Boris Johnson announces full independent inquiry into government handling of Covid-19 May 12, 2021 Boris Johnson has today announced a full independent inquiry into his government’s handling of Covid-19 from spring 2022. The Prime Minister said the inquiry should not take place this year while the pandemic is not over and that the probe should be conducted in the “cold light of day”, with devolved governments also set to [...]
High Court gives Virgin Active CVA green light in further blow for landlords May 12, 2021 Landlords have lost their legal challenge against Virgin Active’s restructuring plan, in the second high profile defeat for commercial property owners this week. Today’s High Court judgement will come as a further blow to landlords hoping to challenge tenants over Company Voluntary Arrangements. It comes after the court gave New Look the green light to [...]
5 jobs in London-based tech companies you need to check out May 12, 2021 There’s a real sense of positivity in the air this week, isn’t there? Probably to do with the slow (but steady) reopening of the country. Plus, the weather has been warm, which always tends to put a pep in our step. You know what else could put a pep in your step? A new, and [...]
Blackrock receives approval to run wealth business in China May 12, 2021 Blackrock has won approval to begin operating its wealth management business in China as it capitalises on the country’s fast-growing asset management market. The joint venture, which is 50.1 per cent owned by Blackrock and includes China Construction Bank and Temasek, received approval from the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission today. BlackRock will “support China [...]
France wants to delay UK-EU Brexit financial services pact over fishing row May 12, 2021 France is aiming to block a post-Brexit financial services pact between the UK and the EU over a row about fishing rights. The UK and EU announced in March that it had drafted a regulatory co-operation agreement, known as a Memorandum of Understanding, on financial services, however it is yet to be signed or made [...]
City Moves: Who’s switching jobs in the Square Mile this week? May 12, 2021 City A.M.‘s Millie Turner provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every Wednesday afternoon. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. Capital Group strengthens UK sales team Investment firm Capital Group, which has £1.7 trillion assets under management, has expanded its UK financial intermediaries team this week by hiring a new managing [...]
UK GDP falls in Q1 but Sunak confident in recovery after March rebound May 12, 2021 Britain’s economy grew by a stronger-than-expected 2.1 per cent in March, picking up speed in what Chancellor Rishi Sunak expects to be a sharp economic comeback. The monthly growth beat economists’ predictions of a 1.3 per cent leap, the Office for National Statistics said this morning. “Despite a difficult start to this year, economic growth [...]
Commerzbank raises outlook as it posts surprise first quarter profit May 12, 2021 Commerzbank raised its revenue outlook this morning as it surprised investors by posting a profit after a period of strong trading commissions. The German bank said its better-than-expected performance came down to higher net commission income from securities trading. It posted a net profit of €113m in the three months to 31 March, against a [...]
Frost: Post-Brexit Northern Ireland treaty not ‘sustainable for long’ May 12, 2021 The post-Brexit Northern Ireland treaty will not be “sustainable for long” without significant changes, according to Boris Johnson’s minister for UK-EU relations. Lord David Frost said the Northern Ireland Protocol, which sees Northern Ireland follow EU customs union and single market rules, posed “significant challenges” for businesses, while urging the EU to act with “common [...]
Cost cutting drives National Express profit growth in first quarter May 12, 2021 Cost cutting helped coach operator National Express secure profit growth in the first quarter despite fewer journeys being taken during the pandemic. The travel company said performance is improving despite ongoing Covid restrictions, with April revenue up 50 per cent compared to last year, at the height of the first lockdown. Revenue is 16 per [...]
