Roger Bootle’s research firm Capital Economics set for £95m sale to private equity firm Phoenix from LDC | City A.M. March 23, 2018 Economics is proving to be a profitable business for well-known City forecaster Roger Bootle, as he is set to sell his research firm Capital Economics for £95m. Founded by Bootle in 1999, Capital Economics will be pocketed by private equity firm Phoenix Equity Partners in a deal due to be inked next week, City A.M. [...]
Feeling brave? Then try bob rafting on the slopes of La Plagne March 23, 2018 If you’re the kind of skier for whom speeding backwards down a black run in an ice storm no longer delivers the requisite adrenalin kick, you need to try bob rafting. Mooted as an amateur’s alternative to bob sledding or the luge — which really should only be attempted by those with a death wish [...]
A sensible way to play the robotics megatrend March 21, 2018 In the next few decades, chief executives of major global corporations could all become redundant. They will be replaced by robots with highly-developed artificial intelligence, because machines are quicker, more rational and do not get bogged down with silly human emotions. That’s according to Jack Ma, the founder of Chinese internet behemoth Alibaba. Of course, [...]
Transport secretary says no border checks at Dover after Brexit March 16, 2018 Transport secretary Chris Grayling has said trucks coming into Dover will be checked after the UK leaves the European Union. Grayling told BBC Question Time it would be “unrealistic” to impose checks on lorries coming into the port, which, according to an Imperial College London study, could introduce traffic queues of up to 29 miles [...]
Lego beats British Airways, Gillette and Apple to top of UK consumer brand rankings March 12, 2018 Danish toymaker Lego has been voted the UK’s number one consumer brand in a survey of British shoppers. The toymaker, which is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Lego brick this year, overhauled airline British Airways to top the so-called superbrand rankings for the first time. Shaving company Gillette took second spot on the list, [...]
Woodford cuts Atom Bank stake as Capita and Purblebricks investments take toll on his fund March 11, 2018 Star fund manager Neil Woodford has cut his stake in challenger bank Atom Bank amid a £1bn fall in the value of his flagship fund. Woodford Investment Management declined to participate in Atom Bank’s £150m share issue which was announced last week. Following the rights issue Woodford’s stake in Atom Bank will fall from 20 [...]
Peer-to-peer platform Funding Circle appoints bankers ahead of potential float March 11, 2018 British unicorn Funding Circle has appointed bankers to lead an initial public offering (IPO) which will likely value it at more than £1.5bn, according to reports. The peer-to-peer lending platform has appointed Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and London-headquartered Numis Securities to broker the deal, according to Sky News and Bloomberg. [...]
Institute of Directors chair Lady Barbara Judge “steps aside” after serious misconduct allegations March 8, 2018 The head of the influential Institute of Directors (IoD) has stepped down to battle serious allegations about her behaviour and conduct towards staff after a legal investigation launched by the lobby group, according to Sky News and the Times. A legal report commissioned by the business lobby group found Lady Barbara Judge prompted her to [...]
Ryanair “not planning any stunts” to force voter rethink on Brexit March 7, 2018 Ryanair has said it will not ground flights after the UK leaves the European Union despite suggestions that Michael O’Leary was prepared to take a dramatic stance to change voters’ minds. Speaking to City A.M., chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs confirmed the air carrier would not be grounding flights in April 2019 but warned there [...]
Premier League TV rights packages booted into long grass amid “cut-price” concerns March 7, 2018 The Premier League has booted a decision on unsold TV rights packages into next month, as it faces being forced to accept a “cut-price deal” for the remaining 40 games. Sky and BT Sport snapped up five of seven packages on offer for a total of £4.5bn in mid-February. But the remaining two sets of [...]