NME to go free as Time Inc attempts to boost circulation to 300,000 July 6, 2015 Time Inc. will make NME free from September and increase its circulation to 300,000 in a bid to reverse the iconic music magazine's flagging fortunes. Read more: Metal Hammer and Classic Rock magazines sold off by Future The 63-year-old magazine will be given away nationally at train stations, university campuses and selected retailers in a similar [...]
David Shaw to chair Mayfair’s Pollen Estate July 5, 2015 MAYFAIR landlord The Pollen Estate has appointed the head of The Crown Estate’s Regent Street portfolio, David Shaw, as chairman. The Pollen Estate owns 43 properties on some of London’s most sought-after shopping streets including Savile Row and Bond Street, with tenants including jeweller Chopard. It has some 120 beneficiaries, including The Crown Estate, which [...]
City Moves for 06 July 2015 | Who’s switching jobs July 5, 2015 SEI The investment firm has appointed Andrew Booker as head of sales within its private banking business. He joins from Brown Brothers Harriman & Co, where he held roles in sales, relationship management and strategic planning. Booker has also held senior roles at JP Morgan Private Bank. Countrywide Samantha Tyrer has been appointed managing director [...]
Brighthouse getting its house in order July 1, 2015 Rent-to-buy boss tells Kasmira Jefford why it has a valid place on the high street THE OWNERS of Brighthouse couldn’t have picked a better name to sum up the UK’s biggest rent-to-own retail chain. Its bold red and yellow fascia above window displays that promise “low weekly payments” and “no deposit” unashamedly seek to grab [...]
Topps Tiles sales rise after brand gets a makeover July 1, 2015 TOPPS Tiles posted a jump in third quarter underlying sales yesterday as efforts to modernise its brand and broaden its appeal to include more higher-earning customers paid off. The retailer, which has 346 stores, reported a 5.9 per cent rise in like-for-like sales in the 13 weeks ended 27 June – its third consecutive quarter [...]
City Moves for 30 June 2015 | Who’s switching jobs June 29, 2015 Baker & McKenzie The law firm has appointed Kate Alexander as principal tax adviser in its London tax practice. She joins from EY, where she has been a partner and head of markets for its international tax services group. Alexander has also worked as head of UK patent box at EY. Savills Investment Management Peter [...]
Credit Suisse and ING looking at possible reduced presence in UK June 29, 2015 CREDIT Suisse and ING have warned the Treasury that they may move some of their activities out of London. The banks voiced their concerns during pre-Budget talks, according to a report in the Financial Times. The threat of departure comes despite efforts by the government to appease banks who are becoming increasingly frustrated at the [...]
Richard Caring toasts a rise in sales at his restaurant empire June 28, 2015 Richard Caring’s collection of restaurants and nightclubs recorded a rise in sales in 2013. His company, Caprice Holdings, which includes some of London’s most celebrated eateries in the Ivy, Le Caprice, Scott’s and J Sheekey, saw sales rise three per cent to £53.3m in 2013. Its sister company Mark Birley Holdings, which owns Harry’s Bar, [...]
TM Lewin plots management buyout deal with US investor June 28, 2015 SHIRTMAKER TM Lewin has enlisted the help of an American private equity company to back a £100m management buyout of the business. The retailer’s management team, led by chief executive Geoff Quinn, is understood to be close to striking a deal with Sankaty Advisors, an affiliate of Bain Capital, to buy the 20 per cent [...]
Moonpig owner sent greetings by buyout firms June 28, 2015 THE OWNER of online card retailer Moonpig.com may change its plans for a flotation on the London stock market after reports emerged yesterday that several private equity firms are interested in buying the company. Photobox, which operates a group of online businesses, including PaperShaker, Sticky9 and its core Photobox brand, has hired advisers at Goldman [...]