Businesses can lead the digital upskilling revolution from their own backyards September 11, 2019 There is much that business is uncertain about at present, but not the accelerating pace of automation, disruption, and the need to improve digital skills. Barely a week goes by without the publication of new research on the rise of the robots. Recent PwC analysis, for example, predicts that 30 per cent of jobs are [...]
Watch out fiscal conservatives – the mood has shifted and the spending taps are on September 11, 2019 The Autumn Spending Review announced by the chancellor Sajid Javid barely raised a ripple last week. Yet the increase planned in 2020/21 for what the Treasury calls “day-to-day departmental spending” is the highest for 15 years, no less than 4.1 per cent in real terms. This spending pays the running costs of public services, the [...]
City Moves for 11 September – Who’s switching jobs at Ovo Energy, RPC and Axiom Stone? September 11, 2019 Today’s City Moves includes Ovo Energy, RPC and Axiom Stone. Ovo Energy Independent energy provider Ovo Energy has appointed David Allison (pictured) and Rich Jones as technology director and product director, respectively. David joins following nine years at Hotels.com, where he was the senior director, technology. In his new role at Ovo, David will lead [...]
Ranked: The UK’s fastest growing companies for brand value September 11, 2019 Deliveroo, Costa Coffee and Brewdog are growing in value faster than any other UK brands, according to a survey published today. The food delivery app topped the list, increasing its value 54 per cent to $1.4bn (£1.1bn), while coffee chain Costa jumped 48 per cent to $1.5bn, boosted by its takeover by Coca Cola. Read [...]
Government unveils scheme to keep foreign students in Britain September 10, 2019 The government will today reveal new plans allowing international students to stay in the UK for two years after they finish their course. The initiative let graduates work, or look for work, at any skill level. Business groups have been calling for the move as part of a more liberal migration policy. Post-study visas were [...]
Sports Direct pleads with big four auditors to check its books September 10, 2019 Sports Direct, the retailer founded by Mike Ashley, is pleading with the big four accountancy firms to audit its books as it worries smaller accountants would not be up to the task. Over the last fortnight the company has sent overtures to the auditors ahead of its annual general meeting tomorrow, Sky News reported. Grant [...]
Magners maker C&C to move to London in October September 10, 2019 The maker of Bulmers and Magners is set to say goodbye to its Dublin listing and join the London exchange in October, it said today. It comes after C&C last year acquired British firms Matthew Clark and Bibendum, meaning it now gets most of its revenue from the UK. Meanwhile most shareholders are either based [...]
Corbyn would ‘turn back the clock decades’ says CBI after Labour announces plans for workers’ rights ministry September 10, 2019 British business leaders yesterday described Labour’s plans for a new ministry of workers’ rights as an attempt to “turn back the clock decades,” as Jeremy Corbyn set out his vision ahead of a potential election. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said that the proposals did not reflect the reality in most UK workplaces. “The [...]
Macquarie ‘determined’ to buy Solarcentury September 10, 2019 Australian investment bank Macquarie has its sights set on the UK’s largest solar companies, in a deal which could be worth £250m. The bank is in the last two bidders in the race to snap up Solarcentury, which has around 20 years experience in the sector. Macquarie is “determined” to buy the solar experts, sources [...]
Cobham shareholder comes out against £4bn takeover deal by US private equity firm September 10, 2019 The furore surrounding aerospace stalwart Cobham’s controversial £4bn takeover by a US private equity group shifted up a gear today, as one of its top shareholders rebuffed the plan. Sanderson Asset Management, an investment firm operating out of London and Chicago, which is Cobham’s 11th largest shareholder, has written to the FTSE 250 company’s founding [...]