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

Ithaca Energy has invested heavily in boosting production from the giant Captain oil field east of Aberdeen

North Sea giant plans $200m investor payout after windfall tax hike
North Sea-focused Ithaca Energy has made clear it sees growth opportunities in the area despite the hike in the windfall tax in the Budget.

Campaigners opposed to the Rosebank oil field development hold a rally outside the Court of Session in Edinburgh

ANALYSIS Rosebank oil field firm shrugs off Scottish court challenge
Ithaca Energy has said it sees growth potential in the UK despite the windfall tax hike and a legal challenge to the Rosebank oil field project off Shetland

Phillip White became chief executive of Benromach distillery owner Gordon & MacPhail group in April after working in sales and marketing for prominent drinks companies such as Bacardi

Scotch whisky distiller laments Budget tax hikes amid pressure on sales
Speyside whisky distiller Gordon & MacPhail has said Budget tax hikes will pose challenges for the sector amid pressure on consumer spending.

Mulberry has launched a drive to grow sales and cut costs under new chief executive Andrea Baldo

ANALYSIS Mulberry cuts jobs after spurning takeover bid by Mike Ashley's Frasers Group
Upmarket handbag maker Mulberry has posted increased losses amid pressures on consumer spending after rebuffing a takeover bid by Mike Ashley's Frasers Group.

Former SNP member of the UK parliament Tommy Sheppard opposes plans for carbon capture projects off Scotland

Mark Williamson: SNP Government credibility in tatters amid Rosebank furore

The SNP Government's credibility has been undermined further after a nationalist big gun attacked plans for carbon capture projects in Scotland

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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.