We reached Mars 50 years ago, why haven’t we sent people? Opinion Viking 1 landed on Mars 50 years ago, so why haven’t we sent people there? Because there are no property rights in space, says Rainer Zitelmann Today marks the 50th anniversary of one of the greatest achievements in the history of space exploration. On July 20, 1976, NASA’s Viking 1 became the first spacecraft to [...]
How SpaceX could become the most valuable company in the universe Opinion Elon Musk’s plans to colonise Mars may sound far-fetched, but he has already achieved most of what he set to do. But in order to make science fiction a reality, we need to make sure companies are rewarded for taking risks in space, says Rainer Zitelmann SpaceX is aiming to go public in June setting [...]
Food manufacturers mutinous over ‘unworkable’ healthy food red tape Retail The government is facing growing pressure to ditch new healthy food red tape which manufacturers and retailers warn is “unworkable” and could see fruit yoghurts and breakfast cereals classed as unhealthy. Labour plans to impose new standards on which foods count as healthy but Morning Wire understands that several food manufacturers with billion-pound revenues fear [...]
Hotel Chocolat tastes sweet success of quitting London October 20, 2025 How Hotel Chocolat has performed since being acquired by Mars for more than £500m in July 2023 has been revealed for the first time. The Hertfordshire-headquartered business quit the London Stock Exchange after being taken over in a £534m deal. The deal, which at the time represented a 169.8 per cent premium on its 139p [...]
UK to land Europe’s first rover on Mars March 29, 2025 Airbus UK has secured a £150m contract to engineer the landing platform for Europe’s first Mars rover. The Rosalind Franklin rover, which was built entirely in Stevenage, is scheduled to launch in 2028 and touch down on the red planet in 2030, marking a major milestone in European space exploration. The mission, led by European [...]
Hotel Chocolat names new CEO as expansion effort takes shape following £534m takeover by Mars September 16, 2024 Hotel Chocolat has promoted its UK managing director Lysa Hardy to become its new chief executive in yet another sign of change after a takeover by Mars. Hardy, who was a non-executive at Superdry until July this year, will take over from co-founder and current chief executive, Angus Thirwell, according to a LinkedIn update. Last [...]
Mars to gobble up Pringles owner Kellanova in £28bn deal August 14, 2024 Mars, whose brands include M&M’s, Snickers and Skittles, is to buy food giant Kellanova for $35.9bn (£27.9bn), it has been confirmed. Kellanova, which was created when the Kellogg Co, which was formed in 1906, split into three companies, and owns brands such as Pringles, Cheez-Its and Pop-Tarts. In a statement, Mars Inc said it will [...]
Cocoa prices hit 45-year high ahead of Christmas November 21, 2023 Global cocoa prices are continuing to hold at their highest level for 45 years adding to fears of an impending chocolate crisis.
Hotel Chocolat’s sweet £534m Mars deal leaves London market on a sugar high November 16, 2023 Charismatic founder, Angus Thirlwell, told City A.M that the business “really valued” its time on the London market.