With so much conflict happening around the world, what should businesses focus on? In this episode John Briggs and NatWest International Advisor Scott Livingstone analyse the conflict in Gaza and discuss the wider context of the Middle East. In a US election year, President Biden is facing pressure over other geopolitical issues, including from China and Ukraine. Finally, they predict what else may happen as we progress through 2024.       NB: This was recorded on 6 March 2024.  For any...

In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), we’re delighted to launch our new Women in Sustainability podcast series. The series, dedicated to women working in the field of sustainability, is inspired by the aims of IWD, to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. In our first episode, Tonia Plakhotniuk interviews three exceptional women who work on advancing sustainability at NatWest: • Caroline Haas, Head of Global Climate and ESG Capital...

As we look ahead to a year marked by slow economic growth, lower rates and (hopefully) inflation, the path forward for companies is far from certain. Will lower interest rates spur more capital expenditure? Or, might firms wish to review their investment plans until the fortunes of the world economy are better known? Our Head of Debt & Financing Solutions Carla Floyd, Head of Global Economics Ross Walker, Head of Non-Dollar Rates Strategy Imogen Bachra, and Head of G10 FX Strategy EMEA...

Geopolitical risk has risen sharply over the past year – and in recent months concerns have intensified around the prospect for further escalation across a range of geographies and dimensions. Our International Advisor and geopolitics expert Scott Livingstone, Co-Head of G10 FX Strategy Brian Daingerfield, and Global Head of Global Head of Economics & Markets Strategy John Briggs discuss the recent conflict in Israel, the effects on trade of ongoing flashpoints, and whether new...

The resilience of markets and financial institutions was tested at various times throughout 2023, raising concerns about the health of the global financial system. Will those concerns persist in the year ahead? Our Head of Primary Capital Markets James Tayler, Head of Non-Dollar Rates Strategy Imogen Bachra, and US Rates Strategist Jan Nevruzi discuss central bank strategies in the US, UK and Europe, and share their views on the potential implications for the banking sector and for...

How should businesses approach AI adoption? Should they build, buy, partner – or neither? Where should they start, and which verticals are the low hanging fruit? In our second episode dedicated to the fascinating world of artificial intelligence, host John Briggs is joined by Shaun Johnson and Richard Socher, both partners at AIX Ventures, a seed stage venture capital firm partnering with AI startups and practitioners. They share their investment approach, what they look for in companies and...

Tyler Mayzes spends 5 minutes reflecting on the key ESG themes that emerged from this year’s B20 summit, hosted in India. For more on the key ESG trends shaping the market, be sure to check-out our September newsletter: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/sustainability/corporate-esg-monthly/sustainability-reporting-corporates-facing-csrd.html To get the latest 5 in 5 episodes as soon as they’re available, remember to hit ‘subscribe’, and if you found the content useful click ‘like’...

Tonia Plakhotniuk spends 5 minutes reflecting on the official recommendation by the European Commission on Transition Finance, published over the summer. To access our monthly Sustainable Finance Policy and Regulation Round-up, be sure to click the link: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/regulation/european-securities-market-supervisor-sets-expectations.html To get the latest 5 in 5 episodes as soon as they’re available, remember to hit ‘subscribe’, and if you found the content...

Douglas Shuffman spends 5 minutes discussing the key insights from our Global Sustainable Fixed Income Investor Survey. The survey included 225 asset managers involved in making or executing fixed income investment decisions and implementing related ESG strategies. To access the full survey, be sure to click the link: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/sustainability/climate-risks-and-opportunities.html To get the latest 5 in 5 episodes as soon as they’re available, remember to hit...

Nick Bulloch spends 5 minutes reflecting on the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) new Supplier Engagement Guidance, and the key considerations for Corporates when incorporating Scope 3 into sustainable finance. For more on the key ESG trends shaping the market, be sure to check-out our July newsletter:  https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/sustainability/corporate-esg-monthly/increasing-guidance-on-supply-chain-engagement-in-order-to-target-scope-3-emissions.html  To get the...

Niceasia Mc Perry spends 5 minutes reflecting on the importance of social bonds, in the sustainability debt market, and why they should not be overlooked. For more on the key ESG trends shaping the market, be sure to check-out our June newsletter: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/sustainability/corporate-esg-monthly/european-professional-investors-embrace-social-bonds.html To get the latest 5 in 5 episodes as soon as they’re available, remember to hit ‘subscribe’, and if you found...

In this episode of The Big Questions, John Briggs and NatWest's Director of Innovation & Partnerships, David Grunwald, take a closer look at the role Artificial Intelligence will play in reshaping society, the way we work, and the economy longer term. They discuss some of the ways that businesses can prepare for AI and reduce the risks these technologies can bring. Remember to hit 'follow' so you can listen our latest episodes as soon as they’re available. NB: This was recorded on 23...

Tyler Mayzes spends 5 minutes revisiting the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ package. He talks talk through three key components: a carbon border tax; a carbon price for petrol and home heating; a just transition fund. For more on the key ESG trends shaping the market, be sure to check-out our May newsletter:...

In this episode of The Big Questions, John Briggs and Kevin Cummins speak with legendary economist and investor Charles Gave, Founder of Gavekal Research, about recent strains in the banking sector and discuss the potential long-term repercussions for markets and the global economy.  Remember to hit 'follow' so you can listen our latest episodes as soon as they’re available. NB: This was recorded on 25 April 2023. For any terms used please refer to this glossary:...

In the lead up to the CHAPS ISO 20022 migration, we ask Ian Povey, COO Payments Services and Technology to share some of his thoughts on how we can prepare, and what lessons we’ve learnt from migrations so far.

In this episode of the Treasury Tomorrow podcast, Nick Pedersen, NatWest Market's Global Head of Digital, joins payments expert Lee McNabb, digital capital markets specialist Phil Stewart, and NatWest treasury’s manager of liquidity portfolio management Oliver Butcher for a thought-provoking debate on how digital assets could transform treasury. NB: This was recorded on 14 April 2023.  For a copy of the Bank of England's discussion paper on the digital pound, click here:...

Giorgio Carlucci, ESG Advisory, takes you on a 5-minute journey across the Channel to reflect on the progress made by EU institutions in relation to Green Bond Standards and zero-emission vehicles. For more on the key ESG trends shaping the market, be sure to check-out our March newsletter: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/sustainability/corporate-esg-monthly/esg-regulatory-developments-in-europe.html To get the latest 5 in 5 episodes as soon as they’re available, remember to hit...

Roze Warren, Debt and Financing Solutions, spends 5-minutes reflecting on recent developments in ESG data, and how these are set to improve both its coverage and quality. For more on the key ESG trends shaping the market, be sure to check-out our February newsletter: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/sustainability/corporate-esg-monthly/tackling-the-challenges-of-esg-data.html  To get the latest 5 in 5 episodes as soon as they’re available, remember to hit ‘subscribe’, and if you...

In this episode of The Big Questions, John Briggs and NatWest Group International Advisor Scott Livingstone reflect on a wide range of geopolitical flashpoints and the potential impact on the economy longer term. As we pass an inauspicious milestone, the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, how will the war evolve from here and what are the potential implications for energy markets? With tensions between China and the US rising on a range of fronts, where will geopolitical...

In this episode of the Treasury Tomorrow podcast, Nick Day, Senior Treasury Manager at United International Pictures, joins Jonathan Hall, NatWest's Head of Digital for the Commercial & Institutional business and Nick Pederson, NatWest's Global Head of Digital, for a thought-provoking discussion on the many ways that digitisation and automation are changing the face of treasury. They share their perspectives on how treasurers can cut through the hype and leverage emerging digital...

Dean Shahfar, Debt and Financing Solutions, spends 5-minutes reflecting on the decline in biodiversity, recent developments, and ultimately what this means for Corporates. For more on the key ESG trends shaping the market, be sure to check-out our January newsletter: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/sustainability/sustainable-finance-will-continue-to-impact-corporates-in-2023.html?q=biodiversity&brand=NATWEST&section=corporates&enginekey=Qwsq9cprFbyz_uyU-zZZ To get the...

In this episode of the Treasury Tomorrow podcast, Aviv Yehezkel, Chief Technology Officer of next-generation network security firm Cynamics, and Katherine Graham, Head of Security Services at NatWest joins our very own Head of Digital Nick Pederson for a discussion about how corporate treasurers can help fight against cybersecurity threats.   NB: This was recorded on 6 October 2022.  For any terms used please refer to this glossary:...

Welcome to The Big Questions podcast! Featuring specialist insights from a range of experts, each month NatWest’s Global Head of Economics & Markets Strategy John Briggs tackles the big questions shaping the future of the economy, markets, and businesses.  In this inaugural episode of The Big Questions, John speaks with Brian Daingerfield, Ross Walker, and Galvin Chia about what China's post-covid reopening means for the global economy and markets in the long-term. The somewhat abrupt...

Dan Bressler, Climate and ESG Capital Markets Corporates, considers the emergence of transition finance, in this special 2023 year-ahead themed 5 in 5. For more on the key ESG trends shaping the market, be sure to check-out our December newsletter: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/sustainability/corporate-esg-monthly/the-road-to-sustainable-finance-continues.html To get the latest 5 in 5 episodes as soon as they’re available, remember to hit ‘subscribe’, and if you found the...