Bitcoin: Banks are worryingly complacent about the coming digital currency storm January 25, 2016 The financial services industry is dangerously complacent in its approach to digital money. Some of the major banks almost look like they fear technological change that promises greater transparency, efficiency and security at a lower cost. Too many industry players and regulators have spent more time shutting down innovations than driving them. Barclays, Chase, Westpac [...]
Can your boss spy on your personal emails at work? January 25, 2016 Alarming headlines have appeared in the media recently, suggesting that bosses can now spy on their workers’ private emails with impunity. This worrying news follows a judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). But is it really a “snooper’s charter” for employers? What’s it all about? The case before the ECHR concerned a [...]
Finance jobs in London expected to increase in first half of 2016 but executives already worried about skills shortages January 25, 2016 The capital is likely to see a rise in jobs on offer during the first half of 2016, but executives are already fretting over how to find the right calibre of finance staff to fill their vacancies. According to research released today by specialist recruiter Robert Half, 63 per cent of finance executives in London and [...]
FTSE 100 non-executive directors sees lowest levels of fee growth for more than 15 years, rising just three per cent to £65,000 January 25, 2016 Generous pay packets in the boardroom could be set to become a thing of the past, as a new report has found that fees for non-executive directors have grown at their slowest rate for more than 15 years. According to research out today from PwC, the median non-executive director base fee increased by three per cent [...]
PwC acquires Edinburgh-based consultancy Praxism UK to strengthen its cyber security offering January 25, 2016 Professional services firm PwC has today announced that it is acquiring consultancy Praxism UK to strengthen its cyber security offering. The Edinburgh-based consultancy company was founded in 2008 and specialises in identity and access management. Praxism's 13 employees, along with the company's founder and director Derek Gordon, will mostly be joining PwC's Edinburgh office, although one specialist will [...]
Oil price fall set to drag down UK dividends January 25, 2016 The collapse in oil and commodity prices took its toll on UK dividends last year as companies began to feel the bite of the price slump, with the worse expected in 2016. While oil multinationals are expected to maintain payouts, smaller producers with weaker balance sheets have slashed their distributions, according to the latest dividend [...]
Rip out four in five traffic lights to boost British economy, says Institute of Economic Affairs January 25, 2016 The government should scrap four in five traffic lights to boost the economy and improve road safety, an influential think tank has argued. In a new paper out today, the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) claims a “huge proliferation in traffic regulations over the past 20 years has imposed a heavy burden” on the UK economy, [...]
Twitter to lose three execs as media chief, product VP and engineering head stand down January 24, 2016 Three Twitter executives will be stepping down tomorrow, at a turbulent time in the social media company's fortunes. Media head Katie Jacobs Stanton, product VP Kevin Weil and engineering head Alex Roetter are all departing the company, according to technology news website Re/code, citing sources. Neither Stanton nor Weil has secured a new job yet [...]
Oil price swings expected to continue as market sends mixed messages January 24, 2016 The oil price is expected to remain volatile throughout trading this week after recording massive swings over the last week. Supplies remain high around the world as analysts continue to slash their outlook on the oil price, though industry leaders have remained bullish on a price rise. The oil price staged its biggest two day [...]
PwC’s senior staff swap bean counting for beanstalks in this year’s pantomime January 24, 2016 The festive season may be behind us, but folks at PwC seem to only just be getting into it after launching the firm’s pantomime tour last week. Over 100 staffers swapped bean counting for treading the boards, kicking off a UK tour of Jack and the Beanstalk to celebrate 30 years of the firm’s annual [...]