SquareMile News Feed

Who is the most powerful person in the City? Find out here…

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:45:00 GMT

From old boys to young upstarts, the Citys power base is a fascinating beast ‐ and with the Square Mile Power 100, weve tamed it. But who made the top spot…?Click here to find out and give us your...

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The Other Mayor

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:30:00 GMT

As the first banker to be made Lord Mayor since the financial crisis, Roger Gifford has a unique view on goings on in the City. But what does the archaic role mean today? By Jessica FursethIf the Lord Mayor is the spirit of the City, as Roger Gifford suggests, it is tempting to wonder how his particular vision for banking could stir things up. As the first banker elected Lord Mayor of the City of London since the financial crisis, Roger Gifford lends credence to his motto of...

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We want to put you on the cover of Square Mile – and give you a free suit!

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:15:00 GMT

You heard right. We want to put one of our readers on the front cover of Square Mile magazine. And were going to give you a free suit for your troubles.Whats the catch, I hear you say? Well, were going to cover you in silicon putty* (looks a bit like paint and is totally harmless) – and make you into a work of art. Youll also need a day off work – the shoot will be taking place in a studio on a week day in mid April. You will need to bring your game face as well as a...

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High Fliers

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Going up in the world? Join celebrity photographer Tyler Shields in an exclusive preview of his new series, ‘Suspense’When Critics say an artist is taking his work to new heights, they dont usually mean it quite so literally. But in the case of Hollywood super-snapper Tyler Shields thats exactly what hes managed in his latest collection, evocatively named Suspense. Over the past ten months, Shields has carried out more than 60 shoots where the subject is either jumping...

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London or New York: which is the victor in the battle of the cities?

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:45:00 GMT

Share your views to be in with a chance of winning a £1,750 suit from A.Sauvage. To get us started Euan Rellie, co-founder of award-winning investment bank Business Development Asia, delivers his verdict.Nothing annoys me more than Brits who move to New York, and proceed to bad-mouth the old country. So here I go. London’s not bad. I’m nostalgic for the Royal Hospital Road. For the Groucho Club. For cabbies who call me ‘Guv’. For Saturday afternoons near Finsbury...

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A new wave of cost cutting is upon us. Is outsourcing still the answer?

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Lee Ayling, Partner, KPMG Management Consulting and Alan Leaman, CEO of the Management Consultancies Association (MCA), discuss how organisations are reacting to continued fear and uncertaintyWeak demand for goods and services, political and economic gridlock in emerging markets and continuing uncertainty surrounding the global economy have combined to force businesses to renew their cost-cutting programmes. This is just one of the key conclusions of the latest Global...

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Private equity – so much more than just money

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 11:30:00 GMT

Valerie Kendall, a partner at WestBridge Capital, looks at why business owners should consider private equity as a route to growth.There is a widely held view that management teams only involve a private equity house when they’re grooming a business for exit. Of course, there are times when this is the case but this misconception discounts the numerous other advantages of private funding. The private equity option should be in the toolbox of any ambitious management team...

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Square Mile Style Awards

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 09:00:00 GMT

We need your help to find the most stylish People in the city. Take a look around your office – maybe it’s even you?Vote for the Citys most stylish workers onsquaremile.com/styleawards This February, we are launching the Square Mile Style Awards, celebrating the most stylish people in the City Do you work with a modern-day dandy? You know, the guy at work who can actually pull off those short trousers that make most people look like theyre dressed for the first day of...

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Stormy Waters

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:00:00 GMT

As the malaise over macro data continues, investors are rightly perplexed as to how best to structure their portfolios. Portfolio construction and the management of underlying assets have never been more important.In my view, a well-balanced, diversified portfolio offers investors the best risk reward profile with many referring to diversification as the only free lunch. However, when constructing a diversified portfolio, it is important to not only understand the various...

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Is Ditching Email Too Radical?

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:15:00 GMT

Email has revolutionised working life. Fast, efficient and always on, it is used to send everything from simple messages to direct marketing campaigns. Perhaps not surprisingly, it has also become a source of frustration.When it comes to digital distractions, email is the primary target for complaints about information overload. Bloggers regularly post tips on how to improve inbox management. Researchers have begun to highlight emails drawbacks. Companies have been edging...

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The Spirit Of Change

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:15:00 GMT

The very word ‘cognac’ summons up the staid image of a London gentlemen’s club – but as Adam Whittaker reports, moves are afoot to revitalise the spirit as a trendy cocktail mixerWing-backed Chesterfields, smoking jackets and muted conversations in members’ clubs – such stereotypes are synonymous for many with a long-outdated view of cognac. Historically seen as an after-dinner indulgence, the spirit is undergoing an image transformation in an attempt to rid...

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A Night On The Town

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:15:00 GMT

London is simply sizzling with new drinks trends. Lizzie Rivera gives a whirlwind guide to the capital’s hottest drinking spotsCraft Beer Beer cocktails sound like something concocted by a 13-year-old sneaking drinks at his parents Christmas party. Craft beer cocktails, however, sound like they have been deliciously blended by experts. And thats because they are. While every other beer market is in decline, UK craft beer breweries are popping up faster than gin...

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A Heavenly Match

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:00:00 GMT

A culinary feast washed down with… cocktails? It’s not as bizarre as it sounds, as James Steen discovered when he took part in a pioneering experiment at Adam Byatt’s Trinity in ClaphamOh, how the cocktail has changed. Once you needed sunglasses just to see it: a blindingly-vibrant liquid, with pink paper umbrella, neon-blue swizzle stick, a glac cherry, a lash of whipped cream and the obligatory dash of crimson grenadine. Today it is in the hands of the mixologists,...

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The World's Top Bar

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:45:00 GMT

Czech-born head bartender Alex Kratena reveals to Jon Hawkins the secret ingredients that saw the Langham’s Artesian bar take the number one spot in the world’s 50 Best Bars awardsWhen the Worlds 50 Best Bars were announced in October, it wasnt a huge surprise to see the Langham Hotels Artesian bar take the top spot. Under the stewardship of charismatic head bartender Alex Kratena, the bar has picked up a raft of awards and plenty of fans for its immaculate service,...

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When The Saints Go Flying In

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Despite the negative fallout from the recession, banks are leading the way in their commitment to the charity sector, says Andrew Holt, editor of Charity TimesAs youll be all too aware, the ongoing narrative and public perception on banking and bankers is one of greedy, reckless financiers who helped to bring the financial system to its knees. While there may be some truth in this caricature there is also a great deal of hyperbole. Furthermore, there is little acceptance...

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The Best New Year's Parties And How To Get Invited

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Russell Crowe famously growled “Brothers, what we do in life echoes in eternity” to a legion of rowdy centurions in Ridley Scott’s film Gladiator. We recommend you heed his advice and make New Year’s Eve 2012 thunder into 2013, so you can look back on it from the afterlife and, at the very least, chuckle a bit. Read below for our five favourite NYE parties in London.SushiSamba So the Brazilians are pretty good at partying; one need look no further than footage of...

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Meet The Stockbroker Turned Polar Explorer

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 10:15:00 GMT

Former stockbroker turned polar explorer Inge Solheim knows how to deal with the cold. We may feel like we’re having a bit of a cold snap in the UK at the moment but that’s nothing compared to the location for his latest TV show – the world’s coldest airport...at the North Pole.We speak to Inge about how he turned his passion into a business - and how hes using it to take new skills from adventure into the business world. Q: You're regarded as one of the foremost...

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The Business Bank is likely to leave huge funding gap – whenever it’s fully announced!

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 10:30:00 GMT

The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement was devoid of any further detail about the much awaited new Business Bank. Business Secretary Vince Cable is still hoping his initiative, whenever it is fully announced, will stimulate business growth through easier access to business funding.Regardless of Cables best intentions, however, the Business Bank is unlikely to bridge a massive lending gap. Latest reports show the banks have been slow in supporting the Governments Funding for...

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The Banking Blueprint

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:45:00 GMT

In a rare interview, Vikram Pandit, the CEO of Citigroup, tells Damian Reece how he plans to change the culture at the US giant by getting back to basics, serving clients rather than itselfVikram Pandit is the quiet man of Wall Street. Or at least hed like to be. But as chief executive of Citigroup, once the worlds biggest bank which fell from grace further and faster than any other major lender in 2008, he cant expect to escape the glare of the spotlight any time...

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Artwork: Double Vision

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:15:00 GMT

Photographer Rich Hendry brings us his ‘Legends’ exhibition. Taking inspiration from Greek mythology, Roman gods and folklore the characters are unnamed, allowing the viewer to draw their own fantasy.Talking about fantasies Twins [pictured here] used just one model in a highly technical shot. It was a real challenge to make it seem real, says Hendry. Two for the price of one? Sounds too good to be true to us. Prints are available for 4,000 from The Great Eastern Bear,...

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