Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal faces first of three crucial days October 22, 2019 Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal will face its first parliamentary hurdle today with the PM facing a tough battle to deliver his promise to take the UK out of the EU by 31 October. Johnson is attempting to push through the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, which was published last night, in just three days. Read [...]
Travis Perkins halts sale of plumbing and heating unit amid ‘unprecedented’ uncertainty October 22, 2019 Travis Perkins has put the sale of its plumbing and heating business on hold due to an “unprecedented level of uncertainty” in the market. The building materials distributor had decided to tell the unit last December in a bid to simplify and cut costs. Read more: Travis Perkins confirms plans to demerge Wickes But the [...]
On the Beach swoops in for Thomas Cook market share after collapse October 22, 2019 Package holiday firm On the Beach has jumped at the opportunity created by the collapse of Thomas Cook, it said today, nudging shares up in early trading. The London-listed firm said the failure of the 178-year-old travel giant has “created an unprecedented opportunity to take additional market share at an increased rate”. Read more: Thomas [...]
Reckitt Benckiser issues second profit warning of the year amid slump in flu medicine sales October 22, 2019 Household goods producer Reckitt Benckiser has slashed its sales forecast for the second time this year, blaming a drought in retail orders of seasonal products as it adapts to life under a new chief executive. Shares fell five per cent in early trading as the firm, which makes Durex condoms and Lysol disinfectant, said it [...]
Canada election: Justin Trudeau forced to form minority government October 22, 2019 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has retained power but must form a minority government after only just winning the Canada election. Trudeau’s Liberal Party must now rely on a smaller left-wing ally to govern after a campaign in which scandals beset the politician, including an old photo in which he wore blackface. Read more: Why [...]
Shard Times at the Shangri-La October 22, 2019 The Shangri-La hotel at the top of the Shard has revealed it booked a £56.2m pre-tax loss last year, driven by an impairment charge from writing down the value of its assets following years of weak results. Occupying floors 34 to 52 of the Shard, it is the tallest hotel in western Europe and swung [...]
Buzzfeed and Gousto investors back London media AI startup October 22, 2019 A London artificial intelligence (AI) startup has today closed a $25m (£19.2m) funding round to help businesses better track their competition. Signal AI’s series C round was led by Redline Ventures, and supported by the venture arm of publishing giant Hearst. Other investors included Gousto backer MMC Ventures, and GMG Ventures which counts the owner [...]
Imposter syndrome is a big problem – here’s how to tackle it October 22, 2019 Ever been overwhelmed by self-doubt at work? Fearful of being exposed as a fraud, inadequate, or a failure – despite evidence proving the opposite? You are not alone. Many of us occasionally experience a feeling of being an imposter at work – downplaying our abilities with a sense that we’re not quite good enough. Starting [...]
It’s not modern alchemy, carbon capture is a key weapon in the fight against climate change October 22, 2019 While the protesters may have gone for now, the memory of the Extinction Rebellion demonstrations across London lives on. Their presence amid the bracing weather over the past two weeks serves as a fitting testament to the growing public demand that climate change must be addressed. Spurred by public opinion, businesses worldwide are seeking to [...]
Bottom third of banks facing ‘do or die’ moment, report warns October 22, 2019 More than a third of banks across the world must merge with rivals or radically restructure in order to survive any future downturn, according to a new report out this morning. Flattening yield curves, weakening consumer confidence and slowing growth in volumes and top-line revenues all pose a “do or die” moment for a large [...]