Uber drops legal appeal against Transport for London’s English language driver tests after changes to exam February 19, 2018 Uber has dropped its opposition to Transport for London’s (TfL) plans to introduce English language tests for drivers after the regulator quietly announced it intends to make changes to the proposed exam. The ride-hailing startup has dropped an appeal in the long-running case in which the High Court last year ruled drivers would have to [...]
Chanel invests in London tech startup Farfetch February 19, 2018 French fashion house Chanel has bought a stake in London-based fashion retail platform Farfetch, as the two companies plan digital projects together. Chanel is set to introduce an “augmented retail” element to its boutiques with the help of Farfetch. This will include elements of ultra-personalisation, using Farfetch’s digital know-how to give insights on customer preferences. [...]
Arsenal scores record £200m shirt sponsorship deal February 19, 2018 Arsenal today signed record-breaking five-year shirt sponsorship deal with Emirates. The extension to Arsenal’s current partnership with Emirates is understood to be worth in excess of £200m, the largest sponsorship deal ever agreed by the Premier League club. Emirates branding will feature across the North London club’s shirts and training kit until the end of [...]
Formula One 2018: Red Bull launches new-look F1 car earlier than usual February 19, 2018 Formula One team Red Bull today unveiled a new look for 2018 – shunning a traditional approach to show their hand as close to the season start as possible. Red Bull’s RB14 car will take to the track at Silverstone today for pre-season filming. The bright red and yellow Red Bull livery against a navy [...]
Brexit latest: British politicians travel to Brussels for Michel Barnier meetings February 19, 2018 The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier will be playing host to two sets of travelling politicians today, seeking to press the case for strong trading links after Brexit. The Brexit Select Committee, chaired by Hilary Benn, will return for another private catch up with the EU’s main representatives, including Guy Verhofstadt as well as Barnier. [...]
Theresa May to woo parents with pledge to tackle university fees February 19, 2018 Prime Minister Theresa May will today launch a major review of higher education, probing the cost to students and telling parents to shake off the “outdated attitude” that university is the only option after school. In a speech in Derbyshire, the embattled leader will challenge the belief that vocational training is only “something for other [...]
As the Brexit negotiations continue, it’s time for the City’s Leave voters to stand up February 19, 2018 Most people working in the City and the broader field of financial and professionals services supported Remain in the June 2016 referendum. There isn’t much City-specific polling to back this up, but since possessing a degree, living in London and working in a profession are all demographic attributes associated with an increased likelihood to have [...]
Big, bold, and bionic: The future of commerical creativity February 19, 2018 Last week, heads turned again in Adland, as Unilever marketer Keith Weed became the latest industry name to threaten Google and Facebook with an advertising boycott. Joining others including P&G’s Marc Pritchard, and two colleagues of my own (The&Partnership’s Johnny Hornby and the IPA’s Paul Bainsfair), Weed called on the Silicon Valley giants to step [...]
City of London investors chronicle efforts to reform Carillion as it headed to liquidation | City A.M. February 19, 2018 Carillion executives are under fire again today with the publication of correspondence detailing how City investors tried to change the direction of the failing firm. As part of the parliamentary inquiry into Carillion’s collapse, investors told MPs of the various corporate strategies they adopted during the contractor’s demise, with some holding onto their stakes and [...]
Exclusive: Firebrand MP Frank Field hopes to lock horns with Sir Philip Green over Arcadia sale February 19, 2018 One of Westminster’s most dogged MPs is hoping to lock horns once again with retail tycoon Sir Philip Green following reports that the former BHS owner is looking to sell his retail empire to a Chinese textiles conglomerate. City A.M. understands Frank Field, the Labour MP who spearheaded the parliamentary investigation into Green’s doomed sale [...]