Tessa Jowell forms business group with former trade minister Mervyn Davies to make London the tech capital of the world July 16, 2015 How can London become the tech capital of the world? That's the question being put to business leaders including former trade minister Mervyn Davies, National Express chairman Sir John Armitt and London Chamber of Commerce chairman Mark Adams today. The group, which has been set up by mayoral hopeful Tessa Jowell, also includes [...]
Tech London Advocates’ Russ Shaw: Why transparency on pay will help, not hinder, London’s tech sector July 15, 2015 The Prime Minister's plans to force firms to publish average salaries of male and female employees has been met with reluctance from many within the private sector but it has kept the spotlight firmly on diversity and talent within British business. Within the technology sector, this continued focus from government and business leaders is [...]
Cisco is making $1bn investment in UK tech including $150m IoT startup venture backing July 9, 2015 Cisco is making a major long-term investment in UK tech with $1bn of investment and the creation of hundreds of jobs. The tech company which already employs 7,000 people in the UK – its biggest market – is also eyeing up acquisitions here, continuing a spree that has seen the company buy up five tech [...]
Optimal Payments share price rockets on optimism over Skrill takeover July 3, 2015 Shares in online payments provider Optimal Payments rocketed by more than 11 per cent this morning, after it told investors the long-awaited reverse takeover of rival Skrill would be complete by the end of the month. Read more: Optimal Payments aims for the main market after Skrill buyout In a trading update issued to the London [...]
Barclays cheque scanning tech leaves other banks in the past July 2, 2015 Barclays customers are ahead of the curve when it comes to financial technology, as the bank’s secure cheque-scanning service was made available to all smartphone customers yesterday. Cheque imaging, which iPhone-owning Barclays clients have been able to use since last year, allows anyone using their banking app to pay a cheque into an account [...]
UK tech sector receives record funding, and it’s largely thanks to London FinTech July 2, 2015 UK technology startups received a record amount of funding in the first six months of the year, according to figures from London & Partners. Read more: It's official – London's the capital of European tech Between January and June, the sector managed to attract almost £900m in venture capital investment, which compares to a [...]
Banco Santander and Monitise partner on a London-based £20m FinTech fund July 1, 2015 One of Europe's biggest banks and one of London's most successful Financial Technology startups are joining forces to invest in technology companies that will disrupt the global financial services sector. Banco Santander and Monitise are partnering on a new fund worth up to £20m that will seek out investments in the burgeoning FinTech sector. The equally [...]
City minister Harriett Baldwin wants financial services to secure economic recovery – but not at the expense of trust June 30, 2015 Economic Secretary to the Treasury Harriett Baldwin said she wants the UK to retain a "globally competitive finance sector", but added that it must also focus on building trust. Financial services are "visibly successful", contributing to economic growth at a high level, she said. Her vision for the sector, however, is for it to play [...]
London FinTech startup Currency Cloud raises $18m series C funding from Rakuten, Sapphire Ventures and other investors June 23, 2015 One of London’s FinTech stars has landed a new round of funding as investors scramble for a piece of London’s booming financial technology sector. Currency Cloud has landed $18m (around £12m) from investors, including ecommerce giant Rakuten, in its latest funding round, just a week after London cemented its status as the tech capital of [...]
Britain’s world-leading financial services industry is more than just the City June 21, 2015 Financial services” does not equal “London”. This is my message overseas – but it is equally important to say it on these shores as well. Like all lord mayors, I speak to and for the whole of the UK’s financial and professional services community – of which London is only a part. Our work is [...]