City Matters: How British companies can help Latin America unlock its huge potential May 18, 2014 THE EYES of the world are turning to Brazil as “the beautiful game” returns to its spiritual home next month. This is an exciting time for all the teams involved ahead of the World Cup, but also one filled with major challenges and opportunities – a situation not dissimilar to that facing Latin America as [...]
Big hurrah for the Shangri-Shard May 6, 2014 IF ANYONE was going to get an invite to sleep in the Shangri La following its grand opening yesterday, you’d think it would be Boris Johnson, given his unwavering support of what he dubs the “intergalactic spear” (the Shard to you and I) – but it appears his invite was lost in the post. “I haven’t [...]
City Matters: The booming City cluster is driving growth across the whole of the UK April 27, 2014 SPRING in Britain is in full flow as the May Day bank holiday fast approaches. And this year, the economic news matches the improving weather. A new City of London Corporation report showed just last week that the Square Mile continues to play an important role in London’s ongoing success. The City is forecast [...]
Actor Damian Lewis back in his Homeland April 23, 2014 HOMELAND fans passing the Guildhall yesterday were in for a treat – actor Damian Lewis had stopped by to read a handful of Shakespeare’s sonnets in celebration of the bard’s 450th birthday. The actor revealed his day out in the City certainly wasn’t his first: “My sister was married in the Guildhall church, my mum’s [...]
The Woolf in Mayor’s clothing speaks out April 21, 2014 The Lord Mayor of the City of London tells Elizabeth Fournier how her historic role puts her right at the heart of UK plc THERE’S no such thing as a typical day in the life of the Lord Mayor of the City of London. On the morning that I meet the incumbent Fiona Woolf in [...]
The Lord Mayor brings Twelfth Night back to Middle Temple April 14, 2014 WEALTH management firm Saunderson House managed to bag the best seat in the hall last night at the Lord Mayor’s Fund Shakespeare charity dinner in Middle Temple Hall. The firm was sitting at “Twelfth Night Table” – most apt considering Middle Temple is thought to be the place that particular Shakespeare number was first performed. [...]
City Matters: Why Britain should be watching Italy’s reformist new leadership closely April 14, 2014 THE TURNOVER of Italian governments has been a regular feature of the European political structure for many years. Matteo Renzi’s recent elevation into the Prime Minister’s position has therefore been regarded in some quarters with ennui. He faces formidable challenges – not least questionable support within the Parliament, and attempting to reform the Italian political [...]
City Matters: Why we need to reward the City of London’s hidden talent – for doing good April 6, 2014 FOR THE last three decades, the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards have recognised outstanding corporate community partnerships by businesses across the capital. London is one of the world’s leading financial centres and is home to some of the most innovative and dynamic businesses in the world. Many of these companies utilise the skills and enthusiasm of [...]
London 2030: An optimist’s vision of the next urban renaissance April 1, 2014 LONDON faces acute problems of growth. We are building barely a third as many new homes as we need. Yet there is no credible plan for the other two-thirds. In 17 boroughs, the average rent is more than half the average wage, and the typical first time buyer is 32. Peak congestion is unbearable across [...]
Letters to the Editor – 28/03 – Crossrail 2, Virtual future, Best of Twitter March 28, 2014 Crossrail 2 [Re: London will come to a standstill if we delay Crossrail 2, yesterday] Far from demonstrating a lack of political will on Crossrail 2, the mayor has long been the driving force behind getting this vital project moving. He strongly believes it is critical to boosting capacity and galvanising economic growth, which is [...]