The new government must combine growth with stability, betting big on our trade links Vincent Keaveny Now that the turmoil in Westminster has abated, households and businesses across the UK will be hoping that the era of Rishi Sunak’s government will be slightly duller than what preceded it. Stability is an asset that has traditionally underpinned our international attractiveness and competitiveness. It is a cornerstone of the UK’s appeal across the [...]
A stormy outlook has put small businesses’ plans for net zero in a precarious bind Vincent Keaveny In the face of a stormy global economic and geopolitical outlook, leaders from across the world will gather next month at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt. High inflation, soaring energy bills and Russia’s continuing military aggression against Ukraine have all, understandably, dominated the political agenda in recent weeks. Amid this backdrop, the [...]
Social responsibility is an imperative if we want our economy to grow with resilience Vincent Keaveny If you walk the streets of the City of London, you will see dragons everywhere. Not the kind displayed in House of the Dragon, the new Game of Thrones prequel, but images of the creatures in crests, in insignia above doors, on flags, and on the top of buildings. They are an unmistakable sign of [...]
Complex but enduring and adaptable, the City can take cues from the monarchy September 20, 2022 Yesterday, the world watched as our beloved monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, was laid to rest. I had the privilege of attending the funeral and joined so many others in paying my respects to a sovereign who exemplified duty and symbolised stability. In recent days, I have been reflecting on what Queen Elizabeth II meant to [...]
Economic fraudsters are shapeshifters who adapt their crime to fit the tech or the crisis September 5, 2022 Later today we will know who has won the Conservative Party leadership election and, in turn, welcome a new prime minister. Immediately there will be many priorities the new administration will have to address as the UK faces major economic, social and environmental challenges. Amid this bulging in-tray, one thing that should not be forgotten [...]
Brits love talking about the weather – so let’s talk about investing in climate action August 22, 2022 Up until very recently, British people loved talking about the weather. It has long been part of our cultural zeitgeist and public representation. A BBC survey from 2015 found that four in 10 people admitted to having a conversation about the weather in the 60 minutes preceding answering the survey. Fast forward seven years and [...]
To attract and retain the best talent, the Square Mile must break down class barriers August 8, 2022 Later this month, young people across the country will be opening their exam results and looking ahead to an exciting future. I hope that many of them will eventually choose to forge a career in the Square Mile, just as I did a few decades ago. City firms try to attract the best talent to [...]
As Westminster decides on its plan for growth, the City is ready to flex its potential July 25, 2022 The initial Conservative leadership debates were scattergun, trying to cover a broad range of social issues. But now we have two candidates, it has boiled down to one single issue: the economy. As we’re plagued with rising inflation and strikes disrupting our day-to-day lives, our future plan for growth is urgent, for the private sector, [...]
The City needs certainty our global outlook will continue in spite of high political drama July 11, 2022 Political turmoil and division have dominated the news agenda on both sides of the Atlantic, albeit for different reasons. And with the changes at the top of British politics, it is vital that government continues investing in London’s infrastructure, promoting innovation, and developing the UK’s status as a leading financial centre. Our financial and professional [...]
There’s much benefit in cooperation with our Indo-Pacific friends as we boost trade June 27, 2022 Amidst high inflation and a difficult economic outlook, it would be easy for our country to turn inwards in search of a panacea. But to echo the sentiments of John Donne – a famous poet born in the City of London – “no man is an island, entire of itself”. The same is also true [...]
