Beware fintech’s pivot to China April 12, 2016 Ever since former Barclays chief executive Antony Jenkins declared an ”Uber moment” for banks, the powers that be from the Square Mile to Canary Wharf have rushed to defend themselves against a herd of ambitious fintech unicorns. But if recent collaborations between financial titans and spritely startups are anything to go by, it appears the [...]
Labour is determined to keep pressure on David Cameron over Panama Papers and tax revelations April 11, 2016 Things go from bad to worse for David Cameron. Downing Street spent much of last week avoiding questions over the PM’s connections to offshore funds, before having to concede that he did, in fact, once own shares in his late father’s offshore trust, Blairmore Holdings. Cameron’s critics often reduce his professional experience to having been “a [...]
Panama Papers: Labour is determined to keep pressure on David Cameron – but it’s a deeply cynical move April 11, 2016 Things go from bad to worse for David Cameron. Downing Street spent much of last week avoiding questions over the PM’s connections to offshore funds, before having to concede that he did, in fact, once own shares in his late father’s offshore trust, Blairmore Holdings. Cameron’s critics often reduce his professional experience to having been “a [...]
Why investors shouldn’t ignore the hype about fintech April 11, 2016 Many investors (business angels, venture capital and private equity funds as well as family offices) are participating in fintech, and recognise value creation truly reflective of a “fourth industrial revolution”. However, others are somewhat sceptical and concerned about froth and hype. Either way, what’s interesting is that even the most sceptical aren’t willing to bet [...]
This is the one special ingredient crucial to the UK’s fintech success April 11, 2016 Fintech is booming and London is at the heart of this global community. The Innovate Finance Global Summit at London’s Guildhall today has attracted over 1,200 business leaders, politicians, and pundits from around the world to discuss the big trends in fintech. Here is our perspective on why it’s booming – and why so many people have joined come to [...]
The suicide of the US political elite is a terrifying threat to global stability April 11, 2016 Political risk analysts, like most humans, have a terrible time looking at themselves in the mirror. I remember at one seminar of the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations, we were asked to list the top three political risks in the world. Dutifully, the usual suspects were called upon: global terrorism, Putin’s adventurism, financial meltdown, and [...]
Too often it’s the UK – not Brussels – to blame for the costly burden of regulation April 11, 2016 Everyone remembers the story about the EU imposing new rules on straight bananas. What about Brussels banning double-decker buses? Or more recently, as Boris Johnson found to his embarrassment, the claim that EU regulation prevented children from blowing up balloons? These sometime comedic stories even have their own word: “euromyths”. It is often said that [...]
From infrastructure delays to skills shortages, ebbing business confidence isn’t all about the EU referendum April 11, 2016 For some weeks now, all eyes in Westminster – and most in the City – have been on the EU referendum. Talk has focused almost exclusively on what may happen when the British people make their historic choice to Remain or Leave on 23 June. Yet for many businesses, particularly those beyond the City, Britain’s [...]
Don’t dismiss regulation outright: New measures can be a lifeline for gambling addicts April 8, 2016 The gambling industry has had a hard time lately, with profits suffering with tightening legislation and a number of high profile criticisms from campaigners and the distressed public. But despite the sector's problems, it is fair to say gambling is on the rise – and the traditional British pastime is becoming a life changing addiction [...]
Marks & Spencers has released another set of disappointing numbers – is the new boss the same as the old boss? April 8, 2016 So here we are again. Marks & Spencer has put out another set of dismal results, marking the 17th quarter of clothing sales declines out of 18 at what is the nation’s defining retailer. The story was similar to so many that we’ve heard before: general merchandise was a disappointment (although admittedly, the 2.7 per cent [...]