http://www.grant-thornton.co.uk/ RSS feed of all Thinking blogs.} en-gb Copyright 2012 Fri, 25 May 2012 14:59:04 CDT http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/emergingmarkets/index.php/article/china_diary_asias_growing_optimism_uk_business_opportunity/ Nick Farr http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/emergingmarkets/index.php/member/profile/2152/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/emergingmarkets/index.php/gt_weblog/china_diary_asias_growing_optimism_uk_business_opportunity/#When:09:34:37Z Two of our team leads have been blogging their visit to China and reviewing the growth opportunities in the region. Here, Nick Farr, Head of China Britain Services Group, highlights how confidence in the region could benefit UK business. ]]> China 2012-05-24T09:34:37+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/elevate/index.php/article/how_did_facebook_grow_to_500_million_users/ Fiona Cullinan http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/elevate/index.php/member/profile/78/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/elevate/index.php/gt_weblog/how_did_facebook_grow_to_500_million_users/#When:13:53:03Z Just ahead of Facebook’s potentially record-breaking IPO, some fascinating insights into the company’s phenomenal growth emerged on internet question-and-answer site Quora this week, as a former member of Facebook’s ‘Growth team’ shared his experience of the social network’s growth strategies. ]]> Business advice, Technology sector 2012-05-17T13:53:03+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/emergingmarkets/index.php/article/oil_price_and_other_cost_factors_are_driving_business_to_alternative-fuel_v/ Fiona Cullinan http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/emergingmarkets/index.php/member/profile/78/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/emergingmarkets/index.php/gt_weblog/oil_price_and_other_cost_factors_are_driving_business_to_alternative-fuel_v/#When:10:08:05Z The high price of oil is leading one in four business leaders to introduce, or consider introducing, alternative-fuel vehicles. Find out more about global business attitudes to ‘greening’ their fleets in Grant Thornton’s latest International Business Report (IBR). ]]> Thought leadership 2012-05-17T10:08:05+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/emergingmarkets/index.php/article/china_diary_hong_kongs_high_life_high_rents_high_competition_high-end_luxur/ Barry Knight http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/emergingmarkets/index.php/member/profile/2717/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/emergingmarkets/index.php/gt_weblog/china_diary_hong_kongs_high_life_high_rents_high_competition_high-end_luxur/#When:13:02:04Z Ever wondered what it would be like having a business in Hong Kong? In my first post – our second from China – I highlight the differences between Hong Kong, China and the UK retail markets for the benefit of our UK clients looking at ways to take advantage of the growth opportunities in China… ]]> China 2012-05-15T13:02:04+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/emergingmarkets/index.php/article/china_diary_mass_market_brings_opportunities_for_quality_brands/ Nick Farr http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/emergingmarkets/index.php/member/profile/2152/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/emergingmarkets/index.php/gt_weblog/china_diary_mass_market_brings_opportunities_for_quality_brands/#When:09:00:56Z Welcome to our first diary post from China. Head of retail Barry Knight and I are currently travelling in China, visiting clients and evaluating the opportunities for UK businesses, especially in the retail consumer goods sector. We’re both planning to write a number of posts that capture our views and experiences during the trip. If any readers have been to China or Hong Kong, please do share your experiences, too. ]]> China 2012-05-10T09:00:56+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/emergingmarkets/index.php/article/businesses_remain_bullish_on_overseas_ma_in_2012/ Fiona Cullinan http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/emergingmarkets/index.php/member/profile/78/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/emergingmarkets/index.php/gt_weblog/businesses_remain_bullish_on_overseas_ma_in_2012/#When:09:12:05Z Dynamic businesses seeking growth have retained their appetite for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in 2012 despite the ongoing economic challenges, according to our latest global survey of 12,000 business leaders in 40 economies. ]]> Thought leadership 2012-05-09T09:12:05+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/elevate/index.php/article/surprise_rebound_in_confidence_signals_early_end_to_double-dip_recession/ Grant Thornton http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/elevate/index.php/member/profile/7/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/elevate/index.php/gt_weblog/surprise_rebound_in_confidence_signals_early_end_to_double-dip_recession/#When:08:05:15Z A notable improvement in UK business confidence in the last three months suggests that the economy will come out of recession and return to growth in Q2 2012, according to the latest ICAEW/Grant Thornton UK Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) out today. ]]> Economy 2012-05-08T08:05:15+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/elevate/index.php/article/mission_possible_five_superheroes_of_uk_growth/ Fiona Cullinan http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/elevate/index.php/member/profile/78/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/elevate/index.php/gt_weblog/mission_possible_five_superheroes_of_uk_growth/#When:11:32:06Z Forget the double-dip recession, take inspiration from these dynamos of British business. In conjunction with The Times, we’re profiling the market-defying growth stories of five of our most dynamic, mid-market clients. First up is Midlands engineering company, MIRA, which has diversified from motor industry beginnings into new markets in technology, defence and overseas. ]]> Technology sector 2012-05-03T11:32:06+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/bespoke/index.php/article/mansion_tax_lite_set_to_bring_cgt_annual_charges_and_higher_stamp_duty/ Mike Hyland http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/bespoke/index.php/member/profile/2040/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/bespoke/index.php/gt_weblog/mansion_tax_lite_set_to_bring_cgt_annual_charges_and_higher_stamp_duty/#When:16:37:56Z Buyers and owners of high-value residential property are the latest group to be chased for potential tax avoidance. Chancellor George Osborne believes they are avoiding taxes too readily and announced a raft of changes aimed at extracting tax in the recent Budget. Find out if you’re affected, and by how much, below ]]> Personal, Protecting your wealth 2012-05-01T16:37:56+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/elevate/index.php/article/three_growth_drivers_fuelling_uk_food_and_beverage/ Grant Thornton http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/elevate/index.php/member/profile/7/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/elevate/index.php/gt_weblog/three_growth_drivers_fuelling_uk_food_and_beverage/#When:10:58:53Z Where will growth come from over the next 12 months in F&B? Our survey of private equity houses and companies currently investing in the sector revealed three main areas… ]]> Thought Leadership 2012-05-01T10:58:53+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/elevate/index.php/article/wheres_best_to_invest_in_uk_food_and_beverage/ Grant Thornton http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/elevate/index.php/member/profile/7/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/elevate/index.php/gt_weblog/wheres_best_to_invest_in_uk_food_and_beverage/#When:10:42:01Z We asked senior representatives from private equity houses and companies currently investing in the food and beverage sector across the UK and Ireland for their views on where the smart money is going in F&B. Read the sector investment snapshot or download the full report below. ]]> Thought Leadership 2012-05-01T10:42:01+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/bespoke/index.php/article/new_income_tax_relief_cap_will_cut_incentive_to_give_to_charity/ Chris Tysoe http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/bespoke/index.php/member/profile/2516/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/bespoke/index.php/gt_weblog/new_income_tax_relief_cap_will_cut_incentive_to_give_to_charity/#When:10:08:03Z Organising your tax affairs in order to reduce your income tax liability may soon be curbed, in line with Government proposals to restrict income tax relief. But the proposed ‘tycoon tax’ is also causing a great deal of friction, as generous charitable donations by wealthy philanthropists look set to fall out of favour for tax planning. And they’re not the only ones adversely affected… ]]> Personal, Protecting your wealth 2012-04-24T10:08:03+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/bespoke/index.php/article/budget_2012_impacts_on_high_earners_and_entrepreneurs/ Fiona Cullinan http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/bespoke/index.php/member/profile/78/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/bespoke/index.php/gt_weblog/budget_2012_impacts_on_high_earners_and_entrepreneurs/#When:09:40:46Z How will UK Budget 2012 affect high earners and entrepreneurs? Craig Kemsley, Head of London Private Client at Grant Thornton, gives a summary – watch the video or continue reading for a text roundup of the main points. Personal, Protecting your wealth 2012-03-23T09:40:46+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/bespoke/index.php/article/how_will_budget_2012_affect_your_wealth/ Francesca Lagerberg http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/bespoke/index.php/member/profile/191/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/bespoke/index.php/gt_weblog/how_will_budget_2012_affect_your_wealth/#When:11:53:50Z There was something of a Budget ‘give away’ flavour to the Chancellor George Osborne’s speech. So what were the big Budget 2012 changes for individuals, higher earners and high net worth individuals (HNWIs)? Francesca Lagerberg, Head of Tax at Grant Thornton, reviews today’s Budget highlights. Personal, Protecting your wealth 2012-03-21T11:53:50+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/bespoke/index.php/article/five_money-saving_and_investment_trends_for_2012/ Fiona Cullinan http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/bespoke/index.php/member/profile/78/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/bespoke/index.php/gt_weblog/five_money-saving_and_investment_trends_for_2012/#When:10:48:00Z Where and how is the money flowing in 2012? We look at five different trends and predictions – from virtual wallets to crowdfunding investment platforms. ]]> Protecting your wealth 2012-03-15T10:48:00+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/the_boardroom/index.php/article/comply_or_explain_three_ways_to_make_a_meaningful_explanation/ Ben Langford http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/the_boardroom/index.php/member/profile/1916/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/the_boardroom/index.php/gt_weblog/comply_or_explain_three_ways_to_make_a_meaningful_explanation/#When:10:30:35Z Corporate governance compliance appears to have plateaued so the focus is now on explaining why a company has not complied and acted the way it has. Here we review the current mindset behind the ‘comply or explain’ principle, which underpins corporate governance in the UK, and look at three suggestions to improve the quality of explanations. ]]> Governance, Thought Leadership 2012-03-15T10:30:35+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/the_boardroom/index.php/article/quoted_company_awards_2012_winners_list/ Fiona Cullinan http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/the_boardroom/index.php/member/profile/78/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/the_boardroom/index.php/gt_weblog/quoted_company_awards_2012_winners_list/#When:17:00:45Z Ten new stars of British business were crowned tonight at the annual Grant Thornton Quoted Company Awards in London. The high-profile event, attended by more than 800 guests from the City, recognises the talent and achievements of smaller quoted companies and entrepreneurs in the marketplace. So, who came out on top? 2012-01-25T17:00:45+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/the_boardroom/index.php/article/comply_or_explain_is_working_says_frc/ Ben Langford http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/the_boardroom/index.php/member/profile/1916/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/the_boardroom/index.php/gt_weblog/comply_or_explain_is_working_says_frc/#When:08:30:50Z The Financial Reporting Council (FRC), which oversees the UK’s corporate governance codes, released a new report today showing a strong uptake of new provisions among companies and shareholders. But the review also highlights some ongoing areas of concern… Governance, Stewardship Code, Thought Leadership 2011-12-14T08:30:50+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/the_boardroom/index.php/article/four_areas_for_ftse_350_to_refocus_corporate_governance_efforts/ Simon Lowe http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/the_boardroom/index.php/member/profile/276/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/the_boardroom/index.php/gt_weblog/four_areas_for_ftse_350_to_refocus_corporate_governance_efforts/#When:18:00:23Z Our 10th annual Corporate Governance Review highlights the current trends and challenges that face the FTSE 350. While the UK’s top performing companies have made considerable achievements over the last decade, the review shows where the new focus areas lie. Governance, Thought Leadership 2011-11-22T18:00:23+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/the_boardroom/index.php/article/uk_takeover_code_changes_explained_post-cadbury_kraft/ Grant Thornton http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/the_boardroom/index.php/member/profile/7/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/the_boardroom/index.php/gt_weblog/uk_takeover_code_changes_explained_post-cadbury_kraft/#When:08:53:50Z The acquisition of Cadbury plc by the US-based Kraft Food Inc in 2010 caused a public outcry and political debate on the UK takeover regime. As a result, new rules have come into force on UK public company takeovers. What are the key amendments, and how will they impact future M&A and takeover activity? ]]> Governance, Thought Leadership 2011-11-15T08:53:50+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/talkingtechnical/index.php/article/does_uk_gaap_now_have_a_brighter_future/ Grant Thornton http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/talkingtechnical/index.php/member/profile/7/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/talkingtechnical/index.php/gt_weblog/does_uk_gaap_now_have_a_brighter_future/#When:08:43:24Z by Dr Matthew Stroh, Associate Director, Assurance The ASB (the UK’s Accounting Standards Board) has taken an unexpected decision at its latest Board meeting, which marks a significant shift in its proposals for the future direction of UK GAAP, and means that the UK version of the IFRS for small and medium sized entities might well have a much wider application than originally expected. Until now, their proposals had been based on a three tier structure for UK financial reporting (discussed further here): • Companies Act small companies applying the current FRSSE (the Financial Reporting Standard for Small Entities); • ‘publicly accountable’ entities applying full IFRS; and • the middle tier applying the ASB’s interpretation of the IFRS for SMEs, entitled the FRSME. Future of UK GAAP, UK GAAP 2011-07-20T08:43:24+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/talkingtechnical/index.php/article/public_accountability_bites_the_dust/ Grant Thornton http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/talkingtechnical/index.php/member/profile/7/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/talkingtechnical/index.php/gt_weblog/public_accountability_bites_the_dust/#When:08:32:13Z It seems that the ASB has had a dramatic change of heart on the issue of public accountability and the adoption of ‘full’ IFRS. Future of UK GAAP 2011-06-24T08:32:13+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/talkingtechnical/index.php/article/public_accountability_-_whos_in_and_whos_out/ Grant Thornton http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/talkingtechnical/index.php/member/profile/7/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/talkingtechnical/index.php/gt_weblog/public_accountability_-_whos_in_and_whos_out/#When:06:49:19Z Our comment letter on the future of UK GAAP has now been submitted, two days before the 30 April deadline.  Why is it that no matter how organised you try to be, these things always go down to the wire?  I suppose that when the subject is this big and this important, then discussion of the issues will always expand to fill the time available. UK GAAP 2011-05-17T06:49:19+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/talkingtechnical/index.php/article/time_to_form_a_view/ Grant Thornton http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/talkingtechnical/index.php/member/profile/7/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/talkingtechnical/index.php/gt_weblog/time_to_form_a_view/#When:07:19:23Z By Katherine Martin, our secondee to the ASB as a Project Director on the Future of UK GAAP project After the flurry of activity over the release of the exposure draft, things have gone temporarily quiet on the FRSME front, apart from a steady stream of webcasts (and ours is still available to view here!). I suspect many interested parties have been busy reading and attempting to digest the full 688 pages, before settling down to the task of drafting their comment letters, and here in the Grant Thornton technical department it’s time to make a start on ours. With 27 questions in the ‘invitation to comment’, it’s going to take a lot of thinking about. And tempting as it is to answer them with ‘yes’, ‘no’ and ‘possibly’, somehow I don’t think that will pass muster as a constructive response. Some sort of reasoning is going to be needed. And that means I need to decide where I stand. Future of UK GAAP, UK GAAP 2011-01-24T07:19:23+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/talkingtechnical/index.php/article/as_the_release_of_the_exposure_draft_on_the_future_of_uk_gaap_approaches_th/ Grant Thornton http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/talkingtechnical/index.php/member/profile/7/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/talkingtechnical/index.php/gt_weblog/as_the_release_of_the_exposure_draft_on_the_future_of_uk_gaap_approaches_th/#When:04:18:29Z Well, maybe the excitement builds for us financial reporting enthusiasts. Ok, maybe it’s just me that thinks it’s exciting, but the imminent release of the ASB’s Financial Reporting Exposure Draft (or FRED) marks the next major step towards the overhaul of UK GAAP. 2010-10-20T04:18:29+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/innovation/index.php/article/twitter_founder_launches_iphone_credit_card_reader/ Brian Maguire http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/innovation/index.php/member/profile/8/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/innovation/index.php/gt_weblog/twitter_founder_launches_iphone_credit_card_reader/#When:09:48:14Z Twitter founder Jack Dorsey has launched a mobile payment solution that allows anyone with an iPhone to take plastic Media, Technology 2010-06-04T09:48:14+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/innovation/index.php/article/a_billion_clouds_per_second._gates_seas_tech_innovation_solution_to_global_/ Brian Maguire http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/innovation/index.php/member/profile/8/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/innovation/index.php/gt_weblog/a_billion_clouds_per_second._gates_seas_tech_innovation_solution_to_global_/#When:09:44:56Z In the marvelous playground that is the mind of Microsoft billionaire, Bill Gates, the world must look like a Mario Kart video game. Gates is funding research into machines to suck up ten tonnes of seawater every second and spray it upwards, seed vast banks of white clouds to reflect the Sun’s rays away from Earth. Environment, Technology 2010-06-04T09:44:56+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/innovation/index.php/article/digital_economy_bill_full_of_good_intentions_but_can_it_be_implemented/ Grant Thornton http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/innovation/index.php/member/profile/7/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/innovation/index.php/gt_weblog/digital_economy_bill_full_of_good_intentions_but_can_it_be_implemented/#When:08:17:46Z “The digital sector plays a vital role in the UK economy and the Government is attempting to acknowledge this via the Digital Economy Bill. The Bill may be full of good intentions, but questions still hang over the practicalities of its implementation and possible unintended consequences.” Mark Henshaw, Head of Media and Entertainment at Grant Thornton. New Business Models, Business, Media 2010-04-09T08:17:46+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/innovation/index.php/article/horizontal_innovation._why_innovators_need_to_break_down_those_silos/ Brian Maguire http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/innovation/index.php/member/profile/8/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/innovation/index.php/gt_weblog/horizontal_innovation._why_innovators_need_to_break_down_those_silos/#When:07:31:22Z Saul Kaplan explains why the most effective way to achieve meaningful change in business is to enable collaborative innovation across cubicles and industries. For those of you who heard Gordon Brown disclose that Downing Street is an open plan office, you can judge by your gut response whether you think Kaplan is right. Business 2010-03-31T07:31:22+00:00 http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/innovation/index.php/article/nathan_myhrvolds_opens_the_gates_to_invention_capital/ Grant Thornton http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/innovation/index.php/member/profile/7/ http://thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/innovation/index.php/gt_weblog/nathan_myhrvolds_opens_the_gates_to_invention_capital/#When:11:59:49Z The Economist online runs a profile of formidable innovators involved in a phenomenal project. Environment, Technology 2010-03-26T11:59:49+00:00