Why sheriffs of London cherish the City’s power January 9, 2017 I served recently as one of the two sheriffs of London – a role that surpassed all expectations. Whether travelling to Cuba with the former lord mayor Jeffrey Mountevans, drumming up business for UK firms, hosting judges’ lunches at the Central Criminal Court, or presenting prizes at a City school, I relished every minute of the [...]
Opinion: Agents are turning into party planners to entice buyers and investors to buy new homes in London January 6, 2017 Last year marked a shift in the central London market. The buyers are still out there – only now they have a broader choice of new homes to buy. This poses a challenge for developers: how do you target a particular group of buyers with precision and make them remember your homes above all the [...]
13 events that will change the world in 2017: Article 50, Snapchat’s IPO, more Libor trials and a vote on Heathrow January 3, 2017 2017 looks like it's going to be a busy one: we're looking ahead to some of the key business and political events already pencilled in for this year's calendar. 1. Supreme court to rule on Article 50 The Supreme Court is due to deliver its ruling on Gina Miller's case this month (Source: Getty) The Supreme [...]
Sadiq Khan unveils Brexit panel featuring Lord Mandelson and Santander chair to advise on getting “best deal” for London December 19, 2016 Sadiq Khan has recruited an assortment of business leaders, investors and academics in an effort to boost London's Brexit credentials. The mayor announced a new Brexit Expert Advisory panel to advise him on the risks, challenges and opportunities for the capital in the wake of June's vote to leave the European Union. Members include Sir George Iacobescu, [...]
The City has a loud voice in the Brexit debate December 12, 2016 How are we to discern the government's evolving Brexit strategy? Should we sit patiently and wait for strategic leaks? Should we scrutinise every handwritten memo photographed on its way into Downing St? Should we listen to the barrage of voices off, demanding action or concession in certain areas? Perhaps we should simply wait for the [...]
The City is a national asset with massive potential to address regional inequality December 12, 2016 One of the hardest parts of the lord mayor’s job is getting people to think of the financial City as more than just London. Our capital is certainly a vital part of the UK’s offer, but so are the many smaller towns and cities that lie beyond the M25 that, together, provide two thirds of the UK’s [...]
Peabody and Family Mosaic housing associations are merging December 7, 2016 Peabody and Family Mosaic housing associations are merging to create a new organisation with assets worth £6bn. The merged housing association, which will be named Peabody, will be responsible for 55,220 homes across London and the South East. Read more: Revealed: the luxury London properties with price cuts of over 30 per cent The new [...]
City Moves for 1 December 2016 | Who’s switching jobs December 1, 2016 NEON Neon has appointed Geoff Riddell as its new non-executive chairman. Geoff brings with him over three decades of experience in the international and London insurance markets. He is currently chairman of Pool Re, having joined its board in 2015. He previously held several senior managerial roles at Zurich, where he was chief executive and [...]
Ex-Treasury minister Jim O’Neill hits out over “disappointing” Autumn Statement November 30, 2016 Former Treasury minister and Goldman Sachs banker Lord Jim O'Neill has hit out over last week's Autumn Statement, branding chancellor Philip Hammond's performance as “disappointing”. Speaking for the first time as a crossbench peer in the House of Lords, O'Neill yesterday lamented a “lack of new or additional initiatives” from Hammond. O'Neill focused on devolution [...]
The chancellor’s economic programme contains much the City should welcome November 28, 2016 The chancellor stepped up to the despatch box last week to make his most important speech since taking office in July. Where previously the Autumn Statement was an important political date on the calendar for UK media, it had gone largely unnoticed by the European press. This year, however, was different. Philip Hammond’s address was [...]