The World in 2017

Simon Jack

After an early career in commercial and investment banking, Simon went on to be the chief business presenter on Radio 4’s Today programme. As Editor he now leads the broadcaster’s coverage of events in the business world from money markets to the tech sector. Combining insight and analysis from the corporate frontline with an ability to explain the intricacies of markets and policy in an accessible, even entertaining way, Simon also reveals what you can learn from interviewees’ body language, and how reporting on the financial markets is very much like dealing with children.

Paul Johnson

Before heading the independent research institute Paul was the Treasury’s Director of Public Spending. Now heading arguably the country’s leading economic research organisation, Paul considers the size of cuts to come, welfare and tax. He also examines radical changes in pension policy and how well pensioners are doing relative to those of working age; the behaviour of the labour market; and how we have witnessed a fall in living standards combined with a fall in inequality.

Emma Sinclair

The co-founder of innovative business software company EnterpriseAlumni, Emma was also the founder and Chief Executive of Target Parking. With a background in mergers and acquisitions, she is the youngest person in the UK to have floated her company on the stock exchange. Passionate about the power of entrepreneurship she is a UNICEF Business Mentor, a frequent commentator on TV and radio, and was a regular contributor to the Telegraph’s Wonder Women column.

Hon Mike Rann

Mike served as Premier of South Australia for almost a decade followed by terms as Australian High Commissioner to the UK and Ambassador to Italy. As Premier Mike is credited with turning South Australia into an international leader in renewable energy. His background in politics and diplomacy provides him with a real insight into the opportunities for Britain presented by the ‘Asian Century’ as well as the prospects for UK Brexit negotiations. He also looks at the future of ‘smart cities’ who embrace transformational infrastructure, and the advantages of innovative social inclusion policies in tacking entrenched disadvantage.

Tom Fletcher

Tom served as Britain’s youngest ambassador, in the Middle East, then penned Naked Diplomacy: Power & statecraft in the digital age. Now on the Global Tech Panel, he sets out three geopolitical trends, five lessons from history and questions that every organisation must urgently address. “Two thirds of today’s young people are likely to work in jobs that do not yet exist.”