News

Peter Jones has added the American Golf chain to his growing business empire, snapping up the UK’s largest golf retailer in a deal that marks a new chapter for the loss-making brand. The Dragons’ Den investor, a keen golfer who is said to play off a handicap of eight, has agreed to acquire American Golf from private equity group Endless, which has owned the business since 2018. Financial terms of the deal have not been...

Pinterest has dismissed two engineers after they created and shared a software tool that identified colleagues who had been made redundant during a recent round of job cuts, according to reports. The digital pinboard company announced earlier this month that it would cut about 15 per cent of its workforce, roughly 700 roles, as chief executive Bill Ready said the business was “doubling down on an AI-forward approach”. Pinterest did not disclose which teams would...

We explore how digital gaming—especially crypto-enabled formats—is influencing audience behavior, monetization, and engagement strategies for today’s entertainment-focused businesses. Over the past few years, digital entertainment has shifted from a passive experience into something far more interactive, personalized, and data-driven. From streaming platforms to mobile games, audiences now expect choice, speed, and a sense of control over how they spend their time—and money. For business owners and operators watching these trends, gaming has become one of...

Santander has renewed its criticism of the City watchdog after its compensation bill for the UK motor finance scandal climbed above £460 million, as the bank’s Spanish parent pressed ahead with a surprise $12 billion takeover in the United States. The UK arm of Santander said it had set aside a further £183 million to cover compensation linked to unfair car loan commission arrangements between lenders and dealers, taking its total provision for the scandal...

Post Office Limited is set to receive more than £104 million in taxpayer support after being hit with a substantial bill for historic non-compliance with off-payroll working rules, commonly known as IR35. A newly published government document confirms that the Department for Business and Trade will provide up to £104,441,881 to cover the Post Office’s outstanding tax liability to HM Revenue & Customs. The funding will be paid directly to HMRC after officials concluded that...

Women working in technology and financial services are at greater risk of losing their jobs to artificial intelligence and automation than men, according to a new report from the City of London Corporation. The study found that “mid-career” women – typically with five or more years’ experience – are being disproportionately exposed to job displacement while also being overlooked for emerging digital roles due to rigid hiring practices and automated recruitment screening. Women remain under-represented...

Howard and Aidan Barclay have been given six weeks to reach an agreement with creditors after HSBC launched bankruptcy proceedings over debts linked to the collapse of the family’s logistics empire. At a High Court hearing on Tuesday, Mr Justice Michael Briggs granted the brothers until 17 March to circulate proposals for individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs), a formal insolvency process allowing debtors to agree repayment terms with creditors and avoid bankruptcy. The brothers are the...