Latest news with #Speirs
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
SFG Raises NZ$200 Million To Power Kiwi Productivity & Growth In Inaugural, Positively Supported Public Term Transaction
Speirs Finance Group has completed its first public term asset-backed securities (ABS) issue, securing NZ$200 million from a broad base of institutional investors in New Zealand and Australia. The multi-tranche notes carry Fitch ratings and settled early July. This inaugural raise diversifies Speirs' capital strategy, expanding its already strong platform to support the financing of equipment, vehicles, and technology across key sectors including construction, transport, healthcare, agriculture and fleet leasing. With enhanced capacity, Speirs continues to enable Kiwi businesses to invest in productive assets—helping drive innovation, lift productivity, and fuel growth in regional economies across New Zealand. Michelle Herlihy, Chief Executive of Speirs Finance Group, said, 'Investor demand for this deal shows deep confidence in New Zealand's real-economy story. The funds give us greater firepower to help customers invest, innovate and keep New Zealand businesses moving forward.' The offer closed with positive support from investors, underscoring market trust in Speirs' disciplined credit culture and long-term strategy. The raise diversifies the Group's funding base and further strengthens its balance-sheet resilience. Proceeds will refinance receivables housed in Speirs' warehouse facilities and free up capacity to accelerate new lending across its equipment, fleet and healthcare finance portfolios—areas proven to boost productivity and service delivery nationwide. Speirs acknowledges the invaluable support of its banking partners and advisors, whose expertise helped the Group engage a high-calibre investor base and successfully navigate its inaugural issuance.
North Wales Chronicle
10-07-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Police Scotland to seek Government help with ‘considerable' costs of Trump visit
It emerged on Wednesday that the force was in the early stages of planning for a visit at the end of this month, though a final date is yet to be confirmed. The visit, which would likely see the president visit one or both of his golf clubs in Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire, will require substantial policing resources and likely units to be called in from elsewhere in the UK. Speaking to the PA news agency on Thursday, Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said Police Scotland will be discussing costs with the Scottish and UK Governments. 'You wouldn't be surprised that the cost of policing such an event would be considerable, and we will work with Government around the provision of costs,' he said. But Police Scotland staffing levels will not drop elsewhere in the country during any visit, the senior officer said. He added: 'We will seek support for the financial costs associated with such an event and I'd be confident that those costs will be met.' Asked if the funding would come from the Scottish Government, Mr Speirs said: 'That'll be a conversation we would have with Scottish Government, linking into UK Government, in the coming days and it would be part of our planning for the event.' The last time Mr Trump came to Scotland – in between his two terms as US president – he was met with substantial protests. Mr Speirs said he was confident Police Scotland would be able to deal with any protests, urging those who would want to demonstrate to 'do it in a fair and reasonable way and within the realms of the law'. 'We're in the early stages (of planning) and we're unclear just as to what that will be for this event,' he said. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Scottish Government has been working collaboratively with the UK Government to support Police Scotland's planning for a potential visit to Scotland by the President of the United States. 'The First Minister has been briefed on policing preparations.'
Rhyl Journal
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Police Scotland to seek Government help with ‘considerable' costs of Trump visit
It emerged on Wednesday that the force was in the early stages of planning for a visit at the end of this month, though a final date is yet to be confirmed. The visit, which would likely see the president visit one or both of his golf clubs in Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire, will require substantial policing resources and likely units to be called in from elsewhere in the UK. Speaking to the PA news agency on Thursday, Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said Police Scotland will be discussing costs with the Scottish and UK Governments. 'You wouldn't be surprised that the cost of policing such an event would be considerable, and we will work with Government around the provision of costs,' he said. But Police Scotland staffing levels will not drop elsewhere in the country during any visit, the senior officer said. He added: 'We will seek support for the financial costs associated with such an event and I'd be confident that those costs will be met.' Asked if the funding would come from the Scottish Government, Mr Speirs said: 'That'll be a conversation we would have with Scottish Government, linking into UK Government, in the coming days and it would be part of our planning for the event.' The last time Mr Trump came to Scotland – in between his two terms as US president – he was met with substantial protests. Mr Speirs said he was confident Police Scotland would be able to deal with any protests, urging those who would want to demonstrate to 'do it in a fair and reasonable way and within the realms of the law'. 'We're in the early stages (of planning) and we're unclear just as to what that will be for this event,' he said. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Scottish Government has been working collaboratively with the UK Government to support Police Scotland's planning for a potential visit to Scotland by the President of the United States. 'The First Minister has been briefed on policing preparations.'
STV News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- STV News
Duty of candour in new police oath should reassure public, senior officer says
A cohort of police recruits has become the first to swear a newly amended oath of office, with a senior police officer saying a new duty of candour should 'reassure' the public. The new oath was sworn by 100 recruits at the Police Scotland College in Jackton, near Glasgow, on Thursday afternoon. Unlike the previous oath, it includes a duty of candour, which was created under the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act following Lady Elish Angiolini's review of police complaints in November 2020. The review made 81 recommendations in total, with 34 requiring legislative change to be implemented. Police Scotland explained that the new duty – which brings the total number in the oath up to 11 – means officers 'act with openness, professionalism and truthfulness in their dealings and proceedings'. It also makes clear, the force explained, that officers attend interviews and assist and participate in proceedings 'openly, promptly and professionally, in line with the expectations of a police constable'. Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs, who was present at the swearing-in ceremony, said existing officers will not be required to go back and swear the revised oath. 'I think officers are in a very privileged position,' he said. 'I think the public should be reassured that with us introducing candour into our oath of office, it just gives a greater focus on their trust, transparency and professionalism. 'But that's a standard that we expect from the officers who are currently serving. So this is just an adjustment, and we wouldn't expect officers to undertake another oath of office.' He added: 'Taking the oath of office is a significant moment for our latest recruits and the new duty of candour further cements our commitment to values-based policing. 'It is a legislative standard of behaviour as well as an organisational requirement of all officers and staff and came into effect on June 25 this year. 'The new legislation puts an enhanced focus on our values and standards. It strengthens our integrity and increases public confidence by making clear that Police Scotland will not tolerate behaviours which fall below the standards expected of everyone in policing.' In an interview with the PA Media news agency, Mr Speirs was also asked how he would ensure the new cohort of recruits does not suffer the levels of 'burnout' reported among officers across Scotland. According to recent figures, last year the number of officers taking time off work because of psychological conditions including stress, depression and PTSD stood at 1,236, compared with 814 in 2021. Figures released earlier this year also showed that since 2019 mental health issues have led to officers taking a total of 440,630 days off, leading many commentators to describe the force as being at 'breaking point'. Mr Speirs acknowledged the demands on policing are 'huge', and that policing is 'a role like like no other'. He continued: 'So we work really hard to ensure that we have wellbeing at the heart of everything we do, and we have a lot of provision to support officers when they're dealing with more traumatic incidents. 'What I would say is that the calibre of our recruits is really good. We have a rich pool of people seeking to join the police, and we're very, very selective. 'Those we bring forward, and those who will take the oath of office this week, have just embarked on a very intensive initial training programme, but that programme continues over over the next two years 'So we'll work hard in the training phase to prepare our new recruits – who have got lots of life experience – for what they might face as a police officer.' The officer also paid tribute to the recruits for 'stepping forward to keep our communities safe'. 'They are signing up to a hugely rewarding and demanding career where people will turn to them for help, often in the most critical and vulnerable circumstances.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Police Scotland cost of Donald Trump's visit 'considerable'
The force is in the early stages of planning for a visit by the US president and bosses have said the cost will be "considerable". A final date for the visit is yet to be confirmed but it is expected to be at the end of the month. The visit, which would likely see the president visit one or both of his golf clubs in Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire, will require substantial policing resources and likely units to be called in from elsewhere in the UK. Speaking to the PA news agency on Thursday, Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said Police Scotland will be discussing costs with the Scottish and UK Governments. READ MORE: Council staff strike threat lifted as two more unions accept pay offer 'You wouldn't be surprised that the cost of policing such an event would be considerable, and we will work with Government around the provision of costs,' he said. But Police Scotland staffing levels will not drop elsewhere in the country during any visit, the senior officer said. He added: 'We will seek support for the financial costs associated with such an event and I'd be confident that those costs will be met.' Asked if the funding would come from the Scottish Government, Speirs said: 'That'll be a conversation we would have with Scottish Government, linking into UK Government, in the coming days and it would be part of our planning for the event.' READ MORE: Cast and Crew spotted filming on street for second season of hit BBC show The last time Trump came to Scotland – in between his two terms as US president – he was met with substantial protests. Speirs said he was confident Police Scotland would be able to deal with any protests, urging those who would want to demonstrate to 'do it in a fair and reasonable way and within the realms of the law'. 'We're in the early stages (of planning) and we're unclear just as to what that will be for this event,' he said. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'The Scottish Government has been working collaboratively with the UK Government to support Police Scotland's planning for a potential visit to Scotland by the President of the United States. 'The First Minister has been briefed on policing preparations.'
