The title of this week's events at Davos was "the global context" which wasn't particularly informative or helpful in working out who is going to be talking about what and why. Despite this, the programme itself - covering everything long-term investing, food security and agriculture, the future of the internet and social inclusion - was rich and interesting.

More light was shed on what the global context actually is by this week's well timed and illuminating publication of the Edelman Trust Barometer. The research - now in its 15th year - is a litmus test of public opinion about four main societal operators globally, namely business, government, non-governmental organisations and the media. It doesn't make pleasant reading. While there are variations by country, organisational type and by sector, in general trust is in decline globally.