Big Four client numbers fall but FTSE 100 stranglehold remains December 2, 2019 The number of clients audited by the Big Four accountancy firms has fallen but they retain an iron grip on the FTSE 100, figures published today show. Figures from Adviser Rankings for the quarter to 6 November showed the number of stock market clients audited by PwC (353), KPMG (312) and Deloitte (225) all fell [...]
Better together: How media firms are teaming up to take on tech November 30, 2019 The media industry is in flux and embattled publishers and broadcasters are banding together. But will it be enough to fend off the might of big tech? In Succession, the hit HBO show about a crumbling media dynasty, virtually every conversation is a power struggle. But for ageing patriarch Logan Roy, a thinly-veiled Rupert Murdoch, [...]
Inside Amazon’s Black Friday operations hub: How the e-commerce giant prepares for its busiest day of the year November 29, 2019 Where could be a better place to witness the behind-the-scenes impact of Black Friday than at the heart of Amazon’s UK warehouse operations? Some of the credit – or perhaps, blame – for the annual shopping event’s popularity in Britain surely lies with the US e-commerce giant. The fulfilment centre – which is the size [...]
Top City investors urge UK firms to pay living wage November 28, 2019 Some of the City’s biggest investors have written to the chief executives of companies including Just Eat, British Airways, and Royal Mail urging them to pay the so-called real living wage. The letter, published today, outlines a growing business case for the living wage, arguing that it can boost productivity, reduce staff turnover and improve [...]
Getting Brexit done will not help UK economy, say academics November 26, 2019 Carrying out Brexit will not improve the UK’s struggling economy but will usher in years more uncertainty about Britain’s trading relationships, a new report has said. The hard Brexit that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is proposing will also limit the size of the UK market and raise trade costs, making it a less attractive place [...]
Domestic abuse costs UK businesses £316m a year November 25, 2019 Domestic abuse against women costs UK businesses a total of £316m a year, according to a new study by KPMG for Vodafone. The new research suggests that per woman, the potential loss of earnings as a result of the negative impact domestic abuse can have on career progression could be as much as £5,800. Read [...]
Weakest UK tech sector growth since 2015 amid slowdown in demand November 25, 2019 The UK’s tech sector grew at the slowest rate in almost four years in the third quarter as a global economic slowdown and domestic political uncertainty dented the industry, new research shows. The tech sector was hit by a downturn in new work for the first time since 2012 during the three months to 30 [...]
KPMG to slash partner bonuses by up to 40 per cent November 24, 2019 Partners at KPMG are facing steep cuts to their bonuses as the accounting giant cuts costs in a bid to prepare for tighter regulation of its audit work. Partners’ bonuses – which can reach hundreds of thousands of pounds – are set to fall by as much as 40 per cent this year, according to [...]
Prince Andrew steps down from Pitch@Palace role November 22, 2019 Prince Andrew has stepped down from his role at tech startup scheme Pitch@Palace. The initiative, which the Duke of York founded to showcase entrepreneurs, is set to continue without any royal involvement. Read more: Prince Andrew cancels Middle East trip for Pitch@Palace The Duke has come under increasing pressure as the catastrophic fallout of his [...]
Bosch cuts ties with Pitch@Palace as Prince Andrew stays on November 21, 2019 Bosch is the latest company to end its association with Prince Andrew’s Pitch@Palace scheme, City A.M. has learnt. A spokesperson for Bosch confirmed: “While Bosch will continue to support the next generation of entrepreneurial talent through various means, the company has decided against renewing its sponsorship with Pitch@Palace. The current contract is due to expire [...]