James Watt, co-founder of the beer producer BrewDog, has drawn controversy by describing Britain as “one of the least work-oriented countries in the world” and questioning the nation’s focus on “work-life balance”. Instead, the entrepreneur and his fiancée, the social media personality Georgia Toffolo, advocate “work-life integration”. In a video posted on social media, Watt […]
Dale Vince, the renewable energy entrepreneur and founder of Ecotricity, has publicly declared his interest in purchasing The Observer, should the ongoing negotiations with Tortoise Media fall through. Vince, known for his commitment to environmental causes and significant financial backing of the Labour Party, envisions holding the iconic Sunday newspaper in a trust to safeguard […]
In a move set to captivate audiences across the nation, Lord Alan Sugar’s remarkable journey from modest beginnings to becoming one of the UK’s most prominent business figures is being adapted into a television drama series. The entrepreneur, famed for his role as the formidable host of The Apprentice, has secured a writer to bring […]
Sam Altman, the founder of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, is poised to receive more than $10bn (£7.5bn) as the company prepares to abandon its long-standing non-profit status. OpenAI is considering granting Altman a 7% stake as it raises funds at a valuation of around $150bn. This move would make Altman’s stake worth approximately $10.5bn. OpenAI, originally founded […]
Tropic Skincare, the beauty brand founded by The Apprentice finalist Susie Ma, has reported a 28% rise in profits, reaching £6.7 million, despite a 4% drop in sales to £62.3 million. Ma, who reclaimed full ownership of the company last year by buying back the 50% stake sold to Lord Sugar in 2011, attributed the […]
Sir Rocco Forte, the luxury hotelier behind Rocco Forte Hotels, has criticised the current government’s “anti-growth” policies, warning that they are pushing Britain back to the economic challenges of the 1970s. Forte, whose business includes the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh and Brown’s in London, claimed that policies “based on socialism” are driving away investment and […]
Choosing between leading two iconic supercar brands might seem like an enviable dilemma, but for Adrian Hallmark, who has moved from Bentley to Aston Martin Lagonda, it’s a decision fraught with risks. Hallmark, 61, steps in as Aston Martin’s fourth chief executive in as many years, taking the reins at the company’s Gaydon headquarters this […]
Mike Lynch, the renowned British technology entrepreneur often dubbed the “British Bill Gates,” passed away on August 22, 2024, at the age of 59. Lynch was a pivotal figure in the UK tech industry, known for founding Autonomy, a software company that revolutionised data management and led to a high-profile, 12-year legal battle with Hewlett-Packard […]
In an exclusive interview with ‘Business Matters’, the founders of Temple of Incense share their inspiring journey of turning a family tradition into a thriving business. Rooted in their Punjabi heritage, they reveal the cultural inspirations behind their unique incense offerings, their admiration for their resilient ancestors, and the hard-earned lessons they’ve learned along the […]
In a landmark deal for the biotech industry, EyeBio, a London-based startup co-founded by Dame Kate Bingham, has been acquired by US pharmaceutical giant Merck, known as MSD in the UK, for up to $3bn (£2.36bn). This acquisition is poised to revolutionise treatments for blindness. Merck has committed to an initial payment of $1.3bn (£1bn) […]