The Notebook: Ben Roback takes the political temperature, investigates e-waste and reveals a secret swim spot August 17, 2023 Turning down the political temperature, for now… The long, hot summer we all hoped for hasn’t exactly materialised. Politically, the temperature seems equally mild. Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer disagree widely, but you get the distinct feeling a base level of respect exists between the two men. Putting politics to one side, they could [...]
Blonde review: Marilyn Monroe biopic is exploitative and dull October 2, 2022 Another year, another lengthy Netflix Oscar hopeful. Blonde has been in development since 2010 with Naomi Watts and Jessica Chastain attached to star at various points. Can one of Hollywood’s hottest newcomers do justice to its eternal icon? Brought to the screen by director Andrew Dominik (The Assassination of Jesse James), the film is an [...]
Meet Volt, the London fintech taking on Visa and Mastercard’s duopoly April 29, 2024 For six decades, the global payments industry has been dominated by Visa and Mastercard. In the UK, the two firms had 99 per cent market share of UK debit and credit card payments in 2021.
Expensive repairs and second-hand car costs push motor claims to record £2.4bn in first quarter June 9, 2023 A record £2.4 billion was paid out in motor claims in the first quarter of this year as firms find surging costs increasingly challenging to absorb, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). More expensive vehicle repairs, rising second-hand car costs and longer repair times are among the challenges faced by insurers, although there [...]
Gymshark names former Asos chief Mat Dunn as new CFO September 27, 2022 Gymshark has announced former Asos interim chief Mat Dunn as its new chief financial officer, as the e-commerce sportswear retailer gears up to open its first physical store. Dunn, whose departure was announced from the fast fashion brand a month ago, will join Gymshark in early 2023. His CV boasts a four year stint as [...]
Admiral chief executive and co-founder to retire as it announces record profit March 5, 2020 Insurer Admiral said today that its chief executive and co-founder David Stevens would retire from the business in the next year. The company has appointed UK and European insurance head Milena Mondini de Focatiis as his successor. Admiral also today announced record profit before tax of £526.1m for 2019. Earnings per share rose eight per [...]
Former Asos CEO moves upmarket with top job at Matches Fashion July 12, 2022 Ex-Asos boss Nick Beighton is set to take the reins at premium fashion retailer Matchesfashion, it announced on Tuesday. The e-commerce firm had been anticipated to make Beighton’s appointment on Tuesday morning, as it tries to boost its performance, according to a Sky news report on Sunday evening. Matches sells designer labels such as Gucci, [...]
Imperial Brands: Profit up on back of ‘next generation’ tobacco alternatives May 16, 2023 Cigarette maker Imperial Brands reported a 27 per cent spike in operating profit on last year, while its foray into vaping and e-cigarettes also proved lucrative. The London-listed firm said it made £1.53bn operating profit in the six months ended 31 March, with revenue for its ‘next generation products’ offering an alternative to tobacco up [...]
Is Keir Starmer the Gareth Southgate of politics? July 2, 2024 Like the England Manager, the Labour leader helms a united team ready to face up to 14 years of hurt (electoral defeats). But the nation’s hopes could so easily turn to soul-crushing despair if the next government fails to bring it home, says Emma Revell If it doesn’t work out as England manager, Gareth Southgate [...]
The Notebook: Rejoining the EU is the single biggest way to kickstart growth July 1, 2024 Rejoining the EU is the single biggest thing Labour could to to kickstart the economy, writes James Chapman.