BP chair ousted over ‘volcanic’ behaviour after less than a year May 26, 2026 The chair of BP has been fired after less than a year, after “serious concerns” about his conduct were lodged with the energy major’s board. Albert Manifold was stripped of his roles as chair and director of the London-listed petrochemicals giant having only taken the reins last July, with director Amanda Blanc saying the board [...]
Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo Electric: a super-powered SUV May 26, 2026 Tim Pitt drives the new Porsche Cayenne Coupe Electric in flagship Turbo guise. Can a 1,156hp family SUV make any sort of sense? The SUV coupe is a curious species. Less roomy and practical than a traditional, upright SUV, yet less dynamic and stylish than a coupe, it seems to be the worst of all [...]
Will Sky Garden pick up a coveted Toast the City award? May 26, 2026 We have launched the Toast the City awards 2026 and throughout the year we’ll be speaking to some of the nominees. Today we caught up with Sky Garden director Monika Kowalewska-Kheir. To nominate your favourite Square Mile spots for the 2026 awards, from bars and restaurants to galleries and green spaces, visit the Toast the City website here. [...]
Ex-KPMG led accounting giant stalls £1bn sale May 25, 2026 One of the UK’s largest accounting firms founded by a former KPMG head has put a £1bn auction on hold despite receiving a wealth of interest from investors. Sumer, a ‘consolidator’ firm that buys majority stakes in smaller independent accounting companies, had hired advisors at boutique advisory Continuum last September to oversee a review on [...]
Shawbrook weighs Aldermore bid as Firstrand looks to offload challenger bank May 25, 2026 Shawbrook is reportedly weighing up a merger with rival Aldermore after its owner put the challenger bank up for sale. The lender, which debuted on the London Stock Exchange last year, is in the early stages of considering a takeover, according to Sky News’ Mark Kleinman. South Africa-based financial services group Firstrand, which bought Aldermore [...]
Iran deal is ‘largely negotiated’ as Trump teases Strait of Hormuz re-opening May 24, 2026 President Trump has said that a peace deal with Iran is “near” as the Strait of Hormuz could re-open within days. On Saturday, Trump said the key trading route would be re-opened in the terms of a deal to be “announced shortly”. He wrote on a social media post: “Final aspects and details of the [...]
Heatwave ready! 9 best rooftop bars in Soho and Covent Garden May 21, 2026 The London heatwave is here and it’s time to get outside. Following our recent round-up of the best London rooftop bars in the Square Mile, we’ve collected our favourite rooftop bars in Soho and Covent Garden. Here are the very best, with one suited to you – no matter your vibe. If you’re looking for [...]
No, London’s economy hasn’t lost its lustre. Here’s why May 21, 2026 The FT has once again remembered to write about London, the city in which the paper was founded and where the lion’s share of its staff, and its readership, is based. Though it turns out the pink’un hasn’t many nice things to say. London’s economy has lost its lustre, the paper writes. Among the evidence [...]
Weather or not to stock – AI aims to shelter UK business from the classic (wet) British summer May 21, 2026 A chilly spring, a sluggish UK economy and hard-pressed household budgets at a time of rising interest rates have combined to put a national talking point – the weather – into the spotlight in the City. Seasonal trends, or the lack of them, can make or break trading at retailers and hospitality companies. Disruption from [...]
On This Day: Happy birthday Andrew Neil May 21, 2026 Today in 1949, Andrew Neil was born. He remains one of the most compelling figures in the British media landscape, writes Eliot Wilson In a media landscape of interchangeable and forgettable talking heads, Andrew Neil remains an unmistakable and forceful presence. Readers who can recall a time when he was not a well-kent face in [...]