Paragon Banking MD: ‘There’s a £500bn savings mountain sat in high street banks’ July 17, 2025 Each week, we dig into the memory bank of the City’s great and good. Today, Michael Helsby,managing director of strategic direction at Paragon Banking Group takes us through his career, and his reflections on the City, in Square Mile and Me What was your first job? I left school at 16 to become an apprentice Electrical [...]
Porsche Taycan Turbo GT review: The most powerful Porsche July 16, 2025 Porsche’s GT department is the superglue that connects the company’s road and racing cars. Since 1999, its vehicles have consistently set the benchmark against which others are judged, earning it plaudits from the press and a cult following among enthusiasts. Go to a Touristenfahrten track day at the Nurburgring and every second car is a [...]
Electric vehicle grants return, but most buyers will miss out July 16, 2025 The UK government has reintroduced grants for electric vehicles (EVs) in a bid to boost lagging consumer demand, but industry insiders warn that most buyers may be left behind. Unveiled late last week, the new electric car grant will offer up to £3,750 off the price of a new EV, targeting models priced under £37,000 [...]
Is it high time to buy in super-prime London? July 15, 2025 London’s super-prime market has been suffering from a glut of supply in the wake of damaging decision-making from successive governments. Ali Lyon asks, is the tide beginning to turn? To take a walk down Mayfair’s historic Upper Grosvenor Street is to be confronted by a quiet, but dramatic, changing-of-the-guard afoot in one of London’s most [...]
Here’s how failing TfL can restore confidence in our graffiti-riddled Tube July 10, 2025 Sky-high pay and bonuses, PR gaffes, and a failure to tackle graffiti and fare dodging suggest that TfL is losing touch with its customers, writes James Ford Last week was bad news week for Transport for London (TfL). Poor old Andy Lord, the beleaguered transport commissioner, started the week by explicitly denying that a lengthy [...]
London Marathon Events sprints to record surplus as profits surge July 8, 2025 The organiser of the London Marathon achieved a record surplus last year as pre-tax profit almost doubled to £12m. London Marathon Events, which also runs several other mass participation races, grew revenue from £48.9m to £59.8m and profit from £6.8m to £12.0m. That resulted in a record surplus passed to the London Marathon Foundation, its [...]
A day with London’s exclusive Auto Vivendi supercar club July 7, 2025 We crawl through Cricklewood, battle through Brent Cross, then cruise sedately up the A1 (M). Finally, we take the exit, the traffic ebbs away and the road opens up ahead: a ribbon of empty tarmac between open fields. My overwhelming urge is to click the left paddle down a couple of gears, flatten my right [...]
Gordon Murray Automotive: The supercar stars of Goodwood July 4, 2025 This week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will celebrate the 60-year career of Gordon Murray CBE. From his early days at the Brabham F1 team to establishing his own car company, Murray is one of the motoring world’s greatest innovators. Born in South Africa, the young Murray designed, built and raced his own ‘IGM-Ford’ sports car. [...]
Aston Martin tariff hit sinks UK car output to 76-year low June 27, 2025 UK car production plunged to its lowest level since 1949 last month, as Aston Martin and other British carmakers halted exports to the United States amid president Donald Trump’s escalating trade war. Data released on Friday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) found that UK factories turned out just 49,810 cars and [...]
Mohammed Ben Sulayem rival Carlos Sainz Sr backs out of FIA race June 25, 2025 President of motorsport’s governing body Mohammed Ben Sulayem is almost certain to remain head of the FIA after potential rival Carlos Sainz Sr chose not to stand against the Emirati. The current president is currently unopposed for the position of president ahead of December’s election despite a number of controversies under his recent tenure. He [...]