Personality clashes and the poisoned client: The inside story of Bell Pottinger’s collapse September 25, 2017 From the outside, the demise of iconic public relations firm Bell Pottinger appeared to unfold at a dramatic and surprising pace. On Monday 4 September, the company published the findings of a report by lawyers Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) concluding that the firm’s campaign for the Gupta family’s Oakbay Capital in South Africa “was potentially [...]
Insiders are now expecting Bell Pottinger administration on Tuesday following South Africa scandal | City A.M. September 11, 2017 Insiders at Bell Pottinger expect the disgaced PR firm to fall into administration on Tuesday following a nightmare week. Staff were informed on Thursday last week that the firm was likely to collapse early this week, with administration expected as soon as Monday. This has not come to pass, but there is little hope among [...]
Bell Pottinger senior management criticised in damning South Africa report as chief executive resigns | City A.M. September 4, 2017 An independent report into PR firm Bell Pottinger’s conduct in South Africa today concluded that there had been failings among senior staff as well as the account team. Law firm Herbert Smith Freehills said that its inquiry into Bell Pottinger’s work for Oakbay Capital, owned by the influential Gupta family, had led it to believe [...]
Numis reigns victorious as it steals the crown of top City stockbroker from JP Morgan Cazenove September 4, 2017 JP Morgan Cazenove has lots its top spot as the City’s most popular stockbroker, as Numis Securities has crept ahead to take the largest number of stock market clients. With 189 clients to Numis’s 195, this is the first time that JP Morgan Cazenove has ever lost its crown since Adviser Rankings began collecting data [...]
Brexit gives the UK a chance to rethink energy policy, but business must stay at the forefront of negotiations June 27, 2017 Britain should use Brexit as an opportunity to rethink some aspects of its long-term energy policy, a new report suggests. A report by law firm Herbert Smith Freehills and consulting firms Boston Consulting Group and Global Counsel suggests the status quo of remaining in the EU’s internal energy market is “highly unlikely”, and it considers [...]
Financial and professional services industry contributes £176bn to the UK economy April 25, 2017 Financial and related professional services workers contribute 1.5 times more to the economy than the average UK employee, a new report today reveals. Financial services employees contribute £79,500 gross value added (GVA), above the average of £52,000 across other sectors. A report from TheCityUK today also reveals that the industry makes up 10.7 per cent [...]
Advisers on London Stock Exchange-Deutsche Boerse deal could rake in up to £305m February 7, 2017 The London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Boerse could pay up to £305m between them to bankers, lawyers, accountants and PRs working on their merger. The top-end estimate was revised up today from £234m in light of an extended probe by the European Commission into the deal. Credit Suisse analysts noted today: We believe merger related [...]
Lord mayor Dr Andrew Parmley launches 2017 City-wide mental health campaign to reduce stigma in the workplace February 7, 2017 Lord mayor Dr Andrew Parmley is today launching a 2017 City-wide mental health campaign aiming to dispel myths surrounding mental health in the workplace. The lord mayor of the City of London kicks off This is Me – in the City at Deutsche Bank – an initiative led by the Lord Mayor's Appeal charity to reduce the stigma [...]
British American Tobacco shares fall three per cent after announcing $49bn Reynolds takeover deal January 17, 2017 British American Tobacco's (BAT) share price tumbled four per cent on Tuesday afternoon after it announced a deal to take over US competitor Reynolds. After months of talks between the two firms, BAT has agreed to pay around $49.4bn (£40.8bn) for the 57.8 per cent of Reynolds that it does not already own. Its shares jumped [...]
City Moves for 17 January 2017 | Who’s switching jobs January 17, 2017 Eversheds Frank Thompson has joined Eversheds' London insurance team. Frank has over 15 years of legal experience focusing on insurance coverage disputes and non-contentious coverage advice and has been ranked as a leading individual by Chambers and Partners for several years. Frank joins the firm as a lateral hire from K&L Gates where he earned recognition [...]