Former Virgin exec plots telecoms bid March 4, 2015 THE MAN who engineered Virgin Media’s $24bn (£15bn) blockbuster sale to Liberty Global has unveiled ambitious plans to take advantage of frenzied deal activity in Europe’s telecoms market. Ex-Virgin Media finance boss Eamonn O’Hare’s dramatic come-back, revealed last night, will involve raising cash in London to snap up struggling telecoms assets across the continent. Along [...]
UK sells off £750m stake in Eurostar in boost to George Osborne’s “long-term economic plan” March 3, 2015 The government is set to sell its stake in Eurostar for £757.1m as part of the coalition’s pledge to raise £20bn from asset sales by 2020. A consortium comprising Canadian pension fund Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec and British fund Hermes Infrastructure will buy the UK’s 40 per cent stake in the rail [...]
New press regulator shoots down accusations about independence March 3, 2015 DOUBTS over the independence of members of the new press regulator were strongly denied by its chairman last night. A document from an unknown author given to Labour’s former secretary of state for culture, media and sport (CMS), Ben Bradshaw, makes assertions about members of Ipso’s board and complaints committee. Bradshaw is now a member [...]
Ryanair charm offensive continues with launch of eight-point “customer charter” March 3, 2015 Ryanair – the airline that once considered charging extra for people to use the toilet – has issued an eight-point “customer charter”. Among the points are the promise of “the lowest fares”, to make sure travelling is “an enjoyable experience”, to be “Europe's most reliable airline” and alarmingly for an airline “to make your travel [...]
Denis MacShane in comeback bid as author of Brexit book March 2, 2015 What might we see if Britain left the EU? Planes falling out of the sky? Excessively bendy bananas? Global economic carnage? Maybe not. Yet the prospect has been sufficient to prompt warnings from financial giants HSBC and Goldman Sachs already this year. “Having the UK be part of Europe is the best thing for all of [...]
Sol is gunning for a Tory seat March 1, 2015 IS IT April fool’s day already? Sol Campbell, the ex-England footballer, yesterday said he could be the next MP for Kensington, succeeding Sir Malcolm Rifkind who resigned after the cash for access scandal. Campbell, formerly a member of Arsenal’s 2004 “Invincibles” side, indicated while speaking to Sky that he is potentially being lined up to [...]
A stunning glimpse into Japan’s past along the magnificent Nakasendo Way March 1, 2015 Japan’s sleek Shinkansen has been the country’s fastest mode of transport since it launched 50 years ago, its aerodynamic nose slicing through the rugged landscape. Before that, if you wanted to quickly traverse the country you would take the Nakasendo Way, one of five ancient highways built during the Edo period (1603-1868). Winding through the [...]
Sol Campbell could be the next MP for Kensington as ex-Arsenal and Tottenham defender discusses Tory candidacy March 1, 2015 Sol Campbell, the ex-England footballer, could be the next MP for Kensington succeeding Sir Malcolm Rifkind who resigned after the cash for access scandal. Campbell, a former Arsenal and Spurs defender, has indicated he is potentially being lined up to take the Conservative safe seat of Kensington, speaking to Sky News. The retired footballer replied [...]
The moment Lego’s CEO sings and dances to “Everything is Awesome” Lego Movie song February 27, 2015 Everything is awesome for Lego chief executive Jorgen Vig Knudstorp. Profits are up and the world loves building with lego bricks. Knudstorp is more than a little pleased with that- and he isn't afraid to show it. What was his reaction to a record breaking year of rising revenue, sky-high margins, having a bigger return [...]
French energy firm hammered by sunny skies and sliding oil prices February 26, 2015 FRENCH energy firm GDF Suez blamed warm weather and a decline in oil prices for a fall in profits, leading the company to announce a short-term restructuring plan. The group, which also experienced problems with its Belgian nuclear reactors last year, saw revenues for 2014 fall seven per cent to €74.7bn (£54bn). The firm said [...]