Retirement is popular – but surviving the pensions crisis means encouraging work April 27, 2016 The Queen’s 90th birthday quite rightly dominated the media last week. Her Majesty continues to break all sorts of records, spending longer on the throne than Queen Victoria and being our oldest ever reigning monarch. But longevity should no longer give cause for surprise. The oldest participant in the London Marathon this year was 88, [...]
It’s wrong to dismiss Jersey as a secretive and sinister “tax haven”: We are world leaders in transparency and in combating financial crime April 27, 2016 Since the Panama Papers, the “offshore industry” has been in a media storm which has questioned the relevance, role and morality of international financial centres (IFCs) collectively. Much has been written about how to bring these “secretive” jurisdictions to heel and to flush out the illicit practices that they allegedly shelter. There have also been [...]
London Stock Exchange clarifies Xavier Rolet’s language after talks with the Takeover Panel ahead of merger with Deutsche Boerse AG and confirms it hasn’t held talks about ICE’s strategy April 26, 2016 The London Stock Exchange (LSE) has clarified arguments made by its chief executive in recent interviews, following discussions with the Takeover Panel. Yesterday evening the LSE released a statement to clarify Xavier Rolet's comments in the press about the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), which could still gatecrash the merger with Deutsche Boerse AG. One clarification related to [...]
Thomson Reuters expects to complete sale of $3bn-valued intellectual property and science units this year April 26, 2016 Thomson Reuters expects to sell off its intellectual property and science units, which have been valued at around $3bn (£2.1bn), this year. The US media company said in its first quarter report, released today, that a sale process has been launched and a deal is due to complete in the second half of 2016. The figures Thomson [...]
Paul Smith wants to turn Trafalgar Square into a mini golf course – but he needs your help April 26, 2016 Paul Smith and his friends at the London Design Festival have teamed up to transform Trafalgar Square from its current status, ie. tourist-addled nightmare, to the sort of mini golf course we can only dream about. Smith has even designed a pair of socks for it. But there's no easy way to say this: there's a chance it might not [...]
Panama papers: Why the era of operating behind a veil is coming to an end April 25, 2016 For the last three weeks, the Panama Papers have dominated headlines worldwide, leading to embarrassment, back-tracking and resignations among some of the world’s political elite. In the furore that’s followed, politicians have entered uncharted territory of scrutiny, with the publishing of tax returns now potentially a prerequisite for anyone seeking a job in high office. [...]
As the world prepares for the Chelsea Flower Show, we meet up with the young superstars of landscape architecture April 25, 2016 Harry and David Rich, 28 and 25 Although not involved with the London shows this year, Welsh brothers Harry and David Rich already have a clutch of medals from three successive years at Chelsea. Having grown up with a love of gardening, it’s no surprise the siblings both decided to go into landscape design. Their [...]
Greater sovereignty or smaller budgets: With polls tight ahead of the EU referendum, what would Brexit mean for the marketing and advertising industries? April 25, 2016 On 23 June, adland will have a tough decision to make – whether to be at a party in Cannes or a polling booth in Britain. It is hard to assess the impact Brexit would have on the marketing and advertising industry, and its outlook on the issue is predictably varied. Firms differ in size, [...]
Visual vanguard: JCDecaux’s Spencer Berwin talks hawks, scaling and London’s digital landscape April 25, 2016 London's landscape is in flux. Almost 120 skyscrapers are in the pipeline, and the proliferation of bright digital billboards in train stations, roundabouts and bus shelters are transforming the capital’s aspect into something altogether more dynamic and enthralling. Outdoor specialist JCDecaux is behind this massive digital roll-out. After winning TfL’s £300m bus shelter contract last [...]
I’m standing for London mayor to give a voice to our great city’s hard-working Polish community April 25, 2016 I am running for mayor of London to provide a strong voice to the Polish community, because I believe that they do not get the credit they deserve for the significant contribution they make to this great city. I want to challenge the widespread rhetoric, pushed by Nigel Farage and Ukip in particular, that Polish [...]