Second chances: Ex-offenders could help solve recruitment crisis February 28, 2022 “I always wanted to be a drug dealer. Getting a job would have been strange to me,” Liam Meredith, an ex-offender who now runs his own catering business, says. Many young men like Meredith struggle to break a cycle of offending even after they leave prison, due to tumultuous home lives. For men like Meredith, [...]
EV charging provider EO extends deadline for US SPAC merger February 25, 2022 Electric vehicle (EV) charging provider EO Charging has extended the deadline to complete a $675m merger with US special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) First Reserve Sustainable Growth. Sources said that, while the agreement is required to be finalised by 11 March, doubts on whether the company will meet the deadline have emerged, Sky News has [...]
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is in short supply – here’s what to do February 25, 2022 The New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is a stalwart of the London wine list. Even the most wine-wary have probably tried a glass with its distinctive notes of gooseberry and passionfruit. A globally popular choice there is world-wide demand, which is why the current shortage is causing a stir. “The 2021 harvest, while of exceptional quality, [...]
Havas snaps up UK digital agency Inviqa in ‘eight-figure deal’ February 22, 2022 Havas Group has today announced its acquisition of the UK digital experience agency Inviqa in a substantial, “eight-figure deal”. The company, which comprises more than 150 employees across eight offices, will be integrated into Havas Creative’s dedicated customer experience network, Havas CX, to significantly expand its specialism, scale, and capabilities in experience design, software engineering, [...]
Pod Point’s profit skyrockets as EV market soars February 18, 2022 Electric vehicle (EV) charging firm Pod Point has reported skyrocketing profits as a result of strong consumer demand. In the year ended 31 December, the company registered an 86 per cent increase in year-on-year revenue, going up to £61.4m, while gross profit surged 99 per cent. Gross margins went up two per cent, while home [...]
London markets edge higher as investors shrug off another hot inflation print February 16, 2022 London markets were muted yesterday as investors digested the implications of another red hot UK inflation print. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index edged down 0.07 per cent to 7,603.78 points, while the domestically-focused FTSE 250 index, which is more aligned with the health of the UK economy, dipped 0.11 per cent to 21,828.94 points. [...]
Little Moons set to fetch £100m in private equity bidding war February 10, 2022 An ice cream business that boomed in popularity via TikTok is the focus of a private equity bidding war that could value it at above £100m. Little Moons, which creates Japanese mochi ice cream balls, has surged in popularity thanks to a viral TikTok video and now has five private equity firms readying a bid, [...]
Competition watchdog brands Amazon as ‘grocery retailer’ enforcing UK supplier protection February 9, 2022 UK competition watchdog has branded Amazon as a “grocery retailer” after the ecommerce giant announced it would be increasing its activity in the sector, with plans to launch 15 new Amazon Fresh stores in London. The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) decision is aimed at protecting suppliers and ensuring fairer payment terms, forcing Amazon, as [...]
UK broadband and pay TV complaints at an ‘all-time low’ says Ofcom February 8, 2022 Ofcom has revealed that the number of complaints received between July and September last year across broadband, landline and pay TV companies were at an all-time low. From its latest league table, TalkTalk and Shell Energy had the most broadband complaints, primarily due to faults and service issues. With the industry average being 10 complaints per every 100,000 [...]
M&S remains UK’s fastest growing supermarket catching up with Big Four grocers February 8, 2022 Marks & Spencer has maintained its position as UK’s fastest growing food retailer, market researcher NielsenIQ said today, indicating its turnaround plan is gaining momentum. It said M&S’s sales rose 12.3 per cent in the 12 weeks to January 29 year-on-year, giving it a market share of 3.6 per cent, up 0.4 percentage points on [...]