HSBC scandal takes the spark out of the FTSE – London Report February 9, 2015 THE UK’s top share index edged lower yesterday, hurt by a fall in HSBC after the bank admitted tax failings at its Swiss unit and by softer utility stocks. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index was down 0.2 per cent, or 16.29 points, at 6,837.15 points by the close, with United Utilities, National Grid and Severn Trent [...]
London drives economic boom at start of 2015 February 8, 2015 UK COMPANIES are starting the year positively after a slow end to 2014, new survey data shows. A purchasing managers’ index for the UK – a survey of private sector firms – ticked up to a score of 56.7 in January, according to figures released today by Lloyds Bank. All nine English regions recorded growth, [...]
City Moves for 09 February 2015 | Who’s switching jobs February 8, 2015 Cohn & Wolfe The communications agency has appointed Helen Ridgway as chief executive of technology agency AxiCom, which it acquired seven years ago. Cohn & Wolfe, in turn, is part of WPP. Ridgway co-founded AxiCom 20 years ago. Her client base includes Tyco and Microsoft Devices Group. Insight Investment Shankar Athreya has been appointed head [...]
Last of the Miller family Keith retires as Miller Group’s boss February 5, 2015 Keith Miller announced yesterday he will step down as chief executive of Miller Group, ending 81 years of family leadership at the UK’s biggest privately-owned housebuilder. The Edinburgh-based company, which has operations across the UK but outside of London, was founded by Miller’s father and his uncles in 1934. The 65-year-old sailing enthusiast joined [...]
City Moves for 06 February 2015 | Who’s switching jobs February 5, 2015 Warburg Pincus Rene Obermann is joining the global private equity firm as managing director and partner. Obermann was chief executive of Deutsche Telekom from 2006 to 2013, and was most recently chief executive of Ziggo NV. He will be based at the firm’s London office. Hay Group The management consultancy has appointed Jim Tapper as [...]
Six fire engines called to shop fire on Eversholt Street, Euston, road closed February 5, 2015 A north London road near Euston station has been shut off after the basement of a shop caught fire. Six fire engines are on the scene at Eversholt Street, which runs from Euston to Mornington Crescent. The London Fire Brigade said no one had been injured by the fire, which was in the [...]
Cuadrado deal takes Chelsea’s transfer spend to highest levels for a decade as player sales reach all-time record February 2, 2015 If you thought Uefa’s financial fair play rules were going to curb Roman Abramovich’s spending at Chelsea, think again. Following the signing of Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina for £29.4m, the Blues’ total spend on transfer fees for the season has reached £123.3m. Chelsea have not spent as much in a single season for 10 years. [...]
Chinese banks’ brands overtake HSBC and Santander by value February 1, 2015 CHINESE banks are leaping up the league tables of valuable brands, overtaking western titans according to a study out today from Brand Finance and The Banker magazine. ICBC’s valuation rose by 20 per cent on the year, climbing from sixth place to second, overtaking HSBC and threatening number one brand Wells Fargo. Agricultural Bank of [...]
City Moves for 02 February 2015 | Who’s switching jobs February 1, 2015 EY Kate Richardson-Walsh has been appointed to EY’s business development team in London. She is a triple Olympian, and has been the captain of England and Great Britain hockey for the past 11 years. She will take up the role while training for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. Investec Specialist Bank The bank has announced [...]
Arsenal transfer spend tops £100m and smashes previous record after Gabriel Paulista signing January 29, 2015 Gabriel Paulista may not be the most significant signing Arsenal will ever make, but the Brazilian centre-back’s arrival in North London has created a little bit of history for his new club. After spending roughly £13m on the 24 year-old, Arsenal’s spending for the season has crossed the £100m mark. Never before have the Gunners [...]