Persimmon boss warns triple Budget hit will add billions for housebuilders December 16, 2024 Persimmon chief executive Dean Finch has warned that higher costs from new levies will add around £40m in annual costs and add “billions” in expenses across the housebuilding sector. He claimed that the taxes would hurt the government’s ambitious target of building 1.5m homes by 2029, telling The Times that there was a “disconnect” between [...]
‘Hammer blow’: Family firms call for inheritance tax consultation December 16, 2024 Family businesses are urging the government to consult on changes to inheritance tax (IHT), warning the move represents a “hammer blow” to the UK economy. Some 160,000 family-owned firms – represented by 32 trade associations – have written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves to request a formal consultation on IHT changes in the Budget. The letter, [...]
Innovation, sustainability, trade: why London is the financial centre the world needs December 16, 2024 With global challenges mounting, London must prioritise innovation, sustainability, and trade to safeguard its future as the world’s leading financial centre — for the benefit of all, writes Chris Hayward. The financial services sector is at a crossroads. Emerging technologies are redefining how businesses and consumers interact, the drive toward net zero demands urgent action and [...]
The Notebook: Why we need to change the narrative for female founders December 16, 2024 The City’s movers and shakers have their say, today it’s senior program manager for Europe at Village Capital Marta Zaccagnini The State of European Tech report is out. That time of year when those of us working on inclusive investing – investing in startups led by women, ethnic minorities and other groups underrepresented in the funding [...]
Wolves lose patience with O’Neil after fourth defeat in a row December 15, 2024 Wolves have sacked manager Gary O’Neil after a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat left them second from bottom of the table. Saturday’s stoppage-time 2-1 loss at home to fellow strugglers Ipswich Town was their 12th reverse of the season in all competitions. Chairman Jeff Shi said: “We’re very grateful to Gary for all of his [...]
Best cars of 2024 – From the new Aston Martin Vantage to the McLaren Artura Spider December 13, 2024 The car industry is facing strong headwinds, from import tariffs to mandated EV sales targets. Despite it all, though, 2024 has produced some genuinely exciting new cars, many of which we were lucky enough to drive. This isn’t a round-up of the ‘best’ cars of the year; many of the vehicles listed here are totally [...]
What start-ups taught me about ambition this year December 12, 2024 Ambition AM Editor Jennifer Sieg takes a look at what she’s learned from covering the world of entrepreneurship this year I am often asked what I look for when it comes to writing about a start-up or interviewing an entrepreneur, and for quite some time I considered it to be the million dollar question. Fortunately, [...]
Mark Kleinman: Unilever puts buyout firms in the deep freeze December 12, 2024 Mark Kleinman is Sky News’ City Editor and is the man who gets the Square Mile talking in his weekly City AM column. This week, he tackles Unilever’s flakey ice cream approach, Thames Water’s demanding investors, and the long-winded sale of The Observer. Anyone for an ice cream fight? The decision of FTSE-100 consumer goods behemoth Unilever to [...]
Dame Joan Collins switches on lights for London’s tallest Christmas Tree December 11, 2024 Acting Legend Dame Joan Collins lit up the Eastern City – literally – by switching on London’s tallest Christmas tree this month. The massive 67 foot sustainable Christmas tree is the latest edition to the iconic City skyline and is part of the Eastern City Business Improvement District’s Festival of Light Campaign to ensure this [...]
Eastern City cycle Medics keeping people safe and secure at Christmas December 11, 2024 Following the success of last year’s initiative, the Eastern City Business Improvement District (BID),along with the City River Partnership, has sponsored and paid for two cycle response medics whowill be deployed in the area to assist any member of the public in difficulty or distress. Over the 2023 festive period the medics treated 116 people [...]