George Osborne’s pensions revolution: Withdrawing cash early is big risk October 14, 2014 The insurance industry and business groups have issued a stark warning following the government’s most recent pensions announcement, claiming that withdrawing cash from pension pots too early could store up huge financial risks for the UK for years to come. Yesterday chancellor George Osborne hailed the next stage in his pensions revolution with news [...]
Fintech kings talk starting from scratch, old clients and handing businesses a lifeline October 12, 2014 In Holborn last week, a three year-old London-based company held a party to celebrate reaching £250m of business since its inception. If that doesn’t sound impressive, by the time the event was held, MarketInvoice was already nearing £270m. “We seriously underestimated repeat usage,” says co-founder and chief executive Anil Stocker. “Companies see how the platform [...]
Basking in glory: Why UK entrepreneurs need award ceremonies October 12, 2014 Entrepreneurs have no lack of recognition in popular culture today: there are movies about icons like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, and Lord Sugar has now uttered “You’re fired” over 120 times on our TV screens. Politicians, meanwhile, grab any opportunity to sing business owners’ praises – with David Cameron describing them as “national heroes” [...]
Gimme 5: Useful websites for entrepreneurs October 6, 2014 Business Owners’ Idea Cafe This handy site is run by a series of successful entrepreneurs and authors, and includes advice, resources and relevant news items. Membership is free, and the site has a strong online community. www.businessownersideacafe.com Business Owner’s Tool Kit If you’re looking for a comprehensive collection of advice, case studies and tips [...]
London’s tech firms raise record $1bn of venture capital investment October 5, 2014 London tech firms attracted a record $1bn (£626m) of venture capital investment in just the first nine months of 2014. The mammoth figure is more than 10 times what tech groups raised from venture capital firms (VCs) in the whole of 2010. Fundraising in London’s tech sector is currently up over 30 per cent on [...]
Lib Dems told to stop tinkering with pensions by industry body October 5, 2014 The Liberal Democrats were rapped over the knuckles by the insurance industry yesterday after the party proposed to reduce the amount of pension pot money on which tax relief could be claimed. Huw Evans, deputy director general at the Association of British Insurers, called the proposal to reduce the lifetime allowance from £1.25m to £1m [...]
Behind a silver screen: Lionsgate’s Zygi Kamasa talks pensioners, big tellies and Colin Firth October 5, 2014 The movie business is known for taking no prisoners. And for those that do try their hand at it, success is often fleeting. But Zygi Kamasa, the UK chief executive of entertainment company Lionsgate, has proved that, by playing your cards right, passion can lead to success. Over the past two decades, he’s been involved [...]
Why the abolition of the pensions death tax is great news for savers September 29, 2014 George Osborne had more good news for retirees and savers yesterday, as he brought forward the announcement that he is abolishing the 55 per cent tax charge applied to some people’s pensions on their death – the so-called pensions death tax. Coming into force in April 2015, and on top of previous pensions liberalisation, the [...]
Conservative Party Conference 2014: George Osborne outlines plans to freeze working-age benefits, abolish pension death tax and cut benefit cap September 29, 2014 Chancellor George Osborne has delivered a host of policy pledges to the Tory faithful at the party's conference in Birmingham today. The chancellor began his speech highlighting the UK's success in reducing unemployment and the deficit. However, Osborne told the conference hall that there was still much to be done, and the recovery faced [...]
Gimme 5: Upcoming events for entrepreneurs September 29, 2014 Pitch Workshop for Startups Run by 2Pears, the workshop provides pitch training for new startups. You’ll learn how to successfully pitch your business in three minutes. 14 October, morning and afternoon sessions £27.95. ‘CITYAM’ gives 15 per cent discount tinyurl.com/nnebmpk The Mobile Academy UCL Advance’s ten-week course starts tomorrow, and offers workshops, surgeries and [...]
