Why FinTech is the key to a much-needed makeover in African aid February 10, 2015 Aid in Africa is big business, but one that is often mired in scepticism. Global companies pour money in through corporate responsibility programmes, alongside government aid, which can be accused of supporting private sector ambitions too closely. Some estimate that every £1 in aid costs the same to administer. This means that the sector is [...]
London FinTech startup Kantox flies past $1bn forex transfers thanks to currency woes and economic uncertainty February 9, 2015 Businesses hit by currency volatility and worried by economic uncertainty are increasingly turning to alternative finance services, helping one London FinTech startup fly. Kantox, a peer-to-peer forex platform for business, has flown past $1bn (£657bn) in currency transfers since setting up shop in the capital in 2011 with an astonishing 20 per cent of that- [...]
George Osborne sets sights on pensioner votes with extension of 65+ bonds deadline past General Election day February 8, 2015 Chancellor George Osborne yesterday revealed that the government will now be offering £15bn worth of controversial so-called pensioner bonds, with an extended application deadline that falls on 15 May – one week after the General Election. The 65+ guaranteed growth bonds, as they are officially known, offer marketing leading rates, at 2.8 per cent interest [...]
Lanacshire County Pension Fund enters Eurostar bidding war February 8, 2015 Lanacshire County Pension Fund (LCPF) has thrown its hat into the ring in the battle to buy the government’s 40 per cent holding in Eurostar. The £5.7bn fund, which invests on behalf of thousands of Lancashire’s local authority workers, is up against various international infrastructure investors to buy the stake, which is valued at £400m. [...]
From banking to barista: Meet Notes director Edward Halfon February 8, 2015 Mass-produced coffee is out: new, hip speciality cafes are in. Former financier Edward Halfon tells Annabel Denham how the founders of food and wine “destination” Notes plan to indulge our ever-evolving taste buds. Recent research from the small business website Startups.co.uk found that “cult cafes” will become the hottest business opportunity over the next 12 [...]
Staying on top: The three big challenges I’ve encountered as a young entrepreneur February 8, 2015 Life as a young entrepreneur is a thrilling ride. You have the opportunity to rub shoulders with older, inspirational entrepreneurs and learn from their experiences. Interesting projects land on your doorstep. And when done correctly, it can financially set you and your family up for life. Yet as with everything, there are problem areas. Many [...]
Gimme 5: Apps every entrepreneur needs February 8, 2015 EchoSign Founded in 2005 and acquired by Adobe in 2011, the app lets you e-sign documents and forms, send them to others for sign off, track responses in real time, and get e-signatures instantly with handy in-person signing. echosign.adobe.com Pocket Ever find something interesting online but lose track of it later? With Pocket, all [...]
George Osborne: Pensioner bond scheme to be extended to after general election February 8, 2015 The government will continue to offer its pensioner bonds for a further three months after more than 600,000 people signed up to the scheme. George Osborne revealed that the deadline for over 65s to apply for the scheme has been extended until after the general election in May due to its popularity. [...]
Free state pension forecasts now available for over-55s February 7, 2015 Millions more people are now eligible for a free estimate of how much is in their state pension pot. Over-55's can request a personalised pension statement estimating how much they'll receive upon retirement. It's calculated based on the national insurance contributions an individual has made to-date. The move will make retirement planning easier for more [...]
UK becoming a tech nation led by London boom February 4, 2015 Brits working in the digital and technology sectors now account for 7.5 per cent of the entire UK workforce, some 1.46m people. Tech is the country’s fastest-growing occupation category. Of this growth, London’s tech cluster, which itself has seen an explosive 92 per cent growth in the number of new digital companies since 2010, is the [...]
