Barclays to boost jobs in Scotland

Barclays bank is said to be looking for office space in Scotland that could house up to 850 jobs, in a venture that could see jobs transferred from down south/London.

The Sunday Herald says the bank has plans for two new commercial projects in Scotland. The bank already has a strong presence in Glasgow through businesses such as Barclays Stockbrokers and Gerrard Investment Management.

Barclays told the paper last week that it had a broad commitment to expand its presence in Scotland. The bank would be in good company as Scotland's financial district already boasts residents such as Royal Bank of Scotland and ACE Group.

Barclays would not comment about its latest office search, but revealed it has recently made a number of high-profile appointments to its business banking unit in Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Duncan Irvine, a director of international banking with SG Investment Bank in London, has joined Barclays's Glasgow operation as business services director. Corporate financier Tom Faichnie, who formerly worked at Deloitte's Manchester office, has also been brought on board as a director for Barclays's leveraged finance team in Aberdeen.

Led by Ally Scott, the team hopes to build on a spate of oil and gas deals, including the $200m institutional buyout of Roxar AS.

Another bank keeping schtum on any possible expansion in Scotland is HBOS, which is said to have plans to bring its corporate banking, retail and group functions staff together in one flagship property. The Sunday Herald says HBOS refused to comment, saying that it has never confirmed that an office consolidation is on the cards.