KPMG sets up fund to invest in tech firms November 11, 2013 ACCOUNTING giant KPMG is making its first move into investment management by setting up a fund focused on providing early-stage capital to data and analytics firms. KPMG said the London-based fund, named KPMG Capital and not open to outside investors, will acquire and set up partnerships with data companies worldwide. Several offices in the global [...]
Strongest pick up in wages since before crisis seen by recruiters November 7, 2013 RECRUITERS recorded the strongest increase in permanent salaries since before the financial crisis last month, an early indication that the economy’s recent upturn may finally be translating through to wages. Research out today says the number of recruitment and employment consultancies reporting an increase in permanent salaries has risen to 18.1 per cent. The latest [...]
How ending the letting free-for-all could save our failing high streets November 7, 2013 THE RECENT purchase of much of the retail property along London’s Queensway by Meyer Bergman and a Brunei family was a keynote deal. As all successful retail property investors know: control the mix of shops, and you control the fortunes of the area. Control the Queensway mix and you can restore a down-at-heel shopping offer [...]
Focus on Canary Wharf: Riding on the wave of Canary Wharf November 7, 2013 Steeped in history, Canary Wharf was once part of the world’s largest port. Now the capital’s second most vibrant business district – after the ancient City of London – it is still a gleaming hub of international trade and commerce. The banks, law firms and media organisations that have joined its ranks have brought a [...]
News UK in the running to buy Racing Post newspaper’s debt November 6, 2013 NEWS UK, the publisher of The Times, The Sun and The Sunday Times, was last night reported to be one of the bidders in the running to acquire the outstanding loans of the Racing Post newspaper. Bidders for the debt are hoping it would put them in a strong position to ultimately gain control of [...]
City Moves for 07 November 2013 | Who’s switching jobs November 6, 2013 Quantum Advisory The actuarial and benefits consultancy firm has announced the hire of Darren Wateridge as senior consultant and actuary. He has over 15 years’ experience in the pensions market. He was most recently at Aegon, where he worked in its corporate solutions division. CMS Cameron McKenna The legal and tax services company has recruited Keith [...]
Pace of growth in UK car sales begins to slow November 6, 2013 CAR SALES rose for the 20th month in a row in October, though the pace of growth slowed to four per cent compared to last year. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said British buyers registered 157,314 new cars last month, as the new number plates launched in September continued to motor out of [...]
Experts pour cold water on HS2 benefits November 5, 2013 EXPERTS yesterday picked apart key figures used to justify the benefits of the High Speed 2 project, with one describing the modelling methods as “essentially made up”. MPs heard from several academics who doubt that the rail link will generate £15bn a year for the British economy, and Treasury select committee chair Andrew Tyrie said [...]
Online retail takes up growing share of sales before Christmas November 4, 2013 RETAILERS saw a boost ahead of Christmas during October, with sales up 2.6 per cent in comparison to the same month last year according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). However, the survey conducted with KPMG suggests the UK’s high streets may not be benefiting as much from the increase. On a like-for-like basis, sales [...]
Labour makes new push for higher wages November 4, 2013 LABOUR leader Ed Miliband has pledged to offer tax breaks of up to £1,000 per worker for companies that move low-paid staff onto the living wage. Miliband said the scheme would cut poverty while saving money on benefit payments – but the Conservatives and some business groups said the plan was impractical. More than 400 [...]