Column
From comedian Mark Thomas to journalist George Monbiot, and from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's meat manifesto to the Vegetarian Society's argument for vegetarianism, we regularly invite influential ethical commentators to contribute unedited articles to our newsletter, Triodosnews. They challenge, provoke debate, stimulate ideas and you can read many of them here.
And, as a pioneer of a very different approach to money, Triodos itself has a lot to say. From opinion pieces to in-depth features, we contribute to a number of publications about a broad range of ethical issues, many of which are published here.
The views printed in Triodosnews are not necessarily those of Triodos Bank.
Giles Chitty - Responsible investment
James Vaccaro - We’ve got the power
Imagine buying a state-of-the-art Sat Nav system for an important journey but then realising at the last minute that you don’t have the address of your destination. Clearly, if you don’t know where you’re going, it doesn’t matter how clever your gadgets are. The same lesson could be applied at the moment to the UK’s energy plan, or rather, the lack of one. James Vaccaro, Managing Director, Investment Banking UK, explains why investment in renewables is more important than ever.
Philip Revell - Farming for a better future
Triodos Bank saver Philip Revell writes about his visit to Whitmuir Farm near Edinburgh - one of the businesses his money has helped support.
Ian Price - A year in the life of an organic banker
Every year we hear the UK’s organic farming sector has expanded even further. But the industry isn’t without its challenges, or immune to the problems that have rattled conventional agriculture. As the UK’s only dedicated organic farming bank manager, Triodos Bank’s Ian Price is closer than most to the issues and their effect on farmers across the country. Here, he reflects on an eventful 2007.
Alison Ronan - Reel to reel
Triodos saver, Alison Ronan, writes about her visit to REELmcr - a community film-making company in Manchester - to see for herself how a loan from the bank has benefited the social enterprise.
Gavin Smith - Sub prime time
Until the first run on a British bank for 150 years, terms like ‘sub-prime lending’ and ‘credit crunch’ were unfamiliar to most of us. But this year, when queues outside Northern Rock started to appear, all that changed. Gavin Smith, Triodos Bank’s Head of Business Banking, explains what prompted the crisis, why it matters to so many businesses in the UK and why Triodos Bank’s business customers were protected from its effects.
Investment in renewables today - a challenge to government
Renewable energy is growing faster than ever, so you might be forgiven for thinking that we’re well on the way to a much greener future. But we still aren’t moving fast enough. According to James Vaccaro, Head of Investment Banking, there’'s still more intervention from government required to level the playing field for renewable energy. Here he outlines key challenges which must be addressed for the UK to fulfil its renewable energy potential
Martin Wright, Managing Director, Marine Current Turbines - Investing Venture Capital
When companies seeking to raise capital approach Triodos, we look for eight attributes to guide our investment decision. Managing Director, Martin Wright explains how Marine Current Turbines fits with these in our guest column.
Sustainable Venture Capital - Oxymoron or the industry's future?
Private equity has been on the receiving end of much adverse publicity of late despite the potential for venture capital to be used as a force for good. What can the industry do to improve its image and contribute to a more sustainable way of living? James Vaccaro, Head of Investment Banking at Triodos, gives his view.
Charles Middleton - Sustainable Banking: Join the queue
The power of people’s savings recently hit the headlines as thousands of anxious Northern Rock customers queued for hours to take out their money. But while depositors’ concerns about the bank’s future caused the run on Northern Rock, issues around a different kind of sustainability led to queues outside a Dutch bank earlier this year. UK Managing Director, Charles Middleton (20 Sept 2007)
Do we need a Social Investment Bank?
Hundreds of millions of pounds of assets are lying unclaimed in dormant bank accounts. The Government’s Office of the Third Sector is considering using the money to benefit disadvantaged communities, by establishing a Social Investment Bank. But is a new bank a good idea? Sue Cooper, Senior Manager of our Social Banking Team, gives Triodos Bank’s view.
Jonathan Stallick - Barefoot Botanicals ventures out
"Seeking outside equity investment made good business sense for us," says Stallick "but despite us looking to make the next big step the offers weren't tempting. With Triodos, we felt both parties really wanted to make it work". Jonathan Stallick, co-founder of Barefoot Botanicals discusses Triodos Innovation Fund's recent investment in the company.
James Vaccaro - Ethical Investment for Financial Advisers
Investors could easily be forgiven for thinking that everything these days is ethical or sustainable. However, under the umbrella of 'ethical' investments, there is a wide spectrum of activity - some of which may come as a surprise to the 'ethical' investor. James Vaccaro, Head of Investment Banking at Triodos Bank, writes about ethical finance for the FT's Financial Advisor magazine.
Rachael Kiddey - Joy Ride
About a year ago I began looking around for a savings account. I don't earn a fortune so I wanted an account that would allow me to save a small amount while affording me the security of a notice period of around a month. I buy locally grown food, ethically traded clothes and goods wherever possible and I care about the environment so it made sense to me that my bank was similarly minded. Rachael Kiddey visits one of Triodos's customers to see what she is helping to finance.
Whitni Thomas - The True Cost of Ethical Spending
Despite the stratospheric popularity of ethical products, shopping with a conscience is under fire. Commentators from across the political spectrum have argued in recent months that buying organic and fair trade may make us feel good, but it won't change the world. Whitni Thomas explores what it means to be a truly ethical consumer.
Peter Blom - The Bottom Line
When people talk about profit - particularly if they're discussing banks - they often refer to the bottom line. Get Peter Blom's take on what is the most important profit item for last year
Sue Wixley - Getting more from your giving
Mike de Giorgio was collecting his son from St Paul's School in West London when he had his eureka moment. Seeing the school's empty playing fields, Mike was struck by its wasted assets. New Philanthropy Capital's (NPC) Sue Wixley discusses a better approach to donating.
The Future of Finance
in December 2006, Triodos Bank challenged UK consumers, Government and financial institutions to take a fresh approach to ethical finance in a special report on the state of ethical finance. The Future of Finance calls for a more conscious attitude to how we spend and save. Read on for Triodos Bank's view and to download the full report.
Sue Cooper - Lending Leverage
Charity funding is changing, with trustees and grant makers alike increasingly encouraged to take a more enterprising approach to their finances. Despite the potential benefits of combing grants with loan finance, and the growing number of charities borrowing successfully, many organisations continue to be reluctant to consider borrowing as part of the funding mix. The Senior Manager of the Social Banking Team at Triodos takes a look at the benefits of combined grant funding and loan finance rather than grant funding alone
Rodney Hooper - My Share in the Future
About a year ago I found myself posing for a photo in front of Triodos Renewables' wind turbine at Ness Point in Lowestoft. The picture was for an article in the Financial Times, who interviewed me as a shareholder in the Fund, and were interested in my 'maverick' idea of investing in wind farms to help save the planet. Triodos Renewables shareholder, Rodney Hooper, talks about his investment in the future.
Mark Campanale - So Where Does Ethical Investment Fit In?
The global economy is forecast to grow three-to-six fold by 2050, with the world population expanding to nine billion, up from six billion today. As our planet faces the reality of climate change, water scarcity and natural resource depletion, society and business is recognising its need to adapt. So how can we, as investors, respond? Mark Campanale, Founding Director of the UK Social Investment Forum, examines mainstream ethical investments.
Catering for investors
Stephen Gee, co-founder of Carluccio’s and the driving force behind the Real Food Pub Company talks about this exciting new venture. This investment offer is still open to investors, with about £1.2m of EIS (the Government’s Enterprise Investment Scheme) investment allocation remaining. The company is already trading with the first Real Food Pub fully operational, and a second pub in the pipeline.
Lawrence Demarco - Two Worlds Collide
Social enterprise is certainly the darling of the politicians these days, with both Government and opposition leaders extolling its importance in their vision of a progressive Britain. But what does the term mean and what is its true significance apart from the political hype? Lawrence De Marco, Co-founder and Director of Senscot, the Scottish Social Entrepreneur Network, is one of the leading lights in the UK's social economy. Here he explains what social enterprise is and why it's so important.
Belinda Thomas - A Day in the Life of My Savings
Read about Triodos Bank saver Belinda Thomas' visit to Pecan, an organisation her money's helped to finance.
Gavin Smith - Tax Benefits the Community
Three years ago the Government launched a groundbreaking scheme to encourage private investment in community development, promising to channel a billion pounds into deprived communities... ...But three years on, CITR has been accused of failing to live up to its ambitious goals. Gavin Smith, Triodos Bank's Head of Business Banking, examines the benefits of the Community Investment Tax Relief scheme.
The Business of Banking
Banks are reporting record, multi-billion pound profits and yet, according to research, their popularity is at an all-time low. While we may not like them, it seems, we're more than happy to trust them with our money. Indeed, reportedly, we're more likely to divorce than switch banks. Triodos' James Niven explains the nature of banking, in a review of the Bank's activities in Scotland.
Nestlé and WDM - Storm in a Coffee Cup
Last year, global corporation Nestlé launched a new fair trade coffee. Some welcomed the move as a positive way to introduce fair trade principles to a mass audience, while others condemned it as a thinly veiled attempt to improve Nestlé's public image. Given the furore surrounding Partners' Blend, we invited Nestlé and the World Development Movement to present both sides of the story, so you can make your own mind up.
Triodos Bank - The 90 Seconds Film Challenge
Triodos and customers and local multimedia specialists, Fluffy Logic, to produce 'If money makes the world go round... why not turn it in the right direction'? The film follows Triodos Bank saver, Barbara Charnock, on her visit to three of our business customers, to record her impressions of the people and organisations her savings have helped finance.
Triodos Bank's UK Annual Meeting 2005 - Wrestling with the Real World
Well, I never thought I would find myself addressing the Annual Meeting of a bank! George Monbiot, Pooran Desai and June Burrough, join Triodos CEO Peter Blom and UK Managing Director Charles Middleton at the Triodos Bank 2005 Annual Meeting.
Helen Moore - The Bank Where The Wild Dreams Grow
You were asking, where's the antidote to this ass-headed blindness, so many people suffering chronic midsummer madness, this sleep-walking obsession with big cars, roads to riches wealth, fairytale power at the expense of human and planetary health? Helen Moore, the Bard of Bath, wrote a special poem to mark the tenth anniversary of Triodos Bank in the UK, which she performed at 2005 UK Annual Meeting.
Charles Middleton - A Decade of Change; Thanks to You
2005 marks our tenth anniversary in the UK, and the 25th for Triodos Bank as a whole. This is a great landmark for Triodos and a welcome opportunity to celebrate the considerable achievements of the last ten years with you. It also presents a chance to look forward with excitement to the future. Charles Middleton, Triodos Bank's UK Managing Director, celebrates the Bank's tenth anniversary in the UK.
The Vegetarian Society - Food for Thought
If you want to look after your body and care for the environment, a vegetarian lifestyle could be the way forward. Kerry Bennett from The Vegetarian Society makes the case for vegetarianism, with a free veggie recipe from Triodos customers Café Maitreya.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall - Meat Manifesto
I believe that the way we produce and use meat requires radical reform. I�m delighted to say that I am not the only one championing a return to some of the older, more holistic values of meat production and cookery. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, writer and star of Channel 4�s Beyond River Cottage, speaks up for meat and give his recipe for the perfect roast beef.
Adam Sampson - Housing Crisis? What Housing Crisis?
When it comes to housing, the march of progress has developed a distinctly staccato beat. Adam Sampson, Director of housing charity Shelter, examines the past, present and future of the UK housing crisis.
Mark Thomas - Straight to the Mark
Variously described as a �disgusting individual� by ex-liberal democrat leader, David Steel, and by Time Out as �exciting, challenging and outrageously funny�, Mark Thomas has become one of the most provocative and engaging voices in the UK. Here, the stand-up comic and presenter of Channel 4�s Mark Thomas Product turns his attention to one of the biggest companies of all, Coca Cola.
Peter Blom - Money Talks
The end of the financial year is a good time to take stock, not just of Triodos Bank�s financial figures, which showed robust growth in 2003, but also of the challenges that the bank faces and the choices that it is making as it moves forward. Peter Blom, Triodos Bank�s Chief Executive, explains how the bank is widening its influence without compromising its values.
Mel Young - New Consumers
It isn�t surprising to find that Scots are increasingly spending more on Fairtrade and organic goods; after all they have a strong tradition of supporting charitable causes and political movements. Mel Young, Editor-in-Chief of New Consumer magazine, explains.
Sean Coughlan - Turbulent Times in the Mainstream
Are consumers increasingly savvy about the products they buy, or are we essentially malleable victims of the market? Freelance journalist, Sean Coughlan, finds out how mainstream banks are trying to cope with changing times.
Joel Moreland - Ethical Investment:The Big Issue?
More and more people are choosing to save and spend ethically. At the same time, ethical banks like Triodos Bank and others have enjoyed rapid and sustained growth. But are ethical share and bond issues proliferating? Equity and Investment Manager Joel Moreland discusses ethical investment.
Zac Goldsmith - FARM for the Future
At the end of last year I became involved in setting up FARM, a campaigning organisation for British farmers. At the time of our launch, we claimed that 77 farmers were going out of business every week - a shocking figure. Now, according to the Office of National Statistics, that number exceeds 1,000 or 52,000 last year. Ecologist Editor Zac Goldsmith on the plight of British farmers.
Charles Middleton - Show Me the Money
When most individuals think of a bank, they think of the organisation that keeps their money safe and secure until they need it. But most people don�t think about how that bank then invests their money when they�re not using it. Charles Middleton, Triodos Bank's UK Managing Director, examines transparency in banking.
Jurriaan Kamp - Keep the Doctor Away
In 1973, doctors in Israel went on strike. The strike lasted a month, and in that time the death rate fell by 50 per cent. Jurriaan Kamp, Editor-in-Chief of Ode Magazine on helping yourself to better health.
Oliver Dowding - Which Way Now?
While we have witnessed an extraordinary decade of growth in the organic sector there are now serious structural problems within it. The most significant of these is the creation of large surplus� of organic food that become so �cheap� at market that it is more expensive to produce than sell. Organic Farmer Oliver Dowding discusses the organics sector.
- Triodos Renewables Share Issue
- Find out why investment in renewable energy is more important than ever.