Boris Johnson launches bid for Christmas election October 24, 2019 The Prime Minister’s pledge to take the UK out of the EU before Halloween “come what may” was left in tatters last night, after MPs blocked a key vote to fast-track his Brexit legislation. MPs voted in support of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB), notably 52-48 per cent in favour, but refused to back the [...]
Asos profit warning: Three factors behind online retailer’s fall from grace July 18, 2019 Shares in fast fashion retailer Asos plummeted this morning as the online marketplace warned that profits will be lower than expected this year. The company blamed this morning’s profit warning – its second in just over six months – on operational issues at new warehouse facilities in Europe and the US. Operational issues plague retail [...]
The UK faces a bipolar economic outlook September 20, 2019 The fact that the UK’s economic prospects appear both bipolar and nebulous is a measure of the unique period that we are in. While Boris Johnson began his premiership in high energy, with the strong conviction that Britain would exit the EU by 31 October, this momentum has quickly evaporated. Earlier this month, MPs voted [...]
Politicians live in a social media-driven world. Is this a good thing? October 3, 2019 It’s odd to see a constitutional crisis be upstaged by a disposable cup. Yet that’s exactly what happened at the Conservative party conference this week. Amid the platitudes, lanyards, and infighting, it was a simple receptacle that took centre stage. While TV cameras escorted Boris Johnson through the halls of Manchester Central Convention Complex on [...]
Entrepreneurs, learn to let go of your business September 3, 2019 For many entrepreneurs, successfully selling their business is validation that their years of hard work have paid off. It should be the happiest time of their lives, but it can actually be one filled with mixed emotions. I know this, because that’s what I experienced myself. In 2012, I co-founded an electronic point of sale [...]
Angus Fraser interview: Middlesex managing director of cricket on Dawid Malan departure, soul-searching after poor form and The Hundred December 17, 2019 Domestic cricket may be far from the minds of many in this country as Christmas approaches, but work never stops for Angus Fraser. The County Championship finished for Middlesex on 26 September, but the off-season has been a busy one for the club’s managing director of cricket. “From my perspective summers are spent putting out [...]
Fintech champions face an uphill climb if they want to expand into America July 4, 2019 When did you last pay with a cheque? I’d be willing to bet that many of you don’t even know where your cheque book is, and if you do, that it’s probably gathering dust. If you’re living and working in a UK city, you’re totally accustomed to new ways of banking – from Apple Pay [...]
What happened to the pound, euro and US dollar in 2019? January 20, 2020 It has been a year of ups and downs for sterling, largely dominated by political and geopolitical factors. Investors’ concern over the outcome of Brexit largely overshadowed other factors. Despite celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2019, it wasn’t a banner year for the euro. Over the last 20 years, the euro has strengthened by 27 [...]
What is the coronavirus and how dangerous is it? March 2, 2020 Since it emerged in China at the turn of the New Year, a deadly new strain of coronavirus has spread across the world and claimed hundreds of lives. The number of coronavirus cases globally is nearing 90,000, with fears of a possible pandemic. Read more: 14 Diamond Princess passengers evacuated to US test positive for [...]
Selfridges defies high street turmoil with sparkling Christmas sales January 7, 2019 While other retailers look set to report miserable Christmas trading periods, Selfridges has posted record-breaking results over the festive period. The luxury department store best known for its flagship Oxford Street store bucked the trend of decline on Britain’s high streets with an eight per cent sales boost across its physical and online business in [...]