Christmas came early: Here are all of the gifts foreign leaders gave Prime Minister David Cameron this year December 17, 2015 Two rugs, alcohol, a glass art platter and bronze coins: these are just some of the presents Prime Minister David Cameron has received from foreign leaders this year. Government papers published today reveal that Cameron received more than a dozen gifts from foreign leaders between April and September of this year. Too bad he can't [...]
Japan: Three years after the Abenomics’ bazookas were fired, the jury’s out on whether the economy is better off – but investors are cheering the Nikkei’s rise December 15, 2015 As he launched the bazooka that would lift Japan’s economy out of decades of stagnation, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the world he was firing “three arrows” of “bold policy” which would finally “achieve results”. Three years on, and the jury’s still out on whether Abenomics is showing signs of success. THE [...]
City Moves for 14 December 2015 | Who’s switching jobs December 13, 2015 MARKETFORM Robert Brown has joined specialist underwriting firm Marketform as global practice leader of its M&A Insurance operations, heading up a team specialist underwriters and lawyers who are responsible underwriting complex transactions to provide bespoke warranty and indemnity and tax insurance products. Robert has more than 20 years’ worth of underwriting experience and has previously [...]
COP21 Climate Conference: Anti-oil movement picks up steam as fossil fuel divestment goes mainstream and oil prices remain stuck at multi-year lows December 11, 2015 Fabulously wealthy, from an empire built on the riches of oil, and one of the most powerful families in America, the Rockefellers' $860m (£567m) charitable fund shocked the world when it announced plans to strip the fund of fossil fuel investments. When the world needed an alternative energy source to costly whale oil, John D Rockefeller founded [...]
Christmas ‘tis the season to… sort out your finances: Use the holidays to prepare for a more financially savvy New Year in 2016 December 9, 2015 Christmas is a time of abundance, of eating, drinking and throwing money around like there’s no tomorrow. But the combination of profligate spending and time off work can make the festive period a good time to take stock of your finances. While cautioning readers about the pitfalls of over-spending at Christmas may make me [...]
UK weather: Storm Desmond’s cost to insurers creeps up to a possible £325m, far outstripping the costs of 2009 floods, as bad weather threatens further damage December 8, 2015 The predicted cost to insurers of Storm Desmond has crept up, as continued bad weather threatens to cause even greater damage. Professional services firm PwC, which yesterday estimated that the insurance costs would be between £175m and £250m, today suggested insurers could find themselves paying out between £250m and £325m. “Clearly these are initial estimates as [...]
One Undershaft: Plans to build the City’s tallest skyscraper and London’s second highest building revealed December 7, 2015 Plans to build the City’s tallest skyscraper and London's second highest building – rivalled only by the Shard – have been unveiled today. Singapore-based developers Aroland Holdings are seeking planning permission to build a 73 storey tower at One Undershaft in the City, between the Leadenhall Building and 30 St Mary’s Axe. Standing 309.6 metres [...]
Financial Conduct Authority proposes last year’s insurance premium information should be published on renewal documents December 3, 2015 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published proposals today that would require general insurance providers to include details of last year’s premium on customer’s renewal documents. The proposals are designed to address concerns that some customers might be getting a bad deal by sticking with the same company. “We hope the proposals encourage more people to [...]
British Land unveils plans for 32-storey City office tower on UBS site December 2, 2015 Plans to replace UBS' London headquarters in the City with a new 32-storey off tower have been unveiled by FTSE 100 developer British Land. The proposed scheme at 2 and 3 Finsbury Avenue Square, which is part of the wider regeneration of Broadgate, would provide around 550,000 sq ft office space across four buildings – the [...]
Insurance company Axa ventures further into India, increasing its stake in its joint venture December 1, 2015 Axa has today revealed that it is increasing its stake in its Indian joint venture companies. The insurer announced that it would be raising its holding in the life and general insurance ventures, Bharti AXA Life Insurance Co and Bharti AXA General Insurance Co, from 26 per cent to 49 per cent in a bid [...]