Bosses who put on a brave face: Martin Wheatley grimaces through FCA annual meeting July 22, 2015 “The AGM is my favourite time of year” – said no one ever, least of all outgoing Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) chief Martin Wheatley yesterday, who had to sit through the FCA’s annual meeting with a face like a smacked bottom. Wheatley, who has been booted out of the job by George Osborne, now joins [...]
Police launch investigation into the link between body found on Richmond roof and Heathrow stowaway June 20, 2015 Police have launched an investigation into the link between the death of a man found on a roof in Richmond and a stowaway discovered on a British Airways flight from Johannesburg to Heathrow. Scotland Yard confirmed that police had been called at 9.35am on Thursday to Kew Road in Richmond where officers found the body of [...]
Lost cost airline Norwegian will offer £179 flights from London to Boston August 19, 2015 If the price of travel to the States was putting you off, fret no more. You will soon be able to travel to the city of the Boston Celtics and sitcom Cheers for just £179. Norwegian, a low cost airline, will be offering four flights a week from Gatwick to Boston from May 2016, the [...]
Paris attacks and the economic impact of terrorism: As France mourns the cost of terror keeps climbing November 17, 2015 The economic impact of terrorism across the globe reached $52.9bn (£34.8bn) in 2014, rocketing 60 per cent on the previous year and increasing ten-fold since the start of the century, according to the latest Global Terrorism Index. The figure is the highest since at least 2001, when it was calculated at $51.5bn following the 9/11 [...]
In the market for disruption: SapientNitro chief executive Nigel Vaz on consumer expectations October 25, 2015 Most disruptive companies have certain characteristics in common. They adapt constantly to stay ahead of the curve, they are dedicated to digital and deliver excellent customer service. Nigel Vaz, global chief strategy officer and European chief executive of SapientNitro, likens such businesses to gryphons – mythical hybrids with the wings of an eagle and the [...]
UK pensions deficits: FTSE 100 firms fear pension pain as workers retire September 6, 2015 Pension schemes represent a “material risk” for many of the largest companies in the FTSE 100, new research shows. Six firms, including BAE Systems, British Airways-owner International Airlines Group, RSA and Royal Bank of Scotland, all have total disclosed pension liabilities almost double their equity market value, so says JLT Employee Benefits’ quarterly report [...]
Moscow Mule trend lifts profits at UK drinks maker Fever-Tree July 27, 2015 Upmarket carbonated drinks producer Fever-Tree is toasting a fizzing set of financial results that have seen revenues climb 62 per cent since the firm floated in November. The firm, which produces soda mixers for alcoholic drinks, said yesterday that its revenue in the first six months of the year climbed to £24.1m, up 62 per [...]
Ryanair share price up after approving IAG’s offer for Aer Lingus stake July 10, 2015 Ryanair’s board has voted unanimously to sell its 29.8 per cent stake in Aer Lingus to International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways. Despite attempts by the low-fare airline to keep hold of its stake in its Irish rival, it was ordered to sell it by competition regulators in 2012. After months of [...]
Banks pull FTSE up after rising on news of Greek agreement – London Report July 13, 2015 AGREEMENT between the Eurozone leaders on a third bailout for Greece helped to push banks up yesterday, dragging the FTSE to a two-week high. Shawbrook and HSBC rose the most among banks, gaining 4.6 and 2.1 per cent respectively. News of a deal was met with a mixture of relief and anger in Greece, after [...]
British Airways pairs music and menus to make airplane food taste better with Lily Allen, Paolo Nutini and Coldplay playlist October 22, 2014 Foodies and music fans will enjoy British Airways' latest efforts to make the experience of flying a little less painful. After its seven-hour train film to settle sleepless passengers, as well as its “happiness blanket”, comes the “Sound Bite”. That’s the pairing of music with food menus in a way that is designed to improve the [...]