Championing Britain’s economy means protecting our links with the EU — regardless of Brexit December 12, 2019 As polling stations up and down the country open this morning, Europe-centric businesses like mine are asking what they will have to deal with after the votes have been counted. My company is part of a group which employs over 300 people of multiple nationalities — many of them are EU nationals, but some are [...]
London Stock Exchange launches consultation on shorter trading hours December 10, 2019 The London Stock Exchange (LSE) has launched a consultation on shortening its trading hours following calls by industry bodies who said such a change would improve workplace culture and liquidity. The stock exchange has asked its members – mainly banks and brokers – for its views on a series of options for shortening the current [...]
General Election: Who are City workers voting for? December 10, 2019 Two days ahead of the general election, politicians are travelling up and down the country to hammer home their campaign messages. However, for many in the City, neither Labour nor the Conservatives offer stability or financial certainty. Financial services will be the primary target of a Jeremy Corbyn-John McDonnell government, but Boris Johnson’s promise to [...]
Chinese property firms in plans to upgrade eastern end of City December 10, 2019 Chinese firms that own swathes of the City are leading a drive to transform the area into a 24/7 leisure destination while maintaining its status as a leading global financial centre. The owners of the skyscrapers known commonly as the Cheesegrater and the Walkie Talkie are working with other landlords in an initiative to create [...]
London Bridge attack: Jack Merritt’s father hits out at Boris Johnson for using son’s death to ‘score political points’ December 10, 2019 The father of Jack Merritt, who was killed in the London Bridge attack in November, has accused Boris Johnson of exploiting his son’s death for political gain. In his first television interview since the attack on 28 November, David Merritt told Sky News that instead of “a tragedy, Boris Johnson saw an opportunity.” Read more: [...]
Sadiq Khan appoints new London fire commissioner December 10, 2019 London has a new fire commissioner, after Dany Cotton was forced to step down last week in the face of criticism for her role in the Grenfell fire. Her deputy Andy Roe will step up to the top job and lead “transformational change”, according to mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Read more: London fire commissioner [...]
London 5G rollout ‘at risk’ as boroughs lack strategy and funding December 10, 2019 The rollout of next-generation 5G networks in London could be under threat due to a lack of preparation by local authorities, a new report has warned. While major mobile networks have launched 5G in the capital and other major UK cities, London boroughs remained “far from ready” to support the new technology, it warned. Read [...]
Exclusive: Canada mulls over historic Lord Mayor selection reform December 9, 2019 Canada Corporation’s highest body is considering changes to the way it selects the Lord Mayor as part of its efforts to attract a more diverse range of candidates. Guildhall’s ancient Court of Aldermen is comprised of 25 elected members – one from each of the Square Mile’s different wards. It sits alongside the City [...]
Too much regulation on bitcoin and cryptocurrency could scare away future tech innovators December 9, 2019 Back in October, the FCA closed its consultation on banning the sale of cryptocurrency derivatives to retail investors. A consultation that I hope will start a collaborative discussion, bringing crypto and its regulatory framework up to speed with the rapid growth of the industry. Thankfully, the FCA’s approach so far has been inclusive and forward-thinking. [...]
London’s fintechs are magnets for venture capital investment December 9, 2019 The outcome of Thursday’s election will be of significant interest to our partners on the other side of the Atlantic. I am confident, however, that both our US and Mexican partners will recognise the huge, long-term opportunities for closer collaboration as technology opens up a new chapter in our trading relationship. The rapidly increasing digitisation [...]