On the prowl for a new global goal for nature: will the UN pounce on “nature positive by 2030”? July 2, 2021 20 years ago I gave a talk to a group of investors about why it was important to think about issues beyond profit in investment decisions. I gave an example of an oil spill. I showed them pictures of environmental damage, of polluted waterways, habitat destruction and oil-soaked birds. My talk bombed – they weren’t [...]
Booze misses out on VAT cut, but pubs say glass is half-full July 8, 2020 Britain’s largest pub body has shaken off Rishi Sunak’s decision to not cut VAT on alcohol in his economic summer statement and instead largely praised the mini-Budget. The British Beer and Pub Association (BPPA) said the exemption would provide little help for “those pubs where revenue is more drinks led”, but that most of its [...]
End the war on pubs — hospitality isn’t to blame for the Covid crisis October 21, 2020 2020 should have been a year of cheering on our teams in the European football finals and Olympics from pubs and bars across the land, bolstered by meals out in beer gardens throughout a typically blistering British summer. Instead, thanks to Covid-19, this year will be remembered for social distancing, job losses, and uncertainty. After [...]
Sunday Sitdown: Time Out boss Julio Bruno on the ‘renaissance’ of cities February 21, 2021 While no one could have predicted the outbreak of coronavirus, few companies have been blighted by worse timing than Time Out. In the face of shrinking revenue from its core events listings business, the media group has spent recent years shifting its focus to a new offering of food and culture markets. But when the [...]
Tory conference: Boris Johnson’s speech in full October 6, 2021 Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered his second leader’s speech at Conservative conference today. Here is his speech in full. Isn’t it amazing to be here in person the first time we have met since you defied the sceptics by winning councils and communities that Conservatives have never won in before – such as Hartlepool in [...]
ETP and gold flows December 4, 2020 Twenty-one percent of all dollars in circulation were printed in 2020 a number that tends to be mentioned a lot by monetary policy doomsayers and Bitcoin maximalists alike; on the other side of the fence, arguments are that inflation is nowhere to be seen, let alone hyperinflation. With interest rates expected to remain near record [...]
New wage subsidy scheme does not go far enough, warns hospitality industry September 24, 2020 The embattled UK hospitality sector has given chancellor Rishi Sunak’s latest job retention scheme a lukewarm reception, saying the new wage subsidy does not go far enough. UK Hospitality, a lobby group representing British pubs, clubs, restaurants and bars, said it wanted industry-specific help. Boss Kate Nicholls said she wanted the government to pick up [...]
Farms and our diets must embrace technological disruption August 14, 2020 Challengers, visionaries and entrepreneurs are turning their focus to the next great technology goal, and it’s one that could save the planet and transform the lives of millions: it’s the advancements in how we source our nutrition. At a time when there is fierce debate around how we build back better, one of the most [...]
Moon time for crypto markets? April 12, 2021 It was another supreme weekend in the crypto markets, which soared to a total capitalisation of more than $2.1 trillion for the first time as a number of coins hit new all-time highs.
Falcon and The Winter Soldier Episode 4 catch-up April 9, 2021 *** WARNING: The following review contains spoilers for all current episodes of Falcon and The Winter Soldier *** Last week Falcon and The Winter Soldier introduced us to an old enemy in Daniel Brühl’s Helmut Zemo, helping Sam (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky (Sebastian Stan) track down the leader of the Flag-Smashers, Karli Morgenthau (Erin Kellyman). [...]