US health president to take over as NHS England chief executive October 24, 2013 UNITED Healthcare global health president Simon Stevens has been appointed to lead NHS England, the most powerful body in the national health service. Stevens, who takes over from Sir David Nicholson in April, has previously worked as a health advisor to Labour. Upon his appointment Stevens has offered to take a voluntary 10 per cent [...]
Bloomsbury sales rise nicely on the back of popular titles October 24, 2013 COOKERY books from the likes of celebrity chef Paul Hollywood and Heston Blumenthal buoyed Bloomsbury’s profits 33 per cent in the six months to 31 August. Chief executive Nigel Newton said the firm was traditionally more successful in the second half, due to academic sales in autumn and holiday sales in winter, but a number [...]
Ford expects European profit to come in 2015 October 24, 2013 FORD Motors boosted its full-year global profit outlook yesterday as its European picture brightened and stronger overseas demand sparked better-than-expected third-quarter results. The US automaker now expects 2013 pre-tax profit to top last year’s $8bn and losses in Europe to be less than in 2012. Finance chief Bob Shanks said Ford sees the European unit [...]
BBC iPlayer growing as viewers turn to mobile October 24, 2013 BBC IPLAYER viewers are increasingly turning to smartphones and tablets to use the service, with its mobile apps having been downloaded 20m times. The service, which has long been seen as a bellwether of online video streaming trends, saw mobile devices overtake computers for the first time in September, according to the BBC’s figures. “20m [...]
WPP boss warns US uncertainty can strike again October 24, 2013 UNCERTAINTY has shaken the US advertising market, WPP chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell said yesterday, blaming the political stalemate in Washington DC that nearly led to the country defaulting on its debt. Sorrell, whose company reported a five per cent jump in third quarter revenues yesterday, said he is worried the issue could easily crop [...]
UK superfast broadband rollout reaching 72 per cent of homes October 24, 2013 NEARLY three quarters of UK homes are ready to receive superfast broadband, according to an annual Ofcom report. The number of customers using the superfast speeds has doubled over the past year, reaching 4.8m UK customers this year. “Superfast broadband is rolling out fast across the country, and 4G mobile will reach at least 98 [...]
Spirent hit by shipment delay October 24, 2013 TELECOMS testing company Spirent Communications said yesterday fourth-quarter revenue would be $12m (£7.4m) lower than it had estimated due to a delay in customers taking delivery of its products. The company, which tests 3G and 4G wireless networks and devices, said revenue from the delayed shipments would be recognised in the first half of next [...]
AZ Electronic sees sales fall October 24, 2013 SPECIALTY chemicals maker AZ Electronic Materials yesterday posted a decline in its revenues for the third quarter, and said second half revenues would be around the same level as the first half. Third quarter revenue fell 10 per cent to $182.9m (£112.4m), but it left its earnings expectations for the year unchanged. It said it [...]
Shire ups 2013 forecast after new chief executive tackles cost base October 24, 2013 BRITISH drugmaker Shire raised its full-year earnings forecast yesterday after lower-than-expected costs and accelerating sales helped it to beat forecasts for the third quarter. Chief executive Flemming Ornskov said Shire, which makes drugs to treat hyperactivity and expensive medicines for rare diseases, was resetting its cost base. That, combined with faster product sales growth, enabled [...]
Unilever hit by sales slowdown in key markets October 24, 2013 UNILEVER, the consumer goods giant behind Wall’s ice-cream and Persil laundry detergent, reported a 6.5 per cent slump in turnover in the third quarter after suffering a dramatic slowdown in emerging markets. The FTSE 100 group has been hit by a slowdown in countries such as Indonesia, Brazil and India after uncertainty over whether the [...]
