Mike Ashley faces shareholder rebellion at Sports Direct AGM August 27, 2019 Mike Ashley could face a shareholder revolt at Sports Direct’s annual general meeting next month after two proxy advisors recommended investors vote to oust him from the board. Pensions and Investment Research Consultants (Pirc) and Glass Lewis have both urged shareholders to oppose the re-election of Ashley, the firm’s chief executive and founder, at a [...]
US landlords withdraw legal challenge to Arcadia CVA August 27, 2019 Two US landlords have withdrawn their legal challenges to Sir Philip Green’s restructuring plan for his embattled retail empire Arcadia. The businessman has reached an agreement with Vornado, which owns two Topshop stores in New York, and Californian landlord Caruso. Read more: US property firm challenges Arcadia restructuring plans The retail landlords had launched an [...]
Tech founders warn UK at risk of losing global fintech crown August 27, 2019 Tech founders have warned that the UK is at risk of losing its position as the global fintech leader. Sector leaders urged the government to “not be complacent” about the country’s fintech crown, as a new survey revealed that founders were concerned about access to talent and capital and the potential impact of Brexit. Read [...]
Lane Clark and Peacock plots takeover of KPMG pensions arm August 26, 2019 Lane Clark and Peacock (LCP), one of the UK’s largest independent financial consultancy firms, is preparing a £200m takeover of KPMG’s pensions advisory arm. The company, which is backed by buyout firm Inflexion, is among a small group of bidders that have made it through to the second round of the auction, Sky News reported. [...]
UBS turns bearish on stocks due to US-China trade war August 26, 2019 UBS Global Wealth Management has recommended that clients sell stocks due to concerns that the latest escalation in the ongoing trade war between the US and China could threaten global markets. The world’s largest wealth manager cut its core equity recommendation to “underweight” after US President Donald Trump increased tensions between the two countries as [...]
Soaring temperatures fail to heat up July high street sales August 9, 2019 Soaring temperatures failed to lift high street sales last month but benefited online stores as consumers turned to fast fashion for their heat wave wardrobes. In-store like-for-like sales only increased 0.1 per cent in July as shoppers sheltered from the heat, upping the pressure on retailers as the third quarter continues. Read more: Restaurants eat [...]
Derwent London sells Clerkenwell office block for £103m August 8, 2019 Property developer Derwent London has exchanged contracts to sell The Buckley Building in Clerkenwell for £103m, the company announced as it reported boosted rental income for the first half of the year. New lettings in the first half totalled £18.1m, 7.5 per cent above December 2018 estimated rental value. Net rental income was up 7.1 [...]
Adidas pledges to fix supply issues after missing sales forecast August 8, 2019 Sportswear giant Adidas promised to fix supply shortages in North America it missed sales and profit expectations in the second quarter. Sales were up four per cent to €5.51bn, below average forecasts of €5.54bn and operating profit rose nine per cent to €643m but below expectations of €651m. Read more: Adidas hikes profit forecast In [...]
Ex-Greene King chief exec pockets £850,000 after quitting August 8, 2019 Former Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand received a pay out of £850,000 after he quit the pub chain. The FTSE 250 brewery said the payment – equivalent to about a year’s remuneration – was made after Anand agreed to “various post-termination covenants” that were not part of his original contract. Read more: High yielding [...]
Restaurants eat into retailers’ high street share August 8, 2019 Retailers are being edged out of the high street following a spike in change of use requests to convert shops into restaurants. More than a third of change of use applications made to councils last year were to swap retailers for restaurant or takeaways, despite the challenges currently facing the casual dining sector. Read more: [...]
