Horrible bosses: How retailers can clean up their image March 7, 2019 It seems like a case of “another day, another scandal” in the retail industry at the moment. This time it’s Ted Baker founder and CEO, Ray Kelvin, who has been accused of “forced hugging”. While I can’t comment on the innocence (or otherwise) of the shamed chief, he joins a growing list of alleged wrong [...]
The big banks are losing their grip on the market to fintechs and challengers, but can big data save the day? March 7, 2019 Over a year on from the launch of Open Banking, and following last year’s IT catastrophes at Visa and TSB, it is no surprise that many in our industry are considering how effectively the big banks are reacting to this era of transformative technological upheaval. It is estimated that the five biggest UK banks hold [...]
Startup entrepreneurs, watch out for these classic spam emails from rubbish sales people March 7, 2019 So, I have finally decided to do it. After more than a decade of working for other people in a number of roles, I’ve actually taken the leap and launched my own business. It’s been barely three months and things are going great – we have clients already on board and more soon, hopefully. Really, the [...]
Trump was brave to leave North Korea empty-handed March 7, 2019 He came he saw, he left empty-handed. For the self-proclaimed consummate deal-maker that is President Donald Trump, it would not be an understatement to say that last week’s second summit with Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un on North Korea’s prospective denuclearisation did not go quite according to plan. Trump’s gamble had been that his personal rapport with [...]
If Kylie Jenner can be an entrepreneurial superstar, so can the rest of Generation Z March 7, 2019 Generation Z are the most entrepreneurial age group, according to recent research. While we all thought that millennials were the trailblazers in terms of entrepreneurship, today’s 16-24-year-olds knock them out of the park. And they are 20 per cent more likely to want to start a business than their parents. What’s even more interesting is the [...]
DEBATE: In light of this week’s Access to Cash Review, is the UK ready to go cashless? March 7, 2019 In light of this week’s Access to Cash Review, is the UK ready to go cashless? Abhijit Deb, head of banking and financial services (UK&I) at Cognizant, says YES. From contactless card technology to smartphone payments, we have seen innovations draw much of the public away from cash to new methods. Convenience is obviously a big [...]
A market cap is the quickest way to inject some competition into audit March 7, 2019 As you read this, the Kingman review, the Competition and Markets Authority review, the Brydon review, and the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee are all scrutinising the audit profession following a series of high-profile scandals. Failures such as Carillion, BHS, and Patisserie Valerie present very different problems, but each case rightly led to [...]
Chris Tremlett: Chris Jordan could make England comeback in time for the World Cup March 6, 2019 England’s comfortable win over West Indies in the first Twenty20 on Tuesday night may have felt slightly subdued after the one-day series, but for the players involved it was another opportunity to impress. While West Indies’ side looked similar to their 50-over incarnation, England’s reflected their desire to give fringe players a chance to shine. [...]
There are plenty of reasons for investors to be optimistic about China March 6, 2019 Since the election of Donald Trump, one story has dominated global markets news: the trade war between China and the US. As negotiations reached a critical phase last month, markets fluctuated as setbacks led to breakthroughs, only for talks to stall again. But while investors are right to worry about currents of protectionism in the world’s [...]
Financial institutions beware – big tech is moving into banking March 6, 2019 Despite Brexit uncertainties and stock market collapses, British banks concluded their 2018 earnings season with improved performance. Profitability increased thanks to cost drives, while balance sheets strengthened through derisking assets. Banks’ ability to grow revenue, however, remains a perennial challenge. The quest to growth may be harder in the digital age. In a recent report [...]