The interview: Sir Richard Branson on the past, present and future August 14, 2021 Christopher Jackson talks to the CEO about the pandemic, work and his friendships with Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela. Thanks to our friends at Finito for allowing us to republish their article. Fame will sometimes have a blurring effect. Public presence sustained over a long period of time can create a confusing image. During a [...]
The Very Group owners select trio of banks for £4bn float August 13, 2021 The owners of fashion retailer The Very Group have selected a trio of investment banks to organise a £4bn flotation. Banks Barclays, Morgan Stanley and UBS have been appointed to coordinate an initial public offering (IPO) to take place next year, according to Sky News. This would mark the first time the Barclay family – [...]
BBC weighs sale of iconic Eastenders studios in Elstree August 11, 2021 The BBC is weighing up a sale of its iconic studios at Elstree in north London in a move that could spark a major upheaval for productions such as Eastenders. Real estate consultant Lambert Smith Hampton has reportedly surveyed the site ahead of a possible disposal, although no decision has been reached. The studio complex [...]
The latest British unicorn? Insurtech Marshmallow is waiting in the wings August 11, 2021 Marshmallow Financial Services is soon to announce its latest fundraising round that will bring its valuation to $1.2bn (£869m), joining the ranks of other recent UK unicorns Starling Bank, Gousto and Zego. Its latest cash injections is fuelled largely by existing investors, according to reports in Sky News citing “city insiders” with knowledge of the [...]
Heathrow passenger numbers begin to rise as restrictions ease August 11, 2021 The most passengers travelled through Heathrow in a single month since the beginning of the pandemic in July, the UK’s largest airport said today. In total, 1.5m passengers used the airport in July, up 74 per cent on last year. It said that the easing of travel restrictions was beginning to improve consumer confidence after [...]
City Moves: Who’s switching jobs in the Square Mile this week? August 11, 2021 City A.M.’s Millie Turner provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every Wednesday afternoon. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. Former Tesco director joins London’s Interpath as special advisor London-headquartered firm Interpath Advisory has appointed former Tesco director and retail veteran Christine Cross as a special advisor for the business. Cross’ extensive non-executive and advisory board [...]
Vectura auction scrapped as Carlyle refuses to match Philip Morris bid August 10, 2021 Plans for an auction to decide the buyer of respiratory drugmaker Vectura have been scrapped after US private equity firm Carlyle said its 155p per share offer was “full and final”. Cigarette maker Philip Morris and private equity firm Carlyle both hiked their offers for the business over the weekend, leading the Takeover Panel to [...]
Record high marks given to A-level students August 10, 2021 Almost half (44.8 per cent) of all A-Level grades handed out today were either A or A*, a record high in A-level history. Sixth-formers have received teacher predicted results today after exams were cancelled due to the pandemic. Concerns have been raised around inflated grades with pupils given results given by teachers for the second [...]
Rolling out the welcome map for tourists will pay off for London August 9, 2021 Anyone who has lived in London for more than a few months will have a jaundiced view of tourists. They crowd the pavements and the Tube, they form great queues outside museums and galleries, they book out restaurants and they seem to have a preternatural ability to wander aimlessly in a way which is maximally [...]
Morrisons partner McColl’s in talks over £30m cash call August 8, 2021 A major UK convenience store group is in talks over a £30m cash call in a bid to accelerate its partnership with supermarket chain Morrisons. McColl’s Retail Group has reportedly started talks with institutional investors about the £30m injection, which would almost match the group’s current £40m market capitalisation. City sources told Sky News that McColl’s chief [...]