Business

Former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has been appointed a director of a new Middle Eastern-backed investment fund planning to deploy more than £1bn into luxury hospitality projects in London’s Mayfair. Evolution Investment Fund, launched in 2025 by the UAE-based Shanshal family, has acquired a leasehold interest in the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square alongside a development site near New Bond Street with full planning consent. The total capital commitment for the two projects, including development costs,...

Tracy Brabin has launched a five-day trade mission to Switzerland and Germany aimed at deepening economic ties, unlocking inward investment and creating new export opportunities for West Yorkshire firms. The mayor arrived in Zurich at the head of a 12-strong business delegation, marking the first leg of a visit that will also take in Karlsruhe, Heilbronn and Stuttgart. Organised by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and supported by KPMG, the mission focuses on three priority...

Singapore ranks among the most expensive cities on the planet, and unexpected bills don’t wait for payday. That reality pushes thousands of residents toward digital borrowing options every month. But when you type “loan” into a search bar at midnight, how do you separate a trustworthy online money lender from a scam? The question matters — getting it wrong can mean harassment, spiraling debt, or stolen personal data. The answer comes down to regulation, due...

When I first heard about “multi-modal input,” it sounded intimidating. Images, videos, audio, text—all working together in a single video generation? I wasn’t sure how that actually worked in practice, or if I even needed all those features. But once I started experimenting with Seedance 2.0, I realized the multi-modal capability wasn’t a complicated luxury feature; it was actually the simplest way to create better videos. Let me walk you through my first real project...

Traditional bank loans were once the only path forward for a new venture. Times are changing, and new financial tools are getting more accessible to the average person. Small business owners are now looking at personal credit options to fill the gaps. See why these choices are popular and start your journey in the business world. The Changing Face Of Small Business Capital Traditional funding routes require months of paperwork and strict collateral. Many founders...

Global tourism is experiencing a powerful resurgence in 2026, with several countries and regions gaining momentum thanks to transformative development projects led by influential hospitality and construction companies. These companies are not only shaping visitor experiences but also redefining the global tourism map through strategic planning, expansion, and large-scale initiatives. From cultural capitals to revitalised coastal resorts, new spots are increasingly becoming attractive to travellers seeking better value and diverse attractions. Below are five standout...

Modern businesses operate in crowded markets where visibility, trust, and operational stability often determine whether growth is sustainable or fragile. Owners are no longer competing only on price or location. They are competing on how well their services are positioned, maintained, and communicated to the people who need them most. This reality applies across industries, from professional services to trade-based companies, and it affects how businesses plan long term decisions. What often separates steady businesses...

Businesses often prepare for financial volatility, supply chain disruption, and competitive pressure, yet many overlook how quickly routine operations can be interrupted by incidents that occur inside or around the workplace. These events are rarely part of long-term planning discussions, even though they can create immediate strain on staffing, scheduling, and leadership focus. When an incident involves harm to an individual, the consequences tend to extend far beyond the initial moment, pulling attention away from...

Aston Martin has issued another profit warning and agreed to sell the permanent naming rights to its Formula One team for £50m, as the British marque grapples with falling deliveries, mounting debt and the impact of US tariffs. The carmaker, majority-owned by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, said earnings for 2025 would be worse than City forecasts, marking its fifth profit warning since September 2024. Analysts had expected the company to report a loss of around...

Depop has been sold to eBay for $1.2bn, marking a 25 per cent discount to the price paid five years ago by Etsy. Etsy acquired the London-founded second-hand fashion platform for $1.6bn in 2021 at the height of pandemic-era ecommerce growth. The resale comes as Etsy refocuses on its core handmade and vintage marketplace. Founded in 2011 by English-Italian entrepreneur Simon Beckerman, Depop built a strong following among younger consumers seeking sustainable and affordable fashion....