The Edit

An exploration of profit with purpose from the worlds of advertising, insurance and grocery with the MD of Iceland, the CEO of Legal & General Group and the founder of Good Loop.

The much-loved children's laureate talks through some of his inspirations, his advice to would-be writers and why children's books are so important

2020 proved one thing, that we cannot survive without technology. We’ve just got to ensure that it is used for the greater good, says Michael Hayman.

Lockdown takes so many things away from us. Our freedom, our daily habits, our friends, our family and in some cases, our work. But in the place of these dear and essential things, we have found small opportunities. With life slowing down, many of us have found a new opportunity, and indeed joy, in reading a good book. 

When we talk about businesses changing for the better, often we hear the phrase “diversity and inclusion” as an area for improvement. And yet the issues of discrimination and equal opportunity in business are broad, it’s impossible to capture the struggle of so many different people and communities with one sweeping phrase. 

We often turn to economists to make sense of the present and predict the future. But they don’t all sing from the same hymn sheet. Each one takes the facts before them and adds their experience, their insight and their understanding to create their own vision of how things could be. Some offer reassurance, some issue warnings. All offer a view.

A social entrepreneur, banker and economist, Professor Muhammad Yunus, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his creation of the Grameen Bank and pioneering the concept of microfinance – he has since helped millions of people out of poverty. 

They say “music be the food of love” – well one thing is certain, music has become the food of lockdown too.

When you’re facing an uncertain future, many would argue that the events of the past can offer some guidance, inspiration and indeed, comfort. So, who better to talk to as we battle through the Covid-19 crisis, than three esteemed historians and writers?