Why Boris Johnson could be the man to unlock the potential of the Northern Powerhouse August 9, 2019 If I asked you to think of a politician who could rebalance the economy and reinvigorate the north, Boris Johnson probably isn’t the first who springs to mind. With his Eton schooling and eight-year tenure as mayor of London, Boris is very much the stereotypical southern Englishman. You’re much more likely to conjure up Andy [...]
As tensions in the Gulf rise, is a war with Iran a possibility? August 9, 2019 As tensions in the Gulf rise after the seizure of another tanker, is a war with Iran a possibility? Dr John C. Hulsman, life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and president of John C. Hulsman Enterprises, says YES. Of course war with Iran is a possibility, as political leaderships are composed of human [...]
Independent central banks are under threat once more August 9, 2019 Being just a couple of decades old, the widespread adoption of independent central banks is relatively new to the world. Yet this is a role which now needs to adapt to a world whose politics is changing very fast. Different inflation objectives and tools have been discussed plenty of times before, but as the objectives [...]
Short-sellers raise eyebrows but they have their place August 9, 2019 Here’s a reasonable statement: “For markets to work properly and efficiently, all parties need access to accurate information.” This claim can be found in the ‘About Us’ section of the website of Boatman Capital Research, but the philosophy does not extend to providing information about their own identity. Boatman Capital, the anonymous short-seller research outfit, [...]
The world’s local bank has a new boss on its doorstep August 9, 2019 It is just 4.3 miles from One Canada Square, HSBC Holdings’ headquarters, to 20 Gresham Street, the home of Lloyds Banking Group. How fitting, then, that “the world’s local bank” should have no further to look than its near-neighbour for its next chief executive. Mark Tucker, HSBC’s chairman, cautioned this week that his search for [...]
The EU should not underestimate the City’s status August 8, 2019 Just how much is a reputation worth? As the UK prepares to leave the EU, status could be key for the City. A report published today by the Central Bank of Ireland found that even in the worst Brexit scenario, London will remain a leading global financial centre – and the biggest in Europe. The [...]
Credit providers must learn to embrace new technology August 8, 2019 Personal finance has a legacy problem. Until now, those who weren’t familiar with its inner workings have never truly understood financial products and services. A combination of technical jargon and a lack of clarity concerning the impact that certain decisions might have on a person’s credit rating has often left consumers very confused about exactly [...]
Dominic Cummings is behind Number 10’s new startup-mindset August 8, 2019 “What we want to hear is their conquer the world strategy,” said Scott Kupor, managing partner of American venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. Kupor was talking about wannabe entrepreneurs knocking on the company’s Sand Hill Road door in California and looking to become the next Twitter, Lyft, or Airbnb. If Boris Johnson’s right-hand man Dominic [...]
The Conservative case for foreign aid August 8, 2019 Now that the Conservative party leadership contest is over, a raft of new ideas have entered the mainstream policy agenda. Many of these are liberal, exciting, and exactly what is needed to boost the British economy ahead of Brexit – but the very concept of international aid has taken something of a beating. Contenders for [...]
Why Britain needs a minister for AI August 8, 2019 With the nation in a state of economic and political uncertainty, Britain’s newly appointed Prime Minister looks to technology to rejuvenate and refocus the country. He announces “a major national effort to bring advanced technology and new processes into industry”, launching the government’s first ministry of technology. Tech experts across the country rejoice as policymakers [...]