London house prices: Galliard is about to launch homes just for first-time buyers – and expects queues and “rapid sales” April 25, 2016 We all know how tough it is for first-time buyers to get a foot on the ladder, with recent estimates suggesting Londoners would need a six-figure salary to buy a home by 2020. So perhaps Galliard Homes is right to predict "queues and rapid sales" for its latest scheme The Landmark, which is being touted [...]
UK housing crisis: Greenbelt “under siege” as councils earmark land for 275,000 more homes to be built, research claims April 25, 2016 England's Greenbelt will become home to more than a quarter of a million houses, as part of the government's efforts to resolve the UK's housing crisis. Councils have allocated land for 275,000 houses to be built on England's greenbelt – an increase of 50,000 on last year – research published this morning claims. But while some people might [...]
Profits slip but revenues rise, as Sportingbet owners GVC Holdings takes a punt on Bwin April 25, 2016 Shareholders dismissed falling profits at gambling giant GVC Holdings this morning – despite a 39 per cent slide in profits off the back of GVC's acquisition of Bwin. The figures Net gaming revenue – income on punters' wagers minus payouts – climbed by 10 per cent to €248m (£193m) in the year to the end of December. The total amount [...]
Snoozebox chief executive Lorcán Ó Murchú resigns ahead of new review of loss-making firm April 25, 2016 The chief executive of troubled portable hotel group Snoozebox Lorcán Ó Murchú has resigned, ahead of the publication of a review of the loss-making business. Ó Murchú, who had been spearheading a three-year overhaul of the business, has stepped down from the board with immediate effect, though he will "remain available to assist the company" as he hands over [...]
BHS appoints Duff & Phelps administrators, putting 10,000 jobs at risk – but more than 30 bid enquiries have already been made April 25, 2016 More than 30 enquiries to buy BHS out of administration have been made since reports first surfaced that the business was teetering on the brink, City A.M. understands. Managing directors Philip Duffy and Benjamin Wiles were appointed joint administrators of BHS this morning, putting around 10,000 jobs at risk. In a statement Duff & Phelps [...]
EE to create 600 jobs in UK, bringing all customer service roles onshore, as it pledges to fill 4G gaps “to the very edges of the UK” April 25, 2016 Mobile operator EE has announced plans to buck a trend – creating 600 customer service roles onshore, meaning all customer calls will be answered in the UK and Ireland by the end of the year. The move, which comes just weeks after the completion of BT's £12.5bn takeover of the firm, creating the biggest telecoms group in [...]
Don’t let Boaty McBoatface put you off: The lessons to learn around crowdsourcing content April 25, 2016 Unless you were hiding under a rock last week, you will be aware that a certain boat, due to be named Boaty McBoatface, has caught the media’s attention again. In any case, here’s a quick summary of the story so far. In an effort to raise awareness of its new vessel and research work, the Natural Environment [...]
City Moves for 25 March 2016 | Who’s switching jobs April 25, 2016 FARMDROP Former Marks & Spencer head of logistics, Philip Eaves has joined online marketplace, Farmdrop as its first director of supply chain. The appointment coincides with a major product upgrade as the online marketplace launches one-hour slot, seven-day deliveries via its fleet of zero emission electric vans and Farmdroppers. Philip previously headed up logistical development [...]
Warnings over number of interest-only mortgages maturing in 2016 as wave hits April 25, 2016 Up to 20,000 interest-only mortgage holders across the country could be without plans to repay their home loans when they mature this year. As many as 40,000 interest-only mortgages are set to be called in during 2016, kicking off a new wave of maturities expected to run until 2020. The high level of mortgages reaching maturity has sparked [...]
Greater sovereignty or smaller budgets: With polls tight ahead of the EU referendum, what would Brexit mean for the marketing and advertising industries? April 25, 2016 On 23 June, adland will have a tough decision to make – whether to be at a party in Cannes or a polling booth in Britain. It is hard to assess the impact Brexit would have on the marketing and advertising industry, and its outlook on the issue is predictably varied. Firms differ in size, [...]