The perfect brand name doesn’t exist, so stop searching for it January 28, 2019 Naming a brand is often a tortured process, full of impassioned argument and furrowed brows. Everyone wants to find that silver bullet: the simple, unique name that crystallises everything important about the brand. Well, stop looking. Because you won’t find it – and you don’t need to. Names matter, but never as much as they [...]
There’s a lesson from Dyson’s Singapore move, but it has nothing to do with Brexit January 25, 2019 There’s no question that Dyson’s move from Wiltshire to Singapore will be a loss to Britain. The company boasts profits in excess of £1bn, employs 4,000 in its Malmesbury offices alone, and is one of the UK’s major business success stories. But that doesn’t justify the political backlash we’ve seen. In true polarising fashion, owner Sir [...]
TV analytics platform Admo raises €6m in series B fundraising for London expansion January 24, 2019 Advertising analytics firm Admo.tv has secured €6m (£5.2m) in funding to help boost its presence in London, the company said today. Admo, which helps brands measure the impact of TV adverts on online traffic, raised the series B funding from venture capital firms Runa Capital, Entrepreneur Venture and Cap Decisif. Read more: Social media influencers promise [...]
Ford profits hit by tariffs as US car maker records losses in every region except North America January 24, 2019 Ford, the second biggest car maker in the US, recorded losses in every global region except North America in 2018, according to its full-year results. The company, which is in the midst of a major global restructuring drive, is to implement cost-reduction plans and job losses in Europe, looking to shake up its South American [...]
The earl-y bird catches the worm: City law firm hires aristocratic new partner January 23, 2019 Law firm Michelmores announced today it had hired the Earl of Devon as a partner in its disputes team. Charles Courtenay, the 19th Earl of Devon, joins the firm from US legal giant Latham & Watkins – the second largest law firm in the world by revenue. Although Courtenay will be based in Michelmores’ London [...]
West End landlord Great Portland reports robust leasing amid growth in tenant demand January 23, 2019 Fresh signs of strength in London’s leasing market emerged today, as listed property giant Great Portland Estates (GPE) posted rising rental values and low vacancy levels amid continued demand for office space in the capital. The West End landlord signed 16 new lettings totalling than 50,000 square feet in the quarter to the end of [...]
Burberry keeps momentum from China despite trade war fears January 23, 2019 Fashion house Burberry bucked current concerns over a trade war between China and the US today, as Asian demand for its luxury clothing held up over the festive shopping season. The blue-chip firm, which has been embarking on a major turnaround plan to revive its fortunes for more than a year, said that comparable store sales [...]
Patisserie Valerie enters administration after bank talks fail January 22, 2019 Patisserie Valerie collapsed into administration this evening after discussions with its lenders fell apart following the shock revelation of “significant fraud” at the high street cafe chain. Chairman Luke Johnson had been scrambling to come to an agreement with creditors to secure a cash lifeline after posting an update to the market last week admitting [...]
Employment rate hits record high as wages reach new post-financial crisis peak January 22, 2019 Employment rose to a record high in the three months to November as wage growth hit a 10-year peak, according to official data released today. The number of people in paid work rose by 141,000 people to 32.53m, the Office for National Statistics said, giving a record employment rate of 75.8 per cent. Sterling surged [...]
Patisserie Valerie keeps shareholders in the dark on future as last ditch talks with banks continue January 21, 2019 Patisserie Valerie’s holding company has failed to shed further light on the future of the troubled bakery chain after announcing this morning talks were still ongoing with its creditors to save the company. The firm was expected to provide an update this morning, after speculation the last week of talks with its banks could spell [...]