Parents and students set for court battle over A-level results August 16, 2020 Angry parents and students are preparing to take legal action to appeal A-level results awarded under the emergency coronavirus marking system. Many students saw their expected results downgraded by the government’s system last week, particularly in lower socio-economic areas. For example, there have been many examples of students from poorer backgrounds having expected A* or [...]
We’re not as stuck as the Brexit blues would have you believe January 28, 2019 IF YOU’RE looking for a meaningful vote of confidence tomorrow, look elsewhere than the sentiments of our 650 MPs. Instead try the 650,000 British businesses registered last year – each one a vote of confidence in the future. But when you’re surrounded by extremes, it’s hard not to get swept away by it all. As [...]
AccorHotels takes 50 per cent stake in US luxury hospitality firm SBE Entertainment October 9, 2018 AccorHotels today said it had acquired a 50 per cent stake in US hospitality company SBE Entertainment. The hotel chain said the deal will allow it to expand its business into the luxury lifestyle hospitality sector, as well as plant its footprint throughout North America. SBE specialises in high-end hospitality and manages and operates hotels, residences, restaurants, spas, and [...]
John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, or M&S? Whose Christmas ad was best this year November 20, 2018 So this is Christmas. And what have you done? Another year over, and the festive ads just begun. Yes, ’tis the season for brands to splash the cash on fancy holiday-themed adverts in hope of attracting that sweet Christmas shopping revenue. Retailer John Lewis has been the reigning champion of the season for the past [...]
B&Q owner’s profits slide 30 per cent following ‘weak’ business in France September 19, 2018 Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q, has seen its pre-tax profits plunge in the first half of this year as the company goes through organisational upheaval. The Figures Pre-tax profits fell 30.1% to £281m. The firm is undergoing a major reorganisation, which it says is being made more difficult by tough trade conditions. The firm also [...]
B&Q owner’s profits slide 30 per cent following ‘weak’ business in France September 19, 2018 Kingfisher, the owner of B&Q, has seen its pre-tax profits plunge in the first half of this year as the company goes through organisational upheaval. The Figures Pre-tax profits fell 30.1% to £281m. The firm is undergoing a major reorganisation, which it says is being made more difficult by tough trade conditions. The firm also [...]
Barclays takes up significant stake in London fintech Marketinvoice | City A.M. August 2, 2018 Barclays today announced it has acquired a significant minority stake in London-based fintech Marketinvoice, in a deal that will utilise the startup’s technology to provide £1bn in capital for the UK’s small businesses. City A.M. understands the deal will also see Barclays lead Marketinvoice’s upcoming series B fundraising round, which is due to close in [...]
Shareholders back Standard Life Aberdeen’s £2bn insurance business sale to Phoenix June 25, 2018 Standard Life Aberdeen shareholders overwhelmingly backed the £2bn sale of its insurance business to Phoenix today. At its general meeting today 99.26 per cent of voters backed the deal which will see Phoenix acquire Standard Life Assurance Limited (SLAL), the company’s insurance arm. Read more: Lloyds sells off last of its holding in Standard Life [...]
Bloomsbury revenues rise as books buck the UK’s retail downturn October 23, 2018 Revenues at Bloomsbury Publishing have posted strong growth in the first six months of the year, as the group's seven-point turnaround plan starts to pay off. Bloomsbury's share price rose 2.24 per cent as markets opened this morning. The figures Adjusted profit before tax for the six months to August, which excludes costs associated with [...]
Shareholders back Standard Life Aberdeen’s £2bn insurance business sell-off June 25, 2018 Standard Life Aberdeen shareholders overwhelmingly backed the £2bn sale of its insurance business to Phoenix today. At its general meeting today 99.26 per cent of voters backed the deal which will see Phoenix acquire Standard Life Assurance Limited (SLAL), the company’s insurance arm. Read more: Lloyds sells off last of its holding in Standard Life [...]