Kirstie Pickering

Journalist, copywriter and editor

United Kingdom

I'm an NCTJ-qualified journalist with specialisms in tech, business and aviation.

Portfolio
Sifted
06/29/2023
The digital nomad's guide to Estonia

Estonia's startup ecosystem is evolving - and they are keen to attract foreign talent. What do you need to know before moving to Estonia?

UKTN | UK Tech News
05/25/2023
DSIT: How has the tech department fared so far?

Last week, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) marked 100 days since its launch in February. The government created DSIT to "drive innovation" and focus solely on supporting the UK's science and tech sectors. But what has it achieved so far, and where do UK tech stakeholders think it can do more?

Techspace
05/08/2023
Techspace: The Scaleup Culture Report 2023

For this Techspace report, I conducted interviews with scaleups about their changing ways of working and what is most important to businesses in 2023.

UKTN | UK Tech News
05/15/2023
Revolut hit by fresh setbacks in 'super app' push

Revolut's CFO Mikko Salovaara has resigned from the company citing "personal reasons", the latest in a string of setbacks for the fintech as it pushes to become a global 'super app' and secure a UK banking licence.

Sifted
04/21/2023
Why you should have an international team - and how to pay them

As the world continues to go more digital than ever before, businesses are learning to adapt to new ways of working. But while the nature of digitalisation means that remote workers and digital nomads are viable options when hiring, their global locations make it tricky to pay them.

Natwest
03/13/2023
Cost of living | NatWest

I worked with agency Dentsu on NatWest's cost of living content project. This three-month role involved writing articles to help its customers navigate the current economic climate. These ranged from a guide on how to support a loved one through the cost of living crisis, to a listicle of TikTok accounts to follow for money-saving tips.

Sifted
02/24/2023
You've just raised pre-seed funding - how should you spend it?

As a founder, it can be hard to know how to spend pre-seed funding - especially as the round is often the first significant cash injection a startup will get. I took a deep dive into the topic and spoke to founders and VCs to learn more.

Sifted
03/21/2023
How is fintech changing business travel?

Business travel was hit hard during the pandemic. At its height, 86% of people had to cancel all work-related international travel plans due to lockdowns, travel bans and flight restrictions - and 67% of business travellers cancelled domestic work travel plans too. But things are looking up for the sector.

Business Airport International
04/03/2023
Mind Matters

According to research on aviation worker wellbeing by Trinity College Dublin, only 47% say their mental health is very good or good. I investigated how mental health support is being approached by the industry, the fallout of the pandemic on mental health, and what more needs to be done.

Sifted
01/26/2023
The big business of fraud: Manning the digital gates

In this edition of Sifted Talks, we reviewed how digital verification can remain as seamless and non-invasive as possible, how to get inside a fraudulent mindset and strategies for uncovering fraud patterns.

UNLEASH
01/13/2023
Talent pools aren't just for talent management

Building a talent pool is an effective way to ensure your hiring yields the best results, both for talent and diversity. But who is responsible for managing the pool? I spoke to HR experts to find out more.

Maddyness UK
01/10/2023
Making public transport more accessible - Maddyness UK

When Jay Shen was preparing for a presentation as part of his PhD research into sensor technology, never could he have imagined that the day would end with an idea that would evolve into a startup with over 220,000 users and helping a sector that was desperately in need of innovation.

Passenger Terminal World
12/06/2022
Natural world: a look into airports and biodiversity

What role do airports play in promoting and protecting the biodiversity of their surrounding areas? I investigated the efforts airports are making in the field and what more can be done.

Sifted
10/14/2022
How to expand into new markets during a slowdown

While investing in a new project can be daunting for startups during economic uncertainty, a huge number of businesses have thrived in adversity in the past - Airbnb, Beyond Meat and Uber. How could your startup continue to grow during the current economic uncertainty?

Sifted
09/26/2022
Which cities are best suited to digital nomads?

The number of digital nomads and remote workers is and because of this, so too is a need for the infrastructure to support remote talent. Data by global HR solutions provider WorkMotion found that 16% of companies worldwide already offer 100% remote working.

Airport Industry Review
10/18/2022
What's inside Biden's new SAF Grand Challenge Roadmap?

As part of the US’s climate goals, the Biden Administration has published a new plan focusing on the role of sustainable aviation fuel in the future of US aviation. I took a look into what it means for the aviation industry.

Sifted
08/31/2022
In data: How founders are responding to inflation

Research into over 200 companies conducted by Figures, a compensation app for startups and scaleups, found 75% of companies headquartered in the US have already taken action when it comes to salary raises or bonuses.

Sifted
06/20/2022
Why web data could be the key to startup decision-making

Scroll. Click. Add to basket. The internet is a huge part of our everyday lives, so it’s vital startups understand how customers interact with their businesses online. One way to do this is through public web data.

Sifted
05/03/2022
11 Vienna-based female founders to watch

The startup world is bursting at the seams with talented female founders, yet they're not being rewarded equally. In Vienna, the story gets more positive. This article was branded content in collaboration with ViennaUP'22.

Sifted
04/29/2022
Startups, here's how to save on the cloud

The cloud — which lets startups host operations and data online rather than on a server — is becoming a popular way for businesses to scale operations as they grow. This article is branded content created in collaboration with DoiT International.

The Business Magazine
10 Thames Valley start-up companies to watch

I looked at the the ten most innovative start-up companies emerging from the Thames Valley that build on the region's expertise in data and track record of university spin-outs.

Business Airport International
04/01/2022
Talent wanted

For this five-page feature, I explored how talent shortages and staff retention could be the biggest challenge facing business aviation over the next decade.

Maddyness UK
03/23/2021
Fresh take on recruitment meets the needs of modern working - Maddyness UK

Being self-employed or seeking work on a flexible basis has become commonplace in job hunting. With the pandemic forcing most officer workers to work from home and still excel, there is a new opportunity for companies to offer new recruits a contract more amenable than a traditional 9am-5pm in the office.

The Business Magazine
03/10/2022
10 Solent start-up companies to watch

The Solent has nurtured some of the most exciting startups in the UK through to huge investment rounds. Here are ten startups to watch from the region.

Maddyness UK
01/18/2021
Transforming the secondhand fashion market with a plug-in - Maddyness UK

Restrictions over the past 10 months have meant that most of us have spent more time at home. This has led many to reorganise and purge unwanted items, but with charity shops closed and unnecessary trips to the Post Office avoided, how else can we rid ourselves of our unloved fashion?

Business Airport International
09/15/2021
Helicopter highs

The demand for helicopter travel is booming as business meetings, events and tourism increase post-pandemic.

Muddy Stilettos Surrey
09/16/2021
The best of Guildford Book Festival 2021 - Surrey

It's time to indulge our inner bookworms and check out the Guildford Book Festival line up. With more than 30 speakers taking part in live events at venues across the town, there's plenty to see. Here are our top choices.

Maddyness UK
03/09/2021
Peer-supported AI app creates personalised rehab programmes - Maddyness UK

Good Boost is a mission-led organisation that provides affordable and accessible therapeutic exercise programmes for both in water and on land via an AI app. We spoke to its founder, Ben Wilkins, about Good Boost’s impact on the rehab realm and the importance of team motivation to propel its success.

Maddyness UK
02/09/2021
The academy dedicated to elevating female entrepreneurs - Maddyness UK

The number of female founders is on the rise, and many budding entrepreneurs are in need of support to take that next step for their startup. In a quest to remedy this, Ceylan Boyce founded Academy for Women Entrepreneurs to coach business-minded women and support them in reaching their full potential.

On behalf of Cannes Lions
08/01/2017
Cannes Lions Innovation Report

I was ghostwriter for the 68-page Cannes Lions Innovation Report 2017, which highlighted promising startups. The report was distributed ahead of the annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Airports International magazine
10/31/2021
Going Green

As European airports look to reduce their carbon footprint, what role can eco-friendly ground support equipment play?

Passenger Terminal World
01/31/2019
Stop the traffic

Millions of vulnerable people are illegally trafficked around the world every year, many of them through airports. How are airports, airlines and charities working together to combat the problem?