Inflation data set to fuel debate over Bank rate increase – London Report August 16, 2015 SEVERAL data releases over the coming week will add more fuel to debates about interest rates hikes in the UK, with inflation figures being published. Tomorrow sees UK producer, retail and consumer prices index (PPI, RPI and CPI) inflation. Britain’s CPI inflation fell back to zero per cent annual and monthly growth in June, while [...]
British retailer Next is the latest FTSE giant to invite companies to compete for its audit contract September 13, 2015 Recent regulatory changes have seen blue-chip companies enter an audit merry-go-round, with big names like Shell, British American Tobacco, Vodafone and RBS changing accountants. PwC, the market leader, is expected to lose out under the new rules, but chairman Ian Powell commented: “It’s obviously a challenge to the business, but actually our experience so far [...]
Entrepreneurs need a stable tax policy landscape to thrive October 28, 2015 THE cut and thrust of politics may not matter all that much to entrepreneurs. But policies certainly do – particularly those related to tax. Some have been a boon for businesses: Entrepreneurs’ Relief and the Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) have been particularly welcome. The former grants entrepreneurs a 10 per cent tax rate on [...]
The world’s 10 best airports 2015 in pictures from Singapore Changi International and Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Haneda October 19, 2015 Killing time before a flight is hardly a pleasant experience. It’s crowded, stressful, and the chairs are always uncomfortable… But maybe we’re just flying from the wrong airports? The top 10 airports in the world have been ranked by Sleeping in Airports, based on users’s votes. Asian airports outstrip the rest by far, making up [...]
Ladies who don’t lunch: Maike Currie talks to Jane Andrews about religion, money and fund management March 31, 2016 Britishness dictates that one should never discuss money, politics or religion in polite company. It’s right up there with knowing your place in the queue and keeping up to speed with the weather. But not if you’re having lunch with Jane Andrews, veteran fund manager at investment house Smith & Williamson, who specialises in finding [...]
George Osborne’s Big Red Book is securing UK prosperity while Maoism gathers dust November 30, 2015 George Osborne set out last week how this government is fulfilling its manifesto promises: delivering financial security on the back of economic growth, and national security in an uncertain world. Coupled with plans to make markets work better for families and firms – like increasing competition so bills come down – he spoke to the [...]
Sand landmarks at St Paul’s Cathedral August 20, 2015 ENOUGH with the sand. Despite the sub-par summer, London has an obsession with beaches this year – now sand sculptures are being built at St Paul’s. A different world landmark is being chiselled each day, marking the launch of travel company Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travellist guide. So far we’ve seen the pyramids of Egypt and [...]
Miner Glencore and China lead FTSE to seven-month low – London Report August 20, 2015 THE FTSE 100 fell yesterday to its lowest level since January, hit by anxiety over metals consumer China’s economy, with Glencore leading the mining sector lower after poorly-received results. The blue chip index was down 122.84 points, or 1.9 per cent, at 6,403.45 points by the close – its lowest closing level since 15 January, [...]
Winners and losers of Living Wage campaign – The City View September 7, 2015 The problem with nuance and complexity is that they get in the way of simple government announcements. Take, as a prime example, the debate around the national minimum wage (NMW). The Low Pay Commission (LPC) was created in 1998 to offer independent advice on the NMW – precisely because politicians were deemed incapable of resisting [...]
AlixPartners names former Zolfo Cooper boss Simon Freakley as its new chief exec August 4, 2015 Turnaround specialist AlixPartners yesterday named Simon Freakley as its new chief executive. The company, which is owned by private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, said Freakley would take on the co-CEO role alongside current boss Fred Crawford immediately. He will become sole chief executive from 1 January 2016 onwards. Crawford will take a new role [...]