Farewell, then, 2022. Who's had the biggest year to forget? What follows is far from exhaustive but provides a few examples to ponder as the new year rolls in.

Lawrence Stroll and Aston Martin

First, CEO Tobias Moers was safe, and then he was gone. Then the firm didn't need additional funding. Then it did. The share price continued to crash and the problems mounted. Aston may be a mega-brand, but emotional appeal holds no sway if the financial accounts don't make for pretty reading.

Battery manufacturing in the UK

Rules of origin regulations effectively mean that the UK needs to manufacture batteries for EVs made here or face stringent tariffs on any cars it exports.