Incoming Barclays chairman John McFarlane to face “very challenging requirements” September 12, 2014 Aviva chairman John McFarlane will face "very challenging requirements" in his new role as chairman of Barclays, said the man who recruited him today. McFarlane, who is one of Scotland's most senior businessmen, will pick up the reins at Barclays' next AGM next April when incumbent Sir David Walker steps down. He is [...]
The five questions Obama must answer to prove Iraq disasters won’t be repeated September 11, 2014 We, the people, are the boss, and we will get the kind of political leadership, be it good or bad, that we demand and deserve.” – John F Kennedy, Profiles in Courage I HAVE a theory about those of us engaged in politics or political analysis; each of us will have a “Profiles in Courage” [...]
No change in the gender split and none of the most populous six countries gets a vice presidency: Who’s who in Juncker’s commission September 11, 2014 Back in 2012, the European Commission decided it would tackle gender inequality and "break the glass ceiling that continues to bar female talent from top positions in Europe’s biggest companies." The target it set was 40 per cent, despite the fact that at the time the gender split was 19-9 in its own executive – [...]
#AskBoris: Mayor Boris Johnson talks Scotland, Isis, property and transport in less than 140 characters September 11, 2014 After yesterday's painful Mumsnet web chat between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling, Boris Johnson showed the rest of the country's politicians how to acquit yourself on social media during his #AskBoris session this lunchtime. Answering questions ranging from his menu of choice at Nandos (response: “chicken”) and even a cheeky one about “operation Chiselled [...]
Sports Direct scores profit rise but Mike Ashley’s company hurt by England’s poor World Cup September 10, 2014 Sports Direct enjoyed an 11.8 per cent rise in profit for the period ending 27 July 2014 , yet the sportswear retailer was hurt by England's early World Cup exit. The company founded by Newcastle United chairman Mike Ashley reported a 12.2 per cent increase in sales from £631m to £711.2m, while gross profit also [...]
Pound continues to fall despite Mark Carney’s speech September 9, 2014 After falling almost 1.4 per cent yesterday, the pound continued to slide today despite Mark Carney indicating there would be no interest rate hike this year. Speaking to the Trade Union's congress, Carney said there was still slack in the labour market and that he saw an interest rate rise as coming next spring, rather [...]
Why Richard Branson isn’t afraid to fail: Four Virgin businesses that didn’t work out September 9, 2014 It was only a year ago that Richard Branson was prancing around in a red kilt at the launch of Little Red, his domestic airline for the UK, which was designed to provide competition after British Airways owner International Airline Group acquired BMI. Since its launch, though, Little Red has been dogged by rumours [...]
So much for talk of a 2014 rate hike: Mark Carney says he “expects spring 2015 interest rate rise” at TUC speech September 9, 2014 Mark Carney has all but ruled out an interest rate hike this year. In a speech to the Trades Union Congress (TUC) this morning, the Bank of England governor said inflation lower than the Bank's two per cent target, slack in the labour market and downward pressure from strong sterling mean the current inflation environment [...]
Mark Carney to discuss wages in speech at Trades Union Congress September 9, 2014 Mark Carney will discuss his plans for real wages in an address to the Trades Union Congress (TUC) later today. The prospect of an interest rate rise continues to shadow the governor, and members of the TUC are expected to tell Carney to reject a hike until real wages show signs of strengthening. The Canadian [...]
Rail commuters get boost as Osborne caps fare rises September 7, 2014 Rail fare increases will be capped at 2.5 per cent for 2015 in a bid to help hard-pressed commuters, the government has announced. Chancellor George Osborne said the move, which limits price hikes of regulated rail fares to the rate of inflation, was a bid to help taxpayers, and was only possible because of other [...]