In for a pound: Sainsbury’s just poached the chief executive of Poundland November 7, 2016 Sainsbury's has gone bargain hunting for its new chief financial officer, after it announced this morning it has appointed Kevin O'Byrne, currently chief executive of Poundland, to the role. O'Byrne has been chief executive of B&Q UK and Ireland, as well as being its group finance director. He's also previously been group finance director at [...]
The pound is back below $1.24 after Hillary Clinton was cleared – but the FTSE 100 is rallying November 7, 2016 It looks like any euphoria felt by currency traders about Friday's High Court ruling over Brexit was short-lived: The pound was down more than one per cent against the dollar in early trading this morning, dropping below $1.24. The pound fell 1.01 per cent to $1.2391 as traders' faith in Hillary Clinton was restored after [...]
UK house price growth eased off in October November 7, 2016 Much has been said about whether the Brexit vote hit demand for homes in the UK. Figures published today suggest that may be the case: prices grew 5.2 per cent in October, down from 5.8 per cent in September. The average house price hit £217,411 in October, according to the Halifax house price index – that's [...]
Then there were three: Peter Whittle has withdrawn from the Ukip leadership contest November 4, 2016 Peter Whittle has withdrawn from the Ukip leadership contest, just weeks after he declared his intention to stand. In a statement today Whittle urged Ukip members to support Paul Nuttall instead. In a post on Facebook he said Ukip needed a leader who "knows the party inside out and who can command the loyalty of [...]
Watch: These are the 10 most-loved Christmas adverts of all time November 4, 2016 Rejoice, for 'tis the season to weep at schmaltzy Christmas ads, as retailers begin to launch festive offerings next week. To get you in the mood, video ad tech company Unruly has put together the definitive list of the most-shared (and therefore most loved) Christmas ads of all time. At number one is an ad [...]
Already? George Osborne has been paid £100,000 for three speeches in the US November 4, 2016 Former chancellor George Osborne has wasted no time in making the most of his experience after he stepped down: new figures have shown he has been paid almost £100,000 for three speeches in the US. The Parliamentary register of members' financial interests showed Osborne made £69,992 for an hour and a half of speeches to [...]
British Airways owner IAG cuts spending and earnings targets November 4, 2016 International Airlines Group (IAG), the company behind British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus, said today it is trimming its spending and earnings targets in the run-up to 2020 – shortly after it posted a fall in profits. The airline operator said although it has a strong balance sheet, it expects earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, [...]
Paddy Power Betfair revenues race ahead thanks to weak sterling November 4, 2016 Perfect timing for newly-minted bookie Paddy Power Betfair, which today unveiled a 25 per cent jump in group revenues and raised full-year expectations – in part thanks to the weak pound. The figures Group revenues increased 25 per cent to £404m, the group said today – including a £28m net benefit from the translation of non-UK revenues thanks to the [...]
James Dyson is offering degrees to would-be engineers through Warwick University November 4, 2016 Vacuum magnate James Dyson is doing his bit to solve the UK's engineering skills gap, after he announced his Dyson Institute of Technology will begin providing university degrees to aspiring engineers. The institute will work with the University of Warwick on the courses, in which students will hold down salaried jobs at Dyson while studying for [...]
