Formula One: MEP hits back at governing body claims of malicious intent February 22, 2017 The MEP championing change in Formula One has hit back at claims by the sport's governing body that her cause is “inaccurately informed or made maliciously”. In an open letter Anneliese Dodds highlighted a conflict of interest in Formula One's regulator, the FIA, allegedly profiting from signing off on the sale of Formula One to Liberty Media. One [...]
Don’t dig yourself into a hole! Here are our top tips to keep in mind if you’re planning to dig out your basement February 18, 2017 Barely a week passes without news stories reporting various problems with botched basement digs throughout London. Just recently a Georgian townhouse in Barnes collapsed “like a pack of cards” due to basement work, and similarly a family in Chester Row are still waiting for repairs worth £250,000 to their house after a neighbour’s skip fell [...]
Industry calls for corporate governance clampdown for private firms to avoid BHS-style scandals February 17, 2017 Business groups are urging the government to strengthen corporate governance rules for privately-run firms, or risk a repeat of high-profile scandals like last year's collapse of BHS. The UK's private companies are currently not held to the same set of standards as the country's listed companies. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is [...]
After BHS: MPs eye stricter transparency rules for private companies February 12, 2017 The UK's biggest private companies and those with large pension schemes should have to abide by the same financial reporting rules as listed firms to ensure the fallout from the collapse of BHS is not repeated, MPs have said. Any private company with more than 5,000 members of a defined benefit pension scheme, or those defined as large [...]
Richard Pennycook steps down as Co-operative Group chief executive February 7, 2017 Richard Pennycook, the chief executive of the Co-operative Group who was parachuted in when the company was in the worst phase of its crisis in 2013, has stepped down as chief executive, it said today. In a statement today the company said Pennycook will be replaced by Steve Murrells, who currently heads up the company's food [...]
ECB governor Mario Draghi rejects policies of Donald Trump as he says quantitative easing could be extended further February 6, 2017 European Central Bank (ECB) governor Mario Draghi has hit out at the policies of US President Donald Trump, rejecting deregulation and protectionism as well as claims Germany is manipulating the euro. Draghi also reiterated the ECB’s commitment to its expansive monetary policy, telling MEPs at the European Parliament the central bank was ready to increase [...]
Leaked report reveals top EU officials believe the remaining 27 member states will be damaged by a bad deal for the City February 1, 2017 A leaked report has revealed top EU officials are worried a bad Brexit deal that does not safeguard the City of London's status will backfire for the other member states. A document put together by the European parliament’s committee on economic and monetary affairs, which was seen by the Guardian, urges EU negotiators to strive [...]
BT’s accounting black hole to be investigated by Italian prosecutors January 25, 2017 Italian prosecutors have launched an investigation into BT’s £530m accounting black hole, according to reports. The scale of the scandal today wiped £7bn off the telecom giant’s market capitalisation. BT’s shares fell over 20 per cent yesterday, closing at 303p. And after markets closed, Reuters cited two sources saying Milan prosecutors have started a probe into the [...]
It’s May way or the Highway: Prime Minister Theresa May confirms UK will seek bespoke Brexit deal January 18, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May laid out her plan for life outside the Single Market yesterday, warning Brussels that she will walk away from negotiations if the EU seeks to damage the UK by blocking a free trade deal. While May’s threat sent jitters through the City, business groups were heartened to hear the PM promise [...]
City eyes best possible access to Europe’s Single Market January 16, 2017 The City is shifting to a new focus on best possible access to Europe's Single Market, rather than pinning hopes on continued membership of the trading bloc, as it prepares for the Prime Minister to announce a so-called clean Brexit tomorrow. In a much anticipated speech, Theresa May is expected to make clear the UK’s [...]