BILL Timmins is to take over from Barry Hardy as chief executive of London Clubs International, having spent the past five years heading its Aladdin casino in Las Vegas.

LCI sold its disastrous US foray earlier this year. The group said trade since the end of March had matched expectations.

Tullow Oil steps up the drilling pace TULLOW Oil is launching its biggest exploration programme as it builds on this year's Pounds 316 million acquisition of Energy Africa. Tullow hopes to drill nine wells between now and Christmas and another 15 in 2005.

Operating profits rose 32% to Pounds 30.9 million in the six months to 30 June.

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