Could you be more proficient than any of the Co-op’s regional directors? May 7, 2014 If there's a thread flowing through the Co-op Bank's problems – it's one of a skills deficiency. Much of the bank's senior management seems to have shown an appalling lack of basic experience. Speaking to the Treasury Select Committee today, Lord Paul Myners flags a neat example of this extensive failure. While on the Co-op [...]
Rosetta arrives at its destination in “sexiest, most fantastic mission ever” August 7, 2014 The thought of travelling four billion miles in ten years might make you feel dizzy, but it's exactly what the European Space Agency (ESA) Rosetta space probe has managed to do in what has been described as the “sexiest, most fantastic mission ever”. Rosetta, which was first launched in 2005, has been hurtling towards [...]
Stephen Kelly: Top civil servant to join Sage as chief executive August 6, 2014 Top software company Sage Group yesterday announced that Stephen Kelly would succeed Guy Berruyer as group chief executive from 5 November. Berruyer, who has led the FTSE firm for four years and worked at the firm for 17, announced his departure in May, saying at the time: “Life is about making choices, and at [...]
The rules of successfully asking for a pay rise August 1, 2014 Ok. You want a raise. Who doesn’t? But you are different. Obviously. You deserve it. Your friends and family have told you that you do for all the hours and effort you have been putting in. And the salary you happily accepted when you took the job just doesn’t stretch as far as it did. [...]
Wiggins back on track for gold as Scots toast Games July 23, 2014 GLASGOW welcomed the Commonwealth Games with a vibrant opening ceremony last night, but the spotlight will fall on cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins today when competition begins in Scotland. Wiggins makes his track return at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome as part of an English team pursuit squad, hoping to add one of the few gold [...]
Paris push for WPP’s digital arm April 1, 2014 WPP yesterday announced it has bought Paris-based digital marketing firm X-Prime via its marketing agency JWT. WPP said the takeover follows its strategy of developing its capabilities in digital media. X-Prime employs around 50 staff between Paris and Toulouse who specialise in producing corporate websites for firms like Krug and Saint Gobain. Last year X-Prime [...]
Rolls Royce share price dives on cancelled Emirates order June 11, 2014 Shares in Rolls-Royce slumped 2.8 per cent yesterday after Emirates Airline cancelled an order for 70 Airbus jets, for which the aerospace giant makes the engines. “As a result of today’s announcement, our order book will reduce by around 3.5 per cent or £2.6bn,” said the FTSE 100-quoted firm. Rolls-Royce said it remained confident that [...]
All hail a brilliant double bill May 26, 2014 THEATRE WOLF HALL + BRING UP THE BODIES Aldwych Theatre | By Simon Thomson Four Stars THE UNDERTAKING is epic; two three-hour plays, back to back. But with crackling dialogue, compelling acting, minimalist sets, masterful special effects, extravagant costumes and ersatz crumhorns, the six hours fly by. Adapted from the first two-thirds of Hilary Mantel’s [...]
All hail a brilliant double bill May 26, 2014 THEATRE WOLF HALL + BRING UP THE BODIES Aldwych Theatre | By Simon Thomson Four Stars THE UNDERTAKING is epic; two three-hour plays, back to back. But with crackling dialogue, compelling acting, minimalist sets, masterful special effects, extravagant costumes and ersatz crumhorns, the six hours fly by. Adapted from the first two-thirds of Hilary Mantel’s [...]
PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel talks quarter-life crises and how to tackle the state November 2, 2014 It's not every day that you get to speak to Silicon Valley royalty. And Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, first outside investor in Facebook, fund manager, and leader of multiple firms, is a dynasty heavyweight. Having just published his new book, Zero to One, he’s keen to talk about some of his latest ideas. [...]