Investors demand greater transparency on ethnic diversity on boards October 9, 2020 Investment managers are calling on some of the UK’s biggest firms to be more transparent about the ethnic diversity of their boards. Almost three-quarters of FTSE 100 firms failed to report the ethnic make-up of their boards in this year’s AGM season, according to data from the Investment Association (IA). Some 37 FTSE 100 companies [...]
More than 1,000 Deloitte consultants working on Test and Trace programme October 8, 2020 More than a thousand Deloitte consultants are reportedly working on the NHS Test and Trace programme, further highlighting the government’s reliance on the private sector through the pandemic. Department of Health documents released under a Freedom of Information request by Sky News reveal there are currently 1,114 consultants working on the scheme, equivalent to the [...]
WTO leader shortlist narrows to two as Liam Fox knocked out of race October 8, 2020 The World Trade Organisation will be a led by a woman for the first time in its history after it was announced two female candidates had reached the final round of selection. With the former international trade secretary Liam Fox now eliminated from the race, the contest is now between Yoo Myung-hee and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. [...]
Morgan Stanley set to buy Eaton Vance in $7bn deal October 8, 2020 Morgan Stanley has announced plans to buy asset manager Eaton Vance in a $7bn cash and stock deal, as it seeks to build its investment management business. Under the terms of the agreement, Eaton Vance shareholders will receive $60.75 per share, made up of $28.25 per share in cash and approximately the same value of [...]
Active funds pivot to ESG in bid to fight off passive trackers October 8, 2020 ESG funds are going some way in helping active fund managers stave off the threat of the increasingly popular passive trackers. Inflows into active ESG funds reached a record £392m in September taking the quarterly total to £1bn, according to data from funds network Calastone. The continued emphasis on ESG-led investment strategies contrasts with the [...]
Climate-related risk becomes leading concern for business leaders October 8, 2020 Global business leaders are becoming increasingly concerned about the risk climate change poses to business. The World Economic Forum’s risk report shows that the top risks remain related to economics, with unemployment the main concern for business executives. Previously the risk of infectious diseases had been underestimated but have inevitably jumped 28 spots and it [...]
London firms fear losing top talent over coronavirus salary cuts October 8, 2020 The vast majority of London firms are concerned about retaining their top talent as the pandemic forces many employees to take salary cuts. As the pandemic continues to weigh on business activity, over four in five London-based businesses are concerned about losing their top employees, according to new research by recruiter Robert Half. Of the [...]
Ecommerce platform Clearbanc injects £500m into British startups October 8, 2020 Ecommerce investor Clearbanc has announced its plans to invest £500m into British SMEs over the next year as part of its UK launch. The alternative capital platform, founded by Canadian Dragons’ Den star Michele Romanow, will use its AI platform to invest in British online startups to help with future growth. Clearbanc has already invested [...]
The City View: Alastair Stewart on the future of broadcast media, from the BBC to GB News October 7, 2020 In the first episode of the City View’s new weekly format, Christian May talks to veteran broadcaster and journalist Alastair Stewart about a wave of disruption hitting the broadcast media. Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS The BBC has a new Director General while its former star presenter is launching a rival news channel. What will [...]
BDO may be forced to bail out Spanish sister firm after €126.8m penalty October 7, 2020 Accountancy firm BDO may be forced to bail out its Spanish sister company which has been slapped with a €126.8m (£115m) over its role in an accounting scandal. BDO was among those convicted by Spain’s highest criminal court for its involvement in falsifying the accounts of fishing firm Pescanova between 2010 and 2012. The Audiencia [...]
