‘This is Keir Starmer’s Poll Tax’: Labour warned inheritance tax protests won’t stop February 17, 2025 The Labour government’s reforms to farmers’ inheritance tax announced in the Autumn Budget has been branded as “Keir Starmer’s Poll Tax”. William Lees-Jones, who owns and runs Manchester-based JW Lees, which has produced real ale since 1828, added that the Prime Minister is “losing the argument and feeling rattled”. The pubs boss has liked the policy, which [...]
Alton Towers operator Merlin Entertainments names new top boss February 17, 2025 Merlin Entertainments, the global giant which runs the likes of Alton Towers, Legoland and Madame Tussauds, has named a new full-time chief executive. Fiona Eastwood has been appointed to the role after serving on an interim basis since November 2024. Eastwood succeeds Scott O’Neil who stepped down after two years in the job. O’Neil had [...]
Assura: FTSE 250 firm rejects £1.5bn takeover approach February 17, 2025 FTSE 250 healthcare real estate investment trust Assura has rejected a takeover offer worth more than £1.5m – the fourth such deal it has turned down in the last six months it has been revealed. The Altrincham-headquartered business hit the headlines at the end of last week when it emerged it had been approached by [...]
FTSE 250 Assura receives unsolicited takeover approach February 15, 2025 Assura, the FTSE 250 healthcare real estate investment trust, has received an unsolicited takeover approach from private equity giant KKR and a major universities pension scheme. The Altrincham-headquartered company confirmed late on Friday that it had been contacted by KKR and USS Investment Management, which is representing Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). The parties have until [...]
Chopstix doubles its sales in four years as UK expansion continues February 14, 2025 Asian food eatery chain Chopstix more than doubled its sales over a four-year period ahead of being snapped up by a European giant, it has been revealed. The London-headquartered business has posted a turnover of £64.5m for the 12 months to 28 April, 2024, its final full year before being acquired. A 51 per cent [...]
Nikon: Profit cut in half amid falling demand February 14, 2025 Profit was cut in half at the European arm of Nikon amid falling demand in its healthcare business, it has been revealed. The division of the Japanese giant has reported a pre-tax profit of €13.5m (£11.2m) for the 12 months to 31 March, 2024, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House. The latest figure comes [...]
In The Style goes out of fashion as administration looms February 14, 2025 Fast-fashion retailer In The Style is on the brink of collapsing into administration two years after being forced into a rescue deal. FTS Recovery is being lined up to oversee the potential administration of the company which was founded by Adam Frisby in 2013. The business was previously listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM [...]
‘Once you legislate, people will rebel’: Why a vibes-based WFH policy is working for Vitality February 13, 2025 The debate-stirring issue of working from home (WFH) has never been far from the headlines so far in 2025. The likes of FTSE 100 giant WPP, Lord Alan Sugar and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan have all made waves with where they stand on the topic. Now Neville Koopowitz, the chief executive of health and [...]
Birkenstock predicts further UK sales success after latest surge February 12, 2025 Birkenstock has forecast its UK sales will take another huge step forward during its current financial year thanks to growing demand. The footwear brand has revealed its sales have so far been “above initial expectations” in its year which will finish at the end of September. The continued rise in its UK revenue has been [...]
Vitality to offer discounted weight loss drugs in UK first February 12, 2025 Customers are to be offered discounted weight loss treatments through insurance giant Vitality in a UK first. The group, which is UK’s third-largest health insurer behind Bupa and Axa, is to offer discounts of up to 20 per cent for medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro to its 1.9 million members. The offer is to [...]
