Business

Octopus Energy Generation is investing nearly $1bn in Californian clean technology projects, deepening its exposure to the US energy transition and accelerating plans to deploy $2bn across the country by 2030. The funding, channelled through Octopus-managed funds, spans carbon removal, heat battery technology and solar-plus-storage infrastructure, reinforcing the company’s strategy of backing next-generation decarbonisation assets in advanced markets. Octopus will support two California-based carbon removal companies focused on grassland restoration and reforestation, converting degraded land...

If you have ever tried to defend creator spend in front of a CFO, you know the problem. The campaign can look busy on the surface. Views are high, comments are positive, and the creators are asking when the next deal is coming. Then the CFO asks one question: what did we get back in revenue, and how do you know it came from this spend? When the answer leans on Earned Media Value (EMV)...

The British Business Bank has committed up to £45m as a cornerstone investor in Redrice Ventures’ £75m Fund II, aiming to strengthen early-stage investment across the UK’s creative industries. The commitment, made through the Bank’s Enterprise Capital Funds programme, builds on a previous £36m cornerstone backing for Redrice’s first fund in 2021, which helped catalyse additional private capital into what became an oversubscribed vehicle. Founded in 2018, London-based Redrice specialises in seed-stage investments in premium,...

Nominations have opened for the 2026 edition of the Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards), marking the 13th year of a programme dedicated to recognising exceptional Black British talent across the UK’s corporate and entrepreneurial landscape. With nearly 500 professionals and entrepreneurs already honoured since its launch, the awards continue to serve as a prominent platform for celebrating leadership, innovation and impact across British business. Organisers are calling on companies to put forward visionary leaders, high-performing...

Warrington-based fitness brand Built For Athletes has secured £1.025m in funding from NatWest as it accelerates plans for global expansion and product innovation. The facility comprises a £525,000 trade loan and £500,000 in invoice finance, providing the fast-growing business with additional financial flexibility to invest in new product lines, scale operations and expand its international footprint. Founded in 2018 by brothers Daniel and Nicholas Costello, Built For Athletes has established itself as a category-defining backpack...

UK unemployment has climbed to its highest level in five years while wage growth continued to ease, strengthening expectations that the Bank of England will resume cutting interest rates in the coming months. Official figures from the Office for National Statistics show the jobless rate rose to 5.2 per cent in the three months to December, up from 5.1 per cent in the previous rolling quarter. Unemployment has been edging higher since 2022, reflecting a...

Topshop is making a nationwide return to bricks-and-mortar retail, launching in 32 John Lewis stores in its most significant high street comeback since the collapse of Arcadia Group in 2020. The relaunch, which also sees Topman stocked in seven John Lewis locations, marks the first time in four years that the brand has returned to physical retail at scale. Topshop’s original Oxford Street flagship was once a defining force in British fashion, famously drawing crowds...

Graduates are increasingly missing out on job offers because they are not considered ready for the workplace, according to new research that suggests a widening gap between academic achievement and professional expectations. A survey commissioned by Regent’s University London found that 80 per cent of recruiters believe graduates are losing out on roles due to a lack of professional maturity and work readiness. A further fifth described some candidates as “work shy” and lacking self-awareness....

Providing excellent customer service is often essential for a business to succeed. Even with a strong product and competitive pricing, a business can struggle if its customer service doesn’t meet expectations. Negative experiences, such as delayed email responses, short-tempered shop workers, or frustrating returns processes, can put customers off. In some cases, a single negative experience may be enough to dissuade someone from returning. In this article, we’ll explain the importance of prioritising customer service...

The way people access healthcare has changed in recent years, and many now turn to virtual medical services as a more convenient and accessible option. For some, it has become a regular part of their routine. For others, it is something they are curious about but have not yet tried. Virtual care combines qualified medical professionals, secure digital platforms, and flexible appointment formats to create a service model that supports patients in a more immediate...