Days of promise lie ahead for British firms selling to booming Asian markets February 27, 2017 I returned yesterday from my latest trade mission to Hong Kong, mainland China and South Korea, which I undertook with the aim of exploring business opportunities across Asia for Britain. This is a crucial moment for the UK’s economic relationship with key overseas partners, in particular China, and expanding our economic ties in the most important [...]
Primark import costs expected to hit sales margins February 26, 2017 Primark's tightening margins could cause concern for its owner, Associated British Foods (ABF) and shareholders next week when the company releases its next trading update. Import costs have risen for the clothing retailer since the pound weakened, with 3 in every 4 of Primark's purchase invoices being billed in US dollars. Yet the budget brand [...]
One of UK’s fastest-growing companies just bought Startups.co.uk for nearly £1m February 26, 2017 One of the UK's fastest-growing tech companies has snapped up UK business advice website Startups.co.uk for nearly £1m. Startups was founded by David Lester in 2000. Following the acquisition, he will step down and will focus on his HR start-up citrusHR. The Startups team, which boasts 4.8m readers, will join over 300 people at MVF’s North London [...]
As official figures show a drop in net migration, should we fear a post-Brexit brain drain? February 24, 2017 Russ Shaw, founder of Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates, says Yes. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show a drop in net migration of 49,000 in the 12 months to September 2016 – so including the three months immediately after the Brexit vote. It also highlighted a worrying trend for the British [...]
England have shown mental fortitude in defence, but if they want to be world No1 we need to see more attacking prowess February 23, 2017 England scaled new heights in many ways against Wales in Cardiff. They were up against it, on the ropes getting battered, but had the mental fortitude to answer those questions. What they need to show now is greater attacking prowess. That offensive flair, which was so apparent during the autumn with the number of free-flowing [...]
UK boosts position as largest investor in India as the government looks to step up trade deals outside Europe February 22, 2017 The UK boosted its position as the largest foreign investor in India among the G20 group of the richest nations, according to a new report, as the government looks to boost trade ties with the largest Commonwealth nation. Investment increased by $1.87bn (£1.5bn) over the course of 2016, according to a report by the Confederation of [...]
Meet 26 of the hottest UK startups about to become household names as part of Tech City UK’s Future Fifty February 22, 2017 An innovative flower delivery startup, an online money transfer service and a recipe subscription service are among 26 of the hottest startups in the UK which have been identified as having the potential to become household names and globally recognised companies. Bloom & Wild, Azimo and Gousto are among the up-and-coming names joining the likes of fintech unicorn [...]
Great Western Railway launches golden ticket hunt for passengers to win return tickets for city breaks across the South West February 21, 2017 Here's some cheerful news for rail travellers (no, not an end to the Southern saga, sadly). Great Western Railway (GWR) has done some research, polling 2,000 people between 16 and 35, revealing many of the UK's young people (47 per cent) admitting they daydream of getting away and exploring a new place – at least once [...]
Generations Rent? Young and old expect to be long-term renters February 20, 2017 Up to a decade of rent is stretching out before the UK’s renters, according to the property and construction consultants McBains Cooper. Of the London-based respondents to a survey conducted by McBains, one-in-three renters said they expect to continue renting for the next five to ten years. Within the 45-59 year old bracket, 52 per [...]
Marmite coaches, swelling crowds and now star signings: why Newcastle Falcons are soaring higher than their better-resourced rivals February 20, 2017 Light has been cast on the omnipresent shadow of relegation long lurking behind Newcastle’s Falcons, with the North East club well-installed at the mid-point of the Premiership table having staged a remarkable second half comeback to beat Northampton Saints 46-31 on Sunday afternoon. The club’s new artificial playing surface has produced multiple exciting performances and [...]