London becomes activist capital of Europe as investors pressure firms over AI plans July 1, 2026 London has become the shareholder activist capital of Europe as boardrooms feel the heat of interventions from outspoken investors. The UK’s capital markets were the subject of a staggering 57 per cent of all European campaign activity in the first half of the year, fresh data has found, crossing the 50 per cent threshold for [...]
‘It’s gone’: How a social housing scheme left amateur investors tens of millions out of pocket July 1, 2026 A social housing investment scheme that promised amateur investors huge returns with no risk has collapsed into administration owing its backers nearly £27m, City AM has learned. Alderley Group, which invested in affordable housing projects across the North West of England, has left around 1000 investors out of pocket after claiming it could guarantee returns [...]
Halifax ends 173-year high street run as Lloyds ditches branding July 1, 2026 Lloyds Banking Group is set to ditch its Halifax brand in a move that will end the retail bank’s 173-year run on the high street. The FTSE 100 titan – whose subsidiaries also include Bank of Scotland and Scottish Widows – said on Wednesday it would rebrand Halifax under the central moniker of Lloyds. Lloyds [...]
Gloucester Rugby warn of risk to future as losses jump 450 per cent July 1, 2026 Gloucester Rugby’s accounts warn they face a “material uncertainty” after the Prem Rugby club saw losses spiral by more than 450 per cent last year. The Gloucester Rugby Limited accounts, filed this week with Companies House, posted a loss of £2.9m for last season, up from £500,000 the year prior – an increase of 464 [...]
Azalea Vision Awarded Prestigious EIC Accelerator Funding to Advance Smart Contact Lens into Clinical Development July 1, 2026 Belgium’s only company selected in the latest EIC Accelerator funding round. Up to €7.5 million in blended finance: a €2.5 million non-dilutive grant plus a planned €5 million EIC Fund equity investment. Funding advances Azalea’s smart contact lens platform from technical validation into the clinic. Selection provides independent validation of Azalea Vision’s technology, clinical strategy and commercial potential.
Brewdog chief executive quits after only one year July 1, 2026 The boss of Brewdog has stepped down barely more than a year after taking up the role in the latest twist in the long-running saga over the management of the beleaguered beer business. James Taylor, who took up the role of chief executive at the beginning of last year and who oversaw the takeover of [...]
AngloGold Ashanti Publishes Notice of General Meeting in Relation to Proposed Share Repurchase Programme July 1, 2026 Shareholders of AngloGold Ashanti plc (“AngloGold Ashanti”, “AGA” or the “Company”) (NYSE: AU; JSE: ANG) are advised that the Company has today, Wednesday 1 July 2026, published its notice of meeting (the “Notice”) for a general meeting of its shareholders in relation to the proposed share repurchase programme (the “General Meeting”). The General Meeting is [...]
Why I’ve fallen back in love with the iPod July 1, 2026 In a world where digital ownership is increasingly rare, Simon Hunt returned to technology from 2007 – and hasn’t looked back. Not since childhood had I been this excited to open a parcel. I tore through layers of brown sticky tape, clawed through the cardboard box and unpeeled the bubble wrap. And there it was: [...]
Nations Championship: Monzo makes first move into rugby, with Allianz and ITV July 1, 2026 Monzo have broadened its sponsorship portfolio, joining Allianz in sponsoring ITV’s coverage of rugby union’s Nations Championship competition. The challenger bank and insurance giant have each signed deals with the free-to-air broadcaster to be part of the channel’s coverage of the inaugural inter-hemispheric tournament. It is Monzo’s first step into rugby union and comes after [...]
UK ‘no longer a serious place’ says Hedge fund boss after losing £200m tax battle July 1, 2026 Hedge fund Bluecrest Capital Management, founded by the UK’s wealthiest financier, said the UK is no longer “a serious contender” as a place to do business after it lost a £200m battle with the tax man, in a ruling that could now leave the wider hedge fund and professional services industries facing a hefty bill. The [...]