The rise of reward crowdfunding in Europe September 10, 2015 Harriet Green asks Indiegogo’s Anastasia Emmanuel about the platform’s experience in new markets WHAT does the rewards and donation-based crowdfunding sector look like today? Despite having a longer history than equity and debt crowdfunding, the fast-growth of platforms which offer perks and non-monetary rewards in return for investment doesn’t get so much media time. Indiegogo, [...]
The cost of luxury homes in Nine Elms are being slashed to bargain prices September 9, 2015 Nine Elms may be one of London's most ambitious residential development projects in decades – but it seems the luxury homes being built in the area aren't as popular as anticipated, after figures showed half of the homes under construction or just completed the area were reduced in price before they were sold The research, [...]
Metro Bank gets the ball rolling on long-awaited London float September 8, 2015 CHALLENGER retail bank Metro Bank, is in talks with advisers as it gears up for a float on the London Stock Exchange that could value it at more than £1bn. Metro Bank has asked investment bankers to pitch for roles advising on an initial public offering (IPO), according to Sky News. The IPO could come as [...]
Tesco: Here’s who is eyeing up its South Korean business Homeplus September 8, 2015 Embattled retailer Tesco has reportedly invited five private equity firms, and one department store chain, to bid for its South Korean unit Homeplus which is valued at around about $6bn (£3.9bn). US-based KKR and Carlyle Group are among the potential runners and riders, according to a report by Reuters. London-based CVC Capital Partners, Hong Kong-based Affinity Equity Partners and [...]
Watch out Mike Ashley: Unite the union protesters to target Sports Direct AGM dressed as Dickensian workers over “Victorian” zero-hours contracts September 8, 2015 Sports Direct's AGM tomorrow is set to be an even more lively affair than usual. Unite the union has revealed plans for a protest outside the AGM with members dressed as Dickensian workers. They will be demanding "an end to ‘Victorian’ work practices at the retailer’s nearby Shirebrook warehouse and that the company pays [...]
Property firm LMSL teams up with crowdfunding platform to launch £9m east London bond September 8, 2015 A property investor is offering small retail investors the chance to buy a slice of east London property after launching a £9m mini-bond via crowdfunding platform CrowdBnk. LMSL Group, which owns 160 rental properties in east London worth around £52m, said it aims to raise at least £9m to plough back into the ongoing regeneration [...]
Smartphones are making paying for the things we want even easier September 8, 2015 Payments are one of the big new features coming to smartphones over the next few years, and they’re going to make our lives even easier. The pitch is simple – especially in London where most people always have their smartphone in their hand. Now you can use that mobile device to pay for things at [...]
Sports Direct shareholder Royal London Asset Management to vote against Mike Ashley at AGM September 7, 2015 Mike Ashley is no stranger to investor unease, but he could be heading towards a bigger upset at this week's AGM. Following guidance issued by shareholder group Pirc, now Sports Direct shareholder Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) has said it will vote against Ashley's reinstatement on the board this year. Ashley Hamilton Claxton, [...]
How the City got its mojo back September 6, 2015 A decade is a long time, and a decade in the City feels like a lifetime. You only need to look out the window to see how much things have changed. New cathedrals of glass and steel climb over the horizon – to the chagrin of traditionalists – while others are quietly and efficiently razed [...]
Chancellor George Osborne: The City has made progress… Now for the next 10 years September 6, 2015 Today marks a decade since City A.M. established itself as a leading paper for the City of London. Lots has changed over that time, not least the financial crisis of 2007 and 2008 that cost Britain billions in lost economic output. Back then, the City was seen as part of the problem. But since I [...]