Sophie Turner is (Sansa) stark choice for Karen Millen’s new campaign August 25, 2014 Having released a teaser video last week, in which viewers follow a mystery red-head as she strides around east London, clothing brand Karen Millen has revealed the face of its autumn/winter campaign to be Game of Thrones’ Sansa Stark (or actress Sophie Turner to be precise). “The London-focused KM campaign is a culmination of a [...]
City Moves for 22 August 2014 | Who’s switching jobs August 21, 2014 RBC Global Asset Management The asset management arm of Royal Bank of Canada has appointed Clive Brown as chief executive and managing director of RBC Global Asset Management International. He joins from JP Morgan Asset Management, where he was global chief operating officer and chairman of Asia. Brown has also previously worked as chief executive [...]
Lucky Voice karaoke bar sold by British Land for £26m August 20, 2014 British Land has sold the site of Martha Lane Fox’s Lucky Voice karaoke bar in London for £26m. The UK’s second largest property company said yesterday it had sold the freehold of 52 Poland Street to Amazon Property – a company unrelated to the online retail giant – in order to focus on other projects [...]
Cash strapped commuters brace for ticket price hike August 19, 2014 RAIL fares set by the government could rise by 3.5 per cent next year, pushing commuting costs up at much more than average earnings. Figures released yesterday showed that the retail prices index (RPI), a measure of inflation, rose by 2.5 per cent in the year to July. The government typically uses the measure plus [...]
Next generation finance: How London can cement its leadership in fintech August 19, 2014 The launch of Innovate Finance, a new body dedicated to supporting fintech (or financial technology) in the UK, at Canary Wharf this month highlighted London’s ability to become the global centre of the sector. They say there is no “fin” in San Francisco and no “tech” in New York – but there is certainly both [...]
Former BP-boss Lord Browne lends his name to LGBT network OUTStanding August 18, 2014 Lord Browne's crusade to help LGBT executives come out of the glass closet is continuing its pace. The former BP boss has linked up with OUTStanding, the LGBT professional network, to compile its Top 100 list of LGBT executives – for which nominations are now open. “Lord Browne is one of our biggest advocates,” OUTStanding [...]
Retailers return to stores even as footfall dips August 17, 2014 UK high streets are getting less and less empty as the economic recovery continues, even as fewer shoppers actually head for shops. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Springboard revealed this morning that the vacancy rate in UK town centres had dropped to just 10.1 per cent in July, half a percentage point down from [...]
London Report: Rate watchers to eye MPC minutes to see if dissent surfaces August 17, 2014 THERE will be keen interest in the details of the latest set of MPC minutes, out on Wednesday. The main question will be: does the MPC remain unanimous in its stance, or was there some dissent for the first time against Mark Carney? Today will see interim reports from Amlin, Bovis Homes Group, Clarkson and [...]
Gimme 5: Companies crowdfunding this month August 11, 2014 All Star Minerals 12 per cent; 540-day convertible loan A listed UK mining company focused on the Queensland area of Australia. Current focus is on two near-term production copper-gold mines. It’s seeking £50,000. Crowd for Angels Mughals, The Series 10 per cent equity A television drama series about the Mughals, in the style of [...]
Crown Estate and Norges Bank seize Mayfair estate for £381m August 10, 2014 The Crown Estate and Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) have snapped up a large chunk of Mayfair for £381m after fending off fierce competition from other property rivals. The pair said yesterday that they have bought a 64.2 per cent stake in the Pollen Estate from the Church Commissioners for England. NBIM has purchased 57.8 [...]