Spirit of the financial age – 30 years after the City’s Big Bang October 27, 2016 The Big Bang City revolution of 1986 — exactly thirty years ago — was a game-changer that allowed the City to become not only de-regulated but a brave new world of graduate opportunity. Today, it is very different: with much tightened regulation, tough new ‘ring fencing’ of the old casino banking system (separating investment banking [...]
The Big Bang 30 years on: How the City of London has changed since 1986 October 26, 2016 Nothing stands still in the City. The world's financial services powerhouse has seen it all, from boom and bust to bouncebacks and Brexit. Its skyline has changed almost beyond recognition over the last three decades, as have the markets it serves. As we mark the 30th anniversary of the so-called Big Bang, we cannot help [...]
McKinsey proves that the gig-economy is a matter of choice October 20, 2016 A few days ago, McKinsey published a landmark report. You probably missed it. Most people did. It was called ‘Independent work: Choice, necessity, and the gig economy’. But it may well go down in history because it’s the first time anyone has really studied 21st Century freelance workers in what we’ve come to call the ‘gig-economy’, and [...]
Employees take Tesco to court over pay cuts October 16, 2016 Tesco employees are taking the retailer to court after it cut their pay. A group of 17 workers are fighting Tesco's decision to reduce their pay on weekends, bank holidays and evenings. Law firm Leigh Day has contacted Tesco to ask how many employees are affected, but have estimated that 50,000 staff face a pay cut. [...]
Law firm claims “dramatic victory” in its fight to gain equal pay for women working at Asda October 14, 2016 Law firm Leigh Day has claimed a "dramatic victory" in its fight to gain equal pay for women working at Asda. Employment Judge Ryan has ruled that women in Asda stores will be able to compare themselves to higher-paid men working in the supermarket's distribution centres. Read more: M&S makes £100m payout to employees to cushion [...]
Wake up, policy-makers: The fintech paradigm shift could change everything October 13, 2016 Nowhere within the financial firmament does enthusiasm abound more right now than in the arena of fintech. Just as it has disrupted and revolutionised our social interactions and shopping habits, the internet is breeding new ways to cut the cost of transacting and pair those with capital with those seeking it. Peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding [...]
Navigating uncertainty: The future of accountancy October 12, 2016 The discovery that a computer error may have caused the sterling “flash crash” last week probably raised wry smiles in board-rooms around the world. The flurry of panicked headlines caused by Theresa May implying that Britain was heading towards hard Brexit apparently tricked trading algorithms into rapid selling of the currency. A meltdown triggered by [...]
The new centre ground: The full text of Theresa May’s Conservative Party conference speech October 5, 2016 In the speech which closed the Conservative Party conference, Theresa May spoke of a country in transition, and new opportunities. The full 7,600 words is below – although if you'd rather a cut-down version, her best quotes are here – or you can read how businesses reacted. The new centre ground: May's speech in full When [...]
Sam Allardyce: The FA were entitled to sack England manager for misconduct, says leading sports lawyer September 27, 2016 The Football Association [FA] would have been legally entitled to sack England manager Sam Allardyce after he was filmed appearing to advise how to circumvent transfer rules, according to a leading sports lawyer. Allardyce left his position tonight after just one game in charge after apologising for his alleged comments to undercover reporters from a national newspaper posing as Far East [...]
London will remain a world-leading city because of its world-beating talent September 12, 2016 When people think of London, our city’s iconic buildings, red buses, black taxis, and vibrant cultural scene often come to mind. But the capital offers so much more than that, with PwC finding in a recent report that London, for the second year in a row, is the world’s number one place for companies to do [...]