DEBATE: Should companies use tracking software to monitor their staff? March 9, 2020 Following the Barclays scandal, should firms use tracking software to monitor their staff? YES, says Jasmit Sagoo, senior director and head of technology UK and Ireland at Veritas Technologies Monitoring is not the same as “spying”. In most cases, it is businesses being obliged to track activities for compliance — and it’s almost always better [...]
Gender on the agenda: There is still a long way to go March 9, 2020 It might come as a surprise to some that we have been celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) for over a century now. Since the 1900s, we have been fighting to forge a gender-equal society, where a woman’s achievements are valued as much as those of men. Women and girls represent half of the world’s population [...]
On the brink of a pandemic, does your firm need a plan? March 9, 2020 Time magazine has described the outbreak of coronavirus across the globe as the “world’s largest work-from-home experiment”. With many Chinese businesses forced to close down to prevent further spread of the virus, it no surprise that the World Economic Forum suggests global pandemics cost the world $570bn every year. It is not just viruses that [...]
Sequoia crypto fund Paradigm makes first Europe investment with London startup Argent March 9, 2020 A cryptocurrency-focused fund backed by unicorn investor Sequoia Capital has led a $12m (£9.2m) funding round for digital wallet startup Argent. Paradigm has now joined Silicon Valley stalwart Index Ventures, Creandum and Firstminute Capital — who also participated in the round — as Argent’s newest backer. The series A investment also marks Paradigm’s first investment [...]
Neil Woodford in talks with investors as he plots comeback March 7, 2020 Neil Woodford and a number of colleagues from Woodford Investment Management (WIM) are in talks with investors about snapping up a number of the fallen fund manager’s old investments. Woodford has held talks with institutional and wealth managers in recent weeks about creating a vehicle to buy back some of the unquoted WIM stakes, according [...]
Meet the influential women building the future of Britain March 6, 2020 | City Talk With International Women’s Day on the horizon, we celebrate some of the UK’s most influential women, and how their contributions are shaping the future of the nation. It’s been over a month since the UK entered the transitional period between leaving the EU and confirming a final deal with Europe. Although the pound has remained [...]
What will Rishi Sunak’s Budget mean for personal taxes? March 6, 2020 | City Talk With a commitment to leave rates for income tax, national insurance and VAT unchanged, the new Chancellor may be looking for other areas to raise tax in March’s Budget – possibly in capital gains tax and inheritance tax. In addition, the Conservative Party manifesto contained commitments to “review and reform” entrepreneurs’ relief (ER) as well [...]
DEBATE: Is International Women’s Day an outdated concept? March 6, 2020 Is International Women’s Day an outdated concept? Sarah Hawkins, client director at StormBrands, says YES. International Women’s Day (IWD) has a branding issue. The day lacks a clear purpose, story, and identity. What is it for? Who are the figureheads? What are their credentials? The official website totally lacks provocation and tone of voice. Follow [...]
City watchdog outlines tougher climate change disclosures for top firms March 6, 2020 The UK’s top listed firms must disclose how their business is affected by climate change using globally-agreed guidance or explain why they cannot, under proposals outlined today by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Under the plans, firms with a premium listing would have to either make climate-related disclosures in line with the approach set out [...]
Bob Diamond appoints ex-Barclays colleague Rich Ricci to lead Panmure Gordon March 6, 2020 Bob Diamond has hired his former right-hand man from his time at Barclays to head up loss-making stockbroker Panmure Gordon. Diamond appointed Rich Ricci as chief executive of London-based Panmure, which he acquired two years ago. The former Barclays boss will be reunited with 56-year-old American investment banker Ricci, who ran the old Barclays capital [...]
