How Premier League clubs are using social media in global football supporter arms race | City A.M. August 9, 2018 Premier League teams may be about to resume hostilities this weekend, but away from the field on social media the battle for supremacy never went away. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Weibo have emerged as key frontiers for clubs from the world’s most high-profile competition as they aim to attract an increasingly global supporter base. And [...]
House of Fraser’s new owner issues profit warning | City A.M. August 1, 2018 House of Fraser’s future prospects have been dealt another blow after its owner issued a profit warning, throwing its emergency funding into doubt. C.banner, the Chinese company which also owns Hamleys, issued a statement to the market today warning its profits will be lower and cancelling a planned placing due to the plunge in its [...]
LGIM reported to FCA over ‘compliance and risk failings’ by whistleblower July 31, 2018 Legal and General Investment Management (LGIM) has been reported to regulators by a whistleblower over allegations of multiple failures in its risk management processes. At least three employees have reported the fund management house to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Financial Times reported. One of the whistleblowers' complaints said the culture of LGIM had [...]
Charity Lottery reform a win-win whatever sport you support! July 25, 2018 This summer the world has been glued to football but back in May I joined the then Culture Secretary Matt Hancock MP, for the launch of Street League Rugby at Coram’s Fields in North London. The event took me back to my days as a not particularly good second row in my school team. Although [...]
Last Week in the City: August rate rise now less likely July 20, 2018 Garry White, chief investment commentator, looks at the market-moving events that have shaped the UK equity markets this week (16 to 20 July 2018). The chances of an interest rate rise at the Bank of England’s August meeting appeared to recede this week after inflation data was more subdued than expected and retail sales data [...]
Why Mike Ashley’s retail gambles are a mistake | City A.M. July 20, 2018 When the fishes swim one way, I swim the other,” said Sports Direct supremo Mike Ashley last year describing his investment strategy. Despite this billionaire bombast, some of his investments are sinking and weighing down Sports Direct at the same time. The sportswear chain reported a sharp drop in annual profits yesterday, partly because of [...]
World Cup 2018: Did brands and advertisers score a hat-trick or an own goal? | City A.M. July 16, 2018 Yesterday’s final was an exciting conclusion to football’s greatest competition, even after the heartbreak of England losing last week’s semi-final. While France are this year’s champions, the Three Lions will have another shot at glory in four years’ time. This year’s tournament has sparked excitement in jaded fans like, well, myself. But while the football [...]
Sports Direct arm buys hockey and cricket retailer with the home of cricket and England Hockey left nursing losses | City A.M. July 15, 2018 Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct has pushed into the world of hockey and cricketing goods after buying a specialist retailer from administrators. Lovell Sports, an arm of Sports Direct, bought Northgame Limited, which trades under the name of Barrington Sports, filings on Companies House show. Barrington Sports is a retail partner for Lord’s Cricket Ground, England [...]
Lewis Hamilton interview: How the most decorated British racing driver in history, may be about to swap the track for the runway July 5, 2018 I find Lewis Hamilton quietly thumbing through a sheaf of technical sketches. But he’s not in a pit garage or race car factory perusing the work of aerodynamicists – he’s in Tommy Hilfiger’s Knightsbridge studio, studying pictures of sneakers. Just as he gives his Mercedes crew feedback, demanding different damper settings or more wing, he’s [...]
Portugal World Cup stars William Carvalho, Gelson Martins and Bruno Fernandes’ contract row could trigger a new Bosman ruling June 26, 2018 Anyone who has been watching Portugal at this year’s World Cup might be surprised to learn that three of their starring players — William Carvalho, Gelson Martins and Bruno Fernandes — are all unattached and available on a free transfer. After all, Portugal have progressed to the last 16 after finishing second in Group B, [...]