The Herald:

HELLO and welcome to the AM Business Briefing, as energy company SSE moves to say it has taken "no decision" to break up the company, after reports over the weekend suggested a split was on the cards.

SSE said it would update shareholders on its future plans in November.

"There has been no decision to break up the SSE Group," the company said on Monday.

It added: "Following recent reshaping of the group, SSE's clear strategic focus is on renewables and regulated electricity networks, supported by carefully chosen businesses."

The split has reportedly been championed by Elliott Management, according to The Telegraph.

SSE said its November update will let shareholders know how it plans to further accelerate growth.

This will include how to boost the amount it invests and how it will fund these investments.

Chief executive Alistair Phillips-Davies said: "We have been making excellent progress with our clear net zero-aligned strategy, centred on electricity networks, renewables and other carefully chosen businesses that help provide the low-carbon electricity infrastructure that Government and wider society requires.

"SSE is the UK's national low-carbon energy champion, delivering for both our shareholders and society, and we look forward to updating investors on our plans to accelerate growth and create value in due course."

Also today, business correspondent Kristy Dorsey highlights problems related to one of the worst runs for wage growth in UK history, and the question of whether a healthy culture can give a business the edge was raised by Graham Hall, Director of MMM Joinery, on the Go Radio Business Show with Hunter & Haughey.

Pay day boom brings end to years of stagnant wage growth

The fall-out from Covid has collided with Brexit to bring an end to one of the worst runs for wage growth in UK history, with business across all industries reporting a lack of suitable applicants.

Empty supermarket shelves, restaurant closures, delays in deliveries and warnings of Christmas shortages have ensued. 

Can a healthy culture give your business the edge?

Graham Hall, Director of MMM Joinery, called into the Go Radio Business Show with Hunter & Haughey with a timely question about creating and maintaining a healthy business culture.

Sir Tom Hunter used his own success story to underline just how important this is. “When I was growing Sports Division what gave us the edge was our culture,” he said. “I wanted to promote the David and Goliath theme: us against the big boys. People were very proud, I hope, to work for Sports Division."

If you have been forwarded this article and would like to sign up, or view our new range of newsletters, click below:​

The Herald: Herald Newsletter daily banner