Grafton keen on further growth after switching Irish roots for UK listing October 20, 2013 Gavin Slark, boss of the builders’ merchant, tells Kasmira Jefford what’s next for his company WHEN Gavin Slark was handed the toolbox and made chief executive of the Irish-based builders merchant two years ago, Grafton was in dire need of repairs. The global financial crisis had all but flattened the UK and Ireland’s construction market [...]
Elephant trekking, luxury and great Thai food September 29, 2013 This luxury beach resort was devastated by the 2005 tsunami. Now it’s back and better than ever THE PERFECT way to end an unforgettable afternoon spent trekking through the jungle trails of Khao Sok National Park in Phuket, Thailand is to give a leathery, old elephant a sunset bath. With Bauthong (lotus flower) repeatedly submerging [...]
Pest control company tops FTSE 250 on better-than-expected results August 14, 2013 Pest control company Rentokil was the biggest riser on the FTSE 250 this morning, up over seven per cent on the news its adjusted pre-tax profits rose 7.9 per cent to £54.8m – beating analyst expectations of £50.9m. Despite pre-tax profits falling 18.7 per cent to £51.9m and conditions in continental Europe continuing to be [...]
Sorry to be a party-pooper, but this is the wrong kind of growth October 31, 2013 EVEN the Bank of England sometimes makes mistakes. It was forced to correct its most recent data on consumer borrowing yesterday, in a development that confirmed what many of us feared all along: credit is beginning to surge dangerously. Yes, the economy has rebounded; but in many ways we are seeing the wrong kind of [...]
Owner of Frankie & Benny’s cashes in on austerity dining January 9, 2013 RESTAURANT Group said yesterday its turnover rose nine per cent last year as more people opted to eat out at its casual dining chains rather than high-end restaurants. The company, which owns the Frankie & Benny’s chains, said it expects to slightly beat analysts’ average forecast for pre-tax profit in the 52-week period of £64m. [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 6 August 2013 August 5, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES UK weighs legal action over Gibraltar Britain is looking at whether it can take Spain to the European courts over its treatment of British nationals at the border with Gibraltar. UK officials are taking advice on whether checks on cars as they try to cross from Spain into Gibraltar violate EU rules on [...]
Booming tourism trade boosts Greece surplus August 19, 2013 GREECE’S booming summer tourism revenue has given a welcome boost to the cash-strapped country’s finances. Tourism, which is the country’s biggest foreign currency driver, rose 21 per cent year-on-year to €1.59bn (£1.36bn) for June, the first month of the summer holiday season. Surging visitor numbers also helped widen Greece’s current account surplus to €663m, from [...]
Move into the heart of city living October 24, 2013 Make a smart international investment or simply live among some of the world’s most famous landmarks There are certain things non-Londoners take for granted that seem like every-day miracles to those living in the capital. Walking to work is one of them – the morning commute is inescapable in the Big Smoke. You can also [...]
Mayfair mews pays out for property mogul July 21, 2013 VINCENT Tchenguiz, the property tycoon wrapped up in a legal battle with the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has had one piece of good news of late – the mogul has sold his Mayfair home for almost £17m. The eight-bedroom property on Lees Place in Mayfair is close to Annabel’s private members club and only five [...]
Bitcoin transfers stopped by money laundering regulations August 8, 2013 MONEY transfer websites have been forced to withdraw support for the fast-growing virtual currency Bitcoin amid uncertainty over money laundering regulations. Leading transfer services, often used to wire traditional currencies to Bitcoin exchanges, told City A.M. they could not continue to operate without revised regulation. “There’s no clear guidance,” said Brett Meyers, managing director of [...]