Personality clashes and the poisoned client: The inside story of Bell Pottinger’s collapse September 25, 2017 From the outside, the demise of iconic public relations firm Bell Pottinger appeared to unfold at a dramatic and surprising pace. On Monday 4 September, the company published the findings of a report by lawyers Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) concluding that the firm’s campaign for the Gupta family’s Oakbay Capital in South Africa “was potentially [...]
Boots to cut up to 350 jobs as part of plans to simplify chemist business February 1, 2016 Boots is to cut between 300 and 350 managerial roles from its UK stores as part of a wider move to simplify the business. The chemist, which was bought by Walgreens in 2014, has started consultation with its assistant store managers in the larger stores across the country. Although it admitted some of the job cuts would come [...]
Jermain Defoe dreaming of Russia 2018 World Cup after earning long-awaited England recall March 20, 2017 Evergreen Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe admits he is desperate to capitalise on his second chance with England by earning a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for next year’s World Cup in Russia. Defoe’s decision to leave the Premier League for Toronto and Major League Soccer in 2014 appeared to have dealt his international career a [...]
Under Armour boss backtracks after calling Donald Trump an “asset to this country” as analyst downgrades stock February 16, 2017 Kevin Plank hasn't had the best week. The Under Armour chief executive came under fire for his comments on Donald Trump, after giving an interview to CNBC last week saying: "To have such a pro-business President is something that is a real asset to this country." It caused a backlash, including from some of Under [...]
Are consumers about to give Sports Direct the boot? December 16, 2015 Sports Direct has been occupying a lot of newspaper inches recently – and not for good reasons. It has also been the subject of a debate in parliament. An investigation into its working practices at its warehouses found employees saying it was like working in a “gulag”. The brand was also described by Simon Walker of the Institute [...]
Bank of England governor Mark Carney commits to curbing jargon to win back trust in “dreaded experts” February 9, 2017 Mark Carney has spoken of the need for the Bank of England (BoE) to cut back on technical language to win back public trust, saying “not everyone wants to be steeped in fan charts, modelling and stress testing”. Speaking at a BoE inclusion event tonight, Carney said: “To communicate to both the City and the [...]
A former French budget minister has been sentenced for three years for tax fraud December 8, 2016 A former French budget minister who led a crackdown on tax evasion has today been jailed for three years for tax fraud. Jerome Cahuzac, who was a cosmetic surgeon before being appointed by President Francois Hollande in 2012, was found guilty of tax fraud and money laundering, after being accused of hiding money in an offshore bank account. [...]
Scarlets 22, Saracens 22: Last-gasp Sarries seal place in European Champions Cup quarter-finals January 15, 2017 Saracens boss Mark McCall praised his side’s doggedness after a last-gasp Chris Ashton try snatched a dramatic 22-22 draw with Scarlets and sealed their passage to the European Champions Cup quarter-finals. Ashton crossed the line for the second time with the final play of the game and Owen Farrell duly converted, after Wales centre Scott [...]
The story behind the Tube strike – a new era of ‘smart travel’ beckons February 3, 2017 Next week’s proposed strike action is yet again set to cause travel misery across the capital. However, amidst the inevitable swathe of discontent as commuters take to crowded buses, bikes, and hit the pavement in a desperate bid to make it into the office, we should take this opportunity to look at the bigger picture. [...]
Mike Ashley’s patience runs out: Sports Direct appoints law firm despite previous investor sentiment January 14, 2017 Sports Direct has controversially appointed RPC to take control of its eagerly anticipated corporate governance review after two failed attempts at appointing alternative candidates. In an announcement to the stockmarket after it closed yesterday evening, Mike Ashley's firm said it had appointed the law firm, despite previous concerns from key investors over RPC's impartiality. Read more: [...]