Sector charge for more women to get top jobs in finance gathers pace as firms shake up succession planning and hiring practices July 9, 2017 A push to secure more women top roles in the finance sector is gathering pace, as a fresh batch of firms have signed up to a charter devised by the Treasury to build the pipeline of female talent for leadership positions. Some 25 new firms have signed up to the Women in Finance Charter, taking [...]
Greedy letting agents only have themselves to blame for their current existential crisis October 27, 2017 Asked what they judged to be the biggest threats to their businesses, 42 per cent of agents pointed to the government’s lettings fee ban, due to come into force at the year’s end. Lack of new landlords came a distant second, worrying only 20 per cent of respondents most. Meanwhile, other challenges like internal inefficiencies [...]
Annual portfolio review pointers your adviser ought to embrace November 23, 2017 With the holiday season drawing near, the end of 2017 is close at hand. To many investors, this is a sign that it’s time to review portfolios and potentially rejig for the new year. From a professional’s perspective, this is welcome. It is refreshing to have investors engaged in discussing portfolio returns. But to make [...]
UK companies are facing a shifting range of security threats October 2, 2017 The threat level in the UK is severe – and arguably not just in relation to terrorism. Recent incidents have shown that any organisation, regardless of its sector or size, could be adversely affected by a security attack. Whether it is a malicious and indiscriminate ransomware campaign, similar to Petya or WannaCry, or getting caught [...]
Sabre insurance reveals plans for £213m float with boss saying: “It’s not all young drivers in hot hatches” November 13, 2017 Quirky British car insurer Sabre today announced plans to raise £213m from a London stock market listing. The move will enable private equity firm BC Partners to realise part of its investment into the Dorking-based firm. BC, which paid £240m in 2013 for the firm, will retain a “significant stake” in Sabre post-float. Sabre specialises [...]
Opinion: Should Philip Hammond scrap stamp duty or reform it? Either way, these first time buyers think something has to be done November 17, 2017 Scrap stamp duty – revenue should not come at the expense of working people by Jack Brentnall Benjamin Franklin famously said that our only certainties in life are death and taxes. Thankfully, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) does not have to be such a certainty. Considering the context of the current housing crisis, it is [...]
Going global: Exporting isn’t the hassle British SMEs fear July 31, 2017 The UK's decision to leave the EU has thrust the issue of international trade into the spotlight. Currently, just one in five SMEs export, and a recent study by Lloyds Bank found that the EU was a trading partner for 85 per cent of exporters over the past year. Pre-referendum, this relationship was easier, cheaper [...]
Estonia proposes estcoin, a government backed cryptocurrency, issued via an initial coin offering (ICO) after e-residency success August 22, 2017 Estonia is living up to its digital reputation and setting tongues wagging with its latest idea: its very own digital currency issued via an initial coin offering (ICO). The buzz word of the moment in the heady world of cyptocurrencies, ICOs, are being used to raise cash via a digital token that’s issued to investors. [...]
Baroness Bitcoin of Arabia: Michelle Mone and Douglas Barrowman on their delve into the world of cryptocurrency September 6, 2017 Baroness Michelle Mone, and her billionaire property mogul partner Douglas Barrowman, this morning open the sale of two 40-storey residential towers spanning 2.4m square feet in Dubai. Building a huge complex in the Emirates isn’t itself remarkable – the Middle Eastern playground for the rich is peppered with luxury apartments, largely paid for in state-owned [...]
Baroness Bitcoin of Arabia: Michelle Mone’s delve into the world of cryptocurrency in Dubai apartment complex September 6, 2017 Baroness Michelle Mone, and her billionaire property mogul partner Douglas Barrowman, this morning open the sale of two 40-storey residential towers spanning 2.4m square feet in Dubai. Building a huge complex in the Emirates isn’t itself remarkable – the Middle Eastern playground for the rich is peppered with luxury apartments, largely paid for in state-owned [...]