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Business Quarter Magazine
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The definitive resource for C-suite executives and business leaders navigating today’s complex, fast-paced global economy. Get the leading edge.
Around 500 careers advisers are moving into DWP as National Careers Service support becomes available through Jobcentres across England.
Careers advisers move into Jobcentres
Jobcentres are absorbing careers support under a wider employment overhaul. Around 500 qualified advisers will provide guidance as the National Careers Service is integrated into DWP.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 7, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Senior's £1.28bn takeover by a Tinicum and Blackstone-backed consortium has received court sanction, with completion expected on 8 October.
Senior takeover clears court approval
Senior's takeover has cleared its final court approval milestone today. The Tinicum and Blackstone-backed acquisition is expected to become effective on 8 October before Senior's London listing is cancelled.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 7, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Skills England has launched a common employability framework to help employers recruit for potential and give young people clearer language for transferable, digital and AI skills.
Skills England launches common employability framework
Skills England has launched a common framework for employability skills. The guidance supports recruitment for potential while embedding responsible digital and AI use throughout core workplace capabilities.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 6, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Sainsbury's held exploratory merger talks with Morrisons earlier this year. No deal is active, but the discussions show that consolidation remains a live strategic question across UK grocery retail.
Sainsbury’s held merger talks with Morrisons
Sainsbury's held exploratory merger talks with Morrisons earlier this year. The discussions have ended, but their disclosure points to renewed consolidation pressure across Britain's intensely competitive grocery sector.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 6, 2026 at 6:02 AM
Costa Coffee returned to operating profit in 2025 as revenue approached £1.3bn. The chain is opening more stores and accelerating refurbishments after two years of losses.
Costa Coffee returns to operating profit
Costa Coffee returned to operating profit after two loss-making years. Revenue grew as the chain expanded stores, refreshed menus and invested in formats designed to attract younger customers.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 5, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Germany could grow by around 1% this year, twice the Bundesbank's previous forecast. Exports and government spending are improving the outlook, but private investment remains subdued.
German growth outlook improves as exports recover
Germany may grow about twice as fast as previously forecast. Exports and government spending are supporting recovery, although energy costs and weak private investment continue to constrain Europe's largest economy.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 5, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Prediction markets offering contracts on possible bank failures are attracting UK regulatory attention. The issue sits awkwardly between betting, financial information and market integrity.
Prediction markets raise UK financial stability questions
Prediction markets are raising fresh questions about UK financial stability. Contracts linked to possible bank failures have prompted regulatory concern around access, market integrity and the treatment of sensitive financial events.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 5, 2026 at 11:32 AM
European dealmakers are testing whether Brussels is more receptive to mergers that create larger regional champions. The next major cases will show how far the policy debate has changed.
Brussels tests appetite for larger European champions
Brussels is signalling greater openness to creating larger European champions. Dealmakers are preparing to test whether competitiveness arguments now carry greater weight in EU merger reviews.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 5, 2026 at 10:32 AM
JD.com's $2.5bn Ceconomy acquisition is moving closer to EU approval after revised safeguards. The case is an important test of Europe's Foreign Subsidies Regulation.
JD.com nears EU clearance for Ceconomy takeover
JD.com is nearing European approval for its Ceconomy acquisition bid. Revised remedies could resolve EU concerns over foreign subsidies and establish an important precedent for overseas investors.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 5, 2026 at 10:17 AM
G7 countries will release 100m barrels of energy reserves over four months, front-loading diesel supplies as governments try to contain the economic effects of disrupted fuel markets.
G7 releases reserves as energy shock deepens
G7 governments are releasing emergency energy reserves to stabilise markets. The coordinated 100m-barrel intervention includes an early diesel release as disruption pushes fuel prices higher.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 5, 2026 at 9:47 AM
OPEC+ has kept November production targets unchanged while Gulf disruption keeps oil markets tight. Brent remains above $100, maintaining pressure on inflation and business energy costs.
OPEC+ holds November oil output targets steady
OPEC+ kept November production targets unchanged amid tight oil markets. Disrupted Gulf exports and oil above $100 continue feeding into inflation, transport costs and corporate energy budgets.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 5, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Monzo is in early talks with CVC and Advent over a potential minority investment after Nubank abandoned takeover discussions. Valuation remains central to the next stage.
Monzo courts private equity after Nubank exit
Monzo is exploring private equity investment after Nubank talks collapsed. CVC and Advent are reportedly discussing a minority stake as the digital bank considers its next ownership and funding options.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 5, 2026 at 7:50 AM
Tesco is reportedly considering an acquisition of Majestic Wine, potentially adding more than 200 specialist stores and a hospitality wholesale operation to the supermarket group.
Tesco considers bid for Majestic Wine
Tesco is reportedly considering a takeover of retailer Majestic Wine. The potential deal would add specialist retail and hospitality supply operations to Britain's largest supermarket group.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 5, 2026 at 7:32 AM
Global M&A value fell 41% from the previous quarter to about $993bn as higher borrowing costs and energy prices interrupted a powerful dealmaking run.
Global M&A slows sharply after record rush
Global dealmaking slowed sharply during the third quarter of 2026. LSEG data shows transaction value fell below $1tn as borrowing costs and market volatility altered acquisition economics.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 5, 2026 at 7:17 AM
IPO candidates are delaying flotations as investors resist high valuations. Waterstones and Loveholidays are among UK companies reconsidering their timing.
IPO market cools as valuation resistance grows
Investor resistance is pushing more companies to delay planned flotations. UK candidates are among businesses reconsidering IPO timing as public markets become less tolerant of ambitious valuations.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 5, 2026 at 6:47 AM
BT is considering an improved TalkTalk offer as the indebted broadband provider searches for a viable transaction. Openreach's position as TalkTalk's key supplier adds a significant competition issue.
BT weighs improved offer for TalkTalk
BT is weighing an improved offer for heavily indebted TalkTalk. A possible acquisition would combine financial restructuring with difficult questions around broadband competition and Openreach.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 5, 2026 at 6:17 AM
ImpactOS ties social value promises to delivery

Pagabo Group has launched ImpactOS for connected social value management. The platform links local-needs analysis, procurement commitments, supply chain delivery, and reporting as revised central-government procurement requirements approach.
ImpactOS ties social value promises to delivery
Pagabo Group has launched ImpactOS for connected social value management. The platform links local-needs analysis, procurement commitments, supply chain delivery, and reporting as revised central-government procurement requirements approach.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 2, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Collective buying model targets SME overheads

A new buying group is targeting procurement costs for SMEs. The Independent Buying Group combines collective tenders, supplier vetting, and sourcing support to increase smaller companies’ purchasing leverage.
Collective buying model targets SME overheads
A new buying group is targeting procurement costs for SMEs. The Independent Buying Group combines collective tenders, supplier vetting, and sourcing support to increase smaller companies’ purchasing leverage.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 2, 2026 at 1:17 PM
BMC taps IBM veteran for mainframe AI drive

BMC has appointed Tarun Chopra to lead mainframe transformation globally. The former IBM executive will oversee its Intelligent Z business as AI adoption expands across mission-critical enterprise systems.
BMC taps IBM veteran for mainframe AI drive
BMC has appointed Tarun Chopra to lead mainframe transformation globally. The former IBM executive will oversee its Intelligent Z business as AI adoption expands across mission-critical enterprise systems.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 2, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Teciem builds out leadership after Finastra separation

Teciem has added two executives to its London leadership team. The appointments strengthen technology and customer functions as the treasury and capital markets software company develops following its separation from Finastra.
Teciem builds out leadership after Finastra separation
Teciem has added two executives to its London leadership team. The appointments strengthen technology and customer functions as the treasury and capital markets software company develops following its separation from Finastra.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 2, 2026 at 12:17 PM
UKEF backing moves CATAGEN closer to commercial scale

CATAGEN has secured government-backed finance to commercialise aviation technology overseas. UKEF support will help the Belfast company move sustainable aviation fuel technology from late-stage development towards international commercial…
UKEF backing moves CATAGEN closer to commercial scale
CATAGEN has secured government-backed finance to commercialise aviation technology overseas. UKEF support will help the Belfast company move sustainable aviation fuel technology from late-stage development towards international commercial deployment.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 2, 2026 at 11:47 AM
£60m fund seeks new ideas for workplace inclusion

A £60m fund is seeking new workplace inclusion innovations nationwide. Businesses, charities, technology providers, and public bodies can bid to test approaches supporting disabled people and people with health conditions at work.
£60m fund seeks new ideas for workplace inclusion
A £60m fund is seeking new workplace inclusion innovations nationwide. Businesses, charities, technology providers, and public bodies can bid to test approaches supporting disabled people and people with health conditions at work.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 2, 2026 at 11:17 AM
Nubank shuts down Monzo takeover speculation

Nubank has ruled out pursuing a transaction with UK-based Monzo. The clarification closes down recent takeover speculation while leaving the British digital bank’s wider ownership and fundraising options unresolved.
Nubank shuts down Monzo takeover speculation
Nubank has ruled out pursuing a transaction with UK-based Monzo. The clarification closes down recent takeover speculation while leaving the British digital bank’s wider ownership and fundraising options unresolved.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 2, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Right to Work rules change for employers

Employers face an updated Right to Work compliance code today. The revised Home Office rules set out the prescribed checks used to establish protection against illegal-working civil penalties.
Right to Work rules change for employers
Employers face an updated Right to Work compliance code today. The revised Home Office rules set out the prescribed checks used to establish protection against illegal-working civil penalties.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 2, 2026 at 10:02 AM
£190m deal targets more available A400M aircraft

Airbus will continue supporting Britain’s A400M fleet under extended contract. The £190m agreement targets a 30% increase in daily mission-capable aircraft while sustaining more than 350 UK jobs.
£190m deal targets more available A400M aircraft
Airbus will continue supporting Britain’s A400M fleet under extended contract. The £190m agreement targets a 30% increase in daily mission-capable aircraft while sustaining more than 350 UK jobs.
businessquarter.co.uk
October 2, 2026 at 9:27 AM