Samir Desai, co-founder and former CEO of Funding Circle, is stepping down from the board of the small business lender, distancing himself further from the company he helped build. Desai, 41, was instrumental in founding the peer-to-peer lending platform in 2010 alongside Andrew Mullinger and James Meekings. After serving as CEO for 12 years, he […]
Four out of five family-owned businesses have accused the Labour Party of misleading voters about its tax plans, according to a survey by Family Business UK. The trade association has expressed serious concerns over potential changes to longstanding tax reliefs, particularly business property relief, which allows families to pass on business assets with reduced or […]
As Rachel Reeves prepares to deliver her first budget on October 30, several key predictions have emerged regarding how she might tackle the £22 billion deficit left by the Conservatives. Reeves has ruled out a return to austerity, promising real-term growth in public spending, likely funded by tax increases and selective borrowing. Here’s a breakdown […]
JCB, the renowned Staffordshire-based manufacturer of heavy machinery, has reported a significant surge in profits despite a global slowdown in the machinery sector. The company posted a 44% increase in pre-tax profits, reaching £806 million last year, up from £558 million in 2022. Revenue also saw an impressive 14% rise, totalling £6.5 billion, as machine […]
Middle-class homeowners across the UK are postponing their kitchen renovation plans as fears mount over potential tax hikes in the forthcoming October Budget. The possibility of higher taxes, signalled by shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, has led to a marked decline in consumer confidence, according to kitchen retailers. Jamie Everett, co-founder of bespoke kitchen manufacturer Naked […]
It’s a warm, sunny day on Slough Trading Estate, where enormous grey warehouses dominate the skyline. But inside one of these unassuming buildings, the future is unfolding. At Equinix’s LD6 data centre, Mike Oxborrow, senior sales engineer, demonstrates the high-security measures required for entry, including biometric scans. Once through the airlock, known as a “man […]
Rachel Reeves has called on workers to return to the office, emphasising the benefits of in-person collaboration, as she prepares to lay out Labour’s economic vision at the party conference in Liverpool this week. In a candid interview with The Times, the chancellor rejected the idea of remote working, stating that she leads by example […]
As the autumn budget looms, tax incentives and improved access to finance have emerged as key demands from UK SMEs, according to new research from Bibby Financial Services (BFS). The latest SME Confidence Tracker reveals that while business optimism has rebounded post-election, small business leaders are calling on the government to address critical financial barriers […]
More than one-third of women (36%) believe they are not paid the same as men within their organisation, according to a recent survey commissioned by Acas ahead of International Equal Pay Day on 18th September. The survey, conducted by YouGov, highlights ongoing perceptions of pay inequality, despite legal requirements for men and women to receive […]
Retailers across the UK experienced a 40% increase in product sales over the summer of 2024, according to data from e-commerce marketing platform Omnisend. The boost came after a busy sales season in June, July, and August, with 237,000 more sales recorded compared to the same period in 2023. Online retailers using Omnisend saw their […]