UK business slams Barnier audit reforms November 30, 2011 A number of business groups, including the CBI, yesterday slammed Michel Barnier’s proposals to shake up the audit market, saying they were “the latest in a long line of unnecessary distractions coming out of Brussels that would only serve to add to business costs”. Matthew Fell, director for competitive markets at the CBI, the employers’ [...]
To print or not to print: ECB policy debate November 29, 2011 AS the Eurozone crisis rumbles on, European policy makers are fast running out of ideas. In recent weeks, the calls for the central bank to start printing have grown louder. But is this a wise route to take? “Print your way out” ROGER NIGHTINGALE independent consultant (Below, left) If a motorist, driving along a hilly [...]
BATS gets go ahead to buy Chi-X Europe November 24, 2011 STOCK trading platforms Chi-X Europe and BATS Global Markets were given the final green light to merge by the competition watchdog yesterday, clearing the way for them to control a quarter of Europe’s equities volume. The UK Competition Commission rubber-stamped an earlier provisional decision and will allow the exchanges to complete a $300m (£192m) deal [...]
Five secret skills all chief executives need in order to flourish November 23, 2011 Distractions can trap many people leading companies – to execute successfully, diversions need to be eliminated OVER the past 35 years I have advised many chief executives and have identified many factors that make the extraordinary chief executives stand apart from the ordinary. However, there are five key secrets which are vital for chief executives [...]
EU probe into auditors set to be delayed November 17, 2011 MICHEL Barnier, the European commissioner, is widely expected to postpone the publication of draft legislation designed to clamp down on the market dominance of the “big four” accountancy firms next week. Barnier was planning to propose controversial changes to auditing rules to prevent potential conflicts of interest and boost competition. But the draft regulations are [...]
India’s innovation culture is revealing itself at last – and the West faces a dilemma November 14, 2011 CAN India emerge as an innovation powerhouse? Over the past two decades, India has achieved a dominant share of offshore work, giving Western populations angst about the loss of white collar jobs. The traditional concern in the West has been about immigrants coming onshore to compete for local jobs; now it seems that the effects [...]
EMI broken up and sold for £2.6bn November 11, 2011 The recorded music division of iconic British music group EMI, home to the Beatles and Coldplay, was sold today to French-based media conglomerate Vivendi. Universal Music Group, an arm of Vivendi and the world’s largest music company, announced an agreement with Citigroup today to purchase EMI Music for £1.2bn. There are reports that the second [...]
Vodafone seals the £790m sale of its stake in Poland’s Polkomtel November 9, 2011 VODAFONE last night sealed the €920m (£790m) sale of its 24.4 per cent stake in Polkomtel after gaining regulatory clearance from Polish authorities. Spartan Capital Holdings beat off competition from rivals including Apax and Telenor to acquire the stake. The sale is part of Vodafone’s strategy to offload non core assets. It has also sold [...]
INTERVENTION FROM THE SNB HAS LIMITS November 8, 2011 ONE currency pair staged a wild rollercoaster ride this week, rising 40 points in a matter of seconds only to fall 100 points a few minutes later as markets reacted to every headline to hit the screen. If you think I am referring to the euro-dollar, I am not. The cross in question is euro-Swiss [...]
We cannot improve schools from the centre: A bold call for more choice in education November 6, 2011 BY AND large, British families do not choose the education their children receive. For the majority of parents that choice is made for them, by the distance from their front door to the school gate, and whether they have the means to buy into the catchment of another school or avail themselves of a private [...]