Blackstone: Private equity giant backs £10bn AI data centre deal in UK September 26, 2024 Private equity giant Blackstone has injected £10bn into the UK to build one of the largest artificial intelligence data centres in Europe. The investment will build a data centre in Blyth, in the north east of England, creating more than 4,000 jobs. Construction of the site is expected to begin next year. It comes after [...]
Regulation in the UK a ‘web of complexity’ and harming innovation says think tank September 25, 2024 A leading think tank has called for the government to create a ‘call-in’ power to overrule regulators’ decisions, warning that Britain’s approach to tech regulation is harming innovation and investment in the sector. In a new report, right-leaning think tank Onward described the UK’s patchwork of “under-resourced” and “overstretched” regulators as spinning a “web of [...]
Databricks opens first European HQ in London in bet on UK September 20, 2024 Data and AI giant Databricks is set to open its first official European headquarters in London, as it looks to cement the UK as a key market for growth. The company’s UK staff are set to move into the new Fitzrovia-based office on Monday, ahead of an official launch event on 3 October. While Databricks [...]
UK tech faces talent exodus if founders are penalised by tax hikes September 17, 2024 Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised that Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first Budget will prioritise economic growth and wealth creation. But moves to hike taxes that will hurt Britain’s entrepreneurs are putting that pledge in doubt. As British businessman Sir Martin Sorrell warned in City A.M.: “Increasing capital gains tax, especially without index-linking or time apportionment, [...]
NCC upgrades forecasts as cyber business grows September 12, 2024 British tech firm NCC said it will report a better than expected quarterly trading performance after a strong performance from its core cybersecurity business. In the four months ending 30 September, NCC forecast overall revenue to be around £100m with adjusted operating profit of about £3.5m, compared to £1m and an adjusted operating loss in [...]
Ashtead Technology posts ‘record’ half year as it eyes more deals September 2, 2024 Ashtead Technology said it achieved a “record” performance in the first half of the year as it looks to build out its merger and acquisition (M&A) pipeline. In the six months ended 30 June 2024, the subsea equipment rental and provider for the offshore energy industry posted a 61 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue [...]
Essensys shares shoot up as flexible workspace software provider beats estimates August 29, 2024 Shares in software platform essensys climbed as much as 20 per cent on Thursday morning after it said it expected to report revenue, earnings and cash flow ahead of market expectations in its full year results. Essensys, which provides software and technology to the flexible workspace industry, has projected revenue of £24m and an adjusted [...]
UK Government doles out £32m for AI projects – after ditching £1.3bn pledge August 7, 2024 The British government has announced plans to back 98 artificial intelligence (AI) projects across the country with an injection of £32m. The funding, which aims to supercharge ‘high-growth’ industries, will benefit over 200 businesses and research outfits. The projects span a broad range, including improving safety on construction sites to slashing railway repair times and [...]
Computacenter: Profit down by a third on ‘weak demand’ for UK tech July 26, 2024 London-based tech company Computacenter announced a drop in profit before tax by a third for the first half of the year on weaker than expected demand in the UK industry. The £2.97bn firm, which helps businesses set up and manage their computer systems and software efficiently, expected its profit before tax for the half year ended 30 June [...]
London leads as number of new UK tech companies hits five year high May 1, 2024 The number of UK tech businesses formally registered as limited companies surged by 11 per cent to reach a five-year peak in the first quarter.