City sounds alarm on £40bn foreign M&A offensive targeting ‘cheap’ UK firms May 15, 2026 A group of City grandees has sounded the alarm on the wave of foreign firms picking off rivals from London’s stock market, after a flurry of unsolicited offers took the combined value of UK companies poised to leave Britain’s ailing bourse to £43bn. Some 22 listed companies have already accepted or received bids that would [...]
Google built the internet economy. AI is rewriting it. May 15, 2026 For the last two decades, most businesses have competed for visibility. Google rankings, paid search, website traffic, marketplace positioning and social reach became the foundations of modern customer acquisition. Entire industries were built around helping brands climb search results, generate clicks and capture online demand more efficiently than competitors. That ecosystem created clear winners. Companies [...]
AI is driving McKinsey’s business model and talent overhaul May 15, 2026 McKinsey & Company’s business model is changing to prioritise performance-based pay, a shift largely driven by the impact of AI, City AM understands. The Big Three consulting giant has told senior staff it plans to overhaul its remuneration structure for partners, with more of their pay potentially coming in the form of equity in the US-headquartered partnership. [...]
Satisfaction: Mick Jagger prevails in bid to block Battersea tower May 15, 2026 Rock star Sir Mick Jagger has won a two-year planning battle to block a controversial 29-storey tower in Battersea, proving you can get what you want. The Rolling Stones frontman had been joined by a host of stars including guitarist Eric Clapton, actress Felicity Kendall and comedian Harry Hill in opposing the development. A planning [...]
M&S eyes up Brits’ weekly shops as food arm set to expand May 15, 2026 Marks & Spencer has not been shy over its ambition to conquer the British weekly shop, and the retail giant is nearing a crucial update on its foray into the UK’s fiercely competitive grocery market. M&S Food accounts for more than half (54 per cent) of the retailer’s revenues, and its recent warehouse expansions suggest [...]
Top UK business groups pledge to combat rise of antisemitism May 15, 2026 More than 40 of the UK’s leading business organisations have issued a joint statement rallying against antisemitism, stating is has reached a level that requires “specific attention”. An open letter signed by the likes of from the British Chambers of Commerce, the CBI, and the Federation of Small Businesses calls for business leaders across the [...]
‘An impish sense of fun’: Claridge’s announces new era with fresh restaurant May 15, 2026 Claridge’s hotel in Mayfair has traded on its British history ever since Queen Victoria chose it as her preferred choice for a cocktail. The late Queen was another fan of the property, which first opened in 1812. But the hotel has experimented with that image lately, welcoming a kitchen takeover from New York restaurant Dante. [...]
What does new City minister Rachel Blake have in store for the Square Mile? May 15, 2026 The Westminster drama has hit the City in more ways than one. After Wes Streeting’s resignation triggered a mini-reshuffle, Felix Armstrong and Samuel Norman take a look at what the new City minister might have in store. In just under two years, the City has its fourth minister. Tulip Siddiq resigned in January 2025 after [...]
Allica lands £350m in British Business Bank scheme aimed at fintechs May 15, 2026 Allica Bank has bagged lending backing from the UK’s state-owned economic development bank, in a scheme designed to bolster high-growth challengers that lend to small businesses. The London-based fintech – which sealed its status as a $1bn unicorn earlier this year – has landed £350m in the British Business Bank’s ENABLE Guarantee scheme, City AM [...]
Pan Pacific London director: The City is ‘incredibly special’ May 15, 2026 We have launched the Toast the City awards 2026 and throughout the year we’ll be speaking to some of the nominees. Today we caught up with Pan Pacific London director of marketing communications Michelle Whittemore, whose hotel has been nominated in the Best Overnight Experience category. To nominate your favourite Square Mile spots, from bars [...]