Spotify reports Apple to EU commission over rules which ‘disadvantage’ app developers March 13, 2019 Spotify fired a broadside at Apple today as it reported its rival to the EU competition authorities over the way that the tech giant's App Store works. Chief executive Daniel Ek blasted what he called an "Apple tax" which forces his company to pay a 30 per cent commission for sales made via Apple's payment system. [...]
Enrolling with the times: How the workplace pension hike could affect you March 13, 2019 Since the government began phasing in auto-enrolment almost seven years ago, 10m people have now joined their workplace pension scheme. By encouraging Brits of all ages to save for retirement, the auto-enrolment system was designed to stop the UK from hurtling head-first into a pensions crisis. So far, it’s been a success. Even more people are [...]
One in four women has been sexually harassed at a tech conference, study finds March 13, 2019 One in four women has experienced sexual harassment at a tech conference and women are woefully underrepresented at industry events, a new study has found. Only a quarter of keynote speakers at tech conferences in the last three years were women, according to research by IT services provider Ensono. Read more: City firms can't afford [...]
Karren Brady and a lesson on the duties of directors March 13, 2019 Several months after Sir Philip Green became embroiled in a highly publicised scandal, Karren Brady resigned as chair of his retail empire. Despite allegations of harassment and discrimination made by staff against Green, Brady initially intended to remain with Taveta Investments, the holding company of Green’s Arcadia Group. She cited her duty to employees as [...]
Provident restores dividend as doorstep lender fights takeover bid from Non Standard Finance March 13, 2019 Provident Financial has restored its dividend after implementing a turnaround plan, the doorstep lender announced today as it fights off a takeover bid from rival Non Standard Finance. The figures Shares were up more than three per cent as the company announced that adjusted profit before tax increased by 82.3 per cent to £153.5m. Statutory [...]
ECSC revenues jump as it grows client base amid cyber security concerns March 13, 2019 Cyber security firm ECSC has posted a huge increase in revenues as it cashes in on new regulation and growing concerns about cyber attacks. Read more: Avast secures strong results as chief executive steps down The figures Revenue surged 35 per cent to £5.4m. Gross profit increased 67 per cent to £2.7m. Adjusted earnings before interest, [...]
Norwegian Air to seek compensation for flight ban on Boeing Max 8 and 9 planes after fatal Ethiopia crash March 13, 2019 Embattled airline Norwegian Air will seek compensation from plane maker Boeing for lost revenue and extra costs arising from the Europe-wide flight ban on the US manufacturer’s latest jet. Norwegian’s 162-strong fleet includes 18 of Boeing’s 737 Max 8 model, which aviation authorities across the globe have grounded, after it suffered its second fatal crash [...]
Manx Telecom eyes global expansion as it reveals £255m takeover offer March 13, 2019 Isle of Man mobile and broadband provider Manx Telecom saw its shares jump almost 15 per cent this morning after posting a modest rise in revenues for the full year as it announced a £255m takeover. Read more: Manx Telecom on track to hit revenue growth targets The figures Revenue rose 3.8 per cent from [...]
Balfour Beatty: UK’s largest construction firm returns margins to ‘industry standard’ March 13, 2019 Balfour Beatty’s turnaround plan has returned the once troubled construction firm to “industry standard” margins, according to chief executive Leo Quinn. The biggest constructor in the UK reported an increase in profits and an order book growing more than a tenth year-on-year in its 2018 results, prompting shares to rise 1.2 per cent in morning trading. [...]
Dixons Carphone hit with £30m fine for mis-selling mobile phone insurance March 13, 2019 Dixons Carphone has been fined £29.1m for historic mis-selling of mobile phone insurance. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued the penalty for behaviour between December 2008 and June 2015 at Dixons’ subsidiary, Geek Squad. Read more: Games and TV boost helps offset mobile phone slump at Dixons Carphone Geek Squad staff were trained to recommend [...]