General Election 2015: Cameron says he’s “bloody lively” – but does he need to be? April 27, 2015 David Cameron was in the City this morning, trying to convince small business owners he's on their side, and trying to convince the broader electorate he's passionate about what his party has to offer. The PM has been under pressure in recent days for not showing enough fire on the campaign trail, as the [...]
Neverendum revisited: The break-up of the Union is more likely than ever April 26, 2015 Like some George Romero zombie film sequel, the Scottish question simply refuses to die. As I posited in September last year, the supposedly definitive referendum vote was likely to be anything but that. Rather, Scotland’s status in the Union was more likely to morph into a “Neverendum” – a huge, unsolved, existential distraction that would [...]
It’s crunch time for the UK’s skills shortage: Our politicians must wake up April 26, 2015 Following the launch of the election manifestos, voters will be looking to understand exactly where each party is positioned on key issues from immigration and foreign policy to the NHS. Yet there is one area which still needs particular attention: addressing the UK’s skills shortages. This means making sure that British businesses have the right [...]
Employee wellbeing is as important to the City as the health of its businesses April 26, 2015 In the City, we spend a great deal of time discussing the financial health of our companies and industries, focusing on how it could be improved to ensure their long-term success. Rarely, however, do we pay the same attention to the workers on whose performance that success depends. The City has a unique set of [...]
As HSBC says it could move its HQ, is London’s position as a global financial centre at risk? April 26, 2015 Jason Hollands, managing director at Tilney BestInvest, says Yes. The news that HSBC is to consider moving its head office is a warning shot to voters and policy-makers that London’s pre-eminent position as perhaps the leading global financial centre simply cannot be taken for granted. Yes, it has “natural” advantages, being in a time zone [...]
The outsider myth: How misfits can succeed in a world run by insiders April 23, 2015 Here's a quiz for you. What do Steve Jobs, JK Rowling, Franz Kafka, Marie Curie and Tracey Emin have in common? They’ve all considered themselves to be outsiders: misfits, not belonging to their various social groups. Of course, the current zeitgeist suggests that this is a good thing – an enabler – offering compelling (if [...]
The parties’ deficit plans all miss a crucial element: A clear vision for growth April 23, 2015 If you have been following the election campaign so far, you will have heard all the main parties sign up to cutting the deficit. We have been assured over and over that there are plans to tackle and tame the deficit monster. There have been long-term plans, costed plans, credible plans, sensible plans, and fair [...]
The EU is finally cooling on banker bashing: Lord Hill is the man to thank April 23, 2015 At last, there is a positive sign. After so many years of reputational damage, the financial services industry has been extended an olive branch by its regulatory masters – and it is one that should be grasped. The most encouraging indication in many years that financial services has the opportunity to restore its reputation came [...]
After its PMI figures disappointed in April, is France Europe’s real problem country? April 23, 2015 Anna Stupnytska is global economist at Fidelity Worldwide Investment, says Yes @AnnaStupnytska The tick-down in France’s PMIs this month is likely to be more a reflection of Greece-related uncertainty weighing on confidence, and still-subdued global demand. The fall in Germany’s reading confirms that April’s weakness is broad-based, not necessarily to do with country-specific factors. However, [...]
Why markets shouldn’t necessarily fear a minority government in the UK April 22, 2015 After taking account of polling by Lord Ashcroft in the key 150 marginal constituencies, the opinion polls have been consistently suggesting that no single party will have a clear majority after 7 May (effectively, gaining over 323 seats, given that five Sinn Fein MPs are unlikely to take their seats in the House of Commons). [...]