Proposed new powers for Pensions Regulator would not have stopped Carillion happening, experts say August 22, 2018 A leading pensions consultancy has warned new measures to sharpen the teeth of the sector's regulator may not be enough to prevent another disaster like BHS or Carillion from happening. The government is consulting on proposals that will give The Pensions Regulator (TPR) stronger powers to improve the standards of defined benefit (DB) schemes. This includes giving [...]
Culture secretary Jeremy Wright outlines plans to safeguard UK broadcasting post-Brexit August 22, 2018 Culture secretary Jeremy Wright will today address fears Brexit could hit the TV broadcasting industry's workforce by outlining the government's ambitions to ensure talent are granted mobility between Europe and the UK. Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival today, Wright will hail the strength of the UK's public service broadcasting sector, while assuring industry figures the government [...]
Moonpig owner Photobox Group acquires Dutch market leader Greetz August 22, 2018 Owner of greetings card firm Moonpig, Photobox, today announced it had bought rival Dutch firm Greetz. The acquisition positions Photobox as the market leader in greetings cards and personal gifting. Dutch market leader Greetz sold around 7.5m cards last year, and also provides services sending flowers, chocolates and beverages to customers. It widens Photobox's brands, which also [...]
FTSE 250 technical products supplier Diploma snaps up FS Cables in £18m deal August 22, 2018 FTSE 250 technical services firm Diploma today snapped up a pair of businesses in a deal which it says will be immediately earnings enhancing. The company has bought FS Cables, which comprises Caplink and FSC Global, for around £18m. St Albans-based FS Cables supplies cable products to installers, end users and wholesales in a range of [...]
Flooring distributor Headlam shares plummet as sales slow down in first half August 22, 2018 Shares in floor covering distributor Headlam dived five per cent after markets opened today as it reported a steep drop in sales in the first half of the year. Like-for-like revenue at the firm took a hit compared to last year, falling 5.2 per cent. Before tax profit edged up 0.9 per cent to £17.73m – while it [...]
BHP puts shale behind it as dividend hits record high despite profits missing expectations August 21, 2018 The finance boss of Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP today admitted its US shale assets had been a “terrible investment” for the company as it posted a record final dividend despite missing profit expectations. In July BHP, which also has projects in commodities such as offshore oil, copper and iron ore, announced it would sell its [...]
Alexa can now let you automatically check the balance of your pension August 21, 2018 Amazon’s Echo Dot gadget can be used for a number of different functions – but now it can even automatically check on the balance of your pension. The smart speaker, which is activated by saying “Alexa” can already switch the lights in your home on and off, read the news and play your music using [...]
Wood Group slips to loss as it hails recovery in oil and gas arm August 21, 2018 Energy services firm Wood Group posted results ahead of expectations as it grew revenue despite additional charges pushing it to a loss. Shares in the firm swelled five per cent in early trading after the update. It told investors its outlook remained unchanged as it hailed a recovery in its oil and gas division. The firm also [...]
AdEPT Telecom shares lifted by £7.9m acquisition of Shift F7 August 20, 2018 Business services telco AdEPT Telecom's share price got a five per cent boost today after it announced the acquisition of IT firm Shift F7. The deal, worth around £7.9m is made up of £5m upfront followed by £2.9m in performance milestones over the next year, is expected to lift AdEPT's earnings by 10 per cent. Shares were [...]
Ride-hailing firm Ola kicks off operations in UK August 20, 2018 Uber rival Ola today launched its first services in the UK, as it started operations across South Wales in Cardiff, Newport and Vale of Glamorgan. The Indian firm, which has 125m customers worldwide, says it will offer drivers high introductory commission rates. Customers will also be given discounts on journeys using the ride-hailing app. The company said [...]
