Firefox squares up to Google and Apple with new mobile platform February 24, 2013 MOZILLA, the organisation behind the Firefox web browser, has launched its own smartphone operating system, a move that will challenge Google’s Android software. The Firefox mobile operating system, targeted at smartphones that sell for £100 or less, will feature on devices made by Alcatel, LG and ZTE, with apps that run on HTML 5 – [...]
Tax breaks set to attract cash to North Sea oil February 24, 2013 INVESTMENT in the UK oil and gas sector will hit a record high this year, as a ramp up in drilling activity looks set to boost the UK economy. According to a report by trade body Oil & Gas UK out this morning, investment in the sector is forecast to rise to at least £13bn [...]
Emerging market hedge funds boom with billions more assets February 24, 2013 EMERGING market (EM) hedge funds boomed in the fourth quarter of last year, led by a surge in macro strategies and India-focused hedge funds, according to new figures. EM hedge funds across the world reached 1,100 by the end of 2012, a new record, while the amount of cash committed also leapt by $11.2bn (£7.39bn) [...]
Pension schemes push back debt reduction by 18 months February 24, 2013 UK pension schemes have been forced to push back their timescales for clearing their debts by one and a half years, a study out today shows. Pension plans now expect to reach their long-term objectives – commonly the stage when they are out of deficit and into surplus – in 12.8 years, up from 11.3 [...]
Carlyle eyes chance to hoover up stricken Axminster Carpets February 24, 2013 AXMINSTER Carpets, the historic carpet maker, could be bought by the same private equity outfit that snapped up failed UK carpet manufacturer Brintons in 2011 if the company files for administration, it emerged yesterday. Devon-based Axminster, which has woven carpets and rugs for aristocracy and royalty since the eighteenth century, is set to appoint Duff [...]
Online card firm Moo-Ves onto high street February 24, 2013 MOO, the online card printing specialist, is to open its first bricks and mortar store in Shoreditch, east London, it announced today. The seven-year-old firm, which printed over 90m business cards last year, is the latest online business to take up space on the high street. The Cambridge Satchel Company opened its first store in [...]
Tax consultant by day – rock star by night February 24, 2013 MUSIC fans in the City will already be familiar with ex-Bank of England MPC member and now PwC economist Andrew Sentance’s second career as a part-time crooner and bassist. However Sentance is not the only evenings and weekends rocker in the Square Mile. The Capitalist noticed an advert on website Gumtree calling for a new [...]
Ex-rugby and cricket players discuss hanging up their boots February 24, 2013 SALAMANCA Group, the bank and consultancy firm, hosted ex-rugby player Josh Lewsey and former England cricketer Michael Vaughan at the Royal Geographical Society last week to discuss life after a career in sports or the military. Both now supporters of the charity Combat Stress, Lewsey was talking about his move from rugby to PwC and [...]
City Moves for 25 February 2013 | Who’s switching jobs February 24, 2013 Eversheds The law firm has announced the appointment of Greg Hammond as partner responsible for building its energy and corporate capabilities. Hammond joins the firm from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, where he was a partner in its cross-border transactions practice. He is a member of the legal advisory taskforce to the Energy Charter [...]
Luton Airport could change hands February 24, 2013 The Spanish operator of three UK airports is considering selling them as part of its plan to slim down. Abertis, which owns or manages Luton, Cardiff and Belfast airports, is undertaking a review of the businesses and several others around the world as it disposes of non-core assets, according to several reports yesterday.
