How patient can the Bank of England be? AD Will policymakers be forced into an unexpected rate hike? Investec Chief Economist Philip Shaw explains how energy prices, wages and inflation expectations will shape the Bank of England’s next move – and reveals what he expects to happen. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kept the Bank rate at 3.75 per cent this month, in line [...]
3 ways AI is rewriting the rules of private equity AD For private equity firms looking to exit investments, the rules of M&A have changed. Successful exits now depend on three things: proving AI resilience,running smarter sale processes and taking a more pragmatic approach to valuation. Earlier this year, the sharp sell-off in software stocks, dubbed the “SaaSpocalypse”, exposed how quickly AI can reshape company valuations. [...]
3 reasons co-living is rising in popularity among tenants and investors AD Co-living accommodation is evolving from a niche option to a popular solution to the UK’s housing challenges as investors step up their investment in the sector. By Jonathan Long The UK’s housing market faces a familiar set of challenges: affordability pressures, a shortage of supply and changing patterns in how people live and work. Against [...]
Private credit is crowded — but disciplined capital still knows where to look June 1, 2026 As more lenders move into private credit, the lower mid-market focused on financing small and medium sized businesses is standing out for a simple reason: it still rewards discipline. In a market increasingly focused on scale, selectivity may matter more. Private credit is no longer a quiet corner of the market. It is bigger, busier [...]
Investec eyes City hiring spree in major move into UK private banking May 21, 2026 Investec, the FTSE 250 financier, has unveiled plans to boost its UK private bank in a major strategic move that will include hiring new talent in the City. The expansion will boost its banking presence in London, as it seeks out wealthy clients for what will become a ‘full service primary bank”. It has identified [...]
Renters’ Rights Act: How are property investors and firms adapting their strategy? April 30, 2026 Established property investors and larger firms continue to commit to the property market. The Renters’ Rights Act marks a significant shift in the UK housing market, introducing tighter regulation aimed at improving tenant security and raising standards across the private rented sector. With measures such as the abolition of fixed-term tenancies and increased compliance requirements, [...]
Three reasons AI will not replace the mortgage broker April 29, 2026 Mortgage advice has never been a simple numbers game, and it is becoming even less so. Technology is speeding up sourcing, suitability checks and paperwork. Clients are also more digitally confident than ever, and lenders are ever more competitive. But for anyone advising complex borrowers, especially in the high-net-worth space, the idea that AI will [...]
Female rugby CEOs on breaking barriers in male-dominated industries April 10, 2026 Senior female leaders have warned that progress at the helm of UK Plc is stalling, as they lay out the barriers women still face in leadership in male-dominated industries. In a conversation with Investec Bank Channel Islands CEO Jane Niles, leading rugby union CEOs Julia Chapman and Andrea Pinchen reflected on their experiences running top-flight [...]
What does the Middle East conflict mean for global growth? March 23, 2026 Middle East conflict sends shockwaves through oil, inflation and global growth: This is what Investec experts are thinking In our latest Q&A, Investec experts Callum Macpherson (Head of Commodities), Philip Shaw (Chief Economist) and Chris Holdsworth (Chief Investment Strategist for Investec South Africa) explain what could happen if the Middle East conflict continues, what key [...]
What does Rachel Reeves’ ‘low-key’ Spring Statement mean for markets? March 2, 2026 Ahead of Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement on Tuesday, Investec’s Chief Economist Philip Shaw sat down with City AM’s Rupert Hargreaves to discuss what investors should look out for in the key statement. Rupert Hargreaves: Next Tuesday, the Office for Budget Responsibility publishes updated economic and fiscal forecasts, as required under the 2011 Budget Responsibility Act, [...]