The ‘big tech’ backlash: How sustainable is the success of Google, Facebook and Amazon? February 22, 2018 In recent months it has felt like the tide is turning against big tech. Google has been fined for market abuse in the EU. Silicon Valley heads have been hauled in front of the US Senate and the UK Parliament to answer for the abuse of their platforms by extremists and Russian saboteurs. The repeal of [...]
Cut the fearmongering, the City should welcome Brexit September 7, 2017 There is an angst hanging over the City. The merchants of doom and gloom have spread the message far and wide that, post-Brexit, the City will be in a battle for its very survival. Utter twaddle. Here are 10 reasons why the City won’t just survive, but could thrive post Brexit. If the government makes [...]
City Moves for 13 February 2017 – who’s switching jobs? February 13, 2017 Today's City Moves cover legal eagles, hotels and a precious metal explorer. Take a look at these movers and shakers: Ashfords LLP National legal and professional services provider Ashfords LLP has appointed Jim Morris as a partner and head of the firm’s expert aviation team. Having previously worked for six years as the aviation partner [...]
White collar crime crackdown expected in 2017, as UK prosecutors hone in on Bribery Act January 8, 2017 This year will see renewed efforts on clamping down on white collar crime, particularly as prosecutors chase convictions under the Bribery Act, experts have told City A.M. Prosecutions for bribery offences have been picking up pace ever since the Bribery Act 2010 came into force in 2011. Last year marked the first time a company was sentenced [...]
Davos 2017: As the great and the good descend on the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, are we seeing the death or the dawn of the global elite? January 16, 2017 Alex Deane, managing director of FTI Consulting and common councilman in the City of London, says "death". It is all too easy to bash the so-called “global elite” and mock their gatherings. Those seeking to do good at Davos are at least trying; if there are real villains, then they’re to be found among those [...]
Building more homes will not solve London’s housing crisis – here’s why December 5, 2016 Let's be clear, the housing crisis is not a crisis just because there is a shortage in housing. It's a crisis because there is a real problem with our access to affordable housing and not enough is being done about it. London homes are the second most over-priced in the world, according to a recent [...]
Douglas Flint warns more clarity on Brexit is needed to safeguard City jobs as HSBC mulls moving as many as 1,000 to Paris January 10, 2017 The group chairman of HSBC has today warned more clarity is needed on Brexit to prevent firms, including his own, collectively moving thousands of jobs out of London preemptively. In an almost three-hour grilling with the Treasury Select Committee, Douglas Flint cautioned the lack of coherent guidance on where the government intended to go with Brexit [...]
Sadiq Khan unveils Brexit panel featuring Lord Mandelson and Santander chair to advise on getting “best deal” for London December 19, 2016 Sadiq Khan has recruited an assortment of business leaders, investors and academics in an effort to boost London's Brexit credentials. The mayor announced a new Brexit Expert Advisory panel to advise him on the risks, challenges and opportunities for the capital in the wake of June's vote to leave the European Union. Members include Sir George Iacobescu, [...]
WhatsApp end-to-end encryption “completely unacceptable” warns home secretary Amber Rudd March 26, 2017 Home secretary Amber Rudd has called end-to-end encryption on messaging services such as WhatsApp and iMessage “completely unacceptable” in the wake of the terrorist attack on Parliament. “There should be no place for terrorists to hide,” she said, speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, responding to reports that the attacker Khalid Masood used the [...]
Let’s celebrate the incredible generosity of spirit that powers London’s businesses October 3, 2016 In my role as lord mayor, I lead business delegations to key international markets to strengthen commercial ties and promote Britain as one of the best places in which to invest and trade. I am always struck by the positive perception of the UK as not only a good place to do business, but also as a [...]