Hedgehog
Greening Philanthropy
How many philanthropists does it take to change a lightbulb? None: they just fund a project helping disadvantaged youth to learn a skill and wait in the dark till they can do it.
Judging a book by its cover
Uch, bookbinding. It's all hideous marbled covers and yellowing pages and stumpy spines, isn't it? Well, for centuries you would have been correct, but now Prometheus Bound Books is making binding beautiful. And not just beautiful, but personal
Renewing the Impetus
Hedgehog first visited Impetus, the charity which brings together private equity money and business skills with small charities looking to grow, in issue 12. And while private equity has not been covered in glory since last summer, indeed is spending much of its time trying to battle new regulation, Impetus has been working away, and now is about to gain a new chairman.
It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Painting)
When he puts down the plectrum, he picks up the paintbrush. Bob Dylan, not known as a visual artist for the greater part of his five-decade-long career, has in the past couple of years revealed his skills as a draughtsman and a painter.
Lips Open, Teeth Bared
Kiss & Tell Cabaret compose satirical songs for private parties on any theme you can imagine: the pomposity of contemporary artists or an heiress who can't get a grip on recycling.
Green and Gold and Green
To the Royal Festival Hall, where art and finance came together in a shower of green and gold. Less cryptically, the Southbank Centre were announcing this summer's Festival Brazil, sponsored by HSBC.
App My Jet
As the presiding wisdom of the age declares, if it can be done, it can be done on with an iPhone app, and now that includes booking your private jet.
Most. Tasteless. Ever.
There are few things which can shock Hedgehog, a hardened habitué of Annabel's dirtiest corners and the spangliest shops of Bond Street. But this - this is something else. Find out what's getting on Hedgehog's pricks here
Schooled at Sea
Perhaps now more than ever the public feels that bankers should be sent to the frontline in Afghanistan for a life without bonuses or bailouts. Hedgehog suggests this would be a luxury compared with the child-sailors of a book by former merchant banker D.A.B. Ronald.
Hedgehog Issue 14
One of the authors of Freakonomics tells us how to get the wealthy to pay more tax, we rumple the bedsheets at the Plaza New York and we prepare our passport for takeoff at the airport in SW1.
Unbillable Hours
Our specialists solve your HNW problems (gratis!)
Q
I am growing increasingly worried about the effect of inflation on my portfolio, following the recent announcement that the CPI has risen sharply to 3.5%. What is the likelihood of significant inflation in the coming year and what strategies should I put in place to plan for this?
A
Firstly, it is important to note that inflation and deflation can co-exist within an economy. The CPI only indicates the net inflation/deflation. However, investors need to know what parts of the economy are inflating and what parts are deflating as this decides whether there is net wealth creation or net wealth destruction.
Spear's Wire
The Hedgehog
Spear's Spiky Undercover Agent Dishes the Gossip
