Glimmers UK will avoid recession this year emerge as experts cheer return to growth in PMI February 21, 2023 Warnings that the UK is headed for a recession may have been misplaced after figures out today revealed private businesses returned to growth for the first time in half a year. S&P Global and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) composite flash purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for February hit 53 points, up from [...]
Almost half of firms given loans by British Business Bank would have gone under in pandemic November 11, 2022 Nearly half of the companies supported by a state-owned fund would have gone bust in the pandemic without its support, a new report has found. The British Business Bank’s £1.14bn support to 1,190 firms helped 48 per cent stave off going bust during uncertainty of coronavirus. The evaluation from the BBB said more than 60 [...]
City A.M. Awards 2022: Accountancy Firm of the Year March 28, 2022 The City is back, and so are the City A.M. Awards, recognising the best of the Square Mile, Canary Wharf and London’s business community – which has shown shown resilience, innovation and adaptability like never before over the past year. We’re delighted to host what will be a wonderful celebration of the capital’s rebound, but [...]
Could Mega May save retail? Hopes are riding high on King’s coronation and bumper May Day bank holiday boost April 21, 2023 Could the coronation of King Charles III help lift the UK’s post-Covid retail industry? Our retail reporter Laura McGuire finds out. March has proved to be another challenging month for the retail industry as sales fell 0.9 per cent due to soaring living costs and the third wettest March in history. However, with Royal celebrations [...]
UK factories in ‘survival mode’ as output tumbles to 29-month low November 1, 2022 UK factories are in “survival mode” amid a demand slump, rising interest rates and swelling costs, a closely watched survey out today shows. The S&P Global and Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) final purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for October tumbled to 46.2, the weakest reading in 29 months when the country was grappling [...]
Big Four auditors up advisory fee incomes as challengers capture larger share of audit work August 5, 2022 The UK’s challenger auditing firms are increasingly capturing a larger share of Britain’s audit market, as the Big Four increasingly generate their revenues through non audit work, new data from the UK’s accounting watchdog shows. The research shows smaller auditors upped their audit fee incomes at almost twice the rate of the Big Four, as [...]
RSM elects new chief executive as Grant Thornton cuts wages April 21, 2020 Challenger accountancy firm RSM last night elected a new chief executive after a marathon virtual general meeting while rival Grant Thornton slashed wages to help survive the coronavirus crisis. RSM announced last night shortly before midnight that former corporate finance head Rob Donaldson had claimed the top job. The Telegraph reported that Donaldson saw off [...]
Brits ‘batten down hatches’ ahead of bleak winter August 30, 2022 Brits are “battening down the hatches” ahead of an exceptionally tough winter marred by sky-high energy bills, economists warned today. Households are cooling spending on credit cards and putting money aside in savings accounts to keep their finances intact to withstand a historic shock to their living standards. Brits spent £700m on credit cards last [...]
Retailers put all their chips on inflation cooling during golden Christmas run-up September 22, 2023 A better than expected inflation reading, and growing consumer confidence and sales, have offered a glimmer of hope for the UK’s retail sector, as they turn their focus to the vital Christmas trading months. According to today’s ONS figures, retail sales volumes rose by 0.4 per cent in August 2023, partially recovering from a fall [...]
London hotels hope for a cracker Christmas as Covid recovery lags behind rest of country November 25, 2021 London hotels are still lagging behind in their Covid recovery compared to rivals elsewhere – but have reported strong festive bookings. The capital’s occupancy rates were 26 per cent behind pre-pandemic levels last month, as the sector continues to suffer from the slow return of international tourists and business travellers. Hotels are also facing a [...]