The father of the UK’s transport business sees recovery on the way July 25, 2010 Stagecoach’s chief executive Brian Souter has seen it all in the 30 years since he founded the bus and rail operator – but even he admits the industry is undergoing a difficult period. The transport sector, which is only just emerging from a painful recession, is about to face more pain. Chancellor George Osborne’s emergency [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING July 22, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES TARGETFOLLOW SEEKS MPS’ HELP The owner of a large property portfolio that includes the Centre Point tower in London has enlisted the help of his local MPs to stave off administration after loans of more than £200m provided by Lloyds expired on Thursday. Targetfollow, the Norwich-based property developer managed by Ardeshir Naghshineh, has [...]
Expat Expert: the power of local knowledge July 22, 2010 THANKS to globalisation and modernisation, individuals now have unparalleled levels of choice when it comes to relocation overseas. And London remains an extremely popular destination for individuals looking to experience life in another country – not only is it a hub for transport into mainland Europe and across the Atlantic, it has also retained its [...]
LIFE COACH July 21, 2010 WITH Boris Johnson’s Paris-style bicycle hire scheme launching on 30 July, Londoners who have hitherto been put off by the hassle of owning a bike will see a brave new world of green, healthy travel opening up before them. But for the commuter – particularly the female one – cycling to work isn’t always sartorially [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING July 20, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES STUDY POINTS TO PENSION GAP AMONG EXECUTIVES Executives at FTSE 100 companies earn retirement benefits that cost roughly twice as much as those offered to those in the FTSE 250, according to a study released on Wednesday. The study, prepared by actuarial consultants Lane, Clark & Peacock, looks at the way FTSE 250 [...]
The ascent of prime London’s new hotspot July 15, 2010 FITZROVIA, the area around the BT Tower, bordered by Oxford Street, Tottenham Court Road, Great Portland Street and Euston Road, should be Londoners’ idea of property heaven. The West End is on your doorstep, as is Regent’s Park. The ever-more exciting restaurant and bar scene of Goodge and Charlotte Streets, and the more established prettiness [...]
EU clears Iberia tie to BA July 14, 2010 BRITISH AIRWAYS (BA) has landed approval from European competition regulators to allow its merger with Iberia and joint venture with American Airlines (AA) to go through. The European Commission (EC) yesterday gave antitrust clearance to the airlines to launch the three-way partnership, which will include slot sharing in London and New York. Although the Department [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING July 13, 2010 FINANCIAL TIMES BANK TEAMS RUSH TO SET UP NEW FUNDS The hedge fund industry is seeing a rush of start-ups amid a series of high-profile spin-outs from the in-house trading teams at investment banks. In spite of one of the worst second-quarter performances for the industry on record, the new funds also are attracting strong [...]
Boris ramps up fight against London cuts July 12, 2010 BORIS Johnson has stepped up his campaign to protect funding for London’s sprawling transport network, after transport minister Norman Baker hinted that the capital’s Tube, buses and trains would have to suffer cutbacks along with the rest of the country. Aides to the Mayor said he was “presenting his case clearly to the government, both [...]
British Airways near to winning antitrust bid July 11, 2010 BRITISH Airways, American Airlines and Iberia are set to win EU antitrust clearance this week to deepen their Oneworld alliance. The news comes as BA and Iberia are on the brink of merging, and BA chief Willie Walsh has revealed he is already planning to buy up another airline within a year. The antitrust decision [...]