Insurers need to capture the Covid-19 zeitgeist and go beyond expectations January 21, 2021 As a communications professional, you rarely want your client and the words “the Supreme Court” to appear in the same sentence. However, last week, the justices issued a 112-page judgement on the Financial Conduct Authority’s appeal asking for “clarification” on whether insurance companies were required to pay business interruption claims for companies which had been [...]
Stormont: Sinn Féin agree deal to return to assembly in Northern Ireland January 11, 2020 Sinn Féin and the DUP will re-enter Stormont on Saturday after agreeing a deal to end a three-year deadlock. The devolved government will start up again today after nine months of talks. British and Irish governments published the draft proposals on Thursday, which have now been agreed by both major parties. Read more: Stormont: Northern Ireland secretary [...]
‘Subscription box economy’ helps to fuel parcel delivery surge June 24, 2020 “Just a second, I need to get to the front door – a delivery’s just arrived”: it’s become as familiar a scenario during a Zoom call as someone forgetting that they’re on mute. The sound of doorbells ringing as packages are deposited on doorsteps, with delivery drivers dutifully stepping two metres back, has become a [...]
US stocks fall for seventh consecutive day as coronavirus fears increase February 28, 2020 US stocks opened down again today for the seventh straight day as investors continued to sell after new cases of coronavirus pummelled global stock markets. The Dow Jones and the S&P 500 both fell 2.5 per cent, to 25,119.36 and 2,904.44 respectively. The Nasdaq fared marginally better, opening 1.9 per cent down at 8,402.67. The [...]
Sinn Fein demands role in government after Irish General Election surge February 10, 2020 Sinn Fein has demanded a role in the next Irish government after it made unprecedented gains in the country’s general election. Incumbent Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has ruled out entering coalition with the nationalist party, which supports a referendum on Irish unity. Sinn Fein was leading the seat tally with almost two-thirds of seats [...]
Ad spend to suffer largest ever annual fall as Covid-19 wipes £4bn off market April 30, 2020 UK advertising spend is set to crash by more than £4bn this year as marketing activity grinds to a halt during the coronavirus crisis, marking the sharpest annual fall on record. Total expenditure is forecast at just £21.1bn for 2020, more than £4bn — or 16.7 per cent — lower than last year, according to [...]
Northern Rail franchise likely to be scrapped January 2, 2020 Plans to strip Northern Rail of its franchise have begun, according transport secretary Grant Shapps Shapps said that the process to take away routes from the rail operator has already begun due to its “completely unacceptable” performance over several years. Read more: Northern Rail could be split up amid nationalisation plans The rail operator has [...]
Compass chairman Paul Walsh set to step down this year January 5, 2020 Paul Walsh, the chairman of FTSE 100 catering company Compass, is due to step down within the next twelve months. The firm, which is the world’s largest catering company, will announce the decision on Monday as it prepares to begin the search for Walsh’s successor. Read more: Compass group shares sink as business catering unit [...]
Retail CEO turnover spikes in challenging year for sector February 3, 2020 Retail chief executive turnover reached a seven-year high in 2019 as the sector faced one of the toughest 12 months on record. The rate of chief executive churn increased 25 per cent on the previous year as the retail industry struggled with low consumer confidence, Brexit uncertainty, changing shopping habits and rising overheads. The latest [...]
Workers of the world unite! How the post-pandemic recovery is increasing the bargaining power of labour August 23, 2021 More than 114 million people lost their jobs over 2020, according to the International Labor Organization. Even more saw their working hours and wages cut. The worst affected industries were accommodation and food services where global employment declined by over 20%, followed by retail. These sectors were particularly hard hit by lockdowns, forced closures and plummeting tourism. Women and younger workers were badly affected. You could be [...]