Square Mile and me: Co-founder of Wildfarmed Edd Lees December 19, 2024 Each week we dig into the memory bank of the City’s great and good. Today, Edd Lees, takes us through his career which went from finance to farming What was your first job? Working on a stall in Leeds market. What was your first role in the city/business world? Junior in a derivatives trading firm immediately [...]
Mark Kleinman: Boots’ dealmaker tries to formulate new potion December 19, 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 buyouts at Boots, big bonuses at Natwest and Reeves’ China charm offensive Boots’ octogenarian dealmaker tries to formulate new potion If life begins at 80, then Stefano Pessina, the octogenarian pharmaceuticals [...]
Was 2024 the year of the stockpicker? Nope. December 18, 2024 Every year, asset managers claim that this year is the year of the stockpicker. At the start of 2024, Bank of America claimed that “active funds will have greater odds of selecting winners in 2024”. “We expect more idiosyncratic opportunities next year given elevated valuation dispersion and increased public market inefficiencies, which should create a [...]
Water bills set for hefty hike as Ofwat judgement looms December 18, 2024 The water regulator Ofwat is set to allow bills to rise by at least 21 per cent in the next five years, as part of its long-awaited decision on the financial future of the scandal-hit industry on Thursday. Ofwat will reveal its final determination for how much water firms are allowed to hike their bills [...]
National World: Yorkshire Post and The Scotsman owner agrees £65m takeover December 18, 2024 Shareholders in National World, the media group whose titles include Yorkshire Post and The Scotsman, are set for a bumper pay day as a takeover deal which values it at over £65m was agreed. Irish media group Media Concierge, which currently holds a 26 per cent stake in National World, first tabled an offer worth [...]
Supreme Court gives landmark clarity on ‘no win, no fee’ costs in inheritance disputes December 18, 2024 The highest court in the UK has granted an appeal in a 'landmark' case over 'no win, no fee' arrangements in disputes over wills
Honda and Nissan merger talks spark UK job fears December 18, 2024 Experts say the UK's unfavourable tax environment and declining automotive sector put it at greater risk as the industry consolidates.
Former NBA owner invests in $100m women’s football multi-club group December 18, 2024 The move will see World Cup and Olympic gold winning former US women’s international Lauren Holiday join the board of Mercury/13.
Shops being ‘thwacked by colossal’ employment costs December 18, 2024 Business rates rises totalling £7.6m are being faced by shops in Scotland when the new tax year starts, according to new figures. A total of 4,520 shops liable for the intermediate and higher property rates will experience an increase in their rates bills, according to information obtained by Conservative MSP Craig Hoy and published by [...]
Tortoise Media acquires Observer newspaper as deal finalised December 18, 2024 The Observer newspaper’s sale to Tortoise Media has been confirmed after a deal was signed by The Scott Trust and Guardian Media Group (GMG). James Harding will take on the role of editor-in-chief while Lucy Rock has been appointed editor (print), the first woman to oversee the newspaper in 100 years. The Observer is being [...]