Moore Stephens partner says it is ready to take on FTSE audits as revenues grow for third year October 5, 2018 The managing partner of Moore Stephens, the UK’s ninth-biggest accountancy firm, has said the company is “well-positioned” to pick up FTSE-listed clients, as it announced revenue growth for the third consecutive year. The professional services firm’s UK operation posted revenue of £137.5m in the year to April, a 13 per cent rise on the year [...]
Editor’s Notes: A subversive Brexit comedy? It’s about bloody time; art’s in the right place and Conservative party conference diary October 5, 2018 Whenever Brexit is introduced as a subject for comedy, it is invariably the Remainers laughing at the Leavers. I don't say this to make a populist point, it is simply an observation. Think of Radio 4 comedy, BBC panel shows and the stand-up circuit. It’s risk-free to be a Remainer – and laughing at the Leavers, [...]
Unilever’s board has now lost the Lynx effect with UK investors, a new era for spin city and a hand from above October 5, 2018 How ironic that one of the world’s great consumer marketing machines – responsible for brands like Lynx, Persil and Magnum – should be making such a hash of a sales pitch to its own investors. Unilever’s insistence that it remains “confident” of winning this month’s vote to scrap its British headquarters sounds more strained by the [...]
A lesson in language: Apps will not make you a good writer October 4, 2018 In the past year, I have witnessed an unfortunate proliferation of language apps: those that correct your spelling, grammar and style, and claim to make you a better writer. I’ve tested a few, and here is my considered advice: avoid. Apart from their obvious redundancy – Microsoft has been doing this for 20 years – the [...]
Hipsters rejoice! ‘Bold’ Brewdog beer buyers can bring Bitcoin to buy beverages by banks October 4, 2018 Beer- and Bitcoin-lovers who dedicate themselves to “breaking the status quo” have reason to celebrate, after hipster-friendly beer-makers Brewdog announced their new Canary Wharf branch will accept Bitcoin. Brewdog Canary Wharf, which opens later this month, will accept the cryptocurrency. The first 100 keen IPA fans through the door at noon on 19 October will [...]
HMRC chief slammed by MPs for not telling 100,000 firms how to prepare for ‘no deal’ Brexit October 4, 2018 The UK's chief taxman has been slated by MPs for failing to tell 100,000 small businesses how to prepare for a 'no deal' Brexit. Jon Thompson, chief executive of HMRC, was given a dressing down in a letter from parliament's Public Accounts Committee, which was made public today. Committee chair Meg Hillier said she was [...]
Here’s how to capitalise on the freelance revolution October 4, 2018 By 2020, half of the UK’s workforce will be freelance. It’s a staggering shift. Or is it? We shouldn’t actually be that surprised, as we’re at the start of the next work revolution. Employee disenchantment with the corporate lifestyle – marked by long and stressful days, poor work-life balance, and salaries not keeping pace with [...]
Smiths Group boosts its heating and ventilation arm with deal for US-based Airbus supplier October 4, 2018 Smiths Group will buy US engineering firm United Flexible to boost its heating and ventilation arm, the company said Thursday. The deal values the Airbus supplier at $345m (£265m), which the British engineering group will pay through a mix of cash and bank loans. Read more: The clock’s ticking for Smiths to shape its destiny [...]
EU regulator calls for access to UK deal insurers in event of hard Brexit October 4, 2018 The chair of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has called for measures which would allow EU firms to access clearing houses based in the UK in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Clearing houses (CCPs), which have becoming an increasingly integral part of dealmaking, are insurers which balance risk between the sellers and [...]
Travelodge targets conferences centre attendees in £100m push to open new business-friendly hotels across the UK October 4, 2018 Travelodge is set to invest £100m in establishing new hotels aimed at the UK’s growing conference sector. The budget hotel chain said it would add 10 hotels close to conference centres to its portfolio. Read more: EU to decide on Radisson hotels sale to Jin Jiang in November It is targeting three locations in London and [...]