SSE confirms agreement of merger with Npower as it reveals drop in profits November 8, 2017 Energy firm SSE today confirmed it has agreed the first steps of a proposed merger with German-owned Npower to form a new UK gas and electricity business. The FTSE 100-listed firm said yesterday that it was in talks with its rival, owned by Germany's Innogy. In a statement to the London Stock Exchange this morning, [...]
Virtual doctors and video appointments: Get ready for the rise of digital healthcare November 10, 2017 Healthcare matters, fundamentally, to everyone across the globe. Understandably, it is generally a risk-averse sector – lives are at stake. It is easy to see why this area is relatively resistant to change and innovation. This is a challenge I have been countering through the application of digital healthcare. Read more: If tech titans ruled [...]
Thomas Cook has just launched a new airline in Majorca called Thomas Cook Airlines Balearics with flights planned for 2018 October 18, 2017 Thomas Cook has launched a new airline in Majorca and plans to start its first flights early next year as it looks to combat turbulence in the European short-haul aviation sector. The travel firm, which operates airlines in Germany, the UK and Scandinavia, said the new carrier will supplement its existing operations, starting with at [...]
China’s paradoxical growth plan is still attractive for global funds: Why President Xi’s pursuit of unity as well as expansion is working for now October 23, 2017 When President Xi first gained the position of President of China five years ago there was considerable western enthusiasm. He came across as a keen reformer willing to push on with China’s enterprise revolution. He wanted to open China’s markets more to the west, to liberalise foreign exchange, privatise more industry and even introduce more [...]
Let’s get serious about leading the fourth industrial revolution November 27, 2017 The abolition of stamp duty for most first-time buyers dominated the headlines after last week’s Budget. But an equally important national priority was delivered too: positioning Britain to lead the fourth industrial revolution. As the chancellor said, this wave of technological change is already transforming the way we live and work, raising living standards, delivering [...]
Sink, swim, or build a lifeboat: Tips for surviving Open Banking November 7, 2017 Open Banking, which comes into place January 2018, is a landmark development for the banking industry. It will force banks to open up their Advanced Programming Interface (API). This may sound like a dry compliance point, but the reality is far from it. With customer permission, competitors will be able to access banks’ enormous – [...]
Why is Pakistan struggling to find its feet as a successful emerging market? December 18, 2017 The key dilemmas facing Pakistan’s equity market — a small investor base, few new listings on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), and shrinking turnover — are tied to the lack of trust among investors and issuers as well as unnecessary compliance and tax burdens. It will take greater professionalism among the intermediaries and the rationalization [...]
Jan Hammer, partner at Europe’s most active fintech investor Index Ventures, wouldn’t rule out investing in Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) November 6, 2017 Europe’s biggest fintech investor Index Ventures would not rule out putting cash into an initial coin offering (ICO) as the method of raising funds for startups continues growing in popularity. “We haven’t invested in one,” said Jan Hammer, general partner at the venture firm in London, who boasts UK fintech stars Transferwise, Funding Circle and [...]
Monzo’s introducing new ATM fees: Here’s how much you’ll pay using your card abroad | City A.M. October 17, 2017 Monzo has revealed how much customers will now have to pay to withdraw cash when abroad. The digital challenger bank earlier this year said it would have to bring free withdrawals to an end because it was costing it too much. After speaking to its users, the new fee will be set at three per [...]
The knives were out for Baselworld, but nothing could detract from the scintillating creativity on show May 1, 2018 The rickety tram ride from Basel’s Old Town to Messeplatz, or ‘Exhibition Square’, is a curious tableau. Medieval quaintness and winding streets quickly yield to the mighty Rhine, with the chimneys of Big Pharma spiking its banks in the distance. Over the river, the urbanity picks up again, but with city-limits mundanity and red-light seediness. [...]