Flood Re: What you need to know about the reinsurance scheme that launched today April 4, 2016 It's something of a catch 22 – those who are most in need of a good home insurance policy are often those least able to afford it, thanks to insurers needing to raise premiums to adequately reflect the risk they expose themselves to, or simply refusing to cover some areas at all. That's precisely why government-backed [...]
Premier Foods boss should keep bidders hungry April 1, 2016 Rival international bidders, restive shareholders and conflicting pension deficit assumptions: like all chefs, Gavin Darby is juggling an eclectic mix of ingredients. His company, Premier Foods, home to Mr Kipling, Bisto and Sharwoods, looks tastier than it has for years. A fresh offer from McCormick of the US, worth 65p-a-share, has rightly prompted Darby and his [...]
Earning a crust: With Centrica, Rolls Royce, BHP Billiton and others cutting their dividend, where should investors look for income? March 31, 2016 As central banks have pushed down interest rates, income has become ever harder to find. While returns on cash savings have remained low, dividend-yielding stocks have looked like a source of stability. But now, trouble in the global economy is forcing reliable dividend payers such as Centrica and Rolls Royce to slash their payouts. Companies [...]
Axa chief executive and chairman Henri de Castries steps down as role is split in two March 21, 2016 Axa chairman and chief executive Henri de Castries will retire on 1 September, after 27 years at the group and nearly 17 years at the helm. He is being replaced by two people: Thomas Buberl will take over as chief executive while Denis Duverne will become chairman. The decision to split the role was agreed unanimously at a special meeting [...]
Budget 2016: Here are the reactions to Osborne’s announcements on sugar tax, corporation tax, Insurance Premium Tax, Isas, education and growth prospects March 16, 2016 George Osborne has just announced some Budget surprises – a sugar tax, longer school days – as well as an increase in sin taxes on tobacco, alterations to ISAs and savings, and corporation taxes. Here's what analysts are already saying about the chancellor's latest agenda on… Personal allowance David Kilshaw, private clients services partner, EY [...]
From the Personal Savings Allowance and Dividend Allowance to the Help to Buy Isa, how can savers make the most of their Isa this tax year? March 15, 2016 The world of Isas was once a sleepy one. At every Budget, the chancellor would typically increase the amount you could contribute each tax year by some measure of inflation. You had a simple choice between putting that money into a cash or a stocks and shares Isa (or a slightly restrictive combination of the [...]
City Moves for 11 March 2016 | Who’s switching jobs March 11, 2016 BLM Risk and insurance law business BLM has announced the appointment of abuse claims expert Sharon Moohan. Sharon joins BLM’s abuse claims team having overseen €953m (£743m) of redress payments in her role as sole solicitor for the Irish Residential Institutions Redress Board. The board was set up in 2002 to make fair and reasonable [...]
City of London delays decision over 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper light-blocking row March 10, 2016 Oh dear. It looks like it could take the developers of the City's next big skyscraper at 22 Bishopsgate longer than they hoped to quash a dispute with its shorter neighbours over its looming and potentially light-prohibiting presence. AXA Investment Managers – Real Assets and Lipton Rogers have been locked in a row with its neighbours and campaign groups, [...]
Italian insurer Generali set to name new chief executive this week March 9, 2016 Italian insurer Generali is set to name its new chief executive on Friday. The new appointment will replace Mario Greco, who is moving to take over as chief executive of Zurich Insurance. Two sources close to the matter told Reuters Philippe Donnet, the current head of Generali Italia, is the frontrunner for the role. Read more: Generali boss Mario [...]
City of London poised to step in over 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper “rights to light” battle March 9, 2016 The developers behind City skyscraper 22 Bishopsgate have called on the City of London for help fighting a fierce "rights to light" battle with neighbouring landlords that threatens to derail the scheme. AXA Investment Managers – Real Assets and Lipton Rogers have been locked in a row with its neighbours and campaign groups, who argue that the 62-storey tower overshadows their [...]