Nicola Sturgeon is no Mother Christmas December 3, 2020 If there is one political certainty I would bet my house on, it’s that when politicians are in serious trouble they will suddenly make a major announcement to push the damaging story off the news agenda. There is no better exponent of this trait than the media operation of Nicola Sturgeon and her Scottish government, [...]
Mike Ashley calls for business rate relief to help high street on ‘life support’ February 14, 2020 Sports Direct billionaire Mike Ashley urged the Treasury to take action on business rates today, saying steep payments have helped put the British high street on “life support”. The retail tycoon has said that the current system is a “significant contributor to the dire straits the high street currently finds itself in.” Formerly called Sports [...]
Exclusive: City fund managers on pandemic volatility, inflation and value vs growth March 24, 2021 It has been a surreal year for fund managers in the City, with unprecedented volatility descending on practically every investment vehicle, asset manager or investor operating out of the Square Mile. The unpredictability of the ongoing pandemic is one of the reasons why the age-old investment-driven debate about ‘cheap’ value stocks versus ‘expensive’ growth equities [...]
DEBATE: Will long-term remote working jeopardise London’s status as a global financial centre? July 23, 2020 Will long-term remote working jeopardise London’s status as a global financial centre? Giles Fuchs, chief executive of Office Space in Town, says YES. An enduring shift towards remote working and away from the office in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic would spell disaster for London’s status as a global financial hub. Home to 1.1m [...]
Hipgnosis signs up songwriter behind Adele and Stormzy hits December 3, 2019 Music royalties investment firm Hipgnosis has announced the latest addition to its roster of musicians, signing up the brains behind hit tracks by Adele and Stormzy. Read more: That’s a rap: Hipgnosis lands Timbaland catalogue as it beefs up portfolio The London-listed firm today said it has acquired a music catalogue from British songwriter and [...]
Andrew Neil’s GB News will test whether there is appetite for a Fox News-style news channel in the UK October 2, 2020 The announcement this week that Andrew Neil, the doyen of political broadcasters since David Dimbleby quit the stage, was to be chairman of GB News and anchor its flagship evening show four times a week breathed new life into a story that had become a little stale. It was momentous for a number of reasons: [...]
Mike Ashley urges government to reform business rates system quickly December 16, 2019 Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has warned that more House of Fraser stores will be forced to close unless the new government tackles the “broken and unworkable” business rates system. Retailers have repeatedly urged politicians to take action on business rates, and ahead of his election win Boris Johnson pledged to launch a fundamental review [...]
FTSE 100 and Wall Street chase record highs as vaccine hopes boost markets December 1, 2020 The FTSE 100 logged its best session in three weeks today while Wall Street hit record highs as markets continue to ride a wave of vaccine optimism. The blue-chip bourse closed up 1.9 per cent, while the FTSE 250 midcap index rose by 2.6 per cent. It comes after the FTSE recording its biggest gain [...]
SCS to stop selling through House of Fraser after orders slump October 25, 2018 Furniture company ScS will close all of its concessions at embattled department store House of Fraser by the end of January after it was taken over by Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley. The company said its orders through House of Fraser had more than halved in the twelve weeks ending 20 October. Ashley bought the [...]
Gender lens funds are growing – but female progress remains challenging November 24, 2020 The third quarter of 2020 was an eventful one for gender lens investing – investing for financial return while also considering the benefits to women – as well as for women in leadership (WIL). Gender lens equity funds globally turned in modest positive returns, a trajectory in line with the broader market. This suite of [...]