How to build a creative culture at your business December 3, 2018 Why is it that certain places produce explosions of creativity at moments in time? Nearly 20 years ago, London’s East End was the birthplace for grime music, with Wiley and Dizzee Rascal setting the pace for a cultural movement now led by artists like Stormzy. Pop art, punk, disco and hip-hop all exploded out of [...]
London Stock Exchange bounces back to top Europe’s IPO charts December 11, 2017 The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is set to end the year atop the European podium for company floats, bouncing back from a weak 2016 at a crucial time for the exchange. Proceeds from initial public offerings (IPOs) on the London market have been 75 per cent higher than 2016, according to data from accountants PwC. [...]
The Conservative party needs to rediscover its economic way March 12, 2019 For most people, the Conservative’s 2015 “long-term economic plan” is now a distant memory. But as someone who was deeply immersed in that election campaign, I still sometimes wake up at night reciting its contents. Though much mocked for its repetition, the plan was more than just a catchphrase. From deficit reduction and tax cuts [...]
Law firm DWF raises £95m in first-ever main market legal listing March 11, 2019 Law firm DWF has today raised £95m in the first main market float for a law firm, valuing the business at £366m. DWF is by far the largest of the handful of law firms to have listed on the stock market and is the first firm with a large international footprint to have gone public. [...]
City rolls out fastest free wifi network in the UK October 16, 2017 City workers are to be treated to Britain’s fastest free wifi network starting from today. The City of London Corporation has launched the new service in conjunction with O2 and Virgin Media. Over 150 WiFi access points have been installed using street furniture. Users will only have to sign-up once and the service will be [...]
The UK must not get left behind by China’s rise as a new superpower February 5, 2018 Last week, the Prime Minister visited China, a country set to have the largest economy on Earth by 2030. Its rapid growth is expected to continue for another generation. In 2016, foreign direct investment from China reached $180bn – a striking figure when compared with 2002, when it totalled less than $5bn. The sophistication of [...]
Record tax take from financial services as City lobby group urges government to stop Brexit divorce bill penny-pinching November 27, 2017 Businesses need urgent clarification on a Brexit transition deal rather than penny-pinching on the terms of Britain’s so-called divorce bill, according to a top City lobbyist. Catherine McGuinness, the influential policy chair of the City of London Corporation, told City A.M. the government should be prepared to cough up in return for a stronger hand [...]
Germany steps in to give UK financial services timely Brexit boost November 29, 2018 UK financial services firms could be allowed to keep operating in Germany following a no-deal Brexit after the German Treasury took matters into its own hands amid growing uncertainty. Draft law changes proposed last week could allow UK-based firms providing cross-border financial services to continue to operate in Germany until the end of 2020. The [...]
Could magic mushrooms fix your brain? We try Europe’s first legal psychedelic therapy retreat July 24, 2019 Ten of us sit in a semicircle around a makeshift altar. In front of us lies a small statue of Buddha, various rocks and crystals, some pine cones, a carved mushroom, a small chemists’ weighing scale, and a wooden bowl filled with psychedelic ‘truffles’. We’re in a lodge on the outskirts of Amsterdam overlooking woodland [...]
Another top Unilever shareholder says it will vote against Dutch move October 1, 2018 Another top shareholder of consumer giant Unilever has said it will vote down the company's plans to relocate its headquarters to the Netherlands. Asset management firm Schroders joined a growing list of investors who have vowed to reject Unilever's plan. In September, Aviva said the same thing, while top 10 shareholder Legal & General Investment [...]