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 [...]
Natoora’s Franco Fubini on why he prefers Italy’s food to its labour laws June 28, 2015 It is a promising time for Britain’s premium food sector. Last year, sales of organic food rose by 4 per cent to £1.86bn and specialised suppliers have been looking to capitalise on a disenchantment with supermarkets. Franco Fubini is one of them. “I was in the fresh produce section of a chain of delicatessens [...]
From Tesco and the Northern Powerhouse to self-control and politeness: Here’s what got us talking this week June 26, 2015 There was a shocking attack in France. In Brussels, deadlines came and went and came (again). And somewhere in social media land, Taylor Swift became the Queen of everything, including Apple. Here's what got us talking this week 1) When it comes to happiness, south London is best Yup, if you're among the [...]
City Moves for 26 June 2015 | Who’s switching jobs June 25, 2015 Baker Tilly The professional services firm has appointed Kenny McLean as a director in its consulting practice. He joins from Certeco, where he was a director overseeing client change programmes. McLean has also held roles at KPMG, IBM, SAP and EDS. CBRE The commercial real estate services and investment firm has announced two appointments to [...]
New beginnings in north London: Woodberry Down joins regeneration move June 25, 2015 Most of London’s council estates have been used in a film as an “edgy, urban” backdrop at some point. But Woodberry Down, one of the largest housing redevelopments in Britain, had the dubious honour of being used as a stand-in for the Warsaw ghetto in Schindler’s List. You may not have heard of it, [...]
Focus on Wimbledon property: A game of two halves in SW19 June 25, 2015 The world’s eyes will make their annual pilgrimage to Wimbledon on Monday, where they’ll spend several hours swivelling backwards and forwards watching the greatest tennis tournament on earth. While this leafy corner of south west London is primarily known for racquet sports, the rest of the year it’s one of the fastest-growing local property markets [...]
Camden undergoes digital revolution June 24, 2015 Camden Market’s shopping stalls are being hauled into the modern age Camden Market and its eclectic mix of stallholders sell everything from vintage clothing to lava lamps and general bric-a-brac. The shopping haven has remained the unchanged for years – its punks and goths mixing with the millions of tourists who flock to the neighbourhood [...]
Working lunch in Canary Wharf: Toddy Shop June 23, 2015 WHAT? Toddy Shop is the informal, reasonably-priced half of Chai Ki Canary Wharf (a smarter restaurant is opening there soon). Inspired by the drinking shacks found on the coast of southern India – where punters sip alcoholic beverages made from palm tree sap called toddies – the restaurant/bar serves up cocktails, craft beer and street [...]
Italy’s Ferrero goes hazelnuts for Thorntons June 22, 2015 ITALIAN confectionery giant Ferrero International is hoping to treat itself to another box of chocolates after offering to buy Thorntons for £112m yesterday, sending shares in the ailing retailer soaring by 43 per cent. The family-owned chocolatier behind Nutella, Kinder and Ferrero Rocher has offered to pay 145p per share in cash for Thorntons, reflecting [...]
City Moves for 23 June 2015 | Who’s switching jobs June 22, 2015 BLP Insurance The insurer has appointed Craig Parfitt as chief operating officer. He joins from Deutsche Bank, where he was managing director specialising in financial management, operational excellence, transformational change and project management. JP Morgan Asset Management Thushka Maharaj has been appointed global strategist and executive director in the asset management firm’s global strategy team. [...]