SSL Russian venture lifts expectation January 21, 2010 THE owner of the Durex and Scholl Footwear brands SSL yesterday said the recent acquisition of Russia’s most popular condom brand has continued to perform ahead of expectations, boosted by strong sales of core consumer brands and continued investment in advertising and promotion. Despite a difficult trading environment in some countries, the company has seen [...]
UK about to miss a great opportunity January 20, 2010 THERE are two, diametrically opposed ways to respond to the immense challenges posed by globalisation and the rise of the emerging markets. The first – and right way – is that followed by much of the private sector, especially in London, the most global and open of all the world’s great cities. Everyone with an [...]
Strand Hanson strikes a pact with Russia’s Renaissance January 18, 2010 CORPORATE finance boutique Strand Hanson has forged a strategic advisory alliance with Renaissance Capital, under which the Russian emerging markets investment bank is to take a 9.9 per cent stake in the business. The deal comes after a busy year for Strand, which was bought out by a management team led by chief executive Simon [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING January 17, 2010 FINANCIAL SERVICES CITY’S ROLE AS FINANCIAL CENTRE SET FOR NEW BOOST, SAYS TOP HEDGE FUND London will thrive as a financial centre over the next decade by becoming the natural western hub for emerging market growth, according to one of the City’s best-known hedge funds. In stark contrast to bankers’ doom-laden predictions about the City’s [...]
The real reason for London’s prosperity January 11, 2010 AT least three times since the 1960s, the City has been saved by the stupidity of others. London’s economic prominence is partly home-grown, of course, not least thanks to the free-market reforms of the 1980s. But a key driver of the City’s survival and subsequent triumph has been its ability to mop up industries fleeing [...]
Oleg Deripaska cancels 2007 deal to acquire Russneft firm January 10, 2010 Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska has pulled out of a deal struck in 2007 to acquire oil firm Russneft from its founder, Mikhail Gutseriyev. The deal was reversed because Deripaska failed to win permission from the Russian government’s commission on foreign investment in strategic industries. Approval from the commission, chaired by Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin, [...]
I’ll prove I’m still a great at Man City, says Vieira January 7, 2010 FRANCE legend Patrick Vieira has vowed to show he is still one of the best midfielders in the world by playing a starring role for Manchester City. The Inter Milan enforcer, 33, flew to England yesterday to undergo a medical and put the finishing touches to a deal set to be for an initial six [...]
Murray and Robson eye history January 7, 2010 TENNIS: Andy Murray and Laura Robson will be aiming to secure Great Britain’s first Hopman Cup final appearance when they face Russia today in Perth. World No4 Murray and 15-year-old Robson have struck up something of a rapport, winning both of their Group B games against Kazakhstan and Germany. “We haven’t played that much together [...]
John Irving’s complicated, hostile America hits the mark once again January 7, 2010 LAST NIGHT IN TWISTED RIVER BY JOHN IRVING Bloomsbury, £12.99 **** ANOTHER epic north American novel set amid the woods and snow from the author of The Cider House Rules, this book begins in a sawmill settlement in New Hampshire in 1954 but roves throughout Boston, Vermont, Maine and Toronto. The story – in typical [...]
Murray and Robson edge Great Britain closer to Hopman final January 6, 2010 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray insists he will have enough practice before the Australian Open despite speeding to another victory in the Hopman Cup yesterday. Murray and 15-year-old Laura Robson took a step closer to the final as Great Britain beat Germany 2-1 in the group stage in Perth. The Scot needed just 57 minutes to win [...]