By Ian Fraser The Herald September 25th, 2006 PERSPECTIVE: Critics of the big four audit status quo point out that in other sectors, such as software, it is not unusual for a regulator to take action in order to break up a monopolistic market share. THE pressure of market forces alone will be enough to [...]
By Ian Fraser Financial Times FTfm section September 25th, 2006 THE BIG PICTURE Life company owned fund management businesses have raised the profile and reach of their operations, reports Ian Fraser Life company-owned fund management businesses in the UK have been seeking to change their spots in recent years. A decade ago, most were “investment [...]
By Ian Fraser The Herald September 18th, 2006 FUNSTERS: Joyce Cullen and Bill Drummond of Brodies, which was praised by one client for ‘enlivening the tedium of the law’. SCOTLAND’S lawyers had something to celebrate last Thursday when the 2006 Legal 500 directory rolled off the press. The 1300-page tome, which evaluates law firms across [...]
By Ian Fraser The Herald September 11th, 2006 DOUGLAS CONNELL: Solicitors may have to start lobbying MSPs directly to demand liberalisation. THE sound and fury over Holyrood’s handling of the legal-aid bill and the proposed independent complaints commission is drowning out a subject which is likely to have a much bigger long-term impact on the [...]
By Ian Fraser and Ken Symon Sunday Herald September 3rd, 2006 GLOBALISATION: SCOTTISH TALK THERE is something in Joseph Stiglitz’s mannerisms that reminds you of George W Bush. A similar intonation in the voice perhaps, and a pause and smile for approval after he speaks a sentence or two. But with that, the similarity ends: [...]
By Ian Fraser Bank Marketing International September 5th, 2006 ; Issue 193 The jury is out regarding the benefits of viral advertising, especially for traditional banking groups wary of risking brand reputation in a largely uncontrollable medium. Nevertheless, interest is certainly rising and a few financial companies have used the strategy to good effect, writes [...]