Dentsu Aegis buys creative agency BJL as it expands in the north February 18, 2019 Advertising group Dentsu Aegis has bought Manchester-based creative agency BJL in a bid to expand its offering in the north of England. The deal follows a period of transformation for the independent creative agency, which has been expanding in the north of England and moved into London in 2014. Read more: Dentsu Aegis names Euan [...]
Peak fares face the axe in proposed shakeup of rail ticketing system February 18, 2019 Peak rail fares could be abolished under new proposals to move away from the UK's complex ticketing system to a fairer, "tap-in, tap out" model. Trade body the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) has called for a revamp of the ticket system to ensure customers only pay for what they need and are always charged the best-value [...]
UK house prices’ affordability improves at fastest rate for eight years as wage growth outpaces prices February 18, 2019 Prospective house buyers could be set for a change in fortunes as affordability improves at its fastest rate in eight years, new data has revealed. With annual house price growth at just 0.2 per cent, the annual wage increase of 3.4 per cent is outpacing asking prices at the fastest rate since 2011, according to figures [...]
Proportion of foreign buyers snapping up central London homes hits six-year high February 18, 2019 The proportion of homes in prime central London bought by international buyers hit its highest level in six years in 2018 as foreign buyers cash in on a drop in the pound. Fifty-seven per cent of homes bought in the capital’s most sought-after postcodes in the second half of 2018 were snapped up by an [...]
Security services set to conclude UK can mitigate Huawei 5G risks February 17, 2019 The UK’s security services have concluded the country can mitigate the risks of using Huawei equipment in its 5G network, the Financial Times reported, citing sources close to the discussions. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which is currently carrying out its annual review of the Chinese firm’s technology, has determined it is able to [...]
Citigroup closes in on £1.2bn purchase of Canary Wharf headquarters February 17, 2019 Citigroup is in talks to buy its Canary Wharf headquarters for a reported £1.2bn in a major show of confidence in London’s status as a global financial centre. Citi is looking to secure the purchase of the 25 Canada Square skyscraper, which it currently leases, from owner AGC Equity Partners in a bid to double [...]
Stock Spirits executives survive boardroom coup by activist investor Western Gate February 14, 2019 Vodka maker Stock Spirits has emerged unscathed after fending off an audacious boardroom coup mounted by activist investor Western Gate. Chairman David Maloney and senior independent director John Nicolson had their heads on the block at the company’s annual general meeting (AGM) this morning after the disgruntled shareholder launched an attack on the firm’s leadership. [...]
Kinetic UK chief executive Stuart Taylor to step down this year February 14, 2019 The chief executive of out-of-home advertising firm Kinetic, Stuart Taylor, will step down after six years in charge, the company said today. Taylor, who joined the WPP-owned agency in 2013, will be retiring as UK boss in June after steering the firm through a time of flux in the sector. Read more: Out-of-home adverts aren't [...]
EU agrees draft copyright reform amid clash between publishers and tech giants February 14, 2019 EU negotiators have reached a deal to reform copyright rules in a move that could overhaul intellectual property rights in the digital age and strike a blow against tech giants. The EU Commission late last night secured a draft agreement to force online platforms to take down user-generated content that breaches intellectual property rights. Read [...]
Trade minister Liam Fox urges MPs to back Prime Minister in Brexit vote February 14, 2019 Trade secretary Liam Fox has urged his Tory colleagues to fall in line ahead of a showdown between Prime Minister Theresa May and her party’s hardline Brexiters in a vote this afternoon. The motion asks parliament to reiterate its support for a previous Brexit vote, when MPs passed an amendment allowing May to return to [...]
