Venture heavyweights denounce government’s £1bn scale-up fund plans Investing The government’s flagship £1bn scale-up fund will miss out on top deals and chalk up poor performance for its pensioner investors should ministers select a traditional firm to manage it over a specialist venture capital shop, a group of the UK’s top early-stage investors has warned. The industry heavyweights, who between them are early backers [...]
The real scrutiny of Burnham begins now Opinion Burnham's honeymood period has been further bolstered by positive economic news. As Parliament returns, now is the time for bold moves.
Scotland can help power the UK’s fintech sector Opinion With a highly educated workforce and growing specialisms in fintech and green finance, Scotland can help power growth, writes Alastair King.
Without the right tax framework, UK will drive wealth creators away September 22, 2025 Lord Mayor Alastair King will welcome leading family offices to Mansion House this week to explore how Britain can channel its £3.9 trillion in investment assets into scaling businesses, upgrading infrastructure, and keeping the UK globally competitive. Later this week, I will welcome leading family offices from across the globe to the first ever Global Family [...]
Competition is key to turning British scale-ups into global firms September 10, 2025 As other countries reap the benefits of home-grown UK talent, the CMA is committed to cracking the UK's scale-up challenge, writes Sarah Cardell.
Don’t let France overtake Britain in tech September 3, 2025 To maintain its economic leadership, the UK must learn from the proactive policies of competitors like France and urgently reform its own R&D and investment schemes to better support innovative start-ups and scale-ups, says Gregor Poynton As the UK faces up to the economic challenges we confront as a country, we should remain optimistic about [...]
UK start-ups punch above their weight — and it’s being noticed worldwide December 5, 2024 Despite the “doom and gloom” narrative and post-Budget fears looming over the UK’s start-up ecosystem, the country still holds its ground at the forefront of global innovation. At least that is the view of Ashish Patel, managing director at Houlihan Lokey’s Capital Market Group, who says that a rise of international investment into UK start-ups [...]
How I crafted the perfect recipe for my multimillion-pound biscuit brand December 3, 2024 Building a successful business takes a focussed mind and a steady hand - but can you have both?
Budget uncertainty threatens to freeze growth at small businesses October 22, 2024 A significant number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have warned their growth ambitions may be at risk if Rachel Reeves doesn’t prioritise their concerns in the upcoming Autumn Budget. According to a survey of over 500 SME leaders on behalf of specialist lender Simply Asset Finance, 74 per cent said the outcomes of the [...]
Tall tails: The story of a city couple, a Siberian cat and a litter box September 23, 2024 When entrepreneur Aneisha Soobroyen adopted her Siberian cat Boo, the last thing she expected was never-ending stomach issues stinking up the litter box.