Crest Nicholson defends CEO Stephen Stone’s new role as some shareholders rebel March 22, 2018 Housebuilder Crest Nicholson defended its CEO’s new role as a chunk of shareholders voted against the proposal at its AGM. The vote passed a motion to re-elect Stephen Stone in a new role as executive chairman for one year, followed by two years as a non-executive director. But almost 10 per cent of shareholder withheld [...]
Provident Financial share price yo-yos after investors rubber-stamp £300m rights issue March 22, 2018 Provident Financial shares appeared to lurch widely today after the doorstep lender’s rights issue was yesterday rubber-stamped by investors. The firm revealed plans for a £300m rights issue at the end of last month. Yesterday the Bradford-based lender called an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to vote on the fundraising. It was supported by 99.93 per [...]
Network Rail’s rollout of free drinking water across London train stations has just started with Charing Cross March 22, 2018 The first of Network Rail’s free water fountains has been set up at a London station as part of its efforts to slash the impact of plastic waste. Today, Charing Cross was the first to get a water fountain, with plans for Victoria, London Bridge and Cannon Street to follow within a year. Charing Cross [...]
Hollywood’s Michael Sheen warned home credit crusade could force millions of Brits into the hands of illegal loan sharks March 22, 2018 Britain’s second-biggest sub-prime lender today hit back at Welsh Hollywood star Michael Sheen and his crusade to clamp down on the home credit sector. The End High Cost Credit Alliance, founded by the star of Alice in Wonderland and the Twilight Saga, is campaigning for “a fair, affordable credit product”. High cost credit is unfairly [...]
Bank of England policymakers split on rate hike: Here’s how the City reacted March 22, 2018 Sterling spiked in the aftermath of the Bank of England’s decision to keep interest rates steady today, as two members of the monetary policy committee (MPC) dissented in favour of hiking rates immediately. The pound hit $1.422 just after midday, as the Committee hinted strongly that a rate hike would come in May. Here’s what [...]
Russian ambassador: UK is in breach of Vienna Convention for blocking access to Skripals March 22, 2018 The Russian ambassador to the UK has implied the British authorities may have been behind the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, adding the country is in breach of the Vienna Convention for blocking access to “our compatriot”. Speaking from London this afternoon, Alexander Yakovenko claimed it was suspicious that the UK had [...]
Land Rover will build just 999 of its new Range Rover SV Coupe and even a £240,000 price tag isn’t stopping people queuing up to buy it March 22, 2018 The Range Rover SV Coupe, revealed at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show, is billed as the fastest and most exclusive car ever launched by the Solihull firm. With prices starting from £240,000, it’s certainly the most expensive. Developed by the company’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) bespoke division, just 999 will be made, each using [...]
Pound rises as Bank of England policymakers vote 7-2 to hold interest rates, but hint at a May hike (GBP USD EUR) March 22, 2018 The Bank of England’s monetary policy committee (MPC) has voted to hold interest rates at 0.5 per cent, but has hinted a hike may be on the horizon. Policymakers agreed 7-2 to keep rates steady, saying that Brexit developments and the reaction of households, businesses and asset prices to these developments “remain the most significant [...]
Donald Trump defends congratulating Putin on election after it emerges he ignored aides’ demand not to; Jean-Claude Juncker defends own letter March 22, 2018 US President Donald Trump has defended his move to congratulate Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, after it emerged he ignored explicit instructions not to. In a series of late-night tweets, Trump insisted he was right to have offered his congratulations, concluding with the sign off “Peace through Strength”. He was responding to reports that claim he [...]
Philip Hammond unveils string of measures to bolster growing fintech industry | City A.M. March 22, 2018 Philip Hammond has unveiled a new fintech strategy as the government looks to bolster the growing sector ahead of Brexit. The chancellor this morning unveiled a string of measures, including a move towards automating regulatory compliance which he said would help by “reducing costs for financial services firms and removing a key barrier for fintechs”. [...]