Here are the business stories making the headlines in Scotland and the UK this morning.
Parkmead FD leaves ‘by mutual agreement’
Ryan Stroulger, finance director at energy company Parkmead, has left the company by mutual agreement, Daily Business reports.
Mr Stroulger has been a key member of Aberdeen-based Parkmead’s management team since its foundation as an energy business in 2010.
He was appointed commercial director of the group at the age of 25, prior to taking up his current post
His departure was confirmed in a single line of a statement welcoming Andrew Smith, managing director of the renewables division, to the board.
Calls for bunting to brighten up Union Street rejected
Hopes to string up bunting to bring a “much-needed” dash of colour to the heart of Aberdeen have been dashed, the P&J says.
Councillor Marie Boulton had asked for council chiefs to work with improvement group Aberdeen Inspired to put up the decorations on Union Street “as a matter of priority”.
But the suggestion was shot down by finance convener councillor Alex McLellan at a council meeting on Wednesday.
Instead, he said the local authority was “happy” to work with the Our Union Street group to see what can be done to brighten up the city centre.
He said: “I think we need to look at a big picture thinking in terms of how we address Union Street moving forward.”
Bottle return scheme firm 'on brink of collapse'
The firm which was due to manage a controversial Scottish recycling scheme appears to be on the brink of collapse, according to the BBC.
Staff have been sent home from Circularity Scotland and the board is unable to confirm if they will be paid for the month or if they will be able to return to the office.
The company was in charge of the deposit return scheme (DRS) which has been delayed until 2025.
The situation is believed to affect about 50 workers. The board said bosses were "working tirelessly" to find a solution.
Boris Johnson’s political career is over, say Sunak allies
Rishi Sunak’s allies have said that it is the “end of the road” for Boris Johnson after a damning report found that he deliberately misled the Commons and was part of a campaign to abuse and intimidate MPs who investigated him.
The privileges committee published a 33,000-word report which found that the former prime minister had “closed his mind to the truth” and committed five separate acts of contempt of parliament over the Downing Street parties scandal.
The Times reports that seven members of the cross-party committee said that had he not quit as an MP they would have recommended a 90-day suspension, one of the biggest sanctions in its history.
ScotRail fares to increase by 4.8% from July
ScotRail fares will be increasing by 4.8% in early July, following a freeze since January 2022.
This means a peak return ticket between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley will cost £1.30 more after 3 July.
Transport Scotland confirmed that season tickets and flexi-passes would remain frozen at current prices.
Unions criticised the rise, but the Scottish government said a continued freeze was "unsustainable". ScotRail came into public ownership in April last year.
Aberdeen hit by wildfires
Dozens of firefighters have been tackling wildfires across Scotland as the heatwave continues.
About 40 firefighters were called to the Gramps in the Kincorth area of Aberdeen at about 19:50 on Wednesday. Crews had earlier been sent to Aberdeen beach on the Bridge of Don side.
Blazes have also been tackled near Torlundy and Rannoch in the Highlands, and bales of straw caught light at a farm near Kelso which led to an overnight firefighting operation.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) told the BBC there was a wildfire warning in place until Saturday - "extreme" across Scotland and "very high" for North West Highland.
Doughnut dilemma for Aberdeen-bound Tim Hortons
Coffee chain Tim Hortons might not be able to sell its legendary selection of mouthwatering doughnuts at the firm’s new Aberdeen branch.
Bosses at Canada’s biggest coffee chain have been left perplexed by some of the conditions placed on the upcoming outlet, currently under construction on Craigshaw Road.
They say the brand is “famous for its coffee and baked goods”, with an “extensive choice of doughnuts” a key part of its appeal.
The Press & Journal reports that currently Aberdeen City Council is only letting them prepare food with a microwave – due to strict planning rules.
Spotify ends podcast deal with Harry & Meghan
Spotify has ended its lucrative deal with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for the couple to produce podcasts.
A joint statement from Harry and Meghan's company and the streaming giant said they had "mutually agreed to part ways".
Spotify confirmed it was not renewing Meghan's podcast Archetypes, which ran for 12 episodes from August 2022, for a second series.
The contract was estimated to be worth $25m (£18m) in late 2020.