Champion of better capitalism
I once heard about a Syrian refugee, a biochemist, who reflected on the horrors and humiliations involved in fleeing his country. ‘I’m a scientist; I’m supposed to be intelligent. Yet I didn’t even think to bring a spade’ he said. War is a time for … Continue readingMaster or servant? A new agenda for teaching business
In 2019 I was invited to Lithuania to speak at the Annual Conference of the Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance (BICG) My hosts presented me with chocolates made by a company whose history goes back 100 years. ‘So’ I asked ‘Was this one of the … Continue readingLithuanian chocolates and global shocks
The government sees improved productivity as the cornerstone of its Levelling Up policy. That means supporting the private sector – the real engine of wealth creation to invest more, grow more and take more risks Economist David Smith has warned about the slow growth rate … Continue readingThe high road to improved productivity
Life expectancy for a man living in Blackpool is 74 years. In the London Borough of Westminster it is over 84. In Barnsley 15% of disadvantaged pupils go to university. In London 45% do. Geographical inequality in the UK is stark. Our government’s Levelling Up … Continue readingYes to levelling up. No to divisiveness and ignoring nature.
Paul Myners – who died two weeks ago – had a flair for creative disruption. He was an ally in early attempts to interest the investment community in the concept of stewardship. Appointed City Minister in 2008 he championed the newly-published Tomorrow’s Owners – stewardship … Continue readingStewardship – a joint responsibility that we have yet to crack
Here is a question to ask your colleagues or, if you are a teacher of business, your students. Try dating these two statements: Putting your company’s purpose at the foundation of your relationships with your stakeholders is critical to your success. Tomorrow’s company defines its … Continue readingFink again
Why do organisations do stupid things? I asked myself this question in December when I read that NatWest Bank had been fined £265m for failing to prevent the laundering of nearly £400m. Over five years a company with an annual turnover of £15m had deposited … Continue readingHow do we stop organisations doing stupid things?
A recent Panorama programme described the failings of care homes under private equity (PE) ownership. BBC Social Affairs Editor Alison Holt BBC suggested to veteran PE investor Jon Moulton that this was a sector PE should not be involved in. He didn’t agree. His reasons? … Continue readingHas Private Equity lost its way?
‘I would not only invite those at the top to spend their money as a resident . I would invite them to spend six months as a carer doing personal care just so that they can actually see what is funding their lifestyle…I don’t think they’d … Continue readingListening is okay. Acting on what you have heard is harder
Remember Midas? Professor Stuart Russell did In his first BBC Reith Lecture about Artificial Intelligence last week. Midas had asked the gods that everything he touched be turned to gold. So it was, leaving Midas gasping for food or drink. Then there was the sorcerer’s … Continue readingGuilty – of reshaping someone’s mind?