Are you travelling with the UK’s sorriest train company? December 13, 2016 As travellers commuting to the capital are thwarted by the worst strikes in decades, Southern is certainly the most hated train company right now. But what about the sorriest? And we don't just mean the weary passengers putting up with one thing after another when it comes to disruption. One genius (that name thoroughly deserved, you'll learn) [...]
Chemring parachutes in the man who turned around Avon Rubber as its new finance chief December 13, 2016 Military manufacturer Chemring has secured the services of a permanent finance chief, snatching Andrew Lewis from small-cap engineer Avon Rubber. Lewis will replace interim finance director Andrew Davies, who was babysitting the vacancy left following Steve Bowers' departure this summer to take over the finance reigns at Australian law firm Herbert Smith Freehills. Read more: Fall in [...]
De Beers’ diamond demand sparkles in 10th sales cycle despite slowdown as a result of Indian demonetisation programme December 13, 2016 Anglo American's diamond-producing arm, De Beers, had a sparkling performance in its latest sales cycle as year-on-year growth outshone a slowdown from India's withdrawal of high-value bank notes. In the 10th rough diamond sales cycle of 2016, De Beers provisionally raked in $418m (£331m), 41 per cent more than the $248m it brought in during the same cycle [...]
Watchdog slams firms for not doing enough to help those who slip into debt December 13, 2016 The City watchdog has today warned consumer credit firms could be doing more to help customers who find themselves falling behind on payments. Although the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) noted many businesses had improved their practices since it last looked into how early arrears were handled, there were still areas where more could be done. In [...]
Exxon Mobil chief Rex Tillerson confirmed as Donald Trump’s secretary of state but President-elect delays business interest announcement December 13, 2016 The boss of the world's biggest oil company, Exxon Mobil, has been confirmed as President-elect Donald Trump's secretary of state. Rex Tillerson had been widely tipped for the role as America's top diplomat, though other figures such as former CIA chief David Petraeus and former presidential candidate Mitt Romney had also been considered. Read more: Yet another [...]
Southern strike: The funniest tweets from miserable commuters December 13, 2016 Commuters heaved a collected sigh of misery today as workers on Southern rail kicked off two weeks of strikes. Such is the chaos on the network, bosses at Southern have implored passengers not to travel. But, seeing as most commuters have jobs to get to, many adopted a Blitz spirit and soldiered on through the chaos [...]
Argos drivers are striking on the days before Christmas December 13, 2016 Christmas deliveries are set to be disrupted by Argos drivers, who today announced they will go on strike in the 72 hours up to Christmas over pay disputes, the Unite union said. The drivers, who voted 83 per cent in favour of striking, work for Wincanton based at Argos' flagship national distribution centre. The union said services could be "seriously [...]
Three things you need to know about Rex Tillerson December 13, 2016 Rex Tillerson is officially President-elect Donald Trump's pick for secretary of state, one of the top posts in his team. After one of the favourites for the job, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliana, ruled himself out, it's now Rex W Tillerson who has been named to the job, confirming widespread speculation. Trump himself even teased the speculation [...]
M&S chairman Robert Swannell is leaving December 13, 2016 Marks and Spencer's chairman Robert Swannell is retiring in 2017, the company announced this morning. He will continue in his role until a replacement is found. Vindi Banga, senior independent director at M&S, will be leading the search for a new chairman. Swannell said: “A year ago we chose Steve Rowe as our chief executive. Steve [...]
Post Office workers are striking in the run-up to Christmas: Here’s what you need to know December 13, 2016 Post Office workers said they will strike during the run-up to Christmas, but at least 97 per cent of branches will stay open, the Post Office has said. This is the latest in a string of strikes by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) over disputes on planned changes to workers' pensions. When are the strikes? CWU [...]