Virgin Money recruits an old hand as chair June 14, 2011 JONATHAN Agnew, the former chairman of Nationwide Building Society, is set to become the new chairman of Virgin Money, as soon as his appointment is approved by the FSA. Agnew (pictured) will take over the leadership of a company that has been without a figurehead for the last year since the death of its chief executive [...]
House prices rise 1.2pc in March May 17, 2011 House prices rose by 1.2 per cent on a seasonally-adjusted basis in March, taking the year-on-year rate of growth to 0.9 per cent, government figures showed. The Department for Communities and Local Government said the average price of a home stood at 205,565 pounds in March. The DCLG data is based on a sample of [...]
Six parties in Lloyds talks for branches July 24, 2011 LLOYDS is in talks with six interested parties over the sale of its 632 branches, City A.M. understands, despite only two of them having submitted formal bids so far. However, some of those involved are only interested in chunks of the £68bn in assets on sale, which could prove a headache for regulators who want [...]
The rise and rise of tailoring that won’t break the bank June 29, 2011 THE resurgence in suit wearing over the past few years has seen a slew of young companies appear offering tailored suits at recession-friendly prices. The denizens of Savile Row may turn their noses up at such upstarts, who make no bones about saving costs by making their suits abroad, but there’s no denying the value [...]
The rise and rise of tailoring that won’t break the bank June 29, 2011 THE resurgence in suit wearing over the past few years has seen a slew of young companies appear offering tailored suits at recession-friendly prices. The denizens of Savile Row may turn their noses up at such upstarts, who make no bones about saving costs by making their suits abroad, but there’s no denying the value [...]
PERSONAL FINANCE NEWS June 15, 2011 BLOWING THE PENSION ON FAST CARS According to research from Prudential, 8 in 10 pensioners with company and private funds are taking lump sums averaging £21,500. They report that the average withdrawal is down 11 per cent on 2008, but an increasing number are blowing the cash on holidays, cars and DIY – potentially reducing [...]
PERSONAL FINANCE NEWS June 15, 2011 BLOWING THE PENSION ON FAST CARS According to research from Prudential, 8 in 10 pensioners with company and private funds are taking lump sums averaging £21,500. They report that the average withdrawal is down 11 per cent on 2008, but an increasing number are blowing the cash on holidays, cars and DIY – potentially reducing [...]
Morale among UK consumers starts to mend April 13, 2011 CONSUMER confidence on the UK high street picked up in March, following an all time low the previous month, a widely regarded Nationwide survey revealed today. The index picked up five points to a score of 44, still considerably below the same point last year, when the index recorded 73 points. “While this is a [...]
Halfords sales rise after business relaunch May 20, 2011 Car parts retailer Halfords has seen sales and bookings rise following the rebrand and relaunch of its own-branded car maintenance business in February. Weekly online bookings have jumped 93 per cent year-on-year in the ten weeks to 9 May 2011, since Halfords refurbished all of their car maintenance centres and constructed a new Halfords Autocentres [...]
THE WEEK AHEAD in association with GFT June 12, 2011 COMPANIES ● Today, the recently listed Glencore will release its first quarter trading statement to 31 March. On the same day, Majestic Wine and Advanced Computer Software will announce for the year. ● Carphone Warehouse and Oxford Instruments will announce on Tuesday. The latter was the first commercial spin-out company from Oxford University. Investors will [...]