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John Duckers

John Duckers

Trinity Mirror reports advertising growth

Advertising is picking up, Trinity Mirror, owner of The Birmingham Post revealed yesterday. Read

Midland businesses spell out priorities

Businesses across the West Midlands have united to produce a groundbreaking manifesto that spells out their priorities for the future. Read

Changes in non-dom tax rules under fire

The cost of new tax rules for non-domiciled individuals doesn't add up, says accountancy firm Grant Thornton. Read

Don't leave home without telling your bank first

A chum of mine was the other day bemoaning his experience trying to access cash abroad. Read

Experts in short supply as claims set to escalate

A shortage is emerging of experts to defend against the raft of claims expected next year as the credit squeeze continues. Read

Tesco stars in States to win stripes

Tesco's new US venture Fresh & Easy is apparently proving a hit with American shoppers - so much so that the retailer has already unveiled ambitious expansion plans for the fledgling operation. Read

Carillion lands McAlpine for lower price

The creation of a £4.7 billion building giant moved a step closer after Alfred McAlpine agreed to be bought by larger rival Carillion for £572 million. Read

AWM needs to toughen up and lead the way

Advantage West Midlands' latest attempt to transform the region makes for depressing reading. Read

Richardsons land a £40m slice of Rank

Black Country property developers, the Richardsons, have paid £40 million for a 9.3 per cent stake in casino and bingo operator Rank. Read

US giant buys recruitment firm Biscom

A West Midlands-based recruitment and training company for the public sector has been sold in a multi-million pound deal. Read

Cadbury drums up extra sales but leaves a bitter taste

Confectionery giant Cadbury Schweppes recently cheered investors with news of a "particularly strong" third quarter for sales - and tomorrow's update could show an even better performance. Read

Industry calls on Bank for further rate cut

The Bank of England cut interest rates yesterday in the strongest sign yet that it is worried the UK economy could be heading for a sharp slowdown. Read

An average day of bribery and corruption

I hate all these so-called special "days". Many have the best of intentions behind them but there are just too many. Read

Birmingham Chamber welcomes rate cut

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed news of the Bank of England interest rate cut. Read

MBO at First National Plant

A Tamworth construction equipment rental company has announced plans to increase sales by 40 per cent after a management buy-out. Read

Legal complications of office gossip

Have you heard the one about the office workers who were sacked for gossiping? Read

Christmas cheer for Birmingham hotels

Birmingham's hotels are on a roll - pulling in the money in the run-up to Christmas after putting up their prices and cutting their costs. Read

New Street set to keep its recipe for irritation

I have to say there have been a series of great letters recently to this newspaper pillorying the ill-thought out revamp of New Street station. Read

Trouble brewing over agency workers' rights

Last-minute negotiations were being held last night in a bid to head off a row over new employment rights for temporary and agency workers. Read

Listen to the hauliers on how to beat fuel price rises

We have yet to see another wave of lorry blockades - thank goodness - in protest at fuel price rises. Read

Author Profile

John Duckers has worked for The Birmingham Post for 18 years, most of those as business editor. Formerly with The Press and Journal in Aberdeen, he won a number of awards while working in Scotland including for reporting on the Piper Alpha oil platform disaster. Born on the Wirral, he was educated at Uppingham School and Dundee University. Aged 56, he also acts as 'vicar on earth' producing the John Bright column.

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