Simon Neville
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Award winning former journalist now in PR, offering up advice for money.
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Articles by Simon Neville
Few-femtosecond photoelectron spectroscopy reveals fundamental photodynamics of the carbon-carbon double bond in ethylene
Abstract Conjugated π-systems, often composed of carbon-carbon double bonds as key structural units, are among the most important organic chromophores and serve as prototypical systems for studying ππ* excitation. Their ultrafast excited-state dynamics govern the outcomes of fundamental photochemical processes, including vision, photoisomerization, photosynthesis, and solar energy conversion.
Ignoring the question is not the answer for Farage
Another day, another series of questions unanswered for Reform UK’s leader Nigel Farage. Today, The Times newspaper has been raking through Land Registry records that show he owns at least five homes across three counties. Four were paid in cash. Farage’s response on where all this cash came from for a politician who famously said he was “skint”? Move along, nothing to see here.
AWS’ dominance in cloud infrastructure is risky business
With the slow demise of newsrooms, activist shareholders have soaked up some of the limelight once held by the media in causing mischief in boardrooms.
Minimum Energy Conical Intersection Optimization Using DFT/MRCI(2)
1. Introduction Click to copy section linkSection link copied! The efficient generation of accurate molecular potential energy surfaces (PESs) is a perpetual challenge for theoretical chemistry. It is particularly difficult to reliably determine excited state PESs, which typically exhibit intersecting adiabatic surfaces.
Election 2024
The main parties will shape their media narratives through tightly controlled campaigns - especially after Sunak's Downing Street washout It is ironic that the song drowning out a PM who risked his own drowning if he stayed out in the rain any longer was Things Can Only Get Better.
Is Westminster leading a workplace revolution? The noes have it
After MPs voted to ban politicians who’ve been arrested from parliament, Westminster has gone further than the law dictates, so should other employers follow suit? Asks Simon Neville Earlier this week MPs voted to approve new rules that would see politicians banned from the Parliamentary estate if they are arrested for a serious sexual or violent offence.
What is non-dom status? Labour plans £5bn clampdown on tax dodgers to fund NHS pledges
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Corporate rebrands: why moaning isn't an option
There are few constants in the world of business, but one thing that remains inevitable is that any rebrand will face criticism or outright mockery. And so it came to pass with Standard Life Aberdeen in 2021 when the company changed its name to abrdn. Pragmatically, the best way to move forward is either step up and own your new brand name or change it back in the name of “listening to stakeholders”.
Trying to manage a PR crisis? Here's some advice
Managing a communications crisis is a delicate operation; kicking and screaming won’t get you anywhere, writes Simon Neville Dear business leader. Thank you for hiring me to manage the crisis you find yourself in.
Whatever you think of him, the former Post Office boss has guts
The war of words that has erupted between the former Post Office chair and Kemi Badenoch is a welcome example of character, writes Simon Neville “Fuck business” was the response from Boris Johnson when pressed on corporate concerns over a hard Brexit six years ago – and business hasn’t forgotten. Back in 2016, at least 90 per cent of business leaders were adamant that Brexit would be a bad idea. They warned about the impact on jobs, the hit to the economy and the extra red tape required.
Whatever you think of him, the former Post Office boss has guts
1 day ago David Cameron is first British foreign secretary to visit the Falkland Islands in 30 years. The British foreign secretary arrived in the Falkland Islands on Monday to “reiterate the UK’s commitment to uphold the Islanders’ right of self-determination” in the face of Argentinian claims of sovereignty …
#ConsumerCorner: Consumer Health and Wellness Trends for 2024
DIY beauty regimes, at home fitness routines and the prioritisation of healthier alternatives are just a few of the trends we saw dominate the health and wellness market in 2023. But just a month into the new year, consumers are deciding to return to their old ways and realising maybe nothing beats the use of professional equipment and classes at the gym or the trained services of others to keep up our beauty regimes.
#ConsumerCorner: Have we reached the end of the road for Black Friday?
The birth and death of Black Friday in UK will soon be consigned to a short chapter in the history of the high street, if last Friday’s “event” was anything to go by. It’s incredible to think it was only nine years ago when Asda thought it wise to follow the lead of its US overlords at the time – Walmart – and offer up loss-making deals on TVs and tech. What followed would be a textbook example to all retail chief executives that what works in the US won’t always work over here.
Ultrafast Molecular Frame Quantum Tomography
We develop and experimentally demonstrate a methodology for a full molecular frame quantum tomography (MFQT) of dynamical polyatomic systems. We exemplify this approach through the complete characterization of an electronically nonadiabatic wave packet in ammonia (NH3). The method exploits both energy and time-domain spectroscopic data, and yields the lab frame density matrix (LFDM) for the system, the elements of which are populations and coherences.
Advisers hold little influence with entrepreneurs
In the exhilarating world of entrepreneurship, where risk and reward walk hand in hand, financial advisers have long played a pivotal role in helping business owners. But are we truly making a difference? My recent research suggests the answer might not be as straightforward as you’d think. As part of the UK’s first MBA in Financial Planning cohort, I explored the intricate relationship between entrepreneurs and advisers, unearthing fascinating insights that challenge conventional wisdom.
Consumer Corner: Will Sunak’s U-turn on net zero see EV production start to stall?
When Rishi Sunak announced his plans to delay Net Zero targets for electric vehicles, energy efficiency in the home and new boiler rules from 2030 to 2035, one of the loudest critics was the car industry. Unlikely as it seems that car makers would be flying the flag for environmental regulations to be implemented sooner, they said the decision by the government to push back a ban on new petrol and diesel cars by five years was deeply unhelpful.
Artificial Intelligence is the hot topic for journalists - time to take a line
BT's recent results shows how the media will intensify their questioning about the role of AI. Businesses must ensure they have a line to take or risk losing control of the narrative. When journalists report on company results, the first thing they will do is try and see where the numbers fit into the broader talking points of the day. During the pandemic, every reporter would ask the same three questions before enquiring on anything specific. These were: are you experiencing supply chain issues?
Investigation launched into accountants which signed off Liberty Steel accounts
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into the accountancy firm responsible for signing off the accounts for a range of steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta’s business empire. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC), which regulates the accounting industry, said it would be investigating accounts signed off by King and King for four Liberty Steel businesses. Liberty Steel has two sites in Wales, at Newport and Tredegar, and Mr Gupta lives in South Wales.
Card Factory say price of birthday cards will increase due to inflation
Birthdays are set to get more expensive, according to retailer the Card Factory, as bosses revealed the cost of cards is getting more expensive. The company said inflationary pressures have seen card prices already rising and higher price points are expected to last throughout the year. Bosses also revealed the hit they took from the pandemic has almost been reversed and they expect sales to beat pre-Covid levels by this year.
Shell confirms up to 5 billion dollar hit from quitting Russia
Oil giant Shell has confirmed it will take a hit of between 4 billion and 5 billion dollars (€3.7bn-€4.6bn) from offloading its Russian assets as the company pulls back from the country. Bosses said they will no longer buy oil on the so-called spot market but would continue to fulfil contracts on buying fuel from Russia that had been signed before its invasion of Ukraine.
Asos ends sales in Russia after Ukraine invasion
Asos has joined a growing list of western companies pulling out of Russia as sanctions take hold and the invasion of Ukraine intensifies. The online fashion giant said it was halting sales in Russia and could not fulfil deliveries in Ukraine due to the conflict. Other companies to take action include US tech giants Apple and Google and sportswear brand Nike. Asos said: “Asos’s priority is the safety of its colleagues and partners in Ukraine and Russia.
TOP NEWS: UK government puts pressure on BP over Russian interests
BP PLC is under pressure from the government to cut its ties with Russian oil giant Rosneft, which the British-based company holds a 20% stake in. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng held a virtual call with BP's chief executive Bernard Looney for around 20 minutes on Friday to discuss the company's position.
Aston Martin narrows losses despite Valkyrie delays
Luxury car marker Aston Martin narrowed heavy losses last year as sales picked up after the pandemic forced production to slow to a crawl, the company said. Bosses revealed pre-tax losses reduced to £213.8 million (€256 million) from £466 million (€557.9 million) in 2020, with revenues jumping 79 per cent to £1.1 billion (€1.3 billion).
Heathrow records lowest annual passenger numbers for nearly 50 years
Heathrow has revealed it was the only hub airport in Europe to see a reduction in passenger numbers in 2021, due to the UK’s tougher coronavirus travel rules. Just 19.4 million people travelled through the west London airport last year. That was down 12.3 per cent on the previous 12 months, and represents the lowest annual total since 1972. The airport blamed its poor performance in comparison with European rivals on the UK’s tighter restrictions on international travel.
NatWest bank returns to profit after heavy Covid hits
NatWest swung to a huge profit in the past year as the Government-backed bank released more money it held to one side during the Covid-19 pandemic. The bank reported an operating pre-tax profit of £4bn in 2021, up from an operating pre-tax loss of £481m a year earlier. As a result, bosses increased the bonus pot for staff from £200m to £298m and handed millions back to the taxpayer, which owns a near-51% stake in the bank, through dividends.
JD Sports delays results to give auditors time to assess Footasylum sell-off
JD Sports’ full-year results will be delayed to allow auditors more time to comb through the impact an enforced sell-off of Footasylum will have on the business. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ordered JD in November to sell the business it bought in a £90 million deal in 2019 over competition concerns. JD was subsequently fined £5 million on Monday for exchanging commercially sensitive information in a secret meeting recorded in a Bury car park by an unknown third party.
UK wine duties 'wipe out trade benefits'
Australian wine producers have warned that any benefits from a UK trade deal will be wiped out by proposed British changes to wine duties. They say the 26 million pounds ($A49 million) benefit from the deal being proposed by UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who is in Australia to build relations, will disappear due to 70 million pounds extra in costs.
Artificial Intelligence start-up InstaDeep raises £74m for expansion
A London-based artificial intelligence start-up has raised 100 million dollars (£74 million) to expand its operations including creating an early warning system for spotting new diseases. InstaDeep announced the funding in a second, Series B, round led by AI investment specialists Alpha Intelligence Capital, CDIB and Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine partner BioNTech. The firm will hire new researchers and technicians and expand its presence in the US.
Pets at Home set for profit boost but supply chain costs increase
Pets at Home continues to enjoy strong growth from the animal ownership boom of the pandemic (Tim Goode/PA) (PA Archive) Pets at Home continued to enjoy strong growth from the animal ownership boom during the pandemic, revealing that profits are likely to be ahead of expectations. Bosses said sales hit £319.4 million in the 12 weeks to December 30, a jump of 5.8% on the same period a year ago.
Airbus pay dipsute: North Wales workers vote on strike action
Workers at aircraft giant Airbus are voting on whether to go on strike in a pay dispute with bosses. Members of the Unite union working at the company’s factories in Broughton, North Wales, and Filton, near Bristol, will vote until February 15. Around 3,000 staff could walk out in March if the vote is passed and no agreement with management is reached. Unite said that despite extensive negotiations, Airbus has failed to increase its offer to a level that workers are able to support.
Financial Conduct Authority staff to vote on strike action over pay changes
FCA union members are being balloted for strike action (FCA/PA) Staff at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) could go on strike over new pay conditions being imposed by management, according to unions. Unite the Union is balloting members at the financial watchdog, claiming the organisation is turning into a “bargain basement” regulator. Members will start voting whether to take industrial action, with the ballot closing at the end of the month.
Airbus staff threaten to strike over pay
Airbus staff threaten strike action over pay (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Archive) Workers at aircraft giant Airbus are voting on whether to go on strike in a pay dispute with bosses. Members of the Unite union working at the company’s factories in Broughton, North Wales and Filton, near Bristol will vote until February 15. Around 3,000 staff could walk out in March if the vote is passed and no agreement with management is reached.
Royal Mail to cut 700 management jobs in restructure
Royal Mail is cutting 700 jobs. (Steve Parsons/PA) (PA Wire) Royal Mail is set to axe around 700 management jobs as part of cost-cutting plans, the company has announced. Bosses said the plans will reduce costs by around £40 million a year and they will start negotiations with unions over the proposed job losses.
Marstons hit by Omicron surge over Christmas
Pubs group Marstons has revealed it took a hit to sales as a result of the spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant over the festive period as customers stayed away. Bosses said like-for-like sales had been rising and were up 1.3% in the eight weeks to November 27, but they fell sharply in the following eight weeks to January 12 as the virus spread – falling 8.8% compared with the same period two years ago. In total, like-for-like sales for the 16-week period were down 3.9%.
UK trade deal benefits wiped out by duty changes, Australian wine producers say
Wine producers in Australia have warned that any benefits from a trade deal with the UK will be wiped out by proposed changes to wine duties. They say the £26 million benefit from the deal being proposed by Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who is in the country to build relations, will disappear due to £70 million extra in costs.
Banknote printer De La Rue in profit warning over Covid impact Original
De La Rue profit warning. (Chris Ison / PA) (PA Archive) Banknote printer De La Rue has warned that profits will be below expectations due to ongoing supply chain shortages, sending shares down nearly 30% in early trading. The company, which prints banknotes for the Bank of England and other central banks across the globe, said the increased costs of raw materials, energy costs and disruption caused by Covid-19 have “become more pronounced”.
Guinness owner set to reveal strong growth as economy opens up
Guinness owner Diageo is expected to reveal impressive results next week (Damien Eagers/PA) (PA Wire) Drinks giant Diageo is expected to reveal a boost in profits close to pre-pandemic levels, as the company updates the stock market on how it fared in the second half of 2021. Analysts are predicting pre-tax profits of £2.4 billion – a 9% rise on the £2.2 billion recorded during the six months to the end of December 2020.
UK wine duties 'wipe out trade benefits'
Australian wine producers have warned that any benefits from a UK trade deal will be wiped out by proposed British changes to wine duties. They say the 26 million pounds ($A49 million) benefit from the deal being proposed by UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who is in Australia to build relations, will disappear due to 70 million pounds extra in costs.
Retail sales drop in December as Omicron bites Original
Retail sales volumes fell last month as the spread of Omicron kept shoppers away from stores, although they remain around pre-pandemic levels, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said sales fell 3.7% in December – the biggest monthly fall since January 2021 – compared to a rise of 1% in November. Officials also suggested the fall was due to shoppers getting their gift-buying done earlier in November to avoid disappointment due to supply chain disruption.
M&C Saatchi confirms accounting scandal probe ends
Advertising agency M&C Saatchi has revealed the financial watchdog has dropped an investigation into the company over an accounting scandal. M&C Saatchi, which found fame working for the Conservative Party in the 1990s, first uncovered accounting irregularities in 2019. It led to the launch of an investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in January 2020 after accountants at PwC conducted an external review, saying M&C would take an £11.6 million hit.
InterContinental Hotels chief quits after nine years
Patrick Cescau, the chairman of InterContinental Hotels, has announced he will quit the business later this year. The former chief executive of Unilever will stand down at the end of August and will be replaced by Deanna Oppenheimer after nine years with the business. The pair were both on the board of Tesco between 2012 and 2015 during the supermarket’s accounting scandal. Mr Cescau stepped down in 2015 and Ms Oppenheimer will leave Tesco this year.
Aldi opens first checkout-free supermarket
Aldi has opened its first checkout-free store, where shoppers will be able to pick up products and leave without queuing to pay. The discount supermarket’s new site in Greenwich, south-east London, will also allow customers to buy alcohol, using facial age estimation technology to check whether they appear to be over the age of 25. The move follows in the footsteps of rivals Amazon and Tesco, who have both opened checkout-free stores.
Nut-based chocolates prove a winner for Hotel Chocolat
Chocoholics went nuts for nuts this Christmas and avoided novelty chocolates, according to the boss of Hotel Chocolat. Hazelnuts, pistachios, peanut butter and pecan-based chocolates were hugely popular over the festive period, with customers also looking to trade up to bigger boxes of chocolates as families celebrated.
Burberry predicts soaring profits as brand attracts younger customers
Burberry has reported strong results (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Archive) Luxury fashion brand Burberry has revealed strong growth across Asia and the US as it wins over younger customers with cash to spend. Bosses said they now expect profits will hit around £500 million in the financial year – a jump of 35% – with strong sales of coats, shoes and leather goods. The company added that it has continued to shift away from discounting products and is selling more items at full price instead.
Recruitment in financial services hits pre-pandemic levels, report finds
Recruitment in the City of London hit pre-pandemic levels for the first time since Covid struck (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire) Recruitment in the City of London’s financial district hit levels not seen since before the pandemic in the final three months of 2021, according to new data.
Amazon reverses decision to ban customers from using Visa credit cards Original
Amazon has reversed a decision to ban customers from using UK Visa credit cards on its website. The online retailer had been expecting to introduce the changes from this Wednesday, having warned customers that the card company’s fees were too high. But Amazon said on Monday: “The expected change regarding the use of Visa credit cards on Amazon.co.uk will no longer take place on January 19.
Aldi opens first checkout-free supermarket
Aldi has opened its first checkout-free store, where shoppers will be able to pick up products and leave without queuing to pay. The discount supermarket’s new site in Greenwich south-east London will also allow customers to buy alcohol, using facial age estimation technology to check whether they appear to be over the age of 25. The move follows in the footsteps of rivals Amazon and Tesco who have both opened checkout-free stores.
Recruitment in financial services hits pre-pandemic levels, report finds
Recruitment in the City of London’s financial district hit levels not seen since before the pandemic in the final three months of 2021, according to new data. There was a 40% increase in the number of jobs available in the City in the final three months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2019 and a 118% jump when compared with the end of 2020 as the UK was in lockdown and under restrictions.
Asos takes a hit from Omicron as supply chain costs soar
Online fashion giant Asos said it suffered from the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus as supply chains were squeezed and revellers stayed indoors. Chief operating officer Mat Dunn, who is running the business whilst it searches for a new chief executive, said sales remain below pre-pandemic levels but up on last year when heavy restrictions were in place. He said: “It’s nowhere near back to where it was pre-pandemic.
Businesses warn over LFT stocks after cut in self-isolation days
Business groups and unions have cautiously welcomed the Government’s decision to cut the number of self-isolation days to five. But some warned that ministers must ensure there is a steady flow of lateral flow tests (LFTs) for the changes to work. And the Royal College of Nursing called for its members to be exempt and to remain under seven-day isolation rules.
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