Sam Gyimah is the latest MP to join the Liberal Democrats September 15, 2019 Former Tory MP Sam Gyimah has become the latest MP to join the Liberal Democrats. The former Tory leadership hopeful was one of the 21 Tory MPs to have the whip removed for supporting a bill to block a n o-deal Brexit last week, which became law on Monday. Read more: Liberal Democrats to vote [...]
Heathrow exec warns of potential budget bust – and likens expansion to Tottenham Hotspur stadium September 12, 2019 A Heathrow director has likened the airport’s £14bn expansion plan to Tottenham Hotspur’s new football stadium, which ran massively over budget. Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow’s executive director for expansion, said major infrastructure projects were “very challenging to deliver” and that details were “pinned down” far too early in the process. Read more: ‘Massive gravy train: British [...]
City of London U-turns over decision to strip Aung San Suu Kyi of freedom award September 12, 2019 The City of London Corporation has U-turned on an earlier decision to strip Aung San Suu Kyi of her honorary freedom award over her failure to condemn the ongoing violence against the Rohingya people in Myanmar. The Corporation’s freedom applications committee today decided that Suu Kyi’s honorary freedom – the highest honour the Corporation can bestow [...]
M&S launches urban farming scheme in London stores September 12, 2019 Marks & Spencer is launching an “urban farming” scheme in its London stores, the retailer announced yesterday. M&S Food has partnered with Infarm to grow fresh herbs – including basil, mint, parsley and coriander – at its branch in Clapham Junction. Read more: M&S’s FTSE exit is a symbol of its terminal decline The retailer [...]
Uncertainty mounts over Hong Kong stock exchange’s bid for LSE September 12, 2019 Speculation over the London Stock Exchange’s future reached fever pitch today as a £32bn offer from its Hong Kong rival came under fierce scrutiny over regulatory concerns and the possibility of alternative bids. More than $1bn was wiped from the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) during trading as investors reacted to the firm’s proposed [...]
Closing your gender pay gap – some practical steps to take now! September 12, 2019 | Sponsored Knowing your data is a crucial first step to see real change. The annual reporting of corporate UK’s gender pay gap plays an important role in enabling boards to examine their performance and to monitor progress. However, it can be dispiriting for individual employees – particularly women. Every year I hear from Women on Boards’ [...]
Does your diversity strategy deliver? September 12, 2019 | Sponsored The need for greater diversity in leadership is well-established. Companies have teams promoting inclusion; training programmes try to ‘fix’ the minorities; and a myriad of inspiring speeches have been made. But has there been any meaningful impact? Sadly, as the Hampton-Alexander Review shows, progress has been patchy. Whilst there has been a steady increase in [...]
France plans to block Facebook libra in Europe September 12, 2019 France is reportedly planning to block the development of Facebook’s libra cryptocurrency. AFP reported that France will aim to prevent the social media giant expanding its payment project in Europe. Read more: Facebook libra: Could regulators crush Mark Zukerberg’s dream cryptocurrency? Facebook announced the libra project in June this year, saying it will be a [...]
Turn on the floodlights – recruiting for board diversity September 12, 2019 | Sponsored Diversity targets may feel ‘tick box’, but research shows that cognitive diversity improves decision-making. So broadening the talent pool in the boardroom – where the ultimate decisions are made on strategy, ethics and risk – can have an outsize impact on the success and sustainability of an organisation. Historically, getting to the top has been [...]
Why joining a board is good for you – and your employer September 12, 2019 | Sponsored Many people believe non-executive roles are something you do at the end of your career – we disagree! The huge variety of board roles out there – from local charities, to NHS trusts, to dynamic start-ups – require all types of skills and experience. Getting into the boardroom early on brings benefits to you, your [...]