Let there be light: The business partnership training women to illuminate the developing world September 6, 2017 How can we help women in the developing world rise out of poverty and achieve gender equality? For Barefoot College and law firm Hogan Lovells, the solution lies in “solar mamas”: the women setting the world alight one solar panel at a time. Founded in 1972, Barefoot College is the first and only college built [...]
Could the secret to a long and healthy life be hidden in a remote part of Costa Rica? We set out to meet the tribespeople who live beyond 100 years old September 5, 2017 The town hall in Nicoya, western Costa Rica, is one of the few colonial buildings left in the country. Given that the town was about to host a “congress of international centenarians”, it seemed like a good place to start my investigations into longevity. Unfortunately, no-one in the building seemed to know anything about it. [...]
Let’s show the world that sexism has no place in the UK’s thriving tech industry September 5, 2017 Silicon Valley has reached a turning point. Companies in the world’s predominant technology hub pride themselves on purpose: changing the world for the better. But the wave of recent scandals, from accusations of sexual harassment at Uber to a Google memo which appeared to promote sexist stereotypes, have showcased a dark underbelly to the world [...]
Initiatives focused on ESG reporting are making progress, but there is more to do August 29, 2017 It is frequently acknowledged that investors should identify and analyse any environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors that could impact the value creation and risk profile of companies and integrate these factors into their investment process. Evidence supporting the relevance of this type of information for investors continues to grow — see, for example, [...]
For the next generation of astronauts to shoot for the moon, a STEM education is vital | City A.M. August 29, 2017 The United Kingdom is a nation of explorers. Captain James Cook, David Livingstone and Captain Robert Scott sailed and trekked the world to discover new frontiers. These voyagers mapped the world for the explorers of the future. Fast forward to the twenty-first century, Tim Peake, became Britain’s first astronaut to blast-off into the stratosphere to [...]
Debunking the peer-to-peer lending myths August 24, 2017 There's no doubt that peer-to-peer (P2P) lending has divided opinion. On one side, there’s a cohort of people who have nothing but praise for the sector’s ability to offer solid returns and raise investment for businesses. But P2P has also been plagued by criticism, with some high profile names claiming that it’s a disaster [...]
The number of startups run by older entrepreneurs has surged over the past decade August 21, 2017 Forget the slew of young Silicon Valley entrepreneurs – your Evan Spiegels and Mark Zuckerbergs. For the number of businesses run by the over-55s has surged over the past decade, according to new research from Barclays Business. The number of firms run by the over-55s has risen 63 per cent in the past 10 years, [...]
The Bank of Mum and Dad: Should you gift or loan? August 17, 2017 Young adults are feeling the pinch. Not only are property prices shockingly high, but student debt and stagnant wages are putting a strain on savings, making it difficult for many young people to even fathom the prospect of affording a house. Research from the Resolution Foundation shows that millennials are the first generation ever to [...]
The death of presenteeism is the birth of flexible working August 17, 2017 As you’re reading this article, perhaps trundling along in a crowded Tube carriage, try to imagine a saner, less stressful way of working. Imagine working in an environment where you are measured on what you deliver, rather than the number of hours you sit at your desk. If your company had a flexible working option, [...]
Kaylen Hinds interview: Former Arsenal youngster on why he traded hometown club for Wolfsburg and Bundesliga August 8, 2017 In 1983 England striker Luther Blissett traded Watford for a life in the foothills of the Alps when he joined European giants AC Milan. His impression of the city renowned for its envied art collection, imposing cathedrals and high fashion? “No matter how much money you have here, you can’t seem to get Rice Krispies,” [...]