Mark Williamson

Columnist

I became a journalist after I qualified as a chartered accountant in London, despite hating maths at school. A specialist in the oil and gas industry and entrepreneurial firms, I love writing about the great human stories the business world is full of.

I became a journalist after I qualified as a chartered accountant in London, despite hating maths at school. A specialist in the oil and gas industry and entrepreneurial firms, I love writing about the great human stories the business world is full of.

Latest articles from Mark Williamson

Equinor started production from the giant Mariner field off Shetland in 2019

Mark Williamson: Rosebank oil field plan wins backing from giant after tax hike
Chancellor Rachel Reeves hiked North Sea taxes in the Budget but Equinor still seems keen to develop the huge Rosebank oil field off Shetland

Mike Ashley developed Frasers Group out of the Sports Direct business he founded in 1982

Retail tycoon Mike Ashley told bid for luxury handbag firm 'untenable'
Former Rangers shareholder Mike Ashley faces challenge in his bid to buy luxury handbag firm Mulberry after being told his latest bid for it is 'untenable'

Halfords has hundreds of stores and autocentres across the UK

ANALYSIS Halfords underlines consumer fears about Budget as bicycle and tyre sales suffer

Car parts to bicycles retailer Halfords has said consumer fears about what the Autumn Budget will contain have compounded the challenges posed by inflation

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First Minister John Swinney campaigning in Glasgow in September

Mark Williamson: SNP Government dithers as North Sea oil industry faces crisis

SNP Government wins boost as green power developments are put in line to benefit from UK support scheme amid fears about oil industry outlook

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An aerial view of the new Premier Inn hotel in Thurso, Caithness

Premier Inn owner forecasts £300m increase in profits amid cull of independents
Hospitality giant Whitbread has seen its shares surge after the company underlined its growth prospects and unveiled plans for bumper pay outs to investors.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey

ANALYSIS Interest rate cut a ‘done deal’ after sharp fall in inflation

Inflation fell sharply in September fuelling hopes the Bank of England will cut interest rates and providing a boost for the Government ahead of the Budget.

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Bellway is working on housing developments from Ayrshire to Fife in Scotland

Housebuilding giant sees reservations surge as mortgage rate cuts fuel recovery
Housebuilding giant Bellway has provided further evidence of the strength of the recent upturn in the market after seeing profits plunge in the latest financial year amid challenging trading conditions.

Deltic Energy is using the Valaris 123 rig to drill a well on the Selene prospect in the North Sea with Shell and Dana Petroleum

ANALYSIS North Sea pioneer parts company with chief executive amid oil industry upheaval

North Sea exploration pioneer has completed a boardroom shake-up amid fears the oil and gas industry faces big tax hikes in the Budget.

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RWE staff and Labour MP Melanie Onn visit the Siemens Gamesa blade factory in Hull

Mark Williamson: SNP Government green jobs failure seen in English city success

SNP Government green industry plans win UK funding scheme boost as lack of progress underlined by an English city's success

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Tesco claims its Aldi Price Match scheme has helped it to win lots of business

Tesco posts bumper profits as it faces Scottish complication

Supermarket giant Tesco has posted bumper profits and grown market share helped by price cuts and the Clubcards scheme as it plans to open stores in Scotland.

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