FTSE 100 falls off record highs to end the week March 17, 2017 The UK's bluechip index fell off a record high in late afternoon trading, but nevertheless ended the week almost 100 points up. The FTSE 100 finished at 7,423.6 points, 0.1 per cent higher. Both risers and fallers were a mixed bag, with insurer Admiral Group leading the way, rising 1.8 per cent to 1,941p, followed by healthcare [...]
Marks and Spencer has shut down its Beijing branch as it heads out of China March 14, 2017 Marks and Spencer has pulled out of China, closing its prestigious Beijing branch earlier this month, the company confirmed. The retailer said it also closed two stores in February in the country and three more in January. Three remaining stores in Shanghai are scheduled to close by 1 April. Adam Colton, Marks & Spencer managing [...]
Lord Stuart Rose says Sir Philip Green should not be stripped of knighthood March 9, 2017 Lord Stuart Rose, former boss of Marks & Spencer, has defended his frenemy Sir Philip Green, saying the ex-BHS boss should not be stripped of his knighthood. Rose and Green famously shouted at each other on the street in 2004 when Green's attempt to snap-up Marks & Spencer failed. But, at a retail conference today, Rose [...]
BT unanimously backs Rio Tinto chair Jan du Plessis to deal with “continuing challenges” March 9, 2017 BT has announced Rio Tinto's Jan du Plessis will take over as chairman of the telecoms giant from November. Du Plessis succeeds Sir Mike Rake who will step down after 10 years in the job. He admitted it was "an important time" for BT while Rake highlighted the new chairman will face "continuing challenges". The FTSE 100 firm [...]
City Moves for 8 March 2017 – who’s switching jobs? March 8, 2017 Today's City Moves cover legal eagles, energy and financial planning. Take a look at these movers and shakers: Linklaters Global law firm Linklaters has appointed Andy Bruce global head of real estate. Andy, who is currently head of Linklaters’ UK Real Estate practice, succeeds Yves Moreau, who has held the global position since 2011. Andy [...]
Now you can use Apple Pay in Ireland – just swipe your iPhone March 7, 2017 iPhone owners in Ireland rejoice – you can now get on board with Apple Pay and just swipe your phone (or Apple Watch) to make a purchase. The tech giant has launched the payment service in its sixth market in Europe, supporting Irish banking customers with Ulster Bank and KBC as well as Boon, an app [...]
Guess which British stalwart has just been named the UK’s favourite brand again February 27, 2017 British Airways may have hit some turbulence thanks to the weak pound, but when it comes to its brand value, the airline is sailing smoothly on, after it topped a ranking of the UK's favourite brands – again. It's the fourth year in a row BA has topped the Superbrands index, an annual survey of consumers' views [...]
Reiss snaps up retail boss tipped for M&S clothing job February 20, 2017 Reiss has appointed Christos Angelides as its new chief executive. Angelides, who has spent 28 years at rival retailer Next, had been tipped to become Marks and Spencer's clothing and homeware boss. But he said today that he has "long admired the strength of the Reiss brand" and looks forward to working with founder and [...]
Waitrose has been crowned the UK’s best supermarket February 16, 2017 Aldi and Lidl might be snatching market share from their rivals – but one middle class stalwart is still at the top of the nation's affections, according to a new survey. The report, by Which?, has crowned Waitrose the UK's best supermarket, above rivals Marks & Spencer, Aldi and Lidl. Meanwhile, Asda came bottom of the [...]
Founders not scroungers: There’s a business case for welcoming refugees February 16, 2017 As the legal battle rages on around Donald Trump’s chaotic travel ban and moratorium on refugees, you could be forgiven for thinking that the West faces an existential threat unparalleled in its history. Yet as politicians rush to placate and at times inflate public fears about the negative impact of refugees on jobs, public services [...]