David Wighton

1 month ago | tradingview.com | David Wighton

David Wighton is a columnist for Financial NewsIn 2020, BP announced a transformation strategy that would slash its oil-and-gas output by 40% by the end of the decade. The company said its dramatic shift had been "shaped" partly by engagement with Climate Action 100+, an investor group that was co-led by Legal & General Investment Management. "We listened and we learned," said Bernard Looney, who was then BP's chief executive. Many investors might now be wishing BP hadn't listened and learned.

2 months ago | fnlondon.com | David Wighton

Don’t write off the big banks as they take on startups at their own gameThe ‘lumbering giants’ have improved their core services to fend off their smaller rivalsDigital banks represent “a massive threat” to the incumbents because of their much better customer satisfaction scores and lower costs, brokers Keefe, Bruyette & Woods declared a year ago. So which UK bank has the best customer satisfaction score? Is it plucky upstart Monzo? Cuddly challenger Starling Bank?

2 months ago | fnlondon.com | David Wighton

Trump is obsessed with crypto. But the UK can still lead the way on tokenisationThe City can take the lead in tokenising securities while his attention is elsewhereGlass-half-full types have been arguing that Donald Trump’s promise to overhaul US financial regulations could be good for the UK. To remain competitive, the UK authorities will have to cut red tape in the City, too, the optimists cheerily say.  Perhaps.

2 months ago | fnlondon.com | David Wighton

Why has HSBC failed? Former bankers blame the stifling culture and bureaucracyHSBC throws in the towel on UK M&A as squeeze on European banks continuesHSBC UK chief executive Ian Stuart was jubilant when he announced the acquisition of Silicon Valley Bank UK in June 2023. The collapsed technology bank’s clients would in future be able to get all their financing from HSBC “from seed funding all the way through to IPO”, he declared. Er…not any more.

Jan 26, 2025 | fnlondon.com | David Wighton

Trump attack on DEI programmes should prompt robust City rethinkUK firms should change their failing approach to diversity, but not their overall aimsThe return of Donald Trump to the White House may boost the US economy but it looks set to be a disaster for one group — diversity, equity and inclusion consultants. In recent weeks, McDonald’s, Ford, Meta and several other large US companies have scrapped their DEI programmes.