The law firm boss leaving the City for a homecoming November 17, 2013 After nine years at Freshfields, Ted Burke tells Elizabeth Fournier why he’s going in-house IF strong law firms are built on their client relationships, then Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer must have some very solid foundations. In one of the longest-standing and enduring client-law firm relationships on record, Freshfields can trace its origins all the way back [...]
London Report: New borrowing figures likely a boost for Britain November 17, 2013 CHANCELLOR George Osborne is likely to get a boost this week with October public borrowing figures predicted to show the economic recovery gaining strength. Corporation payments and profits from the Royal Mail share sale have helped boost the government coffers and the final set of figures before Osborne’s Autumn Statement are expected to be strong. [...]
Wall St The Week Ahead: Retail figures a clue to Xmas season ahead November 17, 2013 THE guessing game about when the Federal Reserve will start to cut its stimulus will enter a new round this week as stock investors dissect minutes from the last central bank meeting, while retail sales and clues about the consumer will also vie for attention. The minutes for the 29-30 October meeting are due to [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 15 November 2013 November 14, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Ofgem clashes with energy firms Network charges, identified by energy suppliers as a reason for inflation-busting price rises, are not going up as much as companies say, according to the UK’s energy regulator. Energy suppliers have blamed higher bills on rising costs in three areas: the wholesale energy they buy on international markets; [...]
Great Portland lifted by return in confidence November 14, 2013 WEST End property developer Great Portland Estates posted a 9.2 per cent leap in first-half net asset value and said it expected the strengthening economy to support the capital’s property market as more companies find confidence to move. The company, which owns offices and shops in central London, said diluted net asset value per share [...]
Walmart shares fall as world’s largest retailer lowers outlook November 14, 2013 Walmart shares fell 1.14 per cent in pre-market trading after the company lowered its full year outlook. The retail titan posted poorer than expected revenues for the third quarter, with total revenues increasing by 1.7 per cent to $6.3bn (£3.9bn) and net income rising by 2.8 per cent to $3.7bn (£2.3bn). US comp sales fell [...]
Domino’s Pizza appoints Sean Wilkins as chief financial officer designate November 14, 2013 Domino's Pizza has appointed Sean Wilkins as chief financial officer (CFO) designate. Mr Wilkins will assume his responsibilities as CFO from 18 November, taking over from Lee Ginsberg after his retirement at Domino's annual general meeting in 2014. Mr Wilkins is an international finance director and recently held the position of general manager of Coles [...]
SSE defends its dividend ahead of bill increase November 13, 2013 SSE YESTERDAY posted a rise in profits and defended its decision to hike its dividend, mere days before an 8.2 per cent increase to customers’ bills will take effect. The FTSE 100 energy firm reported pre-tax profits of £336.4m for the six months to 30 September, a sharp increase from losses of £40.9m the previous [...]
Barclays’ Hector Sants resigns after taking sick leave November 13, 2013 Sir Hector Sants, head of compliance at Barclays bank and former chief of the Financial Services Authority, has resigned, after taking leave in October due to stress and exhaustion. Chief of operations and technology officer, Shaygen Kheradpir will also be leaving for a CEO position at a US company. In a statement released on Wednesday, [...]
London’s got talent: Capital biggest employer of highly-skilled individuals November 11, 2013 The capital beats New York to top global league table as the biggest employer of highly-skilled individuals LONDON is the best city in the world for jobs in the knowledge economy, a report out today shows, confirming the capital’s status as a global talent magnet. The capital employs 1.5m people in highly-skilled sectors such as [...]