Business

The search is on for the UK’s next generation of pioneering female leaders as Veuve Clicquot opens nominations for the 2026 Bold Woman Award.

Now in its 54th year, the award is the longest-running international accolade of its kind, inspired by Madame Clicquot, one of the world’s first female entrepreneurs. In 1805, aged just 27, she took over her husband’s champagne house at a time when women were excluded from most professions, transforming it into one of the world’s most iconic brands.

That legacy continues to shape the Bold Woman Award, which honours women who, like Madame Clicquot, “reinvent tradition, dare to innovate, champion female leadership and uphold the highest ethical standards”.

Two categories of recognition

The 2026 awards include two categories:
• The Bold Woman Award, open to women who have held senior leadership roles for more than three years across private, charitable and not-for-profit organisations.
• The Bold Future Award, which celebrates female founders leading businesses established fewer than five years ago.

Nominees in both categories must demonstrate clear evidence of positive social, ethical or environmental impact alongside their business achievements.

The 2025 Bold Woman Award was presented to Dame Julia Hoggett DBE, chief executive of the London Stock Exchange, for her leadership in financial services and her advocacy for diversity and inclusion. The Bold Future Award went to Insiya Jafferjee, co-founder of Shellworks, recognised for developing the world’s first sustainable packaging material.

Past winners include Professor Sarah Gilbert, who led Oxford University’s COVID-19 vaccine development, and Anne Pitcher, former CEO of Selfridges.

Jean-Marc Gallot, CEO of Veuve Clicquot, said the awards continued to spotlight extraordinary women who embody Madame Clicquot’s fearless spirit:

“Every year, the talent and passion of the candidates blow us away. We are searching for inspiring women who dare to break the glass ceiling, so if you, or someone you know, captures that spirit, submit a nomination today.”

Judge and WB Directors CEO Fiona Hathorn added: “For too long, history credited progress almost entirely to men. The Bold Woman Award celebrates courageous women making their mark in business while inspiring the next generation.”

The deadline for entries is 26 September 2025, with winners revealed at a ceremony in London in 2026. Nominations can be submitted at boldopendatabase.com/en/bold-woman-award.

Winners will also feature in the Bold Open Database, the world’s first global open-access platform showcasing female entrepreneurs and leaders, designed to provide visibility for women founders and valuable data for investors, journalists and policymakers.

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Search begins for next Bold Woman as Veuve Clicquot opens 2026 award nominations

Your data is growing faster than budgets, headcount, and rack space. Backup windows feel tight. Recovery targets keep shrinking.

Audits get tougher every quarter. If that sounds familiar, it is time to look hard at object storage. This is the storage model that scales cleanly, cuts operating noise, and makes ransomware-resistant backups practical for everyday teams. In plain terms, it helps you store more data at lower cost while reducing risk.

Below is a punchy, no-nonsense guide to object storage for business. You will learn what it is, why it is winning, how it lowers total cost, and how to deploy it without drama. You will also see how Veeam-centric environments get a simple, secure, and scalable path forward with purpose-built platforms like Object First.

Object Storage in Plain English

Traditional storage comes in two flavors. File storage organizes data in folders. Block storage slices data into raw chunks for applications and operating systems. Both work well at a smaller scale. Problems begin when datasets explode and you need to manage billions of items across multiple sites and clouds.

Object storage tackles scale at the design level. Data is stored as discrete objects in flat buckets. Each object carries metadata and a unique ID. There is no fragile folder tree to rebuild. Access happens through simple HTTP-style APIs. That design choice changes everything.

Practical Benefits You Feel Right Away

Elastic scale: Add nodes as you grow. You do not re-architect to pass the next capacity milestone.
Lower overhead: Flat namespaces beat tangled file hierarchies. Teams manage buckets and policies, not forests of shares.
Cloud readiness: S3-compatible APIs simplify movement across on-prem and cloud.
Metadata power: Rich metadata enables fast search, cataloging, and lifecycle controls.

Object storage is not a silver bullet. Databases and ultra-low-latency workloads still prefer blocks. Collaborative home directories still fit files. For backups, archives, media, analytics, and AI training sets, object storage wins on scale and cost.

Why Businesses Are Moving Now

1) Frictionless Growth

You cannot afford forklift upgrades every year. Object storage grows node by node. Capacity and throughput scale together. No weekend migrations. No chain-reaction rebalancing.

2) Policy-Driven Cost Control

Lifecycle rules move cold data to cheaper tiers automatically. You stop paying premium rates for stale bits. This is the easiest, most reliable way to bend your storage cost curve.

3) Cyber Resilience Baked In

Immutability and versioning protect backup data from deletion and tampering for a defined window. Your recovery plan stays intact even if credentials are compromised.

4) Simpler Operations

Teams manage buckets, retention windows, and access controls. The platform handles distribution, durability, and healing. That means fewer late night pages and less time guessing which volume is about to fill.

Where Object Storage Shines

Backups And Recovery: Land fast backups at scale. Keep them immutable for the required retention period. Recover knowing yesterday’s restore points are still there.

Long-Term Archiving And Compliance: Replace tape complexity with policy-driven retention. Audit logs and WORM-like behavior support regulatory needs.

Media And Creative Libraries: Store large objects like videos and high-res imagery without file system limits getting in the way.

Ai And Analytics: Feed data lakes and training jobs from a durable, low-cost repository that does not buckle under billions of objects.

Log And Telemetry Data: Capture and keep high-volume machine data longer without runaway NAS spend.

Security That Stands Up To Ransomware

Ransomware aims at your backups first. Immutable object storage stops that play. When a bucket is immutable for a period, objects cannot be altered or deleted until the timer expires. Even administrators cannot override it. Combine immutability with versioning, least-privilege access, and multi-factor authentication. Then test recoveries on a schedule. You turn a soft target into a hard one.

Checklist For A Resilient Design

Enable immutability on backup buckets
Set retention windows that match policy and compliance
Use role-based access and separate credentials for backup software and storage admin
Encrypt in flight and at rest
Replicate or tier copies to another location
Run restore drills and document time to recover

How Object Storage Lowers Total Cost Of Ownership

Right-Tier, Right-Time: Lifecycle policies move data from performance tiers to capacity tiers on a schedule. For backups, that may mean landing on a fast tier for seven days, then shifting older restore points to a lower-cost tier for months.

Scale Without Overbuying: Add nodes as you grow instead of purchasing a giant monolith for three years of capacity you might not use.

Fewer Moving Parts: You manage fewer volumes and RAID groups. The platform handles data protection and healing across nodes. Your team spends more time on recovery planning and less on storage firefighting.

Hardware Flexibility: S3-compatible systems keep your options open. You are not locked into one proprietary file or block format.

Predictable Growth Modeling: Object storage aligns spend with actual data growth. You can model change rates and retention curves for more accurate budgets.

Design Principles That Keep You Out Of Trouble

Immutability First: Treat immutability as the default posture for backup buckets. Set clear retention windows. Document the change process.

3-2-1 Style Redundancy: Keep multiple copies, at least one off-site, and at least one immutable. Replicate or tier copies across locations to reduce correlated risk.

Keep It S3-Compatible: Choose platforms with mature S3 compatibility to simplify integrations and future movement.

Plan For Growth: Make sure performance scales with capacity as you add nodes. Validate ingest rates for your backup windows.

Operate By Policy: Use lifecycle rules for tiering and deletion. Use identity and access management policies for least privilege. Automate where possible.

Monitor The Right Signals: Watch ingest throughput, object counts, replication backlogs, and capacity headroom. Alert on leading indicators, not just full buckets.

Buyer’s Checklist You Can Take To The Demo

True object-level immutability with enforced retention
Proven S3 compatibility with backup vendors
Strong role-based access controls and audit logging
Encryption at rest and in flight
Easy scale-out with linear performance growth
Lifecycle policies for automated tiering and deletion
Clear observability for capacity, performance, and replication
Straightforward setup and upgrades that do not require a storage PhD
Support that understands backup workflows and recovery testing

Migration Playbook That Avoids Downtime

1) Baseline Your Data: Inventory current repositories, growth rates, and retention policies. Decide what gets immutable and for how long.

2) Build The Destination: Deploy the object storage cluster. Validate networking, certificates, DNS, and access control.

3) Integrate With Backup Software: Create buckets, configure immutability, and add repositories to your backup jobs. Start with a few test jobs to confirm ingest and retention behavior.

4) Phase The Cutover: Move workloads in waves. Keep the old repository read-only until you complete restore testing from the new bucket.

5) Prove Recovery: Run restores at scale. Measure recovery time and recovery point objectives. Document results and finalize the runbook.

6) Optimize And Automate: Tune lifecycle policies. Add replication or tiering to a second location. Set alerts and dashboards for the metrics that matter.

The Veeam Fit

Veeam Backup & Replication works naturally with object storage repositories. You can land backups to S3-compatible buckets, store longer-term restore points economically, and enforce immutability to protect against tampering. Scale-out designs keep backup windows predictable as datasets grow. Recovery stays straightforward because policies and indexes travel with the data.

This is where purpose-built platforms make a difference. Object First is an object storage provider built specifically for Veeam backups. The product focus is simplicity, security, and scalability. Teams deploy fast, set immutability by default for backup buckets, and expand capacity without rethinking architecture. For Veeam users who want a direct path to resilient and efficient storage, that alignment matters.

If you want a practical overview that ties these ideas together, review options around Veeam object storage to see how an example platform translates design principles into day-to-day operations.

Why Object First Is A Relevant Example

Many storage platforms can store objects. Few are designed around the realities of backup workflows. Object First starts with the requirements Veeam users face every day. Short backup windows. Aggressive recovery targets. Ransomware risk. Lean teams that cannot spend hours a week tuning storage. The emphasis on simplicity means the path from power-on to protected is short. The emphasis on security means immutable buckets and access controls are first-class. The emphasis on scalability means capacity and throughput grow in step as you add nodes.

That combination creates a better operating model. You spend more time proving restores and less time nursing storage. You get predictable performance for nightly jobs. You keep costs in check by pushing older data to lower-cost tiers with policy. You can explain the design to auditors and leadership without a whiteboard marathon.

Financial Outcomes You Can Take To The Cfo

Lower Run-Rate: Automated tiering moves cold data to cheaper storage without manual work. Capacity expands only when needed.

Smaller Risk Premium: Immutable backups reduce the chance of catastrophic data loss. That resiliency has real financial value when you consider downtime, breach response, and regulatory exposure.

Fewer Hidden Costs: Simple, policy-driven operations free up staff hours. Teams focus on restores and validations, not capacity juggling.

Better Budget Predictability: Growth aligns to actual data change rates and retention. You can forecast confidently over three to five years.

To turn this into numbers, model three scenarios. Keep current NAS or SAN. Move to cloud-only object storage. Adopt on-prem S3-compatible object storage for hot and warm backups, then tier older copies to cloud. The third path often wins because it balances cost, control, and speed.

Conclusion:

Object storage isn’t just a cheaper bucket. It’s a simpler, safer, and more scalable way to handle the data you depend on, especially backups and long-term retention. If you’re on Veeam, purpose-built options like Object First show how the model should feel: simple to deploy, secure by default, and ready to scale without drama. Start small, enforce immutability, apply lifecycle policies, and watch your storage TCO and your risk profile trend in the right direction.

Read more:
From Scalability to Cost Savings: The Business Case for Object Storage

Proper identification enhances the professional appearance of your staff members and your organization. Name tags also help new customers identify who works for you.

Proper identification is especially important for health care facilities that cater to seniors, small businesses and other professional organizations. Choosing the right name tag company can make all the difference.

Methodology for Selecting the Top Name Tag Companies

This analysis looked at name tag companies serving health care facilities, small businesses and other professional services. The evaluation included materials, customization, pricing, ordering ease and durability.

Specific criteria included:

Health care materials that meet infection control standards
Customization options for logos, titles and special requirements
Bulk pricing to help businesses cut costs
Access to online ordering and shipping speed
Durability of materials

Health and senior care facilities need easy-clean tags, and small businesses need affordability and customization options. Brand-related styling is often the top consideration for professional services.

3 Best Value Custom Name Tags for Your Business

These companies offer the strongest combination of quality, pricing and other useful features. Each provider has unique strengths to meet the needs of different types of businesses.

1. Providence Engraving, LLC

Companies like Providence Engraving, LLC has been serving customers’ identification needs since 1985. It uses laser engraving technology to make durable, eye-catching name tags. The company offers logos for industries like real estate, dental services, medical professionals, stylists and educators. Small businesses can use the logos to save money on design costs, and the company’s online visualizer makes it easy to reorder name badges when you need more.

The company’s acrylic materials work well in medical settings because they can be easily wiped clean. Providence Engraving, LLC has over 35 years of experience making durable products, and its medical industry logos are available on Amazon.

Key Features

Easy-to-clean premium acrylic materials
Industry-specific health care, education and professional services logos
11 color combinations available
25-inch by 1.25-inch size for good visibility
Two lines of text with up to 30 characters per line

2. NameBadge.com

Then companies like NameBadge.com has the capacity to create large batches of tags quickly. It serves Fortune 500 companies with various styles of employee identification badges. Solid PVC ID badges are available for easy cleaning with alcohol and soap. This cleaning process meets health care infection control needs.

There is no minimum order size, and free shipping is available on large orders to help organizations control costs. Bulk pricing is better, though, as quantities increase. The company also offers rush orders to help with last-minute needs.

Key Features

Made in the U.S. with over 20 years of experience
Premium materials, including brushed metal and solid aluminum
Same-day rush production available
Free shipping on orders over $200
No setup fees
Bulk order pricing available

3. Name Tag, Inc.

Finally Name Tag, Inc. has been selling ID tags online since 1995. It offers a large selection of identification products, and its team is known for providing fast, friendly service. Professional metal tags add visual appeal to uniforms. Plastic options provide easy cleaning, and both materials work well in medical settings.

Make-your-own styles can be money-savers for businesses with high employee turnover. The company’s guarantee shows confidence in the quality provided, and unique shapes can help make businesses more memorable to clients.

Key Features

30 years of experience
100% satisfaction guarantee
Metal and plastic options
Logo customization available
Make-your-own badge options
Fun and unique shapes available

Comparing Top Custom Name Tag Providers

Evaluating the best custom name tag companies across key features can help you decide which provider is best for your business and needs.

Company
Materials
Bulk Pricing
Rush Orders
Made in the U.S.

Providence Engraving, LLC
Easy-clean acrylic
Volume discounts
Available
Yes

NameBadge.com
Solid PVC
Yes
Same-day
Yes

Name Tag, Inc.
Metal and plastic
Yes
Available
Not specified

Quick Selection Tips for Your Business

All businesses should consider ordering extra badges with job titles rather than names to have ready for new hires. Keep replacement fasteners on hand. Update your designs to grow with your brand, and choose companies with responsive customer service.

Explore these additional industry-specific tips for choosing the right name tag company based on your needs and budget requirements.

For Health Care Facilities

Look for materials that are easy to clean and disinfect. Make sure the company you are considering has experience designing ID badges for health care providers. Consider badges with options like magnetic fasteners to avoid making holes in employees’ scrubs.

For Small Businesses

Focus on companies that do not require large batch orders unless you want to cut overall costs by purchasing in bulk. Look for a company that makes it easy to reorder, and consider make-your-own options if your staff is likely to change frequently.

For Professional Services

Choose a company that makes badges from quality materials like metal or premium plastic. Check out samples to ensure logos reproduce clearly on your chosen materials, and consider leveling up your professional setting by adding desk name plates in addition to name badges.

Find the Right Partner for Business ID Tags

You get the best name tag value when you balance quality, price and service. Do you need badges that clean easily, are offered in varying quantities or reflect your brand’s high standards? Each company excels in different areas, so it is easy to choose the one that is right for your unique needs.

Read more:
Best Value Custom Name Tags for Businesses

Daniel Levy has stepped down as executive chairman of Tottenham Hotspur after nearly 25 years in charge, bringing to an end one of the longest tenures in Premier League history.

The 63-year-old, who became Spurs chairman in 2001, leaves the club having overseen its transformation from a mid-table side valued at £80 million into a global football and business powerhouse now worth close to £3 billion. Off the pitch, he spearheaded the move into the state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019 and the development of the club’s training ground at Hotspur Way.

On the pitch, however, Levy’s record has been more divisive. Spurs lifted the Europa League trophy in May — their first European silverware in decades — but supporters have long accused him of failing to capitalise on the club’s rise. Tottenham reached the Champions League final in 2019 under Mauricio Pochettino but were criticised for their net transfer spend of just -£4m that summer, with many fans frustrated at what they viewed as a lack of ambition in the transfer market.

The club confirmed that Peter Charrington will become non-executive chairman as part of its succession planning. Over the summer, Spurs hired former Arsenal director Vinai Venkatesham as chief executive, while other senior changes included the departures of Donna-Maria Cullen, a close Levy adviser, and Scott Munn, the club’s chief football officer.

In a farewell statement, Levy said: “I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees. We have built this club into a global heavyweight competing at the highest level. More than that, we have built a community. I will continue to support this club passionately.”

Charrington acknowledged Levy’s contribution but said the club was entering “a new era of leadership” focused on stability and empowering Venkatesham’s executive team.

Tottenham’s financial and sporting position has been underlined this week by the report on the most valuable football squads in Europe, which listed Spurs with a value of €891.1 million. The rise followed their Europa League success under Ange Postecoglou — later dismissed and replaced by Thomas Frank — marking a decisive step back toward Europe’s elite.

Yet for many Spurs fans, patience with Levy had run out. Banners calling for his resignation were displayed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season, with one reading: “24 years, 16 managers, 1 trophy. Time for Change.”

Under Levy’s reign, Spurs appointed five permanent managers in the last six years. Their league finishes since the 2019 Champions League final — sixth, seventh, fourth, eighth, fifth and 17th — have fuelled criticism that the club’s growing revenues have not been matched by consistent investment in the playing squad. Deloitte’s Football Money League data for 2023/24 also showed Tottenham had the lowest wages-to-revenue ratio among Europe’s top 20 clubs, at just 42%.

Levy’s exit therefore marks the end of an era. For a generation of Tottenham supporters, his leadership reshaped the club’s infrastructure, financial standing and global reach — but also left lingering questions about whether his caution in the transfer market cost Spurs the chance to consistently compete with Europe’s best.

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Daniel Levy steps down as Tottenham chairman after nearly 25 years in charge

The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) has secured a new four-year funding commitment from Research England to boost collaboration between academia and industry.

The funding, which builds on the support of NCUB’s university and business members, will underpin an ambitious Forward Plan aimed at making the UK more competitive, more collaborative, and better prepared for future economic and societal challenges.

NCUB said the renewed investment would allow it to expand its role as a national convener and trusted voice on research, innovation and talent development. By providing insight, evidence and practical tools, the organisation helps ensure research can be translated into real-world innovations and long-term benefits for communities and the economy.

Unlike many sector bodies, NCUB combines government backing with membership contributions from both universities and businesses, a model it says ensures policy recommendations and practice are grounded in the realities of both sectors.

Over the next four years, NCUB’s strategy will focus on three core priorities: making the UK a more attractive destination for business investment, strengthening links between universities and companies to accelerate innovation, and building coordinated responses to global change across the skills, research and innovation system.

Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Executive Chair of Research England, said the funding recognised NCUB’s national importance: “This funding recognises the vital role of the National Centre for Universities and Business in strengthening the links between research and industry. By supporting collaboration at a national level, we can help turn research into practical innovation that boosts economic growth and addresses the UK’s long-term challenges underpinned by our great university system.”

Sam Laidlaw, Chair of NCUB, welcomed the renewed commitment: “We deeply appreciate this renewed investment from Research England, alongside the steadfast support of our university and business members. Together, these partnerships highlight the indispensable role of collaboration as a driving force within the UK’s research and innovation system. This combined backing empowers us to partner with policymakers, share best practice, and deliver the evidence needed to build a more resilient and dynamic ecosystem that benefits communities across the nation.”

The funding renewal comes at a critical time, with the government seeking to stimulate productivity, strengthen innovation, and attract investment through closer links between higher education and industry.

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NCUB secures four-year Research England funding to strengthen university-business collaboration

Gold prices could surge to almost $5,000 an ounce if Donald Trump’s continued attacks on the US Federal Reserve weaken the central bank’s independence, according to a forecast from Goldman Sachs.

The precious metal is already trading near record highs, with spot prices at $3,545.39 an ounce, up more than 35 per cent this year as investors and banks pile in to hedge against inflation.

Goldman warned that growing fears about political interference in the Fed’s decision-making could accelerate the shift, driving investors out of dollar-denominated assets and into safe havens such as gold.

“If 1 per cent of the privately-owned US Treasury market were to flow to gold, the gold price would rise to nearly $5,000 per troy ounce,” said Daan Struyven, co-head of global commodities research at Goldman Sachs, in comments first reported by the Financial Times.

Trump has repeatedly criticised the Federal Reserve, demanding deeper rate cuts and questioning its independence. Analysts say any move that erodes confidence in the central bank’s ability to manage inflation could spark a rush into hard assets.

With gold already one of the best-performing assets of 2025, Goldman’s forecast underscores how sensitive markets remain to US political risk, and how quickly sentiment could propel bullion towards unprecedented highs.

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Gold could soar to $5,000 if Trump undermines Fed independence, warns Goldman Sachs

Giorgio Armani, the Italian designer who built one of the world’s most recognisable fashion empires, has died at the age of 91.

The Armani Group confirmed his death in a statement on Sunday, saying: “With infinite sorrow, the Armani Group announces the passing of its creator, founder, and tireless driving force: Giorgio Armani.”

Armani died at home, the company said. His passing comes just months after he was forced to miss his shows at Milan Fashion Week due to ill health — an absence that prompted widespread concern across the industry.

Founded in 1975, the Armani brand became synonymous with sleek, modern Italian style, revolutionising tailoring with softer silhouettes and understated elegance. The company grew into a global powerhouse, with annual revenues exceeding £2 billion across its fashion, fragrance, cosmetics and homeware divisions.

Armani himself was regarded as one of the most influential designers of the late 20th century, credited with reshaping the look of men’s suits and dressing generations of Hollywood stars and business leaders. His work became a byword for understated luxury and “quiet power dressing.”

In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Armani said he had been preparing for succession with a “gradual transition” of responsibilities to his closest collaborators, including long-time colleague Leo Dell’Orco, members of his family, and his executive team.

“My plans for succession consist of a gradual transition of the responsibilities that I have always handled to those closest to me,” he said. “I want it to be organic and not a moment of rupture.”

Armani had reassured fans after missing the Milan shows earlier this year, thanking the public and promising: “See you in September.”

Born in Piacenza in 1934, Armani began his career as a window dresser before moving into fashion design, where he quickly rose to prominence. Over nearly five decades, he turned his name into a global symbol of Italian style and craftsmanship.

His death marks the end of an era for the fashion industry, though the brand he built is expected to continue under the stewardship of the inner circle he trusted to carry forward his vision.

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Giorgio Armani, Italian fashion icon, dies aged 91

McDonald’s UK has lost one of its most aptly named executives, with Zoe Hamburger stepping down after just 18 months as senior vice president and chief restaurant officer.

Hamburger, who joined the UK leadership team in 2024, was responsible for overseeing franchising and delivery operations across Britain. She has now been promoted to managing director of McDonald’s Netherlands.

Her name frequently drew attention during her tenure — she once joked that “some things are meant to be,” acknowledging the nominative determinism of running restaurants at a company famous for flipping burgers. “Hamburger has been my name my entire life too, so as you can imagine, it has always made people do a bit of a double take,” she told The Times.

Hamburger has worked in and around McDonald’s for more than a decade, beginning her career in advertising and PR before taking on senior roles within the US business. She previously led the Bethesda Field Office, which covered six states and more than 1,200 restaurants.

Her McDonald’s biography described her as a “passionate leader” who embraced collaboration “across all three legs of the stool” — a reference to the brand’s franchisees, suppliers and employees. Despite her surname, she admitted her favourite McDonald’s menu item was the Double Cheeseburger.

Her departure is the latest senior leadership shake-up at McDonald’s UK. Chief executive for the UK and Ireland Alistair Macrow announced last week he was stepping down after more than 18 years with the business, saying it was the “right moment” for new leadership to take over.

Despite the turnover at the top, McDonald’s UK remains in strong financial health. Profits nearly doubled in 2024 to £120 million, up from £66.3 million the previous year, even as the chain cut more than 2,000 jobs. The figure remains slightly below the £120 million posted in 2022.

Hamburger has been succeeded as UK chief restaurant officer by Patrick Gerber, who takes over responsibility for restaurant operations across the country. It is good that Gerber has no responsibility for the operations in France as his surname in French means to vomit or to puke in a slang context.

Read more:
Hamburger to depart McDonald’s UK after 18 months to lead Netherlands business

Lloyds Bank is preparing to axe as many as 3,000 jobs as part of a sweeping performance overhaul aimed at cutting costs and driving profitability.

The shake-up, first reported by the Financial Times, would see the bottom 5 per cent of the lender’s 63,000-strong workforce at risk of redundancy.

The decision marks the latest stage of chief executive Charlie Nunn’s strategy to streamline the business, reduce expenses and create new revenue streams. Managers have been told to begin ranking staff performance, with those deemed underperformers placed on “structured support” programmes that could ultimately lead to job losses.

Analysts say the move reflects Lloyds’ unusually low staff turnover, which stands at around 5 per cent compared with a more typical 15 per cent across the sector. According to Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, the bank has been forced to take a harder line. He argued the approach was “sensible” given Lloyds’ quiet push to offshore more roles, noting that the bank is aiming to hire 4,000 staff at its India technology hub by the end of the year. If Lloyds can mirror the efficiency improvements seen at rivals such as NatWest and Barclays through offshoring and branch reductions, Britzman suggested, the group could unlock meaningful profit upside.

Lloyds insists the changes are part of a wider transformation designed to strengthen the business and better serve customers. “To achieve the ambitious strategy and deliver brilliant service, we are transforming our business,” a spokesperson said. “As we build highly skilled teams to move faster and deliver great outcomes, we are striving to embed a high-performance culture across the organisation.” The bank acknowledged that “change can be uncomfortable” but said it remained “excited about the opportunities ahead.”

The move comes as all of the UK’s biggest lenders face similar pressures. Banking bosses have been accelerating cost-cutting plans in an effort to bolster shareholder returns in a tough environment. HSBC, under chief financial officer Georges Elhedery, has set out plans to deliver $1.5bn in savings by 2026, while NatWest and Barclays have been scaling back their branch networks and shifting more roles overseas.

For Lloyds, Britain’s largest retail bank, the overhaul underscores the intense pressure to modernise its workforce and remain competitive while demonstrating to investors that it can deliver efficiency gains and stronger returns.

Read more:
Lloyds Bank overhaul puts 3,000 jobs at risk as part of cost-cutting drive

The balance of power in European football has shifted once again after a record-breaking summer transfer window, with seven clubs now boasting squads valued at more than €1 billion.

The surge marks a dramatic rise from just three sides surpassing that threshold last year, underlining how spending and on-pitch success continue to reshape the financial hierarchy of the sport.

According to Sportingpedia’s latest analysis, Real Madrid remain the world’s most valuable squad at €1.4 billion, cementing their status as football’s leading financial powerhouse despite falling short of silverware. The Spanish giants spent €167.5 million on new signings this summer and recouped just €2 million in sales, underlining their aggressive pursuit of talent.

Premier League dominance

English clubs continue to dominate the valuations. Arsenal’s meteoric rise has seen their squad value jump €160 million to €1.33 billion, thanks to a second-place league finish and a Champions League semi-final run. The Gunners were among the summer’s biggest spenders, investing nearly €294 million.

Manchester City, while still worth €1.22 billion, saw their squad value dip €40 million after a disappointing Champions League campaign. Liverpool, however, surged to €1.12 billion after lifting the Premier League title and making significant squad investments worth nearly €482 million – a gamble that delivered immediate rewards.

Chelsea also crossed the billion mark for the first time, reaching €1.08 billion after winning the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup. Their high-volume transfer model continued, with more than €328 million spent and €332 million recouped.

Elsewhere in Europe, Paris Saint-Germain enjoyed the biggest increase, adding €237 million in value after winning their first Champions League trophy with a 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan. Their squad is now worth €1.12 billion.

Barcelona also stormed back into the financial elite, climbing €235 million to €1.11 billion following a domestic treble. Remarkably, the Catalans achieved this without heavy spending, and their resurgence has been symbolised by the rise of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, now the world’s most valuable player at €200 million.

Bayern Munich remain outside the billion-euro club, with their squad valued at €907.5 million, while Tottenham Hotspur rose to €891.1 million after a Europa League triumph – their first European trophy in decades.

By contrast, Manchester United endured a disastrous campaign, finishing 15th in the Premier League and tumbling out of European competition. Their squad value has dropped by more than €109 million to €748.2 million, despite heavy spending of €250 million.

Italian giants and rising challengers

Italy’s Inter Milan climbed to €707.8 million after reaching the Champions League final, while Juventus, AC Milan and Napoli all saw valuations decline after underwhelming seasons. Napoli, despite lifting the Serie A title under Antonio Conte, slipped slightly to €496.35 million.

Among the Premier League’s rising challengers, Newcastle United grew to €659 million after securing Champions League football, while Nottingham Forest made a surprise leap to €589 million following a strong domestic campaign.

Elsewhere in La Liga, Atletico Madrid rose to €627.8 million, while Brighton & Hove Albion, despite a dip in league form, remain among Europe’s top 20 most valuable squads at €484.1 million.

The 2025 valuations underline how concentrated financial power has become in football. Just seven clubs – Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, PSG, Barcelona and Chelsea – now make up the billion-euro elite, with each continuing to push the market to new heights.

For others, including Manchester United, AC Milan and Juventus, the report highlights how on-pitch struggles can quickly erode value, even amid heavy investment.

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The most valuable football squads in 2025: seven clubs now worth over €1bn as Real Madrid stay top