Skills gap grows and threatens UK productivity September 28, 2015 UK employers are facing even greater skills shortages and rising wage pressures, according to a new report from global recruiters Hays. Since 2012, the UK’s talent mismatch level – the gap between the skills people can offer and those employers are looking for – has increased every year. The UK now has a talent mismatch [...]
EU referendum: Fast-growing UK firms want to remain in the European Union and say Brexit will negatively impact their business September 28, 2015 High-growth companies are overwhelmingly in favour of Britain remaining in the European Union, according to a poll out yesterday. ECI Partners, a private equity firm, polled more than 300 fast-growing British firms over the summer, finding that nine out of 10 want the UK to remain in the EU. Just over half said [...]
Better to climb the ladder in work than find a new job as average UK salary has dropped 3.3 per cent in 2015 September 28, 2015 Hate your boss? It might still be better to stay put, as new data reveal the average UK advertised salary has dropped 3.3 per cent this year to £33,318. Figures from jobs database Adzuna, show that while advertised salaries have slipped, wages for those in work have risen more than 2.9 per cent. [...]
Year of growth at financial services firm Smith & Williamson September 28, 2015 Financial services firm Smith & Williamson yesterday reported robust results for the year ending 30 April. It said that it had seen an eight per cent rise in group operating income to £215.1m, from £ 199.1m in 2014. There had also been a 14.2 per cent rise in adjusted operating profit, to £41.1m from £36m a [...]
Diversity on executive boards: Better for business September 28, 2015 Diversity on executive boards can help companies to outperform firms with all-male leaderships, according to new research from Grant Thornton. A study by the group estimates that the opportunity cost, in terms of lower returns on assets, for companies with male-only boards was £430bn in 2014. The report, Women in business: the value of diversity, [...]
Bob Geldof’s old production firm Ten Alps remains in the red September 28, 2015 Media company Ten Alps reported preliminary pre-tax losses of £1.32m, on the back of falling revenues. Revenues for the 12 months to 30 June dropped in line with expectations, from £29.45m to £20.47m, while net debt rose to £7.1m from £5.87 the year before. The company produces mainly factual TV shows, including reports for Panorama; [...]
Standard Life in bid to woo new investors September 28, 2015 STANDARD Life yesterday announced it is to invest in a £165m portfolio of 22 UK commercial properties in a bid to diversify its shareholder base. The company said it would raise up to £75m in debt to fund the cash purchase, and was already in discussion with potential lenders. The remaining cash would be provided [...]
City Moves for 29 September 2015 | Who’s switching jobs September 28, 2015 DEARMAN The technology company has hired Joanne Spick as its new chief financial officer (CFO). She was previously CFO and acting chief executive of the Dylan Group, the specialist steel products firm. She has worked for blue chip companies across the UK and Europe, including ICI, Menzies Aviation and GdF Suez. ARBUTHNOT LATHAM The private [...]
Insurance survey shows firms lack tech knowledge September 28, 2015 Insurance firms are upbeat about the sector, but may not be fully aware of the implications that FinTech developments hold for them, according to research from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and PwC. The set of data reveals that all sectors continue to expect to increase spending on information technology – the most common [...]
Donald Trump Halloween wigs have sold out September 28, 2015 PRESIDENTIAL wannabe Donald Trump may have fallen in the opinion polls, but there is one place where his star is still rising – which is mainly down to his famous hair. It seems US shoppers are tapping up Trump for Halloween inspiration, with retailers reporting that wigs inspired by the businessman, Apprentice host and potential [...]