George Osborne: Manchesterism is a real thing but Burnham ‘only part of the story’ Politics Former Chancellor George Osborne has said that mayor Andy Burnham should take some credit for Manchester’s high growth, defending Manchesterism as a “real thing”. Speaking to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee, he defended his move to begin devolving fiscal powers to Manchester during the Coalition government years under his “Northern Powerhouse” initiative. He [...]
Michael Hayman elected chair of British Chambers of Commerce Markets Michael Hayman has been elected the new chair of the UK’s leading business network, succeeding former management consultant Sarah Howard. Hayman will take the chair of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) after being picked unanimously by board members. As chair, Hayman will lead the network’s strategic direction as it supports business growth, lobbies the [...]
Exclusive: George Osborne family business pays out nearly £1m despite losses Politics George Osborne’s family has received nearly a million pounds in payments from a wallpaper company that has continued to file losses, official accounts show. The former UK Chancellor is slated to have made up to £877,000 alongside his parents and a finance officer working at Osborne & Little, the family-owned wallpaper business which has existed [...]
George Osborne: I got gig with Sam Altman by cold-calling OpenAI January 21, 2026 For most people, the hunt for a plum job is a torturous process involving cover letters, CVs and several rounds of interviews. But if you’re a former chancellor of the exchequer it seems all you need to do, is cold-call human resources and you can land a top role at one of the world’s fastest-growing [...]
Is HSBC’s chair hunt really over? December 4, 2025 Safe, but surprising – that was the verdict across the City as Britain’s biggest bank unveiled its new chair after a twist-and-turn search. Brendan Nelson will take the post at HSBC, succeeding Sir Mark Tucker, whose exit in September left the bank without a permanent chair for weeks. Except for Nelson. Indeed, the seasoned accountant [...]
Don’t like the OBR? Then stop borrowing so much December 4, 2025 The left and the right have found a common enemy in the OBR, but if governments don’t like having their headroom wiped out by forecasts they should try running a surplus, says Tom Harwood Voices on the left and the right have found an unlikely common enemy in recent weeks: the much maligned Office for [...]
HSBC taps KPMG veteran Brendan Nelson to chair banking giant December 3, 2025 Europe’s biggest lender, HSBC, has named a new chair following its tumultuous recruitment programme after the departure of Sir Mark Tucker. HSBC tapped KPMG veteran Brendan Nelson, who has also served on the boards of BP and Royal Bank of Scotland, as its new chair. Nelson joined the banking giant’s board in 2023 and has served [...]
Byron burger chain rescued by Gen Z investor November 30, 2025 The struggling high end burger chain Byron has been saved from a third collapse by a Gen Z entrepreneur, who has snapped up the troubled business for £2.5m. First reported in The Times, the business has been bought by Niyamo Capital, founded by the Indian born investor Akshat Tibrewala, securing the future of the brand [...]
Mark Kleinman: Can Osborne usher in a golden era for HSBC? November 20, 2025 Mark Kleinman is Sky News’ City Editor and the man who gets the Square Mile talking in his weekly City AM column Can Osborne usher in a golden era for HSBC? George Osborne’s words to his Chinese audience were clear: “Through the ups and downs, let’s stick together. Let’s stick together to grow our economies. Let’s stick together to make [...]
George Osborne surprise contender for HSBC chair post November 15, 2025 Former Chancellor George Osborne has emerged as a surprise contender for chair of HSBC Holdings, one of the world’s top banking jobs. Osborne, who was chancellor from 2010 until 2016, was approached during the summer about becoming the successor to Sir Mark Tucker, according to Sky News. He is one of the three remaining candidates [...]