Davos 2016: Why fintech innovation has put us on the brink of a “fourth industrial revolution” January 18, 2016 Most of us will associate the term “industrial revolution” with images of the smog, steam and clanking heavy machinery that transformed society in the 19th century. Since then, society has witnessed two more industrial revolutions, advances in electronics and IT, and now economists are heralding the advent of the “fourth industrial revolution”. This new industrial [...]
Executive pay: BP pay gusher reignites shareholder rows, but new research shows that average pay growth for chief executives has slowed down to below national average April 13, 2016 BP shareholders will vote on a near $20m pay package for the oil major's chief executive tomorrow, reigniting the row over boardoom pay despite greater restraint being shown by many FTSE companies. The pay deal, if approved, would see BP chief executive Bob Dudley take home $19.6m (£13.8m) – a hefty 19.7 per cent pay [...]
Tullow Oil’s share price falls despite losses narrowing last year in the midst of falling oil prices February 10, 2016 Tullow Oil shares fell today, despite the company reporting that losses narrowed last year as the company said it's begun to renegotiate its debt with lenders. The Africa-focused oil group's share price was 7.43 per cent down, at 149.5p in mid-morning trading. [charts-share-price id="81"] Tullow warned that "banking discussions with regard to March 2016 re-determination have begun," as it reported that it finished [...]
Year of the Monkey: We must be innovative and adaptable to strengthen China ties February 8, 2016 The Year of the Monkey starts today as we celebrate Chinese New Year. With London hosting the biggest celebrations outside of Asia, the zodiac animal has two particular attributes that I also think help define our modern City: our adaptability and innovativeness. The importance of China to both the City and the wider UK is a [...]
UK digital healthcare firm Babylon raises $25m in series A round from investors including Innocent Drinks and DeepMind January 14, 2016 Babylon, the UK digital health firm founded by ex-Goldman Sachs banker Ali Parsa, has raised around $25m (£17.3m) in a series A funding round. The financing was led by Swedish investment group AB Kinnevik with other participants including the founders of BXR Group, a multi-billion dollar global investment group; DeepMind, the British artificial intelligence company [...]
The curious case of Swiss referendums: Tunnels and trains win the day but tax changes shot down at the polls June 6, 2016 Swiss voters rejected the much-hyped basic income proposal put to them in yesterday's referendum. More than three-quarters of voters sided with the government and campaigners who warned the proposal to give every man and woman 2,500 Swiss francs (£1,773) a month was just too expensive. The proposal was put forward by a Swiss businessman through Switzerland's form [...]
London airport expansion: Heathrow Airport chief executive John Holland-Kaye puts extra pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron over third runway February 8, 2016 Heathrow Airport chief executive John Holland-Kaye has insisted that air quality at his west London airport is "not a problem" as he put even more pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron to give the green light to a third runway. In his first speech since the government delayed making a final ruling on the Airports Commission's recommendations last [...]
London is leading a second post-crisis boom in house prices March 30, 2016 House prices across the country continue to surge. Data published by the Land Registry this morning shows the average UK property price was £190,275 in February, a 6.1 per cent climb on the same month last year. London leads London house price growth continued to outpace the rest of England and Wales. The average price [...]
Give industry some space, pleads British Property Federation, as the industrial sector faces increasing competition from housing for land December 1, 2015 The British Property Federation (BPF) has warned government not to neglect industrial development in favour of building housing. In a report released today, the BPF highlights the importance of the industrial sector for economic growth. The BPF also points out the crucial role the industrial sector plays in logistics, generating £100bn in gross value added [...]
Stonewall top 100 employers: Three ways the City can become more inclusive, according to LGBT-friendly Lloyds January 19, 2016 The release of the top 100 employers for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, compiled by the charity Stonewall, is a moment for celebration and reflection. Ensuring a diverse workforce is now considered essential to the success of businesses right across Britain. There is a wealth of evidence that shows this makes good business sense and [...]