Infrastructure chief Lord Adonis quits post over Theresa May’s handling of Brexit December 30, 2017 Influential peer Lord Adonis has quit his post as an infrastructure adviser, saying that the government has become too aligned with Ukip over Brexit. Adonis was head of the government’s National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), but has told Theresa May that Brexit is preoccupying Whitehall, and that she is not focused on other political issues. Read [...]
Opinion: Many criticise London’s rapid regeneration but there’s lots to admire, too November 14, 2016 The changing residential landscape across London is sometimes met with disapproval and resentment. Gentrification can be a symbol for negativity, with many arguing that neighbourhoods lose their character and soul as a result. However, what I have seen as a long-term resident in Hackney, a borough that’s often held up an example of gentrification, is [...]
Direct Line rings in the changes by poaching Prudential risk chief as new finance head September 8, 2017 Insurer Direct Line has nabbed a top executive from Prudential to be its new finance chief. Penny James will succeed John Reizenstein as Direct Line’s chief financial officer, formally starting the job in March next year. James is currently the Pru’s chief risk officer, having previously worked in a number of positions in the insurance [...]
New homes: Property going on sale this weekend in Hackney, Croydon, Hampstead, Stratford and Elmswater January 18, 2018 New developments on the market this week Hampstead Reach, Hampstead From £999,000 Admirers of Hampstead’s Arts and Crafts-style mansion blocks may be interested in these 39 new one and two bedroom apartments in a private courtyard. Set across three and four storey buildings, there are two show homes appealing to young families and downsizers that [...]
Tottenham won’t sell stars like Harry Kane this summer, vows chairman Daniel Levy January 11, 2018 Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has moved to reassure fans that they will resist any offers from Europe’s biggest clubs for record-breaking marksman Harry Kane this summer. Kane’s relentless goalscoring has made the England striker one of the game’s hottest properties and Real Madrid, who paid £85m to prise Gareth Bale from White Hart Lane in [...]
An investment to hold when volatility strikes? March 7, 2018 Funds in the Targeted Absolute Return sector aim to produce positive returns in a variety of market conditions through using sophisticated investment techniques such as short selling (profiting when prices fall). They generally aim to make modest yet consistent gains with smoother performance than traditional funds; admirable objectives that resonate with many investors, but there [...]
YO! Sushi rolls up deal to acquire 600-branch Bento Sushi for £59m November 20, 2017 British sushi chain YO! Sushi has acquired Bento Sushi, the second-largest sushi chain in North America for $100m Canadian dollars (£59m). The acquisition forms one of the biggest sushi companies outside of Japan, combining Bento’s 600-strong portfolio of sushi bars across the US and Canada with YO!’s 97 owned or franchised restaurants worldwide. Combined sales [...]
Property of the week: Serena Rees Agent Provocateur CEO’s house in Cumberland Terrace, Regent’s Park, goes on sale for £14m December 8, 2017 If you’re running out space in your socks drawer, there’s sure to be plenty of space for your unmentionables in the home of Serena Rees, the co-founder of luxury lingerie brand Agent Provocateur. Cumberland Terrace, Regent’s Park, £13.95m (Click or tap on the images to see them in full screen) The self-contained basement studio The [...]
Editor’s Notes: The City has its Brexit optimists – are they complacent or correct? February 2, 2018 This week I attended a small dinner at which some of the most significant financial institutions in the City were represented. Over the course of the evening, and to my surprise, it became clear that all but one of the 12 guests was an enthusiastic Brexiteer. Many of them worked at companies whose public interventions [...]
Oaknorth’s founder is banking on challenging incumbent lenders February 14, 2018 Entrepreneurs are often as grateful for the opportunities that don’t come to fruition as those that do. Take Rishi Khosla: he started his first business with so little capital (he and his business partner, Joel Perlman, had just £40k to invest between them), that frugality became part of its DNA. For three years, he and [...]