Scottish mid-sized businesses are reporting stronger-than-expected performance in 2025, fuelled by greater access to finance and AI adoption, according to the latest Economic Engine research from accounting and business advisory firm, BDO.
The survey of over 500 mid-sized business leaders shows that more than nine in 10 (94%) have already beaten growth targets set at the start of the year, with 34% saying they have significantly exceeded expectations.
Greater access to investment or finance (40%) and resilient customer demand (43%) were key drivers of this overperformance, supported by productivity gains from technology and AI (49%).
BDO found that this positive trading picture is translating into continued capital commitment, with 60% holding steady investment, and more than a third (36%) stepping up their plans.
Only 4% of firms said they planned to delay or scale back their UK investment, which BDO said suggests companies are backing their own pipelines and balance sheets, even as wider economic sentiment remains subdued.
However, despite their strong performance, confidence in the UK as a place to grow remains limited for some Scottish businesses.
More than half (58%) of mid-sized companies surveyed described the UK as a “strong environment” for long-term business growth, but 42% said conditions have become more challenging. One in five (20%) are already shifting operations or investment overseas.
That caution reflects persistent structural pressures. On workforce issues, more than a quarter (28%) cite plugging skills gaps as their biggest challenge, while rising wage expectations are another significant pressure (22%), reflecting the ongoing effects of inflation and higher National Insurance contributions.
Operationally, managing supply chain disruption is one of the most pressing barriers to growth (32%), but at the same time, while AI is seen as a driver of productivity, 20% of Scottish companies cite adopting new technologies as a core challenge, highlighting the uneven pace of digital transformation across the mid-market.
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To fuel their growth, Scottish mid-sized businesses are looking to form strategic partnerships, such as joint ventures and supplier collaborations (50%) and are keen to enter new markets, whether in the UK or overseas (44%), with a further 46% planning to expand their physical footprint.
“These findings highlight the strength of Scotland’s mid-market – businesses are delivering growth and continuing to invest despite challenging conditions. But they also carry a warning; confidence in the UK as a place to scale is not guaranteed,” said Martin Gill, regional managing partner at BDO in Scotland.
“With mid-sized businesses continuing to contribute significantly to the Scottish economy, creating a wealth of additional jobs to boost the future outlook in Scotland, the government will want to use the Autumn Budget to reassure this segment of the market and address persistent barriers around skills, costs and competitiveness.
“Only with the mid-market firmly and confidently anchored in Scotland, will we see the growth the economy needs.”
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