Google turns 21: US tech giant is now old enough to drink September 27, 2019 As Google turns 21 today, there can be no better time to review the last 21 years of the all-powerful search engine. On 27 September 1998, Sergey Brin and Larry Page launched an early prototype of what they called a ‘large scale search engine’ while studying for their PhDs at Stanford University. Read more: Google [...]
Lloyd’s of London plans clamp down on harassment and bullying March 24, 2019 Lloyd’s of London plans to overhaul workplace culture following reports of sexual harassment and bullying at the 330-year-old insurance market. The company intends to call an emergency meeting with senior staff members to set out ways to make it easier for employees to make formal complaints, the Sunday Times reported. Read more: Lloyd's of London [...]
Lloyd’s of London launches plan to split in bid to cut costs and modernise the market May 1, 2019 Lloyd’s of London has unveiled plans to split into two exchanges and move more of its business online in a bid to cut costs. The six-point strategy includes splitting the 330-year-old market into two automated exchanges, allowing less complex risks to be placed “in minutes at a fraction of today’s costs.” Read more: Lloyd's of [...]
When business partners behave badly: How to rein in a shady coworker September 2, 2019 In the wake of the #MeToo movement, there has been a great deal of focus on how to tackle the toxic work culture that exists in some industries and businesses. Many companies have been pushing for cultural change, motivated by the desire to create inclusive work environments, and limit the reputational and financial damage that [...]
Speaker pledges to step down on another dramatic day in Westminster September 9, 2019 Speaker John Bercow has confirmed he will stand down as early as tonight, and had a message for those working in Westminster: “We degrade parliament at our own peril”. Intervening in what promises to be a busy afternoon and evening, Bercow told MPs that he would stand down on Monday night if MPs backed Boris [...]
Lloyd’s of London warns drunk employees could face disciplinary action May 9, 2019 Lloyd’s of London has announced that employees under the influence of alcohol at work could face disciplinary action in some instances following reports of bullying and sexual harassment at the 330-year-old insurance market. Read more: A drinking ban isn't the answer to alcohol-fuelled work culture The exchange said it would crack down on instances where [...]
Karren Brady quits her role as chair of Sir Philip Green’s retail empire February 25, 2019 Baroness Karren Brady has resigned from Sir Philip Green’s retail investment firm just days after saying she owed it to staff to stay at the company. Brady has quit her post of non-executive chairman of Taveta Investments, the company behind Sir Philip’s Arcadia Group, which includes such brands as Topshop, the firm announced this morning. [...]
Ex-Freshfields partner escapes strike off after sexual misconduct allegations upheld October 10, 2019 An ex-Freshfields partner escaped being struck off today after a tribunal found he had engaged in sexual activity with a heavily intoxicated junior lawyer. Ryan Beckwith, 41, tearfully hugged and kissed his wife after the sanction was handed down. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) fined Beckwith £35,000 and ordered him to pay costs of £200,000. [...]
Everything you were afraid to ask about the metaverse April 22, 2022 This article first appeared in ICAS’ CA Magazine. It recently hosted its first wedding, with a guest list of thousands. It may soon see CAs send digital avatars to clients’ virtual offices. But will the metaverse really reshape business or be just a niche preserve of gamers? Christian Koch investigates. The metaverse is coming… “Who [...]
Social media abuse to be made illegal under new online harms proposals September 11, 2020 Sending abusive messages over social media, messaging services or email could be made illegal under new proposals tabled today. The Law Commission has outlined a number of reforms designed to protect people from harmful behaviour online. The reforms, set out in a consultation paper, would criminalise any communications likely to cause harm. This includes personal [...]