After it had its best week since 2009, will a stronger pound hit UK economic growth? July 19, 2015 Sam Alderson, an economist at the CEBR, says Yes. While the recent appreciation of sterling is unlikely to derail the UK’s largely domestic and consumption-driven recovery, it will act as a slight brake. But the real negative for the economy is the impact that the continued strength of the pound is having on the composition [...]
Brewing up a storm: Pact Coffee’s Stephen Rapoport talks Brazil, bikes and changing the coffee industry July 19, 2015 There is one person at Pact Coffee who knows more about a cup of joe than anyone else in the company – and it’s not founder Stephen Rapoport: “I just can’t keep up with our head of coffee, Will. His knowledge is astonishing.” This is difficult for Rapoport, who is, by his own admission, “pretty [...]
Investec Comment: Managing your foreign exchange risk July 19, 2015 In the first three months of 2015, the value of the euro fell 10 per cent against sterling. Since a stronger pound makes UK exports relatively less competitive in other markets, for a company doing business in the Eurozone, such a sizeable move could have had a significant impact on their profitability. Plenty of firms [...]
Capitalising on rugby fever to the max: MaxiNutrition’s Mark Morgan on a huge year for the sports supplement maker July 19, 2015 The carnival is around the corner. In a few short weeks, the spotlight will fall on England as it stages an event widely recognised as the third biggest sporting festival on the planet. The Olympics and football’s World Cup may dwarf all others, but for those associated with it, this autumn’s egg-shaped jamboree promises a [...]
Managing up: Three ways to handle the boss July 19, 2015 Bootlicking will alienate your colleagues and affect output It is a common misconception that managing upwards is just about manipulating your superior for your personal gain. In reality, the relationship between a boss and their subordinates is one of symbiosis; senior managers rely as much on their front-line staff to know which executive decisions [...]
Meet Paul Lister, the Laird who wants to re-introduce bears, wolves and forests to the Scottish Highlands July 19, 2015 It says something about the wildness of Alladale that TV adventurer Bear Grylls chose a spot nearby to set up his Survival Academy. It’s a wild place: Paul Lister, the Laird of this Victorian hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands, might even answer the baronial door wearing a wolf mask. It’s his self-deprecating joke; [...]
48 hours in… Belgrade July 19, 2015 WHERE TO STAY The city isn’t the prettiest in eastern Europe, but Hotel Moskva in the centre is beautiful inside and out. With a great restaurant and spa, it’s the most comfortable way of doing Belgrade. Visit hotelmoskva.rs, rooms start at €89 WHERE TO GO The National Museum of Serbia is the largest in the [...]
Cook hints at changes after Australia demolish England July 19, 2015 AT LORD’S SKIPPER Alastair Cook admitted the axe may fall on England’s misfiring batsmen after his side wilted to a 405-run drubbing on day four of the second Investec Ashes Test at Lord’s yesterday. Australia declared their second innings on 254-2 shortly before lunch, leaving England with a notional victory target of 509 or 155 [...]
Murray inspires Britain to historic Davis Cup glory July 19, 2015 TEARFUL Davis Cup hero Andy Murray admits Great Britain are “punching above their weight” after he led them into the competition’s semi-finals for the first time since 1981 yesterday. Murray came from a set down to record a hugely gutsy win over Gilles Simon that earned Britain a 3-1 victory over France and a last-four [...]
Amateur Dunne storms into Open contention July 19, 2015 IRELAND’S Paul Dunne surged into contention to become the Open’s first amateur winner for 85 years yesterday at St Andrews, but a host of big names, including Jordan Spieth, remain within striking distance heading into the tournament’s rain-delayed climax. Dunne, 22, shot a 66 to finish his third round on 12 under par and share [...]