FSA to banks: Cut returns and dividends March 17, 2011 THE FSA has warned banks that they might have to cut their targets for returns on equity (RoE) in order to meet a capital surcharge for major financial institutions. It has also said that it will remain “vigilant” to banks taking “excessive risks in an attempt to maintain return on equity”. In its annual Prudential [...]
TOP LAWYERS CALL FOR QUOTAS TO BOOST WOMEN IN THE BOARDROOM March 13, 2011 SOME of the UK’s most high-powered female lawyers convened at the Southbank Centre on Saturday afternoon to debate the “chronic inequality” at City law firms. The panel, chaired by Denise Jagger from legal practice Eversheds, which organised the event, contained some of the most high-powered women in the industry (pictured right), including Lucy Scott-Moncrieff, deputy [...]
Activist investors eye bumper 2011 as market improves March 6, 2011 THIS year has started well for activist investors, those outspoken stake-builders that push boards to buck up their strategy. 2011 has kicked off with a spate of high profile public exchanges between funds and their targets. Activists claimed their first major scalp last month when Sherborne Investors ousted City veteran Nick MacAndrew from the chair [...]
Nora Ephron’s wisdom March 2, 2011 I REMEMBER NOTHING AND OTHER REFLECTIONS BY NORA EPHRON Doubleday, £12.99 NORA Ephron, the author of this collection of reminiscences, wry observations and the occasional recipe, will be familiar to most as the creator of THAT scene in When Harry Met Sally. While I Remember Nothing is unlikely to reach the celebrated heights of Meg [...]
The boss of the world’s largest law firm has more targets in his sights February 27, 2011 Britain’s most ambitious legal empire-builder bounces into one of his firm’s 11th floor meeting rooms in its modern London headquarters near St Paul’s – Sir Nigel Knowles, who has built DLA Piper from humble beginnings into a global powerhouse, is in the middle of completing another merger. Luckily for us, he is keen to talk. [...]
Hill threat to Ladbrokes deal February 23, 2011 BOOKMAKER William Hill has launched legal action to disrupt merger talks between its joint-venture partner Playtech and close rival Ladbrokes. The company said it had secured an interim injunction against Playtech in an attempt to safeguard its legal rights. Ladbrokes and Playtech are exploring a possible £2.2bn merger. William Hill said that Playtech – which [...]
Time for Johnson to make the Red Rose bloom again February 2, 2011 ENGLAND begin this year’s RBS 6 Nations as the bookmakers’ favourites and, with an encouraging autumn series behind them and three home games in the championship, the initial predictions were that Martin Johnson’s ripening side, currently ranked fourth in the world, would be able to live up to those lofty expectations. In mid-November a record [...]
Intelligent luxury under a hot blue sky January 16, 2011 ABU Dhabi sounds like a heady jumble of car, construction and human. In the daytime, the air is thick with noise as it is thick with the pervading haze of dust blown in from the sandlands to the south and thrown up by the never-ending construction. It softens the otherwise relentless sunshine, rendering everything (including [...]
What the other papers say this morning January 5, 2011 FINANCIAL TIMES HEDGE FUNDS BET ON REVIVAL OF FORTUNES After one of their most disappointing years, hedge fund managers are hoping for a better 2011 with less macro economic volatility and more corporate events to bet on, such as takeovers. As of the end of November, the average hedge fund had returned just over 7 [...]
The City is back but under new management December 21, 2010 BRITAIN’S financial landscape has been transformed since we last shone a light on the City’s most powerful figures two years ago. The City A.M./CityJet Power Hundred 2011 list ranks the most influential figures in UK finance as we head into the new year. It should be no surprise that it is very different from 2009. [...]