Outsourcing firm Capita has announced a major shake-up as it warned on profits and said it had to change its approach to succeed.New chief executive Jonathan Lewis said the firm had become “too complex” and “driven by a short term focus”.The firm, which issued several profit warnings last year, …
Read More »Thousands of cash machines may be closed
Thousands of free-to-use cash machines could be closed because of a cut in the fee operators receive from banks each time an ATM is used, the industry has warned. However, the fee will be unchanged for free-to-use ATMs which are 1km or more from the next nearest cash machine.The …
Read More »Rescuing child brides
All too often girls in countries across sub-Saharan Africa can be married off an early age, trapping them in a cycle that is almost impossible to escape.They can be held by poverty, sexual and domestic violence, and social stigma.But a charity, Camfed, is working to keep girls in school, …
Read More »Global brew
Media playback is unsupported on your device It is fair to say that businessman Tran Qui Thanh is a colourful character.One of the most successful business owners in Vietnam, every year his company – soft drinks firm THP – holds a televised gala.Broadcast across the country, the 64-year-old sings …
Read More »Things fall apart
Pity today’s clothes. Like unloved toys, they’re being worn less often than ever.The rise of fast fashion retailers has meant that consumers can buy trendy clothes almost the second they’re designed – and just as quickly move on to the next fad.Most of us try to lessen the guilt …
Read More »'Dangerously' drunk tourists may not win insurance claims
A man who fell and hit his head after “drinking all night” was correctly refused travel insurance cover, an ombudsman has said.Yet, another man who slipped over in a nightclub’s toilets after a drink while on holiday should have been covered.The cases have been featured by the financial ombudsman …
Read More »Drop in consumer demand hits UK car manufacturing
Car manufacturing in the UK fell last year for the first time since 2009. According to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 1.67 million cars left UK factories in 2017, a decline of 3% compared with the year before.The SMMT says lower demand from …
Read More »US stocks fall for second consecutive day
US markets have suffered a second day of steep losses, as investors dumped health care companies and Apple. The blue chip Dow Jones Industrial Average sank nearly 1.4%, marking its biggest one-day decline in months.The fall followed the news that Amazon, JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway would create a …
Read More »Theresa May unveils education deal at start of China visit
Theresa May has announced new education links with China as she arrives for a three-day visit to boost trade and investment after Brexit.The initiative includes the extension of a Maths teacher exchange programme and a campaign to promote English language learning in China.The UK prime minister has claimed her …
Read More »Quiksilver chief goes missing at sea
French coastguards are searching for the head of a leading surfing equipment company after his boat was found washed ashore in south-western France.Pierre Agnès set sail on Tuesday morning but did not return.The 54-year-old Frenchman is chief executive of Boardriders – a US-based company that until recently was known …
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