HS2 regrets failure to protect key whistleblower who raised cost concerns May 27, 2025 HS2 has said it regrets the treatment of a key whistleblower who was pushed out of the project after raising concerns that staff had artificially kept cost estimates low. Stephen Cresswell, a former senior HS2 cost analyst, will receive a substantial compensation payout after HS2 admitted partial liability following a case for unfair dismissal at [...]
Red Bull diluted: Energy drink giant reduces stake in Leeds United May 21, 2025 Red Bull’s stake in Leeds United has reduced to below 10 per cent after the German energy drinks company declined the opportunity to invest in the issue of £120m of new shares ahead of the club’s return to the Premier League. The new funding has been provided by members of the 100-strong consortium of investors [...]
Is HSBC turning its back on Europe? May 20, 2025 When Georges Elhedery took the helm at HSBC, he wasted no time making his mark on the firm. Elhedery plotted a “simpler, more dynamic and agile organisation” in his sweeping restructure first announced in October 2024. One significant change introduced by the new bank chief was splitting the business into “eastern markets” covering the Asia-pacific [...]
Klarna, Zilch, Clearpay: What does the buy now pay later crackdown mean for UK fintech? May 20, 2025 The Treasury’s regulatory shakeup of buy now pay later services is set to reshape the UK fintech landscape and industry leaders have been left with questions. The UK government will enact legislation that brings buy now pay later firms under the scrutiny of the Financial Conduct Authority. This means firms such as Klarna and Clearpay [...]
Can Airbnb become an everything app? May 20, 2025 Airbnb is undergoing a bold transformation from a travel platform to a daily-use “superapp” offering local services and experiences, but its success hinges on whether users adopt new habits outside of their holidays, says Paul Armstrong Airbnb is having a busy 2025. The company reported $2.27bn in revenue for Q1, a six per cent year-over-year [...]
The West Midlands is leading the way on new housing May 20, 2025 The West Midlands is pioneering a new, collaborative approach to housing and infrastructure growth by uniting public and private sectors to unlock investment and accelerate development, says Richard Parker As leaders from across the UK’s built environment gather at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), I want to share some early thinking [...]
The O2 owner’s touring and festivals arm almost doubles sales May 15, 2025 Sales at the UK touring and festivals arm of the group that owns The O2 in London almost doubled as its profits surged during 2024, it has been revealed. AEG Presents has posted a turnover of £340m for its latest financial year, up from the £178.3m it reported for 2023. New accounts filed with Companies [...]
Sir Keith Mills backs rival British basketball league GBBL May 14, 2025 The proposed operator of a controversial new British basketball league, GBBL, has announced heavyweight backing from Sir Keith Mills and hopes to establish teams in London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Edinburgh. Mills, a key figure in securing and running the London 2012 Olympics, and US fund WestRiver Group have been named partners of GBBL, which was [...]
Scottish Widows abandons Mansion House pension funds agreement May 13, 2025 One of the UK’s largest pension funds has ditched a key agreement seen as crucial to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ push to drive growth. Scottish Widows has not signed up to the second iteration of the Mansion House Compact, despite having thrown its weight behind an earlier version of the plans. The original pact saw 11 [...]
Spurred by hate, doomed by love – Sean Holmes’ impressive new take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet May 9, 2025 Article written by guest writer, Emily Doherty “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo”. The final line to one of the most famous love stories ever written of course, but certainly not the case for Shakespeare’s Globe’s new production of Romeo and Juliet. A mix of joyous [...]