Exclusive: RFU in talks over back of shirt and short sponsor deals March 2, 2026 The question that hangs over rugby union always seems to be a financial one: how can a sport with successful World Cups, a strong women’s game and a generally affluent audience struggle so much to commercialise itself effectively? That doesn’t seem to be an issue for England and its governing body, the Rugby Football Union. [...]
Competition watchdog probes top hotel chains over data sharing March 2, 2026 The UK’s competition watchdog has launched a probe into top hotel chains including Hilton, Marriott and FTSE 100 giant IHG over their suspected use of a data analytics tool to share information with each other. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced the investigation on Monday morning, which centres around the hotel chains’ use of [...]
Santander names new TSB boss ahead of takeover March 2, 2026 Santander has named the new top boss of TSB Bank as the firm gears up for its blockbuster takeover of the high street unit. The Spanish-headquarted banking giant – which beat out its peers to snap up TSB for £2.6bn last July – appointed Nicola Bannister as the new chief executive of TSB. Bannister ascends [...]
Global trade at risk as insurers suspend cover following Iran conflict March 2, 2026 More than half of the world’s largest maritime insurance firms are set to cease covering war risks for ships entering the Persian Gulf after conflict broke out in the Gulf region, following the US and Israel’s launch of strikes on Iran on Saturday. As of Thursday, seven members of the City-based International Group of Protection [...]
Formula 1: Middle East conflict hits teams’ Australian Grand Prix plans March 2, 2026 The start of the new Formula 1 season has been disrupted by the conflict in the Middle East, with hundreds of team personnel facing a rush to reach this week’s Australian Grand Prix. Strikes and retaliatory attacks involving the US, Israel and Iran have grounded commercial flights across the region, forcing F1 teams to make [...]
What does Rachel Reeves’ ‘low-key’ Spring Statement mean for markets? March 2, 2026 Ahead of Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement on Tuesday, Investec’s Chief Economist Philip Shaw sat down with Morning Wire’s Rupert Hargreaves to discuss what investors should look out for in the key statement. Rupert Hargreaves: Next Tuesday, the Office for Budget Responsibility publishes updated economic and fiscal forecasts, as required under the 2011 Budget Responsibility Act, [...]
Private sector to decline but City to buck trend March 2, 2026 Activity in the private sector is forecast to decline over the next three months but firms across business and professional services are set to enjoy their best quarter since 2024, the UK’s leading industry group has said. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has found that most firms expect activity to fall in the next [...]
Penderyn Distillery launches its first 25-year-old single malt March 2, 2026 Penderyn Distillery has unveiled its first 25-year-old Welsh single malt, completing what it described as a new chapter for the nation’s whisky industry. The launch took place on St David’s Day, as the distiller introduced a 12, 21, and 25-year age-statement range for the first time in its history. The centrepiece, Penderyn 25-Year-Old Barrel No. [...]
Oil prices spike as UK base hit by Iranian missile March 2, 2026 Oil prices spiked this morning as tensions continued to escalate in the Middle East, raising concerns that a key shipping route could be halted and an Iranian missile attack on an RAF base could drag the UK into a regional war. The cost of a barrel of brent crude – the international benchmark for oil [...]
Brewdog bought by US cannabis giant in £33m deal March 2, 2026 Craft beer giant Brewdog has been sold to American cannabis and brewing group Tilray Brands for £33m after co-founder James Watt reportedly walked away from a comeback deal. Tilray Brands, a pharma firm which sells cannabis and alcoholic lifestyle products, has agreed a deal to acquire most of the brand’s assets. The announcement of a [...]