Here’s the real Plan B for Britain: We need a competition revolution May 14, 2012 NO ONE can dispute that the UK economy needs more growth. It seems that the coalition’s essential austerity measures are not enough. But despite its cheerleaders, the usual Plan B, based on debt-financed infrastructure spending, won’t make any difference to growth – while denting confidence. One such plan suggested £30bn in spending. Over three years, [...]
Barclays in key hiring from rival February 29, 2012 BARCLAYS Capital has demonstrated its ambition to become a leading player in UK investment banking, hiring Mark Astaire, head of corporate broking, from rival Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Astaire, who is now on three months’ gardening leave, joins his former colleague Richard Taylor at BarCap, where he will be charged with driving the team [...]
Live like a true king in Kingston July 8, 2012 THE SUN descends over Kingston town, casting a warm blood orange-hued glow over the city and dramatic dock beyond. At street level music systems crank out raga, cars beep, locals chat animatedly by beer shacks and jerk chicken stands as our car weaves masterfully through the throng of traffic. “Rush hour,” explains our driver, handing [...]
IAG profits jump – but Iberia stutters February 29, 2012 BRITISH Airways’ parent group IAG has reported a jump in annual profits. The company, which also owns Spain’s Iberia, yesterday announced pre-tax profits of £425.6m in the year to December 2011. However, it said its underperforming Spanish unit and high fuel costs would dent earnings this year. The company said the improvement in 2011 was [...]
TRAVEL NOTES March 11, 2012 Boutique boltholes in Bath (and beyond) If you fancy the ultimate romantic getaway, check out the OHH Collection’s newly refurbished handful of boutique hotels and gastro pubs in Bath and England’s “prettiest village”, Castle Coombe. Think ivy-covered period houses, ornate fireplaces and quirky furniture – the properties are decorated by the owner’s mother. The six-bed [...]
BA set to pay up over price fixing claims February 20, 2012 BRITISH Airways is set to end a five-year saga over the regulator’s allegations of price fixing by paying a reduced fine. BA has held talks with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) over the £121.5m fine issued in August 2007. The British flag carrier is now expected to pay part of the charge, but this [...]
Bernanke helps to push FTSE to two week low February 29, 2012 BRITAIN’S top shares ended lower yestesrday, in spite of getting intial support from the European Central Bank making cheap loans available to lenders, after bearish comments from US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke hurt sentiment. The UK benchmark suffered a late sell-off, closing down 56.40 points, or one per cent, at 5,871.51, its lowest close [...]
BA dragged down by pain in Spain February 29, 2012 SOARING fuel costs and striking staff threaten an airline’s very survival. No, we’re not talking about 2010, when a long cabin crew strike and high oil price crippled British Airways. Instead it is Spain’s Iberia – owned by BA parent IAG after the two airlines merged last year – that is proving such a headache. A quick [...]
BA and Japan Airlines agree revenue share February 8, 2012 BRITISH Airways and Japan Airlines have agreed a revenue-sharing deal for flights between Europe and Japan, potentially giving their oneworld alliance more competitive muscle. The joint venture would lead to more choice of flights and could lead to more routes, BA’s parent International Airlines Group (IAG) said yesterday. “Despite the difficulties the Japanese aviation market [...]
These Olympic Games are a chance to show the world what BA’s about February 21, 2012 Frank van der Post is the man making sure that British Airways gets a flying start as 2012’s airline partner Q. What was your brand’s primary reason for being involved with the Games? A. We’re a tier one sponsor for London 2012, and although we’ve sponsored British athletes before, it’s the first time we’ve been [...]