Business Fives kicked off in style on Thursday with a broad range of companies from across the financial services sector battling it out for their place at Hampden.

Ian Esson, Scotland Partnership coordinator for the tournaments charity partner, the Trussell Trust was on site to address the players before the tournament started.  Ian provided an overview of the fantastic work are involved with helping families and individuals via the UK’s largest network of foodbanks saying it was “great to have the support of Business Fives to help stop UK hunger”.

The group stages saw Nucleus financial and Standard life top their respective league tables with teams from ACCA Scotland and 1825, a Standard Life group company closely following in second place.

In a very close encounter the first quarter final saw Nucleus winning on penalties against FNZ Group after contesting a 4-4 draw, FNZ Analyst, Kostas Magoufis helping himself to 2 goals with Chris Dolan continuing his early group stage goal scoring form. Santander preserved their 100%-win record so far easing passed Chiene + Tait, 6-1 who had put up spirited performances throughout the group stages with Tax Trainee, Chloe Easton amongst the goals.

In the other quarter finals, 1825 were starting to show signs of why they were picked out as tournament favourites, steamrolling Multrees Investors 4-1 with David Kirkham’s sublime goal in the group stages providing some consolation for Multrees as 1825s, Kevin Motion helping himself to a hattrick.  ACCA Scotland continued their early form narrowly beating Carbon Financial 5-4 after a late surge by the Carbon side, spurred on by substitutes Michael Wilson and Shaun Ruwers.

The semi-finals were closely contested with 1825 avenging their earlier group stage defeat to Nucleus, winning 3-1 through a combination of clinical finishing and the 1825 keeper in inspired form proving difficult to find a way passed.  In the adjacent side of the draw Santander saw off rivals ACCA Scotland 5-2 in a goal laden display with Relationship Manager, Craig Glass and Product Partner Graeme Crawford both adding to their goal tally.

With both finalists progressing to the national final at Hampden there was still a lot at stake to qualify as heat winners.  The final was a hotly contested affair with both keepers in contention for Man of the Match, however that accolade was picked up by Project Manager, Robert Brunton who’s 2 goals were enough to see 1825 crowned financial services 2016 champions.

Hearts legend Gary Mackay conducted the prize presentation during the drinks reception with runners up Santander first up to receive their medals, followed by individual prizes for 1825 players Robert Brunton as the man of the match in the final and Kevin Motion as top goalscorer of the heat with an impressive double figures tally.  1825 team captain Project Analyst, Christopher Hackland accepted the trophy on behalf of the winning team with one eye firmly fixed on the national trophy which will be played for on September 1st!

The next industry sector to battle it out is the Energy & Utilities heat taking place on July 14th.

ACCA is the global body for professional accountants. We aim to offer business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

We support our 178,000 members and 455,000 students in 181 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business with the skills needed by employers through a network of 95 offices and centres worldwide. 

We actively seek to enhance the public value of accounting in society and take a progressive stance on global issues to ensure accountancy as a profession continues to grow in reputation and influence.