Local elections analysis: Do results suggest fear of complacency was misplaced? May 5, 2023 Poll leads can be a tricky thing for opposition parties, as Labour has shown in recent weeks. Lean in too far and risk appearing complacent. But downplay it too much, and you could fail to capitalise on a popularity boost. What everyone – from activists to frontbenchers – really want is cold, hard evidence of [...]
Coronation and your cash: How much have prices – and life in the UK – changed since 1953? May 5, 2023 When Queen Elizabeth II was crowned 70 years ago in 1953, the price of a pint was less than 10p, the average house price was around £1,800, and the average salary was £10 a week. But that’s not all that has changed, this year’s Coronation of King Charles III takes place in a nation where life [...]
Holiday Inn chief steps down as group sees bookings hike despite ‘economic tailwinds’ May 5, 2023 The chief of Holiday Inn owner International Continental Hotels (IHG) is to step down from the helm after nearly six years. Keith Barr, group chief executive officer of the global hotel chain will be succeeded by Elie Maalouf, who currently heads up its American operations. Barr has worked within the brand for almost 14 years, [...]
Shell to pay £400m in windfall taxes this year after bumper first quarter earnings May 4, 2023 Shell has confirmed it will pay just under £400m in windfall taxes this year, after bumper first-quarter profits.
Dating at work is okay, as long as you’re dressing up for it May 4, 2023 The chief financial officer of a FTSE 100 company was forced to step down over a consensual relationship with a colleague. David Egan, finance chief of RS Group, left with “immediate effect” after notifying the board of a “personal relationship” with a colleague. Office dating, complicated, contentious – but also the source of many a [...]
Domino’s takeaway: Pizza chain announces £20m share buyback as UK sales soar May 4, 2023 UK consumers shrugged off inflation and a cost of living crisis to order more pizza, according to UK and Irish-based chain Domino’s. The fast food chain said sales increased to £386.6m across its branches, up 5.6 per cent compared to the same period last year. Quarterly orders at Domino’s Pizza group grew 2.8 per cent [...]
Windfall tax will hurt UK’s climate ambitions, oil boss warns May 4, 2023 The windfall tax will make the UK more reliant on carbon-intensive imports to meet its energy needs - warned the boss of Ithaca Energy.
Allica Bank’s Richard Davies on navigating crises and plans for business banking domination May 4, 2023 Amid a crowded field of UK challenger banks, Allica's function-over-fashion approach is serving it well, says CEO Richard Davies
Lord’s cricket ground to open its doors to food festival in autumn May 4, 2023 Sports stadiums such as Lord’s can gather dust for much of the year. Whether to do with the length of the off-season, the time between home matches or the circumstances surrounding a given season, venues often need to be used for non-sporting purposes to ensure they turn a profit throughout the calendar. Some turn into conference [...]
Let’s be honest, we can’t keep blaming supermarkets for the sky-high food prices May 4, 2023 Supermarkets get all the blame for the sky-rocketing food prices. But they've tried to keep prices as low as possible against inflationary pressures and supply chains disruptions, writes Matthew Lesh