UK fintech stamps its authority on Europe but faces global threats January 8, 2026 The UK tightened the grip on its European fintech crown in the last year but came under growing pressure from fast-growing competitors ramping up their influence. A surge in investment in the second half of 2025 helped UK fintech hold onto the second place spot for total investment. The UK attracted $3.6bn (£2.7bn) last year, [...]
UK fintech Zilch eyes deals spree on march towards public debut January 7, 2026 Consumer payments giant Zilch is eyeing more deals after snapping up a Lithuanian challenger bank ahead of its long-awaited public debut. The UK fintech has acquired Fjord Bank, helping it to secure a European banking licence and accelerate overseas plans. “We needed a regulatory umbrella that would allow us to go and move really fast [...]
Labour urged to ramp up defence spending January 7, 2026 The Labour government is being urged to ramp up defence spending at a faster pace as opposition party leaders warned threats to Greenland, Ukraine and Nato required Keir Starmer to take swift action. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey were among those demanding the government to bring forward a 2034 deadline [...]
Frasers founder Mike Ashley snaps up stake in UK’s largest listed residential landlord January 7, 2026 Fraser’s founder Mike Ashley has secured a slice of an FTSE 250 property firm in a multi-million-pound bet on the future of UK rental housing. The UK billionaire has acquired a 3.1 per cent interest in the UK’s largest listed residential landlord in the private rented sector, Grainger, through a high-stakes financial move known as a spread bet. The [...]
Waterstones books Rothschild as IPO plans ramp up January 7, 2026 The owner of Waterstones is preparing to appoint Rothschild to advise its multibillion-pound flotation later this year, offering the clearest sign yet that London could turn the page on a dire run of form if it edges out New York for the listing. Elliott Management, which owns Waterstones and its US sister Barnes & Noble, [...]
Manchester City asked to give up FA Cup revenue to opponents Exeter January 7, 2026 Cash-strapped Exeter City have asked Manchester City to ease their financial struggles by donating some of their share of the proceeds from this weekend’s FA Cup tie. Exeter and City are both due 45 per cent of the gate receipts from Saturday’s third-round match at the Etihad Stadium, which will bank the visitors between £250,000 [...]
London ad campaign boosts Abu Dhabi theme parks January 7, 2026 Visitors from the UK to Abu Dhabi’s theme parks surged by 40 per cent last year following the first advertising campaign for them in London which saw banners for Sea World, Warner Bros World and Ferrari World plastered on the walls of underground stations and at Canary Wharf. It was part of a diversification plan [...]
Cadillac add tech sponsor as Formula 1 newcomers gear up for debut January 7, 2026 Cadillac Formula 1 Team have added software provider IFS to their portfolio of commercial partners as they continue preparations for joining the grid this year. Sweden-based IFS is the team’s first non-US partner and joins Tommy Hilfiger and Jim Beam in backing Cadillac ahead of their eagerly anticipated F1 debut. “IFS has been instrumental in [...]
Coldplay rake in over £250m in profit from world tour January 7, 2026 Coldplay have earned more than £250m in profit from their record-breaking Music of the Spheres World Tour, according to new figures. Frontman Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion performed their shows between March 2022 and September 2025. Over the course of 225 performances, the tour racked up more than [...]
Christmas grocery shopping hits fresh high while Brits make budget trimmings January 7, 2026 Brits splashed out on groceries in the run-up to Christmas but watched their budgets more than ever, as own-brand products and cut-price veg caught the eyes of shoppers. Festive grocery sales increased by 3.8 per cent on the previous year, as Brits spent a record £13.8bn on Christmas supermarket shops amid moderately easing retail inflation [...]