Podcasts

Philanthropy is on the rise, with the number of charitable donations of £1m or more in the UK reaching a new high. The Coutts Million Pound Donors Report found that 355 donations of £1m or more were made in 2015, totalling £1.8bn, compared with 298 donations worth £1.6bn the previous year. Over its nine-year lifespan, the report, produced in association with the University of Kent, has revealed a boom time for UK philanthropy. To discuss this in more detail, Rachel Harrington, philanthropy adviser at Coutts, joins Simon live in the studio.

With at least some share prices off their peaks, it's a good time to look at income stocks in more detail. Share Radio's Ed Bowsher was joined in the studio by Eric Moore, Co-Manager of the Miton Income Fund, which primarily invests in UK-listed stocks.

Fund Manager Focus gets the inside look at the world of investment management straight from the horse's mouth. This week, Share Radio's Ed Bowsher was joined in the studio by Mark Whitehead, Manager of Securities Trust of Scotland and Co-Manager of Martin Currie Global Equity Income.

Storyteller and financial journalist Chris Bishop speaks to Share Radio's Alex Clark, taking you across the continent of Africa for the major stories of the week. On today's programme: South Africa's Reserve Bank has kept interest rates on hold, the Swiss watchmaking industry faces disruption, and the Black Friday frenzy has made its way to African consumers. For more of Chris and Alex, check out last week’s episode: https://audioboom.com/posts/5309437-conversations-from-africa-zimbabwe-s-bond-note-blues

The number of jobseekers been conned in recruitment scams are on the rise. Scams reported in the last year have risen by 300 percent. Vulnerable jobseekers are being tricked into losing money in fake job applications or scammed into paying for fake police checks, visas, travel and training, which are not required. James Innes, founder of the CV centre is in the studio to explain to Georgie why this is a massive issue.

Do you have enough saved for retirement? In many cases especially for those who ought to be closest to the milestone, the answer is no. A new study found over a million people are set to retire on less than £9,500 a year. For more information, Nigel People from the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association joined Georgie on the line.

How would you apologise to someone? There is no better way to say you're sorry than by buying a gift. However, this easing of conscience can rack up quite the price tag. We spend on average of £111 a year on apologising. With that being expensive, wouldn't an apology or making a nice meal be cheaper and perhaps go a long way? Well, to find out, Georgie was joined in the studio by Abigail Sutton from TopCashback.co.uk.

Some analysts have suggested the favoured "castle approach", the act of building up security measures to stop threats from getting in from the outside, is outdated because most breaches occur from within. Scottish cyber security software specialist ZoneFox is one company using machine-learning to monitor internal business computer activity and flag up threats. Matt Cox spoke to Dr Jamie Graves, the CEO of ZoneFox, to find out more.

Georgie Frost is joined in the studio by Hannah Maundrell editor in chief of money.co.uk. On the agenda today, they discuss the big story of the day, GB Energy Supply customers are being re-assured their money is safe, and they won't be cut off, after the company announced it's gone bust. Elsewhere, high street footfall was up nearly three per cent on Friday compared to last year giving retailers a much-needed boost. Plus, thirty million people could have to work until they are 70 before claiming the state pension. All these stories and more on The News Review.

Every year since 2001, the British public and a self-appointed CoolBrands Council have voted for the UK's coolest brands. Apple tops the list with the Glastonbury Festival in second. But is this list anything to go by, or is it just a gimmick? Adrian Day, a brand and communications consultant, who’s also Non-Executive Director of Adrian Day Advisors, joined Share Radio to discuss the concept of a cool brand.