A slower than anticipated global vaccine rollout and wider failure to get Covid under control will cost airlines $10bn (£7.2bn) more than previously predicted, according to the organisation that represents global airlines. The warning from the International Air Transport Association came as Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary warned on Wednesday there would be “seismic” cut in capacity across the industry…

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Functional Gut Diagnostics is a Manchester-based health-firm which looks to provide a quick and accurate diagnosis for anyone suffering with gastrointestinal problems. Simon Freedman, general manager of Functional Gut Diagnostics, talks to us about how the company has developed over the years. What is the story behind the company? As a Gastrointestinal (GI) Physiologist, a clinician who specialises in GI…

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Primark’s owner will repay £121 million in furlough money claimed under government job retention schemes and pay out a dividend to shareholders despite a slump in profits. Associated British Foods (ABF) said the decision comes despite stores remaining closed for most of the autumn and winter period, leading to revenues and profits plunging. Sales were down 17% to £6.3 billion…

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A Bank of England digital currency for the UK has moved a step closer after the chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a top-level taskforce to explore the benefits and risks of the idea. Sunak said a joint Treasury-Bank of England taskforce was being set up as part of a range of measures designed to boost the City following Britain’s departure from…

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Vauxhall will stop producing the Astra at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire and close the plant completely in April next year unless the Government can incentivise it to build a new model at the site. A briefing on manufacturing volumes issued by Vauxhall’s parent company to suppliers shows the production of the current model of the Astra is expected to end…

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Having been made redundant during the Covid-19 pandemic, Mark Rodgers of Cheese on Towcest’ in Northamptonshire took the plunge and decided to launch his very own online cheesemonger business. What’s the story behind your business?   I’ve always been obsessed with cheese and have always wanted to be a cheesemonger – I just love cheese and everything about it! A…

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The FTSE 100 rose above 7,000 this morning for the first time since the end of last February, shortly after the pandemic triggered sharp falls in global stock markets. The index rose for the fourth session in a row, adding another 46.02 points, or 0.7 per cent, to reach 7,029.52. It was led higher once again by its travel, banking…

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After spotting a gap in the market while working in the wedding industry, Kimara Middleton of Hampshire Event Props made it her mission to make special occasions even more special. What is your business all about?  I am the director of Hampshire Event Props which provides decor for events including weddings, birthdays etc. These props extend to flower walls, light…

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The social media giants have found themselves in the news again, and not for positive reasons. Earlier this month, it was widely reported that details of more than 530 million Facebook users worldwide have been made available online, including phone numbers and some email addresses. The data supposedly even included CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s own mobile number. And just days later,…

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A specialist in professional relationships and networking for over 20 years, we talk to Andy Lopata, who was called  ‘One of Europe’s leading business networking strategists’ by the Financial Times. What do you currently do? I am an author, podcast host, speaker and mentor on professional relationships. That’s quite a mouthful, isn’t it?! In short, I focus on how people…

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