Oak Furnitureland pares back losses as firm eyes showroom expansion February 16, 2026 Oak Furnitureland is eyeing further showroom expansion after the retailer improved its profitability. The Swindon-based business is targeting a host of new stores over the course of 2026 following the opening of a new showroom in Coventry in September, and is eyeing a refurbishment of at least half of its existing store estate by the [...]
The gender pay gap will take 30 years to close, report says February 15, 2026 The gender pay gap will take another three decades to close if the current rate of progress is maintained, a new report has found. Despite efforts to speed up the rate of achieving equal pay, it will not be achieved until 2056 unless more is done, according to analysis from the Trades Union Congress (TUC). [...]
UK needs deeper integration with EU, says Starmer February 14, 2026 The UK will seek “deeper economic integration” with the European Union and move closer to the single market in more sectors, Sir Keir Starmer has said. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, the Prime Minister admitted the current “status quo is not fit for purpose” and the UK needs to work closer with the European [...]
Brewdog calls time as advisers brought in to assess bidders February 14, 2026 Independent craft beer brewer, Brewdog, has called in advisers to oversee a sale that could trigger a break-up of one of Scotland’s well-known businesses. The board of Brewdog, which brands include Punk IPA and Elvis Juice, has appointed restructuring experts Alix Partners to attract interest from potential bidders, first reported by Sky News. Sources said [...]
Natwest hikes dividend after profit hits post-financial crisis high February 13, 2026 Natwest laid out plans to splash the cash to shareholders in its full-year earnings report on Friday as the bank’s profit reached its highest since the 2008 financial crisis. The FTSE 100 banking giant – which returned to private ownership in the last year – recorded pre-tax profit of £7.7bn in 2025 financial year, up [...]
FTSE 100 Live: Natwest bumper dividend, stocks tick up February 13, 2026 Good morning and welcome back to the City AM liveblog. The City was left stunned yesterday after Schroders entered into a surprise £10bn deal with Nuveen, which holds $1.4tn in assets, after speculation of a sale was rebuffed in July. Schroders Group chief Richard Oldfield had previously squashed rumours that the Schroder family, who control [...]
UK fintech Zempler Bank snapped up for less than half previous valuation February 12, 2026 London-based fintech Zempler Bank has been snapped up by Nigeria’s biggest bank in a deal that has slashed the firm’s valuation, City AM can reveal. The small business lender – formerly known as Cashplus – has been acquired by The Access Bank UK with a price tag of around £3.45p per share. The sale represents [...]
Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham criticise pub tax raid February 12, 2026 Two prominent potential leadership challengers to Sir Keir Starmer have attacked the government’s tax regime for putting hospitality businesses, and particularly pubs, under serious pressure. Angela Rayner acknowledged that the hike to the minimum wage has put pressure on hospitality businesses, and said that the government needs to “start relieving” the sector. Starmer’s former deputy [...]
City stunned by Nuveen’s £10bn swoop on Schroders February 12, 2026 City analysts were stunned by Thursday morning’s announcement that Schroders has entered into a surprise £9.9bn deal with Nuveen, which holds $1.4 trillion in assets, after speculation of a sale was rebuffed in July. Schroders Group CEO Richard Oldfield squashed rumours that the Schroder family, who control almost half of the company’s shares, were eyeing [...]
Investors shun short-term gains amid market volatility February 12, 2026 UK retail investors are turning away from short term trading in favour of increased portfolio diversification, in a bid to weather ongoing market volatility. Over the past two years investors have become significantly diversified, increasing allocations across all major asset classes, according to the latest retail investor survey from Etoro. In particular, overseas-listed equities saw [...]