Rob McLaren

Dundee

Business Editor at The Courier and Evening Telegraph (Dundee)

Business Editor at @thecourieruk Contact me at [email protected]

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Articles

Driver Hire Dundee boss on sleeping on sofa to making millions

3 weeks ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rob McLaren

When the opportunity came up to acquire the Dundee franchise of a driver recruitment agency, Jordan Tracey thought it was a golden opportunity. He had already worked for Driver Hire across three locations and saw how successful it could be. There was just one problem – the asking price for the Dundee territory was £100,000 and Jordan, in his own words, “didn’t have a bean”. But that wasn’t going to stop him.
Perth auction for planes and helicopters with bids starting at just £200

3 weeks ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rob McLaren

Planes and helicopters worth tens of thousands of pounds are being sold at auction in Perth. The aircraft, assets of Air Service Training (Engineering) Ltd, are being put up for sale after no buyer emerged for the company. The business, fully-owned by UHI Perth, went into administration last month. It has since emerged that the company’s debts exceed £1 million. Administrators from Henderson Loggie have now instructed auctioneers Sweeney Kincaid to sell assets owned by the business.
Courier Business Conference to feature legendary T in the Park promoter

3 weeks ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rob McLaren

Geoff Ellis, the man behind major Scottish music festivals T in the Park and TRNSMT, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Courier Business Conference. The chief executive of DF Concerts will reflect on more than 40 years in the music business, during which time he has dealt with everyone from Oasis to Beyonce. DF Concerts is also behind the Summer Sessions concerts which brought Noel Gallagher and Stereophonics to Slessor Gardens in Dundee in 2022.
UHI Perth principal revealed £1m debts in failed business just days before resignation

3 weeks ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rob McLaren

More than £1 million is owed by a Perth aviation firm which collapsed into administration last month. Air Service Training (Engineering) Limited was fully owned by UHI Perth. It trained thousands of pilots and aircraft engineers since it was established in 1931. In one of her last acts as principal and chief executive of UHI Perth, Dr Margaret Cook provided a ‘statement of affairs’ estimating the debts in the business. Dr Cook resigned with immediate effect from her post at UHI Perth last week.
Courier Business Awards 2025: Entries open as new categories revealed

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rob McLaren

The Courier Business Awards 2025 are open for entries as we look to share success stories from companies across our region. The awards, held in partnership with Henderson Loggie, have been celebrating the achievements of companies operating in Dundee, Angus, Fife and Perthshire since 2013. They recognise the ambition, resilience and innovation of the region’s most outstanding companies – from established enterprises to game-changing entrepreneurs.
New owners spent almost £10m acquiring Carnoustie Golf Hotel

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rob McLaren

The new owners of Carnoustie Golf Hotel and Spa spent close to £10 million acquiring the property. New accounts for Carnoustie Golf Heritage and Hospitality Group Limited (CGHH) reveal the purchase price for the first time. The group completed the transaction in September 2023. They plan to spend millions of pounds improving the facilities in a bid to attract The Open back to Angus.
Collapsed Dundee charity’s debts could run into millions

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rob McLaren

Collapsed Dundee charity Dovetail could have debts in the millions, according to a new report from the administrators. Dovetail Enterprises went into administration on March 31, with the immediate loss of 47 jobs. The charity, which provided employment for disabled people, manufactured doors, beds and mattresses at Dunsinane Industrial Estate. A new report by administrators Interpath said it has been unsuccessful at trying to find a buyer for the company.
Voigt Architects plan to build success with new Dundee office

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rob McLaren

Angus firm Voigt Architects is setting up a new office in Dundee as it targets growth. The architectural firm is a well-known name in Angus and operates from the visitor centre building at Arbroath harbour. It was set up by directors and staff from the Voigt Partnership following the untimely death of managing director Heinz Voigt in December 2017, at the age of 64.
Wallace Hospital in Dundee invests £2.2 million on its facilities

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rob McLaren

A Dundee private hospital has invested £2.2 million on expanding its facilities. Wallace Hospital, on Americanmuir Road, provides specialist high dependency complex care. Its clients include people with learning disabilities, with autistic spectrum disorder or who have mental health difficulties. Owned by Cygnet, the next phase of an extensive renovation and expansion has been completed. The latest multi-million-pound investment has seen eight new beds added to the provision.
Eden Project attraction will be 'economic dynamo' for Dundee

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rob McLaren

Eden Project Dundee has the potential to be an “economic dynamo” that will bring billions of pounds into the region, according to its chief executiveEden Project Scotland, on the site of the old gasworks on East Dock Street, is still several years away from opening the eco attraction. Before building can begin, designs need finalised and a main contractor appointed. And then there’s the small matter of raising tens of millions of pounds.