UK businesses breathe sigh of relief as Huawei gets the green light January 28, 2020 UK businesses today welcomed the decision to allow Huawei a limited role in the country’s 5G networks, hailing a “sensible compromise” to the fraught row over national security. In a long-awaited ruling, the government said the Chinese tech firm, which has been classed a “high-risk vendor”, will be allowed to build non-core parts of the [...]
Saracens docked 35 points and fined £5m for breaching salary cap November 5, 2019 Premiership and European rugby champions Saracens have been docked 35 points for breaching Premiership Rugby’s salary cap. The English club must also pay a £5.4m fine after a probe into investment partnerships between its chairman, renowned City bigwig Nigel Wray, and a number of senior players. Read more: These were the six best players at [...]
City regulator toughens up financial accountability rules after scandals December 9, 2019 Tougher accountability rules have today been extended to cover around 47,000 firms across the financial sector, as the financial watchdog seeks to clean up the City’s reputation following a string of scandals. The Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR) holds firms’ senior managers directly accountable for their actions, and is intended to help regulators punish [...]
Property funds move to reassure investors over M&G contagion fears December 5, 2019 Managers of rival property funds are rushing to reassure investors their investment vehicles will remain open following the suspension of M&G’s £2.5bn property fund on Wednesday. M&G was forced to gate its Property Portfolio after managers did not have enough cash to meet a spike in withdrawal requests, sparking concerns that other property funds could [...]
Brexit disruption ‘to spark activist investor interest’ in UK December 3, 2019 Disruption from Brexit could spark an increase in activist investors targeting public companies in the UK, a new report has warned. The UK, which is already Europe’s largest market for activists, is at risk of drawing more attention from investors looking to pile the pressure on management over the coming year. Read more: EU finance [...]
Hedge fund activists are ‘shepherds, not wolves’ December 4, 2019 Activist hedgies do not deserve their reputation as “big, bad wolves”, according to a new report which argues that the controversial industry is looking for more than a quick buck. A group of researchers have said this morning that there is no evidence of hedge fund activists being corporate raiders, hitting back at claims that [...]
Financial services should be at the heart of trade talks March 5, 2020 In my experience, financial services are rarely the focus of heated family discussions, or of so-called water cooler conversations with colleagues and friends. Instead, we tend to become passionate about individual politicians or teachers, healthcare or utility companies. This is entirely understandable given that those issues affect our everyday lives — or at least are [...]
Why the UK’s startup sector is worth saving March 30, 2020 Covid-19 has already destroyed so much. Lives, livelihoods, freedom of movement. For those on the frontlines, whether in the NHS, social care or supermarkets, or in the country’s many sick beds, the battle is fierce. As the dominoes of our economy have tumbled, the government has quickly stepped in. First to safeguard business. Then to [...]
Trevor Carlin interview: IndyCar and F2 team owner on the impact of coronavirus, developing F1 stars and which protege has world title potential March 19, 2020 They have played a crucial role in the development of a number of Formula One stars, from former world champions Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg to rising stars such as Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz Jr. But that has not made celebrated motor racing outfit Carlin impervious to the financial difficulties that the coronavirus crisis [...]
Debenhams finance chief exits after just 12 months to join Ted Baker September 26, 2019 Debenhams finance chief Rachel Osborne has stepped down in order to join struggling fashion brand Ted Baker. Osborne was appointed chief finance officer at the embattled department store in September last year, and has quit after one year to take on the same role at Ted Baker. Read more: Debenhams wins high court battle to [...]