UK's Vodafone names Microsoft's Lopez as new finance chief
June 19 (Reuters) - Britain's Vodafone Group (VOD.L), opens new tab named Microsoft's (MSFT.O), opens new tab Pilar Lopez as its new finance chief on Thursday to succeed Luka Mucic, who is leaving the group at the end of November this year.
Lopez's formal appointment as chief financial officer will start on December 1, 2025, the company said.
Lopez joins from Microsoft, where she has served several roles at the U.S. tech giant including chief operating officer for Western Europe, and more recently leading Microsoft's partnership with the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG.L), opens new tab.
She also spent 16 years with Spanish telecoms group Telefonica (TEF.MC), opens new tab in various finance and senior leadership roles before joining Microsoft, Vodafone said in a statement.
"She has deep-rooted knowledge of both the telecoms and technology sectors, across a range of international leadership positions," Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle said.
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The Independent
19 minutes ago
- The Independent
Welfare reform legislation to be debated next month, MPs told
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The reforms – aimed at encouraging more people off sickness benefits and into work – are set to include the tightening of criteria for personal independence payment (Pip), which is the main disability benefit, as well as a cut to the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC) and delayed access to only those aged 22 and over. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the legislation 'marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity'. She added: 'Our social security system is at a crossroads. Unless we reform it, more people will be denied opportunities, and it may not be there for those who need it.' In what could be seen as an attempt to head off some opposition, the legislation will give existing claimants a 13-week period of financial support. The Department for Work and Pensions said this will apply to those affected by changes to the Pip daily living component, including those who lose their eligibility to Carers Allowance and the carer's element of UC. But campaigners, including disability equality charity Scope, said the longer transition period, up from an originally expected four weeks, 'will only temporarily delay a cut and disabled people will continue to be living with extra costs when it comes to an end'. As the Bill was formally introduced to the Commons on Wednesday, and the question was asked as to what the next date for debate will be, former Labour MP John McDonnell, who now sits as an independent for Hayes and Harlington, could be heard to say 'Never'. Mr Duncan-Jordan, MP for Poole, is one of the members who has urged ministers to withdraw the cuts, which he has argued will 'make things worse' for disabled people. Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: 'It's clear the Government are rushing through this change before MPs have received all the necessary impact assessments that they need to make a decision. 'The Bill lays out how large numbers of disabled people are going to be made poorer. This isn't something I'm prepared to support.' Earlier this week, Mr Duncan-Jordan had said: 'The Government will only withdraw its damaging disability benefit cuts if Labour MPs make clear they will vote against them. 'The so-called concessions that have been suggested are nowhere near enough to undo the damage that is being proposed. The facts are undeniable: these cuts won't create jobs, they'll only push three million people deeper into hardship.' The latest data, published on Tuesday, showed that more than 3.7 million people in England and Wales are claiming Pip, with teenagers and young adults making up a growing proportion. 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The Sun
22 minutes ago
- The Sun
Great British Menu star suddenly closes city centre restaurant after just 18 months as chef issues sombre warning
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BBC News
25 minutes ago
- BBC News
Climate Action Plan: What does new document mean for NI?
Northern Ireland's first Climate Action Plan has been published for is a roadmap to support emission reduction targets across nine sectors, including energy, transport, waste management and sets out how Northern Ireland will meet its 2023-2027 carbon budget target of cutting emissions by an annual average of 33%, compared to the base year of plan is led by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) and is a legal obligation under the Climate Change Act which must be renewed every five years. So, what does the plan set out for different areas of society? Energy production The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 sets out a target of at least 80% of electricity used in Northern Ireland to come from renewable sources by CAP outlines that the goal is to produce more clean energy, such as wind and solar power to achieve the 80% are plans to continue a support scheme that has helped NI generate more renewable energy and have rules to control certain harmful gases that can damage the CAP proposes a new programme to encourage more renewable electricity. Farming and agriculture Agriculture is the largest emitter. It was responsible for 29.1% of Northern Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, according to the rose to 31% based on 2023 has chosen not to follow the UK Climate Change Committee's recommendation that livestock numbers should be it opts for changing farming practices to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the sector. The UK's Climate Change Committee has previously recommended "radical action" for Northern Ireland to reach its goals, including reducing livestock numbers to reduce emissions in draft plan does not act on that it relies on improving farm productivity through genetics, soil testing and novel feeds, encouraging low carbon farming practices and increasing the use of slurry for energy through biomethane generation to cut emissions in the farming CAP outlines that the Sustainable Agriculture Programme will help farms become more environmentally friendly and work better together, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in farming in Northern Ireland. Business and industry Business and industry is responsible for 11.9% of Northern Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions, according to the CAP outlines that businesses and industries in NI follow many UK are also plans in place for NI to help the economy. These include:Checking how well heating and power systems use energy and how they affect the environmentMaking buildings more energy efficientSetting rules on emissions (pollution from businesses), product design, and labellingRequiring businesses to report their emissions and offering funding to help them improveEncouraging the use of natural gas instead of other fuelsUpdating Northern Ireland's building rules Transport Transport is the second-largest source of emissions in Northern CAP says vehicle emissions will be reduced by switching fuels to zero and low emissions plan proposes shifting modes of transport away from private car journeys to sustainable travel alternatives like walking and cycling. It also proposes reducing the need and length of vehicle journeys. Residential and public buildings Emissions from Northern Ireland's homes have fallen by 31.4% between 1990 and 2022, according to the CAP. 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Announcing the consultation, the Daera minister said it was a "milestone moment" in addressing climate change."We have seen the damaging and costly impacts of climate change around the world and closer to home from flash flooding, wildfires and more frequent and severe storms," Andrew Muir said."No section of society is immune. It is essential we take action and I would encourage everyone to take part in this 16-week consultation." Analysis: Questions over speed of action By BBC News NI agriculture and environment correspondent Louise Cullen The consultation on this draft plan may well be greeted with a cry of, "at last" from campaigners. The final plan should have been laid at the end of 2023, but better late than never. As the lead department, Daera is confident the plan puts Northern Ireland on the trajectory to meet the first carbon budget target – much of the estimated £718m cost has already been invested with many of the policies and proposals referenced in place. But some of those policies are proving slow to get off the ground. "Future generations will thank us for stepping up to this challenge of our lifetimes," ends Muir's statement. But how quickly we move now will be the decider. During the 16-week consultation there will be 10 public events and 2 online sector-specific sessions for people to consultation will close on 8 October.
