BORIS OUT FOR A RIDE WITH KELLY BROOK TO LAUNCH BIKE SCHEME August 31, 2010 Boris Johnson’s love affair with two wheels continued yesterday with the launch of his driver-frustrating Sky Ride scheme, where roads are cleared throughout central London to allow cyclists to take in the sights. But The Capitalist can’t help but think bikes weren’t the only thing on the mind of the red-blooded Mayor. Accompanying him on [...]
TRADERS PLUMP FOR THE LIFE OF LEISURE September 12, 2010 CITY traders prone to bemoaning their lengthy working hours and stressful days might want to consider hopping over to New York the next time they get itchy feet. For an attack of the green-eyed monster is sweeping Wall Street after a newspaper profile late last week of the founders of Briargate Trading – who seem [...]
BETFAIR FOUNDER MULLS PUTTING HIS WINDFALL MILLIONS TO STUD September 21, 2010 NEWS that Betfair’s founders Ed Wray and Andrew Black are set to net a potential windfall of £17m apiece from cashing in a tenth of their combined 22.5 per cent stake at the company’s IPO got The Capitalist to thinking yesterday – how might they put that money to good use? In Black’s case, at [...]
Crystal Amber slams Camelot June 15, 2010 CRYSTAL AMBER, an investor in retail outfit PayPoint, launched a stinging attack on National Lottery operator Camelot yesterday over its plans to offer more services through its in-shop gambling terminals. Camelot wants to let customers pay utility and council tax bills through its lottery machines, as well as top up mobile phones with swipe cards. [...]
INSURERS STRAP IN FOR BLUNT’S MILE-HIGH RECORD-BREAKING GIG June 30, 2010 EVER wanted to watch James Blunt sing his heart out – live – at 42,000 feet? No, neither have we, but let’s not diminish Royal Sun Alliance’s (RSA) achievement in breaking the Guinness World Record for the world’s highest altitude live music show. The insurance group has kicked off its 300th anniversary celebrations with gusto [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING July 14, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES FRANCIS MAUDE TACKLES CIVIL SERVICE PAY-OFFS Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office minister, attempted to force the hand of civil service unions yesterday as he laid emergency legislation to slash their redundancy terms while offering negotiations on a new severance deal. With up to 100,000 civil service jobs likely to go during the next [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING July 14, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES FRANCIS MAUDE TACKLES CIVIL SERVICE PAY-OFFS Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office minister, attempted to force the hand of civil service unions yesterday as he laid emergency legislation to slash their redundancy terms while offering negotiations on a new severance deal. With up to 100,000 civil service jobs likely to go during the next [...]
The City is back but under new management December 21, 2010 BRITAIN’S financial landscape has been transformed since we last shone a light on the City’s most powerful figures two years ago. The City A.M./CityJet Power Hundred 2011 list ranks the most influential figures in UK finance as we head into the new year. It should be no surprise that it is very different from 2009. [...]
The City is back but under new management December 21, 2010 BRITAIN’S financial landscape has been transformed since we last shone a light on the City’s most powerful figures two years ago. The City A.M./CityJet Power Hundred 2011 list ranks the most influential figures in UK finance as we head into the new year. It should be no surprise that it is very different from 2009. [...]
QUICKIE DIVORCES GET QUICKER WITH HELP OF NEW IPHONE APP June 21, 2010 FIRST we had divorce “gift vouchers”, with a company charging £125 for half an hour with a lawyer; now, it’s divorce apps for your iPhone. Dallas-based company Brainwash already offers one divorce application in its range – a “Cost & Prep” product for just under ten dollars, explaining to would-be divorcees how much it costs [...]