Experience you can count on: Older workers are an untapped pool of business talent July 17, 2020 Businesses of all sizes across the UK are grappling with how to emerge from the Covid lockdown, re-engage with their customers and suppliers, and — for many in more adversely impacted sectors — sadly how to make parts of their workforce redundant. Job cuts have obviously been a major concern, as evidenced by the chancellor’s [...]
Dixons Carphone shakes up executive team March 3, 2020 Dixons Carphone has announced a shake up of its executive team, as its chief operating officer steps down after 11 years at the company. Alan Ritchie will leave the business in June, and chief digital officer Mark Alsop will take on chief operating officer duties alongside his current role from 4 May. Dixons Carphone also [...]
Hipgnosis takes majority stake in Mark Ronson’s publishing catalogue April 23, 2020 Music royalties investment firm Hipgnosis today said it has acquired the majority of the publishing catalogue of prolific songwriter and producer Mark Ronson. Hipgnosis has taken control of 70 per cent of the 315-song portfolio, which includes more than 83 number one hits and two songs that have been streamed more than 1bn times on [...]
Hiscox warns of $175m coronavirus insurance hit April 22, 2020 Insurer Hiscox has anticipated paying out up to $175m (£142m) in coronavirus insurance claims arising from restrictions on travel and mass gatherings. The insurer faces a $150m bill if travel restrictions and social distancing measures remain in place for six months from March. And that insurance sum could rise by another $25m if coronavirus restrictions [...]
Why has Donald Trump done much better than Europeans expected — again? November 4, 2020 As was the case four years ago, most media outlets in Europe have been predicting a massive victory for the Democrats. Now the election results are much tighter than expected. Why? Well, among lots of Europeans it was the wish for an overwhelming victory for Joe Biden that shaped the narrative. The majority of western [...]
Fintech review flags sector’s status as one to watch August 3, 2020 Six figures from the business world have set sail on a six-month voyage to investigate and recommend priorities for the financial technology sector. Ron Kalifa is helmsman of the ‘Fintech Strategic Review’, announced in March’s Budget but – until now – stuck in the harbour as the coronavirus pandemic took hold. Sherry Coutu, Anne Glover, [...]
Can the government hit the targets in its 10 point climate plan? November 18, 2020 Last night Boris Johnson unveiled his much-touted 10 point plan to drive a “green industrial revolution” in the UK, creating 250,000 jobs in the process. Featuring commitments in sectors such as heating, wind power, nuclear energy, hydrogen and electric vehicles, it has been largely positively received by industry. However, some are concerned that some areas [...]
Marston’s sells off 137 pubs for £45m as it looks to slash debt pile November 4, 2019 Marston’s has offloaded 137 pubs to Admiral Taverns in a deal worth almost £45m. As part of a plan to slash its debt by £200m over the next four years, the British brewery giant has sold a portfolio of pubs that contributed operating profit of £3.7m in the last 12 months. Read more: Pubs cash [...]
Jack ‘Neutron’ Welch, chief executive of General Electric, dies age 84 March 2, 2020 Jack Welch, the architect of General Electric’s (GE) rise to becoming at one time the most valuable company in the US, has died aged 84, the firm has announced. Over the course of his two decades as chief executive of the industrial giant, Welch grew the firm’s market value from $12bn to $410bn, expanding General [...]
Baby alligators and Everglades – it’s Florida baby! January 22, 2021 To tide us over until we’re able to travel again, we’re republishing classic travel stories from our archives. This week we revisit Simon Thomson’s trip to Florida destination Fort Lauderdale. ••• Florida has a fearsome reputation for hurricanes, alligators and hanging chads, but in this vast sea of crazy, there is an island of tranquility. [...]