The pound has tumbled ahead of Theresa May’s big Brexit speech – as strong data pushes up the euro (GBPEUR) September 22, 2017 The pound tumbled against both the euro and the dollar this morning as traders awaited a landmark speech on Brexit by Theresa May. Meanwhile, the euro was pushed higher by surprisingly strong manufacturing data from the Eurozone. After a week of post-Brexit vote highs, the pound fell 0.1 per cent against the dollar, to $1.3567. [...]
UK’s first mobile-only current account bank Starling to raise £40m for international expansion September 22, 2017 Starling Bank, the first mobile-only firm to launch a current account in the UK, is launching a new fundraising round aiming for £40m. The challenger bank is looking to expand into Europe, and has engaged boutique advisory Quayle Munro to work on the funding round. Part of the money raised will also be used to [...]
The world’s first ever insurtech IPO has raised $1.5bn September 22, 2017 The world’s first float of an insurance technology (insurtech) firm has raised US $1.5bn (£1.1bn). Monday’s IPO of ZhongAn Online Property & Casualty Insurance has been priced at the top of its indicated range at HK $59.70, sources told the Financial Times. The public offering of the online-only group marks the world’s first float of [...]
Moo-ve over connected cows, the internet of bees is here September 22, 2017 A new project is aiming to bring bees online by putting them in tiny “backpacks” so that scientists can track the threatened insect’s behaviour and help its survival. Bees in Manchester initially will be connected to the internet using technology from Cisco to help researchers track their migration, pollination and movement, and eventually, across the [...]
Facebook has finally bowed to pressure to release Russian-bought election ads September 22, 2017 Facebook has said it will release more than 3,000 ads thought to have been bought by Russian agencies during the US election. The company, which has come under pressure from US politicians to reveal the ads, said after an “extensive legal and policy review”, it had decided to comply with requests. “This has been a [...]
Patient Capital? Time for a national database to match investors with innovators September 22, 2017 Last November, the Treasury launched the Patient Capital Review. Its aim was to identify the barriers that innovative companies may face in gaining access to long term, supportive finance. It is being overseen by an A list of entrepreneurs and investment experts, chaired by former Permira head Sir Damon Buffini, who are supremely well-qualified to [...]
Ryanair issues defamation proceedings against the Guardian and a pilots union – reports September 21, 2017 Irish airline Ryanair is said to be suing pilots union IALPA and the Guardian for defamation, as it continues to deal with the scheduling crisis that has led to hundreds of flights being cancelled. Responding to reports from a local journalist that Ryanair was taking legal action against both parties, a spokesperson for the budget [...]
Jacksonville Jaguars have won over UK fans says NFL franchise’s man in London | City A.M. September 21, 2017 Playing at Wembley has now become a “home” game in more than just name for the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to the NFL franchise’s man in London. This Sunday’s clash against the Baltimore Ravens marks the fifth consecutive year the Florida-based team have opted to play a designated-home fixture in London, with at least three more [...]
Johnson Matthey (JMAT) share price soars on plans to invest £200m in battery materials business September 21, 2017 Chemicals firm Johnson Matthey’s shares soared after the firm said it would invest £200m into expanding its battery material technology business. The company will plough an initial investment of up to £200m from 2018 to capitalise on growing demand for electric vehicles. Johnson Matthey said the overall market could be worth more than $30bn (£22bn) [...]
Fever-Tree nabs Diageo executive to head up innovation as it plots further growth September 21, 2017 Fast-growing premium mixer brand Fever-Tree has nabbed a new director from drinks giant Diageo, marking the company’s ambition as it continues to expand. Alexandra O’Rourke joins the company as innovation director, fresh off a stint in the same role at Diageo. Read more: Diageo share price jumps as global whisky and gin sales boost profits [...]