Champion of better capitalism
For years I have been critical of current and previous governments because they lacked a systematic policy to promote long term wealth creation covering everything from pensions and investment to company law and public procurement. Now at last we are seeing the emergence of … Continue readingWealth creation’s worst wrecker since Scargill
Have you read Larry Fink’s 2019 Letter to CEOs? It’s encouraging. And yet… I have a challenge for him. First, the positives. In 1994 Tomorrow’s Company, the think tank of which I was CEO for many years and now remain a trustee, … Continue readingLarry Fink’s 2020 letter to investors gives us more questions than answers
I still hope that at the end of our Brexit melodrama we will find the kind of relationship with our European neighbours that: – offers the next generation the freedom to travel and learn and make friends as true Europeans – strengthens, not weakens, … Continue readingWhat taking back control really means – positive thinking beyond Brexit
I’m now reading Paul Colliers outstanding book ‘The Future of Capitalism’ (Of which more anon). Tomorrow’s Company would recognise his ideas on the ownership and leadership and stewardship (though he doesn’t use that word) of business as close to our agenda of 24 years. … Continue readingHow to make sense of the desire to ‘Take Back Control’
The UK government plans to spend an extra £20bn on the NHS but how? If it’s just more spending on the same pattern then the same crises will recur; overloaded Accident and Emergency, vulnerable people unable to leave hospital because they have nowhere to go, … Continue readingThe changes that could make a better Britain and save the NHS
I’m on my way to the launch of the Wates Principles on the governance of private companies. This process was started by the UK Government in the wake of BHS chair Philip Green’s abandonment of BHS pensioners following his sale of the company having … Continue readingMaking large private companies accountable
In the last few weeks I have taken part in several discussions about the way big data, robotics and AI will affect companies and their governance. I’ve tried to challenge the hype about technology. Technology is a servant, not a master and companies need … Continue readingO2 outage – our digital dependence is becoming risky
The coverage of Paul Polman’s forthcoming departure as CEO of Unilever tells us a lot about the City. The Lex Column, in the FT, tells us that he ‘went on too much about sustainability for many people’s liking’. Imagine criticising a chef for going … Continue readingCompare Paul Polman with Jack Welch
I’m in Düsseldorf to talk about the impact of technology and changing work patterns on the route of the board. My hosts bring together supervisory board members. Fascinating to enter a parallel Governance universe. I’m hearing mayors talk about the many supervisory boards on which … Continue readingEntering a parallel universe – the German view of companies
I have never found Goldman Sachs an attractive organisation. It always seemed to me the ultimate expression of money traders in the temple, elevating the pursuit of riches above all other values. Of course good people work there, and, they always told me in … Continue readingHow will CFA Institute respond to Goldman Sachs 1MDB scandal?