Three ways to fix the regulators and boost growth February 14, 2025 There are signs that tackling regulation is finally getting the focus it needs, but with GDP forecasts looking grim, there’s more to be done, says Leo Ringer The UK is producing world-beating companies in complex, regulated markets like fintech, healthcare, novel foods and autonomous vehicles. But their success is in spite of regulatory frameworks that [...]
Super League: What is the Captain’s Challenge and is it the future? February 13, 2025 The Super League returns tonight but there will be a new element to rugby league with the introduction of the Captain’s Challenge. Tennis has player calls and Cricket has a review system too, but what is the Captain’s Challenge and could we see the rugby league innovation found in rugby union and football in the [...]
F1 scam firm wound-up over British Grand Prix hospitality ticket sham February 13, 2025 A scam company which targeted the sale of hospitality packages they didn’t have for the Formula 1 British Grand Prix has been wound up. Foresea Limited is connected with a trio of other businesses shut by the Insolvency Service, with this firm wound-up at the High Court this week. The firm was found to have [...]
PSR is dead, long live PSR: Premier League clubs agree to keep hated rules February 13, 2025 Premier League clubs have agreed to continue with the existing profit and sustainability rules (PSR) for one more season amid concerns over a legal threat from the PFA and the ongoing legal challenges from Manchester City. At a meeting in London earlier today the 20 clubs unanimously agreed to continue trialling new Squad Cost Ratio [...]
The public isn’t buying Labour’s growth story February 13, 2025 Today’s growth figures will have elicited a sigh of relief across the government. A meagre 0.1 per cent uptick is certainly better than a recession. Though the news is not all good. The economy is smaller on a per capita terms, and when you dig down into the data, private sector activity is shrinking. An [...]
Kurt Geiger sold to New York’s Steve Madden for £289m February 13, 2025 Private equity firm Cinven has announced the sale of Kurt Geiger to shoe brand Steve Madden for £289m. Cinven bought the footwear and accessories brand in 2015 for £245m, and has since greatly expanded the business in the US. In America alone, sales surged by 58.7 per cent to over £110m from February to September [...]
Premier League gives green light to semi-automated offsides February 13, 2025 The Premier League has moved a step closer to implementing semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) after announcing it will be trialled in the FA Cup fifth round next month. The introduction of SAOT in the English top-flight was scheduled for last autumn but has been repeatedly held up due to league chiefs’ concerns over its reliability [...]
Barclays puts aside £90m for motor finance scandal February 13, 2025 Barclays announced in its annual results it had set aside £90m to cover potential motor finance payouts, amidst ongoing disputes over the misconduct row. This follows the landmark Court of Appeal’s October 2024 judgment, ruling in favour of three consumers and determining that lenders were liable for paying undisclosed commission to car dealers who acted [...]
The five UK fintechs tipped to reach unicorn status February 13, 2025 The UK fintech sector is experiencing lightning growth, with several companies on the road to gaining ‘unicorn’ status, a title given to privately held startups valued at over $1bn (£780m). According to Hurun’s recent index, a handful of fintech firms are leading the charge, with valuations of $500m and above. These firms span various financial [...]
Elizabeth Line train drivers to strike in dispute over pay February 13, 2025 Train drivers on London’s Elizabeth Line will stage a series of strikes over the next month in a dispute over pay, a union has announced. Members of Aslef, which represents nearly all of the UK’s train drivers, will walk out on 27 February, and on the 1st, 8th and 10th of March for 24 hours. [...]