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The European View column was launched in 2004 to provide sharp comment and pithy judgments on the corporate, business and financial issues of the moment across the continent.
Regular contributors to European View include Paul Betts.
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Ferrero boys should stay cool as Cadbury talk hots up
With the group in the spotlight over a possible bid for Cadbury it should remember that a benefit of being a successful private company lies in controlling one’s own destiny
Vivendi’s turbulent party picks up a guest in Brazil
There seems to be a party atmosphere at Vivendi these days – at least according to one veteran director who says of sitting on the French entertainment and telecoms conglomerate’s board: “C’est du fun.” And the company is now taking the party to Brazil
France’s new generation seeks to make its own mark
Gilles Pelisson and François-Henri Pinault, chief executives of Accor and PPR, respectively, are both trying to give their companies a new look by disposing of or splitting off some of their traditional businesses and becoming pure players
Hand-finished jumbo is a luxury too far for Airbus
Airbus has still not managed to industrialise the complex electrical wire and harness systems of the aircraft. As a result, each jumbo – like an expensive hand-sewn crocodile handbag – has to be hand finished before it can be delivered to its customer
Peugeot cannot remain a French bachelor for ever
Peugeot Citroën boss Philippe Varin unveiled a new three-year strategy but his real goal may be in engineering a longer-term solution for the French carmaker
HAL holds key to Safilo vision
The Dutch investor may be driving a hard bargain as it offers Safilo an 11th-hour rescue, but being the only show in town allows it to play tough
Defensive logic propels M&A revival
Companies that have weathered the crisis better than their competitors and are sitting on strong balance sheets are now taking advantage of acquisition opportunities
Crédit Agricole chief brings banking industry to book
Georges Pauget has just published his first popular book on banking. But probably the most interesting thing about the book is the timing of its publication – for Mr Pauget is set to step down
Essilor keeps its eye on long-term global vision
Essilor’s long-term approach has been part of the French eyeglass maker’s secret of success. The company not only prepares its successions well in advance but is also pretty unusual in directly involving its employees in the choice of their future boss
Jumbo problems hit France’s nuclear ambitions
The new-generation European pressurised reactor, which was supposed to spearhead French exports of the country’s nuclear savoir-faire around the world, appears to be presenting problems for Areva
