Features
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This week’s UK M&A activity touched mortgage servicing, logistics, leisure assets, mining technology, and family entertainment. From rail freight to marina networks, the deals reflect international capital targeting UK companies and assets while British acquirers expand overseas.
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The Labour government plans to introduce mandatory digital ID cards. The proposal would require all UK workers to hold a digital ID, verified by employers at the point of hire. Ministers argue it will curb illegal work, while SMEs face both opportunities and challenges in compliance and implementation.
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This week’s UK M&A activity spanned private equity, healthcare, banking, technology, and retail. From Apax Global’s £794 million delisting to Sainsbury’s collapsed Argos sale, the developments show how global capital is reshaping the UK’s investment landscape and pressing established players to adapt their strategies.
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TikTok’s U.S. ownership deal raises more questions than answers. A framework struck between Washington and Beijing promises to put American investors in charge of the app’s U.S. operations, but control of its algorithm and data remains unresolved.
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Presenteeism is costing UK businesses far more than absenteeism. A growing body of research shows that while sickness absence is tightly monitored and managed, the hidden cost of employees working while unwell is vastly greater. Experts warn that companies may be measuring the wrong thing.
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This week’s UK M&A activity spanned mining, housing, marketing, legal services, and reinsurance. From a $50 billion copper mega-merger to digital-first disruption of property law, the deals illustrate the UK’s role as a stage for global capital and strategic sector reshaping.
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AI is not yet reshaping jobs, but leaders must prepare. The New York Fed reports rising adoption of artificial intelligence without widespread layoffs, with most firms retraining staff. History suggests disruption lags adoption, leaving leaders a crucial window to redesign roles, embed trust, and invest in future skills.
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Hybrid working is proving to be more than a perk. CIPD and ONS data show flexible models cut absence, aid retention, and support productivity — but also risk digital presenteeism and deepening workforce divides if not well managed.
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Cloud demand is soaring across industries amid AI-enabled infrastructure transformation. Oracle’s remaining performance obligations jumped to $455 billion, reflecting the speed of adoption and investor confidence. AI workloads, multicloud strategies and hyperscale build-outs are reshaping cloud from optional service into critical corporate infrastructure.
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Todd Davison wanted SMEs to borrow without risking everything. His insurance venture has grown steadily, offering protection for directors against personal guarantee liabilities, and is now preparing for international expansion into other markets where guarantees are common.
