Myners to join board of children’s charity ARK November 28, 2010 LORD MYNERS will today be appointed to the board of trustees for the international children’s charity ARK (Absolute Return for Kids). Myners, who started his career as a teacher, described ARK as a “tremendously innovative and dynamic charity”. A former chairman of Marks & Spencer, Myners was headhunted by ex-Prime Minister Gordon Brown to be [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS November 18, 2010 MARKS & SPENCER Execution Noble has upgraded the supermarket to “buy” with an upgraded fair value price of 475p, following its research on M&S customers. The broker sees the firm’s new strategy as a real driver for sales growth, with the food business as a particularly strong opportunity. It adds that the brand could also [...]
Securitas eyes new UK deals November 17, 2010 THE chief executive of Securitas, one of the world’s largest security companies, is warning that the global threat posed by terrorism is escalating while vigilance at airports means travellers will have to pay the price with longer queues. The company Alf Goransson leads provides security at four airports in the UK, including Liverpool and the [...]
Halfords finance chief unveiled November 15, 2010 Halfords unveiled its new chief financial officer yesterday – poaching Andrew Findlay from Marks & Spencer to be finance director. He replaces Nick Wharton, who is heading to furnishings group Dunelm. Findlay, presently director of finance, tax and treasury at M&S, will start in February. Halfords reports its half-year results tomorrow. Profit for the half-year [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS November 15, 2010 MARKS & SPENCER Deutsche Bank rates the high street giant a “hold” with a target price of 430p. The broker believes the benefits of new boss Marc Bolland’s overhaul of the stores will not be seen until 2012/13. However, DB says the retailer’s recent results pointed to strong sales momentum in the short term, with [...]
John Lewis is ranked among influential list November 14, 2010 RETAIL giant John Lewis has surged into a ranking of Britain’s most influential brands, as the group’s partnership approach to doing business and a record year for till receipts propelled it into the top three. TLG’s annual index of UK Business Thought Leaders ranks John Lewis below Apple and Google but above other respected names [...]
M&S pledges to launch new lines as profit rises November 9, 2010 MARKS & SPENCER will launch hundreds of new lines as it relies on its “special” image to fuel profit over the next three years, its new chief executive said yesterday. Marc Bolland unveiled his blueprint for the retailer while also announcing a 17 per cent rise in half-year pre-tax profit to £348.8m. Bolland, who took [...]
M&S profit up as Bolland unveils masterplan November 9, 2010 Marks and Spencer has reported half-year pre-tax profits of £348.8m, up from £306.7m last year. Marc Bolland, the company’s new chief executive, also revealed his blueprint for the future of the company. The company’s profit hike represented a 17 per cent rise. Bolland, who took over from Sir Stuart Rose earlier this year, said he [...]
Gala Coral changes board as new chief is appointed November 8, 2010 CASINO group Gala Coral yesterday announced the appointment of former Marks & Spencer director Carl Leaver as its new chief executive, to replace interim CEO and chairman Neil Goulden, who is leaving the company. Leaver was the high street retailer’s director of international, home and direct businesses until 2009, having previously worked for De Vere [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING November 7, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES DHL CHIEF PROMISES ACTION OVER BOMB FEARS The head of one of the three big air-express companies has reacted to the parcel bombs sent from Yemen and Greece by pledging better screening of customers and packages before they reach airports. “What we need to do is improve surveillance at the pick-up point, have [...]