Coutts treatment of Farage ‘ought to jeopardise’ Natwest’s bank licence, senior Tory says July 19, 2023 Top Tory MPs have piled pressure on Coutts and its owner Natwest after the private bank reportedly closed Nigel Farage’s account because his views do “not align with our values”. Former Brexit secretary David Davis said the decision amounted to “thinly veiled political discrimination” and called it a “vindictive, irresponsible and undemocratic action”. Speaking during [...]
Golf’s Open chiefs change tack on Saudi sponsorship following LIV-PGA deal July 19, 2023 Open Championship chiefs have admitted they would consider sponsorship from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund despite previously criticising its impact on the sport through LIV Golf. On the eve of last year’s tournament Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A, said LIV Golf was “harming the perception of the game” and depicted it as “entirely [...]
Cities are ecosystems and we need to constantly refresh them July 19, 2023 Oxford Street is, despite the fact that most Londoners venture their only under the most extreme of Christmas present pressures, a literal shop window for the capital. That it has been recently taken over by garish American candy stores and knock-off vape shops is, therefore, less than ideal. The steps Westminster Council are taking, then, [...]
The Notebook: Neil Bennett on leaky deals, an archaic City ritual and a podcast with a point July 19, 2023 In his latest column for City A.M., the former journalist and now global co-CEO of advisory and communications firm H/Advisors gives his take on the Square Mile’s latest Deal leaks are part of the City’s plumbing A few days ago my firm, H/Advisors, published a survey about leaks, the financial information kind rather than plumbing [...]
The competition watchdog is plagued with a knee-jerk belief that ‘big is bad’ July 19, 2023 The CMA's u-turn on the Microsoft/Activision deal is a sign that the competition regulator might be starting to understand its approach to Big Tech will bring no good to the UK, writes Cento Veljanovski
Deloitte to review BBC internal processes after Huw Edwards scandal July 18, 2023 A top Deloitte partner has been drafted in to help the BBC review its internal processes following the Huw Edwards scandal. The Big Four firm will be assisting the broadcaster as it evaluates how complaints are assessed in the wake of the crisis. Dame Elan Closs Stephens, acting BBC chairwoman, told a House of Lords [...]
FCA under fire over greenwashing regulation delays July 18, 2023 The City watchdog has come under fire from a top industry group today after it announced it would delay a key set of guardrails for ‘environmental, social and governance’ investment products.
Embedding EDI in your internal procedures – Mini Guide July 18, 2023 Embedding EDI in your internal procedures: points to consider Many organisations are considering a review of their policies and procedures to ensure they are fully compliant with their key equality and diversity objectives and corporate strategy. We understand that organisations need to put processes in place which are not just suitable for now, but are [...]
The ESG Data Quality Story July 18, 2023 Handle with caution: ESG data is plagued with gaps and holes – and we must treat it as such In times gone by, the main problem with data on companies’ impact on the planet and its people, on their internal culture and governance, was that we didn’t really have any. For the first stint of [...]
Thames Water’s biggest investor slashed stake in troubled utility firm by £300m July 18, 2023 Thames Water’s biggest investor significantly cut the size of its stake last year, renewing concerns over its financial stability.