CMA chair: ‘The UK desperately needs economic growth’ April 30, 2025 The CMA is evolving but we will always stick firmly to the fundamentals: Protecting UK consumers and promoting competition, says new chair Doug Gurr Today I’m speaking to my fellow chairs at a summit of the UK major regulators. It’s a privilege to be part of the deep collective experience and commitment of that group [...]
Trump’s first 100 days: From stock market carnage to electing Carney April 29, 2025 Tuesday marks President Trump’s second first 100 days. On 29 April 2017, pundits looked back at the opening of the then 45th President’s term as a period that had shaken presidential norms and perhaps lowered the tone. In comparison, these first three months have been an earthquake. Trump has shown himself willing to execute the [...]
Mark Carney’s Canadian win presents an opportunity for UK businesses April 29, 2025 Mark Carney’s victory in Canada presents a unique opportunity for UK businesses willing to seize it, writes Michael Martins.
Vinted launches venture capital arm with eye on UK start-ups April 29, 2025 Vinted, the Lithuanian-founded secondhand marketplace, has launched its own venture capital (VC) arm and is eyeing UK start-ups. The move adds new competition to the UK’s fast expanding, re-commerce and resale market, now worth already £7bn, as major platforms look to capitalise on shifting consumer habits driven by inflation and sustainability concerns. Vinted Ventures will [...]
Ford is killing off the Ford Focus – but why? April 29, 2025 Thirty years ago, one in five new cars sold in Britain wore a Ford badge. The Escort was the nation’s favourite – as it had been for decades – followed by the Fiesta in second place and the Mondeo in third. Today, Ford has slipped to fifth place in the UK market, behind Volkswagen, BMW, [...]
The Return review: Uberto Pasolini’s take on The Odyssey April 29, 2025 Uberto Pasolini’s new drama comes to cinemas with the curious fate of being compared to a filmthat isn’t even out yet. Christopher Nolan is currently filming his next project The Odyssey, based on Homer’s epic poem. The Return is an adaptation of the final parts of that same poem, meaning scrutiny will be paid to [...]
One To One: John & Yoko: John Lennon’s life after the Beatles April 29, 2025 Do we need another film about The Beatles? Hollywood certainly thinks so. Last week the castwas revealed for a four-film series of biopics on the band, directed by Sam Mendes andexpected in 2028. As speculation builds towards those dramatic endeavours, director Kevin MacDonald (The Last King Of Scotland) shines a light on the later years [...]
Kioku by Endo at the Old War Office: OWO might be troubled but this sushi restaurant is the real deal April 29, 2025 The Old War Office, or ‘The OWO’ to insufferable industry types, is the most perplexing London hotel opening in decades. After spending over a billion quid turning Churchill’s wartime Cabinet Office into a hotel, industry bigwigs speak in hushed tones of low occupancy. One exec told me the breakfast room had eleven guests one morning [...]
Cotswold Outdoor racks up a decade of losses April 29, 2025 The firm behind Cotswold Outdoor has failed to make a pre-tax profit for a decade but the retailer did significantly cut its losses in 2024, it has been confirmed. The Wiltshire-headquartered retailer has posted a pre-tax loss of £380,000 for its latest financial year, down from the £7.3m it reported for 2023. The last time [...]
Gymshark: Record sales as brand continues global expansion April 29, 2025 Gymshark, the activewear brand co-founded by self-made billionaire Ben Francis, has seen its revenue pass £600m for the first time. The Solihull-headquartered business has posted sales of £607.3m for the year to 31 July, 2024, new accounts filed with Companies House have revealed. The latest total comes after Gymshark reported a revenue of £556.2m in [...]