Pandemic rethink: Nearly half of all UK workers are less career-focused July 12, 2021 With freedom day fast approaching, all attention is on workers returning to the office and the nature of flexible working options. Since working from home, due to Covid-related restrictions, 50 per cent of people experienced difficulty with disassociating their work lives with their home lives, according to insurance giant Aviva. The company’s study found that [...]
Post-pandemic flexible working a must for burnt-out workers July 12, 2021 Over two thirds of workers want more flexible working post-pandemic, as just under half can’t switch off from work. A new study from Aviva shows that 44 per cent of workers feel they can’t switch off from work. As a result of always-on working, 40 per cent are now concerned about burn out. While both [...]
Action group agrees settlement with Hiscox over business interruption cover June 28, 2021 Members of the Hiscox Action Group have reached a settlement with the insurer relating to business interruption losses suffered as a result of Covid-led lockdowns. The action group said the settlement is in line with the Supreme Court judgment on business interruption clauses, and that both parties were satisfied with the outcome. Both Hiscox and [...]
Homeowners could still sue for damages amid leasehold ground rent reforms June 24, 2021 Even though Persimmon Homes and Aviva have agreed to change the way they operate in regard to leaseholds and ground rent charges, homeowners could still be entitled to compensation, according to legal experts. Following a recent investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), house builder Persimmon will allow its leaseholders to buy the freehold [...]
Blackstone sweetens buyout offer for property developer St Modwen by £50m June 24, 2021 Private equity firm Blackstone has offered to pay £50m more for property developer St Modwen, bringing its total takeover offer to £1.25bn. The 560 pence per share cash offer for St Modwen is the final offer, the companies said today, adding that Blackstone could make another proposal if another suitor for St Modwen emerged. Last [...]
Persimmon and Aviva agree to make leasehold payments fairer for homeowners after CMA probe June 23, 2021 Following an investigation by the UK’s markets watchdog, housebuilder Persimmon and financial services group Aviva have agreed to overhaul their leasehold contracts to make payments fairer for homeowners. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into Persimonn’s leaseholds pushed the housebuilder to cap the price of freehold at £2,000 in its Right to Buy scheme [...]
Exclusive: As Aviva sacks its fund managers, how to communicate such changes to shareholders? June 17, 2021 In this 2-part series, City A.M. zooms in on the relationship between investment boards, asset managers and shareholders. In the first instalment, a number of Square Mile-based investment managers discussed why and when investors come to realise the asset managers needs to be replaced, and how such decisions come about. Today, the City insiders debate [...]
Shakeup at Aviva days after activist investor sticks head above parapet June 13, 2021 Aviva is set to sack its top fund managers in a radical cost-cutting plan, according to reports. The insurance giant is planning to fire 10 equity managers from its asset management arm Aviva Investors, the Mail on Sunday reported. David Cumming, chief investment officer for equities, has left the FTSE 100 firm, while head of [...]
HSBC’s long-time Asia boss moves upstairs amid Hong Kong controversy June 12, 2021 Peter Wong, HSBC’s top man in Asia, is stepping away from day-to-day management to take up a position as the bank’s chair in Hong Kong. Wong has been credited with the bank’s rise to become the undisputed financial heavyweight in the region, with the firm booking most of its profits on the continent. Read more: [...]
Activist investor Cevian calls on Aviva to increase returns after building stake June 8, 2021 Activist investor Cevian Capital has called on Aviva to return £5bn in excess capital to shareholders after building a stake in the insurer. The Swedish investment firm today announced it holds 194,549,437 in Aviva, corresponding to around 4.95 per cent of the company’s total number of shares and votes. It makes the firm Aviva’s second-largest [...]