Why Avant’s Al Goldstein is excited about partnering with big banks June 16, 2016 Despite being just four years’ old, Avant Credit is one of the largest marketplace lenders in the alternative finance industry. The US firm has been operating in the UK since 2013, and has issued over half a million loans to consumers, totalling more than $3bn in originations. Avant isn’t a P2P lender – it uses [...]
Before the bell: What you need to know before the US market open June 15, 2016 Fed day is here chair Janet Yellen is unlikely to do anything that would surprise the markets. We'll have the decision at 7pm London time and then wait to hear from the lady herself at 7:30pm. Here's what you need to know before the market open at 14:30 London time. US futures are pointing up [...]
Noise and distractions are the big workplace productivity killers June 15, 2016 Modern, open-plan offices lend themselves to high levels of noise and distractions, however these have become the biggest workplace productivity killers. The ability to focus and work without interruptions is a top priority for employees when it comes to office design, according to a study by Oxford Economics. It was ranked first by 29 per cent, [...]
Savers should plump for cash over shares, study says June 15, 2016 Savvy savers should opt for a best buy cash savings account over a FTSE 100 tracker, according to new research which challenges conventional wisdom. The study by financial journalist and BBC Money Box presenter, Paul Lewis, found that this type of savings account beat the tracker in 57 per cent of 192 five-year periods starting each month from 1 January [...]
Troops, believers, virtuousos or friends? The four common team cultures and how to get the most out of them June 15, 2016 It seems that every other week there is another management fad around the type of culture needed to get the most out of your team. Some say teams should be like friends who just happen to work together – flat groups which are motivated by how well they get along. Others argue that the best teams [...]
MPs cast doubt on government promises to working parents, warning that the early years system might not be capable of delivering on free childcare plans June 15, 2016 MPs have today warned the government may not be able to deliver on a set of promises designed to benefit working parents. A report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warned that there may not be enough childcare providers to fulfil the government's pledge of an additional 15 hours of free childcare a week to working families [...]
The recruitment race: Why The Leap 100 are struggling with time, talent and ensuring the right fit June 14, 2016 Finding the right people for the job isn’t always an easy task when you’re a fast-growing SME. Nearly three-quarters of The Leap 100 have found it difficult to attract the right people. “Hiring only the best people is a constant challenge for us,” says the chief executive and co-founder of one fintech company. “Tech talent [...]
How to avoid these common employment law mistakes June 14, 2016 There are times when any employer must make tough management decisions. While employment law provides a framework for managing the process of terminating a member, or members, of staff, mistakes are often made. Many, however, can be easily avoided. The most common mistake relating to employment law is failing to effectively manage people who, for [...]
Affectv founder Glen Calvert talks hiring and firing in a fast-growth firm June 14, 2016 It's a sign of the times that Glen Calvert, now 33 and with over seven years’ experience managing startups, doesn’t see himself as a young entrepreneur. Nonetheless, getting stuck in with his first company at 25 meant the learning curve was steep. He had passion, drive, and knowledge of his industry. What he lacked was experience [...]
Former Standard Life director in line for top governance position at Woodford’s fund June 14, 2016 Neil Woodford, the star City investor, is set to name ex-Standard Life director Marcia Campbell as the next chair of its oversight board. Campbell – who held various roles at Standard Life over the course of two decades, including running its operations in the Asia-Pacific region – will replace Mary Reilly, who has beenin the job since the position was created in 2014. [...]
