International Women’s Day: 12 of the most awesome women in the City March 8, 2017 With International Women's Day upon us, what better time to celebrate some of the City's brightest and best, from business bosses to economists? Here's a run-down of 12 of the most awesome women in the City… 1. Jayne-Anne Gadhia – chief executive of Virgin Money Jane-Anne Gadhia has been chief executive of Virgin Money since 2007 [...]
Retail sales fell in February as non-food retail sales decline for first time since 2011 according to early indicator March 7, 2017 Retail sales fell in February as non-food purchases recorded their first quarterly decline in more than five years, a survey ahead of official data shows. Like-for-like sales fell by 0.4 per cent compared to February 2016, according to the retail sales monitor reported by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG, despite food sales rising [...]
Apprentices may bridge post Brexit labour shortages, employers’ campaign claims March 6, 2017 Apprentices can help bridge the gap of labour shortages if the UK loses access to skilled workers following Brexit, research by apprentice and graduate entry to work campaigners, The 5% Club, claims. In a survey of 200 UK employers, 89 per cent said that Brexit would make no difference to the number of apprentices they [...]
More KPMG partners follow Richard Fleming to Alvarez & Marsal in a bid to break the Big Four’s stranglehold March 6, 2017 One year has passed since KPMG big-hitter Richard Fleming shocked the City by walking out on the consultancy giant. Fleming officially joins rival Alvarez & Marsal this month. The firm moved for him and two other partners in early 2016 after KPMG rejected a bid from Alvarez & Marsal for the Big Four giant’s restructuring business. Today, the [...]
A minimum excise tax on cigarettes will hurt lower earners and fuel the black market, British American Tobacco says March 3, 2017 Once again, British American Tobacco (BAT) is pushing back against the government's proposals to create a so-called tax floor ahead of next week's Budget. A minimum excise tax (MET) will set a minimum amount of tax payable on any packet of cigarettes. After former chancellor George Osborne announced plans to instate an MET in 2016, the government now says it will announce [...]
Judge mulling whether RBS Global Restructuring Group case should get the go ahead March 2, 2017 A judge is now considering whether a closely-watched case focusing on the Royal Bank of Scotland's Global Restructuring Group (GRG) should go ahead, after a hearing debating its merits drew to a close. Neil Mitchell is seeking legal action against the bank, as well as KPMG and Cerberus, over the way Torex Retail, the software company he [...]
KPMG names new UK chairman, who reveals his people priority March 2, 2017 KPMG's new UK boss today revealed his main priority when he formally takes over later this year: to attract the best and the brightest people in order to drive the firm forward. The Big Four firm unveiled Bill Michael, previously the head of its banking audit division, as the person to succeed outgoing chairman Simon Collins. [...]
City Moves for 2 March 2017 – who’s switching jobs? March 2, 2017 Today's City Moves cover commodities platforms, pensions and tourism. Take a look at these movers and shakers: Kynetix Matt Dolton has been appointed chief executive of Kynetix, a leading provider of platforms which connect financial markets to the physical economy. Matt is one of the co-founders of Kynetix and has been spearheading the company’s strategy [...]
City Moves for 24 February 2017 – who’s switching jobs? February 24, 2017 Today's City Moves cover a shopping centre owner, professional services and a mobile phone provider. Take a look at these movers and shakers: Intu John Strachan, a non-executive director of Intu since October 2015, will succeed Patrick Burgess as chairman of the company following the AGM on 3 May. John brings a wealth of experience [...]
UK growth revised upwards at end of year after manufacturing boost, but weaker first quarter drags on 2016 overall February 22, 2017 The UK economy grew faster than previously thought in the last three months of 2016, with the manufacturing sector delivering a late boost to growth after a weaker first quarter. Growth for the year was revised down to 1.8 per cent from two per cent after a slower performance in the first three months of [...]