FOLLOWING reports that Lloyds TSB treated 78 staff to a lavish £200-a-head Hilton hotel bash just weeks after being rescued by the taxpayer, Halifax is saying it will take a more sensitive approach.
According to the mortgage lender, it is taking "
a prudent and sensible approach" to Christmas festivities, and we hear reports that some of the bigger parties have been cancelled although some of the long-planned annual conferences will go ahead.
Halifax is reining in the purse strings as the group's 6,500 workers at the Leeds HQ wait to hear how many jobs will be axed once Lloyds takes over HBOS.
Halifax shareholders will vote on the deal next Friday so in the meantime it's doing nothing to rock the boat – Christmas parties will take place on a case-by-case basis and many teams have decided they want to go out and will spend their own money.
Any bank stupid enough to throw a lavish party at a time when homeowners are struggling to meet repayments deserves all the bad publicity it gets.
Mick the motivatorWE are always on the look-out for examples of inspirational leadership.
Last week, Business Diary saw a fine example – at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane.
Barnsley boy Mick McCarthy, currently managing Wolves, showed off the first-class managerial skills that have kept him in demand.
The former Northern Ireland manager's motivational message to his players from the sideline?
"GO AND GET THE ******* BALL!"
THE ripples from the the credit crunch have begun to hit even the most profligate of companies. One public relations agency, usually the first to pick up the tab at the bar and send out gold embossed Christmas cards, showed just how bad things are at a recent lunch.
"Do you mind if we split the bill?" asked one of the PRs. He and colleague proceeded to work out a 50/50 split – down to the final penny – to be shared between them.
"They're keeping a close eye on expenses," he explained darkly.
Corporate secretsSOME secrets came spilling out at an awards do in Leeds late last week. The dinner event was held to celebrate various achievements in the corporate finance world.
Each table featured a card containing some little known and surprising facts about leading figures in the Leeds deal-making community.
Highlights include:
Jonathan Procter of DLA Piper was lead guitarist The Wild Axe Man in a 1980s heavy rock band called The Plague.
Richard Feltham of Garbutt & Elliott went out with Fiona Shackleton, divorce lawyer to Prince Charles and Sir Paul McCartney while at Exeter University.
Jim Whittaker of BTG McInnes is a talented cartoonist whoproduced more than 20 editions of the Poot! comic while at university.
In the best possible taste
THE controversial issues of shooting and class division – as well as
some glamorous Yorkshire ladies – feature in a calendar which its makers hope will help raise money for a country pursuits charity.
The calendar, inspired by the women of Rylstone Women's Institute who famously stripped for a series of saucy photographs, was commissioned by Helen Benson, a North Yorkshire gamekeeper's wife. Among those Mrs Benson persuaded to pose for Lords, Ladies and Gamekeepers 2009-2010 are Lady Emma Ingilby, of Ripley Castle, who is shown in leather trousers with beat keeper Mick Johnson, and the Countess of Ronaldshay, who is seen in high heels swapping presents with her head keeper, Mike Scott, in the drawing-room at Aske, North Yorkshire.
The calendar will benefit the Gamekeepers' Welfare Network, which has joined with the Gamekeepers' Welfare Trust.
It was sold over the summer but has soared in popularity since the shooting season began in August. It costs £10 plus postage and packaging and can be obtained by calling the GWN on 01677 470180 or emailing gamekeeperwtrust@btinternet.com.
If you have a story for the Business Diary, email bernard.ginns@ypn.co.uk
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