Close Brothers’ securities division helps to offset coronavirus impact May 22, 2020 A strong performance in Close Brothers Group’s securities division partially offset the impact of the coronavirus on the banking group in the third quarter. Winterflood Securities experienced a substantial increase in trading volumes since the coronavirus outbreak. The figures In Close Brothers’ banking division, the loan book reduced slightly in the third quarter. It decreased [...]
Future’s profit jumps 77 per cent as consumers turn to online publications May 22, 2020 Publishing group Future has reported a 77 per cent increase in profit in the first half of the year, as consumers turned to its digital offering amid the coronavirus crisis. The company had a record-breaking 329m online users in March 2020, as global lockdowns upended traditional distribution. The figures Adjusted operating profit for the six [...]
More than three quarters of RBS staff set to work from home until at least September May 21, 2020 More than 50,000 of RBS’ staff will continue to work from home until at least the end of September. The decision to keep more than three quarters of the bank’s workforce at home for the next four months was revealed in an internal memo, first reported by the Guardian. It will then be reviewed again [...]
NHS workers begin coronavirus hydroxychloroquine trial May 21, 2020 Healthcare workers are taking part in a University of Oxford-led trial of two anti-malarial drugs, including hydroxychloroquine, to see if they can prevent Coronavirus. The “Copcov” study will involve more than 40,000 frontline healthcare workers from Europe, Africa, Asia and South America to determine if chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are effective in preventing Covid-19. The trial [...]
TheCityUK appoints former MP to head up public affairs and policy May 21, 2020 Former MP Emma Reynolds will join industry body TheCityUK as its new managing director of public affairs, policy and research, as the industry grapples with the coronavirus crisis. The former Wolverhampton North East MP will join the organisation on 15 June, and will have to navigate the pandemic as well as Britain’s departure from the [...]
Monzo co-founder Tom Blomfield steps down as chief executive May 21, 2020 Monzo co-founder Tom Blomfield is stepping down as chief executive of the challenger bank to take up the role of president. Blomfield will take up the newly created role of president meaning he’ll be stepping back from the day to day operational running of the bank. Monzo’s US chief executive TS Anil will take over [...]
AJ Bell’s revenue jumps 22 per cent as investors take advantage of market volatility May 21, 2020 AJ Bell has reported a 22 per cent increase in revenue after it saw record numbers of new customers flock to the investment platform amid the market volatility. The figures Revenue increased 22 per cent to £60.9m, with profit before tax up 28 per cent to £22.7m in the six months to 31 March. Total [...]
Investec takes £105m hit to profit as coronavirus affects trading income May 21, 2020 Investec has said the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its operating profit of the year was £105m, as trading income fell 7.5 per cent. The figures Investec’s adjusted operating profit for the full year was 16.8 per cent behind the prior year, at £608.9m. Adjusted operating profit from continuing operations of £419.2m was 24.1 [...]
David Attenborough documentary spurred on appetite for ESG investment May 20, 2020 British investors have opted for ESG funds over the last three years more than any other category of investment fund, according to Calastone’s latest figures. The appetite for a more sustainable and ethical approach to investing came in the autumn of 2017, which coincided with the release of David Attenborough’s Blue Planet 2 documentary. Little [...]
Government doubles investment for coronavirus startups May 20, 2020 The government has doubled its investment to support startups borne out of the coronavirus crisis. Business secretary Alok Sharma has today announced the government is doubling investment in the Fast Start Competition to £40m. The programme was launched in April and is being managed by Innovate UK. It is part of a £211m investment package [...]