PwC global chair says firm ‘cannot rest on laurels’ as global revenues pass $40bn October 2, 2018 The global chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has said audit remains “at the heart of what we do”, after global revenues at the professional services giant rose above $40bn (£30.66bn) for the first time despite a series of accounting scandals. Total revenue across PwC’s international network of firms hit $41.3bn, a seven per cent rise in [...]
Manchester United’s new YouTube channel highlights platform’s influence on football February 22, 2018 Such was the hype surrounding big tech’s supposed interest in acquiring live Premier League broadcast rights that YouTube’s name was inevitably thrown into the mix alongside Sky and BT as a potential bidder in the current auction. Yet Google’s online video behemoth was never interested. Why would they be? As demonstrated by Manchester United’s migration [...]
Livingstone Holdings, a software business which actually manages other businesses’ software usage, has just been bought by Carlyle for £50m June 4, 2018 Private equity giant Carlyle has today scooped up software company Livingstone Holdings, in a deal worth around £50m. Livingstone, whose customers include the likes of BT, Argos and UBS, focuses on managing how businesses purchase and use software. It covers all major vendors of software, and works with companies to find whether they are over- [...]
Premier League TV rights packages booted into long grass amid “cut-price” concerns March 7, 2018 The Premier League has booted a decision on unsold TV rights packages into next month, as it faces being forced to accept a “cut-price deal” for the remaining 40 games. Sky and BT Sport snapped up five of seven packages on offer for a total of £4.5bn in mid-February. But the remaining two sets of [...]
Zurich completes deal to cover more than £2bn of National Grid pension liabilities May 15, 2018 Zurich has agreed a longevity swap of more than £2bn of pension liabilities from the National Grid in its Electricity Supply Pension Scheme. The insurance agency said the transaction would protect National Grid against “risk of rising costs” that have come about from 6,000 pensioners and future dependant members living longer than expected. It will [...]
Pullman Hotels: Designed for your world September 20, 2018 Pullman Hotels & Resorts believe a new kind of traveller needs a new kind of hotel. A place right in the heart of the city in the world’s most exciting destinations. Where intrepid adventurers, global nomads and seasoned travellers can get to work… and relax and play. Where they can be inspired by a [...]
Big Four firm KPMG has been slammed by Britain’s accountancy watchdog June 18, 2018 Big four accountancy firm KPMG was slammed this afternoon for the “unacceptable deterioration” in the quality of its audit work. The industry’s watchdog, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), said the firm, which audited Carillion before its collapse in January, will now face increased scrutiny. Half of KPMG’s FTSE 350 audits are “in need of more [...]
BT’s accounting black hole to be investigated by Italian prosecutors January 25, 2017 Italian prosecutors have launched an investigation into BT’s £530m accounting black hole, according to reports. The scale of the scandal today wiped £7bn off the telecom giant’s market capitalisation. BT’s shares fell over 20 per cent yesterday, closing at 303p. And after markets closed, Reuters cited two sources saying Milan prosecutors have started a probe into the [...]
Sky share price rises above takeover offer: English Premier League victory could see Rupert Murdoch bowing out just at the right time February 15, 2018 Investors were clearly happy with Sky’s Tuesday night Premier League result, pushing the company’s shares to nearly £11 a pop during yesterday’s trading. The broadcasting giant’s stock eventually ended the day 7p higher than the £10.75 a share tabled by Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox. With the majority of Premier League TV rights decided, Sky [...]
Overseas matches, disruptive broadcast deals and a global network of delegates: how La Liga is trying to close the gap to the Premier League October 25, 2018 You may have noticed Spanish football in the headlines lately – and not only because this weekend sees the latest instalment of its biggest game, El Clasico, between Barcelona and Real Madrid. La Liga, the organisation that represents Barca, Madrid and the other 40 clubs that make up Spain’s top two divisions, and their straight-talking [...]