World Cup office sweepstakes could leave employers facing legal red cards Legal With the World Cup set to kick off on Thursday, many offices across the City will be gearing up to offer employees the chance to participate in competitions – known as sweepstakes – to place informal bets on who might win. Sweepstakes involve participants paying a fee into a cash pot and being randomly assigned [...]
Crispin Odey settles sexual assault claims ahead of trial Lawsuit Former hedge fund tycoon Crispin Odey has settled a string of sexual assault allegations brought against him just weeks ahead of a trial that was due next month. Odey had faced five personal injury claims against him brought by women who accused him of sexual assault. But he has settled four of the claims before [...]
Spare us Zack Polanski and Zohran Mamdani’s empty progressivism Opinion Mamdani’s victory in New York proves it’s time to take Zack Polanski and the Green Party seriously. That means recognising how much their policy platform depends on wishful thinking and fantasy economics, says Eliot Wilson Harold Wilson, perhaps Labour’s wiliest Prime Minister, supposedly coined the phrase “a week is a long time in politics”. It [...]
Regulator struggles to tackle harassment and bullying at City law firms April 16, 2026 It won’t come as a shock to you that City law firms have long struggled with cultures of bullying and harassment, and the regulator is kept out of the loop, argues senior reporter Maria Ward-Brennan. The high-pressure demands placed on lawyers at City law firms have long bred cultures of bullying and harassment. In a [...]
From sick pay to whistleblowing: Sweeping new worker rights take effect April 6, 2026 This week marks one of the most significant shifts in employment regulations in years. From whistleblowing protections to ‘day‑one’ rights for fathers, a series of new costly rights is coming into force that businesses need to be prepared for. The government published a report earlier this year that revealed an estimated direct cost to business [...]
Crispin Odey accused of ‘trying to manipulate’ a woman he assaulted March 25, 2026 Crispin Odey has been accused of “trying to manipulate” a woman into silence, after the financial regulator alleged that the disgraced financier tried to discourage her from giving a full account of her experience with him. In text messages shown in court sent to a woman, Odey said: “Really sorry… the FCA is pursuing a [...]
Crispin Odey tells court sacked receptionist was ‘dismissed for being a flirt’ March 24, 2026 Hedge fund tycoon Crispin Odey took the stand at the High Court in his case against the City watchdog, as he faced questions over his alleged behaviour toward young female employees at his eponymous hedge fund. Odey said he had a “very flirtatious relationship” with one of the women who alleged sexual harassment against him, [...]
Odey described as a ‘sex pest’ by former hedge fund chief executive, court told March 10, 2026 Disgraced hedge fund manager Crispin Odey was called a “sex pest” and a “sociopath” by former Odey Asset Management chief executive, a court was told on Tuesday. Tim Pearey said in an interview with the Financial Conduct Authority: “I think he’s a sex pest I’m afraid… I think he’s got a real problem. “I think [...]
Crispin Odey threatened to ‘shut down’ fund if board tried to oust him March 9, 2026 Crispin Odey threatened to “shut down” his eponymous hedge fund if he was dismissed by its board or it proceeded with investigations into his alleged misconduct against his wishes, a court will be told. Disgraced financier Odey faces the City watchdog at the High Court this week as he seeks to overturn a ruling that [...]
Modernisation and missteps: Lloyd’s of London struggles for a new era February 19, 2026 Lloyd’s of London, one of the world’s largest (re)insurance markets, has faced its fair share of battles in recent years, and one of the biggest fights has been against itself and its old-fashioned ways. Back in 2018, the incoming chief executive, John Neal, had an ambitious mandate: to restore stability and modernise Lloyd’s following a period [...]