Podcasts

With yields on government bonds near record low levels and returns on cash almost non-existent, are investors turning to early stage companies to help boost their investment returns? Research from SyndicateRoom shows that many retail investors are taking on more investment risk in order to boost the returns of their investments. Simon was joined by Goncalo de Vasconcelos, chief executive of SyndicateRoom.

Crowdfunders is our weekly look at what's hot and what's not in the crowdfunding and peer-to-peer space. Your host is Ed Bowsher, and on today's show he'll be taking a look at why the new innovative finance ISA is taking so long to take off with Neil Faulkner, co-founder of 4thWay. Then he'll be talking about an exciting reward crowdfunding campaign for a personal safety device called the ICE. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ice-personal-security-for-the-mobile-generation#/

Far-right candidate Norbert Hofer has been defeated in the race for the Austrian presidency - an election widely seen as Europe's next populist bellwether. Share Radio's Ed Bowsher is joined on the phone by Yannis Koutsomitis, European affairs analyst. Up for discussion: is this the end of far-right populist politics in Austria?

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 has avoided a downgrade to junk status. Meanwhile, its President is facing calls to resign from his own party. And Forbes's Person of the Year has now recieved recognition from Germany. For more of Chris and Alex, check out last week’s episode: https://audioboom.com/posts/5331601-conversations-from-africa-switzerland-sneezes

The Italian prime minister, Matteo Renzi, has said he will resign after his referendum on constitutional reform failed by a large margin. This morning Giorgia Scaturro, an Italian Journalist in London, painted a grim picture for the immediate future on Share Radio's breakfast show. Following this, Ed Bowsher was joined by Research Fellow at Bruguel, Maria Demertzis, to discuss the reasons behind the rejection.

The Article 50 appeal at the Supreme Court began today. The case will decide whether government can formally begin the process of leaving the EU without getting approval from Parliament. The government was defeated when the case was first heard in the High Court last month. Attorney General Jeremy Wright argued this morning that Theresa May can trigger Article 50 using so-called prerogative powers. He says MPs were aware of how the outcome of the EU referendum would be handled when the European Referendum Act was debated in 2015. Share Radio's Ed Bowsher is joined by 5RB barrister Greg Callus to discuss these developments and the future of Britain within the EU.

Italian voters have rebuffed their Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's constitutional reforms, precipitating a period of political instability in which emboldened anti-establishment parties will jostle to fill the power vacuum. How have markets taken the news? Joining Share Radio's Ed Bowsher on the line is Alastair McCaig, Director of Investment Management at Fern Wealth.

Our rail fares are one of the highest in Europe. A recent study found we spend as much as six times more of our salaries on rail fares than our European counterparts do. We are often overcharged as rail firms do not show the cheapest price on two-thirds of cross-country routes. Well, change might be on the way. Rail firms may now be forced to display its lowest priced ticket on self-service ticket machines. Sarah Pennells spoke to Lianna Etkind about the constant rise of rail fares.

No matter where you work there are office gripes. We all try to ignore them and remain chirpy, but some habits are bound to grate more than others. So what are the top annoying office gripes? Noisy or messy eaters, alongside moaning, were among the top complaints in a new poll. Sarah Pennells talked to Professor Sir Cary Cooper about the worst office gripes.

Official figures released today show that the number of divorces is down. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show there were 111,169 divorces in 2014, a decrease of 3.1% compared with 2013 and a decline of 27% from a recent peak in 2003. The number of divorces in 2014 was highest among men aged 45 to 49 and women aged 40 to 44. So, why are divorce rates falling? For more information Sarah Pennells spoke to Seona Myerscough, Partner and head of the Family team at Gardner Leader solicitors.