Greenergy in sale talks with Brookfield December 4, 2016 Fuel supplier Greenergy is in advanced talks to sell a stake to Canadian giant Brookfield. Greenergy, which claims to transport a quarter of the road fuel used in the UK at around 18bn litres each year, has been locked in negotiations with the infrastructure group for several months, it was first reported by Sky News. It’s [...]
Digital defence school to bolster UK’s cyber ranks December 4, 2016 Bletchley Park will again house the nation’s top talent as cyber security threats soar, writes Billy Bambrough Over 70 years since Alan Turing and his Bletchley Park colleagues made history during World War II by figuring out the Nazis’ enigma machine, code breakers are set to return to the now famous site. The National College [...]
How governance can work for business December 4, 2016 Three years on from the Co-op Bank scandal the group has reformed, writes Allan Leighton Business is in danger of ignoring the public mood. Amid all the recent debate about workers on boards, executive pay and the politics of profit, one truth stands out – trust in business is not where it should be. Many [...]
Four Seasons facing rising bills as hedge funds jostle for control December 4, 2016 Unsustainable debt and a looming £26m interest payment have thrown the future of care home operator Four Seasons in to doubt. Last week it was revealed Four Seasons lost £27.4m in the three months to the end of September but must pay £52m interest on its debt every year. It currently has cash reserves of just £51.3m [...]
Venezuela introduces new higher-value notes in response to the world’s highest rate of inflation December 4, 2016 Venezuela’s central bank has announced that it will introduce a new set of coins and notes as the country with the world’s highest inflation struggles to make its currency usable. Six new bills will enter circulation from 15 December, ranging in value from 500 Venezuelan bolivars up to 20,000 bolivars. This means the highest-value note [...]
Retail shareholders hold out for better deal in RBS lawsuit December 4, 2016 A subset of shareholders suing RBS over how it handled a financial crisis fundraising are holding out for a better deal, despite other investors closing in on an out of court offer. Shareholders are currently due to face off against the bank in court next March, claiming the lender misled them into taking part in a 2008 [...]
TUI Group shifts its tourist destinations focus to match changing demand after terrorist attacks hit Eastern Mediterranean December 4, 2016 Flexibility on destinations has been vital to strategy for the world’s biggest tourism operator TUI Group ahead of its full-year results, as customer demand changes in the wake of terrorist attacks and instability in formerly popular destinations. Recent terrorist attacks and a deteriorating security situation have dampened demand in the eastern Mediterranean, which includes countries [...]
Austrian election: Independent Van der Bellen victorious as far-right’s Hofer concedes defeat December 4, 2016 Austrian independent candidate and former Greens leader Alexander Van der Bellen has won the country's presidential race after far-right candidate Norbert Hofer conceded defeat. Initial projections showed Van der Bellen with an unassailable lead of around 54 per cent to Hofer's 46 per cent. Herbert Kickl, Hofer's campaign manager told the state-backed broadcaster ORF: The bottom line [...]
This housing chief thinks EU regulation protecting newts is holding back housebuilders December 4, 2016 Housebuiding in the UK is being held back by newts and other animals protected by EU regulation, one leading housebuilder has said. John Tutte, chief executive of housebuilder Redrow, has said that "we haven't got a shortage" of great-crested newts. But, due to shortages in places such as Spain, the amphibians are protected by EU [...]
Southern Rail and Tube strikes: Everything you need to know December 4, 2016 Industrial action across key routes into London are set to bring misery for commuters heading to the capital this week and beyond. Drivers on the Piccadilly, Hammersmith and City and Circle London Underground lines will strike from Tuesday evening onwards, while conductors on Southern trains will walkout on the same day. Here's what you need [...]