It’s a myth that ETFs are eating the world February 2, 2022 ‘Software is eating the world’: so wrote the US venture capitalist Marc Andreessen back in 2011. From today’s perspective, with companies like Alphabet, Microsoft and Meta dominating the stock markets, Andreessen’s observation seems to have held up. Had BlackRock chief executive Larry Fink made similar comments about exchange-traded funds (ETFs) 11 years ago, he likewise [...]
How can the blockchain help tackle climate change? February 1, 2022 When you think of all the use cases for blockchain technology, solving the existential threat that is climate change is probably not one of them. If anything, crypto has had to play defence in 2021 when it comes to environmental issues, as big questions have been posed about the industry’s energy consumption and sustainability. Well, [...]
The future of tax in the UK, an expert view January 18, 2022 This article first appeared in ICAS’ CA magazine. Young businesses have the potential to drive post-pandemic recovery – but is the UK’s ageing tax system a help or a hindrance to entrepreneurs? Fraser Allen asks four experts to share their thoughts Earlier this year, the Institute for Fiscal Studies published a blunt assessment of the way [...]
Poverty looms for millions of UK families as energy bills climb by £1200, inflation rises and taxes jump 1.25 per cent in 2022 December 29, 2021 Soaring energy bills, inflation and rising taxes are likely to lead to a ‘cost of living catastrophe’ for millions of UK families, an economic think tank warned this morning. The Resolution Foundation (RF) said from next April families would typically face a £1,200-a-year hit to their incomes as the energy price cap is raised and [...]
Ex-TSB chief Richard Meddings frontrunner: City banker emerges as preferred candidate for NHS England chairman role December 24, 2021 In a bid to make NHS England more “accountable” for its funding, a City banker is set to become the body’s new chairman. The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed former TSB chairman Richard Meddings is the Government’s preferred candidate for the role on Thursday. The Telegraph reported that ministers wanted Mr Meddings to [...]
Credit Suisse sacks staff with links to Greensill funds after review into collapse December 22, 2021 Credit Suisse has fired staff and imposed “severe” financial penalties on various individuals, as the bank investigates the failings that led to the collapse of its Greensill-linked supply chain finance funds. The Swiss banking giant commissioned the investigation after its asset management division had to suspend a $10bn range of supply chain finance funds that [...]
Credit Suisse executive with links to Greensill steps down after 30 years December 20, 2021 Eric Varvel, the Credit Suisse executive who previously ran the bank’s $500bn asset management unit with ties to Greensill, is stepping down after three decades at the Swiss group. Varvel, who was most recently chair of Credit Suisse’s investment bank and head of its US holding company, had contemplated leaving the bank partly due to [...]
Energy suppliers to face financial stress test as Ofgem grapples with winter crisis December 15, 2021 Ofgem has announced a raft of reforms to fix the energy sector following 25 suppliers collapsing in the past three months
PA Awards 2021: The Finalists December 6, 2021 The City A.M. PA Awards was founded in 2019 as a celebration for the too often unsung heroes, who so frequently go above and beyond in their field, helping their companies to achieve the impossible. After this most challenging of years we will be celebrating those men and women who have proven themselves to be an [...]
Mauricio Preciado-Awad CA: Making a big impact with small change November 22, 2021 This article first appeared in ICAS’ CA magazine. UK social investment has grown sixfold in a decade, thanks in part to Big Society Capital using money from dormant bank accounts. Investment Director Mauricio Preciado-Awad CA tells Kitty Finstad about the big impact of small change If you were living in the UK around the time of [...]