Latest news with #JamesThomson
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
HSBC UK Private Banking Introduces Addepar Platform, Boosts Offerings
HSBC UK Private Banking, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings PLC HSBC, has adopted the Addepar platform, which is particularly designed for wealth managers. This move comes after its adoption in the US Private Bank, with plans for rollouts in the Channel Islands and Luxembourg later in the year. HSBC UK Private Banking provides services to domestic and global ultra and high net worth clients alongside family Addepar platform offers a superior client reporting experience, handling complex aspects such as alternative investments and account aggregation. It allows relationship managers and investment advisers to smoothly deliver customized, comprehensive performance reports and investment the platform can consolidate performance data for clients with assets managed by other wealth firms, allowing them to view a full picture of their complete investment portfolio in one Boulton, head of Private Banking, HSBC UK, said, 'Addepar's platform will mean that our clients have the best possible insights at their fingertips to manage an increasingly complex financial landscape. Being able to present a client's entire portfolio to them so they have a holistic view of their wealth across multiple currencies and multiple wealth managers will be a big step forward for us.'James Thomson, head of investment counselling, HSBC UK Private Banking, stated, 'As a leader in the alternatives space, with more and more private banking clients wanting to have a proportion of their portfolio in this asset class, Addepar's advanced alternatives reporting capabilities was [sic] an important selling point.' HSBC's move aligns with an increased focus on high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients. In mainland China, the bank is growing its wealth business through lifestyle-focused centers and acquisitions like Citigroup's retail wealth arm in June 2024, digital upgrades and hiring HSBC has been boosting its presence through initiatives like launching Global Private Banking, acquiring L&T Investment Management, and enhancing Premier Banking. Over the past six months, shares of HSBC have rallied 24.6%, outperforming the industry's growth of 21.6%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Currently, HSBC carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Last month, Deutsche Bank DB collaborated with International Business Machines IBM and finaXai, a Singapore-based AI leveraging IBM's innovative technologies, Deutsche Bank aims to streamline workflows, reduce operational costs and improve efficiency across all areas of its business. The transition from legacy systems to IBM's advanced cloud and AI solutions will allow DB to develop a more agile, scalable, and secure technology Citigroup Inc. C unveiled Citi AI, a range of artificial intelligence tools aimed at enhancing internal processes for Hong Kong employees. Citi AI aims to maximize efficiency in operations by offering support in information retrieval, document summarization, and writing electronic communications for employees. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Citigroup Inc. (C) : Free Stock Analysis Report International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (DB) : Free Stock Analysis Report HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Evening Standard
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
‘Bringer of joy' and choreographer Matthew Bourne earns City of London freedom
Deputy policy chairman of the City of London Corporation, James Thomson, said: 'As well as a major exporter of British dance to the rest of the world, Matthew is also the bringer of much joy, with the ability to leave people walking on air as they file out of the theatre.
The Courier
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Were you in the Dundee 'smart set' who partied at Rick's Disco in the 80s?
Rick's Disco was the library-turned-nightclub modelled on glitzy London nightspots which opened in May 1983. Heartbreakers and dancefloor demons lucky enough to have experienced its magic in the 1980s will remember its unmistakable décor and pink and red colour scheme. Rick's Disco soon became recognised across the city and beyond. Rick's opened in an elegant former library building at Blackscroft. St Roque's Reading Rooms were unveiled in 1910 as a place for quiet study after being designed by city architect James Thomson and inspired by a French pavilion. The B-listed structure was designed for the reading of magazines and newspapers. Membership started to decline after the Second World War and it was latterly used for storage before beginning to fall into disrepair in the 1970s and early 1980s. The enterprise of two businessmen ensured the building was saved in 1982 with the former library being turned into a nightclub over a period of eight months. The transformation cost £200,000. The owners wanted to attract 'top end of the market clientele'. An Evening Telegraph advertising feature published in 1983 suggested Rick's Disco would have no difficulty in establishing itself at the forefront of local night spots. It read: 'The new role of the library is that of an exclusive cross between a nightclub and a discotheque, called Rick's. 'The brains behind the venture are managing director Mr Richard Robinson and company secretary Iain MacDonald who make up Blackscroft Entertainments Ltd. 'They envisage Rick's as an upmarket night spot, and the sumptuous décor should ensure that they attract top end of the market clientele. 'As the building is listed, they have ensured that it and the garden have been restored to their original glory with the real changes being kept for the interior. Local tradesmen were used where possible. The style was neo-classical with the dominant colours being red and pinks. The Tele said: 'Chrome and mirrored material have been used throughout but perhaps the main feature is the marble effect fittings. 'The tables are made of this as are pillars which flank the dance floor. 'The twin bars which are illuminated from behind are also of the streaked marble effect. Italian-style light fittings and metallic wallpaper are also featured.' The advertising feature said £23,000 had been spent on the sound and lighting equipment 'which must surely be amongst the most advanced anywhere in the area'. So extensive was the array of controls for the lighting and smoke machine the DJ needed an assistant to work them while he was spinning the vinyl. Songs from Spandau Ballet, Wham!, Human League, Hot Chocolate, Tears for Fears and Yahoo would all have been blasting out on the dancefloor in May 1983. Richard Robinson said there was an opening in Dundee for a 'top class night spot'. 'We will be looking for over 21s, the sort of people who want to enjoy the most modern and best discotheque facilities,' he said. He said Rick's was on a par with similar establishments in London and would be ideal for people 'who have guests up from London who have to be entertained'. Although capacity was 170 the owners did not intend to let it get to 'shoulder to shoulder' as that would 'not be in keeping with the image of the establishment'. Patrons would not be expected to wear collar and tie but denims were banned. Mr Robinson said customers should feel at home in Rick's 'whether they are wearing casual clothes or an evening suit'. The staff of 20 were smartly but not formally dressed in a 'uniform' of black skirt or trousers with a grey collarless shirt which featured the Rick's logo. Snacks were available. Rick's opened from 8pm-2am. Admission was £1 or £2 on Wednesday. Thursday and Sunday. Friday and Saturday was £1.50 before 10pm and £2.50 after 10pm. The twin bars were fully stocked with a complete range of beers and spirits. Drink prices were 'comparable to other establishments in town'. The Tele said Rick's Disco was 'destined to become the haunt of the smart set'. 'The rejuvenation of the former library has not only saved a building of note, it has brought some life to the Blackscroft area of the city,' it read. 'Rick's and the gardens are to be floodlit at night and should soon become a familiar landmark to people out for a night on the town,' it said. The Evening Telegraph checked in again in August 1983 to update readers and said Rick's was 'steadily becoming one of Dundee's most popular night spots'. It said 'stepping through the door is like stepping into another world'. 'With its high quality décor and friendly helpful staff, Rick's attracts a good variety of people looking for an enjoyable night out,' said the Tele. 'It's not a big place, the capacity is about 250, but it has a terrific atmosphere and the people there when we visited certainly seemed to be having a good time.' Tragedy struck only a year after it opened. The former library had to be stripped back to a bare, four-wall shell after it was gutted by fire in May 1984 following an electrical fault. The owners restored the interior of the building, only to have it gutted by fire in 1989. Two years later it reopened as the Peep o' Day function suite and John O'Groats pub, before closing down again in 1993 after suffering from financial difficulties. The venue became a clubbing destination on and off from the mid-90s and was latterly the Reading Rooms, which was at the forefront of the underground club scene. The nightclub started attracting top DJs and music acts crossing genres from electro, dubstep, reggae, funk, soul, techno, drum 'n' bass and beyond. The most famous act appeared on April 3 2003. Reggae giant and dub pioneer Lee 'Scratch' Perry performed with the Robotiks backing band including The Mad Professor on the mixing desk on April 3 2003. He was every bit as eccentric as his reputation implied, and then some. The crowd was transported back to the sounds of '70s Kingston by Perry and set highlights included Zion's Blood, Inspector Gadget and Come Go With Me. His 2003 performance reverberated far beyond the banks of the Tay and a blue plaque was erected by the fictional Dundee Department of Counter Culture to commemorate the night the man of much mystery, myth and legend performed live in the city. Babyshambles, Jake Bugg, Biffy Clyro, Cast, Franz Ferdinand, Wheatus, Afrobeat Orchestra and Fat Freddy's Drop also performed at the Reading Rooms. The Reading Rooms closed for the final time in 2019. But memories remain of its days as one of Dundee's best clubs.
Edinburgh Reporter
29-04-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
Tea Time Opulence: A Champagne Afternoon at Prestonfield House
Prestonfield House Hotel offers free parking for cars and helicopters, signalling immediately that budget travellers aren't their typical clientele. Yet on a fine spring day, my guest and I opted for the humble approach: a Lothian bus ride followed by what was meant to be a short walk. Our distinct lack of map-reading skills transformed this into somewhat of an adventure, including getting lost in a wood as we attempted to navigate toward this five-star hotel sitting in view of Arthur's Seat's yellow gorse. Thankfully, a passing dog walker rescued these damsels in distress, guiding us to a shortcut that led to the sweeping drive, at the top of which sits the magnificent Prestonfield House. Owned by James Thomson, one of Scotland's most celebrated independent restaurateurs and hoteliers, Prestonfield sits in Edinburgh's most secret location – nestled amid a housing estate filled with bungalows and architectural curios. Yet somehow, this unexpected setting only enhances its charm. The estate spans 20 acres of gardens and parkland, with beautiful Highland cows grazing in the field alongside the entrance. Prestonfield promises – and delivers – opulence, theatrical flair, and luxurious seclusion, sheltering guests from the city's bustle beyond its grounds. While Edinburgh offers numerous afternoon tea experiences, Prestonfield's ranks among the finest, matched perfectly by its sumptuous interiors and impeccable service. We were greeted at the entrance by Raven, the resident hotel cat—a charmingly dishevelled black short-hair—and Colin, the peacock strutting through the gardens displaying his spectacular plumage in full glory. Stepping inside Prestonfield House feels like entering a scene from Downton Abbey or a Jane Austen novel. Every corner reveals delightful objects and antiques, with rooms elegantly arranged for dining celebrations. Prestonfield shares a significant historical connection with rhubarb, having been the first estate in Scotland to propagate the plant in the 18th century. This heritage is celebrated in the aptly named 'Rhubarb' restaurant, where the plant continues to flourish in the estate's kitchen garden. We were shown to what must be one of Rhubarb's finest tables, overlooking gardens with beautifully coiffed fir trees encased in pyramid-shaped wooden structures and beds of growing rhubarb. At Prestonfield, excellence lies in the details—from tactile, armed velvet chairs to beautiful white crockery bearing the signature rhubarb design, silver teapots, and even the powder room's leopard-print chaise lounge. Alongside delicate finger sandwiches, savouries, scones, and house-baked cakes, we savoured chilled Billecart-Salmon Champagne while selecting from seventeen beautifully described speciality teas, coffees and hot chocolate. Despite my grandfather's history working on an Indian tea plantation, I chose the Rose Petal tea—freshly dried rose petals with aromatic Chinese congou black tea and essence of rose – offering subtle floral notes. My companion selected First Flush Darjeeling, often called 'The Champagne of teas,' where the most coveted leaves are plucked during the first harvest. Prestonfield's afternoon tea achieves perfect balance between savouries, sandwiches, both plain and fruit buttermilk scones with clotted cream and raspberry jam, and exquisite cakes. They've thoughtfully created special menus for vegans, vegetarians, and those requiring gluten or dairy-free options—attention to detail that truly sets them apart. The staff accommodated my fish allergy by replacing the Lapsang souchong-cured sea trout, avocado, and lime curd on sourdough cracker with a vegetarian sun-dried tomato and avocado oatcake with lime purée, garnished with delicate white edible flowers. While I rarely choose white bread at home, finger sandwiches somehow demand it. No mass-produced loaves here, but beautiful, doughy homemade white bread worthy of Smeaton Farm free-range egg with Caesar mayonnaise. Among the selections, the spring chicken with lemon and spring onion mayonnaise and the pulled Ayrshire ham with Prestonfield rhubarb and honey relish were standouts. The cakes elevate the experience to extraordinary heights with imaginative Lilliputian morsels of pure delight. Lemon verbena and lime Battenburg, Earl Grey and chocolate orange mousse, rhubarb and cardamom custard tart, and blueberry, lemon and lavender gateau delivered mouthfuls of ecstasy with every bite. The Last Sip Sometimes getting lost leads to the most delightful discoveries. From our woodland detour to the final crumbs of those miniature masterpieces, our afternoon at Prestonfield proved that luxury isn't always about helicopter landings – sometimes it's about the journey, the company, and those perfect moments of indulgence. As we reluctantly departed, past Highland cows, Raven the grumpy cat and peacock plumes, we agreed that while the £75 price tag for the Champagne service reflects the five-star setting, the memories created in this secluded pocket of Edinburgh elegance were absolutely priceless. Prestonfield's Spring Afternoon Tea is available Sunday–Thursday 12-6:45 pm, Friday and Saturday 12-4 pm. Spring Afternoon Tea £60 per person Spring Champagne Afternoon Tea £75 per person Like this: Like Related
