Business Insights

Business insights from featured businesses, industry titans, sector disruptors, c-suite executives, founders, and experts across Europe and the Middle East.

Latest EME Business Insights

Spanish Bank Santander Posts Jump in Profit in Q4 2014

Santander, the euro zone's biggest bank, has posted close to a 70 percent jump in fourth quarter profit from a year earlier, lifted by earnings from its lending business and as charges on soured loans fell. The Spanish bank said net profit was US$1.67 billion in the October-December period of last year - the first quarter under new CEO Ana Botin, who has shaken up the lender with management changes and recently bolstered capital through a cash call. The profits were slightly below the forecasted US$1.68-billion quarterly profit. Alongside other companies who also posted their results this month, Santander revised 2013 earnings downwards to reflect payments to deposit guarantee funds. Without that restatement, fourth quarter net profit would have risen just 37 percent.

Bibby Ship Management Appoints New Regional Managing Director

There are exciting times ahead for Bibby Ship Management with the recruitment of a new Regional Managing Director for the UK and Isle of Man, Andrew Rodden.

CRH to Buy Lafarge for US$7.3 Billion

Irish building supplies group CRH says it agreed to pay US$7.35 billion for assets Lafarge and Holcim were obliged to sell ahead of their planned merger.

Jaguar Land Rover to Create 1,300 Jobs in UK

Indian-owned luxury car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover revealed plans on Monday to create 1,300 jobs in Britain.

Amazon Creates 6,000 New Jobs in Europe

Amazon created 6,000 new full-time positions in Europe in 2014 to respond to booming demand, the U.S. online retailer said this week.

UK Hospital Performs First Newborn Organ Transplant

Two newborn recipients received organs after a breakthrough transplant following a tragic loss at Hammersmith Hospital, London.

OpenX Appoints Andrew Buckman as New MD for EMEA

OpenX, a leader in digital and mobile advertising technology, today announced the appointment of Andrew Buckman as Managing Director, EMEA.

Saab and Damen Team up to Develop Walrus Submarine

Saab is teaming with Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Group to explore future opportunities in the international submarine market.

Mind the Capacity Gap : Generation and Demand

The capacity gap between UK power generation and demand has never been so narrow, with both demand and supply fluctuating wildly.

Mind the Capacity Gap : The Changing Energy Landscape

The energy landscape of the UK is changing, and presenting new challenges for UK energy security for its low-carbon objectives.

Mind the Capacity Gap : The Future of the UK Energy Landscape

The UK has the ability to develop and deliver vast quantities of distributed generation that can reduce overall costs to the end consumers.

Smartphones and 3D Printers Expected To Flourish In 2015

In 2015, the top three most influential technology items will be smart phones, tablets and 3D printers, according to a survey.