COVID-19 – the latest challenge to ‘levelling up’ the UK economy March 30, 2020 In uncharted territory … When I flew out of Buenos Aires in late 1990, having ended my stint working as part of a team supporting the economic reform programme of President Menem, I genuinely believed I would never again work in such a severe economic situation like the one Argentina had been in. Prices in [...]
COVID-19 and cyber: Critical actions for employees and business to take now March 30, 2020 Recent weeks have been challenging for us all on so many fronts. Most importantly businesses have had to prioritise the health of society whilst doing their very best to keep things on track. Each day has brought new challenges as employees rapidly adapt to new ways of working. How can businesses maintain operational resilience and [...]
Coronavirus: Oil prices plunge to 18-year low March 30, 2020 Oil prices have tumbled to an 18-year low, dragging down Asian stocks as coronavirus continues to hit economies and Saudi Arabia shows no sign of ending its oil price war with Russia. Brent crude oil fell 5.7 per cent to $23.52 per barrel this morning, its lowest level since 2002. US crude fell 3.9 per [...]
Trump extends US coronavirus measures beyond Easter March 30, 2020 President Donald Trump has warned US coronavirus restrictions could stay in place until at least 30 April, extending measures such as social distancing. Trump had previously hinted at relaxing US coronavirus rules by Easter, which arrives on 12 April, to revive the economy. The US now counts 140,000 coronavirus cases, while 2,493 people have died, [...]
DEBATE: Should businesses sign a new ‘social contract’ in exchange for government support? March 30, 2020 Should businesses sign a new “social contract” in exchange for government support? YES, says James Kirkup, director of the Social Market Foundation. Taxpayers are offering unprecedented support to business during this crisis, and will be paying for it for years to come. To avoid a backlash that harms business and the UK economy afterwards, we [...]
Why the UK’s startup sector is worth saving March 30, 2020 Covid-19 has already destroyed so much. Lives, livelihoods, freedom of movement. For those on the frontlines, whether in the NHS, social care or supermarkets, or in the country’s many sick beds, the battle is fierce. As the dominoes of our economy have tumbled, the government has quickly stepped in. First to safeguard business. Then to [...]
City Moves for 30 March – Who’s switching jobs at Matterport, Allica Bank and Acxiom? March 30, 2020 Today’s City Moves includes Matterport, Allica Bank and Acxiom Matterport Matterport, the spatial data capture firm, has announced the appointment of Robin Daniels as chief marketing officer (CMO). Robin will lead Matterport’s worldwide marketing strategy at a time of rapid growth for the company. He will drive all marketing and communications initiatives globally to bring [...]
A more sustainable capitalism will emerge from Covid-19 March 30, 2020 The main concern that is paralysing the financial markets right now is uncertainty. Investors and the business community are questioning how long this crisis will last, and when consumer and investor confidence will return, with no end in sight. But while none of us can predict the future, when it does return, one possible outcome [...]
These are difficult times — but London is strong, and the City will get through this March 30, 2020 If this crisis has shown us anything, it is that the Square Mile really can keep calm and carry on in the face of adversity. In just over a week, the majority of the City’s half a million employees have adapted to working at home remarkably quickly, thanks to technology such as video conferencing, and [...]
China is using the coronavirus crisis to its advantage March 30, 2020 It is easy to lose your bearings while in self-isolation. Trust me, as I’m into the fourth week of quarantine here in Milan, I entirely understand. But baseline realities matter even more in a genuine crisis. One such truism was put best by John Stuart Mill: all it takes for evil to triumph in the [...]
