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Baillie Gifford is reshaping headcount around changing client demand now. The voluntary-exit programme reflects pressure on active asset managers as capital shifts towards private assets, wealth channels, family offices, and international intermediaries.
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Ocado has put a timetable around its founder succession plan. Tim Steiner will remain chief executive until the start of FY2028 before moving into a founder role, as the automation group manages investor pressure and technology-market uncertainty.
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easyJet’s Castlelake talks have shifted from resistance to recommendation territory. A revised 690p-per-share proposal could take the UK-listed airline private, but ownership rules, valuation, regulatory approval, and airline-market volatility remain central to the deal.
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UK investment intentions have fallen to post-pandemic lows this quarter. British Chambers of Commerce data shows only 17% of businesses plan to increase investment, with inflation, taxation, fuel costs, sales weakness, and sector pressure weighing on capital spending.
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Sky and ITV are reshaping the UK broadcasting market today. A £1.6bn sale of ITV’s Media and Entertainment business would combine free-to-air television, ITVX, Sky’s platform scale, and a long-term content supply agreement with a newly focused ITV Studios.
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Co-op has connected search advertising with physical store sales. LiveRamp and Google helped the retailer link member data to offline outcomes, producing a 134% in-store sales uplift and 39x search ROI.
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Xero is moving live finance data into Microsoft tools. The integration will bring JAX-powered financial intelligence into Copilot, with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint workflows set to follow.
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IMA has expanded its shopper marketing reach through acquisition today. The Leeds-founded global agency has bought a majority stake in South African specialist VF!, strengthening retail activation and experience capabilities within The Smollan Group.
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Dean Moor Solar Farm has secured development consent approval today. The nationally significant project adds momentum to the UK renewable infrastructure pipeline as solar development faces planning, grid, land-use, and community scrutiny.
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Brand equity is moving further beyond paid advertising channels. New research from Jones Knowles Ritchie and Kantar finds customer experience, owned channels, and earned media now drive most brand strength.