Persimmon boss picked pub for first big purchase after £40m bonus November 18, 2018 Persimmon’s new boss spent almost £800,000 on a pub in his hometown as his first big personal purchase after receiving a £40m bonus this year. Dave Jenkinson became the housebuilder’s interim chief executive last week after former boss Jeff Fairburn was forced out amid a furore over his £75m bumper bonus. Jenkinson bought Shambles in Morpeth, [...]
Shareholder slams Johnston Press rescue plan as pensions put at risk November 18, 2018 A deal to buy publishing company Johnston Press out of administration puts jobs and pensions at risk, according to the publisher’s largest shareholder. Custos Group chief executive Christen Ager-Hanssen criticised a pre-packaged sale that sees ownership transferred to JPI Media, a newly-formed company owned by the bondholders of Johnston Press, including American hedge fund Goldentree [...]
Ineos confirms talks to buy £2.3bn North Sea oil fields from Conoco Phillips November 18, 2018 Ineos has confirmed it is negotiating to buy several North Sea oil fields from US energy giant Conoco Phillips. The Sunday Times, which first reported the story, said the two were in exclusive talks over North Sea oil and gas fields, valued at up to $3bn (£2.3bn). Ineos told City AM that it has opened discussions [...]
Competition and Markets Authority launches probe into bond market November 18, 2018 The UK’s competition watchdog has launched an investigation into a suspected financial services cartel in the bond market. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said on Friday that it had launched a probe into alleged anti-competitive activity under Chapter One of the Competition Act 1998, which addresses price fixing and attempts to control markets. The [...]
Easyjet profits set to soar after capitalising on Monarch collapse November 18, 2018 Easyjet is set to report soaring profits for the year after capitalising on the collapse of rivals Monarch and Air Berlin. The low-cost airline is expected to report full-year pre-tax profit of between £570-580m, in the upper half of its previous guidance and up from £385m the previous year, and revenue of £5.9bn. The carrier has [...]
London-bound: Canadian gas explorer Valeura looks to UK for second listing November 18, 2018 A Canadian oil and gas company is exploring a second listing in London as it tries to capitalise on strong interest from UK investors. Valeura Energy, which produces petroleum and natural gas in Turkey, said a UK listing would allow more investors to trade its shares and help put it alongside international peers. The company is [...]
Two-year university degree plans to cut cost of tuition fees November 18, 2018 University students will save money on their degrees and enter the workplace sooner thanks to plans to roll out two-year courses, the Minister for Universities said today. The Department for Education said shorter university courses, also known as accelerated degrees, will be a boost both for students in higher education and for businesses looking to [...]
Business leaders call on May to honour mental health manifesto pledge November 18, 2018 A group of British business leaders have called for the Prime Minister to follow through her manifesto promise to “transform how mental health is regarded in the workplace” through updated health and safety regulations. An open letter to Theresa May with over 50 signatories from major businesses – including senior figures from Royal Mail, PricewaterhouseCoopers, WH Smith, Direct Line [...]
Dominic Raab insists he still backs May – but refuses to rule out running for Tory leadership November 18, 2018 Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab had said he would back Theresa May in a potential leadership challenge despite resigning over her draft withdrawal agreement. Raab insisted he still supports May and would back her in any potential leadership challenge against her. "I will support this Prime Minister and I want her to get this right," he [...]
Theresa May defends Brexit deal as threats of leadership challenge mount November 18, 2018 Theresa May appeared defiant this morning, saying she had not considered giving up her leadership despite enduring a tough week of negotiating with the EU on the withdrawal agreement. In her first TV interview since announcing a Brexit deal had been reached, May said that while the past week had been "tough", she had not [...]