Microsoft negotiations threaten to delay OpenAI’s restructuring August 27, 2025 OpenAI’s plan to restructure its business and raise billions in new funding is being stalled as it remains locked in complex negotiations with its largest investor, Microsoft. The ongoing talks, which could extend beyond the end of the year, as reported by the Financial Times, centre on key points of contention that could impact the [...]
RFU backing of Red Roses can aid better English pro structure August 21, 2025 So it begins. Red Roses vs USA at the Stadium of Light. Friday night, BBC 1. That’s a USA fielding the rugby player with by far the biggest social media following on the planet, Ilona Maher. You won’t find a hotter ticket this year than the Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham on 27 [...]
Dynamic ticket pricing will not be used at Home Nations Euros in 2028 August 20, 2025 Uefa has opted against introducing the dynamic pricing model favoured by Fifa for selling tickets for the 2028 Euros in England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. The European governing body’s decision has been welcomed by the four domestic FA’s, who are continuing to consult with Uefa over Euros tickets and want to offer [...]
Quiet quitting 2.0: Forget Gen Z, it’s CEOs who are checking out August 19, 2025 Gen Z has long been berated for disengaging, but it's CEOs that are the real problem. Welcome to quiet quitting 2.0: when the C-suite checks out but stays in.
The five fintech segments to watch August 18, 2025 Global fintech funding slumped to its worst half-year in five years in the first six months of 2025. Investment reached $44bn (£32.47bn), falling from $54.2bn the year prior, whilst the number of deals fell from 2,376 to 2,216. Weak investment in the three months to June 31 2025, hurt the headline figures, with just $18.7bn [...]
Aviva’s profit soars ahead of merger with Direct Line August 14, 2025 Aviva posted a profit jump for the first half of the year after strong growth across its wealth and insurance divisions. The company’s operating profit climbed 22 per cent to just north of £1bn – topping the £875m netted in the first half of 2024. This comes after Aviva completed its £3.7bn takeover of rival [...]
After the shake-up, is the CMA still a watchdog with teeth? August 14, 2025 Those of us who have regulators' email alerts switched on were familiar with the CMA as an active regulator, but that didn't align with the Labour government's agenda.
CMA’s Google crackdown will put the UK’s AI revolution on hold August 13, 2025 The heavy hand of the CMA, on Google and tech companies it barely understands, will stop the UK from capitalising on AI, writes Matthew Lesh.
KKR snubbed as Assura shareholders vote through PHP bid August 12, 2025 Investors in NHS landlord Assura have voted to accept a bid from its London-listed rival Primary Health Properties, bringing an end to a bitterly fought takeover battle between PHP and private equity behemoth KKR. As many as 63 per cent of Assura’s shareholders voted to approve the £1.8bn cash and equity offer from PHP, accepting [...]
Labour lines up advisers for Thames Water administration August 12, 2025 Labour ministers have reached out to top insolvency practitioners in the scenario Thames Water falls into special administration, it has been reported. The UK’s largest water company is at a crisis point after private equity giant KKR pulled out of a multi-billion pound investment deal that could have offered it a lifeline given Thames Water [...]