Expensify and VAT IT Launch Integration Partnership to Simplify Global VAT Reclaim May 21, 2026 Partnership connects Expensify customers with VAT IT’s global VAT reclaim and e-invoicing solutions
KKR Invests in Fresha, the Leading AI-Powered Platform for Beauty and Wellness, at $1bn Valuation May 21, 2026 Fresha, the leading AI-powered marketplace and business management platform for the beauty and wellness industry, today announced an $80 million primary growth investment from funds managed by KKR, a leading global investment firm. The transaction values Fresha at over $1 billion, marking a defining milestone in its mission to transform how self-care businesses operate globally. [...]
Investec eyes City hiring spree in major move into UK private banking May 21, 2026 Investec, the FTSE 250 financier, has unveiled plans to boost its UK private bank in a major strategic move that will include hiring new talent in the City. The expansion will boost its banking presence in London, as it seeks out wealthy clients for what will become a ‘full service primary bank”. It has identified [...]
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 [...]
Former Red Bull boss Horner lands job at private equity fund targeting sport May 21, 2026 Former Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has become an advisor to private equity firm Oakley Capital on premium sport investments. The Brit left Red Bull last year after 20 years at the Formula 1 team and has been exploring a return to the sport through ownership. He reportedly teamed up with MSP Sports [...]
Starling’s profit slides as falling interest rates bite May 21, 2026 Starling’s profit took a dip in the latest financial year as the lower interest rate environment took a chunk out of the digital bank’s bottom line. The UK fintech notched a £217m pre-tax profit, down three per cent from the £223m secured in the prior year. This came as revenue slipped 5.6 per cent to [...]
UNPACK ’26 SUMMER TRAVEL TRENDS: DOMESTIC DEMAND RISES AND HOTEL PRICES DROP IN POPULAR INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS May 21, 2026 Hotel hopping boom: travellers double up stays to chase live events and make the most of bleisure escapes this summer Kick Off or Take Off? Football fever sends fans to host cities as savvy travellers head elsewhere for deals Lights, camera… getaway: film and TV hits spark a summer surge in screen‑inspired travel
Next faces shareholder pressure over worker pay May 21, 2026 Shareholders in Next are set to put pressure on the retail giant to take action on its “reliance” on low-paid labour. At Next’s annual general meeting on Thursday, a group of investors will call on the retailer to take further action on worker pay and adopt the “real living wage” for all employees. But the [...]
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 [...]
‘Manchesterism’ is a myth and you can’t trust Andy Burnham May 21, 2026 Andy Burnham says he wants to “roll back the 80s” but the growth of Manchester is down to the rolling back of socialism that began before he became Mayor, says Ayushma Maharjan Britain’s most popular politician is running on a myth, is not credible, and might out-do Starmer in U-turns. A recent Yougov poll found [...]