Clean and efficient energy is our greatest weapon against Russian autocracy

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been met with an unprecedented display of economic force. Russian assets have been frozen, preventing $630bn of foreign currency reserves from being used to fund its war machine[1]. Russian banks have been blocked from the international finance system SWIFT, paralysing the country’s ability to conduct international trade. Russian individuals and businesses have been hit with asset freezes and other sanctions to choke support for Putin’s war.

In the short-term, these are powerful tools to ‘fight’ the war in Ukraine (without actually fighting the war in Ukraine). But over the long term, the greatest lever we have against runaway Russian power may be to weaponise power itself. Read more …

Ageing and care homes

The world is ageing. While this is a global phenomenon, it is a particular feature of European countries. In the year 2000, for example, less than 16% of the French population was over 65 years of age.[1] By 2020 this figure was over 20%. On current trends, by 2050, one in four people in France will be over 65.[2]

The vast majority of these people will be able to live their lives happily in their own homes and communities. A significant proportion, however, need specialist care.  Read more …

The dramatic growth in ESG and sustainable investing over the past few years is now well documented. What was once a sleepy backwater of the financial industry is now very much in the limelight. Read more …