I, Human: Spending on staff more important than robots to harness fourth industrial revolution August 22, 2016 Manufacturers are putting skills ahead of software even as they race to implement new technology to improve productivity, a new survey has found. More than eight in ten manufacturing firms said they would be investing in skills to realise the potential of the so-called “fourth industrial revolution”, according to a survey by trade body the EEF. [...]
New poll claims the skills shortage is crippling the construction industry August 22, 2016 The skills shortage in the construction sector is at “breaking point” according to a new survey of project managers and contractors. Six in ten senior decision-makers in the industry said they believed the quality of their work was suffering due to a lack of experienced staff, while one in ten said low supply of skilled [...]
Brexit and Trump fears push supply chain risk index to three-year high August 22, 2016 Geopolitical risks have spiked to their highest level for three years, threatening to cause widespread disruption for firms that ship goods and people around the world. A quarterly monitor of "supply chain risk", which charts the potential for economic and political threats to upset worldwide trade, has climbed off the back of the UK's vote [...]
Nicholas Clegg retires as chairman at United Trust Bank after 15 years August 22, 2016 United Trust Bank has announced its 80-year-old chairman is standing down after 15 years. Nicholas Clegg, who has worked in banking for almost 60 years, took up his role on United Trust Bank's board when it was acquired by Insinger de Beaufort in 2001. "I have thoroughly enjoyed working with such an extraordinary group of people," said [...]
Brexit boost not here to stay, warns outgoing Baker & McKenzie chairman, as firm reveals profits and revenue growth August 22, 2016 It will be business as usual for lawyers before too long, warned the outgoing chairman of legal giant Baker & McKenzie, despite an uptick in work following the Brexit vote. The figures The firm, which also announced its results today, has reported revenue of $2.62bn (£2bn) for its year to June, up eight per cent on [...]
Small firms want Germany front and centre in Brexit negotiations, finds new research August 22, 2016 The UK's small businesses are keen to keep in touch with their German counterparts following Brexit, research out today has found. The study by PwC, as part of its My Financepartner offering, of 566 SMEs discovered that two thirds (66 per cent) want government to focus on maintaining access to the Single Market for businesses in its negotiations and [...]
Keep calm and carry on: City giants play down Brexit hit August 22, 2016 The City's top financial services firms are keeping calm and carrying on in the face of the UK’s shock vote to leave the European Union, according to new research from accountancy giant EY published today. After tracking every public statement from 232 banks, insurers, asset managers, fintech firms and private equity houses since the vote, [...]
Smaller firms take £4bn hit from suppliers August 22, 2016 The UK's small firms are battling against contract terms with suppliers that have cost them over £4bn in the last three years. New research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has found 2.8m small firms have suffered because of what the FSB calls “unfair” contract terms. Complaints raised by small business owners to the FSB [...]
Yorkshire Water boss took home a £240,000 bonus this year August 21, 2016 Yorkshire water chief executive Richard Flint took home £1.2m for the year through March, including a £240,000 bonus for meeting targets such as building “strong financial foundations” and a reputation as a trusted company. This was down from the £1.47m he was paid the year before. Ray O'Toole, chairman of the remuneration committee, said in the [...]
Deliveroo chief says employment laws are behind the times August 21, 2016 Deliveroo boss William Shu has said the UK's employment laws need updating, after the food delivery startup tried to temper an ongoing dispute with its riders over a new trial pay structure. Shu says he hasn't had contact with government yet over the issue – although it has issued a warning that the firm needs to [...]