Most people are enjoying this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert. A few aren’t November 10, 2016 The John Lewis Christmas advert has landed. And, predictably, the majority of Twitter luvvies are loving it – despite serious plot holes exposed by City A.M. Launching a day after Donald Trump won the race to the White House, the retailer’s customer director Craig Inglis said: “2016 has certainly been quite a year, so we [...]
Tata spat escalates as Cyrus Mistry ousted as chair of Tata Consultancy Services following leaked email and sudden sacking scandal November 10, 2016 The row between Indian conglomerate Tata and the ousted former chairman of its parent group has resurfaced after the company removed him from the helm of another Tata firm. Cyrus Mistry, who was sacked suddenly as the head of Tata Group's holding company Tata Sons last month, has been fired from the helm of the behemoth's [...]
Trump pledges commitment to defend South Korea from the North November 10, 2016 Donald Trump has vowed to protect South Korea against the "instability in North Korea". The US President-elect had a call with South Korean President Park Geun-hye last night, her office said. She congratulated him on his election victory and said she hoped the ties between the two countries would grow further over his presidency. Trump allegedly said: [...]
ITV shares jump despite ad revenue diving amid Brexit uncertainty November 10, 2016 ITV’s share price jumped three per cent this morning as the broadcaster reported falling advertising revenues but talked up its “balanced and resilient business”. The figures The company’s advertising revenue dropped four per cent in the last quarter amid political and economic uncertainty. And the broadcaster is forecasting an even larger dip – seven per [...]
FTSE 100 utility National Grid fails to light up as reported profit before tax falls 64 per cent November 10, 2016 First half earnings at FTSE 100 utility giant National Grid have failed to spark after profits fell by almost two-thirds, though the group is on track to sell its UK gas distribution arm and is making progress with its US activities. The figures The utility's profit before tax fell 64 per cent to £485m in [...]
Thameslink and East Midlands Trains services are still severely disrupted after wire damage caused signalling problems November 10, 2016 Commuters who use Thameslink or East Midlands Trains (EMT) services are facing a third day of delays and cancellations – and it could continue into tomorrow as well. A limited train service is running across the Thameslink network, with services being cancelled, revised or delayed by up to 90 minutes. No Thameslink trains are running between [...]
Watch this year’s full John Lewis Christmas advert, featuring Vaults and Buster the Boxer November 10, 2016 Advent calendars may have been out since Easter and shops may have been putting baubles on display since September – but you know it's really Christmas when the John Lewis Christmas advert arrives. This year's offering takes a funny, rather than schmaltzy, approach (cf. last year's sugary sweet Man on the Moon ad) – featuring a [...]
Bovis Homes on track to deliver record revenues despite Brexit blip November 10, 2016 Housebuilder Bovis Homes said today that it's on track to meet expectations of revenue and profit growth for the year, despite uncertainty in the market following the EU referendum. The group said that aside from the weeks immediately after the UK's vote to leave the EU, sales during the year to date have followed a normal [...]
Fintech brokerage startup set up by footballer Ryan Bertrand announces £1m seed funding November 10, 2016 It’s a big week for England footballer Ryan Bertrand. Not only will he be fighting for his place in the Scotland match on Friday, his brokerage startup is also announcing it has raised £1m in seed funding. Pacific & Orient Berhad, a Malaysian-listed company with a UK subsidiary, led the funding round, supplemented by angel [...]
Do you have an analogue business in a digital age? November 10, 2016 UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are weathering the tempest that 2016 has blown their way, remaining ambitious, while providing a sturdy backbone for our economy during this period of uncertainty. It will surprise few that websites, social media and online marketplaces are a conduit to success, and a driving force behind increasing revenues in [...]