Change management and Britain’s big banks

CHELSEA — The problem with change is that you cannot always foresee what might happen next.  So you create an anticipated direction of travel and risks, issues, dependencies etc. along the way.

That’s how it’s done.  In a nutshell.

The problem with Britain’s big banks though is not that they don’t know what might happen next.  They do, but they’re determined to [...]

Bob Diamond, Boris and Joan Donaldson: We need cycling rules in London

TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD — Twenty years ago I was trying to decide what to do with my life, and had set up a meeting with Joan Donaldson.  This modest woman of the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC) was just about to go live with CBC Newsworld – the broadcaster’s national ‘all-news’ network.

I was excited to [...]

Why I want to be Poet Laureate

HOME — I do like to watch shows that I shouldn’t like. Or shows that seem like they’ll be good for you. And Ian Hislop’s Changing of the Bard about the ‘great’ British tradition of Poet Laureate is one of those.

I didn’t know much about the role. Not as much as [...]

Notes and things

TCR — Here are a few things we’re thinking about today.

1. Our doorman sent a note around about the plan if protesters invade our office. So far we haven’t even had a drunk wander in looking for a loo.

2. The COI published the Internal Communications and Change roster. Now you can see why we chose [...]

Masters of the Universe: Women needed

MAYFAIR — I’m not really a good “guy’s guy”. I’m not a very good shot. I can’t drink beer quickly. And I would rather talk to girls than talk about them.

However, in spite of that I set out last night quite happily for a black-tie dinner at a gentlemen’s club in Mayfair. I know the host [...]

Mickey Rooney is doing panto in Bristol

THE RITZ — I remember Mickey Rooney in particular from his cringeworthy portrayal of the upstairs neighbour in