Inside the fintech industry’s pensions gambit April 22, 2026 The fintech industry are on the offensive and in this week’s column Samuel Norman gives an insight into the sector’s lobbying calls for pension fund allocation. London has found itself brought to a halt this week. One may have thought the Tube strikes would bring Square Mile to a standstill, too. But the lack of [...]
Almost half UK firms cite AI skills shortage as barrier to growth April 22, 2026 Nearly half of UK businesses say a shortage of AI and digital skills is now the single biggest barrier to scaling AI, according to a new report, despite rapid growth in adoption across the economy. The Amazon Web Services (AWS) research found 49 per cent of UK organisations cite a lack of AI and digital [...]
McDonald’s targets jobless Gen Z with ‘UK’s largest work experience programme’ April 22, 2026 McDonald’s has launched the UK’s largest ever work experience programme in a major recruitment drive that will specifically target the ballooning number of young Brits that are neither working nor in full-time education. The fast-food chain will hand out some 2,500 paid placements to young workers over the age of 16 as part of a [...]
Mike Ashley appeal case confronts ‘unjust’ trademark claims April 21, 2026 Billionaire businessman Mike Ashley‘s company, Sports Direct, is back before the court today as it seeks to challenge damages awarded in a trademark infringement claim. The appeal follows a long-running dispute between Sports Direct and the Beverly Hills Polo Club brand, owned and managed by Lifestyle Equities, which claimed Sports Direct had infringed its trademark through products [...]
West Ham: Daniel Kretinsky named joint-chair and set to increase stake April 21, 2026 Royal Mail owner Daniel Kretinsky has become joint-chair of West Ham United after reportedly agreeing a deal to increase his stake in the Premier League club. The Czech, whose EP Group completed a £3.6bn takeover of Royal Mail owner IDS last year, is expected to up his shareholding in West Ham to more than 40 [...]
Investment risk misunderstandings fuel cash hoarding April 21, 2026 Brits’ confusion over investment risk warnings has kept people clinging to cash and damaged economic growth, according to recent findings. Nearly 35 per cent of savers admitted the fear of losing money was holding them back from stepping into the stock market, according to the latest research from Barclays, with only 12 per cent expecting [...]
Lime pedals new flat fee pass for London’s delivery drivers April 21, 2026 Lime is piloting a new ‘delivery pass’ in London designed to give the capital’s growing number of food delivery cyclist cheaper access to its e-bike fleet, City AM understands. The new, reduced price package has landed on the app as concerns mount over the proliferation of illegal and unregulated bikes on the city’s streets. The [...]
Barry Hearn says ‘Saudi is a problem’ amid snooker shift April 21, 2026 Snooker supremo Barry Hearn has admitted that “Saudi is a problem” amid reports of plans to move a lucrative event to fellow Gulf region Qatar. Saudi Arabia could be about to scale back its sporting empire due to conflict issues in the region, with LIV Golf’s long-term funding uncertain and other events potentially under review. [...]
‘Fossil fuel rollercoaster’: Government plans energy price shake-up as Miliband ‘doubles down’ on renewables April 21, 2026 UK households could see their electricity bills fall after the government unveiled measures to end the pricing system’s relationship with volatile gas prices and fossil fuels. Energy secretary Ed Miliband is set to overhaul the system in a major intervention to sever the link between the prices of electricity to gas, which has long been [...]
Boots shapes up for potential London IPO April 21, 2026 The owners of Boots have hired advisors to get the high street chemist into shape ahead of a potential London floating which could come as soon as next year. Sycamore Partners, the private equity firm which owns Boots, have been in talks with advisers in recent weeks on the possibility of floating in the capital. [...]