Hiring grows as firms gain confidence in recovery June 5, 2012 EMPLOYMENT prospects are improving across the UK, according to Reed’s job index published today, as firms become gradually more confident about their own futures. New vacancies increased 17 per cent in the year to May, and five per cent compared with April. That pushed the index up to 141 – up from 134 in April [...]
Finance bosses see salaries rise June 5, 2012 FINANCE directors saw their salaries rise and bonuses soar in the last financial year, according to data out today from Income Data Services (IDS), against the backdrop of the “shareholder spring” and increased owner-activism over remuneration. The average finance director at a FTSE 100 firm saw their salary rise by four per cent and total [...]
Surprise jump in City jobs despite crisis June 5, 2012 THE NUMBER of new City jobs created hit a nine-month high in May, recruitment industry data showed this week, raising hopes that the financial services industry is shrugging off the worst effects of the resurgent crisis in the Eurozone. Astbury Marsden figures show that 4,320 jobs were created in the City last month, a 25 [...]
Office demand shows glimpse of a recovery June 5, 2012 DEMAND for office space in central London has risen to its highest level since 2009, as a pick up in occupier interest began to catch up with the continuing shortage of supply. Figures from property consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) show that registered demand from potential tenants increased by over 12 per cent over the [...]
HMRC disputes backlog grows as new tax complaints soar June 5, 2012 DISPUTES between taxpayers and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) hit a record high in the final quarter of 2011, according to new data out today, as the agency struggles to deal with a growing backlog of tribunal cases. The three-month period saw 3,400 new cases – a quarterly high taking the year’s total to 11,000, [...]
City joins in with Jubilee pageant festivities June 5, 2012 THE DUST had barely settled and coffee machines had hardly cooled when City workers flocked back to their desks on Sunday to get a better – and drier – view of the Jubilee river pageant. Insurance firm Aspen were one of such group of revellers, hosting a party for more than 100 staff and family [...]
William Hill cheers Spain rules June 5, 2012 BETTING group William Hill welcomed Spain’s new gambling laws and licences yesterday, saying the plans to tax gaming firms “will be beneficial for all” as the industry expands. Cash-strapped Spain hopes to raise money by taxing firms 25 per cent of their gross gaming revenue, having already raised €70m (£56.7m) by collecting back-taxes in recent [...]
GYM GROUP SWEATS OUT RECORD REVENUES June 5, 2012 The Gym Group, the low cost gym, has grown annual turnover by 88 per cent to £13.5m in what it said was an “outstanding” year. Chief executive John Treharne said membership at its gyms rose 67 per cent to 96,000. With six new sites now open, The Gym Group expects 35 centres to be open [...]
CITY MOVES WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS June 5, 2012 VAT Consultancy The VAT and customs duty advice firm has appointed Julie Park (right) as its new managing director, responsible for the daily running of the business and corporate expansion. Park is a former director at Deloitte and will work alongside VAT director Steve McIntyre. RSM Tenon Tim Ingram has been appointed as chairman at [...]
BEST of the BROKERS June 5, 2012 JOHNSON MATTHEY Deutsche Bank rates the chemicals group “buy” with a target price of £24.50. The broker expects good second-half results when the firm reports tomorrow, with a 14 per cent rise in pre-tax profit driven by higher demand for automotive products and precious metals. NEXT Nomura rates the high street retailer “buy” and has [...]