News in brief: CapCo takes over the Empress State, Outsourcer Capita rejigs at the top, Tate & Lyle profits sweeter at £329m

A sugar ship at the Tate & Lyle refinery reminds us of East London's role as an important docking area. The photograph, with the piers of the Thames Barrier in the centre, was taken from the Woolwich ferry at dusk

30 May 2013

Property firm Capital & Counties has taken full ownership of the Empress State Building at Earls Court after spending £117 million on Land Securities’ 50% stake in the office block.

The block is home to the Metropolitan Police Authority and has a revolving private bar on top. Capco, which is embarking on an £8 billion overhaul of the Earls Court area, said the building “offered a number of options to create further value”.

Outsourcer Capita rejigs at the top

Andy Parker, one of two chief operating officers at outsourcer Capita, is taking on the additional role of deputy to chief executive Paul Pindar. Capita, reportedly about to axe two call centres and get rid of up to 1200 staff after winning a big contract with O2, said the move recognised Parker’s “depth of skills and experience”. It declined to say whether he was Pindar’s likely successor.

Tate & Lyle profits sweeter at £329m

Sweeteners and starches — but no longer sugars — maker Tate & Lyle topped City forecasts today with a 4% rise in annual profits to £329 million. “Despite having entered the year facing a number of headwinds we have made progress,” said chief executive Javed Ahmed. “Looking ahead, we will continue to build on the foundations we have laid and expect to deliver another year of profitable growth.”