Direct Line share price jumps after making its first ever growth promises August 1, 2017 Britain’s largest motor insurer Direct Line is for the first time backing itself for the longer-term after today beating expectations on half-year earnings. Shares in the FTSE 100 firm jumped over five per cent as shareholders were rewarded with a 39 per cent dividend increase. Meanwhile, the insurer made a commitment to hike shareholder payouts [...]
Aviva and Founders Factory are betting on these five fintech startups for artificial intelligence, blockchain and virtual reality expertise July 24, 2017 Aviva is betting on virtual reality, artificial intelligence and blockchain when it comes to technology. The insurer has unveiled the first five startups to benefit from a multi-million pound investment into new technology with startup accelerator and incubator Founders Factory. And the two have also created their own startup together, OnCare, aiming to take the [...]
Don’t be a Maybot – answer the question July 21, 2017 Does it drive you mad when people don’t answer your questions directly? The Prime Minister is the indisputable master of the genre. A few months ago, she told the BBC that the UK needed “strong and stable leadership” when asked about Harry Potter’s mugwumps. More recently, when asked by Channel 4 if the critics who [...]
An intergenerational storm is brewing – politicians beware July 21, 2017 Two announcements were issued from Westminster this week that should strike fear into the hearts of anyone under 30. On the one hand, the Conservative government has brought forward the rise in the state pension age by seven years, increasing it to 68 by 2038. On the other, the Labour party dropped its commitment to [...]
Taylor review: Six major report recommendations for changing employment law with the rise of the gig economy July 11, 2017 The government should introduce new laws for a new world of work. That’s the recommendation of the Taylor Review, a long-anticipated report into the gig economy and how employment is changing in the modern economy. It’s yet to be seen if and how the government might take on such changes. Here are the main points [...]
Taylor review: Six major report recommendations for changing employment law with the rise of the gig economy July 11, 2017 The government should introduce new laws for a new world of work. That's the recommendation of the Taylor Review, a long-anticipated report into the gig economy and how employment is changing in the modern economy. It's yet to be seen if and how the government might take on such changes. Here are the main points [...]
Asset manager Pemberton launches new debt strategy to fill funding gap left by banks July 5, 2017 Pemberton, a UK-based asset manager backed by insurance giant Legal & General, has launched a new private debt strategy to fund mid-market companies. The “strategic credit opportunities” strategy differs from Pemberton's previous offerings as it will provide junior capital, as well as senior. The junior capital, which has a lower repayment priority in event of [...]
Lloyds has unveiled a massive shake-up of its top team July 5, 2017 Lloyds Banking Group has revealed how it is preparing itself for its new strategic plan: a huge shake-up of its top team, which includes the departures of two of its senior executives. In a statement today the lender said Andrew Bester, the group director of its commercial banking team, and Simon Davies, its chief people, [...]
Gold sentiment fell in June as investors cut holdings for the third month on price volatility and record high stock markets July 4, 2017 Gold sentiment among Western investors fell from May’s five-month high last month as global stock markets set new records. Investors on BullionVault, the biggest online market for physical precious metals, cut their total gold holdings for the third consecutive month in June. New interest in the safe-haven asset also remained weak. The number of new [...]
Lloyd’s of London deputy chair Robert Childs: Brexit won’t threaten London’s prized insurance status July 3, 2017 Brexit will not threaten London’s prized global insurance crown, the new deputy chair of Lloyd’s said today. Hiscox chairman Robert Childs was unveiled this morning as the replacement for Paul Jardine, taking up the position immediately. Speaking to City A.M. he downplayed the impact of Britain’s exit from the EU, saying it will have a [...]