Google’s opening a huge new tech hub in London for training the UK in digital skills June 13, 2017 Google is opening the doors to a huge new space in London designed to give the nation training in vital digital skills. The Academy will offer lessons to anyone, from schoolchildren to chief executives, at the 40,000 sq ft space in Victoria with input from Google staff and other industry experts. Read more: The mayor [...]
Tech leaders reject minority government’s immigration policy on the grounds it will undermine the sector June 12, 2017 THREE quarters (74 per cent) of tech professionals in London believe that policies outlined in the Conservative manifesto, if implemented, will restrict access to talent in the UK tech sector and therefore threaten its continued success. The findings are by Tech London Advocates (TLA), an independent network of nearly 5,000 tech experts, leaders and professionals [...]
RBS closes in on £3.6bn settlement over US mortgage bond mis-selling June 12, 2017 Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is close to agreeing a multi-billion pound fine with US authorities over the mis-selling of mortgage bonds, according to reports. Discussions are understood to be at an advanced stage between the state-backed lender and the US Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), according to reports by Sky News. A settlement is [...]
Opinion: Online agents will ultimately lose you money – because they can’t negotiate on your behalf June 12, 2017 The American president and lawyer Abraham Lincoln once stated that ‘a man who represents himself in court has a fool for a client.’ And as any property developer will tell you, other than finding a dishonest estate agent willing to defraud his client, the best way to buy a house for less than it’s worth [...]
Job cuts? No, artificial intelligence and automation will usher in a new wave of roles, IT bosses say June 12, 2017 Widespread job losses will not be a natural consequence of greater use of artificial intelligence (AI) by UK businesses, research released today by telecoms giant BT suggested. In fact, a third of those polled by BT felt AI and automation said the so-called “Fourth Industrial Revolution”, would have the opposite effect: to create more jobs. [...]
Sterling weakens further as government stance on softer Brexit comes into question June 12, 2017 Sterling has suffered further weakness at the start of this week as investors react to the government’s attempts to outline its Brexit stance after a disastrous election for Prime Minister Theresa May. The pound lost as much as a cent against the US dollar to fall below $1.266, approaching the seven-week lows reached early on [...]
From bush-boy to buddhist monk to banker: Michael Dobbs-Higginson June 12, 2017 The early morning is baking. I’m strolling around leafy Chelsea, sweat glistening on my brow, searching for Michael Dobbs-Higginson’s flat. When I arrive, he’s pacing back and forth on the phone, but ushers me into his lounge; a modest and self-effacing room, the decor a shrine to his life of adventure – a vase from [...]
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan wants to make the capital a world leading smart city June 12, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has revealed ambitious plans to tackle climate change in the city with the help of tech startups and make the capital a world leading “smart city”. A new incubator, Better Futures, will help 100 small businesses in the capital with funding and other support to create low-carbon and climate friendly technology. [...]
Insurance sector readies for soaring M&A (merger and acquisition) activity as firms look to spend surplus capital following Solvency II Directive June 12, 2017 A surge in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and share buybacks could sweep Europe’s insurance sector this year, as firms look to put surplus capital to work. According to a survey of chief financial officers conducted by Moody’s Investors Service, low interest rates remained the single biggest worry in the sector. The results gathered opinion in [...]
Uber to adopt Holder Report recommendations following sexual harassment investigation June 12, 2017 Uber is to adopt all recommendations of the Holder Report following a Sunday board meeting, a representative said yesterday, although what this entails will remain under wraps until Tuesday. An investigation into the ride-hailing technology business was launched last year, following employee allegations of sexual harassment and a “bro culture” at the company. Uber’s board [...]