Robert Peston is the showbusiness

BBC business editor Robert Peston has been named as ‘non-acting television performer of the year’ at this year’s Broadcasting Press Guild awards. The honour was no doubt bestowed on Mr Peston in recognition of his scoop on the Northern Rock crisis, in addition to other breaking business stories. Here at JC Business, however, we doubt it is due to his unique ability to emphasise certain words and syllables for no apparent reason. The category’s other nominees were Cheryl Cole, Stephen Fry, Bruce Forsyth and John Sergeant. Tough competition.

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Top hedge boss buys into Sotheby’s

Steve Cohen, the hedge-fund billionaire and owner of one of the most expensive art portfolios in the world, has reportedly built a six per cent stake in auction house Sotheby’s for his company SAC Capital. This makes him Sotheby’s third-largest shareholder. The son of a garment executive, Cohen began his career at Gruntal & Co in 1978, and established himself as a star trader on Wall Street.

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Playtech profits up

Betting can pay off, it seems. Online gaming company and software group Playtech has made an encouraging start to the year. The firm says it has not been affected by the macroeconomic downturn, reporting total revenues in 2008 of €111.45m, rising from €65.67m in 2007, while pre-tax profit climbed to €41.45m from €26.84m. Last year, Playtech, majority owned by Israeli Teddy Sagi, teamed up with William Hill in a joint venture in which it has a 29 per cent stake. It has added sports betting to its list of services after buying sports betting software provider Player2Players.

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Tucker calls time on Pru

The man from the Pru, who has spent close to 25 years with the insurer, is moving on.

Mark Tucker will step down in October after four years at the helm. He has denied suggestions that he has been the victim of a boardroom rift with his successor Tidjane Thiam. He said: “This was an entirely personal decision taken by me. I have achieved what I set out to do and, having done that, I can’t think of a better time to move on.”

What next? “I think there’s at least one more big job in me.” The Treasury could soon be looking for a minister...

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And the best firm to work for is...

High street jeweller Beaverbrooks has been named the UK’s top company to work for in the Sunday Times’ 100 Best Companies to Work For list. The family-owned firm, of which Mark Adlestone is the MD, donates 20 per cent of its post-tax profits to charity each year. Adlestone said: “Our work ethic is as important to us as ever and we pride ourselves on making our working environment open, positive and motivated.”

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Ocado brings Pesach to your door

How considerate of Ocado. The online grocer has launched a Kosher for Passover range. The firm says this will give customers more time to search for chametz and get their homes ready for Seder night. The range of 138 different items includes products from Osem, Gilberts, Rakusens, Yarden, Kedem and Manischewitz.

Tim Steiner, the CEO of Ocado, says: “Our customers come from all manner of backgrounds and traditions, and Ocado wants to ensure all tastes are catered for.” Matzo that tastes of bread, please.

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City star’s new venture

One of the City’s top fund managers, Alan Miller, is back in the limelight. According to reports, Miller, the former manager of asset management company New Star, has teamed up with Alexander Spencer-Churchill, the socialite and scion of the Churchill family, to establish a new wealth management group.

Miller left New Star two years ago following a bitter public divorce in which he was ordered to award a £5 million settlement to his wife.

The new venture, Spencer Churchill Miller, is due to be launched next month in Knightsbridge.

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Millionaires buy up 02

Property heavyweights Anthony Lyons and Simon Conway have teamed up with Sir Philip Green’s stepson Brett Palos to buy the Finchley Road 02 Centre and cinema complex in north London for £92 million, according to Property Week. Matterhorn Capital’s Lyons and Conway said little that will change at the north London venue. Apart from the films, one hopes.

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Mishcon’s QC

Mishcon de Reya’s property lawyer Philip Freedman has been appointed an honorary Queen’s Counsel. He is a partner at the firm, where he has spent the past 38 years.

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