Business Diary: November 27

Late last week, Diary, along with many others, received an email from Dr Howard Archer, who is the chief European and UK economist at IHS Global.

He said: “If the economy contracts anew in the fourth quarter as many people fear it might and Sir Mervyn King (the Governor of the Bank of England) warned it could, the description of the economy as  DIRE that I mentioned last week may have to change from: Disappointing Inflation Rotten Expansion to Disappointing Inflation Reduced Economy.”

Diary wonders if readers can use their creative powers to devise other acronyms that are also laden with gallows humour.

Bus man’s new journey

JIM Sumner, the outgoing chief executive of bus maker Optare, may be a Lancastrian but he’s probably done enough to be called an honorary Yorkshireman.

Mr Sumner, who steered the bus firm to its takeover by India’s bus and engine giant Ashok Leyland, plans to remain in the region after his three-year turnaround of the company. That included consolidating operations from Blackburn, Lancashire, into a state-of-the-art facility in Sherburn in Elmet, North Yorkshire.

He’s now looking at other industrial turnaround opportunities in the North.

“I’m very keen on the Yorkshire region,” he said. “My family are from Lancashire – but I’ve got a dual passport.

“I’ve probably brought more jobs from Lancashire region to the Yorkshire region.”

A mother’s work...

ASDA’s much criticised Christmas advertisement has been named the second most popular festive TV campaign, according to parenting forum Netmums. Despite criticism that it is sexist, 61 per cent of mothers said it’s a realistic reflection of the festive period when they do all the work.

The advertisement ends with a harassed mother finally sitting down before being asked by her husband what she’s planning for tea.

Morrisons’ TV offering was in fourth place, despite claims that its advertisement – which shows a mother wrestling with the turkey – are also fairly depressing.

According to Netmums, the most popular advertisement was the John Lewis snowman campaign. Asda came second, Marks & Spencer was third, Morrisons was fourth and Aldi was fifth. Both Asda and Morrisons said the advertisements reflect what Christmas is really like for long-suffering mothers.

10 in a row for Adam

Business turnaround and insolvency specialist Wilson Field is celebrating after watching boxer Adam Etches win his tenth successive fight.

The Sheffield-based firm began sponsoring Adam ‘The Bomber’ Etches in 2010.

The 21-year-old middleweight from Birley fought in the biggest fight of his life on Saturday as the undercard to Hatton’s comeback against Vyacheslav Senchenko at the MEN Arena.

Adam, who is part of Hatton’s stable of talent, Hatton Promotions, dominated his fight against Ukrainian Roman Dzhuman and finished the fight off in the second round with his signature body punch.

Managing director of Wilson Field, Nick Wilson, said: “Everyone at Wilson Field is so proud of Adam, he has worked extremely hard in training and it paid off. This is now Adam’s tenth successive professional fight win which is a fantastic achievement.”

He joked: “Sponsoring Adam has been a knockout venture for Wilson Field. We are proud to sponsor him and support a local athlete who is destined for big things.”

Help for new parents

If you’re a parent going on a shopping trip, it’s always helpful to know the most child-friendly places to go.

Huddersfield-based Mamas & Papas, the nursery retailer, has launched a free guide for the Manchester area. The guide, called Mum & Dad’s the Word, includes information on the best cafes, shops, playgrounds and days out that families can enjoy.

The guide will be available in all Mamas & Papas stores in Manchester. A similar guide is due to be launched in Leeds in March next year.

Mamas & Papas’ creative director, Olivia Robinson said: “Becoming a new parent can be daunting.

“Many new young families talk  about how their lives change once  they have a new baby. All the  familiar local landmarks change.  This is why we have decided to help create this guide to support new parents.”