Bitcoin and central banks? Cryptocurrency role “far from clear” but “pressing” says Bank of International Settlements September 18, 2017 “The role of central banks in cryptocurrencies is “far from clear”, the Bank of International Settlements has said, with risks such as security hard to quantify. But the issue of whether a central bank should issue a digital alternative to cash is “pressing” in light of countries such as Sweden moving closer to becoming a [...]
E-learning business Learning Technologies Group is looking smart as revenues rocket September 18, 2017 Learning Technologies Group (LTG) has seen its share price climb at the open, as the e-learning business posted an impressive increase in revenues. The numbers The group’s revenues rose 68 per cent in the first half of the year compared to a year prior, to £21.5m. Organic revenue hit £17.6m, up 33 per cent, while [...]
Impax Asset Management acquires Pax to expand its sustainable investment strategy September 18, 2017 Aim-listed sustainable investment group Impax Asset Management has today announced it will acquire US firm Pax World Management, to create an investment manager with £10.3bn in assets under management. London-headquartered Impax will initially pay $52.5m (£38.7m) for New Hampshire-based Pax, with another $37.5m due in 2021, subject to Pax’s performance. Read more: The Alchemist owner [...]
Transport for London quietly increased the cost of Uber’s licence to operate in the capital September 18, 2017 Uber’s cost of operating in London is set to rise even further after the transport regulator pushed forward with new plans that are set to add nearly £1m to its bill. Transport for London is now planning to charge a maximum fee of £2.9m for the largest mincab firms to operate in the capital, it [...]
A decade on from Northern Rock, it’s time to ask: why do we never learn from crisis? September 18, 2017 Boards and executives alike argue that each time a crisis comes along, this time it’s different. That may be so, but customers are more likely to see the latest crisis as just another example of financial services companies not getting their act together. Ten years on from the devastating run on Northern Rock in the [...]
City of London Corporation tells Liberal Democrats to get behind Heathrow expansion amid fresh jitters over delays September 18, 2017 The City has issued a rallying cry to MPs to push ahead with Heathrow airport’s expansion, warning that delays could hamper financial and professional services firms’ ability to do business globally. The City of London Corporation today urged the Liberal Democrats, whose party conference is currently underway, “to not stand in the way of Heathrow [...]
Read: Letter in full telling Boris Johnson off over his £350m NHS Brexit claim from UK statistics authority’s Sir David Norgrove September 17, 2017 Boris Johnson has been slapped down by the UK’s statistics watchdog after claiming that the UK would benefit from an extra £350m a week after leaving the EU that could be used by the NHS. Read more: Boris accused of “back-seat driving” Brexit by top minister The controversial claim was famously made originally by the [...]
Amazon tests one-hour fashion delivery from catwalk to doorstep at London Fashion Week with Nicopanda September 17, 2017 Amazon has tested out delivery of the hottest fashion items to people’s doors in just one hour during London Fashion Week. The designer who styled Lady Gaga’s famous meat dress, Nicola Formichetti, has partnered with the tech giant to get his Nicopanda line from the catwalk to the doorstep almost immediately. Read more: The UK’s [...]
EasyJet submits offer to acquire part of insolvent Air Berlin September 15, 2017 Budget airline EasyJet has this afternoon announced a proposal to take over parts of Air Berlin’s short haul business. EasyJet submitted the suggestions to the firm overseeing Air Berlin’s insolvency, saying they were “consistent with EasyJet’s focused, city-based strategy in Germany”. Read more: Air Berlin plans to agree asset sale deals with at least two [...]
What needs to change about housing policy by UK property professionals ahead of party conference season September 15, 2017 Katherine McCullough, development director at Merchant Land “During the political party season, I would like to see some attention given to reviewing what Osborne’s stamp duty reforms have achieved and ideally, to have them reversed in order to help stimulate the housing market at the top end. It would also be encouraging to hear discussion [...]