IGI Expands Global Footprint as it Secures License to Operate in India’s Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) June 8, 2026 International General Insurance Holdings Ltd. (“IGI” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: IGIC) today announced that it has secured registration approval from the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to operate an IFSCA Insurance Office (IIO) in India’s Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (“GIFT City”), India’s first and only operational international financial services centre. IGI’s India operation is [...]
Labour bets £1.1bn on Britain’s AI chip race June 8, 2026 Keir Starmer’s government has unveiled a £1.1bn package aimed at turning Britain into a global AI hardware powerhouse, with ministers backing domestic chipmakers and pouring capital into training the next generation of engineers. The new AI Hardware Plan, announced at London Tech Week by tech secretary Liz Kendall, includes £750m for a new national AI [...]
‘Walking stick daggers’ and ‘nunchucks’ return to London Tech Week banned list June 8, 2026 Before hearing the prime minister or mayor of London talk up Britain’s tech future, attendees of this year’s London Tech Week had an important task: make sure they had left their spear gun at home. The annual list of prohibited items returned to Olympia on Monday, featuring a 45-item catalogue of banned objects ranging from [...]
Balfour Beatty emerges from US oversight scheme after fraud against military June 8, 2026 There was a “landmark moment” for FTSE 250 firm Balfour Beatty on Monday, with the announcement that its US subsidiary emerged from special scrutiny from the Department of Justice (DoJ). The news came as both a reminder of the global reach of London’s major support services sector and the pitfalls it can face from complex, [...]
Squarepoint commits £430m to huge London office move after profit soars June 8, 2026 One of London’s biggest investment firms has committed £430m to a major office move as the firm doubles down on its presence in the Square Mile. Squarepoint Capital, which was previously a subsidiary of Barclays before being spun off in 2014, is set to move to a redeveloped 400,000 square foot, 12-storey office on Gresham [...]
Britain’s first sovereign AI model secures blue-chip backing as Starmer unveils £400m plan June 8, 2026 Sir Keir Starmer’s push to build sovereign British AI capability has won backing from some of the country’s biggest companies, with BT, HSBC, Lloyds, Natwest and BAE Systems joining plans to develop Britain’s first sovereign frontier AI model. British AI startup Cosine unveiled a coalition of major banks, defence contractors and infrastructure firms who had [...]
On this day: Britain’s first banking crisis June 8, 2026 On 8 June 1772 Alexander Fordyce, a partner at Neale, James, Fordyce and Down absconded to France to escape crippling debts caused by a sharp rise in shares in the East India Company, writes Eliot Wilson As 1772 opened, Alexander Fordyce seemed like a wealthy and successful man. He was 42 years old, a partner [...]
Pockit taps shareholders for £13.4m after losses quadruple June 8, 2026 Pockit has raised £13.4m from shareholders as it seeks to plug growing losses following its acquisition of London fintech Monese. The firm, which offers pre-paid cards to customers without the need for a credit check, said it completed the raise in May 2026 from venture capital investor Concentric as well as Shore Capital-owned investment firm [...]
Debenhams and Revolution unveil new beauty collaboration June 8, 2026 Fast-fashion retailer Debenhams has formalised a royalty-based licensing partnership with Revolution Beauty to develop and distribute beauty and fragrance products across Debenhams’ brand portfolio. The first collections are expected to launch ahead of Christmas, featuring fragrance and gifting lines for PrettyLittleThing, Karen Millen, and boohooMAN. While further beauty and fragrance launches are planned across a [...]
Tate & Lyle confirms £2.7bn takeover by US rival June 8, 2026 Tate & Lyle has accepted a £2.7bn takeover deal by a rival American food firm, in the latest flight of a historic brand from London’s stock market. The 123-year old business said Ingredion’s offer – which totals 615p per share – represents an “attractive opportunity for shareholders”. The deal comes after the company revealed another [...]