From Google’s tax row and the Black Cabs vs Uber to Storm Imogen and the bank bloodbath: Here’s what got us talking this week February 12, 2016 We saw what London would look like if all the skyscrapers being considered got built. A Shoreditch development is bringing history to centre Stage. And we learned how much the Night Tube delay has hurt house prices in central London. Here's what got us talking this week The banking sector is facing its toughest period since [...]
From Bangkok to Phuket, Thailand is a country of contrasts that’s full of surprises June 10, 2016 What are you missing?” the chef asked. I looked down at a soggy pile of noodles, looked back up and replied, “More soy?” “Sugar!” he barked, then he dumped an entire saucer’s worth into the pan. “Now that’s pad thai.” As someone with severely savoury tastebuds, I was appalled. I was in Issaya Cooking Studios, [...]
Your guide to being more charismatic: Lessons from a session with Mr Charisma February 19, 2016 What is charisma? It’s difficult to put your finger on, but you know it when you see it. That’s the first message of Harley Street-based Richard Reid, aka Mr Charisma, who I recently had a session with. Reid defines charisma in the negative. It’s “not charm” – because that isn’t authentic. Someone who is charismatic [...]
Tech City UK: What London needs from the next mayor January 15, 2016 The race to become London’s next mayor has begun, and now more than ever we need a tech champion at the controls in City Hall. London is unquestionably the digital capital of Europe. Our fintech pioneers, app developers and software innovators are re-defining city life. Digital businesses employ over 250,000 people in the capital alone. [...]
RIBA’s new exhibition looks at how architects have rebuilt cities destroyed by natural disasters February 25, 2016 Nobody knows how many people died in the fire. Six deaths were recorded, but many were thought to have been incinerated beyond recognition and many more cooked alive in temperatures exceeding 1,700 degrees Celsius. The streets resembled the lower circles of hell and the Great Fire, as it became known, was the second tragedy to [...]
Bank warning on fossil fuel investment March 3, 2015 INSURERS could be at risk of taking a “huge hit” on their investments if public policy is changed to limit the use of fossil fuels. Paul Fisher, deputy head of the Bank of England’s prudential regulation authority (PRA), made the warning to insurance companies yesterday. “One live risk right now is of insurers investing in [...]
Self-balancing “hoverboard” scooters are illegal on UK roads and pavements October 12, 2015 Bad news for all you Marty McFly wannabes out there: the Crown Prosecution Service has ruled that those “hoverboards” – or balancing scooters – are illegal on the UK's roads and pavements. Even if you don’t own one yourself, you’re sure to have seen them, as the self-balancing scooters similar to Segways have begun flooding [...]
New Axa Insurance boss Amanda Blanc on the company’s plans for growth January 11, 2016 Amanda Blanc began the new year as chief executive of a reorganised Axa Insurance. Previously the head of Axa Commercial Lines and Personal Intermediary, as of 1 January Blanc has taken on responsibility for the French group’s insurance business in the UK and Ireland, a change that doesn’t seem to have phased her. “I feel like [...]
Budget 2016: George Osborne’s speech in full March 16, 2016 George Osborne has just revealed the Budget for 2016. There was good news for businesses with corporation tax being sliced and business rates being reformed – but bad news for smokers and students who hate maths. Mr Deputy Speaker, Today I report on an economy set to grow faster than any other major advanced economy in [...]
Frazer Thompson of Chapel Down: Why I’m crowdfunding again January 7, 2016 The crowdfunding industry isn’t old enough to have veterans, but it does have experienced players. Frazer Thompson, the chief executive of Chapel Down, is now on his second campaign, raising £1m in return for 5.88 per cent equity on Seedrs to fund a new, state-of-the-art brewery in which the firm will make its Curious Brew beer [...]