National Audit Office launches probe into FCA as regulator sizes up crypto and AI July 17, 2023 The National Audit Office (NAO) has launched a probe into the functions of the City regulator as its remit swells to take on oversight of technologies like cryptoassets and artificial intelligence.
FTSE finance chiefs: Rates, inflation and growth squeeze C-suite confidence July 17, 2023 Ratcheting up interest rate expectations and intense fears about sticky inflation has hobbled FTSE finance chiefs’ optimism, a closely watched survey out today shows. Confidence among chief financial officers (CFO) of FTSE-listed companies has tumbled over the last quarter, according to consultancy Deloitte. Optimism among money managers at Britain’s largest businesses has eroded to net [...]
The Square Mile and Me: Paragon Bank CEO Nigel Terrington talks paper rounds, The Lamb and office faux pas July 13, 2023 We dig into the memory bank of the City’s great and good: this week, Nigel Terrington, chief executive of Paragon Bank, takes a stroll down memory lane. What was your first job? I was a paper boy, aged around 14, in Surrey. I had to get up ridiculously early and the biggest challenge was to [...]
Businesses need to stop looking for a public pat on the back and gold stars July 13, 2023 Businesses must realise that just bragging about how good they are is not a great communication strategy. They won't win a gold star for just doing their job, writes Simon Neville
Renault and Aston Martin backer Geely to launch UK firm injecting £6bn and creating 19,000 jobs July 12, 2023 Renault and Aston Martin backer Geely have announced the launch of a new UK-based powertrain technology company, to manufacture low-emission hybrid and internal combustion engines. An investment of up to £6bn will injected into the new outfit, which will employ 19,000 workers. The two automakers said the new group would operate 17 engine plants and [...]
Hostelworld has record revenues thanks to ‘bed price inflation’ and return of Aussie holidays July 12, 2023 Hostelworld reported record revenues of €51.5m (£43.3m), on the back of resurgent demand for big trips to Asia and Australia and “bed price inflation” helped prop up its margins. The travel platform saw revenue growth of 57 per cent year on year, on the back of 3.4 million bookings across Europe, Asia and Australian markets [...]
Interview: Businesses need to get their ‘pound of flesh’ from home workers, says Addison Lee chief July 12, 2023 “We are a real barometer for the London economy,” Liam Griffin, the boss of Addison Lee, says as we chat in the firms’ Paddington offices. The private hire taxi firm has been a stalwart of London for nearly 45 years now, ferrying customers through the boom of the early 2000s, the financial crash of 2008 [...]
Tech titans? Musk and Zuckerberg’s feud is an ultra-public toddler tantrum July 12, 2023 From threats for a real life fight to launching rival to Twitter, the bizarre blood feud between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk shows how far our entrepreneurs have fallen, writes Josh Williams.
Ed Warner: Thompson’s ECB era will always have report in its shadow July 6, 2023 Ed Warner writes about ECB chair Richard Thompson and how his tenure – much like Seb Coe’s – will always have its connotations despite best efforts. Through the cloud of orange powder, I couldn’t check the privilege of the protester hauled off the Lord’s pitch by Jonny Bairstow last week to see whether he is [...]
The Notebook: Victoria Scholar on good news for inflation, the economics of Taylor Swift and the state of crypto July 6, 2023 Where the City’s movers and shakers get a few things off their chest. Today, it’s Victoria Scholar from Interactive Investor Supermarkets sound a positive note on inflation Some good news on inflation at last – Sainsbury’s says food inflation is starting to fall. Its CEO Simon Roberts said the company is “putting all our energy [...]