Aviva profits jump following Direct Line acquisition Insurance FTSE 100 insurance giant Aviva reported its operating profit for the first half of this year to be up 24 per cent, driven by the group’s “strong progress” following its acquisition of Direct Line in 2025. The London-listed insurer, which offers home, car, and life insurance in the UK and serves approximately 25 million customers, [...]
Nigel Farage wins Clacton by-election Politics Nigel Farage swept to victory in the Clacton by-election that he triggered to stave off an investigation into donations he received shortly before returning to frontline politics. The Reform UK leader won with over 11,000 more votes than the novelty candidate Count Binface, who was the main opposition after every other major party refused to [...]
Ticket price hikes proof Wales Rugby Union is tone deaf to loyal fan concerns Sport Business Earlier this month the Wales Rugby Union announced ticket price hikes for the Six Nations and if nothing else it is utterly tone deaf. Over the Severn Bridge the sport is in turmoil, with regions fighting for their lives not only because of difficult macroeconomic factors but because their own governing body is actively trying [...]
FTSE 100 Live: Stocks dip as oil’s ‘slowing demand’ in focus; Iran threatens to extend war August 14, 2026 Welcome back to the CityAM liveblog. Oil prices are holding up at $87 per barrel this morning as investors remain locked in wait-and-see mode while monitoring new updates coming out of US-Iran negotiations and efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian regime handed a major blow to peace optimism after suggestining it could [...]
Pre-season tours: Inside the economics of football’s summer money-spinners August 14, 2026 Football’s summer tours have turned into travelling commercial platforms bringing together big fees, sponsors, merchandise, media and global fan growth, explains Simon Dent. For most football supporters, pre-season used to mean low-key friendlies against a local non-league team, some heavy-legged players and a chance to see the new signing for 30 minutes. For clubs, it [...]
Tory and Labour councillors spar over £300m Hammersmith Bridge plans August 14, 2026 Tensions are mounting between Labour and Tory councillors in nearby authorities over restoration plans for Hammersmith Bridge, which has been closed to motorists for seven years. Arch rivals in Hammersmith & Fulham and Wandsworth councils have sparred over an application to a £1bn government fund for infrastructure. The lack of progress over the bridge’s repair [...]
Exclusive: City giants tighten trans policies August 14, 2026 City firms are being forced to tighten up inclusion policies and prevent transgender staff from using single-sex bathrooms, after the equalities watchdog published fresh directions on enforcing the seismic Supreme Court ruling on gender last year. Square Mile giants including Admiral, Coventry Building Society and Santander have all updated their HR procedures to bar trans [...]
The Works activist investor hits back at retailer’s ‘absurd’ claims August 13, 2026 The activist investor seeking to gain a seat on the board at The Works has hit back at the discount retailer’s “absurd” claims the move would undermine its growth plans. Kelso, an activist investor, has criticised the AIM-listed retailer for urging shareholders to block its attempt to install retired private equity partner Graeme Coulthard as [...]
Voi rides on in London borough despite council order August 13, 2026 Voi is continuing to operate hundreds of e-bikes in Ealing despite the council choosing Lime and Forest to run its new rental scheme, CityAM understands. The Swedish e-bike operator has not removed its fleet after its previous agreement with the west London council expired at the end of July, leaving three companies operating in [...]
Royal Hospital Chelsea to host top Arabian horse competition August 13, 2026 London is set to increase its status as a major sport staging destination with Royal Hospital Chelsea this weekend hosting some of the world’s top horses. The Global Champions Arabians Tour will descend on the home of the Chelsea Pensioners over three days this weekend in an event that is set to see fierce competition [...]
