Eckoh: Another AIM exit as private equity firm launches bid October 30, 2024 Payments software firm Eckoh is set to leave the London Stock Exchange’s AIM after it received an offer from private equity firm Bridgepoint. The bid values Eckoh at 54p per share or £169.3m. The price is offered is 15.9 times Eckoh’s adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the year ending March [...]
What’s on in London in November 2024 October 29, 2024 As London’s streets start to glow with early festive lights, November in London promises an exciting mix of events that capture the city’s essence. From sparkling markets and iconic parades to live music and hidden pop-ups, there’s something to surprise Londoners and visitors alike. Ready to explore the best of London this November? Dive into [...]
Competition intensifies in Saudi’s surging insurance industry October 29, 2024 In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been building an insurance industry from scratch. In the process, the country has generated home-grown companies and attracted international giants such as Bupa to help cater to rising demand. So far, the expansion of insurance in the Kingdom has been dizzying. According to Saudi Arabia’s central bank (SAMA), in [...]
BAE Systems plots £220m transformation to create hundreds of jobs October 29, 2024 Defence company BAE Systems is planning to invest £220m to transform its Rochester base into an “advanced technology” factory. The century-old site, which specialises in aerospace technologies and electronic systems, will be revamped into a “state-of-the-art” 32,000sqm facility. BAE Systems expects the bigger and “more efficient” factory will create 300 jobs over the next five [...]
A ski holiday on the Swiss Riviera, with deserted slopes and a long snow season October 28, 2024 Enjoy the precision and serenity of German-speaking Switzerland for a unique Swiss Riviera ski holiday adventure by train, boat and bus. By Rob Rees The Luzern area of Central Switzerland provides a perfect gateway to top notch ski areas, easily accessible from Zürich or via train from Paris. Zürich airport, with its efficient train station [...]
Financial exclusion is a barrier to sustainable growth October 28, 2024 Britain has a two-track financial system, with world-beating services for some and a poverty premium for others, says Charles Randell With a week to go until the Budget, what measures does the Financial Inclusion Commission – a cross-party group of financial experts from business, politics and the charity sector – advise the Chancellor to take [...]
Monger eyes Paralympics and racing return after Ironman heroics October 28, 2024 British former racing driver Billy Monger is considering competing at the LA 2028 Paralympics after winning Prince William’s approval for his record-breaking Ironman triathlon. The 25-year-old smashed the Ironman record for a double amputee on the 140.6-mile World Championship course in Kona, Hawaii on Saturday. Monger’s remarkable effort, which followed a year of gruelling training [...]
AIM listings hit 23-year low amid Budget tax speculation October 28, 2024 The number of AIM companies has fallen below 700 for the first time since 2001, new data has confirmed, as London’s junior market has been battered by speculation that a key tax relief for AIM shares may be scrapped in this week’s Budget. Some 92 companies have delisted from AIM in the past year, with [...]
Avison Young loses over £100m as it cuts more than 200 jobs October 28, 2024 The UK arm of global commercial real estate services firm Avison Young shed over 200 jobs as its pre-tax loss almost doubled to more than £100m during 2023, it has been revealed. The Birmingham-headquartered division has reported a pre-tax loss of £101.8m for 2023, having previously posted a loss of £55.6m in 2022. Newly-filed accounts [...]
Back to the 80s: Why we need to start celebrating business October 28, 2024 When Bernard Fairman founded Foresight Group, Britain had a favourable tax and regulatory environment and a culture that encouraged entrepreneurialism – and the economy boomed as a result Growing the economy is the “first mission” of the new government, with much of what Sir Keir Starmer wants to do over the next decade being reliant [...]