Why Metro Bank is flourishing in the low growth banking business November 13, 2012 WHEN we first opened Metro Bank’s doors in 2010, the prevailing response was that we were a little crazy. “How can you expect to drop into London and do something nobody’s done in more than 100 years: create a differentiated new bank model? It can’t be done!” But we knew that the UK banking market [...]
Psychology is lurking beneath every disappointing corporate merger November 13, 2012 INTERNATIONAL Airlines Group (IAG), formed in January 2011 through a merger between British Airways and Iberia, is in difficulty. Operating losses at IAG in the first nine months of 2012 were €169M (£135m). Shareholders have a right to feel disgruntled. They might question IAG’s revenue forecasting methods, and how realistic their projections have been. Or [...]
Failure to control inflation damages Britain’s recovery November 13, 2012 THE Bank of England sets interest rates to keep inflation low to preserve the value of your money,” reads the puff on the front page of the Bank’s website. But it’s done a poor job recently. The 2.7 per cent annual rise in the consumer prices index (CPI), announced yesterday, is better than last September’s [...]
Would Nick Clegg’s new proposals on flexible working be practical for a career in the City? November 13, 2012 YES Lynn Rattigan It’s not a divine right for parents to work flexibly. But flexible working should be an option afforded to everyone. And let’s be clear – reduced hours need not mean reduced commitment. All flexible working arrangements must start with a business conversation that balances the needs of the business, clients and teams [...]
Rapid responses November 13, 2012 Corporation tax [Re: How corporation tax myths poison the wider debate, yesterday] There is an assumption among many people that large multinationals exist solely to pay corporation tax. These companies aren’t seen as broadly useful businesses, which provide services and sources of employment to millions, but as a means of sourcing money for the government. [...]
A car you’ll be able to tell from Adam November 13, 2012 I’M STANDING in a hotel car park outside Lisbon and my head hurts. Forty different versions of Vauxhall’s new lifestyle city car, called Adam, are laid out in front of me and I’m not sure I particularly like the look of any of them. This, I suspect, is entirely the point – Vauxhall’s diminutive new [...]
Car talk November 13, 2012 The Caterham Seven Supersport The Caterham Seven Supersport is getting an even-more race-focused brother. The two-litre Supersport R boasts a bigger Ford Duratec engine, a five-speed gearbox and packs 180bhp. Developed over three years of Caterham’s R300 race championship, the car has hardcore track-bred dynamics, a bespoke steering wheel, composite race seats and four-point race [...]
The tux gets the Acne treatment November 13, 2012 WHAT SPRINGS to mind when you think about Acne? Not formal wear, right, and why should it? After all, when the Swedish label exploded onto the fashion scene just over a decade ago, it was its achingly cool and quirky denim wear that had everybody talking. Fast-forward to today and the denim wear is still [...]
Michael van der Ham and Brora join forces November 13, 2012 ACNE’S NOT the only brand unveiling a big collaboration this month. London Fashion week favourite Michael Van Der Ham has joined forces with British cashmere label Brora, on a twelve-piece collection to make sure that you can keep warm but stylish this winter. “I was approached by Brora [to do a collection] and wanted to [...]
Englandglory dream spurs Gerrard to go beyond 100 November 13, 2012 CAPTAIN Steven Gerrard insists he still has “a few chapters” left in his international career as he prepares to join a select band to win a century of England caps tonight against Sweden. The Liverpool midfielder has not given up on lifting silverware with Roy Hodgson’s side, although he admits he considered quitting the national [...]
