Aviva eyes Asian expansion with Indonesian deal July 28, 2013 BRITISH insurance giant Aviva is considering expanding its Asian business in partnership with a division of conglomerate Jardine Matheson, it was reported yesterday. New chief executive Mark Wilson is in early stage talks with Indonesian automobile sales group Astra International about a potential tie-up, according to the Sunday Telegraph. This could then lead to similar [...]
Real estate jobs boom a worry – but labour market rebalancing September 16, 2013 IT is the fact of the day: those who work in real estate accounted for 23.05 per cent of the net jobs growth in the UK over the past year. In fact, 13 per cent of the 562,000 total jobs that now exist in “real estate activities” – which include a range of jobs, from [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 4 October 2013 October 3, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES China to invest £650m in Manchester China’s biggest bank will invest in a new £650m business district at Manchester airport in a deal the government believes will mark a fresh wave of investment by Beijing in UK infrastructure. The state-owned Industrial and Commercial Bank of China is to sign the deal when George [...]
Inside Track: Imperial’s Napier under pressure as shareholders rebel October 9, 2013 IT has been a poor week for the UK’s quoted tobacco companies. Even by the standards of a sector used to being the target of political hammerings, the suite of measures passed by MEPs on Tuesday was tough for investors to swallow: a ban on smaller packs, enlarged health warnings and new restrictions on products [...]
Thomson Local bought out of administration August 22, 2013 DIRECTORY services brand Thomson Local was bought out of administration by two serial entrepreneurs yesterday. Thomson Local, which sends out 22m copies of its UK business directory and maintains several websites, appointed Grant Thornton as administrator on Wednesday, following several tough years. The Hampshire-based firm posted a net loss of £732,000 for 2011, down from [...]
CNBC Comment: Guidance disbelief may force Bank action September 16, 2013 IT’S ANOTHER big week for UK economy watchers, as questions remain about the quality and sustainability of the current rebound. After a miserable 2012, more optimistic economic forecasts should be warmly received. But there’s still doubt about whether a recovery that’s been helped by housing and a consumer upturn can lead to strong investment-led growth. [...]
Real estate jobs boom a worry – but labour market rebalancing September 11, 2013 IT is the fact of the day: those who work in real estate accounted for 23.05 per cent of the net jobs growth in the UK over the past year. In fact, 13 per cent of the 562,000 total jobs that now exist in “real estate activities” – which include a range of jobs, from [...]
Before the open – 18/07 July 18, 2013 Chinese shares fell last night amid ongoing concerns that the government will extend property curbs and reduce the finance available to developers continued to weigh on Chinese markets. However, sentiment was boosted somewhat by US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke’s comments yesterday indicated he will remain dovish on monetary policy and that asset purchases “are [...]
Letters to the editor – 22/08 – Global competition, HS2 debate, Best of Twitter August 21, 2013 Global competition [Re: We should be glad that foreign firms want to buy British companies, yesterday] I agree with Tim Worstall. It is essential that financiers and investors have a viable route to a profitable exit. And a foreign sale is often an important avenue. UK venture capital typically wishes to sell on in four to [...]
City Moves for 30 August 2013 | Who’s switching jobs August 29, 2013 Alvarez & Marsal The professional services firm has announced the appointment of Keith Williamson as head of its global forensic and dispute team in Hong Kong and China. Williamson has over 18 years’ forensic and investigative accounting experience, and specialises in investigations into fraud, corruption and regulatory issues. He joined Alvarez & Marsal in 2011, having previously [...]