Boardrooms and ethnic diversity: finally, momentum? October 16, 2020 | City Talk Britain’s largest companies’ progress towards having more ethnically diverse management has been sluggish. But are things about to speed up? The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) began the month by revealing plans for a campaign aimed at boosting racial and ethnic participation in senior leadership. Alongside companies including Aviva and Microsoft, the CBI is preparing [...]
London fintechs secure billions from US investors despite virus and Brexit uncertainty October 16, 2020 London fintechs have secured $3.6bn in venture capital investment this year with more than half coming from US investors. Fintechs received $2.2bn, more than 60 per cent of overall investment, through funding rounds with at least one US investor, according to data from Dealroom and London & Partners. It is nearly double the US funding [...]
We’re heading from London lockdown to national breakdown October 16, 2020 While London entering Tier 2 lockdown at midnight tomorrow is nowhere near as drastic as the Tier 3 lockdown imposed on the Liverpool City Region, it’s the size and symbolism of the capital that counts. With each day that passes, businesses in the capital, like those around the rest of the country, can feel the [...]
Serco lifts annual outlook after Covid contract wins October 16, 2020 Serco (SRP) raised its full-year forecasts after contract extensions in the UK and cost-cutting measures boosted its third quarter results. In an unscheduled trading statement, the contractor said it had achieved strong revenue growth in the third quarter, with all regions performing better than expected. Serco said it had seen a strong performance in the [...]
Friday Debate: Is the move to put London under Tier 2 restrictions unjustified? October 16, 2020 Is the move to put London under Tier 2 restrictions unjustified? Join the debate Luke Johnson, entrepreneur and chairman of Risk Capital Partners, says YES. So the lockdown zealots have won, and London is to face yet more onerous restrictions on our civil liberties — even though hospital admissions for Covid-19 are roughly 90 per [...]
West End extends festive period in bid to win back shoppers October 16, 2020 The West End is set to extend the festive shopping season as ailing retailers look to lure Londoners back into shops. The Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Oxford Street and Bond Street on Monday 2 November and Thursday 12 November respectively, marking the earliest ever start to the festive season for the district. [...]
London lockdown: Will the City’s small businesses survive new restrictions? October 15, 2020 Small firms in the City of London have spent the summer in lockdown trying to survive and adapt to the government’s coronavirus regulations. Pubs, shoe repair shops, barbers, dry cleaners and cafes have battled to survive the initial forced closure during lockdown, followed by a sharp decline in City footfall as most office workers remained [...]
London lockdown: Khan warns of ‘dark winter ahead’ as city moves to a Tier 2 ban on household mixing October 15, 2020 Mayor Sadiq Khan has sent a stark warning to London, telling people they face a "dark winter" as Tier 2 restrictions are placed on the capital.
Ocado’s depot plans halted by North London residents October 15, 2020 Ocado has lost the right to build a new delivery hub in north London after campaigners successfully lobbied the council to halt plans. Islington Council has withdrawn the site’s certificate of lawfulness to open the distribution centre next to Yerbury school, accusing Ocado’s landlords, Telereal, of providing “false and misleading evidence” and “withholding material information” [...]
Recruitment giant Hays posts 29% drop in Q1 net fees October 15, 2020 Big business recruiter Hays said today it expects first half of the year to be modestly profitable as its temporary hiring remained stable overall, even as it posted a 29% drop in its first-quarter net fees due to the coronavirus crisis. The UK-based company, among the world’s biggest recruiters with big businesses in both temporary [...]