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Latest News

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15 March 2010
Latest Assignee Feedback.....

Icon’s service was extremely helpful and made the transition into my new life very easy! I could not have made such a successful and calm entry without their help. I really appreciate all the hard work that was done to help. Thanks! LB

 

Previous News

08 March 2010
Belgravia Square tops expensive street list

The housing market may have been fluctuating in recent months, but the most exclusive street in England and Wales remains unchanged. Chester Square in London's Belgravia has an average property value of £6.6m and has topped a list of the most expensive streets for a second year. Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has a home in the street, where the average value is up £400,000 on 2009. London dominates the expensive property league, the Mouseprice.com poll found. Other notable residents of Chester Square, which is between Victoria and Sloane Square, have included Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich and Frankenstein author Mary Shelley. The high-value area helped push up the average price of properties on the 10 most expensive streets to £5.5m in London, ahead of the £3.7m of the top 10 streets in the South East of England and £1.8m in the East of England. Wales was bottom of the list with an average value of £676,320. "Prices for the most expensive properties in the country have been fairly consistent with the middle tier of the property market," said Zipporah Morrison Baker, of Mouseprice.com. The survey was based on Land Registry sale price statistics and updated with valuation data gathered from surveyors. Average values were narrowed down to postcode level using an automated system. Source: BBC News Online

 

12 February 2010
Latest Assignee Feedback.....

"I would just like to say a huge thankyou - particularly with the school assistance. Kate was wonderful and very informative the whole way through. The kids have both now settled beautifully into their new schools and Josh's in particular (our eldest who had some special requirements) we are extremely pleased with. It was a huge weight off my shoulders after my initial conversation with Kate all those months ago and she did not let me down. Rebecca and Ellen have also been brilliant - both so friendly and obliging - I really enjoyed my couple of days with Ellen and the great advice she provided. If the opportunity ever arises I shall have no hesitation in recommending your companies services. " GM

 

05 February 2010
Latest Assignee Feedback...

"I can not say enough about how I appreciate the help and assistance given to me by the staff of Icon Relocation. My biggest fear of not getting my son in school was resolved during the first week of my arrival, which made both my son and me extremely happy. Also, Peter was supportive in identifying an area where we would feel not only safe, but comfortable. Great Job Icon Relocation Staff!!!!!!!!!!" CJ

 

26 January 2010
New Serviced Apartment Search is Live.......

We've made a number of improvements to our serviced apartment search tool, making it easier and quicker to search our database of over 250 quality serviced properties in locations across the UK. Please check it out and if you have any comments or can't find what you're looking for, please let us know!

 

18 January 2010
Latest Assignee Feedback

"The assistance provided by your company was outstanding. In two days of visits I was able to find a flat that met my family’s requirements. Everybody with whom I had contact had knowledge of my particular situation and resolved a number of issues. I would definitely recommend your services." IZ - Energy Services Company

 

13 January 2010
Skilled foreign workers must get UK identity cards

New regulations that took effect on 6th January require skilled foreign workers who extend their stay in Britain to obtain identity cards containing biometric data, including finger prints and photographs. The UK Border Agency rules are part of the extended rollout of a 2008 program that will require all foreign workers who plan to stay in Britain six months or longer to obtain an ID card by April 2011. The rules apply only to workers from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland. British officials say the ID cards for foreign workers will help combat illegal workers and illegal immigration and allow cardholders to establish their identity and immigration status, making it easier for them to access various benefits they are entitled to. The cards, in conjunction with workers' passports, can also be used to facilitate entry into Britain after trips abroad, officials said. Skilled workers are defined as those with a job sponsor who can establish their skills and earnings potential on a point-based system that also takes into account their English language ability. Source: Business Week

 

04 January 2010
Mortgages 'more easily available'

More mortgages were made available by lenders in the UK in the final quarter of 2009, the Bank of England has said. An improved economic outlook and house price rises had driven the rise in lending, the Bank said in a report. People looking to borrow more than 75% of their property's value saw the biggest improvement in choice. The report also said that lenders expected to make credit more easily available to households and businesses in the first quarter of 2010. "Credit availability was expected to improve further in the first quarter of 2010 for corporates and for secured lending to households and to stabilise for household unsecured credit," the central bank's credit conditions survey said. The quarterly survey asks lenders about credit conditions over the past three months. "The survey raises hopes that credit conditions will increasingly become less of a constraint on economic activity over the coming months," Howard Archer, chief UK economist at Global Insight. "This is critical to sustainable recovery prospects." Source: BBC News

 

17 December 2009
Merry Christmas from all at Icon Relocation

Very best wishes for the holiday season and for a prosperous 2010 to all of our clients, partners and transferees. Please note that our offices are closed on Friday 25th December, Monday 28th December and Friday 1st January for UK public holidays. Our offices will be open on 29th, 30th and 31st December from 10.00am until 2.00pm, re-opening with normal business hours on Monday 4th January.

 

11 December 2009
HSBC Expat Explorer Survey 2009

The second part of the 2009 HSBC Expat Explorer Survey was released this week. Expat Experience is the second of three reports to be produced from the Expat Explorer research. Expats rated their expat locations and the results have produced a league table which reveals the countries with the best quality of life. Expats generally enjoy a better life in their new country but Canada topped the survey. Expats rated accommodation, food, entertainment, transport, clothing, household goods, utilities, healthcare, education / childcare, working hours, family life, social life, commute to work, health and hobbies. To view the full survey results, go to: http://www.offshore.hsbc.com/1/2/international/expat Source: HSBC Bank.

 

25 November 2009
Further changes to UK Immigration

The Minister of State for Borders and Immigration has announced further major changes that are certain to have a significant impact on the way UK employers recruit skilled foreign workers. The changes unveiled by Phil Woolas on 24 November follow closely on the heels of recommendations made by the Migration Advisory Committee in their Tier 2 report released on 19 August. From 14 December the following changes will take effect: • The resident labour market test for the Tier 2 General category of the Points Based System will be extended to four weeks, replacing the current two week advertising requirement. Changes to the residential labour market test will only apply to recruitment advertising campaigns that begin on or after 14 December - businesses that have already begun advertising prior to this date will not need to do so again in order to meet the new requirement. • The revised shortage occupation list will come into effect. The new shortage occupation list is applicable to all certificates of sponsorship under Tier 2 of the points based system. In Spring 2010 the Tier 2 category will also undergo another important change that will see the minimum salary that allows an individual to qualify as a skilled worker and be eligible to work in the UK rise from £17,000p.a. to £20,000p.a. Furthermore, for individuals with no qualifications the minimum salary requirement under Tier 2 will increase from £24,000p.a. to £32,000p.a. Source: VisaLogic

 

16 November 2009
CML revises home repossessions forecast

The Council of Mortgage Lenders has cut its forecast for the number of repossessions this year to 48,000. Having anticipated 75,000 repossessions in 2009 in last year’s housing market forecasts, the forecast had already been revised down to 65,000 in June, but is now being cut again in recognition of lender forbearance, government measures and the beneficial effect of continuing low interest rates which are helping most borrowers facing difficulty to keep their homes. In the third quarter of this year, new CML figures show that the number and proportion of mortgages in arrears both fell, despite the bleak economic backdrop. At the end of September 194,600 mortgages, 1.77% of the total, were in arrears of 2.5% or more of the outstanding mortgage balance. This compares with 204,200 cases (1.86% of all mortgages) at the end of June. Source: FT.com

 

04 November 2009
HSBC Expat Explorer Survey 2009

The latest HSBC Expat Explorer Survey highlights the effect of the global economic downturn on expat life and spending habits. The survey results show that London remains one of the most expensive places for expats to live; high proportions of the expats surveyed reported that they were spending more on their accomodation (79%), transport (68%) and utilities (61%) than 12 months ago. In fact, expats in the UK spend more of their income on accommodation than expats living anywhere else in the world. HSBC surveyed 3,100 expats to compile the survey, and the full version is available at: www.resource.offshore.hsbc.com

 

23 October 2009
Cultural Awareness Training Day

On Thursday 22nd October, a number of our clients and staff members attended our second Cultural Awareness training day, focused on working effectively with Indian Nationals. Held at the City offices of our cultural and language training partner, the attendees were provided with an overview of Indian life, business culture and communication styles, and practical advice on working effectively with Indian colleagues and virtual teams. For more details of these events, or if you would like to attend one of these sessions in future, please contact us!

 

14 October 2009
Another satisfied assignee!

"Everyone there was so helpful. In particular, Simon Johnston was fantastic and added a lot of value by giving us information that we could never have learned anywhere on our own. Likewise, Rebecca was extremely helpful and cooperative. She coordinated a number of things for us and was tremendously accommodating." RM, Banking Group

 

05 October 2009
Latest Assignee Feedback

“Simon was an absolute pleasure to spend two days with. I have already reinforced with our HR that your firm is one of the few that make a relocation a pleasant experience!” CW, Human Capital Firm

 

29 September 2009
Latest Assignee Feedback

"You provided me with an excellent service that made a fast and efficient relocation possible. Given the time constraints I had imposed your service is second to none." CP, Research Firm

 

23 September 2009
Icon attending ERC Global Conference

Icon will again be attending the Worldwide ERC Global Workforce Symposium, to be held in Chicago from 7th to 9th October. The Global Workforce Symposium is the leading relocation industry get together, with a range of speakers and educational sessions,and attendees from across the globe. Attending will give us the opportunity to meet our clients and partners, but will also ensure we are fully up to date with the latest trends, best practice, and creative thinking in the relocation industry.

 

16 September 2009
RICS UK Housing Market Survey, August 2009

The RICS house price net balance turned positive for the first time in two years says the latest RICS UK housing market survey. The net balance of Chartered Surveyors reporting rises rather than falls in house prices reached a positive reading of 10.7 percent from a negative reading of 5.7 percent - this is the highest result since May 2007 when the net balance was 24.8 percent. The national average has been boosted by the data from the South of England. The net balance of surveyors reporting price rises rather than falls for London and the South East rose to 43 percent and 39 percent respectively. There are further signs that the change in news flow on the housing market may be slowly encouraging vendors back into the marketplace. A net balance of 12 percent of surveyors reported that new instructions had increased in August, compared to a reading of 4 percent in July. Correspondingly, the average number of unsold properties on surveyors' books also rose to 63 from 61 properties. Source: RICS Website

 

09 September 2009
Changes to UK Points Based System

Following discussions with businesses and key public service organisations the government has announced a raft of new measures in response to recommendations made by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) regarding changes within the points-based system. The government has accepted all 16 recommendations proposed by the MAC in its recently published analysis of the points-based system, and in doing so has committed to further tightening the rules controlling when skilled workers are allowed to take jobs in the United Kingdom under the government's points-based system. For full details of all recommendations proposed by the MAC please visit the VisaLogic Website; http://www.visalogic.net/United-Kingdom_MAC-recommendations_pie.aspx?t=4&t2=143 Source: VisaLogic

 

01 September 2009
Cost of renting increases

The cost of renting a home is rising as "reluctant landlords" sell-up in the recovering housing market, various surveys have suggested. Rents in England and Wales rose by 0.5% in July compared with June - the fastest rate in a year, according to letting agent LSL Property Services. The number of homes available for tenants fell during the same month, according to website Findaproperty.com. Rent levels were rising fastest in London and the south-east of England, the group found. Across England and Wales the average rent was still 4.5% lower than at its peak in August 2008. Source: BBC News

 

24 August 2009
Recession in the UK over?

Confidence among business professionals has seen the biggest rise for two years, a survey has said. "This quarter's Business Confidence Monitor suggests that the UK recession is at an end," said Mr Michael Izza of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. "While there is no doubt that the UK economy is on its way to recovery, we shouldn't underestimate the challenges ahead for businesses." IT was the most optimistic sector, followed by banking, finance and insurance. Source: BBC News

 

17 August 2009
New Icon Website launched!

The new Icon Relocation website was launched today, reflecting the full range of corporate relocation services that we provide in the UK and worldwide. Please check out the new site - we would welcome your feedback or comments on the content and navigation.

 

01 August 2009
Area Guide demo now available

A free demonstration of our market leading UK Area Guide is now available on our website. With information on living in the UK, as well as specific area information on property, healthcare, local amenities, shopping and entertainment, this is an essential resource for relocating employees. We hope that you find the demonstration useful - please contact us for further information.