Category Archives: corporate governance

Reformation The Mallowstreet Party

Vincent Franklin looked out from what used to be the roof of City Telephone Exchange. The Exchange (according to Con Keating) had walls fifteen metres thick and had been built to withstand a nuclear bomb. They’d pulled it down to … Continue reading

Posted in Bankers, Change, Church of England, corporate governance, economics, Fred Goodwin, leadership, mallowstreet, Olympics, Olympics 2012, pension playpen, pensions, redington, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

What do Jimmy Carr, the FTT and the film industry have in common?

Simples- they are today’s top stories and they’re all about personal greed. This article condemns that greed and suggests that people can have fun without ripping off others. Jimmy Carr has been caught using K2 – a Jersey loan back arrangement that left … Continue reading

Posted in corporate governance, Cruise boats, customer service, happiness | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

LGPS 2014 reforms will work – sort of – claims Pension Play Pen Lunch

In two words “sort of”. The Pension Play Pen lunch consisting of Henry Tapper, David Taylor, Simon Kew, Derek Benstead and Mark Scantlebury came to the following conclusions. That Hutton’s original recommendation that reforms should be based on a targeted income for Local … Continue reading

Posted in corporate governance, pension playpen, pensions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

40,000 Londoners get cold at the Olympic Stadium

The “London Prepares” events climaxed last night at the opening of the Olympic Stadium in Siberian Stratford last night. We came, we saw and we left early – underwhelmed by the experience. Which is a little  unfair on an event that … Continue reading

Posted in corporate governance, Occupy London, Olympics 2012, Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

500,000 pensioners who will get no help from the Government.

If you have purchased an annuity in the past three years of are likely to purchase one in the next three years you will be buying into pension conversion rates artificially depressed by the Government‘s quantitive easing program and by insurance … Continue reading

Posted in Change, corporate governance, dc pensions, defined aspiration, NEST, Retirement, Treasury | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The 500,000 retirees abandoned by the Government

If you have purchased an annuity in the past three years of are likely to purchase one in the next three years you will be buying into pension conversion rates artificially depressed by the Government‘s quantitive easing program and by insurance … Continue reading

Posted in annuity, Bankers, corporate governance, dc pensions, Henry Tapper blog, pensions, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

How shares work (for us and our pensions)

Shares haven’t worked well for us over the past twelve years. World stock markets, especially the mature markets in Britain , Japan and the US, are worth less today than they were at the turn of the millenium. While some company’s shares … Continue reading

Posted in auto-enrolment, Bankers, Change, corporate governance, customer service, dc pensions, defined aspiration, FSA, happiness, Henry Tapper blog, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Why we shouldn’t give up on pensions.

Many people now see their company pension as a cause of concern not of comfort. Take this person who wrote to us last week… Prior to the meeting, I was a little apprehensive ,as I had an assorted portfolio of … Continue reading

Posted in annuity, corporate governance, dc pensions, de-risking, pensions, Public sector pensions, Retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Stamp Collecting – Britain’s most profitable hobby.

Once upon a time Britain invented the universal penny post that allowed your for 1d to send a letter anywhere in the UK. Because we invented the service and did the infrastructure properly we became the envy of the world and … Continue reading

Posted in corporate governance, Treasury | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

I’ve just worked out why wrap rhymes with crap

I had an interesting meeting yesterday with a fellow who has accumulated over £4bn on an investment platform within a few years. The money comes from high net worth individuals who invest in funds. The service he provides allows IFAs to … Continue reading

Posted in auto-enrolment, corporate governance, dc pensions, de-risking, defined aspiration, FSA, pensions | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments