Let the Davies report run a course to equality in boardrooms November 4, 2015 The aim of achieving gender parity in senior executive posts and in boardrooms has been rising up the agenda in recent years. This laudable objective was given a boost when, in 2010, the government commissioned Lord Mervyn Davies to conduct a review into boardroom equality. In this endeavour, nobody can argue against the motives of [...]
Why the misguided war on alcohol is bad news for London November 3, 2015 We are at a crossroads. With the Night Tube held up in negotiations, a new report from the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) – which claims that alcohol is placing an unnecessary strain on emergency services – is now being exploited by those who want to see a reduction in pub, bar and club licensing [...]
Markets can help end discrimination – but name-blind recruitment would help November 3, 2015 The Prime Minister recently announced that the civil service will introduce name-blind recruitment. When people apply for public sector jobs, their name will not appear on the documents sent to the appointment panel. Major organisations such as HSBC, KPMG, the BBC and the NHS are following suit. Economists have produced a substantial body of evidence [...]
What can Quaker capitalism teach business today? It’s no good being ethical if you don’t make money November 3, 2015 Today, the Friends House on the Euston Road is hosting a Quaker Business Conference on the subject of “what is the purpose of business?” It is the right time to be posing the question and a good location at which to be asking it. The Quakers led the way in some of the [...]
As the Foreign Affairs Committee warns against air strikes, would UK military action in Syria simply be irrelevant? November 3, 2015 Professor Michael Kerr, the director of the Middle East & Mediterranean studies programme and the Centre for the Study of Divided Societies at King’s, says Yes There is no obvious benefit to UK military intervention at this time; bombing Syria will not significantly alter the balance of power between its warring factions. In the absence [...]
Thomas Cook report: Sorry shouldn’t be the hardest word to say November 3, 2015 When a company finds itself in crisis mode the chief executive will have a range of advice put to them. Communications and PR experts may take a view contrary to that of the company’s lawyers. Management, shareholders and media commentators may also be voicing their opinions or concerns. Ultimately, the boss has to decide how to [...]
Sanctions relief: Don’t bank on global finance returning to Iran November 2, 2015 The relief of nuclear-related sanctions on Iran is fast approaching. But for financial institutions seeking to assist clients in taking advantage of the opportunities opening up in the country after the agreement of a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme, the road ahead is fraught with complication. First, while Sunday 18 October witnessed the passing [...]
We need a campaign for Living Costs – not for a Living Wage – to really help the poorest November 2, 2015 It's “Living Wage Week”. For seven days, the Living Wage Foundation’s campaign for employers to pay workers at least £8.25 per hour (or £9.40 in London) receives almost wall-to-wall coverage. Campaigners line up to tell us raising pay to this level is good for business as well as employees. Many large firms, most of [...]
Britain’s creative industries can be even greater – if we learn to understand their true value November 2, 2015 The Oscar-winning film producer Lord Puttnam recently warned of a “worrying fall in investment” in the arts, news and drama on television. This comes at a time when the future of both the BBC and Channel 4 is under debate and public sector funding of the arts is threatened by yet another round of cuts. [...]
As it pushes back a decision on its domicile, would HSBC be better off moving its headquarters out of London? November 2, 2015 Darius McDermott, managing director at Chelsea Financial Services, says Yes HSBC gets 70 per cent of its revenue from Asia and, given it expects to get most of its future growth from this region, it seems common sense that the bank should be based there. On top of this, the UK political environment remains hostile [...]