Business news in brief 24/04/2012

Bad day for jobs as 1,110 posts axed

More than 1,000 job losses were signalled in announcements from two major employers yesterday.

IT firm Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) has started a 90-day consultation with unions on plans to cut 640 jobs across the UK. Unite said the announcement was a “body blow” which had left employees feeling “devastated”.

British Gas also said it was planning to close a call centre in Southampton at the end of the year with the loss of 550 posts.

St Clair’s ceramic business for sale

Entrepreneur Anna St Clair has put her ceramic painting business up for sale.

The sale includes the flagship Ceramic Experience shop in Leith as well as the franchisor rights to six further branches throughout Scotland and one in the north of England. Business agent Christie & Co said the company was being marketed with a guide price of £230,000.

Astra seals £728m biotech takeover

Drugs giant AstraZeneca yesterday agreed to buy US biotechnology company Ardea Biosciences in a deal worth $1.26 billion (£782 million).

Under the deal, Astra will acquire a product still in development for treating gout. The $32 per share price represents a 54 per cent premium on Ardea’s closing share price last Friday.

Clark set to head brewer SABMiller

BREWING giant SABMiller yesterday unveiled its European head Alan Clark, 52, as chief executive-designate, taking over from Graham Mackay in July 2013.

The 62-year-old Mackay will then become non-executive chairman. The move goes against the UK corporate governance code that says best practice is for chief executives not to become chairman when they give up executive duties.

Rolls–Royce wins £371m US contract

Rolls-Royce has signed a $598 million (£371m) contract with the US government for up to 268 aircraft engines.

The engines will be fitted to V-22 aircraft used by the Marine Corps and US Air Force. In the first year, it will deliver 70 engines valued at $151m with an option to extend the contract by up to four years. Rolls-Royce is the sole manufacturer of engines for the V-22.