMH) is on target to double its turnover in oil and gas-related contracts, the company estimates, just three months into its new financial year.

Resolution merger leads to search for fiery classical inspiration

Managers at Glasgow-based Resolution Asset Management have trodden a well-worn path back to the classical era when seeking a new name for the business following its merger with new owner Pearl's Axial Investment Management.

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