Decathlon suspends activities in Russia after boycott calls March 29, 2022 Decathlon’s French tycoon owners have suspended activities in Russia after criticism following the invasion of Ukraine. The Mulliez family, who own Decathlon alongside DIY retailer Leroy Merlin and food firm Auchan, has faced boycott calls this week. “In strict compliance with international sanctions, Decathlon notes that the supply conditions are no longer met to continue [...]
Business secretary to unveil neurodiversity business forum for greater support March 21, 2022 Business and banking heavyweights including Unilever and the Bank of England have launched a new forum for neurodivergent people in business. The Neurodiversity in Business (NiB) forum is set to support the neurodivergent community in the workplace, taking into account the strengths and differences of “brain-wiring”. Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng will unveil the new body [...]
Tara Cemlyn-Jones takes aim at the gender gap March 16, 2022 This article first appeared in ICAS’ CA magazine. Fintech specialist and former investment banker Tara Cemlyn-Jones co-founded the 25×25 initiative with a target of 25 female FTSE 100 CEOs by 2025. She talks to Lysanne Currie about the progress made and the critical role of data. Just over two years ago, prior to pandemic lockdowns, a [...]
Our businesses have been built by industrious refugees seeking a new future March 15, 2022 Exactly a hundred and forty years ago, a refugee fled eastern Europe fearing for his life. On arriving in Britain, Michael Marks began selling food from a stall in the Kirkgate Market in Leeds. Two years later, after meeting Thomas Spencer, the pair set up Marks and Spencer. Now it is one of Britain’s most [...]
Smoking them out: Cigarette giant Imperial Brands halts Russian operations March 9, 2022 Maker of JPS and Winston cigarettes Imperial Brands has suspended all operations in Russia, including production at its factory in Volgograd, as well as sales and marketing activity. It comes as countless Western brands boycott Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, with the likes of Apple and Netflix recently pulling the plug. “This decision comes amid [...]
McDonald’s and Unilever cut ties with Russia after boycott calls March 8, 2022 Fast food titan McDonald’s has announced the temporary closure of its Russian venues while Unilever also said it would suspend operations. The announcements come after social media users had called for boycotts of companies refusing to cut ties with the country in recent weeks. McDonald’s said it would be pausing operations in Russia amid the [...]
Unilever commits to new health standards after shareholders pile on pressure March 7, 2022 Unilever has today committed to overhauling the way it reports on the health of its products after bosses came under fire from a shareholder activist group for lacklustre performance on nutrition.
Big Oil’s exit from Russia is finally a true confluence between profit and purpose March 3, 2022 In November last year, any company with enough money to stamp their name on the top of a letterhead was clamouring to prove they weren’t just in it to make money; they were good people too. The Cop26 climate change summit offered an opportunity for businesses of all stripes to issue press releases and host [...]
Discount retailers benefit from cost of living crunch as shoppers head to Aldi and Lidl March 1, 2022 Grocery price inflation hit a new high of 4.3 per cent last month, with budget supermarkets luring shoppers in as the cost of living intensifies. Fresh data from Kantar reveals the fastest rate of inflation since September 2013, with the exception of the start of the pandemic when households panic bought essentials. Aldi and Lidl [...]
Pension fund calls on Unilever to overhaul health performance February 28, 2022 One of the UK’s largest pension funds has joined a campaign to push consumer goods giant Unilever to focus more on health targets, after it came under fire from investors last month for lacklustre health performance.