‘The trouble with dreams is you wake up’ – DWF hammered after CEO exit May 29, 2020 The magnitude of the ousting of listed law firm DWF’s chief executive Andrew Leaitherland today for the future of the business cannot be overstated. Leaitherland was no technocratic leader or managerial gun for hire. It was his vision and drive that took the firm from its humble northwestern roots to make history as the first [...]
Listed legal business DWF ousts chief executive amid covid-19 crisis May 29, 2020 Listed legal business DWF today announced it was ousting its longstanding chief executive in favour of its chair to help steer it through the coronavirus pandemic. Chief executive Andrew Leaitherland is stepping down from DWF “with immediate effect” to be replaced by chair Sir Nigel Knowles who was previously chief executive of legal giant DLA [...]
Half of top law firms had less than one month’s cash pre-coronavirus crisis May 4, 2020 More than half of the UK’s top law firms have insufficient cash on their balance sheets to cover one month’s operating expenses, according to new research. Analysis of the limited liability partnerships (LLP) accounts of 40 law firms with a combined revenue in excess of £15bn by litigation funder Augusta Ventures found 55 per cent [...]
Three lessons law firms can learn from rivals’ collapses amid coronavirus April 30, 2020 Law firm collapses are a lot like bank runs. Confidence in the institution crumbles, causing partners to rush for the exits – taking their capital and clients with them. Partner departures reduce the firm’s revenue, profit and capital, leading to further partner exits in a destructive feedback loop. Once firms enter this death spiral it [...]
FCA confirms three-month freeze for car finance payments April 24, 2020 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed a three-month payment freeze for car finance payments, ruling out repossessions of vehicles during the coronavirus pandemic. Firms will freeze payments for customers facing difficulties meeting finance or leasing payments due to coronavirus. The financial watchdog said firms should also not take steps to end the agreement or [...]
Budget 2020: Retail and leisure sector reacts to ‘disappointing’ business rates reform March 11, 2020 Business rates have been the key issue for retailers in the run up to today’s budget, made even more crucial by the outbreak of coronavirus. Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced measures to support more small leisure, hospitality and retail businesses with a rateable value of less than £51,000. Business rates for those firms will be scrapped [...]
Law firms lead Stonewall’s top LGBT-inclusive employers January 30, 2020 City law firms are some of this year’s most inclusive employers for the LGBT community, with 15 topping Stonewall’s employers of the year. Legal organisations were the second most inclusive sector, with fifteen firms on the list. Last year’s winners Pinsent Masons topped the private sector employers at fourth place. Mayer Brown and the Solicitors Regulation [...]
UK retail sales decline knocks sterling lower January 17, 2020 UK retail sales fell in the “golden quarter” of Christmas trading, the latest statistics showed today in a further sign of the challenges facing the British high street. In the three months to December 2019, the amount spent and the quantity bought in the retail industry fell 0.9 per cent and one per cent respectively, [...]
House prices 2020: How will the UK property market fare next year? December 26, 2019 It’s been a rocky year for the property market, as protracted political uncertainty and affordability problems left house prices largely stagnant in London and across the UK. But with a resounding victory for Boris Johnson in the General Election earlier this month, and the prospect of an end to the Brexit saga in sight, 2020 [...]
Fiat Chrysler and PSA agree $50bn mega-merger December 18, 2019 Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot maker PSA have today agreed a $50bn mega-merger to create the world’s fourth largest car manufacturer. The combined PSA-FCA business, which is yet to be branded, will chase annual $4bn cost savings through shares purchasing agreements and by combining technologies. Read more: Fiat Chrysler and PSA’s huge merger could reshape the [...]