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John Duckers

John Duckers

Takeover talk hits Alliance & Leicester shares

Alliance & Leicester shares shot up yesterday after reports that the bank had held takeover talks with Abbey owner Santander. Read

Helping firms win Olympic gold

An online service aimed at helping West Midlands companies secure a slice of the £30 billion of Olympics-related contracts between now and 2012 will be launched this month. Read

Sweetening up investors sees focus lost in doing business

Increased demands from investors are fuelling a short-term management focus, accountants Deloitte have claimed. Read

Sales growth holds hints of recession firmly at bay

Birmingham's economy is on a relative high note, as growth in sales continues across each sector, according to the latest Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry Quarterly Economic Survey. Read

Storm clouds gathering on economy

The economy is estimated to have grown by a healthy 3.1 per cent in 2007. However, the prospects for 2008 look considerably bleaker. Read

Professionals must be more accountable

Professional firms need to be more accountable and be prepared to share their customers' pain, according to a construction and property services sector expert. Read

Pulling a bargain out of the scrum

They claim - if I recall correctly - that if you break a mirror then you are in line for seven years' bad luck. Read

Midlands construction 'up to the challenge'

The West Midlands construction industry is "more than ready" to face the challenges that 2008 may bring, according to Rob Atkinson, regional head of building group Rok. Read

Buy-to-let income keeping Midland landlords happy

Buy-to-let investors enjoyed another strong year in 2007 as total returns generated by the average residential investment property reached 21 per cent - the highest level for 28 months. Read

Wragge's role in £1.2bn MoD deal

Birmingham-based law firm Wragge & Co has advised the Ministry of Defence on a complex £1.2 billion PFI deal. Read

Pensions loophole benefits bosses

A massive loophole in pensions law that permits employers to do as they please with company schemes - provided they are willing to soak up a hefty fine - has been highlighted by a Birmingham lawyer. Read

International shutdown for festive season

International trade may not return to normal much before January 8 as the world celebrates Christmas and New Year in widely different ways, a Birmingham-based lawyer is warning. Read

Tata's bid means hello to the big time

Tata's acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover is part of the firm's strategy to break into developed markets around the globe, sources said last night. Read

Ford chooses Tata for Jaguar and Land Rover

Indian industrial giant Tata will be named as the preferred bidder for Jaguar and Land Rover on Friday. Read

Offshore advice sparks 'backstabbing' row over

Midlands business bosses were yesterday accused of stabbing manufacturers in the back in a row over sending more work abroad. Read

BPF hits out at proposed rate relief cutback

Government plans to continue with a widely opposed plan to cut empty property rate relief have been slammed by the industry. Read

KPMG chief backs Birmingham for business

Birmingham is still a great place to do business even if flagship projects like airport expansion and the New Street station revamp are taking longer than first hoped, according to top businessman Mark Hopton. Read

Digby backs Investbx initiative

Trade Promotions Minister Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham has given his backing to the work of Investbx, the regional shares and investment facility. Read

Does Christmas hold any more surprises?

So, the last business week before Christmas. Always a weird one. Read

Led Zep boost for Midland rock website

The return of Led Zeppelin has seen fans clicking on to an interactive web site designed in the Midlands. 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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