TSB calls up elite law firm Slaughter and May to advise on IT crisis May 2, 2018 Embattled bank TSB has engaged leading law firm Slaughter and May to advise on its ongoing IT crisis. The bank has been rocked by IT problems that have left many of its customers without access to their online banking accounts for the past two weeks. The law firm has been brought in by the under [...]
From huskies to supercars, the wilderness of Finland is transformed into a billionaires’ playground by McLaren May 1, 2018 I’ve been promised 567 horsepower, but first I get to experience the propulsion of seven huskies. I’m scrambling through the forests of northern Finland, hanging onto a rickety two-man sled, zipped up against the Arctic cold. I eventually arrive at McLaren’s kota, a traditional wooden hut 2,000 miles as the crow flies but more realistically [...]
What’s ticking? News from the bleeding edge of haute horologie, from Tom Hardy at Bremont to the new Panerai boutique May 1, 2018 Breitling drops its wings The professional pilot’s favourite watchmaker is undergoing a sky-to-ground shake-up right now, at the experienced hands of ex-IWC CEO, Georges Kern. For a start, he’s shifting the venerable chronograph brand’s main focus away from the air, controversially dropping the wings logo from all dials and ranking ‘land’ and ‘sea’ sectors equally. [...]
Kicking off: War of words between former boss Bob Mackenzie and car insurance giant AA rolls on May 1, 2018 Former AA boss Bob Mackenzie has found himself in the spotlight once again, following allegations that he hushed up a street fight which left him unable to deliver presentations to major City investors. The legal battle between Mackenzie and the roadside assistance giant ramped up yesterday after court filings of the AA’s defence were revealed [...]
Employee advocates could become the next generation of online influencers as brands search for new marketing methods April 30, 2018 RECENT scandals around the use of private personal data and incoming regulations such as the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation are pushing companies to find new methods of promoting their brands. One approach gaining ground is advocacy. Getting consumers to become an online advocate for a product and spread positive sentiment through the internet can [...]
Litigation funder Vannin Capital eyeing multi-million pound London float April 29, 2018 Litigation funder Vannin Capital is working with advisory firm Evercore on plans for a London float that could value it at close to £1bn. Sky News reports that the litigation funder is working with investment advisory firm Evercore on a potential float and is close to appointing banks Barclays and Jefferies as underwriters on the [...]
DEBATE: With Comcast and Fox bidding over Sky, does it matter that it will be owned by a US company? April 27, 2018 With Comcast and Fox bidding over Sky, does it matter that it will be owned by a US company? Alastair Benn, editor of Reaction Weekend, says YES. Pre-Murdoch, the British media was a pretty conservative, comfortable place. There was a recognisable journalistic culture derived from the close proximity of newsroom, editor’s office, and printing press [...]
Poundworld to close as many as 100 stores as latest retail CVA is put on the table April 26, 2018 Poundworld has become the latest retailer to consider store closures and rent reductions. Some 100 stores could be shuttered under new plans, according to Sky News. The retailer is set to follow the likes of New Look, Carpetright and Toys R Us with a mechanism called a company voluntary arrangement (CVA). Hundreds of jobs are [...]
Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox has a decision to make in its pursuit of Sky April 26, 2018 Rupert Murdoch’s long-running quest to wrestle full control of Sky was seemingly delivered a blow yesterday as, after a two-month hiatus, Comcast put its money where its mouth is. Having originally posed “a possible offer” in February, the NBC Universal owner firmed up its 1,250p a share approach – one that values Sky at £22bn. [...]
US President Donald Trump “to visit UK in July” April 25, 2018 US President Donald Trump is to make his first official visit the UK this July, the UK government is poised to confirm. Update: This has now been confirmed – more details are here According to Sky News, Trump’s trip has been scheduled for mid-July and will be announced in the next day or two. Earlier [...]