AstraZeneca appoints Bohen to chief medical officer position August 24, 2015 ASTRAZENECA yesterday appointed Sean Bohen as chief medical officer, giving him responsibility for patient safety at the firm. He will also become executive vice president at the group, with responsibility for the progression of the small molecules and biologics investigational medicines on AstraZeneca’s books through late-stage development to regulatory approval. Bohen will report to Pascal [...]
The super-rich paying a £50,000 deposit to RENT in London August 20, 2015 With rising house prices placing home ownership out of reach for many and overseas investment rife, London’s lettings market is booming. But the commonly-painted picture of young professionals struggling to pay for their grotty house share in Dalston only tells one side of this increasingly complex story. For competition isn’t only fierce at the affordable [...]
London mayoral elections: Stephen Greenhalgh argues the capital needs a more joined-up approach to its emergency services August 20, 2015 London's ambulance service is in crisis. Last year Prime Minister David Cameron was forced to defend its performance, which was the worst in the country with only 66.5 per cent of ambulances reaching the most serious 999 calls within eight minutes. The NHS target is 75 per cent. This is because the ambulance service [...]
Walmart’s Asda has reached its “nadir” says chief Andy Clarke as supermarket chalks up more declines August 19, 2015 Asda boss Andy Clarke has said the troubled supermarket's “nadir” has been reached, as the Walmart-owned retailer revealed yet another slump in sales. Second quarter like-for-likes were down 4.7 per cent, while profits were flat. Clarke described the figures as “disappointing, but a short-term picture”. “We've hit our nadir,” Clarke said insisting there was [...]
Asda promises turnaround after sales hit rock bottom August 19, 2015 ASDA chief executive Andy Clarke insisted that the company was seeing the first “green shoots” of a recovery despite revealing its worst ever quarterly result in the 16 years it has been owned by US chain Wal-Mart. The supermarket chain, which recently lost its position as Britain’s second-largest food retailer to Sainsbury’s, said like-for-like sales [...]
FCA drops investigation into Quindell in light of Serious Fraud Office probe August 18, 2015 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has dropped its investigation into troubled insurance outsourcer Quindell with immediate effect, making way for the criminal investigation being carried out by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). "Quindell announces that it has been informed by the FCA that, in light of the investigation by the SFO into past business and accounting [...]
Quindell names new boss to unravel mess August 17, 2015 EMBATTLED insurance outsourcer Quindell yesterday appointed tech development guru Indro Mukerjee as its new chief executive, two months after the departure of Robert Fielding. The appointment was made public amid investigations by the Serious Fraud Office and Financial Conduct Authority into previous business and accounting practices. The announcement ends 80 days of uncertainty for Quindell [...]
Kentucky is more than just fried chicken: Hit the bourbon trail for a spirited, unbridled discovery August 14, 2015 All bourbons are whiskies, but not all whiskies are bourbons. This is the first commandment drilled into visitors at the distilleries that pepper the state of Kentucky, USA. Now, I’m a walking Wikipedia entry, espousing facts about bourbon to anyone who will listen; for instance, did you know that bourbon has to be made [...]
What’s in a name? Why Google’s transition to Alphabet is great news for investors August 13, 2015 Companies change names and rebrand when they wish to turn over a new leaf, or refresh their perception amongst key stakeholders. Some work, some don’t – just think about Britain’s Royal Mail and its short-lived rebranding to “Consignia”. That name change quickly got lost in the post. And remember PwC’s abortive attempt to switch to [...]
Both a friend and a voice August 12, 2015 Mencap is a partner and voice for people with learning disabilities Mencap’s Head Office has always sat on the edge of the City of London — between Old Street and the Barbican — but this year Mencap are determined to make sure our message gets heard loud and clear right to centre of the Square [...]