Almost two-thirds of Brits back to work as freedom day nears July 8, 2021 Almost two-thirds of Brits are now back at their normal workplace as the gradual return to work continues in the run-up to freedom day. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed 65 per cent of people had returned to their normal pre-pandemic place of work by 27 June, up one percentage [...]
BT avoids strike after reaching pay deal with union July 8, 2021 BT has averted its first major strike in more than three decades after reaching an agreement with the Communication and Workers Union (CWU) over pay and redundancy plans. The CWU had threatened strike action against the telecoms giant, accusing it of “putting profit before people” in its radical restructuring plan. But BT today said it [...]
London home to nearly a third of all Europe’s tech unicorns July 8, 2021 London is now home to almost a third of all tech unicorns across Europe as the capital continues to attract the continent’s top talent. New data from Dealroom revealed there are 71 private tech firms valued at $1bn or more in London, a large chunk of the total 268 unicorns across Europe. It comes after [...]
Airbnb inks deal with location tech firm what3words amid staycation boom July 8, 2021 Airbnb has launched a partnership with what3words to bring the startup’s location mapping technology to its platform ahead of an expected boom in staycations. What3words has divided the world into three-metre squares each with a unique three-word name to help pinpoint specific addresses. The London-based company said its technology helps to tackle the inaccuracy of [...]
Uber under pressure as Chinese rival Didi enters UK July 7, 2021 Uber will come under pressure from yet another ride-hailing rival as China’s Didi prepares to launch in the UK in the coming weeks. Didi is said to have secured its first licences in Manchester and Sheffield and is set to begin services as soon as this month, the Daily Telegraph reported. The arrival of the [...]
Mark Wahlberg-backed fitness group F45 plots $1.5bn IPO July 7, 2021 F45, the fitness chain backed by Hollywood hardman Mark Wahlberg, is seeking a valuation of more than $1.5bn (£1bn) in a US stock market float. The company, which was founded in Australia but is based in Texas, is plotting an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange after cashing in on the growing [...]
Wise valued at £8bn in London’s biggest ever tech float July 7, 2021 Wise, one of Britain’s biggest fintech firms, has seen its valuation hit £8bn after listing on the London Exchange this morning, marking a major boost for the capital’s tech scene. Shares in the payments group, formerly known as Transferwise, began trading at £8 each in its eagerly-awaited stock market float. It follows an auction process [...]
Evening Standard falls to £17m loss as lockdown hits commuting July 7, 2021 The Evening Standard plunged to a £17.2m loss last year as repeated lockdowns and work-from-home orders hit the freesheet’s commuting readership. Revenue for the year dropped by almost a third to £44m in the year to the end of September as lower reader numbers were compounded by a slump in advertising spend. The pre-tax loss [...]
Exclusive: London edtech firm Unibuddy raises $20m after pandemic boost July 7, 2021 London-based education technology firm Unibuddy has raised $20m (£14.5m) in fresh funding to help fuel its global expansion after a bumper pandemic year. Unibuddy, which allows prospective university applicants to chat with existing students and staff, raised the funds in a series B round led by Highland Europe, with further participation from Stride.VC. The company, [...]
Insurance chief Nick Lyons picked as new Lord Mayor of London July 7, 2021 Insurance bigwig Nick Lyons has reportedly been appointed as the next Lord Mayor of London after a secretive election in the Square Mile. Lyons, who is chairman of insurer Phoenix and a board member of Bupa, is said to have been picked for the role last night by the City of London Corporation’s Court of [...]
