Perspectives

Dispatches from London: Turning climate concern into climate action

Here are eight ways to inspire, inform and enable more sustainable consumption choices.

'If you don’t have an age strategy, you don’t have a growth strategy'

As workforce demographics change, Lyndsey Simpson of the U.K. startup 55/Redefined, part of the Mastercard Start Path Emerging Fintech program, is at the forefront of ensuring age diversity in employment.

Future of Work

Midlife crisis: How upskilling over-40s can shrink the digital talent gap

Professional upskilling should never stop, experts say. Reskilling older workers is critical — they’ll be a large percentage of the future workforce.

A curb's-eye view: This U.K. startup reimagines city parking from the gutter up

AppyWay’s digital maps show where people can park (or not), cutting congestion and chipping away at decarbonization.

Trust

How fraudsters hook their victims — and how AI can stop them

A new tool being used by U.K. banks can spot payments to scammers before victims lose their money. But breaking the psychological spell, one expert says, is another story.

All work is all play for this wellness entrepreneur

Nina Elegba knows all about stress. It’s why she started her business in the first place. But when facing the challenges of growing her business, she looked for support to put her on the path to mindfulness — and success.

Small business

Why supporting small businesses is more important than ever

At Mastercard we’re interested in the challenges small businesses are facing so that we can see where we can help. Kelly Devine, UK&I President explores the challenges small businesses are facing, and ideas to help them grow and build resilience.

Shredding a myth about recycling: It’s time to tackle first-use plastic cards

Despite the acceleration of all things digital, 25 billion plastic payment cards remain in circulation, the vast majority eventually headed for the landfill. A new recycling program initially launched with HSBC may change that.

Lessons from life in London inspire this singer to write empowering music for all

“Connecting with fans is essential as an artist, and I always want to learn new and innovative ways to communicate with them,” says Young Athena.

Bon voyage to foreign exchange fees?

The startup Currensea is using open banking to power debit cards for fee-conscious travelers — and beyond.

Thoughts from an ‘urgent optimist’: How scaling prize-winning solutions could save the planet

‘The world doesn’t have an innovation problem – it has a speed-to-scale problem,’ says The Earthshot Prize CEO Hannah Jones. Prince William's 'moonshot' challenge could change that.

Why making payday any day can pay off for companies too

By harnessing the power of payroll as an asset, the U.K. startup Hi helps companies boost their liquidity and gives their employees more flexible access to their earned wages.

As travel takes off, how to put every destination on the map

Digitization and data insights can help small businesses and tourism agencies make the most of the momentum, says Mastercard Europe President Mark Barnett.

Calculating emissions takes time and money better spent reducing them

Dodo is a U.K.-based startup that uses open banking to help small businesses easily measure their carbon footprint and reach net-zero goals.

How this female distillery owner made it to the top shelf

Kathy Caton started making gin a decade ago as a side hustle. Now Brighton Gin is her main gig.

Trust

Rethinking paying with plastic

Momentum is building for cards made from more sustainable materials, including recycled ocean plastic and bioplastic.

Why buy now, pay later is about to be everywhere

Instalment lending had already been on the rise, but the pandemic has fueled its growth. A new Mastercard buy now, pay later program is coming to the UK, the US and Australia.

Mapping out the world of open banking

With roots in Europe and the UK, open banking is now a global phenomenon taking form in different ways but with the same goal — more innovative financial services.

Comment

UK Collective Action: Mastercard’s view

Kelly Devine, Divisional President for UK & Ireland, shares why we think a speculative collective claim against Mastercard shouldn’t be allowed to proceed.

The gift of clarity: Data-driven insights help governments shape relief efforts wisely

London's chief digital officer says real-time information has been critical in responding to the needs of 9 million citizens.

To build back better; we must act now to tackle digital and financial exclusion

A year after the UK went into its first lockdown Kelly Devine looks at how we can build back better and ensure nobody is left in the dark.

British volunteers deliver 1 million acts of kindness during the pandemic

When COVID-19 forced many in the UK to self-isolate, thousands of people volunteered to help keep them fed and healthy. The Royal Voluntary Service had to find a way to instill trust between virtual strangers.

'Nobody in the dark' shines a light on digital exclusion

A light installation by the poet and mental health campaigner Hussain Manawer in two UK cities aims to start a conversation about bringing more people into the digital economy.

Combating climate change: It takes a forest

The Priceless Planet Coalition is restoring 100 million trees over the next five years to combat climate change and reduce carbon in the atmosphere through forest restoration.

Purchasing power plus carbon footprint tracking: A new way of thinking about payment ‘rewards’

The founders of Doconomy, whose DO Mastercard lets consumers calculate their carbon emissions and compensate for them, believe transparency and responsibility go hand in hand.

A million and counting: Bringing STEM opportunities to girls around the world

From cryptology to big data to digital convergence and more, young women gain needed skills and confidence for critical careers through G4T.