Virgin looks to businesses for growth February 17, 2011 CABLE-to-entertainment group Virgin Media yesterday reported quarterly revenue figures of £1bn, up from £941.3m a year ago, predicting strong growth from its business services division in the year ahead. Virgin chief executive Neil Berkett said the order book for business data services was up 40 per cent from a year ago and he said that [...]
United Biscuits picks boss February 15, 2011 FOOD manufacturer United Biscuits is set to name Benoit Testard (above) as its new chief executive as part of a management reshuffle, and could make an announcement as early as today. The company behind brands such as Hula Hoops, Jaffa Cakes and Penguin will promote Testard from his current role as managing director of UK [...]
Redknapp ushers in a new era February 14, 2011 AC MILAN vs TOTTENHAM Spurs boss senses an opportunity for his side to join European elite on regular basis TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp believes his side stand on the brink of returning to the big time on a full-time basis ahead of their second San Siro showdown in four months. After their epic 4-3 defeat [...]
Azzurri able to surpass low expectations at HQ February 10, 2011 ENGLAND ITALY Tomorrow – 2.30pm BBC1 ENGLAND got off to a winning start at the Millennium Stadium last week, their first victory in Cardiff since 2003. Carrying the confidence from Friday’s thriller, Martin Johnson’s side returns to Twickenham where they welcome Italy for the first of three consecutive Tests at HQ. After coming within three [...]
What the other papers say this morning February 9, 2011 FINANCIAL TIMES TPG LOSES ANOTHER SENIOR ASIA EXECUTIVE Mary Ma, a Chinese executive at TPG Capital, is leaving to start a fund, joining other mainland executives from western buy-out firms who will start out on their own. Ma, former chief financial officer of Lenovo, joined TPG’s Asia team as managing director and a partner in [...]
Keeping it in the family February 9, 2011 RUPERT Murdoch likes to keep things in the family. His son James is head of European operations at News Corp and chairman of BSkyB – the firm 39 per cent owned by News Corp and the target of a controversial takeover plan. Now Elisabeth is about to be welcomed back into the fold after a [...]
Keys and Gray given chance to relaunch careers after sexism row by talkSPORT February 8, 2011 FORMER Sky Sports presenters Richard Keys and Andy Gray, who left the broadcaster last month amid a sexism storm, are to be reunited at talkSPORT. The duo, set to make their comeback on 14 February, left Sky last month after off air comments made about assistant referee Sian Massey made their way into the public [...]
Bank lending target agreed February 7, 2011 BRITAIN’S banks are to pledge over £1bn in funding for small businesses, as months of negotiations with the government draw to a close. The agreement comes as part of the “Project Merlin” talks between Westminster and the City over industry-wide lending commitments and pay transparency. UK banks are understood to have agreed to offer £1.3bn [...]
Watchdog finds excess Sky profit February 7, 2011 BRITISH Sky Broadcasting has made “excess profits” on its Sky Movies service, according to the Competition Commission. The company, which is the subject of a takeover bid from Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, has an exclusive deal with the six big Hollywood studios and may now be forced to lower its wholesale price to other broadcasters [...]
To the ends of the earth February 6, 2011 CHILE is a land of contrasts – and not least for the euphoria of the miners’ rescue last year, preceded by the coastal earthquake. But it is this land – volcanic and alive, and rich in minerals – that entices me to travel half way around the world to explore its natural wonders, the northern [...]