Battle begins over future of the press November 29, 2012 THE BATTLE lines for a parliamentary row over press freedom were drawn yesterday, after David Cameron rejected the central recommendation of the Leveson inquiry and said he had “serious concerns” about introducing legislation to support press regulation. The combative stance was welcomed by the newspaper industry but means Cameron will now be pitted in a [...]
Critics hit out at Leveson’s plans for press November 29, 2012 BUSINESS leaders and industry bodies warned against government interference in the press yesterday, and urged the newspaper industry to take the initiative in creating a new regulatory framework. Shares in paper owners News Corp, Daily Mail & General Trust, and Johnston Press also rose following Lord Justice Leveson’s report despite worries over state regulation, signalling [...]
The City needs partners to strengthen its place in Europe’s single market November 25, 2012 UNCERTAINTY over the future of Europe, and to an extent Britain’s role within it, continues to dominate the agenda, even as the latest summit in Brussels wraps up. Clearly there are strong views on both sides of this debate in the Square Mile. But – regardless of whether you are a eurosceptic, europhile or something [...]
Beer, oysters and rugby chat November 22, 2012 TO the refined setting of the Mansion House for the Guinness and Oyster Luncheon yesterday. The annual boozy lunch, which raises funds for the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People, is now in its 47th year and firmly penned into all City social calendars worth their salt – or, perhaps more appropriately, vinegar or tabasco. [...]
Desmond the cosy neighbour November 18, 2012 YOUVIEW chief executive Richard Halton may not have anticipated that moving into the Northern & Shell building would involve such frequent visits from the man who heads up one of the firm’s partners, and landlord of the building. The Capitalist hears that Desmond, who owns Channel 5, has taken advantage of the proximity, and often [...]
Cameron heaps praise on City’s contribution to the UK economy November 12, 2012 DAVID Cameron cheered the central role the City plays in the UK economy, in a wide-ranging speech to the Lord Mayor’s banquet last night. The Prime Minister highlighted the huge contribution the City makes through taxes, trade and employment – though he lamented “utterly terrible mistakes” made and promised to crack down on law-breaking, boost [...]
Lord Mayor’s flotilla is back on the river November 11, 2012 THIS weekend saw the annual Lord Mayor’s Show grace the City yet again. Thousands gave the warmest of welcomes to the 685th Lord Mayor of London, Roger Gifford, on his first full day in office. Gifford is UK head of Swedish bank SEB. He officially took over the mayoral role from the much-loved Lord Mayor [...]
The new lord mayor’s message: Social and financial returns go hand in hand November 11, 2012 IN THE 35 years since I first started working in the Square Mile, I have seen many things change. But one constant over this period is that the success of our financial services industry continues to be dependent on the concept of service. In other words, the City must serve society rather than the other [...]
The Lord Mayor’s Show: A celebration of commerce and military discipline November 8, 2012 COMMERCE and peace do best together. In her history of trade and culture in the Renaissance, Worldly Goods, Lisa Jardine points out that, within days of the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the Genoese sent ambassadors to negotiate their continued right to trade within the Ottoman Empire. The work that commerce still does today to [...]
Canaccord boys trade their toys November 6, 2012 BROKERS at Canaccord Genuity have been out on the road the past couple of weeks, working on a bond issuance for lorry company Stobart Group. As part of the roadshow the firm hosted a “truckers’ breakfast” at its London office yesterday, dishing out bacon sarnies and coffee to those who attended. They were also handing [...]