Business

Vertu in pole position as one of the UK’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers

Published

53 minutes ago

26 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Vertu emerged as as the highest-ranked automotive retail group on the high profile list

Some of Vertu’s apprentices with senior management(Image: Matt Roberts)

Gateshead vehicle retail giant Vertu Motors plc has been recognised as one of the UK’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for 2026. The firm was the highest-ranked automotive retail group on the national rankings, compiled by the UK Government and HIGHERiN.

The list celebrates organisations across England that demonstrate a strong commitment to apprenticeships through achievement, opportunity and apprentice experience. Bosses at Vertu say its inclusion recognises its success in consistently delivering across all three categories, reinforcing its focus on developing future talent within the business.

The Top 100 and Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employer lists assess employers on successful completion rates, the breadth and accessibility of opportunities offered – particularly to young people – and the quality of the apprentice experience, as reflected in feedback and reviews.

The company currently supports 285 apprentices, including 12 undertaking degree-level apprenticeships. The group works in partnership with 16 training providers to deliver 26 apprenticeship standards, ensuring skills development aligns with the operational needs of the business.

In the last financial year, 130 apprentices successfully completed their programmes. During the same period, Vertu welcomed over 50 new apprentices, with a further cohort joining in the current financial year to date.

Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu, said: “This recognition highlights the work being done across the business to create meaningful career pathways for young people and older colleagues who are looking to expand their skills and grow within the company.

“Apprenticeships play a vital role in shaping our future workforce, and it is encouraging to see those efforts acknowledged at a national level. Our apprenticeship scheme is focused on giving people the opportunity to gain skills, qualifications and experience that puts them on the road to a rewarding career within the automotive sector.

“Apprenticeships bring fresh perspectives and energy into the organisation, while also supporting colleagues to progress and build long-term careers. The breadth of programmes we offer ensures people can develop in a wide range of roles, from technical specialisms through to leadership pathways.

“In fact, we have a number of colleagues who started on our Degree Apprenticeship programme over recent years who have already developed into management level roles across the Group. We are confident that there will be many more over the coming years.”

Business

We Went to the Boot Camp Where KPMG Teaches Auditors to Think Critically

Published

6 minutes ago

26 July 2026

NewsAdmin

We Went to the Boot Camp Where KPMG Teaches Auditors to Think Critically

ORLANDO, Fla.—Minutes into the assignment, the teams lose a member. Management needs them for another project. Design a logo. Don’t use the color blue. Only senior associates can use scissors. Except all the senior associates are out sick. Make it an animal corresponding to a KPMG founder. Make sure the lion or owl is in business attire.

So went the training exercise for KPMG summer interns.

In a new program this summer, KPMG brought nearly 1,000 of its audit and assurance interns to the accounting firm’s sprawling $450 million training facility near the Orlando, Fla., airport for several days of training in critical thinking and judgment. The logo challenge was one of several exercises designed to use those skills, alongside a scavenger hunt and a whodunnit fraud exercise.

The purpose isn’t fun and games. Accounting jobs are among the most vulnerable to artificial-intelligence capabilities. KPMG estimates that, in two to three years, no humans will perform routine testing of things like payroll and revenue contracts.

Business

Primark cuts prices as it feels pressure from Shein and Temu

Published

13 minutes ago

26 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Shoppers, not in focus, walk past a Primark store in London

“Primark isn’t as cheap any more.”

It is something I keep hearing shoppers say when I ask them whether they shop at the fast-fashion giant.

“It’s definitely got more expensive,” says 19-year-old student Eshal Malik as she browses the jewellery at Primark with a friend.

But that might be about to change. Primark said on Monday that it was lowering prices on hundreds of clothing items, including jeans, jumpers and socks.

“It’s the kind of headline you’d expect from M&S or Next,” says retail analyst Natalie Berg, explaining that price cuts like this from such a low-cost retailer are surprising.

“You don’t want to join a race to the bottom,” she says. “But when Shein is selling dresses for £3, you’ve got to respond, right?”

Primark, which has more than 190 UK stores, has been experiencing a drop in like-for-like sales, a key measure in the retail industry.

The announcement of price cuts comes ahead of parent company Associated British Foods’ plan to spin off the business onto the London stock market next year.

The level of competition among fashion retailers has “evolved dramatically” over the past few years, and Chinese online marketplaces Shein and Temu are now competing for Primark’s customers, says Berg.

But there is also competition from other online retailers like TikTok Shop and Vinted, she says.

By slashing prices on some core items, Primark is likely hoping to woo shoppers with low-cost staples, in the same way that supermarkets attract customers with cheap milk and bananas, Berg says.