China orders Deloitte to investigate PowerPoint whistleblower claims February 11, 2021 China’s Ministry of Finance has asked Deloitte to conduct an internal investigation after an employee circulated a 55-page PowerPoint presentation that alleged accounting violations at the Big Four firm. The anonymous employee sent the presentation to every Deloitte employee’s email, citing incidences involving listed companies around the world and China’s own RYB Education. The presentation [...]
Ex-FCA chief Woolard nabs leadership role at EY February 11, 2021 Chris Woolard, the former interim chief executive at city regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has nabbed a leadership role at EY. Woolard will join the Big Four firm in April to lead its EMEIA financial services regulatory capabilities, and chair the EY Global Financial Services Regulatory Network. He will replace John Liver, who currently [...]
KPMG UK chair steps down after telling staff to ‘stop moaning’ February 10, 2021 KPMG UK chairman Bill Michael is stepping aside amid a probe into alleged comments made during an online meeting with consultants. On Monday, the Financial Times first reported Michael told consultants to “stop moaning” about working conditions during the pandemic. He reportedly told staff to stop “playing the victim card”. The chairman apologised saying: “I [...]
Exclusive: Brexit hit to London may top £9.5bn a year without EU financial services deal February 10, 2021 As the heart of the UK's service sector economy, London is in line to lose up to £9.9bn a year if a post-Brexit deal on financial services doesn't protect the City, new research out this morning finds.
U.S law firm Armstrong Teasdale buys Kerman & Co in London expansion February 10, 2021 U.S law firm Armstrong Teasdale has bought City law firm Kerman & Co, adding 50 lawyers to the American firm. Kerman & Co, which is based in The Strand, specialises in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, commercial and intellectual property, litigation, employment and immigration, sports and entertainment and real estate. “We have [...]
KPMG chairman ‘sorry’ for telling staff to ‘stop moaning’ about working conditions February 10, 2021 KPMG UK chairman Bill Michael has apologised after telling consultants to “stop moaning” about working conditions during the pandemic. In a virtual meeting on Monday, members of KPMG’s consulting team told Michael they were worried about potential cuts to pension contributions, pay and bonuses, the Financial Times first reported. They also raised concerns about the [...]
Disgruntled client ordered to pay law firm £25,000 over Trustpilot review February 9, 2021 A man who left an angry review of a legal firm on Trustpilot has been ordered to pay £25,000 in damages after a judge ruled he had committed libel. Philip James Waymouth hired Summerfield Browne to represent him in a dispute concerning the enforcement of a court order, paying a fixed fee of £200. Waymouth [...]
Astia launches $100m venture fund for growth companies with women at the helm February 8, 2021 Astia has launched a $100m early-stage venture fund that will invest globally in high-growth companies that have at least one woman in an executive, equity-holding position. The fund was created to help to address the disparity in funding for companies that include women in founding or executive roles. Mastercard is the fund’s main investor. Astia [...]
HIG joins private equity pack circling KPMG’s restructuring arm February 8, 2021 HIG Europe has joined a pack of private equity bidders vying to buy the UK restructuring arm of KPMG. HIG is one of four parties shortlisted to acquire the business, which was put up for sale last year, Sky News first reported. It is understood Intermediate Capital Group is another private equity business interested in [...]
Begbies Traynor buys chartered surveyors as acquisition spree continues February 8, 2021 Professional services firm Begbies Traynor has bought London-based chartered surveyors Hargreaves Newberry Gyngell (HNG), in a deal worth £1m. HNG employs 13 staff, who will all integrate with Eddisons, Begbies Traynor’s property advisory and transactional services division. The acquisition is for an initial cash consideration of £0.4m on a cash free, debt free basis. Contingent [...]