As M&A involving UK firms fell to 1987 lows in 2014, could politics harm prospects for 2015? March 3, 2015 James Fillingham is transactions services partner at PwC, says Yes In 2014, the Scottish referendum did give buyers and sellers pause for thought, but that was only part of the story. While M&A was down in the UK, we saw a massive, offsetting increase in IPO activity. We also saw much refinancing with plentiful, cheap [...]
Six years of ultra-low interest rates: Where can you find income? March 3, 2015 Consider markets buoyed by QE, and remember that cash will be a lonely place for some time. It's an anniversary many UK savers will wish they never had to mark. Six years ago this month, the Bank of England cut interest rates to a record low of 0.5 per cent, as Britain grappled with the [...]
Why employers are yet to suss out Generation Y March 3, 2015 Younger employees are more likely to value loyalty than you think. With a growing economy and job creation on the up, there are increasing opportunities for young people to get onto – and climb – the career ladder. But just because career prospects are looking positive, that doesn’t mean that it’s business as usual [...]
Gastro events to keep foodies happy in the run-up to spring March 3, 2015 From the best grilled cheese sandwiches in London to the World Food Market in Devonshire Square, there are plenty of great culinary events taking place this month CINNAMON KITCHEN: Brighten up your winter by throwing paint at your colleagues or friends at Devonshire Square’s Cinnamon Kitchen, which will have a dedicated “party pod” to get [...]
Mix it up: Fire up afternoon tea with some gin in your teacup March 3, 2015 Ritual is one of life’s pleasures. Whether it’s the morning coffee or the whisky before bed, familiarity breeds contentedness. The best thing about rituals is that they’re easily appropriated. Even if you’ve never celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas or Holi, there’s nothing to stop you giving thanks or presents. Of course, some rituals are better than [...]
The Ivy’s 100th birthday refurbishment: What does it take to reinvent a classic restaurant? March 3, 2015 On 5 January, The Ivy closed its doors. Then it took them off completely. What was probably the most iconic restaurant in London – the hangout of choice for everyone from Joan Collins to Damien Hirst – is now a building site. Planks of wood straddle gaping holes in the ground, wires dangle overhead and [...]
Horner: Cap engine costs or risk further F1 team departures March 3, 2015 FORMULA One must agree measures to reduce the cost of engines if it is to head off the threat of further teams falling into financial difficulty, according to Red Bull principal Christian Horner. The insolvencies of Marussia and Caterham blighted the end of last season, while monetary turmoil is also casting a shadow over the [...]
Premier League: Pardew bemoans over-physical Saints March 3, 2015 SOUTHAMPTON 1 CRYSTAL PALACE 0 CRYSTAL Palace boss Alan Pardew insisted his side deserved greater protection from Southampton’s over-physical defenders as he suffered his first away defeat since taking the Selhurst Park reins in January. Senegal forward Sadio Mane proved the match-winner in the 83rd minute, chipping over Julian Speroni after the Eagles keeper failed [...]
Golf Comment: Harrington vindicated over Ryder Cup captaincy stance March 3, 2015 WE GOT a huge indication of Padraig Harrington’s mindset when he was asked about the Ryder Cup captaincy in the run-up to Darren Clarke’s appointment last month. Would the three-time Major winner like to be in the reckoning, he was asked. After all, it had been almost seven years since he had won on either [...]
Terry guaranteed new Blues deal, insists Mourinho March 3, 2015 CHELSEA boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed that skipper John Terry will be handed a contract extension to take him into an 18th season as a first-team professional at Stamford Bridge. The 34-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of the season, while it is Chelsea policy that players over the age of 30 are only [...]
