Investor row erupts over Loungers private equity bid December 1, 2024 An investor battle has erupted over a private equity bid for Cosy Club and Brightside operator Loungers, with some “furious” over the perceived low offer. On Thursday, the Loungers board backed a £338m takeover offer from Fortress Investment Group, a 30 per cent to its share price. Despite the board accepting the offer, various shareholders [...]
Starmer to unveil ‘mission’ milestones and compares Whitehall to ‘oil tanker’ December 1, 2024 The Prime Minister will set out a “plan for change” with milestones set in key policy areas, or ‘missions’ to achieve the targets laid out in Labour’s manifesto, Downing Street has said. Sir Keir Starmer will this week kick off what he called the “next phase” of his government, and announce the markers for achieving [...]
EY to cut 150 UK consultants as division head steps down December 1, 2024 Big Four accountancy firm EY is set to cut 150 roles in its UK consultancy division and replace one of its most senior executives amid a slowdown in demand. Cuts in the 4,700-strong unit are expected to impact managers, senior managers and directors, it is understood, which are the highest-paid roles below partner level. Meanwhile, [...]
Tensions flair at Direct Line following Aviva takeover bid December 1, 2024 A battle is brewing over Direct Line about whether to accept any further takeover bids from Aviva, as its CEO seeks more time to turn the business around. Talking to the Sunday Times following the rejected £3.3bn bid from Aviva last week, Direct Line CEO Adam Winslow urged shareholders to back his turnaround plan over [...]
UK business leader confidence nosedives towards pandemic lows December 1, 2024 Confidence among business leaders in the prospects for the UK economy nosedived towards levels not seen since the coronavirus pandemic during November, as fears over rising national insurance bills plague firms. The Institute of Director’s monthly Economic Confidence index fell to -65 in November, down from -52 during October in its fourth consecutive monthly fall. [...]
Trump uses JP Morgan chief Jamie Dimon as ‘informal adviser’ December 1, 2024 Donald Trump has reportedly used JP Morgan Chase boss Jamie Dimon as a “sounding board” for policy ahead of returning to the White House. The Wall Street veteran has been in regular communication with Trump for months, including after his election victory, The New York Post reported. The “no-holds-barred conversations” are said to have centred [...]
Keir Starmer to set out ‘plan for change’ with ‘milestones’ for key missions November 30, 2024 Sir Keir Starmer will set out a “plan for change” with milestones set in key policy areas to achieve the targets laid out in Labour’s manifesto, Downing Street has said. The Prime Minister will this week kick off what he has called the “next phase” of Government, as he announces the markers for his “missions” [...]
Syrian insurgents fan out inside Aleppo in major setback for Assad November 30, 2024 Syria’s armed forces said on Saturday that to absorb the large attack on Aleppo and save lives, it has redeployed and is preparing for a counterattack.
Budget: Parents facing 20 per cent childcare fee hike after NIC raid November 30, 2024 Experts are suggesting parents will face up to a 20 per cent increase in fees to cover rising costs at British nurseries. The sector warned on Friday there will be a “disproportionately adverse” impact on women who want to work and children’ s health. This comes after the government’s Autumn Budget included an increase in [...]
Mohamed Al Fayed ‘manipulated’ Harrods managers to hide alleged sexual abuse November 30, 2024 A former Harrods director, who worked in Al Fayed’s private office for 18 months, told BBC News the former boss would sack those he could not control.