Birmingham driving service sector boom February 26, 2026 Birmingham has been at the front of a “service sector boom”, according to new research from Oxford Economics, helping to drive job creation across the wider region. The West Midlands combined authority (WMCA), which contains Britain’s second city, saw gross value added (GVA) in the services sector rise by an average of 4.2 per cent [...]
OpenAI backs London with hub expansion and new roles February 26, 2026 OpenAI is to make London its largest research hub outside the United States, in what ministers have hailed as a “huge vote of confidence” in the UK’s AI sector. The ChatGPT developer confirmed it will significantly expand its London operation, which currently employs around 30 researchers, though it declined to put a figure on how [...]
When a Building Reminds You Why You Love Your Job February 26, 2026 Every so often, a project comes along that captures the essence of why working in and for a great city is such a privilege. The opening of the new hub by Premier Inn by Whitbread in Farringdon at the Old Bailey is one of those moments that we now encounter quite frequently in the City, [...]
Investec awards East London coffee enterprise Well Grounded £60k grant February 26, 2026 Financial giant Investec has awarded £60,000 to social enterprise Well Grounded, which plans to create 10,000 career opportunities in the coffee sector in the coming decade. Well Grounded, based in East London, runs speciality coffee training programmes for jobseekers and has placed over 1,000 Brits into the industry so far. Unemployment rose to its highest rate in [...]
Financial Times lays off staff as chief executive warns of ‘need for change’ February 26, 2026 The Financial Times has completed a round of layoffs, City AM understands, as the London newspaper’s new chief executive told staff of “the need for change” as part of an internal restructuring. Around a dozen roles across the paper’s Product and Tech department have been axed following a consultation process, according to internal communications seen [...]
London mayor gives green light for pedestrianised Oxford Street February 26, 2026 Sadiq Khan has signed off proposals to pedestrianise Oxford Street, ordering London’s transport authority to begin plans to remove traffic in a major shake-up the nation’s most popular shopping area. The London Mayor gave his approval to the plans on Thursday, claiming the “bold” proposal will transform the high street into a “world-leading” shopping and [...]
LaLiga boss Tebas reignites war with Paris Saint-Germain chief Al-Khelaifi February 26, 2026 LaLiga president Javier Tebas has reignited his war of words with Paris Saint-Germain chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi by blaming him for the financial problems in French football. Tebas and Al-Khelaifi have clashed repeatedly in the past, most notably when PSG signed Neymar from Barcelona against the wishes of the Spanish club and its league in 2017. [...]
Hong Kong exchange reports record profits as listings rocket February 26, 2026 Hong Kong’s stock exchange operator has posted a second consecutive year of record profits, after the city became one of the top listing destinations globally, following a slump. Net profit rose 36 per cent to HK$17.8bn (£1.7bn) in 2025, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing confirmed. Core business revenues, which include fees from trading and clearing [...]
Brits push down house prices to dodge mansion tax February 26, 2026 House sellers are already pushing sale values below £2m in a bid to avoid the coming “mansion tax” on expensive homes. The high-value council tax surcharge (HVCTS) is not due to be implemented until April 2028 but estate agents Hamptons have found Brits are already taking steps to avoid the levy. The “mansion tax” charge [...]
VC boss Anu Adebajo: I was told to temper my ambition. I’m glad I didn’t listen February 26, 2026 We dig into the memory bank of the City's great and good. Today, Anu Adebajo, CEO of Newton Venture Program, takes us through her VC career.