Insurance sector to be hit by M&A fever as Fairfax buys Brit February 17, 2015 Analysts said yesterday that Brit’s acquisition by Canadian firm Fairfax Financial Holdings could be the precursor to other deals set to sweep the insurance market. Shares in Brit jumped by 11.23 per cent following the news that Fairfax had made an offer of £1.22bn that has been agreed by private equity owners CVC and Apollo, [...]
Video: Watch Lloyd’s of London’s finest insurance talent tackle the building May 14, 2014 Anyone strolling past the famous Lloyd’s of London building today will have another reason to stop and stare other than Richard Rogers' shiny, inside-outy architecture. There are people coming down the side of the building. Lots of them. Why? Well it’s all in aid of RedR UK, a charity which provides training for disaster [...]
Brick by brick February 19, 2015 A new coffee-table book celebrates the enduring appeal of the ultimate building material Age has not withered the humble brick, but nor has it afforded it much prestige. More than any other material, bricks have enshrined civilisation, protected it, provided space for it to grow, yet they’re seen as the humdrum standard, little more than [...]
Hayfever season has arrived – here’s how you can protect yourself against the pollen April 13, 2015 With sunshine, blossoming flowers and every other pleasant thing that arrives with the warmer months, there's also pollen – the culprit of many a summer day spent in extreme discomfort. The hayfever season is upon us, and already sneezes and itchy eyes are causing irritation across the nation. The bad news is, as yet, [...]
City Moves for 02 March 2015 | Who’s switching jobs March 1, 2015 Newcourt Residential The luxury property developer has appointed Graham Weiss to its board as a non-executive director. He was previously managing director of Octagon Developments, and has over 30 years’ experience in the UK luxury property industry. Hitachi Capital (UK) The financial services firm has appointed Robert Gordon as chief executive. He joined Hitachi Capital [...]
Where not to eat in London: The worst places in London for food hygiene standards February 13, 2015 If you’re looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day date location, this might be a handy guide for where to avoid taking your significant other for that special dinner date. Six of the worst local authorities in the UK when it comes to food hygiene standards are located in London, with Enfield taking the title for [...]
City Moves for 12 February 2015 | Who’s switching jobs February 11, 2015 Lloyds Bank Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking has announced the appointment of Christopher Sood-Nicholls as managing director. He joined in 2000, and has since held management roles in IT operations, executive management and corporate development at the bank. BlackRock The investment management firm has appointed Deborah Winshel to lead its impact investing platform. She was formerly [...]
RBS cuts stake in US with $3bn Citizens sale March 23, 2015 RBS WILL cut its stake in US bank Citizens to below half this week, as it yesterday announced plans to sell off more shares in the lender. The bailed-out British bank is cutting down its overseas presence to focus on the UK market. It floated Citizens on the New York Stock Exchange six months ago, [...]
Chinese banks’ brands overtake HSBC and Santander by value February 1, 2015 CHINESE banks are leaping up the league tables of valuable brands, overtaking western titans according to a study out today from Brand Finance and The Banker magazine. ICBC’s valuation rose by 20 per cent on the year, climbing from sixth place to second, overtaking HSBC and threatening number one brand Wells Fargo. Agricultural Bank of [...]
London Report: Lloyds profit boost helps FTSE approach a two-month high May 1, 2014 BRITAIN’S blue-chip share index hit its highest level in about two months yesterday, rising for a fourth straight session as gains at Lloyds bank buoyed the market. The FTSE 100 index ended up by 0.4 per cent, or 28.84 points, at 6,808.87 points, its highest close since 4 March. Shares of Lloyds surged 5.5 per [...]