George Osborne: Tracey McDermott ruled out for FCA chief executive role January 7, 2016 UPDATE: Acting Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) chief executive Tracey McDermott has confirmed that she took her name out of the running to be the regulator's permanent boss in early December. "I have been at the FSA/FCA for 15 years and I remain extremely committed to, and passionate about, the important work we do. It has been, and [...]
Homeward bound HSBC, City Hall race and oil glut make a busy 2016 January 7, 2016 Forecasting events in the City is frequently a fool’s errand but one thing’s clear from the first week of 2016: it is going to be a tough year for much of corporate Britain. Here’s where I think most of the action will be. 1. Among the first big decisions of the year will be delivered when [...]
iPhone 6, 5s and 6s: Best-selling UK phones of 2015 reveals Britain’s love affair with Apple continues with Samsung Galaxy S6 slipping behind January 3, 2016 The UK’s best-selling mobile phones of 2015 have been revealed, and the top of the list is all Apple, Apple, Apple. Tim Cook will be pleased to learn that the country’s love affair with his company’s products shows no sign of letting up, as different versions of the iPhone make up no fewer than six [...]
Christmas comes early for Uber as burdensome regulations look set to be disregarded December 23, 2015 Uber is expected to receive an early Christmas present today as a raft of burdensome regulations that would have effectively shut the firm down in the capital look set to be disregarded after fierce opposition from business groups and consumers. The final responses to a Transport for London (TfL) consultation on how to better regulate [...]
Leaving the EU is the only way Britain can regain control of its economic destiny December 21, 2015 As the referendum gets closer, we will hear lots about whether Britain could flourish economically outside the EU. On the face of it, the answer is obviously yes. Countries inside and outside show membership of the European Union is neither a necessary nor sufficient condition for economic prosperity. Far more important is what happens domestically. [...]
Agile working: How your firm can think fast and innovate December 18, 2015 Belinda Waldock explains how tech giants stay on top in a world of constant change. Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, Google. Have you ever wondered how these global giants have managed to navigate the relentlessly evolving technology industry, disrupting markets and creating multi-billion dollar valuations just a few years after starting from a garage? Their ability [...]
Paddy Power Betfair merger: Betty Power gets the green light from the Competition and Markets Authority December 17, 2015 The merger between betting giants Paddy Power and Betfair, dubbed Betty Power, has been given the green light by the UK regulator. The Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation into the deal in November and whether it would lessen competition in the market. The bookies have cleared the hurdle and the CMA has now ruled that the merger [...]
Osborne must deliver on challenger pledge December 17, 2015 Two years ago, chancellor George Osborne said that the British banking system was verging on oligopoly – and needed a “reset”. “One of the prices we are paying for the financial crisis is that our banking sector is now dominated by a few big banks,” he said. “I want new faces on the high street. [...]
Ladbrokes Coral merger: The Competition and Markets Authority launches its investigation December 16, 2015 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) today announced it may carry out a 'fast track' investigation into the proposed merger between Ladbrokes and Coral. Today is the first day of the CMA's investigation to explore the effects on market competition if the two bookies merge as planned. The process normally takes 40 days, but the CMA said [...]
RBS’ Williams & Glyn trade sale (or IPO) to kick-start next year December 16, 2015 Santander UK or Virgin Money could be planning to buy the Williams & Glyn business from Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) after the taxpayer backed bank said it would begin the sale process in the first half of next year. There has been no formal offer made for Williams & Glyn by either UK challenger, which [...]