JP Morgan Cazenove holds off challenge of Numis Securities as most popular City stockbroker March 6, 2017 Stockbroker Numis has closed the gap between it and JP Morgan Cazenove as the most popular broker for FTSE-listed companies. The US bank, which took over the blue-blooded Cazenove broker in 2009, retained its top position with 192 clients, according to figures from Adviser Rankings. Meanwhile, Numis acts as stockbroker for 189 companies, a gain [...]
The BCC is demanding action over mounting business rate concerns March 6, 2017 Almost 40 per cent of UK firms are more concerned about business rates than three months ago, according to new research. Figures from the British Chambers of Commerce show that business rates (39 per cent) were second only to exchange rates (42 per cent) in the number of firms reporting increased worries. And among small [...]
Questions raised after Jeremy Corbyn’s tax return fails to include income as leader of the opposition March 6, 2017 Embattled Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn appeared to make another gaffe last night, publishing a tax return that does not include his salary as head of the opposition. "I have made it clear that I think it is right for party leaders to be open and transparent about their tax affairs," Corbyn said. However, the document does [...]
Buck up: UK tech sector not doing enough to attract female talent, according to research by PwC March 6, 2017 The UK's tech sector isn't doing enough to attract female talent, according to research by PwC. Only a quarter of female students in the UK (27 per cent) would consider a career in technology, compared to 62 per cent of males, PwC's survey of 2,000 A level and university students has found. Only three per cent of females [...]
University of Barclays: Lender to launch the UK’s first degree-level apprenticeship in banking later this year March 6, 2017 Barclays will launch a degree-level apprenticeship in banking later this year, the UK's first such offering. The programme will allow participants to study for a degree, or equivalent qualification, should they choose and will let them specialise in a range of areas of banking, including corporate, investment and retail. "We want people of all ages and [...]
Former national intelligence director James Clapper says no order existed to tap Trump’s phones March 5, 2017 A former US national intelligence director has slammed Donald Trump's claims the Obama administration ordered a wiretap of phones at now-President's election campaign headquarters at Trump Tower in New York. James Clapper, who stood down from his role at the end of President Obama's tenure, told NBC: "There was no such wiretap activity mounted against the President-elect at the [...]
China sets lowest growth target in more than 20 years March 5, 2017 China has reduced its growth target for 2017 to its lowest level for more than 20 years, as the country seeks to manage the decline in its potential for catch-up growth and a new relationship with the US. The communist party government of the world’s second largest economy will aim for growth of around 6.5 [...]
Starter for three: Cambridge & Counties Bank announces record growth in deposits, lending and customer acquisition March 5, 2017 Cambridge & Counties Bank today revealed it had boosted its deposits, lending and customer acquisition by record levels in 2016. The figures The challenger bank, which launched in 2012 and is jointly owned by University of Cambridge college Trinity Hall and the Cambridgeshire Local Government Pension Fund, revealed profits before tax had leapt to £18.1m for the year ending [...]
Merger between Standard Life and Aberdeen Asset Management set to create UK’s largest asset manager March 5, 2017 Standard Life and Aberdeen Asset Management are expected to announce detailed plans for their £11bn merger on Monday morning, in a move that will create the second-largest fund manager in Europe. The new £11bn company will have £660bn in combined assets under administration, making it the biggest fund manager in the UK on completion, as [...]
BAE says executive pay plans “in line with best practice” as it faces shareholder revolt March 5, 2017 BAE Systems has defended its executive pay proposals as "in line with best practice" as it faces off against less-than-impressed investors. Under the firm's suggested pay plans, Charles Woodburn, who is due to take over at the helm of the defence company from Ian King in July, could pocket multiples of his salary in bonuses and share [...]