I’ve always aspired to see Scotland recognised as the most trusted place in the UK to do business – a beacon of honest, reliable companies that deliver on their promises. It’s a vision rooted not just in economic ambition, but in national pride.
If we’re serious about Scotland’s global competitiveness and economic resilience, we must ensure that integrity and reliability remain at the core of how we do business.
Of course, saying that is one thing, delivering it is quite another. Running a business in today’s climate is no small feat. It’s a case of spinning multiple plates relentlessly and all at once – keeping staff motivated, navigating day-to-day operations, planning for growth, and continually evolving to meet customer needs.
Every moving part must work in harmony. But it’s this very attention to detail that determines whether your business becomes a trusted name, regardless of the sector you specialise in.
Unfortunately, even well-run businesses can stumble on the basics. And one of those foundational responsibilities – paying your invoices on time – can have a much larger impact than many realise. Letting invoices slip into overdue territory not only harms your cash flow, but it also damages your reputation. It undermines the trust you’ve worked so hard to build.
That’s why I was heartened to see recent data from trade body R3 and Creditsafe showing that Scotland currently leads the UK in terms of invoice reliability. The number of overdue invoices has dropped to its lowest level so far in 2025. That is not only a positive direction to head in but a signal that, despite broader challenges, many Scottish businesses are getting serious about managing their finances.
Now, it’s unlikely that this improvement is down to one single factor, but it does suggest that across the country, business leaders are recognising that operational discipline and financial responsibility go hand in hand with building a credible, lasting enterprise. It tells me that we, as a business community, are taking steps to manage not just our bottom lines, but also our reputations.
However, we must not lose sight of the wider context. Despite this recent drop, the total number of unpaid invoices in Scotland is still around 30 per cent higher than it was in 2024. That’s deeply concerning. Because the longer an invoice remains unpaid, the more it ripples across the supply chain – hurting other businesses, disrupting partnerships, and eroding trust.
Put simply, it takes only one late payment to start a chain reaction of financial pressure that can affect dozens of other companies. For SMEs in particular, one unpaid invoice can be the difference between meeting payroll or not. It’s a stark reminder that in business, our responsibilities extend beyond our own front doors.
Earlier this year, a business confidence survey from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) named Scotland the most confident region in the UK for business. It’s encouraging to see that we’re leading in both optimism and, increasingly, in reliability. But just because our counterparts in other parts of the UK may be struggling in certain areas doesn’t mean we should become complacent. In fact, now is the time to double down on the values that set us apart.
Scotland’s confidence has been buoyed by strong domestic sales, growing exports, and rising employment. These are all signs of a resilient, ambitious economy. But to keep that momentum going, we must build a business culture where reliability isn’t just expected – it’s celebrated.
When Scottish companies make a habit of paying on time, delivering on commitments, and maintaining transparent communication, we send a powerful message: that this is a country where business is done the right way. That, in turn, attracts more investment, more partnerships, and more opportunities for growth.
Reliability creates stability, and stability is the foundation for a thriving economy. If we nurture a national business culture built on trust, Scotland won’t just be known for its beautiful landscapes and world-class exports, we’ll be known as a nation where business integrity is non-negotiable.
Let’s make reliability not just a strategy, but a signature of what it means to do business in Scotland.
Side: Green Aviation Taking Off Near Glasgow
The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District near Glasgow Airport appears to be taking off with an exciting new development. Renfrewshire will act as the base for a new electric plane technology manufacturing centre as Scotland plays its part in helping the aviation industry go green.
American start-up ZeroAvia is to construct the facility, which is set to create around 350 jobs. The purpose of the centre, which could be in operation by 2028, is the manufacturing of hydrogen fuel cells, required to power zero-emission aircraft.
It feels like an exciting and important place for our workers and industry to be – and the UK and Scottish governments obviously agree as they have put millions of pounds into the project. ZeroAvia has received £32m of investment from the UK’s National Wealth Fund and £18.5m of research funding since 2019.
Scottish Enterprise has also provided £9m of grant funding while the Scottish National Investment Bank has invested £20m.
I’ve said it many times before in this column, but finding ways to turn our economy green as we work towards net zero is crucial if our balance sheet is to stay in rude health.
With the First Minister John Swinney attending a launch event at the airport, it appears it’s something the government are placing a lot of importance on.
While there will be challenges ahead in this burgeoning industry, many of them no doubt technical, I have faith in Scotland’s ability to take green flights to new heights.
It Made Me Laugh: Robots Walk Out of Printers
I shuddered when I read a story which felt like a dystopian twist in the AI age as a team of researchers have developed robots capable of walking out of printers.
Thankfully, it wasn’t quite what it seemed and the team at the University of Edinburgh have created tiny ‘soft robots’ which can move as they come out of a 3D printer.
The flexible, four-legged devices are made from plastic and powered by air pressure.
It is hoped the developments will see soft robotic systems, which have no electronic parts, really take off, revolutionising industry and art.
Panic over folks – this is just another amazing Scottish feat of engineering, not an episode of Black Mirror.
It Made Me Weep: Scotland’s Universities Under Pressure
Despite all the good our institutions do; it appears the future of some of Scotland’s best universities remains uncertain.
It’s been a tough time of late for the University of Dundee and its staff as they remain at loggerheads over threatened job losses and compulsory redundancies.
Staff in the City of Discovery were joined in uncertainty this week by their colleagues in the west as the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has announced it is planning to cut 75 positions.
UWS finds itself in a perilous financial position, needing to lose £6.2 million across its five sites.
It’s a sad state of affairs for our once envied education system.
