Employers, it’s time to add some freelancers to your armoury October 12, 2019 Talk to graduates, new mothers, or young creatives about work today, and the one word you’re likely to hear more than any other is freelance. The term itself certainly isn’t new. In Walter Scott’s 1819 novel Ivanhoe, paid mercenaries described as “free lances” are offered from one feudal lord to another. Fast-forward 200 years, and [...]
Royal Mint launches solid gold debit card worth £20,000 October 11, 2019 The Royal Mint has produced a payment card made of 18-carat gold which will cost almost £20,000. The firm worked with Mastercard and payments technology firm Accomplish to produce the cards, which will use a Raris account. Read more: Royal Mint releases new coin after August gold rush The debit cards can be personalised for [...]
Businesses can do more to tackle disabilities like blindness October 11, 2019 Lately it has become fashionable to talk about the contribution of companies to society. However, in the daily routine of spreadsheets, email, and video-conferences, the “why we do this” message can get lost. It is humbling therefore to confront that most vivid of human needs – the need for eyesight – and witness the potential [...]
Merian Global agrees first acquisition since spinoff October 10, 2019 Merian Global Investors has agreed to acquire Kestrel Investment Partners’ multi-asset business, in its first acquisition since its management buyout from Old Mutual in June last year. The acquisition will boost Merian’s £26.4bn of funds under management with Kestrel’s $151m (£123m). Read more: Investment firm responsible for £1bn assets goes into special administration Kestrel’s entire [...]
Bank of England launches new £20 note featuring JMW Turner October 10, 2019 The Bank of England (BoE) has launched a new polymer £20 note featuring British painter JMW Turner. BoE governor Mark Carney announced that Turner would be replacing 18th Century economist Adam Smith as the face of the banknote at an event at the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate. Read more: Britain’s financial system ‘prepared’ for [...]
Kim Kardashian and Sheryl Sandberg aren’t the only models of female business success October 10, 2019 Today is the 116th anniversary of the Women’s Social and Political Union in the UK – the organisation that secured universal suffrage in the UK. It is an inspiring date. Today, women do experience greater parity with men than ever before. However, all over the world, patriarchal cultures still restrict women’s ability to be successful [...]
Strong Roots’ Sam Dennigan talks exporting and the environment October 10, 2019 Exporting is a major topic ahead of the Brexit deadline of 31 October. Hundreds of thousands of business across a range of sectors are understandably concerned about how to overcome the challenges associated with exports after leaving the EU. Sam Dennigan, founder and chief executive of Strong Roots, managed to crack this conundrum with a [...]
Despite the doom and gloom narrative, female entrepreneurship is on the rise October 10, 2019 The number of female entrepreneurs is on the rise, and their share of investment funding is increasing. It’s not a line you read very often, but it’s something we need to celebrate louder, because the perception can sometimes be anything but. Often, we hear about the challenges facing women, but little about their successes. In [...]
Is Brexit making Britain a bargain for foreign investors? October 9, 2019 | City Talk The pound has been one of the biggest casualties of Brexit so far. Sterling has lost around 10 per cent of its value against the US dollar and the euro since the UK voted to leave the EU in June 2016 and shed 5 per cent versus the yen. It has lost over 16 per [...]
Why the Bank of England isn’t topping up the punch bowl October 9, 2019 | City Talk Many economists will remember 2019 as the year of the monetary policy U-turn by central bankers around the world. At the end of 2018, the US Federal Reserve, which tends to lead the herd, signaled multiple rate hikes in the year ahead. Just three months on, its forecasts were cut sharply to zero and by [...]
