John Edwards: The ‘Facebook-hating’ Kiwi poised to shake up UK data laws August 26, 2021 The government today confirmed plans to appoint John Edwards, currently New Zealand’s privacy commissioner, as the next head of the UK’s data watchdog. The appointment is part of a planned overhaul of the UK’s data laws that will herald a new era of post-Brexit policy as ministers look to use online information to fuel economic [...]
City Pages Review: Twitter fame, the meaning of life and abortion rights August 26, 2021 Since the curtains came down on 2019, many of us have spent more time inside our homes than we had ever imagined. The pandemic has thrown up political and social change rarely seen in peacetime, but living through and talking about Covid has consumed incredible amounts of oxygen, often to the exclusion of other worthy [...]
M&S shares jump to 18 month high following revised price targets August 26, 2021 Marks & Spencer (M&S) shares are at their highest level in almost eighteen months after the company revised its profit targets upwards. In a statement released last week M&S said that they were expecting annual adjusted profit before tax to exceed the upper end of previous guidance predicting £300-350m. Share prices rallied in response to [...]
Northern leaders call for government to commit to HS2 in full as axe hovers over eastern leg August 26, 2021 Politicians and business leaders in the north-east of England have said that the eastern leg of HS2 to Leeds is essential to “levelling up” the country after reports emerged that the extension was set to be mothballed. A new report from the High Speed Rail Group called the delivery of the leg from Birmingham to [...]
Lockdown pet boom: Demand for pet friendly homes surpasses garden space August 26, 2021 The demand for pet friendly homes has more than doubled during the pandemic, sailing well past garden demand as the lockdown pet boom took hold of freshly homebound Brits. Tenants eyeing pet friendly properties has surged 120 per cent compared to last summer, according to the latest research from Rightmove. While the demand for gardens [...]
Rally flags, but fundamentals still look strong August 26, 2021 The crypto market is down again this morning after an impressive rally that’s seen Bitcoin gain around 70 per cent in a month.
British Land snaps up Square Mile car park for £20m in last-mile delivery push August 26, 2021 British Land has reported £350m of capital activity including the acquisition of Finsbury Square Car Park. The property company said its acquisition of Finsbury Square Car Park for £20m was an opportunity to create a last mile logistics hub in the City. The commercial landlord exchanged on the acquisition of the Priestley Centre in Guildford [...]
Qantas targets December international flights after AU$1.8bn loss August 26, 2021 Australian carrier Qantas said that it was aiming to restart flights to international destinations with high rates of vaccination in December after falling to a AU$1.8bn (£950m) annual loss. Under current plans, the airline will recommence flying to countries such as Singapore, Japan, the United States, Britain and hopefully New Zealand by the end of [...]
FRC to ‘strengthen’ audit governance code to tackle Big Four accounting scandals August 26, 2021 The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has today announced proposals to update and “strengthen” its Audit Firm Governance Code and establish “operational separation” at the Big Four firms. The proposed changes are aimed at clarifying the role of partnership boards in holding management to account, said the UK accounting watchdog in a statement. A key proposal [...]
Former Capco executives club together for £8m Proud Embankment deal August 26, 2021 A property investment firm led by former Capital & Counties executives has acquired London nightclub Proud Embankment for £8m in a show of confidence in the return to dancefloors. Castlebrooke Investments has taken a 17-year lease on 8 Victoria Embankment, the entertainment venue that plays host to Proud Cabaret. The former riverside tram shed entrance [...]
