Think tanks beware: No one knows what you actually do August 8, 2019 In the midst of the Tory leadership contest, City A.M ran a leader entitled The definition of a think tank is up for debate. The article cited research from my firm showing that fewer than four per cent of the population could name a think tank. It also noted studies published by two leading think [...]
City Moves for 8 August – Who’s switching jobs at 11:FS, AlbionVC and Databricks? August 8, 2019 Today’s City Moves includes 11:FS, AlbionVC and Databricks. 11:FS 11:FS, the challenger firm defining and building digitally native financial services through technology, product and design expertise, has announced that Shaun Meadows has joined the firm as chairman. In the newly created role, Shaun will work with the 11:FS board to review company objectives, examine performance [...]
Public mistrust in AI ‘puts UK tech dominance at risk’ August 8, 2019 Public mistrust in artificial intelligence risks setting the UK back in the global tech race, according to a report published today. UK businesses must lead by example and take an ethical approach to the new technology if they are to secure consumer confidence, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) warned. Read more: Google-owned AI firm [...]
Burford left reeling as shortseller takes aim at business August 8, 2019 Shares in London-listed litigation funder Burford Capital crashed 45 per cent yesterday following a scathing report from shortseller Muddy Waters. The incendiary document confirmed that Muddy Waters now holds a short position on Burford, which it described as “a poor business masquerading as a great one”. Read more: Shares crash as short seller Muddy Waters savages [...]
Lyft off: Ride-hailing app makes inroads as it beats expectations August 7, 2019 Uber rival Lyft came in ahead of analyst estimates yesterday, and predicted lower losses for the year. Second-quarter revenue hit a record $867.3m (£714.4m), a 72 per cent increase on the same period last year. Read more: Lyft shares tumble after tough week of trading Meanwhile, the ride-hailing company’s net loss hit $644.2m, up significantly [...]
City grandee Bob Wigley sued over collapse of Yellow Pages-owner Hibu August 7, 2019 City grandee Bob Wigley has been named in a multi-million dollar lawsuit relating to his time as chairman of Yellow Pages-owner Hibu and the company’s collapse in 2013. The lawsuit, which was filed last week in the US, accuses Wigley and other directors and officers of the former FTSE 100 firm of deliberately crashing the [...]
British Airways’ IT glitch rounds off a terrible week for the airline August 7, 2019 British Airways has tonight fixed the IT glitch that led to hundreds of cancelled flights earlier today, but industry experts say the damage to its reputation has already been done. About 117 flights were cancelled at Heathrow and 10 at Gatwick, with hundreds more delayed, leading to frustrated and stranded passengers. Read more: British Airways [...]
Travellers brace for chaos as Ryanair pilots vote to strike August 7, 2019 Airline woes are set to be compounded later this month as Ryanair pilots become the latest to go out on strike over pensions and a host of other issues. Pilots’ union Balpa said this evening it was taking its pilots out on strike on 22 August and 2-3 September. Read more: Heathrow and Unite locked [...]
Rail firms could seek costs after government scraps franchise bidding August 7, 2019 Two train firms could seek to recover costs from the government after it scrapped the bidding process for one of the UK’s largest rail franchises. The Department for Transport (DfT) insists there is no recourse for the rail firms as they enter into the bidding process at their own risk. Read more: Scrapped: Government cancels [...]
Debenhams chairman to step down as restructuring expert appointed chief exec August 7, 2019 Debenhams chairman Terry Duddy is preparing to step down next month as the beleaguered department store’s owners appoint a restructuring expert as its new chief executive. Retail veteran Duddy, who previously ran Argos and Homebase, will leave chief restructuring officer Stefaan Vansteenkiste in charge of the company, Sky News reported. Read more: Debenhams prepares to [...]