Get in a Twizy over the greenest new motor June 5, 2012 IS IT A CAR or a motorcycle?,” asks a driver next to me. “You’re kidding me, is that a prototype?” says another as I pull up to the next set of lights. “It’s cool but what is it?” These are the first of 23 separate interactions I have with strangers asking about the Renault Twizy [...]
CRASH PADS May 24, 2012 For the City’s movers and shakers, it’s the million pound question: do you live in the town centre and save yourself hours of tedious, stressful commuting, safe in the knowledge that you own property in one of the world’s cultural hubs? Or, do you move to the commuter belt, get yourself a bigger house with [...]
Choosing your MBA: Location is a critical part of the decision May 23, 2012 WHY SHOULD the location of a business school be a factor in choosing one MBA programme over another? It’s not immediately obvious. Many potential students will select by the educational value of a course, and how specific features of that MBA programme might impact on career progression. Many others will go by a school’s position [...]
Eurostar brings culture and sport together to support London 2012 May 22, 2012 COUNTDOWN TO THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES 65 DAYS TO GO Eurostar’s chief exec says why it is 2012’s international rail services provider Q What was your brand’s primary reason for being involved with the Games? A For us the partnership felt natural, partly because of the geography: we come into St Pancras, which will [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING May 21, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES SFO lawyer warned against pursuing Tchenguiz case The lead lawyer in the Serious Fraud Office’s investigation of the Tchenguiz brothers warned the agency two months before the property tycoons’ arrest that it should not pursue the case. In January 2011, Wayil Eisa, the lawyer tasked with drafting the case for the prosecution, submitted [...]
CITY VIEWS | DO YOU THINK LONDON’S AIRPORTS ARE READY FOR THE OLYMPICS? May 21, 2012 ATSUSHI MATSUMOTO SMBC NIKKO I don’t think so. The airports could be end up being a let down and embarrassment this summer. But I have hope in the aviation authorities that they could still do something about it in the 50 or so days to go before the Olympics. What is really bothering me is [...]
Companies don’t pay taxes – but employees, owners and customers do May 21, 2012 THIS WEEK sees the launch of The Single Income Tax – the final report of the 2020 Tax Commission. As one of the commissioners, I’m proud of the result: a 417-page blockbuster of thorough analysis and sensible, yet radical, reforms. A Single Income Tax would ensure that taxes were cut to 33 per cent of [...]
House prices in the capital are detached by location May 20, 2012 London’s property market is outperforming but some boroughs are well off the pace LONDON Neither London, nor England and Wales, have returned to their 2008 peaks – but London is close. From March 2009, prices have grown 16 per cent in London compared to 6 per cent in England and Wales as a whole. However, [...]
Transport and schools are key to valuations May 20, 2012 TRYING to predict where London’s house prices will go as a whole is a fools errand. The house price earnings ratio suggests property remains overvalued, but the influx of foreign cash combined with inflexible planning restrictions could see prices continue to rise. It’s easier – and more fruitful – to weigh up different areas. THE [...]
G4S revenues rise with help from Olympics May 15, 2012 SECURITY firm G4S yesterday said that revenues were up 7.5 per cent year-on-year for the first quarter of 2012, assisted by a substantial contract from the forthcoming Olympic Games. Despite this the board reported that profits were at similar levels to the previous year due to lower operating margins. Shares in the firm – the [...]