Brand Boris: Johnson needs to shed his disrupter image if he wants to become a leader October 8, 2018 There was a particularly pithy Tweet doing the rounds just after the Conservative party conference last week: “in summary: Boris’s speech not good enough for him to take over; May’s not bad enough to be kicked out”. So, was Boris Johnson really just one speech away from leadership? Possibly. Because Boris, just like Donald Trump, “has [...]
Five charts that explain the case for emerging markets October 8, 2018 | City Talk Investors generally understand the importance of emerging markets in terms of their economic impact but, perhaps due to lack of knowledge, often struggle to know how best to reflect this in their portfolios. Those investors have ignored what are some of the world's best-performing financial markets since the turn of the millennium. What is more, [...]
French Connection founder Stephen Marks could sell 42 per cent stake, company confirms October 8, 2018 The founder of French Connection is looking to sell, 46 years after creating the fashion brand, the company has confirmed. Stephen Marks is looking to offload his 42 per cent shareholding and has started approaching potential buyers. The company said it is “currently reviewing all strategic options in order to deliver maximum value for its [...]
Manufacturing props up UK output growth as business optimism wanes October 8, 2018 British business output growth is being propped up by the resilient performance of the manufacturing sector, despite ongoing uncertainty. Though still falling below long-term trends, output held steady in September, while business optimism declined, according to BDO’s latest Output Index. Read more: Lloyd's boss 'accelerates' Brussels operation amid no-deal fears The manufacturing sector, which makes [...]
Crossrail faces handover to government if costs continue to rise October 7, 2018 The government could take over the reins of Crossrail from its fellow joint sponsor Transport for London (TfL) if a lid is not kept on the costs of the £15.4bn project. The Sunday Times first reported that in Crossrail's sponsor agreement, signed in 2008, there is a clause that entitles the Department for Transport (DfT) [...]
Theresa May urges Labour voters to ‘look beyond’ party labels and back her plan for post-Brexit Britain October 7, 2018 Theresa May has launched a bid to woo disgruntled Labour voters, asking them to "look at her party afresh" and "beyond party labels". Writing in the Observer yesterday, May said she wanted the Conservatives to be a party "for the whole country" and that the Tories were capable of going beyond criticising the opposition. "To [...]
French Connection chief seeks to sell off controlling stake October 6, 2018 French Connection founder Stephen Marks is sounding out potential buyers for his controlling stake in the retailer, it emerged today, in a deal which could trigger a takeover of the whole business. Advisers from Numis Securities, acting on Marks' behalf, have been speaking to prospective bidders this week about the 42 per cent shareholding, sources [...]
Juncker signals optimism for agreement on Brexit deal October 6, 2018 European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker has expressed optimism that a Brexit deal could be reached by November, as talks between the UK and the EU gained pace over the last few days. Speaking to reporters in Austria this morning, Juncker signalled that while there remains some stumbling blocks, such as the Irish border issue, a no-deal [...]
Founder syndrome: Are you suffering? October 5, 2018 When you start a new business, there is an expectation that your leadership will be marked by certain qualities – purpose, authenticity, and a lack of hierarchy. In the modern era, those leading tens of thousands of people, in businesses that were founded decades ago are now expected to display those same qualities. In a [...]
Tesla shares fall after Musk trolls US securities watchdog October 5, 2018 Tesla billionaire Elon Musk appeared to mock the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Twitter late last night, less than four hours after a federal judge demanded an explanation of the settlement deal reached between the two sides. "Just want to [sic] that the Shortseller Enrichment Commission is doing incredible work," wrote Musk, who has frequently [...]