From Charles Rennie Mackintosh to Renzo Piano: how top architects have helped to reinvent the chair November 23, 2016 Architects have been adding chairs and other items of furniture to their design repertoire since the beginning of the 19th century. The relationships and similarities are often surprising, and raise some interesting questions. What is it that distinguishes a chair designed by an architect, rather than a furniture designer? Why would an architect want to [...]
The economic benefits of a free port scheme after Brexit are an illusion November 14, 2016 Leave campaigners in the referendum liked to talk about Britain’s being a “seafaring nation”. It is in this vein that the anti-EU Centre for Policy Studies has released a report today advocating a new “free ports” policy for a post-Brexit Britain. If carried out by the Government, their proposal will succeed only in sinking our [...]
Reducing taxes, ending trade deals, squaring up to China and blocking mega-deals: Do Donald Trump’s policies add up? November 9, 2016 Casual observers of the US presidential election campaign may be surprised to learn that Donald Trump’s policy plans extend beyond building a wall across the Mexican border and banning Muslim people from entering the US. In fact, the Republican has set out plans for change across 15 policy areas, including foreign policy, national defence, infrastructure, cybersecurity and regulations. [...]
If you weren’t worried enough today, the European Commission has just cut UK growth expectations for 2017 by almost half November 9, 2016 The European Commission has today pointed the finger of blame squarely at the UK's vote to quit the European Union for its downgrade of European and UK growth. According to the EC, UK GDP is now expected to come in at 1.9 per cent this year, one per cent next year, and 1.2 per cent in 2018. You [...]
UK’s financial services sector goes from strength to strength as City trade surplus jumps to a record high November 1, 2016 The UK's financial services sector has boomed to its highest level of trade surplus yet, highlighting the importance of maintaining and developing the City's trade ties post-Brexit. The level of trade surplus in the financial sector jumped $283m (£185m) to reach $97bn (£63.4bn) in 2015, according to a TheCityUK report. The lobby group said the financial sector surplus is [...]
Reflections on my year as lord mayor – and why London will remain the world’s greatest city October 31, 2016 As I enter my final fortnight as lord mayor, I have spent some time reflecting on my year in office. I have been privileged to witness and support many areas of commercial progress during my international visits, domestic travels, and here in the City of London. I am also greatly looking forward to a number [...]
Editor’s diary: Threats to the City’s dominance come from home and abroad October 21, 2016 This week one of our front page stories caused quite a stir in parliament. Wednesday's paper reported on the growing levels of unease in the City regarding the way in which some people in government view financial services and its place in upcoming Brexit negotiations. We quoted a number of senior sources, all of whom [...]
The new centre ground: The full text of Theresa May’s Conservative Party conference speech October 5, 2016 In the speech which closed the Conservative Party conference, Theresa May spoke of a country in transition, and new opportunities. The full 7,600 words is below – although if you'd rather a cut-down version, her best quotes are here – or you can read how businesses reacted. The new centre ground: May's speech in full When [...]
London’s insurance industry will thrive globally post-Brexit with the right competitive boost September 13, 2016 Rebalancing the economy away from financial services and our capital city has been the preoccupation of successive governments since 2008’s financial crisis. The sheer size of the banking sector, so the thinking went, alongside the absence of any second, truly global city beyond London, had made the UK too reliant upon the dominant industry of our [...]
London commuters face transport delays due to 24-hour bus strike September 12, 2016 Commuters in London are facing delays today due to a 24-hour bus strike. Workers from Tower Transit, which operates around five per cent of London bus routes, began their strike at 00:01, and the industrial action is set to continue until 23:59. The staff are members of the Unite union, and previously led industrial action [...]