Former chancellor George Osborne set for role at world’s biggest asset manager, BlackRock January 20, 2017 Former chancellor George Osborne is set to take a job at BlackRock, the world’s biggest asset manager. The company has announced Osborne will join as a part-time senior advisor to the BlackRock Investment Institute, a research arm of the asset manager. Osborne will start on 1 February with a role focused on European politics, China's economy, [...]
Trump’s energy pick has changed his mind on climate change, but says fighting it shouldn’t cost jobs January 20, 2017 Rick Perry, soon-to-be President Donald Trump's pick for the US Energy Department, has said he now believes climate change is a real issue but fighting it shouldn't cost the US jobs. Trump named oil industry cheerleader Perry as his energy pick in December, and yesterday his three-and-a-half hour confirmation hearing before the Senate was one of [...]
What we can learn from Martin McGuinness’ journey from paramilitary to political leader January 20, 2017 The messages of support for Martin McGuinness as he quits the world of politics show how much of a turnaround the former Northern Irish deputy first minister has made. McGuinness’ past as an IRA member is well-known – and is neither forgiven nor forgotten – but during his tenure as one of Northern Ireland’s leading politicians [...]
Looking for a new way to Make America Great Again? Here are some merchandise highlights from the Trump campaign shop January 20, 2017 It's Donald Trump's inauguration day – and what better way to celebrate than by moseying down to the Trump campaign store and picking up a bargain? The store features the usual sweatshirts and bumper stickers (this is the US, remember), as well as that iconic red hat. But if the Trump fan in your life already [...]
Philip Hammond calls for maximum trade access to EU for the UK after Brexit January 20, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond has called for the UK and the European Union to maximise trade access through a "suite of free-trade agreements" to avoid economic harm to both parties. He also said highly skilled immigration will not be limited. Hammond said he thinks there is a "shared ambition to get to an end state arrangement that will mean [...]
These are the executive actions Trump has planned for his first days in office January 20, 2017 All eyes are on America today as the US President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Trump is set to be sworn in during an inauguration ceremony that kicks off at 4:30pm (11:30am in Washington DC), and aides say he has plans to get to work right away on issues that spearheaded his campaign, like immigration and the [...]
Editor’s notes: Brexit debate has given us some tragic and hilarious voices January 20, 2017 Plenty of column inches are devoted to hard economic and policy analysis of the unfolding Brexit debate – including plenty in this paper. So today I’m going to indulge in a more light-hearted approach to the topic, and will instead take a look at the people who entertain me the most in these bold new times. [...]
Britain’s investors have a responsibility to help close society’s divides January 20, 2017 I feel a touch fortunate that my Davos debut has come during such a fascinating period of change. The World Economic Forum’s annual gathering in Switzerland, which ends today, has long opined on the state of political, social and economic affairs. Discussions this week have seemed to possess an elevated sense of urgency. At the [...]
Trump the brash succeeds Obama the failure, but the inauguration itself is a thing of beauty January 20, 2017 Don't drag your feet on the way out, Mr President. Even in these uncertain times, the fear of what comes next can’t sugar-coat the agony of what came before. No doubt we’ve all been charmed by President Obama these past few months. Our awareness of who is to follow, combined with the more easy-going nature of [...]
Theresa May and Philip Hammond stick up for the City in Davos after banking job threats over Brexit January 19, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May and her chancellor Philip Hammond came out fighting at Davos yesterday following reports that London’s banking sector faces job losses in the wake of Brexit. Ahead of a crunch meeting between May and global investment banking bosses including Lloyd Blankfein, German newspaper Handelsblatt said that Blankfein’s bank – Goldman Sachs – could [...]