Apax Partners is leading the race to buy the accounting arm of Evelyn Partners, a deal that is expected to revive one of the best-known names in the sector. Sky News has learned that Apax and Bridgepoint are the final two contenders to buy the company, with the deal expected to be signed as early … Read more
Bosch to cut up to 5,500 jobs due to slow sales of electric vehicles and competition from Chinese imports. It is the latest blow to Europe’s auto industry after Volkswagen and Ford announced thousands of job cuts last month. Cheaper electric cars made in China have made it harder for European manufacturers to remain competitive, … Read more
Lomond Group, the letting agent chain owned by an arm of Britain’s biggest lender, is to change hands in a deal worth around £450m. Sky News has learned that ICG, the London-listed investor, has agreed a deal to invest in Lomond following a months-long auction. Municipal sources indicated that an agreement should be signed in … Read more
At least eight convictions from before the Horizon Post Office scandal are being examined by the body charged with investigating possible miscarriages of justice, Sky News has learned. The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has confirmed it is reviewing several cases of former subpostmasters affected by Capture software. The computerized accounting system was used in … Read more
An investigation is underway against the French defense company Thales for suspected bribery and corruption, the British Serious Fraud Office (SFO) announced. A statement, issued shortly after French financial markets closed, said a joint investigation involving the SFO’s French counterparts, the PNF, was underway. The case did not detail allegations beyond the alleged offenses, although … Read more
The sector regulator has banned nine water companies from using their customers’ money to fund “undeserved” bonuses. Ofwat said it had stepped in to use its new powers on water companies that cannot demonstrate that bonuses are sufficiently linked to performance. Blocked payments amount to 73% of the total executive rewards offered across the industry. … Read more
Google must sell its Chrome browser to restore competition in the online search market, US prosecutors have argued. The proposed separation was outlined in a 23-page document filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. It also calls on lawmakers to impose restrictions intended to prevent its Android smartphone software from favoring its own search engine. … Read more
Nvidia, the chipmaker behind the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, saw its share price fall again following its earnings release amid continued constraints on the chain supply. Its third-quarter trading update showed that demand for its cutting-edge generative AI chips would continue to outstrip supply for at least another year. Some might say it’s a nice … Read more
Private equity firm Cinven is in advanced talks to acquire a major stake in Grant Thornton UK, a deal believed to be among the largest ever in the UK audit industry. Sky News has learned that Cinven is close to agreeing a deal to acquire the stake, with sources suggesting on Wednesday it could be … Read more
Inflation jumped to 2.3% in October – a six-month high. An increase in household energy bills contributed to this higher than expected reading. Economists had forecast a figure of 2.2% after a three-year low of 1.7% in September. But how does all this affect the cost of groceries, clothing and leisure activities? Use our calculator … Read more