DEBATE: Are galleries and museums like the Tate right to shun donations from the controversial Sackler family? March 25, 2019 Are galleries and museums like the Tate right to shun donations from the controversial Sackler family? Sian Flynn, a curator and museums and galleries consultant, says YES. All publicly funded museums and galleries in Britain need to generate their own income to survive and thrive: this is a fact. They are also guardians of the nation’s [...]
School’s not out – Britain must become a nation of lifelong learners March 25, 2019 For the United Kingdom as for the wider OECD, the most important resources we have are the talents and endeavours of our citizens. However, this is an asset that we are currently failing to nurture as well as we should. The typical refrain from policymakers in response to this challenge is to consider how each [...]
Don’t you dare tune out – your country needs you to step up March 25, 2019 Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose. So sang Janis Joplin in what sounds like a 1970s version of the Prime Minister’s “No Deal Is Better Than A Bad Deal” refrain. Perhaps this was at the back of her mind when she called for a “moment of decision” last week. One EU leader’s response [...]
We must not let Brexit distract from the global war on single-use plastic March 25, 2019 At a time of ongoing uncertainty, and with so much attention on the drama unfolding in Westminster, it is easy to forget that there are other issues that are equally important. And, of course, we’re not just talking about issues affecting us in the UK, but globally too. One matter that certainly needs our attention [...]
HMRC doubles number of investigations into apprenticeship levy underpayments March 25, 2019 The number of investigations by tax authorities into underpayment of the apprenticeship levy has more than doubled in a year. HMRC launched 84 investigations last year collecting an additional £6.2m, according to research by accountancy group UHY Hacker Young. Read more: Apprenticeship levels up on last year but still hampered by 2017 levy There is concern that [...]
Majority of businesses not budgeting for increased recruitment costs after Brexit March 24, 2019 More than three-quarters of UK businesses have put no additional funds in place to meet the costs of international recruitment following Brexit. As many as 26 per cent of businesses have already recruited fewer workers from the EU since March 2017, according to research by law firm Shakespeare Martineau. Read more: Time for a migration policy [...]
I’d kill to be the chief exec of… Unilever March 22, 2019 Last week, Unilever’s chief executive Alan Jope announced that he would promote his rival for the top job – Nitin Paranjpe – to the newly created role of chief operations officer. He also said farewell to two other executive members – all in pursuit of the ever-elusive goal of three to five per cent top-line [...]
DEBATE: A third of voters would rather AI ran the country than politicians – so should robots move into Downing Street? March 22, 2019 A third of voters would rather AI ran the country than politicians – so should robots move into Downing Street? Takashi Sonoda, chief executive of internet of things company Uhuru, says YES. The idea that an artificial intelligence (AI) device could wholly take over the decision making at the top of the British government is pure [...]
Which workplace perks are the most popular among employees? March 21, 2019 As workplace perks and office wellbeing become increasingly important to employees, businesses are starting to take note. But now a study by employee experience platform Perkbox has revealed which benefits are most popular among workers looking for a little bit more from their job. Read more: No more ties in the office? Suit yourself Taking the [...]
Fed up with bureaucracy? Might be time to reform your meetings March 21, 2019 Every organisation is either struggling with bureaucracy or terrified of becoming one as they grow. But when companies reach a certain size, it’s not uncommon for them to have countless policies, practices, and structures in place that have accumulated over time. Business leaders should think of this as an operating system. And just as a [...]