Chancellor launches search for next head of budget watchdog January 23, 2020 Chancellor Sajid Javid has launched the search for the next head of the UK’s budget watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), as the term of the current chair Robert Chote draws to an end. The OBR was formed in 2010 by newly-elected chancellor George Osborne to ensure the government stuck to its spending and [...]
The Visit at the National Theatre review: Lesley Manville shines in this overly-long drama February 21, 2020 Dürrenmatt’s revenge tragicomedy arrives at the National’s Olivier Theatre in an adaptation by Tony Kushner, transporting the drama to post-war America. In the state of New York, in a poverty-ridden town appropriately named Slurry, the town’s residents are desperate for a break. They pin all their hopes on the return (or rather, the visit) of [...]
Coronavirus: The City’s third sector has shone amid pandemic April 27, 2020 The coronavirus outbreak is an unfolding global health emergency that requires us all to play our part. We are seeing people from all walks of society across London and the UK coming together to tackle COVID-19 – be it through fundraising activities, volunteering in the community, or by simply checking in on a lonely neighbour [...]
Insurer Direct Line set for £44m coronavirus hit to travel claims May 6, 2020 Insurer Direct Line is expecting to take a £44m hit to its travel business from the coronavirus crisis, the company said today, with claims set to fall by 70 per cent. The firm also said it expected to incur £70m in costs from measures to protect its customers, such as providing all NHS workers with [...]
Horse Racing Betting Tips: Speak In Colours looks Diamond bet at 25/1 in Jubilee June 19, 2020 THERE are a whopping eight races to get our teeth into on the final day of Royal Ascot on Saturday. Now that the rain seems to have gone, the ground will be drying out but it will still be pretty hard work. The Queen Mary Stakes (1.15pm) looks at the mercy of Aidan O’Brien and [...]
Struggling economies can learn from Cyprus how to deal with the Covid-19 crisis August 27, 2020 International businesses and investors are right now wondering whether governments are really up to the task of handling the fallout from the global shutdown. With real GDP in the EU predicted to shrink by 9.3 per cent in 2020, the message from the European Commission is that the speed at which countries will recover depends [...]
Franklin Templeton set to buy Legg Mason in $4.5bn deal February 18, 2020 Franklin Templeton is set to acquire rival asset manager Legg Mason in the latest sign of consolidation in the asset management industry. The investment manager announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire Legg Mason for $50 per share in an all-cash transaction of $4.5bn. It will also assume $2bn of outstanding debt. [...]
Culture complements commerce, so let’s celebrate the City’s thriving artistic scene February 24, 2020 As lord mayor of the City of London, my role is primarily business-focused. But I am also passionate about arts and culture, and with so much of it on our doorstep, Londoners are truly fortunate. In fact, championing culture is a key part of my mayoral theme. And to underline its importance, I am looking [...]
Awards 2016 October 26, 2021 The City A.M. Awards for 2016, held at the glitzy Grange hotel opposite St Paul’s Cathedral, saw 14 individuals or businesses collect gongs in front of a star-studded audience of around 500 City figures. Our congratulations go to all the winners who stood out during 2016 for their exceptional work. The event, however, is not [...]
Centre for Policy Studies picks City billionaire Michael Spencer as new chairman January 6, 2020 The conservative Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) think tank has appointed City veteran and billionaire Michael Spencer as its new chairman to replace Lord Maurice Saatchi, who will step down after 10 years in the role. Spencer founded the financial services firm Icap, which became the Nex Group and was sold for almost £4bn last [...]