The ethical executive is coming to a boardroom near you February 3, 2020 We are undergoing a paradigm shift in our political, economic, and commercial worlds — and it’s truly stranger than fiction. Donald Trump, Brexit, Cambridge Analytica, the weaponisation of data, deep fakes, and artificial intelligence (AI) — phenomena that would have seemed inconceivable a decade ago are now our day-to-day reality. While some businesses are ahead of [...]
France 24-17 England: Four things we learned as Les Bleus dazzle in Six Nations opener February 2, 2020 If France were seeking a performance to answer sceptics who suspected their latest fresh start might prove another false dawn, then this resounding Six Nations defeat of England ought to silence most. Les Bleus married their trademark attacking flair with uncharacteristically resolute defending as they swept into a 24-0 lead on Sunday at the Stade [...]
Carney goes out not with a bang but a whimper January 31, 2020 There may be a part of Mark Carney that will be glad to see the back of the Bank of England. His eight-year tenure, which ends in March, has been dominated by political turbulence and so, perhaps inevitably, rows about the politicisation of the Old Lady. Threadneedle Street is not alone in being pulled into [...]
‘Enough is enough’: Two thirds of South Western Railway passengers fed up with fares January 28, 2020 Barely a third of South Western Railway passengers feel they are getting value for money, after months of strikes and delays caused misery across the network. According to the National Rail passenger survey, just 34 per cent of customers were satisfied with fares, the lowest score of any franchise in the country. Overall passenger satisfaction [...]
What happened to the pound, euro and US dollar in 2019? January 20, 2020 It has been a year of ups and downs for sterling, largely dominated by political and geopolitical factors. Investors’ concern over the outcome of Brexit largely overshadowed other factors. Despite celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2019, it wasn’t a banner year for the euro. Over the last 20 years, the euro has strengthened by 27 [...]
Do central banks have enough firepower to fight the next recession? January 17, 2020 By the end of 2019, the UK and US had achieved a decade recession free. That’s an impressive feat, but fears of a recession remain. In fact, those fears peaked last year due to worrying signals from financial markets. When the next recession does raise its head, it will be up to our central banks [...]
World’s largest hedge fund sees gold price rising 30 per cent amid global uncertainty January 15, 2020 The co-chief investment officer of the world’s biggest hedge fund has said gold could surge to a record high above $2,000 an ounce as global political uncertainties increase. “There is so much boiling conflict,” Greg Jenson, who helps oversee over $160bn at Connecticut-based Bridgewater Associates, told the Financial Times. Read more: Gold and oil prices [...]
Harrods security guards vote on strike action January 13, 2020 Harrods security guards have begun to ballot for strike action today following a dispute between union members and management over pay. Members of Unite will decide whether to launch industrial action over a below inflation pay rise and unpaid work. Read more: Man charged with murder for fatal Harrods stabbing The union said members are [...]
DEBATE: Is there any real benefit to food brands jumping on Veganuary? January 13, 2020 From Greggs to Burger King, the ‘Veganuary’ movement is quickly gaining members — but is there any real benefit to food brands that jump on the plant-based bandwagon? YES, says Mike Foster, founder and creative director of Straight Forward Design. Just ask Greggs. Its vegan sausage roll, launched during Veganuary 2019, is the bakery chain’s biggest [...]
Will cooling US jobs growth encourage Fed to cut rates? January 10, 2020 The US economy added 145,000 jobs at the end of 2019, a figure that has raised the question of another Federal Reserve interest rate cut. While the unemployment rate remained flat at 3.5 per cent in December, the total is lower than November’s 256,000 jobs, a number boosted by striking GM staff returning to factories. [...]