Tower Hamlets regains its powers two years after corruption scandal March 17, 2017 Tower Hamlets has had most of its powers returned two years after a corruption scandal that saw its mayor, Luther Rahman, removed from office. Today the department for communities and local government (DCLG) said that Tower Hamlets once again has power over awarding contracts and grants. DCLG also removed one of the four government-appointed commissioners that [...]
Big Ben to the Shard: See how London’s skyline has changed (and what could have been) over 100 years March 17, 2017 In 1930 London's tallest buildings included Battersea Power Station, Big Ben and St Paul's. A century later, those buildings will not only be dwarfed by modern icons like the Shard, the Walkie Talkie and the Cheesegrater, but soon-to-appear 22 Bishopsgate and the Mitsubishi Tower. Then there are the towers that could have been – the [...]
Goldman Sachs chief executive Lloyd Blankfein’s pay fell to $22m in 2016 March 17, 2017 Lloyd Blankfein's pay was cut by $1m (£808,000) last year, leaving the Goldman Sachs chief executive with a still sizeable $22m salary. The $22m total includes $2m in cash, a $4m cash bonus and $16m in performance-related stock units. Goldman said its compensation committee had decided to reduce pay for its named executive officers by four to six [...]
Slew of insurance deals are on the cards for 2017 as Solvency II bites March 17, 2017 Dealmaking in the insurance sector will shift into top gear in 2017 as the need to set aside regulatory capital "forces companies to grow or go", according to a report by experts. Nearly all firms (94 per cent) surveyed by accountancy firm KPMG expect to make at least one divestiture during 2017, with the lion's share (84 [...]
George Osborne’s successor Philip Hammond will have a say in whether he can take his new job as Evening Standard editor March 17, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond will play a direct part in the decision made by the government’s Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba) on his predecessor George Osborne’s new role as editor of the Evening Standard. Acoba, the body tasked with scrutinising appointments, will ask relevant government departments for their opinions on whether the new job will [...]
Southeastern gives St Pancras station a cheeky makeover for St Patrick’s Day March 17, 2017 Southeastern Railway said top of the morning to its travellers by cheekily renaming St Pancras International station to St Patrick’s International in honour of the holiday today. Travellers have joined in the festivities across social media, noting the name change across display boards at stations: Railway fun this morning at Canterbury West train station, changing the [...]
House of Fraser is opening champagne bars in stores and getting rid of clothing brands Episode, Therapy, Grey & Willow and Dickens & Jones March 17, 2017 House of Fraser is attempting to reinvigorate its in-store experience by installing champagne bars and trimming the number of clothing brands it offers. The department store, which has spent £90m on store refurbishments in the past two years, is ridding itself of 30 clothing brands. Read more: House of Fraser CEO Nigel Oddy resigns as Christmas trading [...]
The Queen and Oliver Twist movie backers forced to pay back £26m to the taxman in landmark ruling March 17, 2017 The taxman today hailed its victory in a tax avoidance case against partnerships that backed a number of high profile films including The Queen and Oliver Twist. The £26m ruling paves the way for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to go after similar schemes, a decision it estimates could swell its coffers by £286m. British movie makers have [...]
Transport for London (TfL) has updated its walking Tube maps to cover Zone 3 and National Rail stations March 17, 2017 Transport for London's (TfL) walking maps have just become even handier. The indispensable guides to walking times and steps between stations have been expanded and now encompass Zone 3 and National Rail stations. So they're the ideal tools for when a Tube strike is on the horizon and you need to scope out other options. Read [...]
South East business leaders urge government to commit to Crossrail 2 as a project of “national importance” March 17, 2017 Business leaders, including the bosses of Heathrow and Gatwick airports, have urged the government to make Crossrail 2 a priority and enable "rapid progress" on the project. A group of more than 70 leaders from across the South East have written to chancellor Philip Hammond and transport secretary Chris Grayling, saying the infrastructure project is of "national importance". [...]