BT appoints first woman boss in 170-year history as Allison Kirkby to continue long-term fibre strategy July 31, 2023 BT has announced a successor for outgoing boss Philip Jansen, as Allison Kirkby, a former chief of Nordic telecoms giant Telia. The ailing British telecoms group appointed its first female boss in its 170 year history, who will take the reins from Jansen starting January 2024 “at the latest”. Jansen will continue to serve until [...]
Pearson profits soars over 50 per cent as AI strategy pays off July 31, 2023 Pearson has posted a strong first half of the year after it has started to embrace Artificial Intelligence in May. The London-based publisher said on Monday that it achieved a 56 per cent increase headline growth, with its adjusted operating profit up to £250m. The listed firm also said there had been 44 per cent [...]
Ofgem risks losing public trust after British Gas’ profit bonanza July 31, 2023 Four years of heavy losses and instability in the energy industry were upended last week when British Gas posted record profits.
Argos ‘well positioned’ to face Amazon challenge amid transformation, says boss July 31, 2023 Argos is “well positioned” to face up to the challenge of Amazon and other online retail giants, according to bosses at parent firm Sainsbury’s. Paula Nickolds, the boss of the grocery giant’s general merchandise business including Argos, said the retail brand has maintained its “strong emotional bond with customers” despite changes to its operations amid shifting consumer habits. It comes as the high street stalwart marks 50 years since it was founded by Richard Thompson [...]
Gen Z and millennials shrug off inflation woes to buy ethical goods July 31, 2023 Gen Z and millennial shoppers are shrugging off inflationary woes and continuing to prioritise a retailer’s reputation when choosing where to spend. Some 33 per cent of 18-34-year-olds said they are more loyal to brands with a ‘positive corporate reputation’ and ‘values’ that align with their own, compared to just one in seven shoppers aged [...]
British businesses locked in disputes with HMRC over possible unpaid tax July 31, 2023 More than half of British mid-sized firms are locked in disputes with the taxman over potential unpaid tax, a sign of the troubles companies encounter when trying to navigate the UK’s complex web of levies. Some 61 per cent of 500 firms surveyed by consultancy BDO are embroiled in a tax dispute with HMRC. Tax [...]
Retailers in trouble as 51 per cent of punters cut back on clothes shopping July 31, 2023 Retail and hospitality industries continue to be bruised by the UK’s cost of living crisis as 59 per cent of people have cut their spending on eating out and a further 51 per cent have cut spending on clothing. As Brits continue to watch their pennies amid high inflation, figures from Oxera show that in [...]
Ovo exits parent firm in founder Stephen Fitzpatrick’s latest reshuffle July 31, 2023 Big Six energy supplier Ovo has cut ties with its long-standing parent company Imagination Industries, according to its latest results.
UK private economy wilts amid high inflation and interest rates, CBI survey shows July 31, 2023 Britain’s private sector economy is being trapped by high inflation and elevated interest rates and companies fear growth will continue to contract, a new survey out today shows. Research by the lobby group the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has found that activity across the private sector – which generates most output in the UK [...]
Move faster on data sharing or watch rivals ‘leapfrog’ the UK, competition tsar warns July 31, 2023 John Penrose, the government’s competition tsar, has urged the government to move faster in enabling the safe sharing of customer data or watch global competitors “leapfrog” the UK. Alongside a coalition of business groups – including the Payments Association and Open Banking Excellence – Penrose argued that the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill needs [...]
