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Business owners will be raising two cheers at best for Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement. Battered in the recent past by Covid, uncertainty from Brexit and now surging inflation compounded by war in Ukraine, UK enterprises had hoped for a little respite from the...

In the immediate aftermath of the Soviet Union's collapse, the signs of communism's failure were inescapable. Along with admission of ideological defeat - made all the more painful given the importance of face and pride to the Russian psyche - came financial meltdown...

There is little doubt that war in Ukraine and sanctions for Russia will impact many UK businesses in some way. Large or small, several UK companies already hit by rising inflation and interest rates, as we emerge from two years of the Covid pandemic and the supply...

As inflation soars, it appears that central banks will make an abrupt change of course by tightening monetary policy hard and fast. Remember that monetary policy is anchored around the neutral rate of interest - the price of money needed to balance the global appetite...

The second UK interest rate rise in three months - from 0.25% to 0.5% - has rammed home  worries about inflation that have defined Q1 2022 so far for many businesses. It’s hard to know how long term the present inflationary pressure is likely to be. Academic...

Inflation reached 5.4% last month with 2022 set to be a difficult year for small businesses to fund working capital requirements. In comparison, US inflation hit a staggering 6.8% in November 2021. To combat inflation, The Bank of England took the decision to raise...

Starting back at work seems slower this new year. Perhaps not surprising, given the huge numbers now working from home for a large part of the week, as well as a continued reluctance to meet in groups during this  latest phase of the Covid pandemic. Nonetheless, for...

Just like the ‘old days’ pre-Covid, leadership books by well-known business and sporting personalities are being rushed out before Christmas. Among these lazy stocking fillers, for the spouse who has everything, is a relatively instructive tome by England rugby coach...

It’s easy to forget, with everything that’s happened since March 2020, that troubled retail energy suppliers have actually faced existential challenges for quite some time. Almost three years have passed since Economy Energy collapsed, affecting 235,000 domestic...

The lockdown periods of the Covid-19 pandemic took a significant toll on commercial property owners (landlords), having faced rent defaults and voids as business occupants were unable to operate and many have had to close their doors for good. Equally, businesses able...

UK manufacturing is by no means dead – it’s just different these days. Before Brexit, Covid and driver shortages, the sector faced fierce competition from emerging economies in Asia, primarily China and India, which are clearly able to produce goods more cheaply....