New chairman for Shell as CEO takes 42 per cent pay cut March 11, 2021 British-Dutch energy giant Shell has today announced the appointment of Andrew Mackenzie as its new chairman. Mackenzie joined Shell’s board in October 2020 after a career in the energy sector, most recently as group CEO of BHP. He also had a three-year stint at Rio Tinto, after a 22-year career at BP. The appointment came [...]
Pub group Mitchells & Butlers seals £350m emergency cash raise March 11, 2021 Mitchells & Butlers today confirmed it has raised £350m in emergency funding after shareholders took control of the embattled pub group. The company, which owns Toby Cavery and All Bar One, raised £350.5m through an open offer that will see it issue 167m new shares. Mitchells & Butlers launched the cash raise last month after [...]
It’s time to reform Statutory Sick Pay to create a healthy and productive workforce March 11, 2021 The Chancellor’s difficult second Budget, when it came, was hardly much of a surprise. While measures like the new “super deduction” came as welcome news for business, there was less on offer for those worried about how they would cope financially if they were suddenly unable to work. In the midst of the health emergency, the [...]
Technology transfer offers a fast route toward rebuilding the COVID-ravaged economies of low-and-middle income countries March 11, 2021 Technology transfer is a measure of the way in which countries manage their international flows of capital, goods, services, ideas and people. Borders and tariffs in rich countries often impede the economic and technological exchanges that could otherwise accelerate development and growth in poorer nations. Evidence shows that quickly spreading technology and technological knowledge quickly [...]
Marston’s boss steps down after two decades at the helm of pub chain March 11, 2021 Marston’s announced this morning that chief executive Ralph Findlay will step down this year after two decades at the helm of the pub chain. Findlay will leave on 30 September, at the end of the current financial year, and Marston’s has launched a search for his replacement. Marston’s chairman William Ricker said Findlay, who was [...]
Marshalls lifts forecasts after home improvement boom March 11, 2021 Marshalls has raised its forecasts for the full year after a boom in Brits carrying out home improvements drove the landscaping firm to a record start to the year. The London-listed firm posted a 13.5 per cent drop in revenue in 2020 to £469.5m, driven largely by a sharp slump in sales in the first [...]
Rolls-Royce plunges to huge loss as Covid turbulence sets in March 11, 2021 Rolls-Royce swung to a £4bn loss in 2020, as the cost of Covid turbulence became clear. The aerospace giant plunged to a loss of £4bn compared to a £306m profit in 2019 as the pandemic stopped airlines flying. The firm’s underlying revenue also sunk to £11.7bn from £15.5bn the previous year. Rolls-Royce’s model of charging [...]
Savills to pay dividend as UK residential unit makes ‘extraordinary’ recovery March 11, 2021 Savills has reinstated its dividend this morning as it reported that its UK residential agency division performed strongly last year, despite an overall drop in profit. The estate agent chain, which last year suspended its dividend due to the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, said shareholders will pocket a 17p per share payout. Profit [...]
Morrisons profit hit by £290m Covid costs March 11, 2021 Morrisons this morning announced profit dropped last year after it was hit with £290m in costs related to the coronavirus crisis. Profit before tax dropped 62.1 per cent to £165m in the year ended 31 January, the grocer said, as the impact of repeated Covid-19 restrictions saw costs mount. The supermarket spent an extra £99m [...]
BP makes almost $4bn from energy trading as oil demand wanes March 11, 2021 BP’s trading division is said to have made almost $4bn (£2.8bn) last year as the oil major weathered the impact of the pandemic on oil demand. The blue-chip giant’s trading profit was only just short of the record amount of slightly over $4bn it made in 2019, according to internal documents seen by Reuters. Trading [...]
