Big Technologies founder talks collapse as profits rebound from boardroom battle September 14, 2026 Big Technologies’ bitter battle with founder Sara Murray has flared up again after settlement talks collapsed, overshadowing a return to statutory profit and a raised outlook at the electronic monitoring group. The AIM-listed company said on Monday that mediated discussions with Murray had ended without an agreement, meaning it would continue pursuing legal proceedings against [...]
As it happened: FTSE 100 stocks led higher by software firms; oil at four-month high September 14, 2026 Welcome back to the City AM liveblog. The price of oil has smashed a four-month high following on from last week’s nine per cent rally. Brent crude – the international benchmark for oil prices – rose towards $108 per barrel on Monday morning following the news that Saudi Arabia had shut a major crude pipeline [...]
How Fevertree is taking on tap water to woo Gen-Z September 13, 2026 The world’s biggest ginger beer producer is waging war on tap water. Fevertree, best known for its premium tonics, is urging customers to see its products as standalone soft drinks, rather than as mixers for the harder stuff. “Tap water is not a very appealing, aspirational alternative” to alcohol, says the drinks maker’s chief executive, [...]
Pisces’ first birthday was an intimate affair September 10, 2026 The faint pop of a champagne bottle was heard in the Square Mile a few days ago, marking the first anniversary of the LSE getting a licence for Pisces – the private securities venue providing liquidity to fast-growing firms. As celebrations go, it was an intimate affair. Over the past year, just three businesses have [...]
Gym Group upgrades outlook as Gen-Z shrugs off heatwave and World Cup September 9, 2026 Gym Group has upgraded its outlook after tempting Gen-Zers into its gyms throughout the summer, despite the distractions of the World Cup and multiple heatwaves. Will Orr, chief executive of the no-frills gym provider, said the group is still on course to deliver three per cent sales growth despite a “noisy macro [environment], some hot [...]
Value of UK deals rockets as buyers pounce on FTSE 100 firms September 9, 2026 The value of UK merger and acquisitions more than doubled in the first half of 2026 as foreign buyers capitalised on sluggish valuations to pick off some of Britain’s most valuable companies. Takeovers worth some £124bn were struck in the first six months of the year, up 107 per cent year-on-year from £60bn in the [...]
Football multi-club ownership firm seeks London Stock Exchange bond issue September 8, 2026 An ambitious London-based firm looking to create a football multi-club network and sell bonds on the London Stock Exchange has smashed its first fundraising goal. The Football Factory raised over £100,000 at an £8m pre-money valuation this week ahead of a Series A round and a bond sell-off – in one or both of London [...]
Activist investor accuses The Works of unfairly swaying crucial vote September 7, 2026 The activist investor seeking to tighten its grip on The Works has accused the retailer’s board of attempting to sway a crucial shareholder vote. Kelso, a London-listed activist investor, has been locked in a weeks-long row with the arts and craft retailer, as it attempted to convince shareholders to appoint a former Card Factory director [...]
JP Morgan eyes role on London Stock Exchange’s Pisces market September 7, 2026 JP Morgan is seeking approval to handle deals on the London Stock Exchange’s Pisces market in a sign of growing momentum behind the private bourse. The US bank is looking to join the likes of Bank of America and Rothschild in becoming a so-called registered auction agent, which would allow it to broker deals on [...]
Spire Healthcare overhauls board amid £1bn private takeover September 6, 2026 The chief executive and chair of Spire Healthcare have stepped away amid a £1bn takeover of the London-listed private hospital group. Veteran boss Justin Ash has said he will retire from the group as it “enters a new phase with strong foundations” under its new ownership by a consortium of investors. Spire’s board have agreed [...]