Putin has an upper hand – it is high time the West said enough is enough February 15, 2015 Vladimir Putin once said “There is no such thing as a former KGB man.” The problem in dealing with the present Russian Tsar is that he knows far more about our weaknesses than we do about his. Coming to maturity as a KGB officer in eastern Germany, the young Vladimir Putin’s tradecraft involved incessantly analysing [...]
The Drum co-founder Diane Young talks learning curves and Scotland February 15, 2015 A career analysing statistics in community and mental health services may not be an obvious route to heading up a publishing business, but that didn’t stop Diane Young, co-founder of media company The Drum. The move from healthcare into business came when Young’s husband, Gordon, and his business partner Nick Creed, saw an opportunity to [...]
The next generation: How we will prepare them for the business world of the future February 15, 2015 Last week, I published the final instalment of my report on small firms. Unbelievably, the only other report on small business, the Bolton report of 1971, said that they were on the way out – that in a few years, they would cease to exist. Yet now, over 19 firms out of 20 employ fewer [...]
Lancaster demands England improvement February 15, 2015 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster has warned his players they must raise their game if they are to win a potential Six Nations decider against Ireland in Dublin. Lancaster declared himself largely satisfied with a six-try 47-17 victory over Italy at Twickenham on Saturday that maintained their 100 per cent start to the championship. But [...]
From HSBC and Greece to Opec and the Bank of England: What got us talking this week February 13, 2015 There was really only one story this week. HSBC was at the centre of a scandal that only progressed along with the week. By Friday it was facing a grilling from one select committee and an investigation by another, while the possibility of police involvement was also hanging in the air. There was even [...]
Booze Britain? Why over-65s are the UK’s fastest growing group of binge drinkers February 13, 2015 We’ve all seen them: in bars, on the streets, in the parks. Yep, the alarming statistic is true: young people in Britain going teetotal. And if you think the world is turning tipsy-turvey consider this: the fastest growing group of binge drinkers is the over 65s. According to data published by the Office for National [...]
Hemingway Design: The family team behind East Village in Stratford February 12, 2015 Once the last fireworks of the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games had fizzled out, it was time for the cranes to move in and turn this former marshland into a place people being would literally buy into. While West Ham and Spurs were arguing over who gets the Olympic Stadium, a team [...]
Focus on Earlsfield: The hidden wonder near Nappy Valley February 12, 2015 A few years ago, I’d say where I lived and no one would have a clue where it was,” says Rupert Grieg, sales manager at Foxtons’ Earlsfield branch. “But then you said, it’s between Wimbledon and Balham, and suddenly it made sense.” For most people, this is probably still true. Swamped by popular neighbours – [...]
Bold Morgan talks up Australia upset and World Cup win February 12, 2015 BULLISH England skipper Eoin Morgan insists his side’s premier form is capable of not only toppling Australia in their World Cup opener but also powering a bid for tournament glory. Following their showdown with Australia in Melbourne, which starts in the early hours of tomorrow morning, England face fellow co-hosts New Zealand before fixtures against [...]
Hodgson drops hint over Kane’s first senior international call-up February 12, 2015 ENGLAND boss Roy Hodgson last night gave a strong indication that Tottenham’s hotshot striker Harry Kane will be included in his squad for next month’s Euro2016 qualifier against Lithuania and friendly with Italy. Kane’s strike against Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday took his tally for the season to 23 goals in 35 matches, while the [...]