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HICL is investing £68m in Scandinavian rail freight operator Hector. The 42% stake will become its first “Enhancer” investment, adding greater operating-growth exposure to the London-listed infrastructure company’s revised portfolio strategy.
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Government funding will expand apprenticeships, workplace learning and investment-linked employment. The package combines a National Wealth Fund jobs projection with £100m for local apprenticeship brokerage and £15m annually for the restored Union Learning Fund.
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CVC has withdrawn from the race to acquire Bodycote formally. Veritas Capital’s recommended 940p-per-share cash proposal is now the live transaction, although shareholder approval and the remaining scheme conditions are still required.
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Nissan is taking autonomous mobility research onto Cambridge streets directly. The £3m project with Warwick Manufacturing Group will test technology, passenger-service design, community interaction, and public-road operation.
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Sainsbury’s Money has launched loans powered by NatWest Boxed technology. Savings follow in October as the retailer tests a partner-led financial services model after completing its withdrawal from standalone banking.
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SSE has selected Montrose for its Berwick Bank operations base. The offshore-wind hub would support 100 permanent roles if the 1.4GW project reaches final investment decision, adding to Montrose Port’s existing renewable-energy operations.
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Ionic Technologies has submitted plans for an £89m Belfast facility. The proposed magnet recycling and refining plant would recover rare-earth materials from waste while creating skilled jobs and expanding domestic critical-mineral processing capacity.
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South East Wales has moved its Investment Zone into delivery. The £160m programme targets advanced manufacturing and digital technology while seeking more than £500m of private investment and up to 4,000 high-skilled jobs.
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Britain could start buying trains instead of routinely leasing them. Great British Railways will compare ownership and financing models for future fleets as ministers seek greater coordination across trains, depots, maintenance, and infrastructure.
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Avanti West Coast will enter public ownership on 7 March. The transfer is being paired with maintenance, station, timetable, and connectivity investment as ministers seek to improve reliability across the West Coast Main Line.