UK car production up 3.5 per cent so far this year July 24, 2014 Car manufacturing in the UK rose by 3.5 per cent in the first half of the year to hit nearly 800,000 units produced, helped by the launch of a range of new models, with more anticipated in the months ahead. The figures from the industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), showed [...]
Unipart Automotive collapses into administration as scale of rescue deemed “too risky” July 24, 2014 Car parts business Unipart Automotive has gone into administration with the loss of more than a 1,000 jobs as a rescue bid from turnaround specialists R Capital, said to be interested in the business earlier this week, failed to emerge. The accountants in charge, KPMG, managed to offload 33 of the 200 branches to the Parts [...]
International tensions heighten cyber security risks for business July 23, 2014 Heightened geopolitical tensions are increasing the risk of cyber attacks, an international cyber security expert has warned. As the the downing of MH17 and the ongoing hostilities in Gaza deepen global tensions, Malcolm Marshall, UK and global lead in KPMG’s cyber security practice, says that cyber attacks are rapidly becoming the new battleground of international [...]
R Capital bid to rescue Unipart Automotive from the scrap heap July 21, 2014 Unipart Automotive, the car parts supplier facing imminent bankruptcy, may hope for a late reprieve as investment firm R Capital is believed to be looking to buy the company. Sources say negotiations have been going on throughout the weekend with KPMG, the accountants appointed by Unipart Automotive, with a decision likely this week. Unipart Automotive, [...]
City Moves for 18 July 2014 | Who’s switching jobs July 17, 2014 Keystone Law International corporate lawyer Francesca Lee is joining the law firm. She has previously held senior legal roles with Shell Hong Kong and General Electric Capital Corporation. Lee is particularly experienced in cross-border and international mergers, sales, acquisitions and joint ventures. Latham & Watkins London partner Bill Voge has been elected global chair and [...]
World Cup to blame for drop in retail sales growth to three-year low July 14, 2014 Retail sales grew at their slowest pace for over three years in June, with a variety of factors including England’s early exit from the World Cup being blamed for shoppers keeping a tight grip on their purses. Total sales were up just 0.6 per cent compared to the same month last year, the British [...]
London Report: Unemployment figures set to show recovery July 14, 2014 UNEMPLOYMENT figures this week are expected to show that the number of people out of work has dropped again, as the UK recovery takes hold. Jobs data is likely to show an unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent in the three months to May, down from 6.9 per cent in the quarter to February. Despite [...]
The in-house agency: Oliver Marketing CEO Simon Martin on the new media model July 13, 2014 Traditional ad and media agency models are under pressure – this everyone knows. But while some executives are nervously looking over their shoulders at the tech giants and consultancies, the in-house agency model is also shaking things up. According to the Association of National Advertisers, nearly 60 per cent of clients used in-house [...]
City Moves for 11 July 2014 | Who’s switching jobs July 10, 2014 BNP Paribas Real Estate The property adviser has appointed Pippa Evans as UK HR director. She has most recently been working on an interim basis at HSBC. Evans was also formerly HR director at Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe, and senior HR business partner at Schroders Asset Management. KPMG The professional services firm has announced two [...]
Moulton among possible Unipart rescuers July 8, 2014 CAR PARTS distributor Unipart Automotive is in talks with several potential rescuers as it tries to stave off administration. The British firm has put KPMG on standby as administrator, but hopes to get a cash injection in the next few days. Jon Moulton’s investment firm, Better Capital, is among the groups in talks to invest [...]