Leadership
Whodunnit?
A masterclass in English language and defensive communication
Opinion
Leadership
Downtime
The Third Half...
A substack you can lose yourself in...
Downtime
The long weekend you need
Well hello there. I'm just back from Newquay having shown the world that even fat labradors like me can mount a surfboard - in the water too. I love Easter weekend at home. I try to do as little as possible as London is always quiet and I can potter away - if my family lets me... (Storm
Wellbeing
The longest minute of my life
Ten years ago today, I had just returned from China on an assignment for the UK government, attracting investors to British technology companies. It was an intense, sprawling job and I arrived home on Saturday afternoon exhausted only to start a new job on Monday at Virgin Money. I knew if
AI
Apocalypse Selling: Is it Irresponsible to Fearmonger?
Microsoft’s AI chief Mustafa Suleyman recently told the Financial Times that artificial intelligence will automate most white-collar work within 12 to 18 months. “I think we’re going to have a human-level performance on most, if not all, professional tasks. So, white-collar work, where
Geopolitics
Carry on Governing
The British have a new hobby, which in cultural terms is right up there with conkers, bunting and Bake Off. Scalping prime ministers has become such a national pastime, it could get its own TV show. Working titles: "Don't lose your seat", or "One in, one out". The British have always been
Downtime
Update: Bust IT
Can't sleep? Watch this. Better than knockout drops. Hi guys I hope you're enjoying your week. I'm having one of those days where none of my technology works. I am locked out of my email and several other accounts, so am waiting for a brilliant tech support person to fix all my troubles.
Geopolitics
SPADness: Are advisors to blame for government cockups?
You have to ask, how can UK governments keep getting it so successfully wrong? With 13 major U-turns under its belt and counting, this government has realised its inexperience is costing it voters. The blame - at least a good portion - has landed on the record number of special advisors
Downtime
That's a Wrap for '25
I can't face another bar, restaurant or event. I don't know what it's like in your industry, but in mine, it's all about network. For the last three weeks, it's been black-tie dinners, pub meetups, parties, lunches and glaze-eyed breakfasts. I gave up drinking alcohol a couple of years ago
Wellbeing
Winter Mindset: Why The Season Tests Us
Not everyone is okay this time of year. The pressure is intense: family, money and reviewing success or failure can be very hard. And if you’ve lost someone - even harder. One in five adults in England now lives with a common mental health problem, according to the 2025 Big Mental Health
Leadership
I Am Scared of This And Need Your Help
Before we get into this, these are the pieces I am working on over the next few weeks. * A breakdown of the UK budget (Thursday/Friday) * The Executive Summary Awards 2025 (December) * Board dynamics: the paradox of talent vs teamwork * Opex crisis: the invisible costs your CFO can't find
Downtime
Is this Britain's Most Famous Cat?
This is Stella. She might look like an ordinary cat, but don't be fooled. She is living proof that reincarnation works. Stella lives in Beckenham, a Southeast London town that was invisible to muggles until ten years ago when Kirsty and Phil made TV shows about what good value it is. The