DEBATE: Is it possible for Donald Trump to ‘win’ the trade war with China? May 14, 2019 Is it possible for Donald Trump to ‘win’ the trade war with China? Dr John Hemmings, director of the Asia Studies Centre at the Henry Jackson Society, says YES. While many people blame Donald Trump’s “America First” policy for the trade war, it’s likely that Hillary Clinton would have done the same, since Beijing’s leadership has [...]
Folding bike firm Brompton searches for new chairman ahead of expansion May 13, 2019 Folding bike company Brompton is searching for a replacement for its chairman as it aims to double in size over the next five years. The company has appointed headhunters to find a successor to its long-serving chairman Tim Guinness, Sky News reported. Read more: Alibaba-backed Ofo pulls bikes out of London boroughs The British bike [...]
SALT to taste May 13, 2019 It was quite a week, even for a seasoned traveller like me. London to New York; New York to Los Angeles; LA to Las Vegas; Vegas to Los Angeles; then, eventually, home, happy but exhausted. I’ve crossed the Atlantic countless times, and it always makes me excited and full of anticipation; the US really can [...]
Tariffs are just the first shot in the looming US-China war May 13, 2019 As a friend of mine who works in higher maths put it: “John, if America as an integer is present in every major foreign policy equation, and if after 75 years that integer radically changes, then everything changes”. Donald Trump’s America is that rarest of beasts: the strongest global power distrustful of the very global order [...]
Goals Soccer Centres chief executive to quit to join British Olympic Association May 12, 2019 The chief executive of Goals Soccer Centres, the five-a-side football venue operator, is stepping down weeks after the company’s shares were suspended following a £12m accounting error. Andy Anson, who has been in the role for a year, is stepping down to take on the chief executive job at the British Olympic Association (BOA), Sky [...]
India’s Hinduja brothers top Rich List for third time as Jim Ratcliffe loses out May 12, 2019 Britain’s 1,000 richest people have again had their respective fortunes stacked against each other to determine the most wealthy person in the country, in the 2019 Sunday Times Rich List. This year it was bad news for Jim Ratcliffe, owner of chemicals giant Ineos, who dropped to third place after topping last year’s list, while [...]
Metro Bank prepares for £350m placing next week May 11, 2019 Metro Bank will next week announce a new £350m fundraising which it hopes will end weeks of pressure over the state of its finances. The bank has started formal talks with institutional investors, one city source told Sky News. Read more: Major investor cuts Metro Bank stake by almost a third It is said to [...]
Island hopping, dodging coconuts and chasing giant tortoises in Seychelles May 10, 2019 Biking around the flat sandy paths of Desroches island in the Indian Ocean, with only birds, turtles and tortoises for company, I happen across a warning sign nailed to a palm tree on the edge of the new Four Seasons resort. “Beware of falling coconuts”. Just moments later I encounter a similarly rustic sign bashed [...]
The Fragrance Shop: something stinks May 10, 2019 You may have read about or watched the story of Sanjay Vadera, CEO of The Fragrance Shop, recently. He appeared on Sky News last week to talk about McArthurGlen, his landlords, who want to take away his six outlet stores and hand them to his rival, so he’s taking them to court. The case will [...]
Thomas Cook shares gain altitude as Virgin Atlantic joins bidding war May 10, 2019 Travel agent Thomas Cook soared on the markets this morning amid reports that Virgin is joining the race to take over the business. Richard Branson’s Virgin entered the battle to acquire the struggling tour operator’s UK long-haul operations by lodging a preliminary offer, Sky News reported after the bell yesterday. Read more: Thomas Cook shares [...]