Articles

How do we get more people living in smaller or rural communities, spending less time and money commuting, and protect the environment all at the same time?

As we are all very aware, inflation is currently running at exceptional high levels. In fact, current levels stand at 9.4%, their highest level since February 1982.

If asked, most organisations will assert that they listen to their employees. They may even point you towards a suggestions box, or an annual employee survey that they use. However, what do we really mean by ‘listening’?

It is a classic cliché in business to get carried away on the big new shiny idea and then point at each other in a confused state with panicked refrains of ‘I thought you were doing that’ when the most obvious missing ingredient is pointed out.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has clarified that climate-related reporting in financial statements will be a key focus area for the regulator this year.

While the finance department will always be required to provide the core responsibilities of operational finance, including reporting and budgeting, organisations are increasingly looking to finance to play a role that goes beyond the traditional remit of the team.

We are all painfully aware of the current inflationary pressures, particularly when we see our energy bills.

Is your organisation preparing now for the inevitable arrival of Gender Pay Gap reporting?

Historically, family businesses have been the backbone of our economy. Time and again they have proved their resilience and emerged through societal turmoil and economic hardship

Business owners should always have an eye on an exit strategy, even if it is not a short-term consideration.

If employee engagement and retaining people is a priority for your business, embarking on a review of your employee policies and handbook is a great place to start – to enhance the overall employee experience.

Many countries in the world, including the UK and Ireland, have tax regimes that provide a lesser tax burden for foreign domiciled residents than for their own citizens. Portugal, Italy and Greece, for example, have favourable tax rules for non-domiciled residents with the aim of attracting wealth and talent from abroad. The UK’s regime has hit the headlines in recent weeks – but what are the rules that have come under scrutiny and are they set to change?

As a business owner, it is useful to know the potential benefits of significant capital investment before committing. Appraisal of the tax impact regarding such an investment is often not initially considered, despite its potential impact on a project’s viability.

I often wonder why we make the topic of the employee value proposition so complex, especially now during a period being called ‘The Great Resignation’. Organisations are fighting to keep their top talent, recruit new employees in a very competitive talent landscape, and work on their employer brand, all the while without speaking to their people. Employee expectations, both current and future, shouldn’t be a mystery – we must simply ask people what they need and want.

With restrictions lifting and things returning to, dare I say, ‘normality’, it’s inevitable that a return to the office will be on the horizon for most of us, if it hasn’t happened already. With this return to the office comes tremendous change and uncertainty.

A significant topic in all boardrooms at the moment is the impact of sustainable strategy on business operations and reporting.