UK mulls change in IPO rules to attract tech startups November 5, 2019 Downing Street has reportedly held discussions with representatives from the investment industry about changing the UK’s listing rules to encourage high-growth firms such as tech startups to float in London. The talks were part of a push by Number 10 to help boost the City after the UK leaves the EU at the end of [...]
Thomson Reuters reports surge in operating profit October 31, 2019 Media conglomerate Thomson Reuters has reported a surge in operating profit for the third quarter, ahead of analysts’ estimates. Operating profit at the Canada-based company jumped 51 per cent to $262m (£202m) for the three months to September, ahead of $173m for the same period a year ago. Read more: Thomson Reuters defends boss following [...]
Virgin Galactic shares blast off as Sir Richard Branson’s firm makes New York Stock Exchange debut October 28, 2019 Sir Richard Branson’s space tourism venture, Virgin Galactic, has taken off on the New York Stock Exchange this afternoon, with shares soaring more than eight per cent in early trading. The company completed a merger with a US investment vehicle late on Friday, making it the first commercial space venture to go public. Branson, who [...]
DEBATE: Virgin Galactic is planning to float on the New York Stock Exchange – is going public a wise move? October 25, 2019 Virgin Galactic is planning to float on the New York Stock Exchange – is going public a wise move? John Mullins, associate professor of management practice at London Business School, says YES. It was exciting to learn that Sir Richard Branson is planning to float his space venture Virgin Galactic on the New York Stock [...]
‘Don’t piss people off’: Sir Richard Branson’s advice for Extinction Rebellion is short and sweet October 24, 2019 When Extinction Rebellion hit the headlines this time last year, its leaders can hardly have imagined the movement would gain support from one of the best-known names in global aviation. Indeed, jet fuel is responsible for about 2.5 per cent of global CO2 emissions, and could even guzzle as much as half of the UK’s [...]
Sir Richard Branson set to launch Virgin Galactic float on Monday October 24, 2019 Sir Richard Branson has announced that he is planning to float his space venture Virgin Galactic on the New York Stock Exchange on Monday. Branson said he hoped to be there to ring the bell himself as his space flight company becomes the first to go public next week. Read more: Boeing invests $20m in [...]
Facebook pays just £28m in UK corporation tax in 2018 after sales worth almost £800m October 11, 2019 Facebook paid just £28m in UK corporation tax in 2018 according to its latest filing at Companies House. This is despite it having recognised sales worth £797m with a gross profit of £763.4m for the year. Read more: OECD targets tech giants as it shakes up global tax rules It is the latest example of [...]
Kaspi.kz IPO: Kazakh fintech postpones London float October 7, 2019 The London float of Kazakh fintech group Kaspi.kz has been postponed due to “unfavourable market conditions” in the technology sector. Read more: Fund veteran Martin Gilbert leaves Standard Life Aberdeen to join Revolut The initial public offering (IPO) was set to be the largest by a Central Asian company on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) [...]
Uber Works app pairs gig economy workers with employers October 3, 2019 Ride hailing giant Uber has launched an app, Uber Works, to connect temporary workers looking for shifts with businesses trying to fill gaps in their rotas. The app will show workers what shifts are available in certain areas and how much they will be paid for each one, and aims to help businesses that struggle [...]
Uber’s regulatory wild ride: Meet the man behind the wheel September 30, 2019 Uber UK and Europe boss Jamie Heywood may have only been in the job for 18 months, but he already personifies what the company has become since its angry confrontation with London mayor Sadiq Khan. That spat over Uber’s London operations has seen the previously cavalier company grow into a firm that is careful and [...]