Retail welcomes move for tougher sentences on those who abuse shop staff December 16, 2021 Businesses have welcomed the progression of legislation that will see people who commit violent offences against retail staff face tougher sentences. The House of Lords passed the government’s amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill this week. The amendment will mean assaults on those serving the public or performing a public duty will [...]
M&S declares war on Aldi over ‘obvious’ copy of Christmas gin December 16, 2021 Marks and Spencer has launched legal action against discount supermarket rival Aldi, over what it alleges is a copycat gin. Aldi’s ‘The Infusionist’ gold-flake gin liqueur range has been accused of copying M&S’ Light-Up Gin, in papers filed at the High Court earlier this month. M&S registered three varieties of its designs earlier this year, [...]
A boardroom first: Women outnumber male directors December 13, 2021 For the first time ever women make up the majority of independent directors at the largest listed companies but are still outnumbered by men at executive level, according to a new study. Across the 150 biggest public companies in Britain, 442 women are employed as non-executive directors, just edging out the number of male peers, [...]
1 in 15 customer service staff have faced death threats as businesses call for better treatment December 8, 2021 Retail staff have said customer abuse has become more aggressive after the shops were hit by stock and labour shortages this year. The Institute of Customer Service, alongside bosses from household names including Marks and Spencers, Sainsbury’s and Wickes, has signed an open letter calling for better treatment of customer service staff. Workers fear abuse [...]
Novel coronavirus: Meet the writers who penned a book during lockdown December 3, 2021 They say everyone has a book in them, but usually that’s where it stays. Writing a novel is a time-consuming business, a months- or years-long project, often undertaken with little guarantee anyone will ever read it. Every successful author has their ‘origin story’, from JK Rowling scribbling away in an Edinburgh cafe to Dostoyevsky bashing out The [...]
Mark Kleinman: Light finally shines on Schroders’ M&G ambitions December 2, 2021 Sky News’ Mark Kleinman is the man the City reads – and in his fortnightly column for City A.M., he shares his insight and analysis. Schroders is solved The mystery is finally solved. For months, fund management executives have puzzled over two aspects of Schroders’ aborted ambitions to take over M&G Investments and create a [...]
City Moves: Who’s switching jobs in the Square Mile today? December 1, 2021 City A.M.’s Millie Turner provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every morning. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. Two Magnolias UK-focused venture capital investor Two Magnolias has posted the former UK head and European president of BP to its board. Peter Mather, who will chair the board, will help Two Magnolias close its new £50m sustainability [...]
Ex M&S boss Lord Rose headed for Asda chairman seat November 23, 2021 The former Marks & Spencer chairman and Land Securities chairs have been announced as new appointments to Asda’s board of directors. Asda said Lord Rose (formerly of Marks & Spencer) has been appointed chairman of the retailer while Dame Alison Carnwath (formerly of Vitec and Land Sec) will join as a non-executive director. The pair [...]
Marks & Spencer buys stake in Nobody’s Child as it seeks to broaden clothing appeal November 23, 2021 Marks & Spencer has acquired a 25 per cent stake in affordable fashion brand Nobody’s Child, as it hopes to revive its clothing division. The investment is part of the retailer’s brands strategy which uses different models including wholesale agreements, exclusive collaborations, equity investments, and strategic acquisitions, including a purchase of Jaeger earlier this year. [...]
City rumour mill grinds around possible mega private equity offer for Marks & Spencer November 22, 2021 As shoppers prepare for a black Friday spree, the bargain hunt for good value UK companies continues for private equity firms. The rumour mills are now grinding around a possible bid by Apollo Global Management for UK high street staple Marks & Spencer, sending shares 3 per cent higher in early trade. The New York-based private equity giant [...]