London property prices: Canary Wharf defies market trends AD Canary Wharf has become a hotspot for prime property in London with the number of homes listed for more than £1m, jumping 40 per cent in 2025 according to our annual Property Index. The index, which analyses listing data from Greater London and the Home Counties, found that 466 properties in the Docklands were listed [...]
Bonus season and the illusion of wealth AD As bonus season begins across the City, many higher earners continue to struggle to manage the difference between headline pay and usable cash Headline pay figures for City bonuses always grab attention and this year the expectation is cash bonuses will not disappoint. For many city professionals this is the moment to build liquidity, buy [...]
Maximise cash savings in a falling rate landscape AD The new year tends to bring personal finances into focus and is therefore an optimal time to consider savings strategies, including protecting the value of existing savings. The economic backdrop has changed significantly over the last few years. Inflation has finally started to cool and monetary policy is easing. The Investec economics team is currently [...]
Business health check: the five-point plan to sharpen 2026 performance January 20, 2026 Businesses thrive on certainty, something that is frequently in short supply. That’s why now is a good time to check your business has the tools to withstand whatever the next 12 months might send your way. Prepare for what you know about – and what you don’t. Planning for the year requires getting comfortable with [...]
A chance to test yourself: Youngs and Watson on the Investec Champions Cup January 7, 2026 For all they achieved in their distinguished careers, there remains one prize that has eluded Ben Youngs and Anthony Watson. Between them, the former England internationals amassed over 200 caps, toured with the British and Irish Lions and played in some of the game’s most iconic stadiums. Yet the Investec Champions Cup never found its [...]
Cash ISA limit cut: why your tax-free savings are still vital December 4, 2025 Chancellor Rachel Reeves slashed the annual limit for cash ISAs. But this isn’t their death knell – they still have a very valuable place as part of a diversified portfolio. It’s all change for ISA limits For many savers, the cash ISA has been a huge success story. It’s given them a lower-risk, tax-free way [...]
Round Retail: the social enterprise transforming second-hand fashion December 4, 2025 The fashion resale industry has transformed over the last few years, and social enterprise, Round Retail, founded by Annie Hought, has played a central role in that evolution. The East London native launched Round Retail in early 2023 with a mission to make second-hand shopping consumers’ first choice by offering a premium, in-person experience. “I [...]
Investec looks to mid-market businesses in growth push November 20, 2025 International banking giant Investec is preparing to scale its core business by increasing its services to mid-market companies. The FTSE 250 stalwart called the market space “underserved”, with many mid-cap businesses failing to have their need for revenue growth met by corporate banks who often don’t offer a personalised service and may be more risk [...]
Smart strategies for managing currency volatility during budgeting November 13, 2025 Ongoing turbulence in foreign exchange markets – driven by fiscal policy, global tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty – continues to challenge UK business leaders as they set their 2026 budgets. Sharp shifts in currency markets can quickly derail even the most carefully planned budgets, and this year leaders are facing an exceptional period of instability. Volatility [...]
Laddering savings: A smarter approach November 11, 2025 Savers face a consistent dilemma: whether to lock money in for longer to secure today’s rate or keep it flexible in case conditions change. A laddering strategy manages both. It’s a simple premise: instead of putting all your savings into one fixed term account, they are spread across products with different maturities. When one matures, [...]