City Moves for 24 February 2015 | Who’s switching jobs February 23, 2015 Axa UK Bruno Charlin has been appointed chief investment officer at Axa UK. He was previously chief operating officer of group investment and group head of asset and liability management at Axa Group. Charlin has nearly 30 years’ experience in financial services. Duke Street The mid market private equity firm has appointed Stuart McMinnies as [...]
Japan Inc remains a man’s world – but that might finally be changing April 15, 2015 Learners of Japanese soon run into the phrase “shou ga nai”. Roughly translated as “it can’t be helped”, it neatly sums up a fatalistic philosophy in tune with a nation beset by earthquakes, tsunami, volcanoes and typhoons. Until recently, Japan’s record on gender equality also fell into the “shou ga nai” category. Even with a [...]
Greene King share price falls after £774m Spirit takeover agreed November 4, 2014 Greene King and Spirit Pubs have finally reached a takeover agreement after negotiations between the two groups went down to the wire. A £773.6m offer from Greene King, valuing Spirit at around 115p per share, has been accepted. Shareholders in Suffolk-based Green King will take a 71.1 per cent stake in the combined company, with [...]
London Coffee Festival returns to Truman Brewery: Founder Ludovic Rossignol explains what it’s all about April 28, 2015 WHAT IS YOUR MISSION WITH THE LONDON COFFEE FESTIVAL? It’s all about elevating standards in the coffee industry and educating people about speciality coffee, as well as celebrating the vibrant London coffee scene and the shops that form its backbone. WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT? The festival is now in its fifth year and has [...]
The Cayman Islands: The least taxing holiday you will ever have May 31, 2015 Robert moved to the Cayman Islands after three years of working as an accountant in London. It was the best decision he ever made: “What’s there to miss? The freezing British winter? Commuting from Platform 10 of Clapham Junction? Here it’s tax-free so I get to keep my income.” Favourable tax laws aren’t the [...]
Greene King’s £723m gets it into the Spirit October 20, 2014 BREWING giant Greene King has raised its bid for pub chain Spirit Pubs after its previous offer was rebuffed. Spirit said its board is likely to recommend Greene King’s higher £723.3m bid, which values Spirit at 109.5p per share – a 20 per cent premium to the stock’s closing price on Friday. “The board of Spirit [...]
Greene King gives 275 pubs last orders and looks to sell off more May 1, 2014 BREWER and pub owner Greene King yesterday announced it is selling 275 of its tenanted and leased pubs to newcomer Hawthorn Leisure for £75.6m and said it could sell off more pubs than it had initially planned. Greene King will continue to supply its own beer brands to the pubs for the next three years [...]
BT Sport to treat US sports fans to 5,000 hours of ESPN content January 22, 2015 Team spirit is alive at BT Sport and ESPN. The two sport TV channels have signed a new seven-year agreement which will deepen their existing relationship. US based ESPN will provide BT Sport with up to 5,000 hours of programming per year for UK fans of global sports to enjoy, including coverage of the [...]
Focus on Earlsfield: The hidden wonder near Nappy Valley February 12, 2015 A few years ago, I’d say where I lived and no one would have a clue where it was,” says Rupert Grieg, sales manager at Foxtons’ Earlsfield branch. “But then you said, it’s between Wimbledon and Balham, and suddenly it made sense.” For most people, this is probably still true. Swamped by popular neighbours – [...]
Punch Taverns sees profit per pub climb 4pc April 15, 2014 Pub operator Punch Taverns has achieved a profit before tax of £50m for the 28 weeks to 1 March and is on track to meet its full year profit expectations. The pub chain delivered an average profit per pub of four per cent across its entire estate of 3,956 establishments. Punch's like-for-like income rose 1.4 [...]