Alternative finance powerlist: These are the most influential people in peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding on social media April 1, 2016 The growth rates for alternative finance in the UK and Europe make it pretty clear that this is a sector that can't be ignored. Providers made £1.74bn available to UK firms and individuals in 2014, with person-to-business lending at £749m, person-to-person lending at £547m and invoice discounting at £270m. Indeed, the former, which includes debt-based crowdfunding, [...]
Emotional intelligence: The bits you can learn and how they’ll help you in the workplace April 1, 2016 Many companies are becoming increasingly aware of the true impact that Emotional Quotient (EQ) can have within the business arena. Given that many professional or technical skills can be taught on the job, EQ is increasingly seen as a sought-after commodity. And research and anecdotal feedback shows that leaders and employees who have high levels of [...]
Executive pay and clarity around incentive plans are the most important issues for investors attending AGMs this year March 31, 2016 Sir Martin Sorrell and Tidjane Thia, watch out: executive remuneration is the top priority for investors attending AGMs this year – and there has been an increase in those willing to vote against incentive plans. Some 70 per cent of institutional investors surveyed by Capita Asset Services said they would systematically vote against incentive plans when [...]
Isa guide 2016: What first-time buyers need to know about the Lifetime Isa and the Personal Savings Allowance March 31, 2016 It only seems like yesterday that George Osborne was unveiling his Help to Buy Isa to let more aspiring homeowners get a foot on the property ladder. But the announcement of the Lifetime Isa in this year's Budget, and the introduction of the Personal Savings Allowance – which comes into effect on 6 April – is about to complicate [...]
Over half of over 50s depending on the new state pension to keep them afloat in their retirement March 31, 2016 Whether it's warnings from Waspi about women's state pension age or mutterings from MPs about how complicated the new state pension is, there's a lot of doubt floating about over what the state pension will look like in the future. However, that hasn't stopped some soon to be retirees treating it as the cornerstone of [...]
Heading for Silicon Valley? Having a degree pays in the tech industry March 31, 2016 The likes of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg may have managed to build their sprawling tech empires without one, but most people who want to work in Silicon Valley will need a degree – and they'll be paid more for it too. That's according to research released this week by jobs market analytics company Burning Glass Technologies which [...]
Four ways scammers could break into your pension pot March 31, 2016 If you think you'd know a pension scam when you see it, think again. According to a report by Citizens Advice released today, nearly nine out of ten (88 per cent) people are oblivious to the common tricks that pension fraudsters pull, despite three-quarters (76 per cent) feeling confident that they were crafty enough to avoid [...]
Equity crowdfunding investors: Five key tips before you take the plunge March 31, 2016 The most recent figures from innovation charity Nesta show that equity-based crowdfunding is one of the fastest growing models of the alternative finance sector. Since 2014, it has grown by 295 per cent to £332m. Equity crowdfunding is not only providing investment for startups, early-stage growth companies and even those already eyeing a flotation on the [...]
The bringer of bad news: Tips for softening the blow March 31, 2016 Oh dear, the IT system has gone into meltdown, there’s no budget for a bonus, the star account director has resigned, the investment has tanked and we’ve missed the deadline. The merde has hit the fan and all that remains to be done is to deliver the news to the client or colleague. Hmm, perhaps [...]
Earning a crust: With Centrica, Rolls Royce, BHP Billiton and others cutting their dividend, where should investors look for income? March 31, 2016 As central banks have pushed down interest rates, income has become ever harder to find. While returns on cash savings have remained low, dividend-yielding stocks have looked like a source of stability. But now, trouble in the global economy is forcing reliable dividend payers such as Centrica and Rolls Royce to slash their payouts. Companies [...]
