2017 - Knightsbridge Wealth

Catalonia Heading to the polls

Sufficient process takes Brexit to the next step

Last week was tumultuous for the UK’s Prime Minister.

Prospering post-Brexit

The 73 British MEPs sitting in the European Parliament are set to share around €6m in “golden goodbyes” when Britain leaves the EU. MEPs are entitled to a pay-off of one month’s salary for each year served, up to a limit of 24 months’ salary.

How will European instability affect Brexit?

The political debate around Brexit is getting interesting. There’s speculation about splits in the UK's cabinet, and demands from Parliament to have a bigger say on the final deal.

Tourism is proving an exciting investment opportunity

I’m currently in Marrakech – a relatively provincial city (the fourth biggest in Morocco) but one that is teeming with visitors from all over the World.

Tensions rising in Middle East

Over the weekend, Saudi Arabia launched an anti-corruption purge, intercepted a missile allegedly launched by Yemeni Houthi rebels, and the Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned, citing fears of Iranian meddling.

Interest rates to rise

The Bank of England has raised expectations to such a high level that it will increase interest rates for the first time in 10 years tomorrow, that any decision to do nothing would prompt a significant shock in financial markets.

Qatar’s blockade hurts its enforcers

It has been more than four months since Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt closed their borders and cut diplomatic ties with Qatar.

Deal or no Deal?

With Brexit talks apparently at an impasse, talks of "no deal" are echoing again.

Spain’s Day of Unity

Last Thursday was not the best day to celebrate Spain’s Day of Unity.

Global real estate is in a bubble

Many are obsessed with property prices and their being a part of an investment portfolio. UBS have just issued a superbly researched and comprehensive report on ‘bubbles’ in global real estate.

Qatar : No resolution in sight

Qatar’s diplomatic crisis, that began on 5th June, has entered its fourth month. Despite the blockade, Qatar should be able to muddle through.

Where next for Sterling?

Those Britons holidaying in Europe over the summer cannot have avoided the pain of the increased cost for croissants and cappuccinos.

UK property grows 2.1% over last year

House prices are continuing to flatten out, as tax hikes designed to cool the market continue to bite and, in and near London, where valuations were over-heated.

Turkey : looking eastward?

Turkey has always been the true cross-road between east and west; a brave, outward looking county that deserves a place on the international stage.

Venezuela : Tensions Reach New Highs

Following Sunday's Constituent Assembly vote, the stage is now set for a further escalation of tensions in Venezuela.

UK/US Trade Deal : A big opportunity

I have just spent a week in the US and was surprised that there were two issues almost everyone I spoke to wanted to discuss : our view on Trump and, secondly, Brexit. I was surprised that the UK’s trading arrangements were such a cause for debate.

Crisis in Gulf deepens

Over the weekend, Saudi Arabia raised the stakes in the stand-off with Qatar. In a bizarre move, it gave the country 10 days to shut down the Al-Jazeera television channel – which would be a bit like Germany demanding Britain close down the BBC.

UK house prices continue to fall

UK house prices fell in May for the third month in a row, according to figures from building society Nationwide. This is the first time we’ve seen three consecutive months of price falls since the financial crisis.

Greece needs a crisis

We all know the routine for the Greek bailout talks by now. They haven’t changed for years….

Egypt : visitors needed

I have had a brilliant week on the River Nile, in the fantastic town of Aswan. I was sorry to be one of so few visitors, and sad to see the affect that is having on the country.

Greece’s debt saga grinds on

My mother-in-law’s holiday in Greece was cancelled at the last minute today as a General Strike took place today and many inbound flights cancelled. Industrial action began on Tuesday but has now been ramped up nationally by members of the big trade unions.

Le Pen and Macron in French run off

Opinion polls have consistently shown that Macron will hold a sizable lead over Le Pen in a, now confirmed, second round run-off between the two.

Here we go again

Theresa May has performed an about-turn. She has announced her intention to hold a general election on June 8.

Pound’s Strength withstanding Brexit

Sterling has withstood bad Brexit news so far, but that may not last.

Bottlenecks in Bangladesh

It’s a huge pleasure to return to this fascinating country and seeing that Bangladesh’s economy is clearly on a roll, although its democracy is weakening.

London’s luxury property market is suffering

There is a problem in London’s high-end market – people just aren’t as keen on luxury property as they were a year ago.

Article 50 to be triggered on 29th March

Nine months after the referendum where the UK electorate made the historic decision to the leave the EU, the government is on the verge of starting the process. Following parliamentary approval, Article 50 is set to be triggered on 29th March.

Europe successfully shrugs off political risk

Next week, Geert Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), is set to become the biggest party in the Netherlands, increasing political risk in an already un-settled continent.

Is renting in London loosing its appeal?

Maybe it’s just too expensive, but more renters and buyers are looking outside Central London.

Power struggle is risking Morocco’s economic growth

Morocco rode out the Arab spring better than most countries in the region, and was on track to be the fastest growing MENA (Middle East North Africa) economy this year. However, a power struggle is putting Morocco’s economic and political health at risk.

Another Greece crisis looms…

Ever since the Greek crisis began seven years ago, Greece and its creditors have failed to conclude a single review of the country’s debt relief programmes on time. The latest delay risks rocking the Euro-zone.

Le Pen sets out her ‘commitments’ as France prepares to vote

The French electorate goes to the ballot box this year to elect a president, parliament, and a section of the senate. Its decisions could have profound implications for the prospects for the Euro and the European Union.

Expatriates warned to avoid portfolio bonds

If you’re an expatriate expecting to return to the UK in the future, there’s a good chance someone will already have tried to sell you an offshore portfolio bond as a vehicle for saving for old age.

No need for a bust up in UK/EU talks

One of my main reasons for backing ‘Leave’ was to guard against the UK being dragged into further EU integration plans. That may seem unlikely today, but barely ten years ago joining the euro was still a live political issue for Britain.

‘Buy to Let’ challenges in 2017

Following the introduction of new taxes, greater regulation, and reduced interest rate relief, many would have expected there to have been a decrease in the number of properties on the market. But research shows that new rental listings in November rose by nearly 7%, the second successive month of growth.

Is the UK stock market surge about to slow?

What a start to the new year. Britain’s blue-chip index, the FTSE 100, hurtled to a new record high above 7,200 on the first trading day after the holiday.

Will 2017 bring another European crisis?

On New Years Day, my lunch guests were unified in the view that the UK’s split with the EU was the defining moment of 2016. However, it’s not just about the UK.