Zoom under scrutiny as popularity skyrockets during coronavirus crisis April 1, 2020 Videoconferencing app Zoom is facing fresh scrutiny over its security as its popularity skyrockets during the coronavirus pandemic. New York Attorney General Letitia James reportedly wrote to Zoom raising concerns over its ability to cope with the sharp increase in users. The app is being used by millions of people for work calls and socialising [...]
Taylor Wimpey adds executive pay cuts to coronavirus defence measures April 1, 2020 Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is ramping up its coronavirus defences by cancelling a planned pay rise and bonus payments for executive management. A two per cent annual salary increase due to come into effect on 1 April 2020 has been cancelled, while bonuses for executives have been cancelled this year. The executive directors have taken a [...]
Travelex owner Finablr announces new boss as finance chief quits April 1, 2020 Travelex owner Finablr has announced a new chief executive as its finance boss quit, following the resignation of its auditor and two other directors in recent days. Finablr tapped Bhairav Trivedi for the top job after his predecessor Promoth Manghat left when the firm expressed doubts about its ability to continue. Trivedi joined Finablr on [...]
High street prices fall at fastest pace in two years April 1, 2020 Prices on the British high street fell at their fastest pace in nearly two years, and the coronavirus outbreak will only add to price pressures, according to an industry body. Shop prices fell by 0.8 per cent in the first week of March, the biggest fall since May 2018, following a 0.6 per cent decline [...]
UK coronavirus death toll rises 381 to 1,789 March 31, 2020 The number of deaths from coronavirus in the UK rose 27 per cent in the past day to 1,789, according to government figures. Figures from the Department of Health show an increase of 381 deaths, by far the biggest daily increase so far. The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK rose 14 [...]
Grant Thornton asks employees to take 40 per cent pay cut March 31, 2020 Grant Thornton has asked its UK employees to volunteer a 40 per cent reduction in their pay to avoid redundancies. The challenger audit firm has asked its 4500 employees in the UK to take a cut to avoid the need for an alternative package that would involve unpaid leave and layoffs, according to Sky News. [...]
Airbnb to pay $250m to hosts losing out to coronavirus cancellations March 31, 2020 Airbnb will pay $250m to hosts for two and a half months of reservations that have been cancelled in the wake of the coronavirus. In a letter to hosts, chief executive Brian Chesky said hosts would receive 25 per cent of their normal cancellation fee for stays booked between 14 March and 31 May, if [...]
Italy set to extend coronavirus lockdown measures into May March 31, 2020 Italy is considering an extension of containment measures into May even as the coronavirus outbreak shows signs of slowing. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte may extend restrictions through Easter and gradually open the country from 4 May, according to Italian newspaper La Stampa. The lockdown, which is now in its fourth week, is currently in place [...]
Imperial Brands and British American Tobacco sign deals for new credit March 31, 2020 Imperial Brands and British American Tobacco (BAT) have announced deals for new credit but say the pandemic has had little material effect on business. Imperial Brands announced a €3.5bn (£3.13bn) multi-currency revolving credit facility (RCF). The credit line has an initial three-year term that could be extended bi-annually. BAT separately said it had priced an [...]
Domino’s Pizza hires former Costa boss as new chief executive March 31, 2020 Domino’s Pizza Group has appointed former Costa boss, Dominic Paul, as its new chief executive. Paul led the coffee shop chain from 2016 to 2019 ahead of the £3.9bn sale of the business by Whitbread to Coca-Cola last year. Prior to this, he served as senior vice president of international with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. [...]
