BGF: Profit almost doubles at major UK investor June 25, 2025 Profit at the Business Growth Fund (BGF) has almost doubled thanks to a series of successful exits in 2024, it has been revealed. The organisation, which is one of the UK’s most prominent equity investors, has reported a pre-tax profit of £131.1m for its latest financial year, up from the £67.9m it achieved in 2023. [...]
How effective procurement technology can improve employee retention June 25, 2025 With many organisations facing a battle to attract and retain talented staff, it’s important that they are not frustrated in their ability to do their jobs by cumbersome procurement technology. Unemployment in the UK remains low, standing at 4.4 per cent in the three months to February 2025, according to government data. But this only [...]
Babcock shares soar as FTSE 100 giant hails ‘new era’ for defence June 25, 2025 Engineering giant Babcock posted a jump in profit for the latest financial year as the firm’s boss hailed a “new era for defence”. The FTSE 100 company – which plays a significant role in supporting the UK’s nuclear submarine program – recorded an 11 per cent increase in revenue to £4.8bn. Meanwhile, operating profit surged [...]
Net zero levy cuts are just tinkering at the edges June 25, 2025 The Industrial Strategy contains bold ambitions for cutting energy prices. Yet, for all the glossy presentation, the underlying thinking remains the same: a conviction that Whitehall can shape markets more effectively than the market itself, says Emmanuel Igwe We have learned through history that real progress emerges not from the bureaucratic designs of government but [...]
Industrial strategy shows Labour has a long-term plan for growth June 25, 2025 One year into office, the Labour government faces a challenging economic landscape, but its new industrial strategy signals a serious, long-term commitment to addressing the UK’s productivity issues and unlocking economic growth through stronger partnerships with the private sector, says Claire Ainsley Next week will be one year of the Labour government, and it just [...]
Thieves go Wireless: Pickpockets eye headliner British festivals June 24, 2025 As UK festival season rolls around, new data reveals a less-celebrated chart-topper: phone theft. London’s biggest music events – including Wireless, BST Hyde Park, and Summertime Ball – have been ranked the worst in the country for festival pickpocketing, with theft rates more than five times the national average. The research, conducted by QR Code [...]
ONS appoints Bank of England data exec as new chief June 24, 2025 The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has appointed a Bank of England executive as its new director general at a time when the independent body is losing trust over its poor handling of key data. James Benford, who served as the Bank’s chief data officer and oversaw analytics, will join the ONS in early August [...]
Manufacturers falter as Reeves urged to fast-track growth policies June 24, 2025 Manufacturing output continues to slump, according to the UK’s largest industry body, as bosses are urging Chancellor Reeves to back up training and technology policies with “short-term delivery”. The UK government set out its long-awaited industrial strategy earlier this week where it listed areas of the economy which had greatest potential for growth, including advanced [...]
Saga shares jump after revealing banking tie-up with Natwest June 24, 2025 Shares in over-50s group Saga rose on Tuesday after the firm revealed it was in “final negotiations” with FTSE 100 juggernaut Natwest for a banking partnership. The London-listed company quickly climbed three per cent in early trading to 176.80p. The firm posted the update ahead of their AGM on Tuesday, confirming it had “agreed heads [...]
Amazon’s £40bn investment to create nearly 10,000 jobs June 24, 2025 Amazon will invest £40bn into the UK in the next three years as it looks to boost production and delivery capacity, creating 9,500 jobs in the UK. The investment will provide funds to build four new robotic fulfillment centers, as well to refurbish the media giant’s film studios in Berkshire. The three already-announced high-tech warehouses [...]