Peer power helps SMEs thrive through support networks March 10, 2025 A new report has found that strong peer support and professional networks are crucial to the success of small businesses. According to American Express’s recent research, 94 per cent of UK SME leaders believe that supporting their peers is critical to driving business success. Peer learning encourages entrepreneurs to share skills and resources with others in [...]
Deliveroo ‘underappreciated’ after Hong Kong exit March 10, 2025 London broker Panmure Liberum has described takeaway giant Deliveroo as “underappreciated” after its Hong Kong exit. It added that concerns the company could be pushed out of other international markets by better-funded competitors were “noise”. Deliveroo announced its exit from the Hong Kong market this morning, selling some assets to Foodpanda and closing other assets. [...]
Ex-Bank of England governor Mark Carney named next Canadian PM March 10, 2025 Former Bank of England governor Mark Carney has been named the next Canadian prime minister after winning his party leadership vote in a landslide. Carney won 85.9 per cent of the vote in the Liberal Party leadership contest and will succeed Justin Trudeau, who has been in office for nine years. He served as the [...]
BP boss Murray Auchincloss defends fossil fuel shift March 10, 2025 BP boss Murray Auchincloss has defended the company’s move to increase fossil fuel production and ditch its renewable energy commitments. Auchincloss is under mounting pressure from BP investors, who are frustrated at the oil major’s underperforming share price. The executive unveiled plans for a “fundamental reset” two weeks ago, which included ditching a series of [...]
Assura likely to recommend new KKR offer to investors March 10, 2025 Healthcare property group Assura said it has received an indicative, non-binding proposal from KKR and Stonepeak Partners for 49.4p per share. The offer, which is a premium of 31.9 per cent to the closing share price of 37.4 pence on February 13, values Assura’s share capital at about £1.6bn. Assura’s share price shot up by [...]
ONS reliability questioned after survey ‘collapsed’ to five respondents March 10, 2025 The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is under fire after internal emails exposed a sample size of employment data “collapsed to only five individuals”. According to correspondence obtained by the Financial Times, deputy chief economist Richard Heys cautioned in October 2023 that maintaining the statistics agency’s labour force survey (LFS) had “little and falling merit.” Heys [...]
Government to hit regulators with performance targets to drive innovation March 10, 2025 Regulators will be slapped with new performance targets in an effort to stimulate technological innovation and drive investment in the UK. According to Lord Patrick Vallance, the science minister, the benchmarks will be designed to accelerate innovation. Lord Vallance has suggested that this drive for innovation could result in commercial delivery drones, self-driving vehicles, and [...]
Atom Bank wants to inspire staff back to the office March 10, 2025 The boss of Atom Bank said he wants to inspire his staff back to the office as he announced plans to relocate its headquarters to Newcastle. Chief executive Mark Mullen has confirmed plans to move its head office from The Rivergreen Centre in Durham to The Pattern Shop in Newcastle. The Pattern Shop was where [...]
Gary Neville signs deal with cult London coffee brand Grind March 10, 2025 Cult coffee brand Grind is to open its first base outside London after signing a deal with Gary Neville to take space at his landmark city centre development in Manchester. Grind has agreed to take over 3,000 sq ft at No.1 St Michael’s scheme which is being led by Neville’s Relentless Developments. Grind joins the [...]
Government unveils £23m boost for telecoms March 10, 2025 The UK government has announced a £23m investment in telecoms research and development, aiming to strengthen connectivity across key industries like AI, cloud computing, and agriculture. The funding forms part of science and technology secretary Peter Kyle’s plans to accelerate the deployment of next generation telecoms technologies. He is expected to confirm the funding during [...]