James Barbour CA on the seven essential elements for corporate reform September 14, 2021 From the outset of the calls for audit reform, ICAS has advocated a holistic review of corporate governance, reporting and audit (“the corporate ecosystem”). This article first appeared in ICAS’ CA magazine. We therefore see the recent consultation by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), “Restoring trust in audit and corporate governance”, as [...]
City bribery: British American Tobacco accused of arranging Mugabe bribe September 13, 2021 One of the largest tobacco companies in the world has been accused of bribing Robert Mugabe, the former president of Zimbabwe. City-based British American Tobacco (BAT) was part of negotiations to pay between $300,000 and $500,000 to Zanu-PF, Mugabe’s political party in 2013, according to a BBC Panorama investigation, which will be aired this evening. [...]
Coinbase to raise over £1bn through bond sale September 13, 2021 Coinbase, the world’s fifth largest crypto exchange by trade volume, has announced plans to raise $1.5bn (£1.08bn) through a debut bond offering. The company said it will offer Senior Notes, a type of bond which carries a low degree of risk, which will be due in 2028 and 2031 as part of a private sale. [...]
AI, diversity, and the pursuit of broadened thinking September 13, 2021 AI and the need for a diverse approach are increasingly central to corporations’ longevity DiverCity® Podcast · Insights, Intelligence and Innovation: The data and science of diversity The intersection of science and diversity is at a crucial stage. As artificial intelligence and machine learning become increasingly cemented within the financial services industry, there comes a [...]
Digital data skills’ significance on the rise for UK Plc September 13, 2021 Data loss. Hacking threats. Legal compliance. As the volume of digital data gathered by organisations grows, so do the risks and challenges. But the insights enabled by data analysis also create exciting new possibilities for the corporate world and society at large, as reflected in the UK’s ‘National Data Strategy’. The strategy, which was unveiled [...]
If your mini-bond seems too good to be true, it probably is September 13, 2021 Mini-bonds can be a tricky prospect. Even those of us being advised by independent financial advisors can get it wrong, with pitfalls for both issuers and investors. Maddox Legal is able to see the problems on both sides and help navigate these challenges. Corporate entities issuing bonds need sound advice on the structure of the [...]
City of London Corporation: It’s time to get back to the office September 13, 2021 What have you missed the most? Your favourite lunchtime spot, taking in world class architecture on the morning commute or, perhaps, simply talking to colleagues in person rather than over a screen? For many City workers, it felt like the start of a new school term as they returned to Square Mile – in some [...]
FTSE 100 rebounds as easyJet nosedives September 13, 2021 London’s FTSE 100 index has climbed by 0.64 per cent today, up 45 points higher than the previous close at 7,074.07, after being boosted by financial stocks. Banking giants saw strong gains today with Lloyd’s Group up 2.6 per cent, Standard Chartered Bank lifted by 2.4 per cent and Barclays PLC climbing 2.2 per cent. Meanwhile, investment [...]
CBI warns of rising taxes and stagnant business investment under Boris Johnson September 13, 2021 One of the UK’s most influential business groups has cautioned Boris Johnson about recent tax rises, warning that he must concentrate more on stoking business investment post-Covid. CBI director-general Tony Danker will tomorrow tell the Alliance Manchester Business School that a “return to business as usual in our economic policy, at this unique moment in [...]
US activist fund Causeway Capital builds major stake in WH Smith September 12, 2021 Activist US fund Causeway Capital has amassed a £178m stake in WH Smith as the retail giant tries to get back on its feet post-Covid. Causeway Capital, which is based in Los Angeles, this month increased its share in WH Smith to 9.05 per cent and is now the retail chain’s largest single shareholder. WH [...]