UKAI, the UK’s trade association for the AI industry, has appointed global communications agency Centropy PR as its agency of record. The group, which represents companies of all sizes with an interest in AI, from startups to industry leaders, supports firms by ensuring their voices are heard in policy matters. UKAI works closely with the UK Government and regulators, making sure that AI policies foster innovation and business growth particularly for British AI businesses. Recent...
UK inflation slowed more sharply than many had feared in January, falling to 3 per cent and bolstering expectations that the Bank of England could resume cutting interest rates as early as next month. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed consumer price index (CPI) inflation eased from 3.4 per cent in December to 3 per cent in January, the lowest annual rate since March 2025. The reading was in line with analysts’ forecasts....
Household energy bills are forecast to fall by around £117 from April, as government policy changes outweigh modest increases in wholesale prices. Energy consultancy Cornwall Insight predicts that the Ofgem price cap will drop 7 per cent to £1,641 a year for a typical dual-fuel household when it is reset on 1 April. The forecast reduction is slightly smaller than Cornwall Insight’s previous estimate of an 8 per cent, or £138, cut, reflecting a recent...
Boohoo Group has launched a £35m share placing as it seeks to strengthen its balance sheet and support its long-running turnaround, sending its shares down 10 per cent in early trading. The Manchester-based fast-fashion retailer, which rebranded last year as Debenhams Group to reflect the stronger performance of that label, said the equity raise would provide additional liquidity and help create what it described as an “optimal capital structure”. The placing, priced at 20p per...
Battery Ventures has raised $3.25bn in fresh capital to invest in technology companies worldwide, as it doubles down on artificial intelligence and enterprise software opportunities. The new vehicle, Battery Ventures XV, was oversubscribed and closed in a single round, marking one of the largest recent fundraisings in the tech-focused private equity and venture capital market. The Boston- and San Francisco-headquartered firm said the fund will back businesses across the US, Europe and Israel, investing from...
The continual evolution of digital entertainment has given rise to a vibrant ecosystem within the UK’s online gaming sector. Among the numerous offerings available, slot sites have emerged as a particularly dynamic segment. Their rapid development, driven by technological innovations and changing consumer preferences, demands not only an understanding of market trends but also careful attention to regulatory and business challenges. For UK entrepreneurs and business founders, exploring the factors that influence these platforms offers...
McLaren Charlotte has built its career around a simple but demanding idea: high performance requires structure, discipline, and respect for detail. As an authorised member of the McLaren Automotive network, McLaren Charlotte operates inside one of the most exacting performance cultures in the automotive world. From the outset, the business focused less on speed and more on systems. The goal was never to chase attention, but to build something that could last. “We’ve always believed...
Months ago, half a billion dollars flowed into crypto betting startups through new investment rounds. Behind these platforms: blockchain fused with online gambling mechanics draws serious interest. User counts climb, transaction speeds improve – founders point to real shifts underway. Venture Capital Moves Toward Digital Betting Half a billion dollars flowed into cryptocurrency gambling startups lately, and platforms such as 1xbet Ireland have also expanded their casino online presence by exploring faster digital payment options....
Profit margins at the world’s largest luxury goods companies have almost halved in just three years, prompting calls for more disciplined cost management that preserves brand equity while restoring profitability. Research from supply chain consultancy Inverto, part of Boston Consulting Group, shows that the average operating margin across the 20 biggest luxury groups has fallen from 24 per cent in 2022 to 13 per cent today. Half of those companies have seen margins decline over...
UK space technology firm SatVu has secured £30m ($40m) in fresh funding, including a strategic investment from the NATO Innovation Fund, as it accelerates plans to deploy a multi-satellite thermal imaging constellation. The round brings SatVu’s total equity funding to £60m ($80m) and marks a shift from single-satellite demonstration to scaled execution of its space-based “Activity Intelligence” capability. The investment also includes participation from the British Business Bank, Space Frontiers Fund II, managed by SPARX...
