Shell confirms plan to divest from SA downstream operations Isna, July 14, 2024 “Shell has decided to reshape the Downstream portfolio and intends to divest our shareholding in Shell Downstream South Africa (SDSA),” the oil giant said in a statement in response to Daily Maverick‘s queries. It said this decision was taken in the wake of a comprehensive review of “…the Downstream and Renewables businesses across all regions and markets in line with Shell’s focus on performance, discipline, and simplification”. This confirms weekend reports in City Press and Sunday Times that Shell planned to exit South Africa. Shell provided no comment on the reports that it was also locked in a row … Continue Reading
But a trio of 20-something entrepreneurs refused to quit and now run a $16.7 billion investment firm Isna, July 10, 2024 Chris Hulatt was a trainee fund manager on Mercury Asset Management’s (now Merrill) grad program when he met Simon Rogerson and Guy Myles. At the turn of the millennium, the trio went on to found Octopus Group, the parent company of six financial and energy firms. Looking back, it’s hard to believe that three twentysomethings created the hugely successful business on a whim. But that’s precisely what happened—with some help from what they now call the ‘Terminator gene’. “Everyone thought we were totally mad,” Hulatt recalls of the moment he and his co-founders dropped out of the grad program to … Continue Reading
Public-sector banks asked to submit three-year business plans by March-end | Banking Isna, June 28, 2024 2 min read Last Updated : Mar 18 2024 | 11:36 AM IST The Center on March 18 directed Public-Sector Banks (PSBs) to submit their business plans until 2026-2027 (FY27) by the end of March, The Economic Times reported. The proposed plans will then be assessed on a quarterly basis by government-nominated directors on the banks’ boards, the report said, citing an official. The business plans will be required to cover strategies related to increasing low-cost deposits, raising capital, resolving bad loans, improvements in cybersecurity and financial outreach, the report added. Earlier this month, the finance ministry had directed PSBs … Continue Reading