The Year Ahead: Could geopolitical tensions escalate in 2024?

With so much conflict happening around the world, what should businesses focus on? In this episode John Briggs and NatWest International Advisor Scott Livingstone analyse the conflict in Gaza and discuss the wider context of the Middle East. In a US election year, President Biden is facing pressure over other geopolitical issues, including from China and Ukraine. Finally, they predict what else may happen as we progress through 2024.      NB: This was recorded on 6 March 2024. For any terms used please refer to this glossary: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/markets/glossary.htmlPlease view our full disclaimer here: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/disclaimer.html

In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), we’re delighted to launch our new Women in Sustainability podcast series. The series, dedicated to women working in the field of sustainability, is inspired by the aims of IWD, to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.In our first episode, Tonia Plakhotniuk interviews three exceptional women who work on advancing sustainability at NatWest:• Caroline Haas, Head of Global Climate and ESG Capital Markets• Dr Maria Carvalho, Head of Climate Economics and Data for NatWest Group• Supriya Sobti, NatWest Group’s Climate and Purpose LeadTo get future episodes as soon as they’re available, remember to hit ‘subscribe’, and if you found the content insightful click ‘like’ so it’s easier for others to find. NB: This was recorded on 27 February 2024. For any terms used please refer to this glossary: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/in... Please view our full disclaimer here: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/di...

Geopolitical risk has risen sharply over the past year – and in recent months concerns have intensified around the prospect for further escalation across a range of geographies and dimensions. Our International Advisor and geopolitics expert Scott Livingstone, Co-Head of G10 FX Strategy Brian Daingerfield, and Global Head of Global Head of Economics & Markets Strategy John Briggs discuss the recent conflict in Israel, the effects on trade of ongoing flashpoints, and whether new geopolitical tensions will arise in the year ahead.Remember to hit follow so you can listen to the latest episode in this series as soon as they're available and navigate to natwest.com/yearahead to get our views on the big themes and events moving markets and shaping the economy in 2024. NB: This was recorded on 1 November 2023. For any terms used please refer to this glossary:  https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/markets/glossary.html Please view our full disclaimer here: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/disclaimer.html

As we look ahead to a year marked by slow economic growth, lower rates and (hopefully) inflation, the path forward for companies is far from certain. Will lower interest rates spur more capital expenditure? Or, might firms wish to review their investment plans until the fortunes of the world economy are better known? Our Head of Debt & Financing Solutions Carla Floyd, Head of Global Economics Ross Walker, Head of Non-Dollar Rates Strategy Imogen Bachra, and Head of G10 FX Strategy EMEA Paul Robson paint a picture of the economic and market landscape to help businesses navigate the uncertainty in the year ahead.Remember to hit follow so you can listen to the latest episode in this series as soon as they're available and navigate to natwest.com/yearahead to get our views on the big themes and events moving markets and shaping the economy in 2024. NB: This was recorded on 10 November 2023. For any terms used please refer to this glossary:  https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/markets/glossary.html Please view our full disclaimer here: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/disclaimer.htmlPlease note that captions are automatically generated.

The resilience of markets and financial institutions was tested at various times throughout 2023, raising concerns about the health of the global financial system. Will those concerns persist in the year ahead? Our Head of Primary Capital Markets James Tayler, Head of Non-Dollar Rates Strategy Imogen Bachra, and US Rates Strategist Jan Nevruzi discuss central bank strategies in the US, UK and Europe, and share their views on the potential implications for the banking sector and for fundraising in 2024.       Remember to hit follow so you can listen to the latest episode in this series as soon as they're available and navigate to natwest.com/yearahead to get our views on the big themes and events moving markets and shaping the economy in 2024. NB: This was recorded on 31 October 2023. For any terms used please refer to this glossary:  https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/markets/glossary.html Please view our full disclaimer here: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/disclaimer.html

How should businesses approach AI adoption? Should they build, buy, partner – or neither? Where should they start, and which verticals are the low hanging fruit?In our second episode dedicated to the fascinating world of artificial intelligence, host John Briggs is joined by Shaun Johnson and Richard Socher, both partners at AIX Ventures, a seed stage venture capital firm partnering with AI startups and practitioners. They share their investment approach, what they look for in companies and technologies and, as investors in more than 50 businesses, how they think organisations should approach AI and how to truly harness it.NB: This was recorded on 28 September 2023. For any terms used please refer to this glossary: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/markets/glossary.htmlPlease view our full disclaimer here: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/disclaimer.html

Tyler Mayzes spends 5 minutes reflecting on the key ESG themes that emerged from this year’s B20 summit, hosted in India.For more on the key ESG trends shaping the market, be sure to check-out our September newsletter: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/sustainability/corporate-esg-monthly/sustainability-reporting-corporates-facing-csrd.htmlTo get the latest 5 in 5 episodes as soon as they’re available, remember to hit ‘subscribe’, and if you found the content useful click ‘like’ so it’s easier for others to find.NB: This was recorded on 28 September 2023. For any terms used please refer to this glossary: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/markets/glossary.html?q=glossary&brand=NATWEST&section=corporates&enginekey=Qwsq9cprFbyz_uyU-zZZPlease view our full disclaimer here: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/disclaimer.html?q=disclaimer&brand=NATWEST&section=corporates&enginekey=Qwsq9cprFbyz_uyU-zZZ

Tonia Plakhotniuk spends 5 minutes reflecting on the official recommendation by the European Commission on Transition Finance, published over the summer.To access our monthly Sustainable Finance Policy and Regulation Round-up, be sure to click the link: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/regulation/european-securities-market-supervisor-sets-expectations.htmlTo get the latest 5 in 5 episodes as soon as they’re available, remember to hit ‘subscribe’, and if you found the content useful click ‘like’ so it’s easier for others to find.NB: This was recorded on 18 Sept 2023. For any terms used please refer to this glossary: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/markets/glossary.html?q=glossary&brand=NATWEST&section=corporates&enginekey=Qwsq9cprFbyz_uyU-zZZPlease view our full disclaimer here: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/disclaimer.html?q=disclaimer&brand=NATWEST&section=corporates&enginekey=Qwsq9cprFbyz_uyU-zZZ

Douglas Shuffman spends 5 minutes discussing the key insights from our Global Sustainable Fixed Income Investor Survey. The survey included 225 asset managers involved in making or executing fixed income investment decisions and implementing related ESG strategies.To access the full survey, be sure to click the link: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/sustainability/climate-risks-and-opportunities.htmlTo get the latest 5 in 5 episodes as soon as they’re available, remember to hit ‘subscribe’, and if you found the content useful click ‘like’ so it’s easier for others to find.NB: This was recorded on 15 Aug 2023. For any terms used please refer to this glossary: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/markets/glossary.htmlPlease view our full disclaimer here: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/disclaimer.html

Nick Bulloch spends 5 minutes reflecting on the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) new Supplier Engagement Guidance, and the key considerations for Corporates when incorporating Scope 3 into sustainable finance.For more on the key ESG trends shaping the market, be sure to check-out our July newsletter:  https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/sustainability/corporate-esg-monthly/increasing-guidance-on-supply-chain-engagement-in-order-to-target-scope-3-emissions.html To get the latest 5 in 5 episodes as soon as they’re available, remember to hit ‘subscribe’, and if you found the content useful click ‘like’ so it’s easier for others to find. NB: This was recorded on 27 July 2023. For any terms used please refer to this glossary: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/insights/markets/glossary.htmlPlease view our full disclaimer here: https://www.natwest.com/corporates/disclaimer.html