Insolvency hits 12-month low as firms thrive September 29, 2013 BUSINESS insolvencies fell in August compared with the same month in 2012, marking 12 months of falling insolvency rates, according to data out today from credit information firm Experian. A total of 1,632 firms failed in the month, down on the 1,723 that failed in August 2012, and the 12th month in a row that [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 30 October 2013 October 29, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Whitehall slow to pay suppliers Ministers are breaching their own rules on paying government suppliers, according to figures seen by the Financial Times. EU rules say departments must pay firms that have supplied them within 30 days. The Ministry of Defence has had to pay £21,000 in the last year because of late [...]
City Matters: Stable and predictable regulation is key to safeguarding the future of finance October 6, 2013 PARTY conference season has typically been a testing period for the City of London – and in particular for the banking industry – over the last few years. Thankfully, however, this year saw the focus shift at least partially away from bankers, as the spotlight turned towards other sectors that are currently public (and political) [...]
Exclusive: Utilities firms to roll out mobile payments via bank app Zapp September 4, 2013 MAJOR utilities firms will this month announce plans for consumers to pay bills using new mobile app Zapp, City A.M. understands, in a new drive to consolidate a fragmented industry. From next summer customers will receive bills with QR codes attached, which they can scan to pay the bills with the app. Zapp, set up by [...]
Population growth is irrelevant: Institutions and incentives matter August 11, 2013 THE UK now has one of the fastest-growing populations in Europe, according to a new report by the Office for National Statistics. In just one year, the population grew by over 400,000 people (to a total of 63.7m), adding the equivalent of a city the size of Bristol. A growing population means growing demand for [...]
Derwent rides the east London tech belt wave August 15, 2013 DERWENT London has snapped up an office block near Old Street’s Silicon Roundabout for £30m as it looks to capitalise on growing demand for space in the area from expanding technology firms. Chief executive John Burns said the 61,000 square feet building at 1 Mark Square in Shoreditch was “right in the hotspot location” in [...]
Business services firm of the year September 10, 2013 In an uncertain economy, companies that are willing to try something different – be that a new management team, an innovative business structure or a better use of technology – are the ones that tend to succeed. This category’s nominees live up to the best of these business services. ODGERS BERNDTSON Some of the biggest [...]
Letters to the editor – 01/08 – Planning laws, volunteering, Best of Twitter July 31, 2013 Planning laws [Re: How hidden taxes and levies are pushing up UK house prices, Monday] This piece is completely correct. But one problem with recent reforms to planning law is that many Tory MPs support coalition policy in Westminster (which is to make building easier), but then ferociously oppose virtually all plans to build locally [...]
WPP subsidiary acquires majority stake in online rival August 19, 2013 Corporate communications agency Addison, a wholly-owned subsidiary of British advertising giant WPP, announced this morning it has acquired a majority stake in Emaxol, the holding company of online rival IR Group (release). IR Group (“The Group”) employs 65 people and specialises in designing, building, hosting and developing corporate websites and digital consulting services. Clients include [...]
The veteran who is back doing deals | City A.M. October 7, 2013 Mike Slade speaks to Kasmira Jefford as he nears 30 years at the helm of property company Helical Bar MY INTERVIEWEE is twenty minutes late when he arrives for our meeting at Helical Bar’s headquarters, tucked away in a quiet street off Mayfair’s Berkeley square. Mike Slade, a tall 67-year-old sweeps in, all apologies (“Darling, [...]