Law giant CMS closes Moscow offices after coming under fire for links to oligarchs March 11, 2022 European law giant CMS has said it will close its Moscow offices and withdraw from the Russian market, after Conservative MP Bob Seely named CMS partner Geraldine Proudler as one of four “amoral” lawyers working for oligarchs to silence the press. In a post on Linkedin today, the law firm said it had decided that [...]
City Moves: Who’s switching jobs in the Square Mile this week? March 11, 2022 City A.M.’s Millie Turner provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every morning. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. Laing O’Rourke Construction company Laing O’Rourke has posted a former specialist adviser to the House of Commons Science & Technology Committee to its board. Dr Hayaatun Sillem, CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering, brings a wealth [...]
Wages continue to surge amid tightening jobs market March 10, 2022 Strong competition for workers amid a tight jobs market is accelerating starting pay at near record highs, reveals a fresh survey published today. A shortage of available workers is driving businesses to hike pay to out muscle competitors from poaching top talent, according to research from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG. Starting [...]
Face the music: Universal Music Group and Warner Media pull out of Russia March 9, 2022 Universal Music Group has suspended all operations in Russia and closed its offices in the country, the company announced last night. In a statement, the music giant said: “Effective immediately, we are suspending all operations in Russia and closing our offices there.” “We urge an end to the violence in Ukraine as soon as possible. [...]
Russia-Ukraine war to deliver £90bn blow to UK economy March 8, 2022 Russia’s war with Ukraine will deal a £90bn blow to the UK economy driven by a worsening cost of living crunch sending the British consumer into retreat, reveals fresh forecasts published today. Soaring energy prices as a result of Moscow sending troops in Ukraine will feed already historic high inflation in Britain, heaping even further [...]
Itsu hopeful of return to pre-pandemic sales growth this year March 7, 2022 East-Asian inspired fast food chain Itsu has said it is confident it will return to like-for-like sales growth this year. In documents filed to Companies House last week, the high street chain posted its financial accounts for the period ended 31 December 2020. Group revenue hit £61.7m for the period, which was marred by Covid [...]
Lord Barker under pressure to cut ties with EN+ Group despite restructuring plans March 6, 2022 Lord Barker is facing increasing pressure from politicians to cut links with En+ Group following Russia's invasion of Ukraine
British human rights lawyer flees Hong Kong after meeting with national security police March 3, 2022 A British human rights lawyer has left Hong Kong after being ordered to meet with the city-state’s National Security police. British barrister Paul Harris, the former head of the Hong Kong Bar Association, got on a flight to Turkey, after attending an interview with Hong Kong police officers over alleged violations of Hong Kong’s national [...]
Russian oligarch found dead by gardener in garage of his £18m Surrey mansion March 3, 2022 A 66-year old Russian oligarch was discovered dead by one of his gardeners in the garage of his £18m English mansion, it has been reported. Mikhail Watford, formerly known as Mikhail Tolstosheya, ws found dead in his mansion in Virginia Water, Surrey. His death, which comes less than a week after Russia invaded Ukraine, is [...]
Brave soul: Russian businessman puts $1m bounty on Vladimir Putin’s head for war crimes March 3, 2022 A Russian businessman has said he will pay $1m for anyone who arrests Russia’s president Vladimir Putin for war crimes. Alex Konanykhin is urging Russian military leaders to arrest and detain Putin as a war criminal. In a post on Facebook, the California-based crypto investor writes “I promise to pay $1,000,000 to the officer(s) who, [...]