UK

David Thomson has been appointed deputy chief executive of Close Invoice Finance. He will remain Managing Director of Metropolitan Factors, which became part of the Close Group in 2001.

Examining the rate of corporate failure in Scotland as a means of identifying overall trends and shifting patterns is a tricky business, given the often wayward and fluctuating fortunes of differing sectors.

The latest Government figures (reported on factorscan 7 February) show that the number of companies going out of business is on the increase - which may make the Bank of England's recent 0.25% cut in interest rates even more dangerous to businesse

The shortage of skilled workers across the UK is getting worse and is holding back small- and medium-sized firms according to the latest research from Bibby Financial Services.

The international law firm Jones Day and the leading City of London firm Gouldens announced that they will merge their practices, effective February 8.

The Better Payment Practice Group (BPPG) has welcomed The Chartered Institute of Purchasing And Supply (CIPS) as its latest member. The Institute will be represented by Melinda Johnson, head of policy & representation.

Independent Growth Finance (IGF) has announced the further strengthening of its client management team with the recent appointment of Geoff Aris as regional manager for the Midlands.

The Enterprise Act received Royal Assent on 7 November 2002. At that time the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, said "The Enterprise Act is good news for business, consumers and the economy.

The Lord Chancellor's Department today published statistics for company winding up, and creditors' and debtors' bankruptcy petitions issued in the High Court and county courts of England and Wales during the fourth quarter of 2002.

It has recently become apparent that insolvency practitioners and their advisers should be particularly vigilant when dealing with Customs & Excise on behalf of companies in administration.