Davos 2016: Why you can’t afford to ignore the fourth industrial revolution – and how data must become essential to your business January 22, 2016 There's been one phrase on everyone's lips at this year's World Economic Forum: the fourth industrial revolution. Definitions differ on what exactly it is, but one thing we can all agree on is that the fourth industrial revolution is here and it is happening a lot faster than many of us ever imagined. While the first [...]
The Uber, London taxi, TfL standoff is far from over as Boris Johnson calls for congestion charge exemption to be lifted January 20, 2016 Thought the fight was over? No sooner has one row over Uber been settled than another arises. The long-running dispute over how the startup is regulated by Transport for London, which has left London's black cab drivers rather sore, was finally ruled upon today. The new regulations were announced and a controversial five-minute wait rule – which even taxi drivers admitted was not viable – has [...]
Davos 2016: Why London fintech can transform the 21st century January 20, 2016 In recent years, there has been cynicism about the objectives of the World Economic Forum annual meeting at Davos, with reports of parties, private jets and closed-door discussions. However, the core purpose of the forum should not be dismissed in an era of global upheaval, tensions and economic uncertainty for billions across the developed and [...]
Transport for London’s road boss Garrett Emmerson: This is why we ditched the five-minute rule (and are proposing 13 other changes) January 20, 2016 London’s minicab trade has fundamentally changed in recent years, with welcome advances in technology giving customers greater choice and convenience. However, partly as a result of this, the number of ‘private hire’ (PHV) drivers has also boomed, rising from 59,000 in 2009/10 to more than 95,000 today. To keep up with this transformation we recently [...]
Uber rule changes: Transport for London to shake up private hire vehicle regulation – but it won’t insist on the five minute wait time January 20, 2016 Transport for London has revealed its plans to shake up private hire vehicles – including Uber – which would include formal English language requirements for drivers – but it won't insist on the controversial five-minute wait time. Other proposals include the introduction of guaranteed fare estimates for customers ahead of their journey, the provision of driver and vehicle details [...]
Insurers including Direct Line, Aviva and Admiral band together to examine future of driverless cars January 18, 2016 Some of Britain's largest motor insurers, including Direct Line, Aviva and Admiral, have banded together to plan for a future when driverless cars are the norm. The Automated Driving Insurance Group, which will be led by trade body the Association of British Insurers (ABI), is assessing the insurance implications of the rise of driverless technology. The group [...]
Best UK companies to work for in 2016: Jaguar Land Rover, AstraZeneca and Harrods top the list January 14, 2016 Jaguar Land Rover, AstraZeneca and Harrods are the top three UK companies to work for, according to a ranking by Statista, which was compiled for Bloomberg. Other household names comprising the top 10 included Adidas, Dyson, Microsoft, Estee Lauder, Sky, Frankie and Benny's and Rolls-Royce. Those working in the professional services were most likely to recommend their employer, while employees in [...]
Train fare rises: The worst value rail journeys in Britain revealed as London to Newcastle, London to Edinburgh and London to Leeds January 11, 2016 A new study has revealed which rail journeys offer the worst value for money compared with the cost of driving – and some of the routes are even slower than going the distance in four wheels. A return trip from London to Newcastle costs nearly £159 more than travelling by car, making it the worst value [...]
Driverless car bump in the road? Our three biggest fears about autonomous vehicles, revealed January 6, 2016 It's the year of the driverless car, as everyone from big tech companies to traditional car brands, ambitious startups to academics, make inroads in the burgeoning technology which could soon change the way we travel. There may be one bump in the road to mass adoption, however, and that's consumers. Half of us would refuse to [...]
AA drives into connected car tech with joint venture Intelematics Europe January 5, 2016 The AA has sealed a joint venture to develop connected car services which could improve roadside assistance services and even lower motorists' car insurance. The London-listed company today announced the launch of Intelematics Europe, a joint venture co-owned by the AA, two other European roadside assistant clubs and Intelematics. The move marks another step into the [...]