Talktalk stalls on £1.5bn deal to roll out full-fibre internet to UK homes November 7, 2018 British telecoms network Talktalk has put discussions with Prudential-owned investment vehicle Infracapital on hold amid a valuation dispute on a £1.5bn deal to roll out full-fibre broadband to millions of homes across the country. Sky News reported tonight that the two parties have reached an impasse on the joint venture, which was announced in February. [...]
EE’s first 5G trials go live in new locations across these east London hotspots November 7, 2018 Mobile network provider EE, has today switched on nine trial sites for 5G technology across east London, in addition to an existing test site in Canary Wharf. These include spots such as Provost Street, City Road, Central Street, Old Street, Cheapside, St Paul's, Finsbury Circus, Clerkenwell Street and Bartholomew Square. EE, which is owned by [...]
British business leaders demand ‘people’s vote’ on Brexit deal November 4, 2018 Over 70 City grandees including the former chairmen of Lloyd’s of London and Standard Chartered have joined calls for a “people’s vote” on the final Brexit deal between the UK and the European Union. Ahead of the launch of ‘Business for a People’s Vote’, a new campaign group, the group warned in a letter published [...]
Editor’s Notes: Business chiefs can do great things in politics, but what about the pay cut? November 2, 2018 Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt has raised the prospect of senior business figures giving up the boardroom and joining the Foreign Office in the service of their country. When I asked a former senior diplomat, with an alphabet of letters after his name, what he made of this proposal he slapped his hands on his head [...]
Theresa May continues to woo business groups with new forum to hear industry concerns November 1, 2018 Theresa May’s attempts to woo the business world has gone up another notch with the creation of a special forum for boardroom leaders and government ministers. The new initiative will see bosses from companies including Rolls-Royce Holdings, BT Group and ITV meet with the Prime Minister and senior cabinet figures twice a year to discuss key [...]
BT shares drive upwards as it improves guidance after boosting profits November 1, 2018 BT shares pushed upwards this morning as it reported a rise in profits. The figures BT posted a two per cent rise in earnings to £3.7bn in the first half of the year and a 24 per cent year-on year increase to profits before tax to £1.3bn, boosting shares by over nine per cent this [...]
Overseas matches, disruptive broadcast deals and a global network of delegates: how La Liga is trying to close the gap to the Premier League October 25, 2018 You may have noticed Spanish football in the headlines lately – and not only because this weekend sees the latest instalment of its biggest game, El Clasico, between Barcelona and Real Madrid. La Liga, the organisation that represents Barca, Madrid and the other 40 clubs that make up Spain’s top two divisions, and their straight-talking [...]
BT names Worldpay chief Philip Jansen as its new CEO October 25, 2018 BT has announced Worldpay’s Philip Jansen as its new chief executive, joining the telecom giant early next year after current boss Gavin Patterson steps down. Jansen, who has led payments services company Worldpay for five years as co-chief executive, will be paid a £1.1m salary as well as an annual bonus of up to 240 [...]
FTSE 100 falls to seven-month low amid Europe-wide sell-off of stocks October 23, 2018 The FTSE 100 fell to a seven-month low this morning as a Europe-wide sell-off of stocks saw shares drop 1.1 per cent. The index opened below the 7,000 mark today as investors were rattled by world events including Italy’s expansionary budget, Brexit, Saudi oil prices and a poor run of third quarter results this morning. It [...]
BT pension scheme appoints Now Pensions founder Morten Nilsson as chief exec October 9, 2018 The BT Pension Scheme today appointed the founder of Now Pensions Morten Nilsson as its new chief executive. BT Pension Scheme Management (BTPS) said Nilsson will take up the role immediately and report to the firm's chairman of the board of trustees, Paul Spencer. The telecoms giant's pension is one of the largest defined benefit [...]