AUTHOR
Simon Wilson
Simon Wilson’s first career was in book publishing, as an economics editor at Routledge, and as a publisher of non-fiction at Random House, specialising in popular business and management books. While there, he published Customers.com, a bestselling classic of the early days of e-commerce, and The Money or Your Life: Reuniting Work and Joy, an inspirational book that helped inspire its publisher towards a post-corporate, portfolio life.
Since 2001, he has been a writer for MoneyWeek, a financial copywriter, and a long-time contributing editor at The Week. Simon also works as an actor and corporate trainer; current and past clients include investment banks, the Bank of England, the UK government, several Magic Circle law firms and all of the Big Four accountancy firms. He has a degree in languages (German and Spanish) and social and political sciences from the University of Cambridge.
What's driving the cost of living crisis?
UK Economy
What's driving the cost of living crisis?
Soaring bills, inflation and tax rises are about to squeeze household incomes. And it doesn’t seem that there is much the government can do about it.
15 Jan 2022
How China is cornering the market for electric-car batteries
Industrial metals
How China is cornering the market for electric-car batteries
The West is sleepwalking into a situation where it has traded its old reliance on Middle East oil for dependence on key metals controlled by China. Th…
8 Jan 2022
What London’s new share listing rules mean for your money
UK stockmarkets
What London’s new share listing rules mean for your money
UK regulators hope that weaker listing rules will attract more tech listings and rejuvenate a declining stockmarket. Perhaps they should pay more atte…
17 Dec 2021
Germany’s new government marks a radical transformation
EU Economy
Germany’s new government marks a radical transformation
New chancellor Olaf Scholz, who takes the reins from Angela Merkel, was in many ways the continuity candidate. But his government has radical plans fo…
10 Dec 2021
How should we go about “levelling up” Britain?
UK Economy
How should we go about “levelling up” Britain?
“Levelling up”, long a mantra of Boris Johnson’s government, now has a minister and a department in charge of delivering it. But will they succeed?
4 Dec 2021
Backtracking on HS2: the state of high-speed rail in the UK
UK Economy
Backtracking on HS2: the state of high-speed rail in the UK
The government has found a reverse gear on the controversial high-speed rail project.
But does backing out now make sense?
26 Nov 2021
How the return of nuclear power can help get us to net zero
Energy
How the return of nuclear power can help get us to net zero
Nuclear power was the future once – and now it seems it is again as governments look for ways to meet their net-zero targets.
20 Nov 2021
What is the “metaverse” and what does it mean for investors?
Tech stocks
What is the “metaverse” and what does it mean for investors?
Not content with conquering space, adventurous billionaires now want us to get inside the
“metaverse” and start up new lives there. Will it happen?
12 Nov 2021
Will the COP26 climate summit be a success?
Economy
Will the COP26 climate summit be a success?
World leaders are currently meeting at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow to commit to measures to stop catastrophic global warming. Will they produc…
6 Nov 2021
The huge potential of mRNA technology
Biotech stocks
The huge potential of mRNA technology
The new technology made its name when it delivered Covid-19 vaccines in record time. But it could be pressed into use in many other areas too. Simon W…
28 Oct 2021
Why fed-up workers are quitting their jobs
Economy
Why fed-up workers are quitting their jobs
Workers are leaving their jobs at an astonishing rate, especially in the US, leading to a shortage of workers. What will that mean for our economies? …
22 Oct 2021
Whistleblower allegations – where now for Facebook?
Tech stocks
Whistleblower allegations – where now for Facebook?
Facebook has come in for some fierce criticism after revelations from a former employee. Just how much damage has been done?
16 Oct 2021
How the Pandora papers leak shames Britain
Global Economy
How the Pandora papers leak shames Britain
Yet another trove of leaked information has thrown a spotlight on the shady dealings of the rich and powerful. The implications for the UK aren’t pret…
9 Oct 2021
The legacy of Angela Merkel
People
The legacy of Angela Merkel
German leader Angela Merkel is leaving office to spend more time with her family after 16 years at the helm. But what has she got to show for it?
1 Oct 2021
What's behind Britain’s looming energy crisis
Energy
What's behind Britain’s looming energy crisis
Global natural gas prices have soared as resurgent demand collides with supply disruptions. The UK is especially vulnerable and could be heading for a…
24 Sep 2021
The new social-care levy: an unfair tax that protects the “assetocracy”
National Insurance
The new social-care levy: an unfair tax that protects the “assetocracy”
The government’s regressive social-care levy will make Britain’s tax system even more complex.
Root-and-branch reform is long overdue.
18 Sep 2021
Lorry driver shortage: where have all the truckers gone and what can we do about it?
UK Economy
Lorry driver shortage: where have all the truckers gone and what can we do about it?
It’s a tough job and pay has been squeezed for years. Brexit and the pandemic sent many workers home. Now we all face the consequences in the form of …
10 Sep 2021
Investors must think again about China
China stockmarkets
Investors must think again about China
Under Xi Jinping, China is becoming increasingly hostile to business. Foreigners pouring money in might do well to reconsider.
4 Sep 2021
Australia and the economic costs of a “zero Covid-19” strategy
Global Economy
Australia and the economic costs of a “zero Covid-19” strategy
Some countries, such as Australia, pursued a strategy of trying to completely suppress the spread of the coronavirus. Did it work? And what does it co…
21 Aug 2021
What's behind the riots that shook South Africa?
Global Economy
What's behind the riots that shook South Africa?
A combination of the pandemic, harsh lockdowns and a troubled economic legacy has made the most industrialised nation in Africa a tinderbox. What will…
7 Aug 2021
A new revolution in Cuba?
Economy
A new revolution in Cuba?
The biggest protests in decades have rocked the one-party communist state. But is change for the better really on the cards?
24 Jul 2021
The dawn of a new space age
Global Economy
The dawn of a new space age
Jostling to be the first billionaire in space might seem to be a daft ego trip, but it is all part of a broader space industry with important real-wor…
16 Jul 2021
Just how much of a threat is rising inflation?
Inflation
Just how much of a threat is rising inflation?
Investors are getting spooked by the prospect of rising prices. But how much of a threat is that really? Simon Wilson reports
10 Jul 2021
Artists demand a fair share of the music industry pie
Economy
Artists demand a fair share of the music industry pie
Technology once threatened to destroy the music industry, now it's helping it thrive. But while investors are making a packet, artists says they are n…
3 Jul 2021
Why are childcare costs in Britain so exorbitant?
UK Economy
Why are childcare costs in Britain so exorbitant?
Working parents who have to pay for care for their children will know that it costs a lot of money. Indeed, it costs more here than anywhere else in t…
26 Jun 2021
Why our rickety internet infrastructure needs an upgrade
Global Economy
Why our rickety internet infrastructure needs an upgrade
The internet is an increasingly essential part of international infrastructure. Recent events have shown that it is also vulnerable to collapse.
19 Jun 2021
The G7’s global corporation tax: bringing Big Tech to heel
Tech stocks
The G7’s global corporation tax: bringing Big Tech to heel
The G7 group of nations has agreed to potentially historic changes in the way multinational companies are taxed. Who wins and who loses?
12 Jun 2021
The government says it wants to build more houses – but will it?
UK Economy
The government says it wants to build more houses – but will it?
As PM, Boris Johnson is pushing through reforms that should make it easier to build more houses. As a local MP, he opposes such plans. Which of these …
7 Jun 2021
Britain's rail industry is being revamped. Here is all you need to know about it
UK Economy
Britain's rail industry is being revamped. Here is all you need to know about it
After more than a year of waiting, the UK's government's white paper on the future of the rail industry is finally out. Simon Wilson explains everythi…
27 May 2021
Why Joe Biden’s Big Pharma patent grab is a terrible idea
Biotech stocks
Why Joe Biden’s Big Pharma patent grab is a terrible idea
The US president has proposed waiving patents on Covid-19 vaccines in a bid to boost global supply. But it won’t work on its own terms and holds dange…
22 May 2021
Central bank digital currencies: the future of money
Currencies
Central bank digital currencies: the future of money
The rise of cryptocurrencies and a move to cashless payments during the pandemic have left states and central banks playing catch-up. Are new forms of…
14 May 2021
Is Britain’s “green revolution” realistically achievable?
UK Economy
Is Britain’s “green revolution” realistically achievable?
Boris Johnson is hoping to claim global leadership on the climate issue by committing Britain to an
accelerated programme of emissions cuts. Is this…
8 May 2021
The SNP’s record in Scotland: how does it stack up?
UK Economy
The SNP’s record in Scotland: how does it stack up?
The SNP has been in power in Scotland since 2007, and the country is going to the polls again. So how has it performed?
1 May 2021
Greensill, Cameron and the return of Tory sleaze
UK Economy
Greensill, Cameron and the return of Tory sleaze
The collapse of Greensill Capital threw a spotlight on political lobbying when it emerged that former PM David Cameron had been fighting its corner. J…
17 Apr 2021
What China’s new red dawn means for Hong Kong
Chinese economy
What China’s new red dawn means for Hong Kong
China has once again moved to tighten its control over the former British territory and global financial centre. What will remain of the old Hong Kong…
10 Apr 2021
Does nuclear power have a future?
Energy
Does nuclear power have a future?
Fears about safety have long hobbled the industry, particularly in the wake of Fukushima ten years ago. But the fears are overplayed and net-zero carb…
3 Apr 2021