The gender disparity in access to company share schemes has significantly increased, with men now four times more likely than women to participate, according to analysis by Vestd. This disparity is attributed to the existing gender pay gap, where higher earners, predominantly men, are more likely to be included in executive share incentive plans, and women, earning less on average, face challenges in saving and purchasing shares. HR experts suggest implementing initiatives to support women advancing to higher-paying roles, promoting equity in compensation programs, and educating employees about the benefits of share schemes to address this inequality.

Daniel Křetínský, known as the Czech Sphinx, is poised to become the first private owner of Royal Mail in its 500-year history, after the board of International Distribution Services (IDS) agreed to his £3.57bn takeover bid. Despite Royal Mail's financial struggles, Křetínský believes he can modernize and restore profitability to the company, aiming to make it one of Europe's largest logistics firms. The deal, which must still be approved by IDS shareholders and potentially scrutinized under the National Security and Investment Act, includes a series of five-year commitments to maintain Royal Mail's universal service, branding, and union recognition.

Despite a slight reduction in the gender pay gap in the UK, a PwC report indicates it will take 45 years to close at the current rate of change. The mean hourly pay gap dropped from 12.2% to 11.8% between 2022-23 and the median pay gap fell from 9.2% to 9.1%, but since 2017, the average gender pay gap has only reduced by 1.6%. Experts stress the need for immediate action from employers to address systemic barriers and promote gender pay equity, while acknowledging that societal factors also contribute to the persistence of the gap.

Revolut, the UK's leading fintech startup, plans to allow employees to sell approximately £400 million worth of shares later this year, managed by Morgan Stanley. Despite its rapid growth and a $33 billion valuation peak in 2021, Revolut's valuation has recently dropped to $25.7 billion amid challenging market conditions and difficulties securing a banking license. The planned secondary sale aims to boost Revolut's value and facilitate further growth, while facing competition from rival Monzo, which has shown significant fundraising success and growth.

British computing startup Raspberry Pi plans to list on the London Stock Exchange, marking a significant win for the struggling U.K. stock market. The company, known for its single-board computers, aims to publish a registration document as part of its IPO process, with the majority shareholder being the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Despite London’s challenges in attracting tech listings, Raspberry Pi’s IPO reflects its growth, with $265.8 million in revenues and $43.5 million in adjusted earnings in 2023, and substantial backing from Sony and Arm.

Research by Zest indicates that a majority of employees, especially younger ones, desire increased investment in sustainability from their employers, with over half expressing interest in sustainable benefits like electric vehicles and green pensions. Despite this, a significant portion of younger workers feel their employers lack concern for sustainability, which impacts their morale. Employers are also observing a growing demand for sustainable benefits, highlighting the importance of adapting to these changing employee expectations to improve overall employee satisfaction and attract and retain talent.

Former HR director Jane Davies claimed that Post Office CEO Nick Read's persistent demands for a pay rise and threats to resign consumed her work, with emails from Read describing his bonus situation as intolerable. Despite earning £2.28m since 2020, including a £455,000 bonus for 2021/22, Read's demands were a distraction from addressing compensation for victims of the Horizon scandal. Experts suggest formalized policies, including involvement from HR, trade unions, and remuneration committees, to mitigate conflicts arising from executive pay negotiations.