Beyoncé has taken full control of SirDavis, the whisky brand she launched with LVMH’s Moët Hennessy in 2024, after the French group sold its stake.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Harrods returns to £84.9m profit after Al Fayed compensation payouts
Harrods profit rebounded to £84.9m in the year to January, its latest accounts show, after Al Fayed compensation payouts drove last year’s £34m loss.
Cambridge Aerospace valued at $3.4bn after raising $300m
Cambridge Aerospace has raised $300 million at a $3.4 billion valuation to expand its Skyhammer and Starhammer interceptors, two years after launch.
33 automotive projects set to share £47m in DRIVE35 funding round
DRIVE35 funding of more than £47m has been awarded to 33 UK automotive projects, a round expected to leverage over £90m of total project investment.
NatWest offers farmers repayment holidays as drought hits yields
NatWest is stepping up drought support for farmers, offering repayment holidays and emergency lending as dry conditions hit yields and farm cashflow.
Permanent hiring stops falling for first time in nearly four years
UK permanent hiring stabilised in July as the REC-KPMG jobs report’s placements index hit 50 for the first time in nearly four years, led by London.
Lloyds fights High Court claims over alleged £1.2bn Arena TV fraud
Lloyds Banking Group is defending High Court claims of up to £1.1bn and £280m over the alleged £1.2bn Arena Television lending fraud. Trial set for 2028.
Analysts expect gilt yields to fall before 28 October budget
Gilt yields are forecast to fall before the 28 October budget, analysts say, as investors weigh UK bonds against volatile US and Japanese debt markets.
Met’s CCTV reporting platform quadruples shoplifting charge rate
The Metropolitan Police’s CCTV shoplifting reporting platform raised charge and caution rates from 7.3% to 29.4% and now expands to eight more boroughs.
Tina McKenzie named interim FSB chair as Martin McTague takes peerage
FSB interim national chair Tina McKenzie takes over as Martin McTague steps down to join the House of Lords, the small business organisation announced.
360 directors convicted of filing offences in three months, Companies House says
Companies House disqualified 23 directors for 70 years combined in the first half of 2026 and convicted 360 more of filing offences, new figures show.
Raleigh owner Accell Group enters insolvency proceedings
Accell Group, the Dutch owner of Raleigh bikes, has entered insolvency proceedings, with its UK and Ireland arm moving to appoint administrators.
More than 100 companies added to Global Talent visa host list
The Global Talent visa has been expanded to let more than 100 UK research businesses, including AstraZeneca and JLR, host international researchers.
Citigroup chief ‘worried’ by 48% UK bank tax rate
Citigroup chief Jane Fraser warns that UK bank taxes of about 48 per cent, against 27 per cent in New York, could jeopardise investment in London.
Healey draws up plans to borrow extra £9bn a year for asset stakes
John Healey’s £9bn borrowing plan would fund stakes in infrastructure, housing and business through mayors, with analysts weighing the market impact.
