Responding to the Government’s consultation on the implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), the Institute of Directors calls on the government to leverage the real-world experience of civil society (including the business community) when implementing the TCA and future trade agreements.  The TCA, which the government agreed with the EU in December 2020, is an important step on the way to normalising EU-UK relations post-Brexit. The treaty embeds a series of…

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Broad Street Ward Club, in association with Coleman Street Ward Club, Garden Party at St Margaret Lothbury. David Stringer-Lamarre, MD of FortisCL, said that it was a great pleasure, as a new member this first physical event of Broad Street Ward Club since the start of the pandemic. It provided a good opportunity to exchange…

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Responding to the latest labour market figures, showing a continuing fall in unemployment from 4.7% from April-June to 4.6% in May-July, Kitty Ussher, Chief Economist at the Institute of Directors, said:  “The economy is now well-prepared for the end of furlough, with unemployment demonstrating a clear downward trend and the highest level of vacancies in the economy since records began.  “In fact, with 44% of IoD members reporting staff shortages, across all…

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Ambassador Zheng Zeguang attended the online Icebreaker Lecture co-hosted by the 48 Group Club, China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) and China Chamber of Commerce in the UK (CCCUK). David Stringer-Lamarre, MD of FortisCL, is a Board Member of the 48 Group Club. Ambassador Zheng delivered a keynote speech entitled Grasp the Major Trends and Advance Win-Win Cooperation,…

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David Stringer-Lamarre, MD of FortisCL and ExCo Member and Chair of the International Trade Group of the British Malaysian Society, was very pleased to attend this fascinating event. The group was honoured to hear from both Sheriffs of London, Sheriff Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli and Sheriff Christopher Hayward. In addition to this there was an…

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David Stringer-Lamarre, MD of Fortis Consulting London was pleased to attend the ‘Glasgow in London Dinner’ organised by The Trades House of Glasgow and its Fourteen Incorporations. He said that it was a wonderful occasion within The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers‘ hall in the City of London. The welcome was delivered by Ken Dalgleish, Deacon…

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Responding to the Government’s announcement on their plans to introduce a new health and social care tax, based on an increase to National Insurance and the tax on dividends, Kitty Ussher, the Chief Economist at the Institute of Directors, has said: “This is an extraordinary time to be adding additional burden to business and the…

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David Stringer-Lamarre, MD FortisCL and an Honorary Senior Visiting Fellow at Bayes Business School (formerly Cass Business School), City University London, was very pleased to attend this academic year’s first School meeting in the new building in Finsbury Square, under the new name. The President of City University, Professor Anthony Finkelstein spoke of the University’s…

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Responding to reports that the UK Government is considering raising National Insurance to help pay for social care in England, Kitty Ussher, the Institute of Directors’ Chief Economist, said: “This seems an extraordinary time to be considering adding to the cost of employing people. Due to the much publicised labour shortages, our own research shows…

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Helen Whittaker FMGP award winning artist. David Stringer-Lamarre, MD of FortisCL, said that it was very good to catch up with Helen at the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass gathering at the historic National Liberal Club. Helen is working on various stained glass art commissions and in particular we discussed her work…

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Responding to the UK Government’s publication of its new UK Innovation Strategy today, the Institute of Directors has welcomed many of the proposals, which seek to encourage private investment in R&D, develop the skills of the future and adapt the regulatory framework to new technologies. The IoD welcomes the additional public investment in R&D, which it called…

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Summer networking event overlooking the Tower of London from the Roof Terrace, at Tower Suites by Blue Orchid Hotels. David Stringer-Lamarre, MD of FortisCL said that he was pleased to attend this event and speak with members and guests about business growth and international trade; two areas that FortisCL is active in. Image (taken by see li),…

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Looking beyond the current issues around the ‘pingdemic’, the UK Government must develop a plan to help British enterprise switch gears from survival to growth in the post-pandemic economy, the IoD has argued, as it released new survey data.   In a survey of close to 600 SME business leaders, 40% said difficulties finding the right talent was…

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With over 500,000 people being instructed to self-isolate last week by the NHS COVID-19 app, there is now real confusion as to whether getting ‘pinged’ means that you are legally obliged to stay at home or whether it is merely advice. Dr Roger Barker, the IoD’s Policy Director, commented: “Yet again the reopening of the…

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Responding to the Government’s latest guidance for businesses in England on returning to work, Dr Roger Barker, Policy Director at the Institute of Directors, said: “Like everybody else, businesses across the country have been awaiting ‘freedom day’ with bated breath. But instead we have had a series of mixed messages and patchwork requirements from Government that…

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