City Spy: Anya Hindmarch bags a hot spot in Hackney, Aviva's 'Johnny Hollywood' signs off and CBRE boss steps up to the challenge

Hackney newspaper Dalstonist reports Anya Hindmarch’s swish handbag brand has opened opposite Tesco in Morning Lane in the edgy corner of east London.

“For a mate of David Cameron whose other outlets include Sloane Street, Bond Street, Harrods and Liberty it seems like something of a new direction,” says Dalstonist.

“That said, Hindmarch reportedly started her career in Hackney and she joins other luxury brands Burberry, Pringle and Aquascutum as the first residents of a planned ‘fashion hub’ in the area.” Local estate agents no doubt now call Hackney the new Bond Street.

London is about to be overrun with shops from down under. A raft of Aussie brands are sniffing round the capital including men’s fashion brand Industrie, homeware specialist Sheridan, and chocolate café concepts Cocoba and Theobroma. But the biggest invasion by far comes from children’s stationery retailer Smiggle.

It is aiming for 250 shops in the UK and has already opened branches in Westfield Stratford City and Kingston’s Bentall Centre. The group has 160 stores in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Its name is a portmanteau of Smile and Giggle and it says it adds “Willy Wonka magic to stationery”. Bonzer.

Labour proposes to raise £2 billion from a new tax on bank bonuses. But Ian Swales, the Lib-Dem MP for Redcar, is unconvinced such revenue would materialise. “If the Labour party wants to put income tax up to 50% and to tax bank bonuses at 50%, I have news for it: 50 plus 50 is 100,” he says. “How many banks will keep on paying bonuses if the entire amount goes to a future Labour Government? They will find different ways to reward staff.”

So farewell Pat Regan, Aviva’s genial finance director, who is tidying up his affairs in London before heading to Sydney to become finance director at insurer QBE, starting in June. Regan can pick up tips on life Down Under from Aviva chairman John McFarlane, who led Australia and New Zealand Banking Group for a decade. But he must be hoping that Oz’s gung-ho press pack doesn’t dream up a nickname for him as they did for McFarlane, labelling the former skiffle musician “Johnny Hollywood” in honour of his performing past. One nickname they could rule out for Regan would be “Pat Cash” after Aviva removed £7.3 million of shares awarded to him as a result of his decision to quit.

A postscript to Sport Relief: well done to Ciaran Bird, the UK boss of the world’s biggest property agent CBRE, who not only ran up all 1037 steps of the Gherkin at St Mary Axe in the City but also roped in many of his staff. No fewer than 50 of CBRE’s good sports joined Bird on the run.