The City View - City AM's Daily Podcast

In this episode Christian is joined by Neil Carberry, chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, which represents over 3,000 recruitment companies across the country. Neil gives his assessment of the jobs market and the changes coming its way, and offers advice for job seekers or those looking to change their career during these uncertain times. He also adds his voice to the great 'working from home' debate — suggesting that while it has many upsides, and is here to stay in some form, the office is still important and people 'shouldn't get carried away' in assuming we won't ever return to them.

Also in this episode, Christian looks at the latest survey of British businesses considering job cuts; a plea for help from the retail and hospitality sectors; and Canary Wharf's efforts to reassure bankers that the iconic site is safe to return to.

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In this episode Christian is joined by Nigel Wilson, chief executive of Legal and General, a City institution with more than £1 trillion of assets under management. Nigel talks about L&G's long-term view and how its investments could shape our recovery and future economic growth, but he also reflects on the immense change that the pandemic has brought to his company, the City and all urban centres. He remains optimistic about London's future, but says getting people back into offices will be key — even if it's just for two or three days a week. He says "our culture will erode" without the collaboration and creativity that comes from having people work together, and our city centres will suffer without at least a modest return of the office.

Also in this episode, Christian talks about City A.M.'s new 'back to the office' campaign, which seeks to contribute to a debate about the merits and wisdom of working from home at a time when our business districts are suffering from a catastrophic decline in footfall. The effects of the pandemic have meant that even as London's outer zones return to economic vitality, central London remains eerily quiet as commuters shun public transport and employers struggle to bring people back into offices. Without a doubt, the pandemic will change the way a lot of us work — almost entirely for the better. More flexibility and greater personal autonomy will be welcome changes for a lot of people. But the sudden and near total disappearance of people from our city centres is having a devastating effect on local economies and, over time, our social fabric.

City A.M. believes that employers must start to implement innovative, risk-assessed ways of bringing more people back into central London and Canary Wharf. People can work one, two or three days at the office without overloading the transport system and without giving up their newly forged relationship with work. Business groups, City leaders and the mayor of London have all backed our call to save central London, and this can only be achieved if the scenes now evident on the high streets of Clapham, Hampstead, Chiswick and Greenwich are replicated in Zone One. 

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In this episode Christian is joined by City A.M.'s comment and features editor, Rachel Cunliffe, who talks about her recent column on why working from home doesn't suit everyone. Rachel talks about young people in houseshares in particular, as well as those who don't have the luxury of a separate work space at home. Also under discussion: House of Lords reform and why the new Tory leader in Scotland can't let the SNP get away with bending the truth.

Also in this episode, Christian looks at the latest economic analysis from the Bank of England; more calls to support London's city-centre restaurants and bars; and Edward Bramson's renewed campaign against Barclays.

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In this episode Christian is joined by Stephen Lotinga, CEO of the Publishers Association, representing the UK's fiction, non-fiction and academic publishing sector. After the biggest year ever for the industry in 2019, how has it coped with the lockdown and what are the chances of the great Coronavirus novel emerging? Stephen also discusses cancel culture, censorship and the role of authors and publishers in society.

Also in this episode Christian looks at the latest plans banks have for bringing staff back to the office; some positive news from the latest economic figures; and the Tory mayoral candidate's war of words with Sadiq Khan.

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In this episode Christian is joined by top hotelier and London businessman Tony Matharu, who believes the capital needs an injection of confidence to get people back on public transport, back in the office and back into the pubs, restaurants, shops and hotels. 

Also in this episode, Christian looks at the slow trickle of workers returning to the office; BP's dividend cut; and a prediction that the Bank of England will take interest rates to zero, and lower.

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In this episode Christian is joined by the chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, Emma McClarkin, who represents over 20,000 pubs and whose members are responsible for 90 per cent of the beer brewed in the UK. Emma describes how pubs and brewers have responded to the lockdown and how they've fared since being allowed to reopen. She warns the government to find clarity on its messages around local lockdowns and says any fresh move to close pubs would prove fatal to many of her members. She also slams the government's anti-obesity plans which would see pubs required to publish the calories of all food and drinks. Despite the challenges, Emma is optimistic that the British public's love affair with the pub is far from over.

Also in this episode Christian looks at fresh economic analysis showing the impact lockdown has had on London's business districts; HSBC's latest results; and some positive news from UK manufacturing.

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Christian is joined by co-founder and CEO of London's riverboat service, Thames Clippers, as the transport provider grapples with life under lockdown. Last year the company carried nearly 5 million passengers, many of them commuters, and today they're operating at around 25 per cent of that.

Despite the current difficulty, Sean (a third generation Waterman) remains passionate about the role the Thames could play in London's future and, in particular, in a post-Coronavirus world. His company is currently working with Transport for London to look at ways that could boost river traffic and passenger numbers.

Also in this episode, Christian looks at the growing number of large employers trying to get staff back in the office; the latest changes to England's planning regime; and the City grandees being elevated to the House of Lords.

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Today Andy is joined by Tom Tugendhat MP, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Commons Select Committee. Tom responds to the latest warnings from the Chinese ambassador, warns Beijing it should not attempt to "bully" Britain, and Hong Kong's economic future. He also offers us his take on the Russia report and the "cabal" at the top of the Moscow government, as well as warning that great powers need to see eye to eye — but basic rights need to be respected by them all. 

Andy also looks at dire US economic data, Trump's Twitter, more woe for the travel industry, the collapse of a Saudi-backed bid to buy Newcastle United and the end of an era at Argos. 

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Today Andy Silvester is joined by Richard Gould, chief executive of Surrey County Cricket Club. Richard talks about the business of sport, the trial events at the Kia Oval and the future of cricket as it looks to attract new audiences.

Andy also looks at Barclays results and Jes Staley’s call to get people back in to the office, the ongoing tit for tat in the big tech world and hopes for a UK–US trade deal.

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In today’s bumper edition of The City View, Andy Silvester is joined by entrepreneur, author and former exchange boss Patrick L Young. Patrick takes us on a global tour of exchanges and the plumbing of the world’s financial system, touching on the remarkable technological achievements of the last two decades and the future of finance. They also delve into Brexit, London’s potential, and why bitcoin is the Model T Ford of cryptocurrency.

Andy also looks at calls to extend the furlough scheme, more job cuts in the West End, and news from Travis Perkins and Gregg’s. 

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