London Pride maker Fuller’s sells beer business to Asahi for £250m. The 174-year-old company will focus on pubs and hotels after deal with Japanese firm. London Pride beer is to be brewed by Japan’s Asahi, after Fuller Smith & Turner (FSTA) sold its entire brewing operation after 174 years in the business. The company, which was established in 1845 and still counts members of the Fuller and Turner families on its board, will receive £250m for the business and plans to focus on its pubs and hotels operation. Beer has been made at the Griffin brewery in Chiswick in west London since the late 1600s, while Fuller’s has retained a strong branding association with the River Thames. Under the terms of the deal, Tokyo-based Asahi will gain a perpetual, royalty-free licence to use the trademarks, including the Fuller’s name, for beer distribution, although ownership of the trademarks will remain with Fuller’s.
Vodafone ‘pauses’ use of Huawei equipment over security concerns. Telecoms firm says Chinese tech giant’s kit will not be used in core networks across Europe. Vodafone Group (VOD) has decided to “pause” the use of Huawei equipment in its core networks across Europe because of the debate about security concerns involving the Chinese telecoms giant. Nick Read, chief executive of Vodafone, said the company would continue to buy equipment from Huawei to build its 4G and 5G networks but would halt using the Chinese supplier in its core network, where data is concentrated and security concerns are highest. Huawei has denied allegations its kit could be used by the Chinese government to spy on users. “I feel there is a lot of commentary in the media, by politicians and various other bodies and I don’t think everyone is being clear enough and fact based,” said Read. “We are taking this moment to pause Huawei further building the core, only in Europe, while we engage with security agencies, government and Huawei.”
