The US midterms show that mixing politics and advertising makes a volatile concoction November 5, 2018 The US midterm elections tomorrow are set to be a significant milestone. With record voter attendance expected and the structural balance of Congress at stake, these midterms will either reduce Donald Trump’s power, or give him a mandate to pursue his political goals. It is of no surprise then, with so much on the line, [...]
Made in Britain: The entrepreneur helping UK firms realise their exporting ambitions in Asia November 5, 2018 I am at the National Liberal Club in London. Everything about this place – from the smoking room to the 1915 portrait of Winston Churchill – screams old-world British at me. And there’s nothing coincidental about Siddharth Shankar’s choice of meeting place. Surrounded by empty chesterfield sofas, Shankar seems to be in his element – [...]
UK services sector suffers worst month since March as optimism hits lowest ebb since July 2016 November 5, 2018 The UK services sector had its worst month since March last month as optimism faded to its lowest since the aftermath of the EU referendum. Service providers signalled the weakest expansion of the sector since the snow-hit month of March and the weakest upturn in new work since July 2016, according to the closely-followed IHS Markit/CIPS purchasing managers’ index [...]
Employers prepare to hand 180,000 workers a pay rise as real living wage increases November 5, 2018 Over a third of FTSE 100 companies are set to hand workers a pay rise this week as the real living wage rises to £9 an hour, an increase of 25p on the hourly rate. At least 180,000 staff and sub-contractors will receive the salary boost, which in London will rise by 35p to £10.55 an hour. The [...]
Hiscox premiums grow but insurer predicts slower end to the year November 5, 2018 Global insurer Hiscox increased written premiums in the third quarter but warned growth could slow towards the end of the year. The figures Gross written premiums, for the nine months to September was $3.04bn (£2.34bn), a 14 per cent increase on the same period in 2017. The company's investment returns was $44m, down from $83m [...]
Winter is coming, let the chill of change work to your advantage November 5, 2018 Winter is coming, to borrow the oft-quoted phrase from Game of Thrones. We all know what it feels like: shorter days, darkness abounds, chilled to your bones. Pull up the duvet and prepare for hibernation. But awake, Britain – throw open the doors of your toasty warm Hobbit-holes and allow the chilly gusts of reality [...]
DEBATE: Will Ikea’s new small store format in urban centres help save the high street? November 5, 2018 Will Ikea’s new small store format in urban centres help save the high street? Adrian Moorhouse, managing director of Lane4, says YES. Ikea’s experiment with smaller city centre stores is a great example of a brand evolving to stay connected to its customers, by accommodating the changing ways in which people both live and shop. As a lot [...]
Our once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure that the City is fit for the future November 5, 2018 Firms across the Square Mile have had to spend a disproportionate amount of time recently planning for the short term. With less than five months to go before the UK leaves the European Union, it is right that businesses urgently prepare for all possible outcomes, including a possible no-deal scenario. There are many pressing issues [...]
Governmental failure has left millions of Nigerians in the dark November 5, 2018 Government is, as former President Barack Obama pointed out, just that name for what we do together. Unfortunately, in some of the poorer parts of the world, it’s really the name for what does not get done at all. Nigeria is a prime example. It is a large oil producer with plentiful resources. It is [...]
More than 350 jobs lost as Crawshaw Group enters administration and shutters 35 stores November 5, 2018 More than 350 jobs will be lost after Crawshaw Group shutters 35 stores and a distribution centre, it was revealed this morning, as the butchers announced it has appointed administrators. Administrators from EY have been hired to sell off the listed firm’s assets over the next few weeks, and a total of 354 workers have been made [...]