Share Sounds related to Economics - UK

New figures just out show that the number of companies in the UK has reached a record high - breaking the four million threshold for the first time. The boom is fuelled in a large part by the formation of new companies, with roughly 665 thousand started in the UK last year. But is this symptomatic of a flexible, dynamic workforce - or are there just no more full time jobs? Nigel Cassidy was joined by Jonathan Richards, CEO at breatheHR, a firm that provides software to SMEs.

Ocado has posted solid first quarter results, so why are investors selling the stock? Plus why are mergers on the rise in the UK? For more on this and all the need-to-know company news, deputy companies editor at the Financial Times, Daniel Thomas, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher.

Oil is down more than 1% on news that Saudi Arabian producers have unexpectedly increased production. For this and more of the day's need-to-know economic stories, senior market analyst at London Capital Group, Jasper Lawler, joined Share Radio's Ed Bowsher.

Georgie Frost was joined by CEO of Emoov, Russell Quirk this morning. Today on the agenda, they discussed the warning about cyber criminals taking over control of internet-connected gadgets like phones, smarts TVs, and even fitness trackers. Plus they look into why more office workers are opting to go and buy a "posh coffee" for their afternoon caffeine boost rather than switching on the kettle. All these stories and more on The News Review.

To go through all the political headlines this morning, Georgie Frost was joined by Jack Sommers of the Huffington Post. The big story this morning was of course the Prime Minister's being given the power to take the UK out of the EU - after her Brexit Bill was finally approved by Parliament last night. The House of Lords backed down in its attempts to amend the legislation. But Theresa May's not expected to trigger the two-year leaving process until the end of the month.

Joining Georgie Frost to discuss the latest market headlines was Share Radio's very own Nigel Cassidy starting with Ocado, the British online supermarket - its released a trading statement this morning. Nigel has been speaking with a couple of CEO's this morning. One of which was from the Gym Group and the other CEO - Ray Anderson - was from Bango.

Bango, the mobile payment company which enables app store customers to click and buy apps or in-app content and place the charge directly onto their mobile phone bill, has released full year results today. So how is the company doing? Joining Nigel Cassidy to reveal all is Ray Anderson, CEO of Bango.

UK firms are getting more confident, that according to the latest UK Business Outlook survey from Markit. To find out why Ed spoke to Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at IHS Market.

A £2.2bn takeover deal has been agreed between Amec Foster Wheeler and Aberdeen-based Wood Group, creating a £5bn energy services company. And the pound has picked up today despite increasing uncertainty - for more on the big market stories of the day, Share Radio's Ed Bowsher spoke to Mike van Dulken, head of research at Accendo Markets.

A survey by Grant Thornton showed that of 5,500 businesses in 36 economies, the proportion of women in senior management has reached an all-time high of 25 per cent, up 1 percentage point from 2016, and up 6 percentage points since the survey began in 2004. Share Radio's Sara Macham spoke to Kate Cooper, Head of Research, Policy & Standards at the Institute of Leadership & Management, to find out how the UK fared in the survey compared to other countries.