Editorial: The activists are a welcome sign of faith in the City’s future January 31, 2022 The City is not always portrayed well in the wider media, but a certain kind of Square Mile institution was rather effectively deployed at the beginning of Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life. The Crimson Permanent Assurance, a “once proud family firm fallen on hard times,” fights back against its new ownership by the Very [...]
Leading Vodafone shareholder backs activist Cevian’s campaign January 31, 2022 One of Vodafone Group's biggest shareholders has hailed an activist campaign aimed at improving the telecom firm's performance as "very sensible".
Vodafone feels the pressure after activist investor Cevian builds a stake January 31, 2022 Voadafone is expected to speed up an organisational overhaul after it was revealed that a notorious activist investor had taken a stake in the firm.
Don’t forget the black pound, retailers warned January 31, 2022 High street brands could be missing out on £4.5 billion spent by multi-ethnic shoppers due to lack of diversity in brands, according to new research. The Black Pound report, a survey of 3,500 people, found that black, Asian and multi-ethnic consumers are often forced to spend their money in specialist shops due to limited product [...]
Aviva Investors calls for businesses to increase focus on human rights and biodiversity January 24, 2022 Asset manager Aviva Investors will push firms to increase their focus on biodiversity and human rights as it looks to promote a more rounded approach to corporate sustainability.
Goldman, Citi, KPMG and PwC lead office return as workers flock back into the City January 21, 2022 The City of London’s major banks, accountants, law firms, and insurers have called on staff to return offices, after the government scrapped its work-from-home guidance. Major players including PwC, KPMG, Slaughter and May, and Aviva, told City A.M that they have called on staff to come back in. Major banks and financiers including Goldman, Citi, [...]
Climate-conscious insurers scrap coal exit policy to stay on right side of antitrust rules January 19, 2022 A coalition of climate-conscious insurance companies have reportedly scrapped plans to stop insuring coal miners, to ensure they are not violating antitrust laws. The Net Zero Insurance Alliance, whose founding members include Axa, Allianz, and Aviva, dropped plans for a coal exit, after receiving advice from lawyers that the plans to join forces to prevent [...]
City Moves: Who’s switching jobs in the Square Mile this week? January 6, 2022 City A.M.’s Millie Turner provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every morning. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. Bibby Financial Services Bibby Financial Services (BFS) has poached its new chief people and organisation officer from British Business Bank as it seeks to boost support for SMEs in the new year. Helen Norris, who brings [...]
City winners: This year’s most popular funds and shares, which include BP, Rolls Royce, Tesla and Argo Blockchain December 29, 2021 DIY fund buyers didn’t get the memo that value investing is back in fashion, instead largely plumping for growth strategies over the course of 2021. “Success breeds success they say, and retail investors clearly have a high conviction that these funds will continue to prosper,” Laith Khalaf at AJ Bell told City A.M. as he [...]
Action by competition watchdog frees leaseholders from costly contract terms December 22, 2021 Leaseholders of housebuilder Taylor Wimpey will no longer be subjected to ground rents that double every ten years after action by competition watchdog.