Take note of Ada Lovelace and the gender leadership gap November 13, 2018 Who was Ada Lovelace? She could soon be the face of the Bank of England’s new £50 note. Lovelace – the world’s first computer programmer and collaborator with the celebrated inventor Charles Babbage – is just one of the many women who have historically been under-recognised for their great achievements. The British public is keenly [...]
Is central bank independence even a thing? November 13, 2018 Parents often find it tough to let go of the control they have on their children’s lives, no matter how old they are. While children usually tend to wriggle out of these constraints, the constant jostling between two often opposing opinions is a worldwide phenomenon. And such is the relationship between the government and the [...]
Stop blaming Brexit for a brain drain November 12, 2018 Brain drain. Talent drain. The only thing that is truly draining ahead of March 2019 is hearing tech leaders use Brexit as an excuse for not being able to build a great team. As any founder knows, staff are the beating heart of the company and the most vital asset that you have. Tech Nation’s [...]
Weapon of choice: How nutrition brand Grenade has exploded into the market November 12, 2018 Grenade is the kind of brand that just appears out of nowhere – you blink and suddenly the products are a staple stock in shops around the country. For those who have somehow missed the craze, Grenade is a food company specialising in healthy snacks – and now you’ve heard the name, you’ll probably start [...]
It’s make or break for the telecoms sector’s shot at reform November 8, 2018 One of the great ironies of the telecoms industry is that, for a sector that is primarily focused on technological innovation and future infrastructure, certain aspects of it are decidedly backwards looking. There’s a clear divide between, say, the gathering momentum in the roll-out of ultrafast broadband and the distinct stasis when it comes to the [...]
The government is finally turning its attention to the housing crisis, but what’s missing? November 8, 2018 There's no question that the housing market is in need of drastic reform. So it was welcome news last week when the chancellor announced that the government was turning its attention to reforming the supply side of the market through a £500m Housing Infrastructure Fund and British Business Bank guarantees for SME house builders. In broader terms, there seems to [...]
In a rare move, HMRC is refunding some parents who were liable for the child benefit charge – here’s what you need to know November 8, 2018 It is unusual for HMRC to admit that it has been too heavy-handed, so last week came as a welcome surprise to many parents who have been hit with fines in relation to child benefits. If you are responsible for bringing up a child under 16 (or under 20 if they are in education), you [...]
The sky’s the limit: Solving the housing crisis involves unlocking the UK’s air rights November 7, 2018 The biggest and brightest cities in the world are known for their skylines, where towers and skyscrapers made of glass and steel jostle with one another, vying for our attention. Skyscrapers are the hallmark of bustling and healthy cities – a sign that a lot of people want to live and work within a few square [...]
Truce or dare: A Trump stunt, or the end of the US-China trade war? November 6, 2018 Last Thursday, Donald Trump took to Twitter to tell the world that trade talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping were “moving along nicely”. His words prompted a rise in Asian stock markets; the Shanghai Composite index climbed by almost 2.7 per cent during trading on Friday, and the Hang Seng surged by about 4.2 per cent, [...]
Which way for markets? It’s all about the midterms November 6, 2018 Americans will cast their vote in the US midterm elections today, and the results will set the tone for stock markets around the world. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for grabs, while 35 of the 100 Senate seats will be on offer too. The big picture result will centre around [...]