Primark has notched up a surge in half-year profits as customers continue to flock to the budget retailer.

The firm, owned by Associated British Foods, saw adjusted operating profit jump 25 per cent to £426 million in the six months to March 2, while sales grew 4% to £3.6 billion.

Like-for-like sales fell 1.5% but profit margins were "much higher", ABF said. In the UK, sales were up 2.3%, and comparable sales grew 0.6%.

The search for the next Governor of the Bank of England has been launched to replace Mark Carney when he stands down next January.

Chancellor Philip Hammond praised Mr Carney's "steady hand" in the role and said it was "vital" to find the right successor to ensure the ongoing strength of the economy.

Mr Carney took up the post on July 1 2013 and will step down on January 31 next year, having extended his tenure twice.

In the Herald business pages today, Margaret Taylor writes about the lawyer behind Article 50 case in a move to lead school music fees challenge. Read the full story here:

Balfour & Manson chairman Elaine Motion has been instructed by Ralph Riddiough, a partner at Ayr firm Kilpatrick & Walker, who is seeking to raise £15,000 via crowdfunding site CrowdJustice to pay for the case.

In another legal exclusive, Bristol law firm assembles crack team of local hires for Edinburgh launch. Read the full story here:

Burges Salmon has hired a partner each from leading firms Brodies, Burness Paull and Shepherd & Wedderburn as it gears up to launch an on-the-ground offering in Scotland.​

And a Scottish craft distillery eyes growth in Europe and plans for Brexit. Read the full story here:

The co-founder of a fledgling Dumfries and Galloway gin and rum distillery has highlighted ambitions for growth in mainland Europe, including hopes of adding Romania as an export market soon.