Natwest makes first VC fund bet in push to back British tech Tech Natwest has made its first direct investment into an independently managed venture capital fund, joining a push by some of Britain’s biggest financial institutions to funnel more domestic money into UK tech companies. The banking giant is investing across top venture capital firm Phoenix Court’s Localglobe, Latitude and Solar funds, which back companies from their [...]
Co-op blames job cuts on Labour national insurance raid Retail Co-op group has slashed its headcount this year to handle the added costs of Labour’s national insurance raid, its chief executive has revealed, saying the tax hikes had pushed the retailer to invest in more automation. The group, which runs life insurance and funeral businesses as well as its grocery arm, said on Wednesday that [...]
Co-op looks to funeral arm in hunt for turnaround from cyber-attack Retail Co-op posted a jump in turnover at its funeral arm, as the member-owned group said it is setting out the foundations to recover from a costly cyber-attack last year. Kate Allum, interim chief executive of the food-to-insurance firm, said the group is facing a “year of two halves” and will see its turnaround plan deliver [...]
Reform-linked think tank calls for sweeping City deregulation and tax cuts September 23, 2026 A Reform UK-linked think tank has called for sweeping tax cuts for investors and an overhaul of regulation in a report that was described by Richard Tice and Robert Jenrick as a “serious contribution” to the UK’s growth debate. The Centre for a Better Britain has called for the abolition of capital gains taxes and [...]
Four out of five top firms have never had a female chief executive, report finds September 23, 2026 Four out of five companies across the FTSE 100 and S&P 100 have never had a female chief executive, as boards fail to promote them into positions of power earlier in their career, a new report has found. Across the two nations, 80 per cent of firms have never had a women lead the company, [...]
Burnham urged to launch £26bn tax raid on high earners September 23, 2026 Chancellor John Healey and Prime Minister Andy Burnham could raise £26bn by hiking capital gains taxes and applying national insurance to other areas of income, according to plan put forward by academics that will rattle the City and Westminster ahead of this year’s Budget. Researchers at the Centre for Analysis of Taxation (Centax), consisting of [...]
RAC slams brakes on blockbuster London IPO September 22, 2026 The RAC has slammed the brakes on its £5bn London listing in favour of a private deal, landing another blow against the UK’s ailing public markets. Britain’s oldest breakdown recovery service has begun working on a deal which would see private equity backer CVC Capital Partners remain a major investor while other shareholders exit the [...]
The Lord Mayor’s Appeal partners with the Sompo Foundation to boost youth employment September 22, 2026 The Lord Mayor’s Appeal has struck a new strategic partnership with the Sompo Foundation to help young people across the UK gain the skills, experience and connections needed to enter meaningful employment. The collaboration will focus on expanding access to opportunities for young people facing barriers to work, with a particular emphasis on employability skills, [...]
OKX Sets a New Standard for Account Protection with OKX Shield September 22, 2026 Up to €500,000 in account protection for customers in Europe OKX Shield builds on industry-leading safeguards and advanced account security
KKR and Mirastar Complete Acquisition of Portfolio of Eight UK Logistics Assets from Ares September 22, 2026 KKR and Mirastar, KKR Real Estate’s industrial and logistics platform in Europe, have acquired a 2.7-million-square-foot portfolio of eight UK logistics assets from Ares Real Estate funds. The portfolio comprises modern, high-quality assets across established distribution markets in the Midlands, South East and North of England, including Corby, Doncaster, Stoke-on-Trent and Milton Keynes. The assets [...]