Barclay Ballard

One of my favourite parts of #freelance #writing? Variety. This month’s work: • AI projects for a global consultancy • Logistics web copy • Higher Ed research in China • Sustainable investing & data centres • Tech CRM reviews A solid brief + good interviews = great content

The passive era of renewable investing is over. I spoke with Ardian’s Benjamin Kennedy & Federico Gotti Tedeschi for @InfrasInvestor on why investors must now act like industrial operators to win the #EnergyTransition. Read more: infrastructureinvestor.com/ardian-on-the-…

The energy transition is no longer just about capacity—it’s about sovereignty and flexibility. Great insights from Sosteneo’s Federica Gallina on why battery storage is now a strategic necessity. Read more here: infrastructureinvestor.com/sosteneo-on-sa… #EnergyTransition #BatteryStorage

AI spend is hitting $3trn in 2026, yet 95% of firms see zero #ROI. The problem isn't the tech—it's the workflows and the human element. My latest for @Eraneos explores how the best companies actually embed #AI to drive real value. Read more: eraneos.com/articles/from-…

That topical piece you wrote eventually loses its edge. I’ve had success pitching content refreshes to past clients. Like this TechRadar update on the Best CRM for Startups: techradar.com/best/the-best-… Don't wait for the client to ask. Pitch an update to build on your previous work

AI can be a helpful #freelance tool, but it can also be a #plagiarism machine. The NYT just dropped a freelancer for using AI to write a book review, after the tool borrowed from The Guardian. It hasn't just cost him a job; it's nuked his reputation. theguardian.com/books/2026/mar…

The BBC is cutting 2,000 jobs, but the work isn't going away - it’s going freelance. freelanceinformer.com/news/the-britt… It could be that the corporation adopts the "1 + Freelancer" model: a lean core team supported by an army of external experts #Freelance #BBC #FutureOfWork

Great conducting this keynote with Greystar for @InfraInvestor’s Mid-Market report. We discussed the mid-market's potential for innovation and liquidity - offering the alpha and agility mega-funds can miss. Read more: infrastructureinvestor.com/greystar-on-go… #Infrastructure #Investment

The biggest misperception in finance? Emerging market risk. S&P data shows EM default rates at just 1.1%, vs. 3.8% in the US. While cautious investors stay away, mid-market GPs are engineering high-yield returns. You can read more here: infrastructureinvestor.com/mid-market-tre…

The lines between real estate and infrastructure are disappearing. Mid-market investors are now turning fragmented social assets into resilient, high-impact platforms, with the aim of creating long-term returns that meet societal needs. Full article: infrastructureinvestor.com/mid-market-tre…

My latest for Infrastructure Investor on some recent major trends for its Mid-Market report. They covered: Digital infrastructure; Transport; Energy transition; Social impact; The Global South; Circular economy. Thanks to everyone who contributed: infrastructureinvestor.com/mid-market/

There's more to business than Generative AI. It might be time to consider computer vision and Classical AI. I helped @Eraneos write a piece on what these often overlooked technologies can do. Read more: eraneos.com/articles/how-a… #DigitalTransformation #AI

Out of sight, out of mind is not a sustainability strategy. For #GlobalRecyclingDay, I’m throwing it back to my feature on the West shipping its waste problems to South-East Asia - and why those nations finally said "no more." Read more: businessdestinations.com/work/south-eas…

The bacteria inside you are the key to the next decade of healthcare. My takeaway from the @LivUni @timeshighered podcast summary I wrote: timeshighereducation.com/content/how-mi… - Reactive ➡️ Predictive diagnostics - Isolated labs ➡️ Innovation hubs - Academic silos ➡️ Industry mentoring

Career progression shouldn't be driven by random acts. In a shifting economy, a degree is the foundation - but articulating skills is what gets students hired. My latest for @timeshighered on bridging the gap between knowing and doing: timeshighereducation.com/campus/scaffol… #HigherEd #EdTech

My latest for @InfraInvestor is live: "No time like the present to future-proof transport assets." infrastructureinvestor.com/no-time-like-t… It explores why future-proofing is a platform for value uplift, not just a defensive buffer. Thanks to all who contributed to the piece.

#BritishScienceWeek starts today! Reflecting on my writing on science - like this deep dive into the robotics revolution: bit.ly/3LpxyzX The goal? Ensuring science benefits all of society, not just the top tier. Ultimately, we decide the direction. #STEM #Innovation

New for @Infr_Investor: My keynote interview with IFM Investors’ Aaron McGovern. We dive into why toll roads, airports and seaports are moving beyond defensive positioning to a growth-oriented, digital-first future. Read more: infrastructureinvestor.com/ifm-investors-… #Investment #Transport

Listening to a podcast re: @MichaelPollan’s "A World Appears" and was struck by the discussion of #xenobots. It reminded me of my piece on these living robots: theoxygenproject.com/post/using-liv… Excited to dive into the book—it turns out they also pose deep questions about consciousness

In addition to whitepapers, I also write shorter articles on #HigherEducation - like this one on the Student Success US 2025 event, co-hosted by THE and the University of Georgia. Insights on student agency, classroom norms, & data-driven support: narratives.insidehighered.com/university-geo…