Regulator fines KPMG for N Brown Group audit errors October 7, 2025 Big Four firm KPMG and a former partner have received heavy fines and formal reprimands from the accountancy regulator for serious failures in their audit of N Brown Group plc’s 2022 accounts. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) found that KPMG and Anthony Sykes failed to meet international auditing standards, with the firm admitting to serious [...]
Lloyds: FTSE 100 giant’s slow wealth progress sparks takeover talk October 7, 2025 Lloyds’ “slow” progress in wealth management has sparked talks of a potential takeover as the banking titan looks to beef up its offering for high net worth individuals. The FTSE 100 giant exited the area in 2013 as part of a simplification drive after the financial crisis, with the reduction of its stake in St [...]
Branson-backed Virgin Active slashes losses amid WFH battle October 7, 2025 Virgin Active, the gym chain founded by Sir Richard Branson, has significantly slashed its losses as its battle with the work-from-home trend continues. The business, which runs 224 international locations, has reported a pre-ax loss of £78.1m for 2024, down significantly from the £146.7m it lost in 2023. New accounts filed with Companies House also [...]
House prices fall amid pre-Budget jitters October 7, 2025 House prices fell last month, a leading price index has suggested, a warning that house buyers and sellers are nervy ahead of a potential tax raid on property. Halifax’s house price index suggested house prices dropped by 0.3 per cent on the month, putting the average property cost at £298,184. The annual rate of growth [...]
Lime bikes: UK sales spike as expansion continues October 7, 2025 Turnover at the UK arm of shared bikes provider Lime has spiked as its expansion across London continues, it has been revealed. Lime Technology has reported a turnover of £111.3m for 2024, according to new accounts filed with Companies House. The total is up significantly from the £63.5m it achieved in 2023. However, the latest [...]
LEVC: London electric taxi company loses £180m October 7, 2025 LEVC, the London electric taxi company, lost almost £180m during its latest financial year as its sales were slashed. The Coventry-headquartered electric taxi maker, which is also known as London EV Company, has reported a pre-tax loss of £179.4m, according to new accounts filed with Companies House. The business, which is owned by Chinese automotive [...]
FTSE 100 Live: House prices fall; Shell eyes earnings boost; B&M takes hit October 7, 2025 Good morning from the City AM liveblog team. Last week, PM Keir Starmer appeared to leave Labour conference on a high — seeing off threats to his leadership and resetting relations with members. But back in London, things are not quite as rosy. As we report today, UK dealmakers’ faith in the economy has slumped [...]
Exclusive: Welsh Fire co-owner wants Hundred to be T20 within two years October 7, 2025 The Indian-American co-owner of The Hundred franchise Welsh Fire, Sanjay Govil, wants the competition to drop its unique format and become a T20 league within two years. The 100-ball format has come under pressure following the sale of stakes in all eight Hundred franchises to overseas investors, some of whom are keen to bring the [...]
Want to see the City thriving again? Consider becoming a mentor October 7, 2025 A dial-a-business-expert service could save struggling SMEs that just need a bit of advice. But we need more mentors to make it.
China spy row reveals a divided Whitehall October 7, 2025 The UK’s relationship with China has swung through various degrees of warmth in recent years, but there have been some recurring themes. When David Cameron and George Osborne hailed the “golden era” of UK-China relations more than a decade ago, critics accused the pair of naivety and even recklessness. Nick Timothy, who would go on [...]