Economy remains in focus as inflation signs look benign August 16, 2009 LAST week the markets were updated on the views of central bankers from both sides of the Atlantic. In the UK, the Bank of England published their quarterly Inflation Report and from the US we heard comments by the Federal Open Market Committee, accompanying their regular rate-setting meeting. Both presented a benign outlook for inflation. [...]
CITY MOVES WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS August 13, 2009 Reed ElsevierThe publishing group has appointed Ben van der Veer, the former chairman of accountancy firm KPMG in the Netherlands, as a non-executive director, effective from 3 September. Van der Veer was chairman at KPMG Netherlands between 1999 and 2008 and also sat on the firm’s international board and management committee. He is a member [...]
CITY MOVES WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS August 12, 2009 RSAThe insurer has appointed Christian Torkington as its new UK chief operating officer. Torkington joins from Scottish Widows, where he was managing director of operations. Prior to that, he worked at Barclays in a variety of senior roles, and was also the chief executive of an economic development agency. RSIM Rensburg Sheppards Investment Management has [...]
CITY MOVES Who’s switching jobs August 10, 2009 TravelodgeThe hotel chain has appointed Charlie Herbert as its new e-commerce director. Herbert has been working at the group on a consultancy basis since March. In his new role, he will sit on the executive team and report directly to UK managing director Guy Parsons. He has previously worked with a number of top consumer [...]
Funds buy up UK property August 10, 2009 PROPERTY fund managers are storming back into the UK market, believing the correction has now ended and bricks and mortar assets are looking cheap. Managers believe the collapse of the property bubble has created a wealth of investment opportunities, with Henderson’s Herald fund and F&C’s Commercial Property Trust both diving back in to the UK [...]
Quantitative easing: time for a break August 5, 2009 IT IS A CASE of two steps forwards, one step backwards for the UK economy. Today’s good news was that house prices are stabilising, with a strong survey from the Halifax; we also had a great purchasing managers index for services, suggesting that crucial sector is growing once more. But there is also plenty of worrying [...]
In troubled times, traders look to flexible tools to maximise profits August 5, 2009 MARKET volatility during the financial crisis has meant that many investors have dived for cover and taken their money out of the markets. But that’s not the case for everybody. What is stormy weather for some is exciting for others, and those who like to plunge into volatility have been looking at the wide range [...]
CITY MOVES WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS August 4, 2009 Ernst & YoungErnst & Young is expanding its London and Bermuda business with the promotion of three staff. The insurance practice has admitted Richard Battersby and Jeff Soar as partners and promoted Andy Worth to director. Battersby will become the transactions advisory partner, Soar (pictured) will be providing tax services to Lloyd’s and London market [...]
JD Sports tackles Canterbury August 4, 2009 Rugby shirt maker Canterbury has been sold to sportswear retailer JD Sports Fashion in a £6.5m deal, brokered by KPMG. JD sports has bought the key trading assets and global rights to the brand, which sponsors the London Wasps rugby union team.
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING August 2, 2009 THE SUNDAYSThe Sunday TelegraphDSG CHAIR ABANDONS CRYSTAL BALLThe outgoing chairman of DSG International, the Currys owner, has described the reduction in the retailer’s market size as “painful” and admitted he failed to see the downturn coming. Sir John Collins said he told John Browett, the electrical retailer’s chief executive, not to worry about the prospect [...]