The Office Group and Fora to merge in deal that would see 3.1m sq ft of office space March 14, 2022 The Office Group and Fora have announced plans for a merger, in a bid to become the “premier flexible workspace company in the UK and Europe.” The deal is subject to regulatory approval but the combined group would comprise 72 premier locations totalling 3.1 million sq. ft. A combined portfolio would cover London and Cambridge, [...]
Furlough scheme pushed back age of first-time buyer to 34 March 14, 2022 Despite a property market boom during the pandemic, the furlough scheme pushed back the average age of first time buyers by up to two years. The government’s initiative may have given a lifeline to millions as Covid restrictions plunged society into chaos, but its long term impact has reportedly been to stall many people’s ability [...]
FTSE Russell to delete Russian firms from indexes including Evraz March 14, 2022 London Stock Exchange subsidiary FTSE Russell has said it intends to delete several Russian firms from its indexes. Companies to be deleted include Evraz, the FTSE 100 steel giant, of which former Chelsea owner and billionaire oligarch Roman Abramovich owns a 29 per cent stake. Other firms include Polymetal, the FTSE 100 precious metals mining [...]
Radiator firm Stelrad’s revenue up almost 40 per cent, with operating profit more than doubling March 14, 2022 A UK-based producer for steel panel radiators has announced a near 40 per cent increase in revenue for 2021. Stelrad made £272m in the last 12 months with its operating profit more than doubling to £33.2 million in 2021 up from £15.6 million the previous year. The firm, which entered into the London Stock Exchange [...]
UK underwriting vacancies hit record highs in 2021 as insurers sought to revisit policies March 14, 2022 The number of vacancies for underwriting positions hit all-time highs in 2021, following a surge in hiring last year, as insurers sought to protect themselves against the potential for ruinous “black swan” events in the wake of the global pandemic. All in all, a record 2,100 underwriting vacancies were advertised last year, according to new [...]
UK looks north: Oil and gas remain key to energy independence March 14, 2022 The UK is seemingly committed to North Sea oil and gas as it cuts itself off from Russian energy supplies following the invasion of Ukraine.
Severn Trent boss admits it needs to improve as it pledges £100m to clean rivers March 14, 2022 The boss of Severn Trent has admitted that the water giant is not acting on water protection as much as the public, and government, need. Severn Trent and Anglian Water have pledged to bolster their efforts in improving their practices, after environment minister Rebecca Pow last month urged water companies to reduce how much sewage [...]
Automation and decarbonisation could further deepen poverty in London March 14, 2022 Increasing automation and a move to a greener economy could further deepen inequality in the capital post-pandemic. The gap between’s London’s poorest and richest widened during coronavirus, with people claiming unemployment benefit substantially above the national average. As companies seek to recoup lost profits from the pandemic, many are turning to automation of roles, thanks [...]
Life insurance giant Phoenix Group announces record £1.5bn intake for financial year March 14, 2022 One of the largest providers of life insurance in the UK, the Phoenix Group, has announced record financial results for 2021, taking in £1.7bn. The firm surpassed its target of £1.5bn in the last 12 months, with its board announcing a new policy dividend increase of three per cent. Phoenix had a strong performance in [...]
Shell announces pounds sterling dividend payments after oil firm slashes ties with Russia March 14, 2022 Shell has announced the pounds sterling and euro equivalent dividend payments for its latest interim dividend. The London-listed fossil fuel giant announced its fourth quarter 2021 interim dividend on 3 February at $0.24 per ordinary share. Shareholders will be entitled to €0.2181 or 18.28p per ordinary share, providing they had validly submitted US dollars, euros [...]