Civil engineers want politicians to put infrastructure at heart of manifestos February 9, 2015 THE INSTITUTION of Civil Engineers (ICE) has today released a manifesto for the upcoming election, in which they call on politicians to prioritise infrastructure, and for the next UK government to focus on a long term infrastructure plan. ICE have laid out 10 key policies they want the political parties to adopt. They include the [...]
Broadband roll out disputed as two million homes go superfast February 9, 2015 THE GOVERNMENT and BT say that they are on track to reach their target to get superfast broadband in 95 per cent of homes by 2017, announcing yesterday that 2m households are now connected to internet with speeds of 24mb/s. However, Chris Bryant, Labour’s shadow minister for culture and the digital economy, expressed his concerns: [...]
Exova’s latest buy takes firm into new sector February 9, 2015 TESTING and advisory firm Exova Group has bought environmental testing company Environmental Evaluation (EEL) for an undisclosed amount. Oldham-based EEL employs 83 staff and specialises in asbestos management services for the nuclear decommissioning industry. Edinburgh-based Exova said the deal would extend its geographical reach and capabilities in the UK, “as well as opening up growth [...]
Bordeaux is back on the investment table as Hong Kong buyers boost price February 9, 2015 BORDEAUX prices are back at 2010 levels, with the cost of some of the French regions’ best-known brands returning to pre-crisis peaks. Bordeaux Index, which monitors fine wine prices, said yesterday that while prices had soured in recent years, the supply excess had now “worked out of the market” and export demand is increasing again, [...]
Developers confirm a start date for £440m Westgate Oxford shopping area February 9, 2015 Developers have confirmed that construction on a £440m Westgate Oxford retail and leisure scheme will start in spring, after four years of planning. The Westgate Oxford Alliance, a joint venture between Land Securities and The Crown Estate, said the new 800,000 square foot development will expand the existing Westgate in Oxford city centre by adding [...]
Quarto secures $95m of credit from its banks February 9, 2015 ILLUSTRATED book publishing and distribution group Quarto announced a new four year $95m (£62.4m) banking facility yesterday with three banks. The facility, signed with the Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of America, Santander UK and Fifth Third Bank, will run from April 2015 until April 2019. “We are very pleased to have concluded our refinancing, [...]
Countrywide prepares for new acquisitions with £100m loans February 9, 2015 Estate agency Countrywide has increased its financing facilities from £150m to £250m, the FTSE-250-listed firm announced yesterday. Countrywide said the extra finance will be used for general corporate purposes, including funding potential acquisitions. The £250m revolving credit facility has been provided by its current banking syndicate, comprising Abbey National Treasury Services, AIB Group (UK), Barclays, [...]
Rolls-Royce wins $442m worth of contracts for cut-price technology February 9, 2015 Rolls-Royce plc yesterday revealed three new contracts worth a total of $442m (£290m) to provide lift fan propulsion systems for F-35B Lightning II aircraft. The company will produce and support its LiftSystem technology for the planes, in a series of deals agreed between Rolls-Royce and US aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, which provides the propulsion [...]
Woodford sells out of Smith & Nephew and Gagfah in January February 9, 2015 WOODFORD Investment Management sold out of the artificial hip and knee maker Smith & Nephew and German real estate firm Gagfah in January, according to the firm’s factsheet released yesterday. The firm, run by the City’s high-profile fund manager Neil Woodford, built a near-£40m new bet in P2P Global Investments and also added small stakes [...]
City Moves for 10 February 2015 | Who’s switching jobs February 9, 2015 Tomorrow Partners The debt advisory firm has hired Daniel Morland as a partner. He has over 20 years’ financing experience, and was most recently at Gleacher Shacklock, where he was a partner and head of debt advisory. Prior to that, Morland held senior roles at Close Brothers. Cantor Fitzgerald Cantor Fitzgerald Europe has announced the [...]
