Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Business Matrix: Thursday 15 August 2013

 

Wednesday 14 August 2013 15:54 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

New defect found in Dreamliner

Boeing’s troubled Dreamliner fleet, which was grounded for four months after an aircraft caught fire, faces further turbulence. Japan’s All Nippon Airways said yesterday it had found defective wiring in a fire-extinguishing system on three of its Dreamliners, prompting rival Japan Airlines to abort a Helsinki-bound flight.

Landlord CLS set for buying spree

The landlord CLS Holdings has seen the value of its property portfolio surge back past £1bn for the first time since 2007 and is looking for more acquisitions. The chief executive, Richard Tice, said the firm was in talks about buying 34 government-occupied properties for about £120m. Net assets rose 6 per cent to 1223.7p in the first half.

Gourlay of Boots off to Walgreens

Alex Gourlay, chief executive of Alliance Boots’s health and beauty division, has been hired by the US phramacy chain Walgreens to lead its customer experience unit. Mr Gourlay, who worked for the British high-street stalwart for 30 years. will become the US firm’s president of customer experience and daily living in October.

AA predicts fuel costs will fall

The price of filling up at petrol forecourts, which has leapt by an average 3p a litre since June, is set to fall before the next bank holiday getaway, the AA predicted yesterday. Its latest fuel prices report showed that fuel costs hit a peak of 137.61p a litre last week but wholesale prices have fallen over the past three weeks.

Top ‘smart grid’ bidders named

Capita, Telefonica of Spain and the UK unit of CGI, formerly Logica, were named yesterday as the preferred bidders for the £2.8bn government contract to run Britain’s new “smart grid” power network. The outsourcing group Capita won the £175m data and communications licence.

Fonterra chief heads for exit

The head of Fonterra’s New Zealand milk products business quit yesterday, less than two weeks after the dairy exporter said some of its products could contain bacteria that cause botulism. Gary Romano stepped down as managing director of NZ Milk Products with immediate effect.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in