CBI director-general John Cridland: “Gosh, we really need to invest in infrastructure” November 6, 2014 In his fourth-floor office overlooking St Paul’s and the City of London, CBI director-general John Cridland seems at one with the world. The 49-year-old from Boston, Lincolnshire, is enjoying the relatively new offices and their proximity to the City and he is confident the economy is in good shape and that his members, who are [...]
Fine watch show SalonQP arrives at the Saatchi Gallery November 6, 2014 If you’re a SalonQP regular, you’ll know what the fuss is about. Slowly but surely expanding in size and repute since 2009’s frayed-around-the-edges debut at One Marylebone, the Saatchi Gallery on King’s Road is now precisely the sort of slick, spacious, yet exclusive venue that London’s watch fans (both curious and diehard) and SalonQP’s [...]
Plot your watch shop route November 6, 2014 If some nifty wristgear features in your beloved’s letter to Father Christmas, you need to plan your shopping expedition with appropriate precision – easy thanks to London’s bulging watch-retail scene The Square Mile The Royal Exchange, Bank Probably the UK’s most luxurious shopping mall, REX has become a mini-hotspot of horology, thanks to the recent [...]
M&S boss Marc Bolland puts the focus on womenswear and a five gold rings chocolate Christmas cake November 5, 2014 Everyone knows Marc Bolland is a bit of a charmer. The M&S chief has been under pressure all year with disappointing clothes sales and a finance chief who decided every little really did help and hopped over to Tesco. But yesterday, at the retailer’s half-year results event, the suave Dutchman came out fighting, with compliments. [...]
City Moves for 06 November 2014 | Who’s switching jobs November 5, 2014 Bristows The law firm has announced the appointment of Matt Dennis as a partner in its corporate practice. He joins from Bird & Bird, and has particular experience in international M&A and corporate transactions for clients in technology-related industries. Axa Investment Managers Gregory Venizelos has been appointed senior credit strategist in the asset management company’s [...]
Greene King and Spirit Pubs in £773m takeover November 4, 2014 BRITISH pub retailer and brewing giant Greene King finally reached agreement yesterday over the long-mooted takeover bid of compatriot brewer Spirit Pubs. Greene King’s offer – worth £773.6m, at 115p a share – has been accepted by Spirit Pubs’ senior management. The arrangement will see Greene King shareholders take 71.1 per cent in the newly [...]
Foreign exchange firm Moneycorp spurred on by 50 per cent rise in half-year profits November 4, 2014 Foreign exchange firm Moneycorp yesterday said strong growth in its retail division helped the group to a 50 per cent rise in half-year profits. The firm, which was acquired by private equity house Bridgepoint in August, added 31 new bureaux de change at airports during the six months ending 30 June, helping to boost revenue [...]
Gain Capital boss Glenn Stevens reveals why he’s so keen on London-based City Index November 3, 2014 You can build it and hopefully they’ll come, or you can buy it and they’ll already be there,” says Glenn Stevens, chief executive of US online trading services firm Gain Capital. It’s an interesting take on the moral behind Kevin Costner’s all-American 1989 movie Field of Dreams. Why bother putting years into a labour of [...]
Office building supports boom in construction November 3, 2014 CONSTRUCTION activity is making a sustained recovery with the commercial sector providing a boost, new data released today shows. The Glenigan index, produced by construction analysts Glenigan, was four per cent higher for November than it was a year ago. The figure is up from three per cent in October and marks 17 consecutive months [...]
Seedrs swoops for US firm ahead of expected market expansion October 30, 2014 SEEDRS, the London-based equity crowdfunding service, says it is planning to expand into the US early next year after acquiring California-based Junction Investments yesterday. The firm, which recently completed its largest ever funding with more than 1,400 investors putting a combined £4m into the publicly-listed English winemaker Chapel Down, said the move would help it [...]