Surge in investor visa applications from China’s super-rich January 27, 2020 The number of super-rich Chinese individuals applying to live in the UK through an investor visa jumped by a third last year, new figures have revealed. The number of high net worth and ultra high net worth applications rose 32 per cent to 202 in the year to the end of September, up from 153 [...]
Proportion of female partners at finance firms stalls January 27, 2020 The percentage of female partners at financial services partnerships has flatlined at just 14 per cent for the third year in a row amid a lack of scrutiny over diversity. The number of women partners at companies such as private equity firms and hedge funds was 1,356 in 2019, down slightly from 1,369 the previous [...]
Alternative assets investment trust launches £200m UK float January 27, 2020 An investment trust focused on alternative assets and asset managers today outlined plans for a £200m float in London, claiming to offer a new model for investors to access the sector. Cabot Square Alternatives (ALTS) will invest directly in a portfolio of infrastructure, property, and specialist debt, as well as in asset managers managing these [...]
Police to get more anti-drone powers in fresh crackdown January 27, 2020 The government is planning a fresh crackdown on drones, after a number of near misses in the sky. Ministers hope to give police new powers to land, inspect and seize drones under a bill which has its second reading in Parliament today. Drone pilots could also face on-the-spot fines for failing to prove they have [...]
Bank of England urged to hold interest rates January 26, 2020 The Bank of England has been urged to keep interest rates on hold as some City economists are painting a brighter picture for the UK economy thanks to increasing clarity on Brexit and a strong labour market. The report from the EY Item Club comes after official statistics on the UK’s labour market and other [...]
Unlimited visa offer to attract top scientists and researchers January 26, 2020 An unlimited fast-track visa scheme to attract the world’s top scientists and researchers will open in the UK next month. The “Global Talent” route will replace the Exceptional Talent visa. There will be no cap on the number of people able to come to the UK. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) body will join [...]
Boris Johnson set for showdown with US over Huawei decision January 26, 2020 One of Westminster’s most senior MPs has warned on the eve of the Huawei announcement that a deal with the tech giant would “hand control to Beijing”. Tom Tugendhat, who is seeking re-election as chair of the powerful foreign affairs select committee, today said the decision over whether the Chinese firm will be granted a [...]
Goldman Sachs introduces gender quota for floats January 26, 2020 Goldman Sachs will not take a company public unless there is at least one “diverse” candidate on the board. Speaking at Davos last Thursday, the bank’s chief executive David Solomon said: “From a governance perspective, diversity on boards is a very, very important issue.” The push for diversity will be focused primarily on women. Solomon [...]
Addison Lee’s lenders plan to take control of struggling cab firm January 26, 2020 Addison Lee’s banks are set to take control to fend off the threat of an administration. A sale of the taxi operator has ground to a halt because of debts of more than £250m. The Telegraph reported that the firm is looking to finalise a deal with a group of at least eight lenders to [...]
BT executive appointed by government to scrutinise tech regulation January 26, 2020 A senior BT executive will run a new body that looks at regulation in technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Cathryn Ross, the group’s director of regulatory affairs, will chair the government’s new Regulatory Horizons Council, first reported by Sky News. The body, which is still being set up, will scrutinise whether tech regulation is keeping [...]