archiveIndependent Director Insider

The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge (SHC) 2024, a Hotelschool The Hague initiative hosted at the Future Hospitality Summit in Dubai, has crowned a student team from Cornell University as this year’s Overall Winner for their innovative project, PYRO. The competition adopted a ‘Shark Tank ’-style format, where students pitched their groundbreaking...

Aviva Investors has announced the appointment of Sandra Cheng as CEO of Asia Pacific and head of distribution for the region. Cheng, who will be based in Singapore, will report to Jill Barber, the company’s chief distribution officer. Cheng joins Aviva Investors from Columbia Threadneedle, where she held the roles...

Taylor Swift has solidified her position as the world's richest female musician, with her wealth now estimated at $1.6 billion, overtaking Rihanna, who currently sits at $1.4 billion. Beyond this remarkable feat, Swift now ranks second among the wealthiest musicians overall, trailing only Jay-Z, whose fortune stands at an impressive...

Mayors and representatives from 15 countries gathered for the 9th Hangzhou International Sister City Mayors Conference on September 25. The event, which focused on "Urban Governance and Sustainable Development," brought together leaders to discuss pressing challenges, emerging trends, and shared experiences in city planning and sustainable development. A key highlight...

Qonto, a business finance solutions provider, has announced its expansion into several European markets, with a focus on strengthening its regional presence. This strategic move will enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and freelancers in Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Portugal to access Qonto’s financial tools and services, helping them...

It is not often that a thoughtful newspaper like the Financial Times gets it backwards.  In a recent editorial, the FT examined the trend for outflows from ESG funds. It stated that ‘the lustre of ESG has largely been dimmed by politicisation.’  This is what has it exactly backwards. ESG is not a financial issue...

China’s economic slowdown is a stark reality as salaries are being reduced. Many Chinese consumers have adjusted their spending habits and are now forgoing luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Prada, which had once been their staples. According to Laurel Gu, a Shanghai-based director at market research firm Mintel,...

Wealthy nations could generate five times the amount developing countries are requesting for climate finance by implementing windfall taxes on fossil fuel companies, ending harmful subsidies, and introducing a wealth tax on billionaires, according to recent research. Developing countries are seeking at least $1 trillion annually in public funds to...

In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining a positive mindset and creating alignment can significantly enhance one's quality of life. Positive thinking, coupled with alignment of thoughts, emotions, and action, fosters mental well-being, resilience, and overall satisfaction. Here are practical steps to cultivate positive thinking and create alignment in your life. To...

In today's competitive business landscape, employee well-being is more than a checkbox; it’s a strategic imperative. Tony Gerbino, CEO of ErgoGenesis, the manufacturing company behind BodyBilt seating, understands this better than most. His company specializes in ergonomic office solutions, offering an insider’s perspective on how ergonomic innovations drive productivity, enhance...