Native tokens on Cardano February 11, 2021 Last week, IOHK, developers of the Cardano blockchain, updated the platform’s ‘native tokens’ testnet. The upgrade provides multi-asset support, allowing experimenters on the testnet to test and become familiar with utilising cryptocurrencies from other blockchains on Cardano and creating their own tokens prior to mainnet deployment. The update introduces the ability to create ‘native tokens’. [...]
On thin ice: the danger posed by thawing permafrost and how businesses need to prepare February 11, 2021 Rapidly thawing Arctic permafrost is a prime example of how climate change is impacting natural ecosystems and, in turn, business operations. Permafrost is the name for ground that remains frozen for more than two years. It has existed in this region for millennia. Temperatures in Russia have increased by around two and a half times [...]
Entain doubles down on £250m Enlabs bid despite investor backlash February 11, 2021 Ladbrokes owner Entain has doubled down on its £250m cash bid for Swedish rival Enlabs despite complaints from one of the company’s largest shareholders. In a statement today Entain said it was extending the deadline for its offer of 40 Swedish krona per share until 18 March. The gambling group said it had filed applications [...]
Covid crisis is an opportunity to put digital at the heart of our democracy February 11, 2021 It’s official: the long-awaited climax of the London Mayoral race is scheduled for May 6th, when polling stations across the city will throw open their doors for the first time since the start of the pandemic. But in a world now heavily mediated by online interaction, questions must be asked as to why this opportunity [...]
Ex-FCA chief Woolard nabs leadership role at EY February 11, 2021 Chris Woolard, the former interim chief executive at city regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has nabbed a leadership role at EY. Woolard will join the Big Four firm in April to lead its EMEIA financial services regulatory capabilities, and chair the EY Global Financial Services Regulatory Network. He will replace John Liver, who currently [...]
Key worker demand for affordable homes boosts sales at MJ Gleeson February 11, 2021 Affordable housing developer MJ Gleeson reported a jump in homes sold in the first half due to demand from key workers and first time buyers. MJ Gleeson said revenue was up 35.8 per cent to £142.6m and profit before tax increased 52.6 per cent to £20.3m. Earnings per share in the six months ended 30 [...]
Relx hikes dividend but warns on exhibitions recovery February 11, 2021 Relx today said it plans to lift its full-year dividend by three per cent after growth in its core analytics business offset a sharp decline in exhibitions. The FTSE 100 group said it had enjoyed continued growth in its science, legal and risk divisions, which make up 95 per cent of its revenue. This mitigated [...]
Last orders: US private equity giant calls time on bid to buy pub chain Marston’s February 11, 2021 Platinum Equity Advisors today announced its intention to pull out of its bid to buy British brewer and pub chain owner Marston’s. Marston’s, which runs around 1,400 pubs, rejected a £690m takeover offer from the US private equity firm last month, claiming that the bid undervalued the company. The British Hobgoblin brewer has seen shares [...]
AstraZeneca gets vaccine boost as sales jump to nearly $26bn February 11, 2021 Product sales at AstraZeneca jumped 10 per cent in 2020, up to nearly $26bn, in a year that made the at pharmaceutical company a household name. Total revenue at the business stood at $2.6bn, up nine per cent from 2019. Globally, new medicines represented 52 per cent of total revenue for the year. AstraZeneca’s share [...]
Superdry poaches new finance chief from Marks & Spencer’s clothing division February 11, 2021 Fashion retailer Superdry has poached a senior Marks & Spencer director to be its new chief financial officer. Shaun Wills, who has served as the finance director of M&S’s beleaguered clothing and home division since 2018, will join Superdry at the end of April. Wills, who has worked in the retail sector for 30 years, [...]
