As Chinese slowdown fears ease, are prospects brighter for emerging market equities? October 1, 2015 Will Ballard, head of emerging markets and Asia Pacific equities at Aviva Investors, says Yes The recent turmoil in emerging markets is nothing new. Indeed, we have been here before. The journey has often been painful but it has also been rewarding. This is because although emerging markets are volatile, they are driven by long-term [...]
A good ancestor: Firms need to take a long, hard look at legacy September 24, 2015 Here in Britain, this year we have been enjoying celebrating 800 years since King John signed Magna Carta. It is the foundation stone for constitutions the world over – and somewhat dwarfs my native New Zealand’s 180 years of constitutional history. The Magna Carta was nothing less than a catalyst which has inspired people [...]
Firefighters save window cleaners after being trapped up City skyscraper for hours September 24, 2015 Two window cleaners were trapped outside the 10th floor of a 35-storey City skyscraper for hours yesterday afternoon, before being rescued by London Fire Brigade. The men had been cleaning windows at the Undershaft, or St Helen's – formerly known as the Aviva Tower of the Commercial Union building – next to Leadenhall Market. Three [...]
Here’s what a new City office scheme with five garden roof terraces will look like at 80 Fenchurch Street September 17, 2015 Work on a new office tower that will boast the biggest number of roof gardens in the City got underway this week, as developers began knocking down the old site. Partners Group, a Swiss private equity firm, is developing a 245,000 square feet office tower at 80 Fenchurch Street together with joint venture partner Marick Real [...]
Insurance deal frenzy shows no signs of stopping as Phoenix considers offer for Cinven subsidiary September 17, 2015 Insurer Phoenix Group today confirmed it’s in talks about a possible takeover of Cinven-owned Guardian Financial Services. “Phoenix has been evaluating Guardian Financial Services as part of an on-going sale process for the Guardian Financial Services business,” it said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange today. “Discussions remain on a non-exclusive basis. There [...]
City Moves for 17 September 2015 | Who’s switching jobs September 16, 2015 STANHOPE CAPITAL The investment office has appointed Bernard Kalfon as partner to develop its private and institutional client base outside the UK. He has over 20 years’ experience and has held roles at Société Générale Asset Management, Salomon Brothers-Citibank, and Bear Sterns. In 2009, he co-founded Nexar Capital Group. INVESTEC PRIVATE OFFICE Rafe Garvin has [...]
Motor insurer’s IPO could ignite the market September 16, 2015 Hastings’ float is putting the spark back into personal lines THE PERSONAL lines insurance market has been the less sexy relation to its commercial cousins in recent months. Zurich and RSA are dancing around the idea of a union, following the marriage of Aviva and Friends Life, not to mention XL Group’s successful play for [...]
London Fintech Week 2015 events: Who, what, where & when September 13, 2015 Trading apps at the ready; London Fintech Week starts today! With the capital being the biggest force for innovation in financial technology right now, this week of talks, conferences and startup demos will be the world’s biggest business geek-out. The events start at 8:30am each day and finishes late, so try to make [...]
City Moves for 14 September 2015 | Who’s switching jobs September 13, 2015 IMPAX ASSET MANAGEMENT The specialist investment manager has appointed David Winborne as senior portfolio manager. He was previously a member of the in-house asset management team at Tesco Pension Investment. Winborne has also previously worked at Sarasin & Partners and Insight Investment Management. AVIVA INVESTORS John Osborn has been appointed real estate fund manager at [...]
City Moves for 8 September 2015 | Who’s switching jobs September 7, 2015 Arbuthnot Latham The private banking and wealth management arm of the Arbuthnot Banking Group has appointed Stephen Fletcher as head of commercial banking. He was most recently at Coutts & Co, where he was a managing director. Fletcher has over 25 years’ experience in commercial banking and wealth management. Macfarlanes Stephen Robinson has been appointed [...]