Mike Ashley faces shareholder rebellion at Sports Direct AGM August 27, 2019 Mike Ashley could face a shareholder revolt at Sports Direct’s annual general meeting next month after two proxy advisors recommended investors vote to oust him from the board. Pensions and Investment Research Consultants (Pirc) and Glass Lewis have both urged shareholders to oppose the re-election of Ashley, the firm’s chief executive and founder, at a [...]
Ted Baker to ditch Debenhams for Next on children’s clothing range August 16, 2019 Ted Barker is set to end its deal to sell its children’s clothing range at Debenhams’ stores in the latest blow to the department store chain. Instead, Ted Baker will team up with Next, who are going to “create and sell” Ted Baker-branded clothes, shoes and accessories for babies and children. Read more: Ted Baker [...]
Sports Direct left looking like giant mugs as auditor Grant Thornton quits August 14, 2019 Sports Direct shares have tumbled to their lowest level since 2011 after it emerged that Mike Ashley’s retail empire could be left without an auditor, breaching stock market rules. The company is understood to have sought government advice over what would happen if it is unable to find an auditor after its current auditor Grant [...]
Grant Thornton quits as Sports Direct auditor August 14, 2019 Sports Direct faces being left without an auditor after Grant Thornton told the retailer it would not apply for reappointment. The decision threatens to leave Sports Direct high and dry as all of the Big Four firms have indicated they are reluctant to take on the role. The Financial Times reported that Sports Direct has [...]
City watchdog launches fraud probe into Goals Soccer Centres August 11, 2019 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has reportedly launched an investigation into fraud at Goals Soccer Centres. The five-a-side football operator announced earlier this month that it was to delist from the stock market after an investigation into its accounting practices found “improper behaviour”. Trading in its shares was suspended in March after it said it [...]
The world’s local bank has a new boss on its doorstep August 9, 2019 It is just 4.3 miles from One Canada Square, HSBC Holdings’ headquarters, to 20 Gresham Street, the home of Lloyds Banking Group. How fitting, then, that “the world’s local bank” should have no further to look than its near-neighbour for its next chief executive. Mark Tucker, HSBC’s chairman, cautioned this week that his search for [...]
Southampton preview: Hasenhuttl ready to impart his tactical philosophy on Saints August 8, 2019 At the start of a new football season, fans’ excitement is increasingly directed towards new signings – players who offer hope that this campaign can be different. For Southampton, there are certainly high hopes for striker Che Adams, who has arrived from Birmingham for £15m, and winger Moussa Djenepo, who has joined from Standard Liege, [...]
Debenhams chairman to step down as restructuring expert appointed chief exec August 7, 2019 Debenhams chairman Terry Duddy is preparing to step down next month as the beleaguered department store’s owners appoint a restructuring expert as its new chief executive. Retail veteran Duddy, who previously ran Argos and Homebase, will leave chief restructuring officer Stefaan Vansteenkiste in charge of the company, Sky News reported. Read more: Debenhams prepares to [...]
Jack Wills stores at risk as Sports Direct kicks off landlord negotiations August 7, 2019 Sports Direct has begun to negotiate with landlords over rent cuts at Jack Wills stores, which could see some branches marked for closure by the end of this week. Mike Ashley’s company is seeking to slash rents at poor performing branches after acquiring the retailer earlier this week. Stores will be shuttered if a new [...]
Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct buys Jack Wills for £12.8m August 5, 2019 Retail tycoon Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct has bought struggling high street brand Jack Wills out of administration for £12.75m. Ashley won a race against British billionaire Philip Day, who owns the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, to snap up the “preppy” fashion retailer. Read more: Philip Day tables bid to avoid Jack Wills administration Will Wright [...]