In the market for disruption: SapientNitro chief executive Nigel Vaz on consumer expectations October 25, 2015 Most disruptive companies have certain characteristics in common. They adapt constantly to stay ahead of the curve, they are dedicated to digital and deliver excellent customer service. Nigel Vaz, global chief strategy officer and European chief executive of SapientNitro, likens such businesses to gryphons – mythical hybrids with the wings of an eagle and the [...]
Lessons from 007: There’s an unlikely relationship between James Bond and business October 25, 2015 As Spectre hits the big screens this week, many will be looking out for the hallmark gadgets of the Bond films – the exploding pen, the hidden microphone or the mini-rocket cigarette that gets 007 out of many a tight corner on his missions. Bond always manages to extricate himself from sticky situations that [...]
Sugar tax debate: Sainsbury’s ready meal contains more sugar than a can of Coca Cola, reveals Public Health England October 25, 2015 Who says you can't have too much of a good thing? Well, some supermarket ready meals contain almost twice as much sugar as those often-vilified cans of fizzy drinks. Sainsbury's crispy sweet and sour chicken, is the worst offender, with 61.2g of sugar in a 400g serving, which is the equivalent to almost 13 teaspoons. [...]
UK smugglers’ gold jewellery could fetch £2.5m at action next week in Belfast October 25, 2015 Almost 150 kilos of smuggled gold jewellery, worth more than £2.5m, is set to be auctioned off next week. HMRC seized the loot in 2012 from a gang trying to smuggle it into the UK, as part of a £9m plot. The haul includes Asian gold rings, bangles and necklaces, along with a statue and [...]
Low oil prices mean Saudi Arabia could run out of money in five years October 25, 2015 Saudi Arabia could run out of cash in the next five years if oil prices stay as low as $50 a barrel. The painful effects of the tumbling oil price are starting to be felt in one of the world’s major oil producers, which is also the leader of Opec, Saudi Arabia, along with Oman and [...]
Toronto mayor John Tory falls in love with London’s Docklands on visit October 25, 2015 Perhaps it isn’t news that a conservative that goes by the name of “Tory” took a shine to Canary Wharf this weekend, but one conservative Canadian’s sheer jubilation at the sight of a Tube map was just too good not to share. Following the Canadian general election, which saw the country’s Liberal party swan into office [...]
UK steel crisis: Industry leaders to be grilled by MPs after Tata Steel and SSI closures October 25, 2015 The extent of the crisis that has engulfed Britain’s steel industry will be laid bare tomorrow when business ministers and industry figures are questioned by a committee of MPs. The Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) select committee hearing, set for tomorrow afternoon, will address the problems of cheap steel from China, rising energy costs, and [...]
Politicians beware: 41 per cent of Londoners wouldn’t vote for a candidate who tried to ban Uber October 25, 2015 A new survey of Londoners has found that 41 per cent would be less likely to vote for a politician who tried to ban Uber, and two-thirds think Transport for London shouldn't have a say on how the car-hire app operates. The poll, conducted by Populus for Uber, is in response to recent TfL proposals, [...]
Bar Standards Board reveals concerns around diversity at barristers’ chambers October 25, 2015 Diversity at barristers’ chambers is improving but there are still some concerning areas, a Bar Standards Board (BSB) report has revealed. The report on 170 high impact chambers, which are those where it would be serious if something went wrong, said that while many showed a “real desire” to encourage greater diversity, the number of [...]
Business groups warn that UK gender pay gap can’t be eradicated with “box-ticking” October 25, 2015 The government has announced new requirements for big businesses aimed at getting rid of the gender pay gap “in a generation”. Under new rules set out by Prime Minister David Cameron and equalities minister Nicky Morgan yesterday, large employers will now be required to publish information about bonuses paid to men and women as part [...]