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Foresight is backing AIC’s management buyout with £12m investment capital. The Leeds distributor plans to expand its product range and geographic reach while investing in sales, its website, and data-driven operations.
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FCA reforms target persistent barriers affecting smaller business finance access. Its review found regulation is not the main obstacle, but complex applications, duplicated checks, information gaps, and unsuitable products continue to make funding harder to obtain.
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Softcat is expanding its US reach through a major acquisition. The UK-listed technology group has agreed a $1.05bn deal for GDT, adding substantial North American scale across data centres, networking, AI infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
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Mitie investors have approved OCS’s recommended cash acquisition proposal today. The vote clears a major transaction condition, although court sanction and regulatory processes still stand between the companies and completion.
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UKRI is reviewing intellectual-property conditions attached to public research funding. The work follows concern over retaining more domestic value when university spinouts raise capital, relocate or list overseas.
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PwC group revenue fell despite growth in its UK business. Middle East disruption pulled consolidated turnover down 3%, while average UK partner distributions increased to £935,000.
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WH Smith expects annual profit at its previous guidance floor. Revenue grew during the summer, but promotional activity, inflation and weaker margins have constrained the travel retailer’s earnings.
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UK regulators have opened formal scrutiny of McCormick’s Unilever acquisition. The CMA has set 11 November for its Phase 1 decision on the proposed foods-business transaction.
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Crypto companies now have final guidance on UK authorisation requirements. The FCA application gateway opens on 30 September, more than a year before the wider regulatory regime takes effect.
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Cross-border payment friction is constraining UK companies’ international growth plans. Airwallex and Cebr estimate £10.5bn of working capital is affected annually, while 55% of surveyed businesses say they have scaled back overseas expansion.