HESTER:LET’STAKETHINGSSLOW September 13, 2009 STEPHEN Hester, chief executive of part-nationalised Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), has warned a rapid boom after the recession could actually be damaging. In a BBC interview, Hester said a “gradual emergence from recession” that sees the economy “rebalance”is the best possible outcome.
Brown seeks to safeguard Vauxhall jobs September 13, 2009 PRIME Minister Gordon Brown is set to lead talks at Ellesmere Port car plant this week, as part of a government push to safeguard thousands of jobs at Vauxhall’s UK plants. The move comes after US parent General Motors (GM) sold off a 55 per cent stake in its European arm to Canadian car parts [...]
Ban on product placement on TV to be lifted September 13, 2009 PRODUCT placement is to be allowed on commercial television shows, as the government makes a complete U-turn in its attitude towards the controversial form of advertising. Culture secretary Ben Bradshaw is expected to announce a three-month consultation on the controversial new policy during his keynote speech to the Royal Television Society’s Cambridge Convention on Wednesday. [...]
JJB Sports investigation takes flight to Reykjavik September 13, 2009 THE Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has jetted to Iceland to investigate what is believed to be crucial evidence into an alleged fraud perpetrated by sportswear retailers JJB Sports and Sports Direct. The Icelandic visit is said to be of mutual interest to the SFO and the Icelandic government, which is trying to unearth financial crimes [...]
FEAST ON THE BRIDGE September 13, 2009 Southwark Bridge was transformed into a giant dining space on Saturday, as part of the Mayor’s Thames Festival. Instead of traffic, the public were treated to Feast on the Bridge, which aimed to reconnect them with the seasonality of food and enjoy a meal together. The medieval feast theme meant that festival-goers also enjoyed dance, [...]
CELEBS ARE VERSED IN WHEELER DEALER ART September 13, 2009 A RAFT of celebrities got the chance to try their hand at wheeling and dealing last Friday, as inter-dealer broker BGC Partners held its annual charity trading day over in Canary Wharf. Among the famous guests were sporting heroes Sir Ian Botham, Linford Christie, Martin Johnson and Jade Johnson, as well as tens of others [...]
BILL OF THE WEEK September 13, 2009 HERE, ladies and gentlemen, is a Thursday night blow-out any alcohol connoisseur would be proud of. Our six diners ate baked sea bass, lamb biryani, tandoori prawns and duck on their trip to Mint Leaf Lounge in the heart of the City, though the wine and cocktail selection was where the real damage was done.They [...]
Regulators in force in City women list… September 13, 2009 MARGARET Cole and Verena Ross lead a quartet of women from the financial regulation sector making their first appearances on the Financial News’ list of 100 most influential women in finance, released today. The pair, both from the Financial Services Authority, are joined by Jane de Lozey from the Serious Fraud Office and Barbara Ridpath [...]
…but well-known bosses fail to make it this year September 13, 2009 SOME prominent women who appeared in last year’s Financial News 100 Women list have not been included in this year’s edition. Clara Furse stepped down earlier this year after eight years as chief executive of the London Stock Exchange and as a result exits the list. Investment fund manager Nicola Horlick has also lost her [...]
Knight Frank payouts fall as profits dip September 13, 2009 ESTATE agent Knight Frank yesterday insisted it was looking ahead to a “period of stability” after revealing a near 50 per cent fall in full-year pre-tax profits. The group, which advised on Nomura’s move to Watermark Place – the City’s biggest property deal this year – revealed underlying group profits had fallen to £33.2m in [...]