London will reinvent itself again post-Brexit if it remains flexible and open to the world November 29, 2016 "We don't plan London very much. Nobody planned to have the euro-dollar market, for example. It rose because clever people were very quick at responding to market signals.” Speaking at a debate at the Museum of London on the future of the capital, hosted by Eversheds, The Independent’s Hamish McRae set out the optimistic case for the [...]
Blockchain chief executive Peter Smith talks smart contracts, homelessness and starting the world’s largest bitcoin wallet December 12, 2016 When I speak to Peter Smith, he is mid-juggling three events in as many days: a board meeting, moving his entire London team to new offices, and the office Christmas party. “We haven’t even had the office opening yet, but it’s all been fine,” he reflects. The first of these requires a day trip to [...]
Better, not less, red tape would really help financial firms November 8, 2016 Red tape needs to be cleaned up rather than cut to boost the financial sector, a report out today argues. In particular, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) found that uncertainty surrounding the direction regulation was heading could be making firms nervous about allocating resources to projects, as they desperately try to second guess what rules will come [...]
Asian investors have poured over £1.5bn into London property since the Brexit vote November 21, 2016 Asian investors have been pouring their money into London commercial property following the Brexit vote. Figures from Cushman & Wakefield seen by City A.M. show that Asian buyers have spent over £1.5bn in the capital since June 2016, snapping up properties in the City and the West End. Read more: Apple's move to Battersea Power Station boosts [...]
Review demands government intervention to save the construction industry October 17, 2016 An independent review of the construction sector has called for government intervention to save an industry in "inexorable decline". The report, commissioned by two government departments, slams construction's "dysfunctional training model" and its "lack of innovation". Read more: UK construction industry still struggling for momentum Mark Farmer, chief executive of Cast, who led the review, said [...]
ECB governor Mario Draghi rejects policies of Donald Trump as he says quantitative easing could be extended further February 6, 2017 European Central Bank (ECB) governor Mario Draghi has hit out at the policies of US President Donald Trump, rejecting deregulation and protectionism as well as claims Germany is manipulating the euro. Draghi also reiterated the ECB’s commitment to its expansive monetary policy, telling MEPs at the European Parliament the central bank was ready to increase [...]
Whitehall looks for private sector bidder to give civil servants lessons in international trade lingo ahead of Brexit negotiations January 26, 2017 Civil servants will be given a crash course in the language of international trade ahead of the UK’s departure from the European Union. Whitehall officials are looking for a private sector bidder to deliver training across government on “the key areas and terminology of international trade policy”, according to a new tender document published this [...]
Entrepreneurs mad at Donald Trump should come to France, says Presidential hopeful Emmanuel Macron February 5, 2017 French Presidential hopeful Emmanuel Macron has reached out to entrepreneurs, academics and scientists in the US reeling from President Trump's travel ban and welcomed them with open arms to the country. "I want to make a solemn call to all the researchers, academics, businesses who in the United States are battling obscurantism,” he told a rally [...]
Inside the Luxembourg bid to lure City firms after Brexit: How the Grand Duchy lines up against Frankfurt, Paris, Dublin and other rivals April 3, 2017 Alongside large and threatening Frankfurt, loud and opportunistic Paris and plucky Dublin, Luxembourg has kept a relatively low profile in the scramble to soak up some of London’s financial services power since the UK’s Brexit vote. But make no mistake, Luxembourg will be growing as a result of the UK’s decision. The city’s business area [...]
London construction slowing after the Brexit vote October 20, 2016 Construction in London is undergoing a slowdown following the Brexit vote, according to chartered surveyors. A survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) found that nine per cent of surveyors have reported that construction had risen rather than fallen in the capital this quarter – but this was the lowest reading from the survey since [...]