Owned-social networks are replacing Facebook as a way for brands to market to their communities November 27, 2018 Two months ago, I helped Blewbury in Oxfordshire become the first village in the UK to launch its own social network. We were inspired by the MP Matt Hancock, who during his tenure as digital minister launched a social network for his constituency. His decision to call it “Matt Hancock” attracted much media attention. But [...]
A no-deal Brexit might be the best thing for the UK, so argue the contrarians November 27, 2018 The Prime Minister is fighting for her deal. So she should. There is no majority in parliament for a hard Brexit. Nor is the EU likely to grant meaningful concessions at this stage apart from cosmetic tweaking, if that. Labour’s position is to disregard the referendum result by staying in the single market and the [...]
Entrepreneurs should be selective with their investors November 27, 2018 It’s not a secret that London is the fintech capital of Europe. Startups and tech entrepreneurs can flourish here because of the concentration of world-class financial services, and the access available to funding from a variety of key players. However, the nature of investment in tech startups is undergoing a process of significant and positive [...]
BDO’s Paul Eagland on why his firm is Aim-ing for the top November 27, 2018 It’s a bold time to make a merger in the audit sector, but with market reforms and Brexit on the horizon, BDO’s Paul Eagland sees that there can be strength in numbers. Yesterday, the professional services group – currently the sixth-largest in the UK – confirmed it is in “advanced talks” to merge with ninth-place [...]
Ukraine introduces martial law as it warns of possible Russian invasion November 27, 2018 Ukraine has imposed martial law on parts of the country vulnerable to an attack by Russia following the naval clash between the two countries on Sunday. Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko said there was an “extremely serious” threat of a Russian land invasion after Russia injured six Ukrainian sailors at the weekend and seized three of [...]
We want the organ grinder not the monkey, Facebook November 27, 2018 Another day, another scandal. Today, Facebook executive Richard Allan is to appear at a crucial hearing about disinformation and fake news. You know, Richard Allan? The bloke who… isn’t Mark Zuckerberg. Lined up in front of the parliamentary firing squad, Not Zuckerberg is facing a grilling by 22 Members of the International Grand Committee on [...]
Profit leaps at guarantor loans provider Amigo following its London float earlier this year November 27, 2018 Sub prime lender Amigo posted a 40 per cent jump in adjusted profit after tax today in its first results since its London flotation in June. Shares were down 1.15 per cent this morning at 262p, which also marked a dip on their original price of 275p. Revenue grew 40 per cent to £130.1m in [...]
Topps Tiles profits fall as Britain’s biggest tile retailer issues Brexit warning November 27, 2018 Britain's largest tile retailer Topps Tiles reported a fall in profits and said it will stockpile supplies ahead of March next year after issuing a Brexit warning. The figures Topps Tiles said its adjusted profit before tax dropped 14 per cent to £16m for the year ending 30 September from £18.6m the previous year due [...]
Star baker: Greggs shares soar as sales grow ahead of expectations November 27, 2018 Shares in Greggs soared more than 15 per cent this morning on the news that total sales had grown nine per cent since the beginning of October. The high street bakery chain expects full-year profit before tax to be at least £86m, it announced today in a trading update. Like-for-like sales in company-managed stores were up [...]
Pets at Home profits crash as restructuring costs mount November 27, 2018 Pet care veterinary and retail chain Pets at Home has seen its profits fall dramatically over the last six months, as the business struggled with rising costs from restructuring in a difficult retail climate. Its share price fell by as much as 4.8 per cent in early trading. The figures Overall group revenue rose 6.7 per [...]