There are three main issues the UK needs to address if it is going to build a technology company on the scale of Google, according to a group of entrepreneurs. For the BBC’s recent Tech Talent week we asked why the UK can’t build a company on the scale of …
Read More »A man for all seasons
Image copyright Four Seasons Hotels Looking back on his more than 50 years in the hotels business, Isadore “Issy” Sharp is modest about his achievements. “I’ve been fortunate to be a reasonable success,” says the 85-year-old Canadian. Mr Sharp’s definition of “reasonable success” must be different to most people’s, because …
Read More »Southern headache
Image copyright Getty Images As Southern Rail passengers prepare for yet another strike, many are asking: what’s the dispute actually about? Well, it’s about safety, it’s about jobs and it’s about politics. Let’s take them one at a time. Safety It’s a bit “he says, she says” but bear with …
Read More »Uber accused of letting staff spy on celebs and exes
Image copyright AFP Image caption Uber tracks all rides, including information about drivers and passengers, in real-time Uber has defended itself following accusations that a lack of internal security allowed employees to spy on rides in real-time. The firm’s former forensic investigator made the allegations in a court declaration. Uber …
Read More »Asahi to buy Pilsner Urquell from AB InBev
Image copyright Bloomberg Japanese brewer Asahi has agreed to buy five Eastern European beer brands in a deal worth €7.3bn (£6.1bn). Anheuser-Busch InBev had agreed to sell the brands, which include Pilsner Urquell, Tyskie and Kozel, to help get clearance from competition regulators for its $100bn takeover of SABMiller. It …
Read More »Argos drivers plan Christmas strike
Image copyright PA Argos’s delivery drivers at its key distribution centre have voted to strike for three days from 20 December. Unite union members voted by 83% to strike over what they say is a failure to pay holiday back pay for two years, amounting to an average of £700. …
Read More »Southern rail strike: 48-hour walkout causes chaos for commuters
Image copyright AP Image caption Passengers waiting to board the Gatwick Express at London Victoria faced long queues Rail passengers have been hit by travel chaos as striking train drivers bring the Southern network to a halt. Members of the Aslef union walked out for 48 hours at midnight. A …
Read More »Shoppers splash out on premium treats
Image copyright Asda Sales of supermarkets’ premium own-label brands are booming as shoppers decide to treat themselves. Figures from Kantar Worldpanel for the 12 weeks to 4 December show a 13% sales rise for the products, despite sluggish growth overall for food retailers. Sales of Morrisons’ The Best range are …
Read More »Union defends Post Office pre-Christmas strike
Image copyright PA A union representing Post Office workers has defended a decision to strike in the week before Christmas. Workers will stage five days of strikes from Monday in a dispute over jobs, pensions and branch closures. The industrial action will affect Crown Post Offices – the larger branches …
Read More »UniCredit shares soar on plan to raise billions
Image copyright Getty Images Shares in UniCredit have jumped almost 15% after Italy’s biggest bank said it would raise €13bn (£10.9bn) and cut 14,000 jobs to restore its fortunes. The bank plans to use the record rights issue to help remove almost €18bn of bad debt from its balance sheet …
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