Aston Martin sales rise as it reiterates plans to push ahead with a new plant in Wales June 27, 2016 The sky may be falling for many, but luxury car maker Aston Martin is doing a-ok, it said today: in fact, revenues rose almost nine per cent in 2015. The company, which last year produced a special limited-edition supercar just for James Bond's latest outing, Spectre, said full-year revenues rose to £510.2m in 2015. Meanwhile, adjusted [...]
In and Out backers must unite after this depressing campaign to build a fraternity for liberty June 24, 2016 When you read this column, the result of the referendum on Britain’s EU membership will be known. Whatever the outcome, we must leave behind the depressing campaigns and move on to a politics of optimism and hope. Whether we vote to stay or vote to leave, those who believe in free trade, openness and a [...]
Daily Mail publisher’s share price tumbles as supermarkets pull print adverts May 26, 2016 Shares in DMGT fell by nine per cent today after the Daily Mail publisher reported a double-digit decline in print advertising led by cost-cutting supermarkets. DMGT issued a profit warning after its DMG Media division – which houses the Mail and Metro newspapers as well as Mail Online and makes up around a third of turnover – reported a four [...]
City Moves for 27 March 2016 | Who’s switching jobs April 27, 2016 Saxo Bank Saxo Bank, the trading and investment specialist, has appointed Jeff Zorek as chief operating officer of global sales based in London and reporting to Matteo Cassina, global head of sales. Jeff joins Saxo with over 30 years of financial services experience, managing businesses in securities trading, high-speed electronic execution, risk management, clearance, settlement and [...]
City Moves for 14 April 2016 | Who’s switching jobs April 14, 2016 London Stock Exchange Group David Harris has been appointed into the newly created role of group head of sustainable business at London Stock Exchange Group. He will be responsible for ensuring that sustainability is integrated into activities group-wide, and will also continue as ESG Director at FTSE Russell. David has 15 years’ experience of working [...]
Industry 4.0: How disruptive technology can rescue British manufacturing April 7, 2016 Industry 4.0 is revolutionising the way international manufacturers and construction companies approach business, but the UK has a long way to go if its industry is to keep pace with its European rivals. This new world is based on digitisation, which blurs the line between the virtual and the physical. Connected products and “smart” machines [...]
RBS is replacing several financial advisers with “robo advice” and the FCA has welcomed the news – it’s time to stop worrying and learn to love the robots March 15, 2016 RBS slashed hundreds of jobs this week, replacing some of its financial advisers with so-called “robo advice”. The announcement was closely followed by news that the City’s watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has welcomed our new robot overlords employees. A seven-month FCA study into the financial advice sector, conducted with Treasury assistance, concluded that [...]
Lexus RX review: Will hybrid SUVs take over the market after VW’s dieselgate? March 7, 2016 Few things are as unwelcome in central London as a big, gas-guzzling SUV. One of them is a big, diesel SUV sporting a Volkswagen Group badge. Anti-diesel resentment has been bubbling for a number of years, culminating in the VW “dieselgate” emissions scandal that rocked (and continues rocking) the motor industry. However, one manufacturer has [...]
Moneysupermarket.com share price rises as price comparison company reveals boost in profits and revenues for year ended December 2015 March 1, 2016 Share price in Moneysupermarket.com closed up today after the company revealed a boost to both its profits and revenues in its preliminary results. The price comparison website announced adjusted operating profits for its year ended December 2015 of £100.1m, up 15 per cent from £87.3m the year before. Meanwhile, group revenue grew to £281.7m, up 14 per cent [...]
Facebook is biggest new TV advertiser as total ad spend passes record £5bn February 23, 2016 Facebook was the biggest spending new advertiser on British television last year as total spend hit record levels. Spending on TV advertising – from traditional 30 second spots to sponsorship, on-demand catch up platforms and product placement – hit £5.27bn in 2015, a rise of 7.4 per cent on the previous year and growth not seen since the end of the financial crisis. [...]