Back to the 80s: Why we need to start celebrating business October 28, 2024 When Bernard Fairman founded Foresight Group, Britain had a favourable tax and regulatory environment and a culture that encouraged entrepreneurialism – and the economy boomed as a result Growing the economy is the “first mission” of the new government, with much of what Sir Keir Starmer wants to do over the next decade being reliant [...]
I’ve had an incredible year as Lord Mayor – here’s to the next 695 October 28, 2024 Next week the 696th Lord Mayor of London takes office followed by the Lord Mayor’s Show. As I reflect on the past year in this, my last mayoral column, I hear the American philosopher, William James: “It takes an endless amount of history to make even a little tradition”. I can tell you it takes [...]
Are we entering the ABBA Voyage era at work? October 28, 2024 AI avatars are about to replace you in meetings. The possibilities are tantalising – and unsettling, writes Paul Armstrong AI avatars are joining our Zoom calls, often before we do. Meeting note-takers, digital clones, even interviewers are now infiltrating the office landscape—often uninvited. This isn’t some distant sci-fi concept; it’s happening now. Is this progress, [...]
EY right: Is multitasking really unethical? October 28, 2024 Firing staff for watching multiple training videos at the same time raises questions about the accountancy firm’s corporate culture, says Eliot Wilson Internal disciplinary procedures in the US arm of one of the “Big Four” accounting firms may not seem like headline news. Last week, however, The Financial Times reported that Ernst and Young (now [...]
Sexism in the City ‘will never end’, says Helena Morrissey October 27, 2024 Sexism in UK financial services "will never end", City veteran and Tory peer Helena Morrissey has said, while poking holes in last week's bombshell FCA report on a survey of more than 1,000 firms.
Bronze sculpture of poet John Keats to be unveiled in London October 26, 2024 English poet John Keats will be immortalised in a bronze sculpture, unveiled near his birthplace in Moorgate next week, it has been revealed. A public sculpture forged by sculptor Martin Jennings will be revealed on 31 October, in the heart of the City of London, a short distance from his birthplace on what would have [...]
The five REITs primed to be bought next October 26, 2024 Real estate investment trusts (REITs) have been dropping like flies this year, as competitors increasingly pursue mergers to grow their size, and many have begun to speculate about which one might be next to go. The largest merger of the year was LXI REIT, which was bought out by Londonmetric Property at the start of [...]
A mixed bag for EY UK: Revenue growth meets flat fee income and declining profits October 25, 2024 EY UK net revenues grew by single-digit percentage over 2024, while fee income remained flat, due to a reduction in large cross border transactions
Investor sentiment split by age as older generation’s views sour October 25, 2024 Investor sentiment has split by age over the last six months, with young people’s confidence in investment increasing significantly as the older generation remains sceptical. While the desire to save and invest has jumped by double digits among 18-34 year olds, those aged 35-54 have increased by just a few percent, while for the oldest [...]
Budget 2024: Warning pubs and breweries could face extra £310m bill October 25, 2024 Pubs and breweries could face an extra £310m bill after the Budget, an industry lobby group has warned. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves that a hike in business rates and beer duty could leave Britain’s drinking spots struggling. Additional costs could stifle growth and threaten jobs, with some [...]