The City View: Nigel Wilson on why it’s essential to get people back into offices August 10, 2020 Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS In this episode Christian is joined by Nigel Wilson, chief executive of Legal and General, a City institution with more than £1 trillion of assets under management. Nigel talks about L&G’s long-term view and how its investments could shape our recovery and future economic growth, but he also reflects [...]
Pret A Manger to cut staff hours in coronavirus restructuring August 9, 2020 Pret A Manger has asked thousands of its staff to work fewer hours, as the lunch chain restructures its business after the coronavirus pandemic. Staff will work 20 per cent fewer hours on average, as footfall remains low. It follows an announcement by Pret last month that it would be closing 30 outlets and cutting [...]
What the data tells us about the shape of the US economic recovery August 7, 2020 Looking at high-frequency data in the US, the key question is whether momentum in consumer spending can be sustained. Some signs of the much hoped-for V-shaped recovery have started to emerge for the US economy. While consumption collapsed in March and April due to lockdown measures and a jump in unemployment, stimulus cheques provided an [...]
The City View: Rachel Cunliffe on why working from home isn’t great for everyone August 7, 2020 Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS In this episode Christian is joined by City A.M.’s comment and features editor, Rachel Cunliffe, who talks about her recent column on why working from home doesn’t suit everyone. Rachel talks about young people in houseshares in particular, as well as those who don’t have the luxury of a separate work [...]
The City View: The Publishers Association CEO on culture wars, discovering talent and industry challenges August 6, 2020 Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS In this episode Christian is joined by Stephen Lotinga, CEO of the Publishers Association, representing the UK’s fiction, non-fiction and academic publishing sector. After the biggest year ever for the industry in 2019, how has it coped with the lockdown and what are the chances of the great Coronavirus novel [...]
Games industry shows COVID resilience August 5, 2020 Launched today, Ukie’s ‘Playing On’ report shows the UK games sector has risen to the challenges raised by the current pandemic, rapidly adapting to new ways of working and maintaining very high levels of productivity throughout difficult circumstances, without over-reliance on governmental and public funds for support. However, constraints in access to finance, business networking [...]
The City View: Tony Matharu on why it’s time to get London moving again August 5, 2020 Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS In this episode Christian is joined by top hotelier and London businessman Tony Matharu, who believes the capital needs an injection of confidence to get people back on public transport, back in the office and back into the pubs, restaurants, shops and hotels. Also in this episode, Christian looks [...]
Could the bounce-back be quashed by a second wave? August 4, 2020 With some countries fearing a second wave of Covid-19 cases, Schroders’ chief economist Keith Wade considers whether a bounce back in the economy could be quashed. While there are hopes that the easing of lockdowns and reopening of businesses are beginning to give life to the global economy, fears of second waves of infections are [...]
The City View: Glass half full? Emma McClarkin on the future of British pubs August 4, 2020 Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS In this episode Christian is joined by the chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, Emma McClarkin, who represents over 20,000 pubs and whose members are responsible for 90 per cent of the beer brewed in the UK. Emma describes how pubs and brewers have responded to [...]
Hammerson pins hopes on ‘£800m’ raise to survive crisis August 3, 2020 Retail landlord Hammerson is considering tapping investors for up to £600m in a bid to shore up its finances during the coronavirus crisis. Hammerson, which owns Birmingham’s Bullring shopping centre and Brent Cross in north London, also confirmed that it is in advanced talks to sell its 50 per cent stake in Via Outlets to [...]