O’Shea shrugs off Quins’ eight try Euro romp December 9, 2012 HARLEQUINS boss Conor O’Shea is refusing to get carried away despite the Aviva Premiership champions extending their unbeaten European run with an eight-try demolition of Zebre on Saturday. Two penalty tries, a double from Sam Smith and scores from Nick Easter, Matt Hopper, Rob Buchanan and Ben Botica saw Quins down Zebre 57-14 for a [...]
The transformation of Jessica Ennis December 7, 2012 I ADORE Victoria Beckham and Alexander McQueen…” “I’d love to start my own fashion label…” “I’ve been to two award ceremonies in the last two nights…” You would be forgiven for thinking these were the words of a Hollywood starlet or seasoned pop star. But this is Jessica Ennis – the poster girl for the [...]
Asian growth makes up for woe in Europe at Innovation Group December 5, 2012 INNOVATION GROUP, the business software and processes firm, reported a 10 per cent rise in annual revenues yesterday, as it said growth in Asia had made up for tough conditions in southern Europe and the US. The company, which provides outsourcing services to the insurance, automotive and property industries, has expanded its reach via multiple acquisitions. [...]
FTSE 100 flat on US budget uncertainty December 4, 2012 The FTSE 100 was broadly flat in early trading as uncertainty continued over the fate of US budget talks to avert January’s so-called “fiscal cliff”. The White House has dismissed a budget deal proposal from congressional Republicans that included tax reforms and spending cuts, saying it did not meet President Barack Obama’s pledge to raise [...]
Props for new boy Auterac in Sarries win December 2, 2012 SARACENS boss Mark McCall believes prop Nick Auterac is an England star in the making after his performance in yesterday’s 28-23 Aviva Premiership win over Gloucester. Charlie Hodgson’s 23 points and Richard Wigglesworth’s try gave Sarries a five-point lead to defend but in-form Gloucester piled on the late pressure. They were awarded three scrums a [...]
Bramson’s Sherborne floats a new acquisition cash shell November 29, 2012 SHERBORNE Investors, the private equity group founded by Edward Bramson, launched its second cash shell yesterday, in a £207m listing on the Alternative Investment Market. The Sherborne Investors (Guernsey) B vehicle began trading on the junior market yesterday after a float run by Jefferies and HSBC. Bramson, who won control of F&C Asset Management in [...]
Aviva eyes 120 job losses November 29, 2012 Insurer Aviva said yesterday it would shed about 120 jobs as it merges its dedicated property claims service into its existing claims centres. The staff affected are based in Sheffield, where Aviva’s Asprea property claims management service is headquartered, the insurer said in an emailed statement yesterday. Aviva is cutting costs and selling under-performing businesses [...]
Who’s switching jobs November 28, 2012 Aviva Phil Pavitt has been appointed to the role of IT transformation director at the insurance group. He joins from HMRC, where he was general director of change. Pavitt has also held chief information officer positions at Centrica, Virgin Media and BT. MasterCard Will Judge has been appointed vice president for travel and transit. He [...]
Sarries lay groundwork for £20m move November 27, 2012 SARACENS have laid the first strips of artificial turf at their new 10,000-capacity home in Barnet as they count down to the move from Vicarage Road to £20m Allianz Park in February. The 2011 Aviva Premiership champions are set to become the first professional rugby union club to play their home games on a synthetic [...]
Who’s switching jobs November 26, 2012 Alvarez & Marsal The professional services firm has appointed Faisal Galaria as a senior director. He was previously vice president of Spotify, where he was responsible for mergers & acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Galaria has also held senior roles at Skype and eBay. Pinsent Masons Jonathan Beastall has been appointed to the law firm’s corporate [...]