My thoughts on strategy, communications and digital and technology, and how it’s creating opportunities and transforming service delivery in businesses and governments.
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All tagged business
The risk register is flashing red. With Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs destabilising global trade, businesses and investors face heightened uncertainty. Strategic communications professionals must now act as navigators, mitigating risk through scenario planning, government engagement, and crisis messaging to protect reputations and ensure stability.
Venture capital is evolving rapidly, with AI, fintech, and climate tech dominating investment flows. According to CB Insights’ State of Venture 2024 report, global VC funding has hit an eight-year low, but key sectors and regions are still thriving. While the US, UK, and parts of Asia attract strong investment, China, Canada, and Germany face declines. As governments refine policies and start-ups adapt to investor demands, 2025 presents both challenges and opportunities for venture-backed innovation.
A readout from Lord Livermore’s Number 10 briefing with public affairs professionals, outlining the UK government’s economic growth strategy and the critical role businesses play. The discussion and question and answers highlighted the government’s three-pillar approach—stability, reform, and investment—while addressing key challenges such as regulatory barriers, planning delays, and post-Brexit trade relations. This readout captures the key insights, business implications, and how companies can engage with policymakers to shape the UK’s economic future.
The rise of open-source LLMs like Deepseek’s R1 is disrupting the AI landscape, challenging proprietary models from OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. As businesses and investors weigh the benefits of open-source AI—lower costs, greater customisation, and reduced vendor lock-in—governments are grappling with regulatory concerns, data sovereignty, and national security risks. In this blog I look at the strategic implications of this shift, outlining the risks, opportunities, and how companies, investors, and policymakers can navigate the rapidly evolving AI market.
The Stargate Project, a $500 billion initiative led by the U.S. government, SoftBank, and OpenAI, is set to redefine the global AI landscape. With cutting-edge infrastructure and support from tech giants like Microsoft, Arm, NVIDIA and Oracle, with investment from Softbank, Stargate aims to turbo-charge innovation across industries, from healthcare to energy and manufacturing. This transformative initiative offers unparalleled opportunities for businesses, investors, and governments worldwide. Discover how to navigate the risks, unlock strategic benefits, and position your company, start-up or investment portfolio at the forefront of this AI-driven revolution.
The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals a world grappling with distrust and grievance. Business leads as the most trusted institution globally at 62%, but growing concerns over misinformation, economic inequality, and institutional inaction threaten this fragile confidence. To rebuild trust, leaders must prioritise transparency, address societal grievances, and invest in workforce development and ethical practices. Trust is no longer a passive asset but an active strategy for sustainable growth and reputational resilience.
Strategic communication and stakeholder engagement are not optional for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and investors—they’re essential for driving growth and building resilience. This blog explores how embedding these strategies from the outset helps businesses overcome challenges, attract investment, and achieve sustainable success.
The UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan targets £400 billion in economic value by 2030. Achieving this vision demands more than investments—it requires a cultural shift from risk aversion to innovation.
This blog explores how policy, fiscal incentives, and strategic communications can drive this transformation. Learn how businesses, investors, and leaders can collaborate to build trust in AI, embrace calculated risks, and shape a future of innovation and prosperity.
As AI transforms industries, people skills and strategic communications are essential for navigating disruption. The Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights that leadership, adaptability, and stakeholder engagement will define success for companies leveraging AI to drive growth and trust.
