The Business Matrix: Saturday 16 November 2013

Aga rides rise in house sales

The improving housing market is helping the range-oven maker Aga. Orders for Agas, which can cost up to £10,000, are up 15 per cent so far this year as families moving home upgrade. The company also expects to launch its first sales in China next year.

Ceeney leaves ombudsman post

Natalie Ceeney is stepping down after almost four years as chief financial ombudsman, amid signs firms are working harder to rebuild consumer trust. The Financial Ombudsman Service said that it had recently received one million complaints about PPI.

Repossessions at their lowest level

Home repossessions are at their lowest since records began in 2008. Some 7,200 families lost their homes in the third quarter, down 5.3 per cent on the second. But the Council of Mortgage Lenders urged owners to think how they will cope when rates rise.

BSkyB invest $8m in Valley venture

BSkyB has invested $8m (£5m) in a new Silicon Valley venture capital firm as it wants to “increase its exposure to relevant start-ups” involved in online video. Luminari Capital is based in Menlo Park, home of Facebook.