Sunak to set out vision for UK financial services as new green bonds unveiled July 1, 2021 Rishi Sunak will today lay out plans to make Britain the most “advanced and exciting” country for financial services in the world in his first ever Mansion House address. The speech comes after the Treasury revealed the first details of the government’s plan for the UK’s first ever green sovereign bond – or gilt – [...]
March was HSBC’s strongest mortgage completion month in more than 40 years May 6, 2021 HSBC handed out more mortgages in March than in any other month of more than 40 years offering home loans. In a sign of the recent boom in housing market activity, HSBC UK said March was its strongest ever month for mortgage completions, including deals for more than 3,000 first-time buyers. The bank declined to [...]
Wanted: A new culture war chair of the watchdog Ofcom. Anyone? Anyone? January 31, 2022 It’s been a busy time for news, as Russian forces mass on the border of neighbouring Ukraine and the British political establishment grapples with the mental image of being ambushed by a cake. So you may be forgiven for failing to notice that the government is once again advertising the position of chair of Ofcom, [...]
‘London will flourish again’ says Berkeley Group as it lands £500m profit June 23, 2021 London received a vote of confidence from Berkeley Group this morning as the housebuilder’s boss said he believed the capital is set for a post-pandemic boom. The Group made a profit before tax of more than half a billion pounds in its last financial year, much of which was driven by the sale of properties [...]
Winkworth confident despite profit hit as London market ‘swings back to sales’ April 8, 2021 Winkworth today said the housing market has swung back towards sales as buyers seek extra room for workspace while maintaining access to central London. The estate agent, presenting its full year trading update, reported a six per cent fall in pre-tax profit last year to £1.53m. Revenues dipped slightly to £6.41m, while the firm declared [...]
Private equity group TPG in exclusive talks to buy McLaren’s iconic Woking HQ March 8, 2021 Private equity group TPG is in exclusive talks with supercar maker McLaren over the purchase of the firm’s iconic Woking headquarters. Sky News reported that the sale-and-leaseback deal for the property, which would allow the carmaker to continue using it, could be worth around £180m. The spectacular facility, which houses the firm’s collection of classic [...]
Chancellor set to extend stamp duty holiday ‘until end of June’ February 24, 2021 Chancellor set to extend stamp duty holiday 'until end of June'
Boohoo sales and profits surge after fast fashion retailer ups loungewear and activewear offering during pandemic May 5, 2021 Fast fashion retailer Boohoo reported a spike in sales and profit last year after refocusing its product offering on loungewear and activewear during the coronavirus pandemic. The e-commerce giant announced this morning that revenue surged 41 per cent in the year ended 28 February 2021, with sales jumping from £1.23bn to £1.75bn. Profit before tax [...]
London’s housing market activity expected to slow next year, survey finds November 12, 2020 London’s housing market activity is expected to slow down next year as the withdrawal of government support measures and a difficult economic backdrop dampens the post-lockdown surge in demand. The latest research showed that both demand for properties and new homes being listed for sales remained strong last month. However a survey by the Royal [...]
Now that you’re asking where your supplies come from, we should talk. January 11, 2023 As the world faces a shortfall of both energy supplies and critical metals, difficult decisions are being made to meet the growing supply gaps without risking new dependencies on unsustainable producers or compromised geopolitical actors. Quite a problem for some; particularly for a range of European countries and firms in light of the Russian invasion [...]