Mystery banker’s wife loses anti-corruption order appeal in victory for National Crime Agency October 3, 2018 The high-rolling wife of an anonymous banker has been defeated in her push to overturn efforts by the National Crime Agency (NCA) to make her reveal how she was able to afford properties in Britain worth £22m. A High Court judge overturned an attempt by the woman, identified as Mrs A, to block the NCA’s [...]
Head of KPMG South Africa steps down after one year, following corruption scandal October 3, 2018 KPMG South Africa said today it was searching for a new chief executive from outside the company, after its current boss stepped down after just 12 months in the role. The professional services firm has seen its reputation in the country devastated by its involvement in a series of corruption scandals, which have seen it [...]
UK services sector growth slowed in September October 3, 2018 Business activity slowed slightly in September, according to a closely followed measure of services sector activity. The UK services purchasing managers’ index (PMI) hit 53.9 points in September, compared to 54.3 in August, according to figures released today from data firm IHS Markit and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, staying well above the 50-point [...]
Delivery firm DX Group posts positive results as turnaround plan pays off October 2, 2018 Delivery firm DX Group reported slightly better-than-expected revenue in its preliminary annual results today, while at the same time bringing down its losses. Shares climbed 6.5 per cent as the markets opened, complementing the business' nine per cent gain so far this year. The figures DX posted a total revenue of £299.5m in the financial [...]
PwC global chair says firm ‘cannot rest on laurels’ as global revenues pass $40bn October 2, 2018 The global chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has said audit remains “at the heart of what we do”, after global revenues at the professional services giant rose above $40bn (£30.66bn) for the first time despite a series of accounting scandals. Total revenue across PwC’s international network of firms hit $41.3bn, a seven per cent rise in [...]
Corporate services firm Hawksford opens new London office October 1, 2018 Corporate services firm Hawksford has launched a new London office following the acquisition of audit and accountancy practice SH Landes. The New Oxford Street office, which will be led by Steven Landes, demonstrates confidence in London as a global centre for international finance, the company said. Read more: We found dogs and ice cream rotas in [...]
Pressure mounts on the CMA to break up accountancy’s Big Four October 1, 2018 The UK’s competition body has been told to “bare its teeth” and investigate breaking up the Big Four accountancy firms, as it prepares to announce a decision on whether it will investigate the sector. Three senior politicians from across the main parties have called on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to find ways to [...]
Legal Q&A: What is a Section 20 notice of repairs and what can I do if I think the cost is excessive? September 28, 2018 I have just received a section 20 notice relating to some repair works to our block. What does the notice mean and what can we do if we think the cost of the works is excessive? In the circumstances you describe, you will have been served with a Section 20 Notice because your landlord [...]
Gordon Dadds to merge with Ince & Co creating UK’s largest listed law firm September 26, 2018 London law firm Gordon Dadds is in advanced talks to merge with international practice Ince & Co in an acquisition that would create the largest listed law firm in the UK, City A.M. can reveal. The merger will create a business with a combined revenue of more than £114m and 14 offices across the world. Gordon [...]
Recruiter Harvey Nash bucks Brexit fears as profits rise in first half September 25, 2018 Tech recruiter Harvey Nash reported rising profits in its interim results this morning, despite the sector suffering from uncertainty surrounding Brexit negotiations in the UK. Despite the decent results, shares in the company were trading almost one per cent lower early on Tuesday. The figures Gross profit rose 7.2 per cent to £51.7m, while profit before [...]