Government backs MPs’ criticism of workplace ‘cover-up culture’ via non-disclosure agreements October 29, 2019 The practice of using non-disclosure agreements to cover up mistreatment at work has come a step closer to being abolished. The government has thrown its weight behind a parliamentary report which was highly critical of the practice, in which NDAs are routinely used by companies to cover up unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment at work. [...]
Ex-Freshfields partner escapes strike off after sexual misconduct allegations upheld October 10, 2019 An ex-Freshfields partner escaped being struck off today after a tribunal found he had engaged in sexual activity with a heavily intoxicated junior lawyer. Ryan Beckwith, 41, tearfully hugged and kissed his wife after the sanction was handed down. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) fined Beckwith £35,000 and ordered him to pay costs of £200,000. [...]
Order, order: The race is on to replace John Bercow October 10, 2019 The departure of John Bercow from the speakership of the House of Commons will create a vacancy of huge importance. Yesterday, nine hopefuls vied with each other for the honour of replacing him, answering journalists’ questions on everything from the impartiality of the role, to Westminster’s alleged drug problem, to the rules on breast-feeding in [...]
Campaigners hail milestone as FTSE boards hire most women in 450 years October 2, 2019 City grandee Dame Helena Morrissey has hailed an effort to bring more women onto the boards of London’s quoted companies as the FTSE 350 hit a major milestone. For the first time in its nearly 450-year history the exchange’s top companies have boards where 30 per cent of the members are women. Read more: Diversity [...]
Lloyd’s of London set outs electronic modernisation drive September 30, 2019 Lloyd’s of London has unveiled plans for an electronic risk exchange as part of a sweeping company overhaul aimed at modernising the 331-year-old marketplace. The historic insurance group, which has faced growing calls to revamp both its business model and its culture in recent months, has vowed to deliver a series of “early quick wins” [...]
Dame Inga Beale: I’m not surprised by Lloyd’s of London sexual harassment claims September 30, 2019 The controversial drinking culture at Lloyd’s of London is so entrenched that a former chief executive admits she does not know how to tackle it. Dame Inga Beale, who ran the historic institution for five years, spent much time trying to tackle behavioural problems among its staff. Read more: Nearly 500 Lloyd’s of London workers [...]
Uber’s regulatory wild ride: Meet the man behind the wheel September 30, 2019 Uber UK and Europe boss Jamie Heywood may have only been in the job for 18 months, but he already personifies what the company has become since its angry confrontation with London mayor Sadiq Khan. That spat over Uber’s London operations has seen the previously cavalier company grow into a firm that is careful and [...]
Google turns 21: US tech giant is now old enough to drink September 27, 2019 As Google turns 21 today, there can be no better time to review the last 21 years of the all-powerful search engine. On 27 September 1998, Sergey Brin and Larry Page launched an early prototype of what they called a ‘large scale search engine’ while studying for their PhDs at Stanford University. Read more: Google [...]
Debenhams finance chief exits after just 12 months to join Ted Baker September 26, 2019 Debenhams finance chief Rachel Osborne has stepped down in order to join struggling fashion brand Ted Baker. Osborne was appointed chief finance officer at the embattled department store in September last year, and has quit after one year to take on the same role at Ted Baker. Read more: Debenhams wins high court battle to [...]
Lloyd’s of London boss calls for end to daytime drinking in wake of damning harassment survey September 24, 2019 The boss of Lloyd’s of London’s warned insurers today to curb their daytime drinking habits or face being expelled from the insurance community. Chief executive John Neal told City A.M. that he did not think it was sensible for workers to drink a pint at lunchtime, calling on the industry to put an end to [...]