Why studying for a business degree doesn’t always pay: Summer internships, not business studies, help graduates land jobs January 18, 2016 Career-minded students who opt for a business degree would be better off picking a subject they feel more passionate about, as long as they're prepared to spend the summer break toiling away in an office. That’s according to a study by researchers at Auburn University, which looked at the demand for job seekers with particular college [...]
City Moves for 18 January 2016 | Who’s switching jobs January 18, 2016 Ardian Olivier Piani (pictured) has joined the real estate arm of independent private investment company Ardian as senior adviser and chairman of its investment committee. He joins from Allianz Real Estate where he was chief executive since 2008. Olivier has also been chief exec at GE Capital Real Estate Europe, chief exec of UIC-Sofal and [...]
Profits looking strong for the financial services industry but outlook remains weak January 18, 2016 Financial services firms reported strong profitability for the last quarter of 2015, although the sector is slightly cautious in its outlook. A survey of 100 financial services firms out today from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and professional services firm PwC has discovered that financial services firms are reporting strong profitability for the three [...]
UK pensions: Retirement income remains below pre-financial crisis levels January 15, 2016 While retirement incomes are rising they're still below pre-financial crisis levels, according to new research by insurance firm Prudential. The average person who is retiring this year can expect an annual income of £17,700, marking the third annual increase in a row. And yet average retirement incomes are still stuck below pre-financial crisis levels, with this year's retirees expecting to [...]
Global risks: From a lack of water and weapons of mass destruction to migration and climate change, this is what could go wrong in 2016 January 14, 2016 The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report is here, and makes for cheerful reading: risks are getting riskier, and different risks are more connected. "Such a broad risk landscape is unprecedented in the 11 years the report has been measuring global risks," the World Economic Forum said in a statement. These are the seven things you [...]
UK immigration: International students put £2.3bn into the London economy January 14, 2016 The contribution of foreign students to London’s economy is “overwhelmingly positive,” according to a report by London First. The report, entitled “London Calling: International students’ contribution to Britain’s economic growth,” goes some way to debunking fears about international students overstaying their welcome and their cost to the national coffers. What is more, the report contradicts [...]
Best UK companies to work for in 2016: Jaguar Land Rover, AstraZeneca and Harrods top the list January 14, 2016 Jaguar Land Rover, AstraZeneca and Harrods are the top three UK companies to work for, according to a ranking by Statista, which was compiled for Bloomberg. Other household names comprising the top 10 included Adidas, Dyson, Microsoft, Estee Lauder, Sky, Frankie and Benny's and Rolls-Royce. Those working in the professional services were most likely to recommend their employer, while employees in [...]
City Moves for 14 January 2016 | Who’s switching jobs January 14, 2016 Capital Access Group Investor engagement adviser Capital Access Group has announced that Bruce Packard has joined its investor analytics team. Bruce has 15 years’ experience in the City and has been part of several highly ranked banks’ teams. Having covered the UK banking sector since 2000 at Credit Suisse, ING, Societe Generale, Evolution and Seymour [...]
Cybersecurity is a growing risk for businesses, as firms fret about the damage an incident could cause to their reputation January 13, 2016 Companies are becoming increasingly concerned about the impact cyber attacks could have on their business, particularly the effect they could have on their reputation. According to a survey of more than 800 risk managers and insurance experts from around the world released today by Allianz, cyber incidents ranked as the top risk to businesses in the [...]
FTSE 350: UK dividend payments to fall in 2016 as basic resources companies struggle January 13, 2016 UK dividend payments are set to fall this year due to slower global economic growth, plunging commodity prices and increasingly debt-laden companies. FTSE 350 company dividend payouts will fall three per cent to £81.1bn this year, according to a report by financial services information provider Markit. At the same time, ordinary payments by FTSE 350 companies are [...]