Low rates, record high stocks: is the bubble about to burst? December 6, 2016 The world is, seemingly, in a bull market in everything. Just take a few headlines from this month alone: US stocks, already at all-time highs, hit a sixth consecutive closing high, which is the first time that has happened for 20 years. In debt markets, Ireland issued a bond with a negative yield, which [...]
The London option: Britain’s EU deal must guarantee our city’s business pre-eminence September 5, 2016 In my last piece for City A.M., just 10 days after the referendum, I said that, by working together, we can keep London open for business and leading in the world. Over the past nine weeks, I’ve been meeting as many business leaders as possible, across all sectors, from startups to global corporations. Sadiq Khan and I [...]
The UK has turned its back on the EU – we must not do the same to China August 29, 2016 It has been a little over two months since the EU referendum and data from the UK economy has continued to leave both sides of the Brexit debate wanting. Commentators were overly negative in July and now seem to be swinging excessively positive but the reality is we simply haven’t had enough data to work [...]
Brexit vote reminds us of existing concerns August 3, 2016 The full consequences of the UK's vote to leave the European Union are not yet known. Advocates of a painless Brexit can point to data that refutes the worst fears put about by a panicking Remain campaign. But those looking for evidence to demonstrate that those fears weren't baseless have plenty to go on, too. [...]
Bookmaker William Hill snaps up gaming software firm Grand Parade to keep up with digital shift August 2, 2016 William Hill has made moves to catch up with the gambling industry's shift to digital with the £13.6m acquisition of digital gaming software firm Grand Parades. Recently a huge amount of merger and acquisition activity has swept through the gambling sector. Paddy Power and Betfair came together in a £5bn tie-up, while Gala Coral and Ladbrokes merged in a £2.2bn [...]
Financial sector’s problems put front and centre by Brexit vote August 3, 2016 The UK's decision to split from the EU has brought problems lurking in the City to the foreground, research out today warns. The report by TheCityUK highlighted five key areas – strengthening global connections, driving national growth, expanding service areas, increasing innovation and developing talent – where the financial and professional services sector now needs the ante [...]
Hybrid engine firm Vantage Power is setting itself apart with clever software September 15, 2016 Not many startups hunt for premises with the requirement that they can fit a double-decker bus in them. But for Vantage Power, that was a necessity. Founded by Imperial College graduates Alex Schey and Toby Schulz, the firm makes hybrid – part-diesel, part-electric – engines. Vantage Power can turn four buses currently in use hybrid for the [...]
French government woos London bankers with tax proposals July 6, 2016 French may well be the language of love for London’s worried bankers, after France's Prime Minister yesterday promised more favourable tax terms for expats. Many in the financial sector have been concerned that London could lose its passporting rights – and, with them, rights to do business with the EU member states – as part of [...]
Trump versus Hillary: How to make money whoever wins the US presidency November 8, 2016 This presidential campaign has been nothing if not unpredictable. Less than a fortnight ago, a victory for Hillary Clinton looked all but certain. Then it emerged that the FBI was investigating a new set of emails connected with her private server. Now, she has been cleared, but Donald Trump is arguing that her latest exoneration [...]
Londoners should be inspired by our diverse and global tech sector June 22, 2016 It is the eve of the most important political decision of a generation, a decision that has forced each and every one of us to examine what it means to be part of a community that is British, European and international. On such an historical day, London Technology Week has reminded us of the global [...]