Women on FTSE boards forecast to reach Lord Davies 25pc target by October July 10, 2015 Women are becoming more common in the boardrooms of the UK’s most powerful companies, as new research from executive recruiter Norman Broadbent showed the FTSE 100 companies on track to having one-quarter female boards by the end of the year. Currently, women make up 23.7 per cent of the companies’ boards, but an average of [...]
Oil prices still haven’t hit rock bottom, says International Energy Agency, even after Brent crude falls below $60 per barrel July 10, 2015 Global oil demand will slow in 2016, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has predicted in its latest monthly report. The world’s leading energy forecaster warned rebalancing of supply and demand in oil market has “yet to run its course”. Oil prices have fallen 60 per cent in the past year, with US benchmark WTI trading [...]
How do you make your iPhone battery last longer? New Waldio technology extends smartphone life and makes it up to 20 times faster July 10, 2015 Let’s face it, we’re all addicted to our smartphones, and there is there are few things more irritating than seeing your phone’s battery slowly drain away – or worse, having it die on you halfway through the day. Luckily, there’s a new technology to the rescue, promising to improve both the speed and the battery [...]
Ryanair share price up after approving IAG’s offer for Aer Lingus stake July 10, 2015 Ryanair’s board has voted unanimously to sell its 29.8 per cent stake in Aer Lingus to International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways. Despite attempts by the low-fare airline to keep hold of its stake in its Irish rival, it was ordered to sell it by competition regulators in 2012. After months of [...]
InterContinental Hotels share price jumps after selling off InterContinental Hong Kong for $938m July 10, 2015 Shareholders’ hopes will be raised after InterContinental Hotels Group said it had sold the InterContinental Hong Kong, one of its flagship hotels. The hotelier announced the sale of the five star hotel to Supreme Key, a consortium of investors, early this morning. The deal is a continuation of IHG’s sell-off strategy, under which the chain [...]
After US launch Primark heads for Italy; opening first stores in Milan next year July 10, 2015 Primark is so inspired by its "Primarni" nickname, it's entering the Italian market ahead of schedule, it said today. The fashion brand will open the first of up to three Italian stores in Milan next summer, according to owner Associated British Foods. Shares in the group rose, following a trading update reporting a “modest decline” [...]
UK renewables on the rise – but we’re far behind other EU countries July 9, 2015 The UK’s renewable energy consumption is on the rise – but we’re still lagging far behind other EU countries. Renewable and waste sources account for 5.6 per cent of the UK’s total energy in 2013, according to new figures released by the ONS today, suggesting that the UK’s economy is getting greener. This means renewables [...]
July Budget 2015: Is it too early to get excited about the government’s “northern powerhouse” plans? July 9, 2015 In his Summer Budget announcement, chancellor George Osborne made no apologies for highlighting the point that the Conservatives have boldly done something that previous governments haven’t been able (or possibly willing) to do – addressing the huge gap between the North and South. Making several references to the government’s "northern powerhouse’ plans, the chancellor confirmed [...]
July Budget 2015: Transport for the North promises shorter train journey times and cheaper fares as high speed rail will drive Northern Powerhouse July 9, 2015 Slashed travel times between northern cities will cheer commuters, as new transport body Transport for the North gives a boost to George Osborne’s Northern Powerhouse project. But how exactly will the new and improved transport system work? And how much time will you save? This handy map and the charts below show how much shorter [...]
Greek crisis: Greek unemployment remains above 25pc as debt crisis escalates July 9, 2015 Unemployment in Greece remains over 25 per cent, as new figures show the country’s debt crisis continues takes its toll on its citizens. Figures published by Greece’s National Statistics Service this morning show unemployment at 25.6 per cent in April, down slightly from 25.8 per cent the month before. Young people are particularly affected by [...]