Pulp bassist Paul Mackey dies aged 56 as Jarvis Cocker’s band to play shows in 2023 March 2, 2023 Steve Mackey, the bass guitarist of Britpop band Pulp, has died aged 56. The group, who formed in Sheffield in 1978 and were known for their hits including Common People and Disco 2000, announced on their Instagram page that the musician died on Thursday. Alongside a photo of Mackey climbing in the Andes, the band [...]
Hong Kong stock exchange operator to open London office March 2, 2023 Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) confirmed today that it will open an office in London in the first half of 2023. It said the new office will expand the group’s international reach and promote greater global connectivity. HKEX chief executive Nicolas Aguzin, said: “HKEX has strong ties with the financial community in London through [...]
Building materials firm CRH set to move London listing to New York March 2, 2023 Building materials giant CRH is planning to shift its main stock market listing from London to New York, in a fresh blow to the UK markets. The world’s largest construction materials firm told shareholders on Thursday that around three-quarters of its earnings came from North America, as it explained the proposals. CRH, which is headquartered [...]
UK Finance: Square Mile HQ targeted by Extinction Rebellion as six arrested March 2, 2023 The headquarters of UK Finance in the heart of the Square Mile have been targeted by environmental group Extinction Rebellion. The Bank-based trade association for UK banking was today targeted with paint and stickers, as protestors read out statements and stuck themselves to windows. Police arrested six members of the group after the building was [...]
Can fintech thrive outside of London? Charlotte Crosswell talks growing the sector around the country March 2, 2023 Even as Charlotte Crosswell launched the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology in Leeds this week with a mandate to boost fintech across the UK, those in attendance were asking why it couldn’t have been in London. The Leeds event had big name backers in City minister Andrew Griffith and has full-throated support from across [...]
National Express share price soars as rail strikes help boost annual profits March 2, 2023 The recent wave of train strikes helped National Express more than triple annual profits as passengers switched to buses and coaches to avoid rail disruption. Shares in National Express soared 13 per cent on Thursday as the group reported underlying pre-tax profits of £145.9m, up from £39.7m in 2021, with annual revenues surpassing pre-pandemic levels [...]
WH Smith hit by cyber attack as hackers gain access to private company data March 2, 2023 WH Smith has been hit by a cyber attack that has resulted in hackers gaining access to private company data. The stationary store and book seller, which has over 600 high street shops in the UK, said it has launched an investigation into the attack. The retailer said however, that customer data was not affected [...]
Lloyd’s of London member Beazley’s profits plummet 48 per cent as interest rate hikes dent portfolio March 2, 2023 Shares in specialist insurer Beazley today fell almost nine per cent after the firm told investors its profits had plummeted in 2022 due to a sharp drop in income from its investment portfolio. The insurer said its overall pre-tax profits fell 48 per cent in the year ending in December 2022 to $191m, as rising [...]
Losing momentum on Solvency II reforms would be a missed opportunity to transform Britain March 2, 2023 This is a once in a generation opportunity. That phrase might have become a bit of a cliché, especially in recent years, but the UK’s exit from the EU could ensure that Solvency II reforms really are one of those events. The proposed reforms represent a very significant opportunity to ensure more private sector capital [...]
Flutter: US bet pays off as gambling firm revenues rack up to £7.6bn March 2, 2023 The gambling business behind Paddy Power and Betfair saw its sales soar this year as the group gained huge momentum in the US. Flutter Entertainment said it was continuing to go from “strength to strength” in the US market as it saw revenues reach £2.6bn in the year ending 2022. The London-listed group which operates [...]