City of London Corporation puts up posters in City pubs in bid to combat sexual harassment December 3, 2019 The City of London Corporation is set to be the latest square mile institution to campaign against sexual harassment in the financial industry. The Reframe the Night Campaign will feature 600 posters at various City venues that are adorned with phrases traditionally used to excuse sexual harassment. Read more: Lloyd’s of London to put up [...]
Sports Direct trying to ‘drive Debenhams into administration’ September 2, 2019 Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct is backing a legal challenge against Debenhams’ restructuring plan to “drive it into administration so that it can pick up its assets on the cheap”, a court was told today. The sports retailer is backing a challenge brought by Combined Property Control Group (CPC), which represents the landlords of six Debenhams [...]
Brydon review finds UK audit industry in need of ‘urgent reform’ December 18, 2019 The UK’s audit industry is in need of “urgent reform”, according to the findings of a year-long review into the sector. The review, which was led by Sir Donald Brydon, a former chair of the London Stock Exchange Group, calls for the creation of “a standalone and transparent audit profession” split off from the accounting [...]
Revolving door spins at London litigation funder Augusta Ventures October 27, 2019 Litigation funder Augusta Ventures has launched a new team to back consumer class actions, but has also shed more than 10 per cent of its London workforce in a recent round of cuts. The funder said that despite cutting eight staff in London, it has grown overall, adding 11 new employees in recent months. Its [...]
Addison Lee lenders ‘circle’ taxi giant as sale effort continues October 26, 2019 Addison Lee has insisted it expects “a successful conclusion” to the “ongoing” sale process despite reports that its lenders are preparing to take control of the London taxi company. A syndicate of a dozen banks led by ING have drafted in advisers from Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) to consider their options, according to Sky News, [...]
On the block: Goals goes up for sale in wake of £12m fraud accusations August 29, 2019 Embattled five-a-side football operator Goals has put itself up for sale this morning, following a torrid six months that has been clouded by accusations of tax fraud. Goals Soccer Centres, which is part owned by retail magnate Mike Ashley, has said today that it is inviting offers for both the business and the assets belonging [...]
BDO profits jump as partners enjoy pay rise October 7, 2019 BDO has reported a double-digit rise in profit and revenue for the last 12 months, as the accountancy giant ramped up the pressure on its larger under-fire Big Four rivals The beancounter enjoyed its seventh consecutive year of growth after profits rose 26 per cent to £134m and revenues jumped 25 per cent to £578m. [...]
Property of the Week: A modern mews hidden in the heart of the legal district November 8, 2019 London lawyers looking for a pied-a-terre could find their perfect home in this secluded new mews development in the heart of the legal district. Pinks Mews is a Victorian block on Dyers Buildings; a quiet gated street set just behind the hustle and bustle of Holborn. It has just been redeveloped to create 35 luxury, [...]
How do you solve a problem like Wirecard? June 19, 2020 It’s been a wild ride for Wirecard. When the German payments firm premiered on the prestigious blue-chip Dax index just two years ago, shares were priced at €200 apiece. Today, prices hit as low as €20 per share, forcing out chief executive Markus Braun and leaving the future of the digital payments firm in question. [...]
Arcadia loses another director as interim chairman steps down September 4, 2019 Sir Philip Green’s retail empire has lost another director as interim chairman Jamie Drummond Smith stepped down. Drummond Smith quit on 30 August, the same day that chief operating officer David Shepherd retired, according to company filings. Read more: Arcadia COO steps down A former partner at Deloitte and chairman of Cattles, Drummond Smith joined [...]