BP welcomes ex-spy boss to the boardroom May 14, 2015 OIL GIANT BP has hired ex-MI6 chief Sir John Sawers, who will sit on its board as a non-executive director with immediate effect. Sawers completed his five-year tenure as the top boss of the UK secret intelligence service in November 2014, and was the first MI6 chief to be appointed from outside of the service since [...]
ITV a takeover target after Adam Crozier oversees dramatic turnaround May 14, 2015 Charlotte Henry watches a positive programme at ITV, unlike a few years ago. No wonder that takeover talk persists. In a conference centre in Westminster, some of ITV’s shareholders have assembled for the company’s annual general meeting (AGM). They broadly welcomed the progress of the share price, their positivity no doubt boosted by a [...]
Man United in spending push to win trophies May 14, 2015 Manchester United made £95m in the first three months of 2015 thanks to an increase in commercial revenue and sponsorships. The Premier League giants said they were “pleased” with manager Louis van Gaal’s first season in charge but expect the Dutchman to deliver trophies next season. Commercial revenues at the club jumped 11.7 per cent [...]
Aldermore ramps up the lending after IPO as challenger bank set to meet investor expectations May 14, 2015 Challenger bank Aldermore reported a sustained surge in lending in the first quarter of the year, continuing to rack up the growth after going public in March. Net lending increased seven per cent in the three-month period to hit £5.1bn, with organic loan origination coming in at £568m, up nine per cent on same period of [...]
Alliance Trust unit pays £14m for Brewin Dolphin platform May 14, 2015 Alliance Trust’s savings division yesterday bought smaller stockbroking platform rival Stocktrade from Brewin Dolphin for £14m. Alliance Trust Savings (ATS), which has £7.2bn in assets, will add Stocktrade’s 48,000 customers, boosting its customer base to 105,000. Assets will also rise to £11.5bn after the deal completes. The group said the acquisition would allow it to [...]
3i starts to enjoy fruits of Simon Borrows’ turnaround plan May 14, 2015 The UK’S oldest private equity group 3i topped the FTSE 100 yesterday after revealing another set of thumping results, bringing the curtain down on a dramatic turnaround which has transformed the once-underperforming company. Investors applauded the end of the three-year initiative to streamline the firm by chief executive Simon Borrows by sending shares 15.5p [...]
Sirius Minerals confident on York Potash project after planning update May 14, 2015 Analysts said yesterday they were confident in a positive outcome for Sirius Minerals as it progresses with its York Potash project. Shares in the Aim-listed firm went up by 10.71 per cent after the company updated investors on the approvals process for the project. Planning officers at the North York Moors National Park Authority have [...]
Aim-listed oil firm Savannah strikes it lucky May 14, 2015 SHARES in Niger-focused oil and gas firm Savannah Petroleum jumped by as much as 16 per cent yesterday after the company announced the generation of 14 drill-ready exploration prospects. The company, which listed on Aim in August 2014, carried out detailed seismic mapping over a 680 square kilometre area in south-east Niger, and said the [...]
ICAS president Jim Pettigrew’s pearls for the elderly: Can you explain it to your granny? May 14, 2015 Chartered accountants group ICAS rolled out the red carpet last night for its new president, City veteran Jim Pettigrew. Pettigrew, formerly chief financial officer at ICAP, working alongside Michael Spencer, went on to the role of chief executive at CMC Markets. He is currently chairman of Clydesdale Bank and also a non executive for Aberdeen [...]
Rugby favourites brave Moorgate Monsoon May 14, 2015 Saracens comfortably beat the Army at the Honorary Artillery Company in the City of London yesterday evening, as the two teams battled the weather, as well as each other. Winning 38-3, Saracens said it had triumphed despite the “Moorgate Monsoon”.
