Vodafone today appointed the boss of electronics giant Philips as its next chairman.

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson has admitted Manchester City are now one of his club’s major competitors.

Vodafone chief executive Arun Sarin today said he was leaving the business "in capable hands" after announcing his departure and naming deputy Vittorio Colao as his successor to the top job.

Mobile phone giant Vodafone today unveiled a 5.7% rise in operating profits as it said chief executive Arun Sarin would step down at the end of July.

Mobile phone giant Vodafone today defeated plans by rebel shareholders seeking a radical overhaul of the company.

Vodafone shares were trading higher today after the UK-based mobile phone group won the battle for control of India’s Hutchison Essar.

The outgoing chairman of mobile phone giant Vodafone robustly defended its chief executive today after shareholders expressed concerns over his leadership.

Shares in Vodafone rose today as the mobile phone giant reported revenues growth in line with expectations – giving a much needed boost to under-pressure chief executive Arun Sarin.

The boss of mobile phone giant Vodafone was today facing the prospect of a major shareholder vote against his re-election to the board.

HSBC chairman John Bond’s distinguished 45-year career with the company ended today with a standing ovation at the annual general meeting.

Chris Gent resigned yesterday as Vodafone's life president following reports of a rift among the management of the British mobile phone group.

Mobile phone giant Vodafone rung the changes in its boardroom today by naming HSBC boss Sir John Bond as its chairman elect.

A cautious opening to trading on Wall Street – rather than the Chancellor’s gloomy economic forecasts – put the brakes on the London market today.

Energy stocks led the FTSE 100 Index into the red today as hopes of another buoyant session in London were shattered by falling oil prices.

Heavyweights in the financial sector were providing the London market with momentum today as investors reacted favourably to the succession plans at HSBC.

Britain's HSBC bank has replaced current chairman John Bond after he called time on 45 years at the UK’s second largest company.

The Government should press for an international inquiry into RUC collusion in the murder of a young loyalist man in the North seven years, the Labour Party argued yesterday.

The Government tonight ruled out a public inquiry into the alleged murder of a Belfast man by RUC police informers.

MANCHESTER United will hold a minute’s silence prior to tomorrow’s derby clash with Man City at Old Trafford in memory of former skipper Noel Cantwell.

The London market finished off a week of modest progress on a low note today.

Banking giant HSBC was warned tonight it could face fresh strikes by its staff in a bitter row over pay following a 24-hour walkout.

British bank HSBC today branded a nationwide strike by thousands of staff as “deeply regrettable”.

Banking giant HSBC today unveiled annual profits of $17.61bn (€13.3bn/£9.18bn) – the biggest figure recorded by a UK-based bank.

Banking giant HSBC today set a new European record for half-year earnings after profits rose 53% to £5.14bn (€7.8bn) in the first six months of 2004.

The chairman of British banking group HSBC today rejected criticism of the bank’s executive pay packages.

Two of the UK’s biggest banks are planning major recruitment drives to handle extra business created by the economic upturn, it was reported today.

HSBC Holdings, the world’s No 2 bank by market value, increased second-half profit by 58% after the $15.5 billion purchase of Household International.

John Bond, chairman of HSBC Holdings has declined to comment on reports in the British press on Sunday that the bank is in merger talks with Deutsche Bank AG.

Banks look set to dominate the British financial headlines next week when some of the UK’s best known high street names report half-year results.

This was the day – Manchester City’s last at Maine Road after 80 years and 1,700 games – when the match took second place to the history and the tears.

Annual profits at banking giant HSBC surged 20% to more than €8.75bn today after reducing the amount it takes to cover bad and doubtful debts.