City Moves for 22 August – Who’s switching jobs at Blue Prism, Dixa and HSBC Global Asset Management? August 22, 2019 Today’s City Moves includes Blue Prism, Dixa and HSBC Global Asset Management. Blue Prism Robotic process automation firm Blue Prism has announced that veteran enterprise software executive Eric Verniaut has joined chief operating officer. Eric has almost 30 years of experience in technology, specifically in enterprise software, professional services and solution sales. He will take [...]
Watchdog urges consumers to make PPI claims as deadline looms August 22, 2019 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is urging consumers not to leave making PPI claims to the last minute ahead of next week’s deadline. Figures released by the FCA show a total of £340.4m was paid to consumers who had complained about being mis-sold PPI in June, taking the total paid out since 2011 to £36bn. [...]
London’s demand for emerging tech skills could create a North–South divide August 22, 2019 London has more demand for those with emerging technology skills than ten other UK cities combined, new research has found. The UK currently has 422,000 professionals with skills in emerging technologies including data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum computing. Of those professionals, 37 per cent (155,000) are based in London, according to research by [...]
Deutsche Bank clamps down on hiring amid €7.4bn restructuring August 21, 2019 Deutsche Bank is tightening its procedures for new hires as it undergoes a major restructuring and headcount reductions. According to an internal memo seen by news agency Reuters, any new hires would need specific approval from the bank’s chief executive Christian Sewing, his deputy Karl von Rohr and finance boss James von Moltke. Read more: [...]
US Fed minutes show bankers debated cutting interest rates more aggressively August 21, 2019 The US Federal Reserve debated cutting interest rates more aggressively at its last meeting amid concerns about a global economic slowdown and trade tensions. The Fed cut rates by 25 basis points at its 30-31 July meeting, with minutes published today showing central bankers were keen to avoid the appearance of being on the path [...]
Merkel: I can see possibilities for a Brexit solution August 21, 2019 German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she sees “possibilities” for a solution to the deadlock over the Irish backstop, paving the way for a Brexit deal. Speaking this evening ahead of bilateral talks with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Merkel told reporters: “I see possibilities [to solve the backstop impasse] through, for example shaping the future [...]
Ryanair loses court bid to stop pilot strikes August 21, 2019 Ryanair has lost a legal bid to prevent its pilots from striking later this week but insisted its passengers would suffer little disruption. The budget airline applied for a High Court injunction that would have stopped its UK pilots from striking tomorrow and on Friday, meaning the industrial action will go ahead. Read more: Pilots [...]
Wework rival Knotel secures unicorn status with $400m funding August 21, 2019 Knotel, the flexible workspace rival to Wework, today said it has achieved “unicorn” status after securing a fresh round of funding worth $400m (£329m). The New York-based startup bagged the bumper cash injection in a round led by Wafra, the investment arm of Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund. Read more: Wework lost $700m in first half, [...]
Uncertain future for retailers as businesses fail to invest in digital August 21, 2019 In an already turbulent time for the high street, swathes of the retail sector are ignoring the need to focus on digital technology, despite consumers increasingly shopping online, according to research. A survey of 100 top retailers found more than one-third of businesses have no strategy in place to address developments such as a rapid [...]
Brexit: No deal most likely outcome, says French aide August 21, 2019 The UK will most likely leave the European Union – but still be on the hook for the £39bn divorce bill, a French presidential aide has told AFP. A no-deal Brexit is the “most likely scenario”, the wire reported, a day before UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to meet his French counterpart Emmanual [...]