Zoom no more: Work lunches return in time to lift office morale, study says July 1, 2021 After more than a year of virtual coffees, the business lunch is back according to a new study, with Brits eyeing sirloin steak and red wine to seal a deal. The study, commissioned by London North Eastern Railway (LNER), found that most participants agreed that treating a client to a medium-rare sirloin steak paired with [...]
Revolving door: Kantar’s third boss in 18 months is BT CEO’s bro July 1, 2021 Kantar has tapped the brother of BT’s chief executive as its new boss, marking yet another leadership change at the media giant following its takeover by Bain Capital. The market research group today said Chris Jansen, brother of BT’s Philip Jansen, will take the reins from 1 November. The appointment comes less than 18 months [...]
PZ Cussons predicts better-than-expected profits as Covid-driven cleanliness endures July 1, 2021 Hygiene, baby and beauty brands returned the business to revenue growth, but consumers have calmed down on handwashing since the beginning of the pandemic. Consumer products giant PZ Cussons reported steady revenue growth of 7 per cent across all regions and its hygiene, baby and beauty brands in the financial year to May 31, in [...]
Exxon Mobil lobbyist admits to denying climate science in lobbying efforts July 1, 2021 A senior Exxon Mobil lobbyist has been captured on camera revealing how the oil giant is using its power and influence to water down US climate legislation. The footage was obtained by Greenpeace UK’s investigators, who posed as head-hunters to obtain the information from one of Exxon Mobil’s most senior Washington lobbyists. Exxon Mobil has [...]
BT promises wholesale price freeze in full-fibre broadband push July 1, 2021 BT has pledged to freeze prices for its wholesale telecoms customers in a bid to drive the take-up of full-fibre broadband services and fend off competition from rivals. The FTSE 100 company today said it will hold prices for up to 10 years when communications providers commit to using full-fibre wherever it is available, rather [...]
Polar Capital profits surge 49 per cent July 1, 2021 Asset manager Polar Capital posted a robust set of results this morning, driven by strong inflows into its funds. Pre-tax profit climbed 49 per cent to £75.9m in 2021, up from £50.8m in the previous year. The firm recorded net inflows into its funds of £517m in the quarter to 25 June 2021. Assets under [...]
Primark lifts profit forecast after store reopenings boost sales July 1, 2021 Primark has hiked its profit forecast for the full year after the easing of lockdown restrictions drove a sharp rise in sales for the third quarter. Parent company Associated British Foods (ABF) said profit at the budget fashion chain would be roughly in line with last year — up from previous guidance of “somewhat lower”. [...]
Nissan confirms £1bn Sunderland gigafactory in major jobs boost July 1, 2021 Nissan today confirmed plans to open a £1bn flagship battery gigafactory in Sunderland as part of a major electric vehicle push that will create thousands of new jobs. The Japanese carmaker said the huge new plant, dubbed EV36Zero, would create 6,200 new jobs at Nissan and its UK suppliers. This includes more than 900 new [...]
Revolution Bars reports recovery in trading to almost pre-Covid levels July 1, 2021 Cocktail bar group Revolution Bars said sales have surged as lockdown restrictions were lifted, and it expects revenue for the year to be ahead of previous expectations. Despite operating at 28 per cent of total capacity since indoor drinking was permitted from May 17, the group today reported that trading since that date has surged [...]
Dubai Port owner DP World snaps up US logistics firm Syncreon for $1.2bn July 1, 2021 Dubai Port owner DP World snaps up US logistics firm Syncreon for $1.2bn