Sunday Times and Croissants - CEO's update 4th September

There is something special about Sunday morning, the Sunday Times, hot croissants with honey and butter, excellent. This week-end Mary and I,  are in London, no need to trek out for the paper or food. Room service, how convenient, must speak to concierge at the Edge.

Headlines, from the Sunday Times, Gordon Brown believed the financial crisis would be over in six months, the Governor, the lender of last resort, did not really want to bail out the banks (moral hazard) and Fred Goodwin brought panettone to the Chancellor as a quid pro quo for the bail out. Now there is a deal maker.

Yes it is  Alistair Darling making the headlines with his new book, Back from the Brink, 1000 days at Number 11. He describes the Governor as stubborn and exasperating,  Gordon Brown as brutal and volcanic, management as chaotic and crisis ridden. Hardly reassuring and a lot to be said for a thirty year rule (cabinet papers) applying to political biographies.

Economic new this week a bit thin on the ground. Opinion polls and surveys are gloomy about household sentiment and manufacturing output. David Smith picks up the point with some cautionary words on trends in polls.

Back to the day job, on Tuesday, Mark Halliwell from Gateley called in to talk about the business angels projects and the work of CENBAR the centre for business angels research. Mark is an old friend and it is always good to see him.

Later in the afternoon a meeting with RBS to finalise the details of sponsorship for SME club. A tough two hour session with Rob Pailin and Mark Andrews, emerged bruised but fingers intact.

Wednesday, final draft of my discussion paper - Understanding the Balance of Payments - Forty Years of UK Trade 1970 - 2010, hoping to get this out later in the month. It is as exciting as the title
suggests, another riveting read, might go for the Darling book after all.

Thursday a meeting with the New Economy discussing options for a research paper into early stage VC finance. Jonathan Diggines in the room together with Mike Emmerich, great fun. Do not mention intervention but someone did.

Friday a meeting with the e-team to discuss the SME club launch followed by a visit to the dentist. The SME club launch is ten days away and we had another great session to move this forward. Some excellent video clips captured from the team. Final session looms. My thanks to all.

Later today, off to see the boys, girlfriend, partner and my new grandson. It will be a great day. The sun is shining. Dinner in Canary Wharf the plan.

Hope all is well with all,
More news next week, JKA

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