Big firms can enhance social mobility in 2017 by committing to buy from social enterprises December 20, 2016 I suspect that, if you ask many in Britain what they want for Christmas this year, they might say “hope” or “change”. Reflecting back on 2016, the EU referendum showed that too many ordinary people haven’t felt the benefits of our strong economy and now find themselves on the margins of society. As the chairman [...]
Arise, Dame Inga: Lloyd’s of London boss Inga Beale has been awarded a damehood in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list December 30, 2016 Lloyd's of London boss Inga Beale has been awarded a damehood as part of the Queen's New Year's Honours list. Beale, who was appointed chief executive of Lloyd's of London in January 2014 and is a vocal LGBT rights campaigner, was awarded her damehood for services to the economy. She was included in City A.M.'s Power [...]
Budget 2017: North Sea oil and gas tax relief will be reviewed by a panel of experts March 8, 2017 As the UK faces declining oil and gas production in the North Sea, the chancellor has unveiled new measures to review tax relief and maximise the exploitation of remaining reserves. In his Budget, chancellor Philip Hammond said a new advisory panel of industry experts will be established and a formal discussion paper will be published on how tax can [...]
The meatiest deal of 2016? Private equity firm buys majority steak in Dutch butcher December 13, 2016 A European private equity group has announced a meaty new acquisition. Equistone Partners Europe has bought a majority stake in Group of Butchers alongside the Dutch firm’s current management. Founded in 1997 under the name Dutch Grill Specialities and headquartered in Tilburg, Group of Butchers is a producer of high-end meat products sold at supermarkets [...]
UK insurance firms feeling the pressure from the top and the bottom of the market – PwC February 9, 2016 Insurance firms are feeling the pressure from below and above, according to new data out today from accounting group PwC, with bosses citing regulators and new competitors entering the market as two of their biggest concerns. The survey revealed that 94 per cent of insurance chief executives are concerned that over-regulation in the sector could [...]
British businesses say cuts to corporation tax are “not the be all and end all” November 7, 2016 British businesses do not want further corporation tax cuts for fear of alienating the general public. The consensus opinion across the UK's companies is that corporation tax is not a "defining feature of tax policy". This means that the benefits of a cut are outweighed by negative publicity attached to business’ role in the tax system, according to [...]
Consumers feeling cheery ahead of the Christmas shopping season October 21, 2016 Consumer confidence is looking up ahead of the biggest quarter for retailers – the Christmas season. Consumers are shaking off the Brexit blues and feeling more positive about their earnings before Christmas, according to a report from PwC. PwC said 19 per cent of respondents in its consumer survey said they expect to be better off [...]
PwC has launched a blockchain team to explore the bitcoin technology January 22, 2016 Professional services giant PwC is getting into blockchain, announcing a new team dedicated to exploring the hyped technology powering bitcoin, following soaring client demand. “There is growing interest and a real demand from our clients to help understand the implications of blockchain and how to respond to it. So, as the blockchain juggernaut continues to [...]
City Moves for 12 January 2017 | Who’s switching jobs January 12, 2017 White & Case Marc Israel has joined international law firm White & Case as a partner in the group’s global antitrust practice. Marc, who is a leading competition lawyer with more than 20 years’ experience, will support White & Case’s strategic focus on growth in London, especially on merger control work. Marc joins from Macfarlanes, [...]
UK law firms still growing but competition from US firms and smaller players puts a squeeze on profits October 24, 2016 Lawyers in the UK risk being left twiddling their thumbs, as US and new firms increase competition and put a squeeze on top and bottom lines, a report out today has found. Only three-quarters (75 per cent) of the Top 100 UK law firms reported revenue growth this year, according to figures from PwC, down from [...]