London 2012 was the best Olympics ever, says Boris August 13, 2012 MAYOR Boris Johnson added his voice to the chorus proclaiming London 2012 the greatest Olympic Games of all time yesterday, but admitted to relief that the sporting extravaganza had finally drawn to a close. Johnson also lavished special praise on Lord Coe, who led the city’s bid to stage the event and then chaired its [...]
Britain’s business champions cheer on Olympic success August 12, 2012 Sir Richard Branson President, Virgin Group “The Games have gone fantastically well. They’ve provided us with some incredible performances from the likes of Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt, while from a British perspective it’s been wonderful to see our athletes having such a successful Games. Perhaps the most pleasing aspect has been how the vast [...]
The City should take the baton and use London 2012 to boost UK business August 5, 2012 STANDING outside the Olympic Park the day before the opening ceremony, I couldn’t help but feel caught up in the energy and anticipation of what was to come. The grounds are a fantastic sight, and this month provides an opportunity like no other to showcase and celebrate the qualities that put the Great into Great [...]
Even sceptics must now embrace the greatest show on earth July 26, 2012 IT’S TIME for a confession: I haven’t always been the Olympics’ greatest fan. I still dislike the Zil lanes, the disruption to business, the restrictions on free speech, the closure of parks and facilities, the immense cost to taxpayers. But it’s time to move on. Even I am now feeling really excited about the Games [...]
Osborne under fire for lack of reforms July 22, 2012 CHANCELLOR George Osborne yesterday came under renewed pressure to define his economic vision as critics from all sides rounded on the government’s record on promoting growth. Statistics due out on Wednesday are expected to show that the UK economy has shrunk for the third successive quarter, raising questions about the stalling financial recovery. To make [...]
The City must aspire to the Olympian ethos of competitive sportsmanship July 22, 2012 NOW THAT the Olympic Flame is in London – having made a dramatic aerial entrance last Friday, courtesy of the Royal Marines – this is the capital’s moment to shine. The weather forecasters are doing their bit by suggesting we’ll continue to bask in glorious sunshine, and boroughs across London are putting finishing touches to [...]
Virgin hints at casino banking with an arcade July 18, 2012 BRITAIN is on course for the wettest July ever, keeping miserable workers trapped in the office at lunchtime with nothing to do but eat sandwiches at their desks and worry about how the Olympics might affect travel arrangements. But Virgin Money has taken radical action in an effort to raise morale, installing a games arcade [...]
Lord Mayor: City must gets its house in order after Libor crisis July 11, 2012 THE LORD Mayor of the City of London last night issued an impassioned plea for the square mile to get its house in order, as the Libor fixing scandal threatens to escalate. Traders guilty of manipulating the inter-bank lending rate should be firmly punished, Lord Mayor David Wootton said, insisting that the reputation of the [...]
Trust in the City is central to its ability to create jobs and foster growth July 8, 2012 OUR SUCCESS as a global financial centre depends on trust. Recent events have shaken that trust, and we must restore it. It is the responsibility of us all to make the case for the importance of the City to both the British economy and to other economies abroad, both now and in the future. It [...]
Russia’s potential in financial services is a prize the City should unwrap June 24, 2012 IT’S ASTONISHING that you can travel by train from the heart of the City of London right to the Pacific at Vladivostok, crossing nine time zones and an eighth of the world’s landmass on the way. Sadly, the pace of business doesn’t allow such journeys anymore, so I will be taking my business delegation to [...]