Geopolitics

Is 16 Too Young to Vote? Geopolitics

Is 16 Too Young to Vote?

“Please miss, can we leave school early today? It’s election day.” “I beg your pardon, Jimmy? Oh, yes voting, of course. Off you go, but don’t forget your plimsolls and make sure your mother is at the gate to collect you.” Pokemon cards and ballot slips don’t mix. Giving the vote to

Dan Ilett · 2 min read min read
Sustainability's Fickle Switch Geopolitics

Sustainability's Fickle Switch

Every time financial pressure rises, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) is binned. It is the twitchiest of government policies and company strategies. It comes in and out of fashion faster than a MasterChef TV host. The UK just scrapped its green investment taxonomy and pulled

Dan Ilett · 2 min read min read
Supply Chains Are Breaking. Just-In-Time is Paused. Geopolitics

Supply Chains Are Breaking. Just-In-Time is Paused.

Ford has been forced to shut down production at its Louisville factory, with CEO Jim Farley calling it a “day-to-day struggle” to get hold of the right parts. This is not a one-off event. Farley cited global sourcing challenges and rare-earth shortages tied to geopolitical tensions as root

Dan Ilett · 1 min read min read
The Carbon Sink Industry Geopolitics

The Carbon Sink Industry

America is facing a hard truth - it no longer leads in mining. China controls more than 70 percent of the world’s rare earth mineral production and the US imports nearly three-quarters of its supply from there. In response, President Trump’s March 2025 executive order aims to reshore

Dan Ilett · 1 min read min read
The Squid Games of Global Trade Geopolitics

The Squid Games of Global Trade

The global trade stage is now Global Squid Games. 'Red light to green light' as to who is friend or foe to the US - or how to grow a business - is flickering faster than a disco strobe. One day, we know there is a problem. The next it has disappeared. CEOs must play this game of musical

Dan Ilett · 3 min read min read
India's genius narrative flip Geopolitics

India's genius narrative flip

If you want a masterclass in the power of narrative, look to India. The country's rebrand of 'outsourcing' to 'capability centres' is winning jobs and business at an astounding rate. Multinationals like IBM, UBS, Lloyds Banking Group and Cargill are shifting thousands of roles to Global

Dan Ilett · 2 min read min read
The No-Grow-Zone Budget Geopolitics

The No-Grow-Zone Budget

Entrepreneurs and CEOs are wincing at the critical hacks the bludgeoner budget slasher took to the economy yesterday. Rather than show any adherence to a growth narrative on establishing trade and bolstering inward investment , Rachel Reeves kicked the can down the road and instead took

Dan Ilett · 3 min read min read
The Aid Cuts Shockwave: What it Means for Business Geopolitics

The Aid Cuts Shockwave: What it Means for Business

The UK’s decision to cut aid spending is diverting £6 billion annually to defence, while the US has frozen all foreign development aid for 90 days, effectively halting USAID projects worldwide. You might think this is needed, but these moves have implications for global business stability.

Dan Ilett · 2 min read min read
73% of CXOs would vote remain Geopolitics

73% of CXOs would vote remain

The H1 Growth Blockers report launches next week - and yes, it's tough out there. But some companies are adapting better than others. After surveying 107 executives from Fortune and FTSE to early stage firms in B2B, leaders are feeling the impact of the white-collar recession. Few are

Dan Ilett · 3 min read min read
The adventures of Keir Poppins Geopolitics

The adventures of Keir Poppins

First of all, I would like to make one thing clear: I never explain anything. After extending their time on the naughty step for those throwing atrocious petrol bombs around the house, the children have calmed down this week, which has allowed us to tidy up. Roland Rat and his filthy

Dan Ilett · 1 min read min read
A few updates for you Geopolitics

A few updates for you

What have I been hearing? The election dominates conversations but with malaise. Whichever MP flavour you favour, no politician is going into the next term without being tarnished by the behaviour of the last bunch. Trust is at an all-time low. And when I say ‘bunch’, most of the Blue team

Dan Ilett · 1 min read min read
Views from the City: CXOs on the election Geopolitics

Views from the City: CXOs on the election

I’ve been collecting opinions from readers of The Executive Summary on the election. It appears confidence from city folk in political leadership and business-friendly policy has never been so low. What do you think? — “Brexit has ruined the City. The Tories have done themselves no favours

Dan Ilett · 2 min read min read