Bottom Line: Recent Episodes
BBC
Insight into business from the people at the top. Evan Davis meets influential business leaders for a round table conversation about the issues that matter to their companies and their customers.
What makes a great business book and how do you make practical advice on a subject like accounting a riveting read? What makes you more likely to read a business book - a top business leader's journey to the top, like Sheryl Sandberg or Phil Knight of Nike, or one offering simple 'how to' advice. And what is the business model of business books themselves - do they sell loads of copies, or are they more about building up a public brand?
Join Evan Davis and guests , in the final programme of the current series, to learn about some great business reads and how business publishing is thriving.
GUESTS
Margaret Heffernan, Author, Uncharted. Former CEO and Entrepreneur.
Alison Jones, publisher Practical Inspiration Publishing and Presenter, The Extraordinary Business Book Club Podcast
Helen Kogan, Managing Director, Kogan Page, Business Book Publisher
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Producer: Julie Ball and Simon Tulett
Editor: China Collins
Sound: James Beard and Graham Puddifoot
Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed.
What's the best way to recruit people who have the right skills for the job, but are also the right cultural fit for your business? And how do you do that without discrimination? Evan Davis and guests discuss the many different hiring options available, from the standard CV and interview to social media snooping, and the importance of getting it right.
GUESTS
Michael Barrington Hibbert, CEO, Barrington Hibbert Associates
Sir John Timpson, chairman, Timpson Group
Claire Hamilton, head of UK talent acquisition, Capgemini
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer: Simon Tulett
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Graham Puddifoot
Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Machines now have the ability to write novels, create works of art, or compose original songs thanks to artificial intelligence. In future the technology could be used to discover drugs, design entire buildings, or come up with new materials.
So how should businesses respond to the evolution of AI, most embodied by the AI chatbot ChatGPT? Evan Davis and guests discuss its potential for creating new products and increasing efficiency, as well as the risks involved in handing machines even more power.
GUESTS
Priya Lakhani, CEO, CENTURY Tech
Scott Petty, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone
and Colin Murdoch, Chief Business Officer, DeepMind
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer: Simon Tulett
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Neil Churchill and Graham Puddifoot
Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Warren East has run two of the UK's most successful companies, ARM and Rolls Royce Holdings. During his tenure at ARM he oversaw a rapid growth of this globally successful Cambridge semi conductor company. He went on to lead Rolls Royce during a time of turbulence, from aircraft engine trouble, to COVID and a massive restructure which led to several thousand redundancies. He shares his reflections on his business career, as well as his thoughts on Brexit, tax and economic growth.
GUEST
Warren East, former CEO Rolls Royce Holdings Ltd.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: China Collins
Sound: James Beard and Graham Puddifoot
Prod Co-ordinator: Siobhan Reed
It seems these days everyone is making a podcast, from Michelle Obama and Kate Hudson to Alastair Campbell and Dua Lipa. Covering every subject from health and wellbeing to politics, food and even funerals, the last few years has seen a proliferation of new titles. Although only a third of us are currently listening to podcasts, that number is steadily growing. So who is making money from podcasts, and how? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
PRESENTER: Evan Davis
GUESTS
Jack Davenport, managing director, Goalhanger Podcasts
Sam Shetabi, content director UK, Acast
and
Rebecca McGrath, senior media analyst, Mintel
PODCAST CLIPS
Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster, featuring Jarvis Cocker, Plosive Productions
The Rest is Politics with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, Goalhanger Podcasts
and
Shagged, Married, Annoyed with Chris and Rosie Ramsay, Avalon Productions
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: China Collins
Producton Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Sound: Neil Churchill and John Scott
The French work fewer hours, take longer holidays and retire earlier than UK employees, but they are also more productive and their economy is therefore roughly the same size as ours. How do they do it?
As the UK looks for a way out of its sluggish economic growth, Evan Davis asks what we can learn from our neighbours. Why is it that for each hour worked a French employee produces almost 20 per cent more than a British one?
GUESTS
Olivier Morel, board member of the French Chamber of
Great Britain and partner at Cripps.
Rebecca Riley, professor of practice in economics at
King’s Business School, London, and member of The Productivity Institute.
and
Neil Coales, managing director of Agilité Solutions, Paris.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producers: Simon Tulett and Julie Ball
Researcher: Marianna Brain
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Rod Farquhar and Graham Puddifoot
Production Co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Evan Davis chairs a round table discussion providing insight into business from the people at the top.
Current strike action across the UK led to more than a million lost working days in 2022, the worst industrial strife the nation has experienced since the 'Winter of Discontent' in the 1970s. But with the benefit of hindsight, what can we learn from those who have dealt with labour relations in the past, and can their insights help to establish a better way of working out employee grievances?
Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Alan Johnson, former MP, Secretary of State and former Head of the Union of Communication Workers.
Professor Sian Moore, Professor of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management and Co-Director of the Centre for Research on Employment and Work (CREW), University of Greenwich
Susanna Newing, Chief People Officer, Coventry Council
Presenter: Evan Davis
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: China Collins
Sound: Gareth Jones and Neil Churchill
Production Co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Sophie Hill
As the UK struggles with recession, Evan Davis talks to four business people who are not afraid to be bulls in a bear market. Does a recession offer opportunities to serial entrepreneurs and start-ups that others might fear? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Capucine Codron, Co-founder, Swizzle
Arka Dhar, CEO and Co-founder SKOV Ltd
Sir John Hegarty, Founder, The Garage Soho and BBH Advertising Agency
and
Sarah Willingham, Co Founder, Nightcap bar chain and former Dragon's Den panellist.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producers: Julie Ball, Nick Holland, Kirsteen Knight
Editor: Simon Watts
Sound: Graham Puddifoot
Production Co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross
Col Needham set up his first business at the age of 14 designing and selling games software for computers. But his real love, since the age of 5, has always been film. Col started logging every movie he'd seen in a paper diary which he eventually set up as a database, along with other like-minded film fans. Although it began and remains a personal passion, IMDB is now a multi million pound business, which was one of Amazon's first acquisitions.
Col has remained CEO and founder, and he's now seen 15,000 films - all logged religiously in IMDB. He talks to Evan Davis about the journey from passion to profit.
GUEST
Col Needham, CEO and Founder, IMDB
PRESENTER: Evan Davis
PRODUCER: Julie Ball
EDITOR: Simon Watts
SOUND: Graham Puddifoot
PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATORS: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross
What will higher interest rates on borrowing money mean for the property market and what happens if house prices fall? Evan Davis discusses mortgages and housing in new economic times.
Guests:
Vanessa McCallum, Owner of Vanessa McCallum Estates
Ray Boulger, Senior Technical Manager at John Charcol Mortgage Brokers
David Miles, Professor of Financial Economics at Imperial College London
Production coordinators: Siobhan Reid and Helena Warwick-Cross
Presenter: Evan Davis
Producers: Louise Byrne, Kirsteen Knight and Nick Holland
Editor: Simon Watts
Since the very beginning of the NHS, GP surgeries have been, in effect, businesses with contracts to do the work the Health Service needs. But in recent decades, patient numbers have grown, surgeries have become larger and the services offered more varied. Many GP surgeries now employ administrative staff, nurses, physiotherapists and paramedics, as well as doctors.
What's it like to be a clinician and run a small business at the same time? What are the pressures? How do you get the books to balance? And how do you attract more people to join one of the front lines of the NHS? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Dr. John Lynch, GP Partner, Framfield House Surgery, Woodbridge Suffolk
Dr. Matt Noble, GP Partner, GP@hand, Bablyon Health a 'digital first' practice
Dr. Yazmin Razak, Single GP practitioner, North Kensington
and Dr. Rebecca Rosen, Senior Fellow, Health Policy at the Nuffield Trust and part-time GP, South London
Producers: Julie Ball and Kirsteen Knight
Researcher: Louise Byrne
Sound Engineers: Graham Puddifoot and Rod Farquhar
Editor: Simon Watts
Evan Davis looks at the UK's defence industry to find out how it is responding to the war in Ukraine and whether socially conscious investors are beginning to change their minds about the sector.
Guests:
Dean Rosenfield, Head of Saab UK
Kevin McNamee, CEO of Denroy Group Ltd
Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS Group
Presenter: Evan Davis
Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed & Helena Warwick-Cross
Producer: Julie Ball & Nick Holland
Editor: Tara McDermott
What happens when your business vision doesn't stack up or your long-standing business needs to make changes to keep up with a changing market and customer taste? Do you make a U-turn or a pivot as it's known in business. How do you know when is the right time and how do you get your employees and managers to go with you? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Matthew Bannister, Broadcaster and Presenter, Folk on Foot podcast
Liz Earle, Beauty and Wellness Entrepreneur, Editor-in-Chief, Liz Earle Wellbeing magazine
and
Jessica Spungin, Adjunct Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, London Business School
PRESENTER: EVAN DAVIS
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producers: Julie Ball and Nick Holland
Editor: Tara McDermott
Sound: Neil Churchill/Rod Farquhar
Production Co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed & Helena Warwick-Cross
Evan Davis asks why there are more job vacancies in Britain than there are people looking for work. Unemployment used to be a big problem, but now businesses say they're struggling to recruit enough staff.
Guest list:
Jane Townson: CEO of The Home Care Association
Will Beckett: CEO of Hawksmoor restaurants
Jane Gratton: Head of People Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce
Jon Wilson: CEO of TotalJobs online recruitment agency.
Production Coordinator: Helena Warwick-Cross and Siobhan Reed
Sound production: Neil Churchill & Graham Puddifoot
Research: Louise Byrne
Producer: Nick Holland
Editor: Richard Vadon
Presenter: Evan Davis
Is it right that businesses making what look like windfall profits pay windfall taxes? And do the recent announcements from the government to lower taxes in general lead to economic growth? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Irem Guceri, Associate Professor Economics and Public Policy, Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford
Professor Michael Jacobs, Professor of Political Economy, Sheffield University
Charlie Mullins, Businessman and Founder, Pimlico Plumbers
Dan Neidle, Founder, Tax Policy Associates Ltd.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: Richard Vadon
Sound Engineers: Graham Puddifoot/James Beard
Production Co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross
The government target for building houses in the UK is 300,000 a year, but over the past few years only around half that number have been constructed. The sector faces many challenges; labour and skills shortages and rapidly rising prices for raw materials, not to mention uneven planning laws and green building commitments.
Are they building the homes the country needs and where it needs them? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Ben Dimson, Partner, Property Sector, McKinsey
Peter Truscott, CEO, Crest Nicholson
Rico Wojtulewicz, Head of Housing and Planning, National Federation of Builders
Presenter: Evan Davis
Producers: Julie Ball and Lucinda Borrell
Editors: Hugh Levinson and Jon Bithrey
Sound: James Beard, Rod Farquhar
Production Co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross
Hundreds of western businesses have decided to stop operating in Russia as a result of the invasion of Ukraine. But what does leaving Russia actually mean in practical terms – how do you go about it and who bears the cost? Can you end up hurting your own company and your Russian workers more than the Russian state? Evan Davis debates with his guests, one of whom leads a global automotive dealer that has just sold its business in Russia to its local managers.
GUESTS:
James Alexander, Chief Executive of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association
John Morrison, CEO of the Institute for Human Rights and Business
Duncan Tait, CEO of automotive dealer Inchcape
Producer: Lucinda Borrell
Sound: Rod Farquhar
Editor: Jon Bithrey
Production Co-Ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross
From Disney to the Halifax bank, companies are increasingly willing to take a stance on everything. But what is driving this trend and will it continue? Ultimately isn't it the job of a business to make money for its shareholders and not get involved in politics and contentious social issues? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Nina Bhatia, Executive Director, Strategy and Commercial Development, John Lewis Partnership
Ian Leslie, Journalist and Author of 'Conflicted'
Becky Willan, CEO and Co-founder, Given Agency
Nicola Kilner, CEO and Co-founder of Deciem
Producer: Julie Ball
Sound: James Beard
Editor: Jon Bithrey
Production Co-Ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross
Why does it seem so hard to contact a business these days? It's almost like they deliberately hide their phone numbers from us. When we do manage to ring, they often make us sit through an endless list of 'caller options' before allowing us to speaking to anyone. Are they deliberately trying to dissuade us from getting in touch or are we expecting too much too soon from customer services? Evan Davis speak to the people managing our calls.
Guests:
Leigh Hopwood: Chief Executive of the Call Centre Management Association
Dave Mills: NHS specialist at EVAD
Tim Callington: Director of technology firm Flipside
Producer: Nick Holland
Studio Managers: James Beard & Rod Farquhar
Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed & Iona Hammond
Editor: Hugh Levinson
.
What to expect when a workplace dispute ends up in court. Thousands of people lodge grievances relating to their jobs directly with their employers, and that's often where they remain. But if you think you have been unfairly dismissed, or suffered unfair discrimination on the grounds of sex, race of age, the case may end up at an employment tribunal. Dramatic cases - complete with lurid accusations and sometimes huge payouts - are regularly reported on by the media. Evan Davis asks his expert guests about what really goes on during this generally painful process, and whether anybody ever really wins at a tribunal.
Guests:
Chris Hadrill, Head of Employment Law, Redmans Solicitors
Sian Keall, Partner, Employment Law, Travers Smith LLP
Martin Tiplady, Director, Chameleon People Solution
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: Hugh Levinson
Sound: James Beard
Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross
As petrol and diesel prices hit record highs, Evan Davis looks at the economics of running a petrol station. There's an allegation motorists are being ripped off at the pumps. However, the actual amount of profit some forecourts make from selling fuel may come as a surprise.
Guests:
Kirsty Waddingham, RKW Plumbing
David Charman, Parkfoot Garages
James Lowman, Association of Convenience Stores
David Fyfe, Argus Media
Producer: Nick Holland
Sound: Neil Churchill and Rod Farquhar
Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Editor: Hugh Levinson
Can we trust the wisdom of the crowd on online review platforms? Evan Davis and guests discuss how businesses can harness this knowledge to their advantage and how they can deal with bad reviews. And how do the platforms that consumers look to for assurance ensure that we're reading the truth? Plus stories of chip shops, splashing in puddles and the mysterious "review farms"...
Guests:
Anoop Joshi, VP Legal and Platform Integrity, Trustpilot
Melissa Norton, Commercial Director, Muddy Puddles
Professor Adrian Palmer, Head of Marketing and Reputation, Henley Business School
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor Hugh Levinson
Sound: Neil Churchill
Production coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross
The 'crust' of living: Evan Davis looks at the spiralling costs of baking a loaf of bread. On top of rising energy bills the industry is having to keep up with huge increases in the price of wheat. In this episode a farmer, a miller and a baker explain how they're trying to make ends meet.
Guests:
Sarah Bell, Wheat Farmer and Grain Consultant.
Julius Deane, Wheat Director at Carrs Flour Mills Ltd
Mike Roberts, Deputy Chairman of Roberts Bakery
Producer: Nick Holland
Sound: Rod Farquhar
Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Editor: Hugh Levinson
How will soaring energy costs affect UK corporations? Prices are spiking, not least because of the war in Ukraine. Energy is essential for everything from heating offices to transportation to manufacturing, so what happens when it just becomes too expensive? Evan Davis and guests discuss the current energy crisis, and ask how long is it likely to last and what we can do to reduce the vulnerability of our businesses.
GUESTS Michael Lewis, Eon Energy Natalie Quail, Founder Smiletime Tina McKenzie, Federation of Small Businesses Gareth Stace, UK Steel Producer: Lucinda Borrell Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Sophie Hill Sound: Neil Churchill and Rod Farquhar Editor: Hugh Levinson
Evan Davis and guests examine the prospects for business in this government priority for increasing economic activity beyond the Southeast of England. How important is political devolution? Or are practical changes, like transport links and skills education more significant?
Guests: Andrew Carter, chief executive, Centre for Cities Akash Paun, senior fellow at the Institute for Government Steve Cole, maritime business improvement director for BAE Systems Lucy Winskell, chair of the North-East Enterprise partnership
Producer: Lucinda Borrell Sound: Graham Puddifoot Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Sophie Hill Editor: Hugh Levinson
The programme was produced in partnership with the Open University
How will shifts in China's economic policies affect global commerce? The nation is the world's second-biggest economy and it's been the centre of globalised manufacturing for over three decades. But after a global pandemic, an energy crisis and now war in Ukraine, is this going to change? Already, President Xi Jinping has plans to move away from the reliance on global trade towards expanding domestic consumption, alongside targets for encouraging innovation in technology and artificial intelligence. Will recent economic sanctions on Russia due to geopolitics make China retreat more from global trade? What will this mean for us and for the rest of the world? Evan Davis and guests discuss Guests: Hong Bo, professor of financial economics, School of Finance & Management, SOAS University of London Mike Collier, director, China UKTC consultancy Xiaolan Fu, professor of technology and international development: and director, Technology and Management Centre for Development (TMCD), Oxford University Producer: Julie Ball Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed Sound: Nigel Appleton Editor: Hugh Levinson
This programme was produced in partnership with the Open University
What will the consequences of the invasion of Ukraine be for the world's economy - and for us? From the effects on the energy markets to the tough sanctions regime, we can already see ripple effects across Europe and the rest of the globe, at a time when the world's economy is still in a febrile post-Covid state. Evan Davis and guests discuss the likely and immediate picture for business, growth and incomes.
Guests: Duncan Weldon, economist and author of the Value Added newsletter on Substack. Anna Leach, deputy chief economist at the CBI Chris Rogers, supply chain economist for Flexport Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy
Producer: Julie Ball Research: Johnny I'Anson Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed Editor: Hugh Levinson
Produced in association with The Open University.
We’ve all wanted something that we can’t quite afford. If you’re low on funds and waiting for money to come in there are a multitude of borrowing options from overdrafts and loans, to credit card - so you don’t have to wait for the things you want
One of these options that has really taken off is the Buy now pay later market, where customers have the option to pay back money for their purchases and there’s no interest on the payments - provided the debts are cleared on time.
But is it too good be true? Join Evan Davis and his panel of experts to get to the bottom of the BNPL industry
GUESTS Alex Marsh, Head of Klarna UK Alice Tapper, financial journalist Sameer Pethe, Financial Services Partner, Kearney
PRODUCER Lucinda Borrell
SOUND Graham Puddifoot
EDITOR Hugh Levinson
Like alcohol, but don't want to drink? For the "sober-curious" consumer there's a range of low-alcohol alternatives on the market from gins and spirits to beers and craft lagers. But are they as good as the real thing? What is the social purpose of these substitute drinks? And why do they tend to have similar prices to their alcoholic rivals - even though they are taxed at a far lower rate? Evan Davis and guests explore the expansion of the low-alcohol market, the rising demand for luxury alcohol alternatives and asks - is this one trend that's here to stay?
GUESTS Cristina Diezhandino, Chief Marketing Officer, Diageo Spencer Matthews, Founder, Clean Co Emily Neill. Chief Operating Officer, IWSR Drinks Market Analysis
Producer: Lucinda Borrell Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed Sound: Graham Puddifoot Editor: Hugh Levinson
Prices are rising - but are we heading into an unprecedented economic period? So far, wages haven't yet followed. How different is what's going on now from the conventional boom and bust cycle? Evan Davis and guests discuss. Guests: Dr Jennifer Smith, Associate Professor of Economics, Warwick University Professor Michael McMahon, Oxford University Sonali Punhani, UK Chief Economist at Credit Suisse
Producer: Julie Ball Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed Sound: Rod Farquhar Editor: Hugh Levinson
Produced in association with the Open University
Psychotherapist Naomi Shragai talks to Evan Davis about how our emotional baggage can harm our work life.. She advises businesses and employees on how to recognise our deeper personal impulses, which often stem from our childhoods. Her book 'The Man Who Mistook his Job for His Life' catalogues phenomena like narcissism, fear of rejection and imposter syndrome, Naomi tells us how to recognise these powerful forces, and what we can do about them. Producer: Julie Ball Studio Manager: Neil Churchill Production Coordinators: Siobhan Reed and Sophie Hill
Evan Davis and guests discuss how best to resolve disputes between colleagues - both making the best of it and avoiding the worst. Despite our best efforts, conflict never disappears – it’s always there, when humans gather. In the office, it can be start with something as trivial as a coffee cup left on a colleague's desk. And from there, it can spiral into a situation where people are unwilling to work with each other, or even suffer mental ill health as result. Three experts give advice on how to prevent conflict festering and the best ways to mediate when co-workers end up at daggers drawn. GUESTS Gill Dix, head of workplace policy at ACAS Felicity Steadman, mediator, The Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution Ade Adeniji, mediator and investigator
Producers: Kirsteen Knight, Lucinda Borrell and Sandra Kanthal Sound: Graham Puddifoot Editor: Hugh Levinson
How can companies create a level playing field for applicants and employees from lower socio-economic backgrounds? Evan Davis and guests discuss the sometimes invisible barriers and assumptions which exclude some from getting jobs or getting promoted. Many believe that the job interview format tends to favour the social skills of those from the middle and upper middle classes. Diversity schemes help - but there are questions about whether they go far enough. Is this the final taboo when it comes to equality in employment?
Guests: Professor Lee Elliot-Major, University of Exeter Sandra Wallace, chair, Social Mobility Commission and one of the Managing Directors for UK & Europe, DLA Piper Jenny Baskerville, Head of Inclusion, Diversity & Social Equality, KPMG
Producer: Lucinda Borrell Sound: Graham Puddifoot Editor: Hugh Levinson
The National Lottery contract is up for grabs. While the results aren't scheduled to be announced until early 2022, the bids are in and being considered - and across the industry it seems that this is the closest competition yet with four major players in the running. How do lotteries, large and small, operate? And what obligations does the industry have towards customers who might be vulnerable? Evan Davis speaks to Camelot, who have been running The National Lottery since its inception 27 years ago, and to industry leaders, about the changing world of lotteries.
GUESTS Matthew Risdale, Executive Director, Camelot Richard Dixon, Managing Director, Sterling Lotteries Tony Vick, Chair, The Lotteries Council
PRODUCERS Tanya Beckett & Lucinda Borrell
SOUND Rod Farquhar
Evan Davis looks at the expanding world of ultrafast home delivery. App-based firms like Getir promise to get a grocery order to your home in just 10 minutes. During the pandemic, demand for such services skyrocketed. As new companies enter the market, is Q-commerce economically sustainable - or will there be a brutal shake-out. Evan speaks to players in this rapidly growing sector - and to a critic of it.
GUESTS Turancan Salvar, general manager, Getir UK Christa Bloom-Burrows, co-founder, Biff's Jessica Moulton, senior partner, McKinsey & company Adam Badger, research student, Royal Holloway, University of London
Producer: Lucinda Borrell Sound: Rod Farquhar
Earlier this week, the Government announced millions of pounds of funding to support the UK's emerging Carbon Capture industry. But what is the future of this emerging industry?
Evan Davis speaks to the head of The East Coast Cluster, a project awarded some of this financial support, alongside other industry leaders to understand whether this revolutionary technology could solve our climate change problems, or is it just another way to cheat our environmental obligations.
GUESTS
Andy Lane, Vice President (CCUS), BP & Head of East Coast Cluster Esin Serin, UK Policy Analyst, The Grantham Institute of Climate Change Olivia Powlis, Head of UK Office, Carbon Capture and Storage Assosciation Julie Golsalvez, Chief Marketing Officer, Climeworks
PRODUCER Lucinda Borrell
In 2020, the pandemic hit, and the world locked down. Suddenly white-collar staff went from working in the office, to working remotely. But now we are opening up, will people want to return? Hybrid working has become the buzzword of employers across the country, allowing individuals to have more flexibility over where they work. So how likely is this to function effectively? How do businesses manage staff and productivity? And will there ever be anyone in the office on Fridays....? Join Evan Davis and guests to find out.
GUESTS Emma Stewart, Co-Founder, Timewise Sam Bowerman, HR Director, Retail Businesses, NatWest Group UK Lisa Kennery, HR and Marketing Director, The Pierce Group
PRODUCER Julie Ball
Labour shortages, particularly in the hospitality and HGV sector have dominated the headlines from petrol shortages, to worries about Christmas dinner being off the menu. And its not just the logistics sector at risk - hospitality, agriculture and the care sector have all reported labour problems in post-pandemic, post-Brexit Britain. So what exactly is the solution? Do we bring in more labour from abroad? Do we invest in training and developing British workers? Or are companies going to have to pay better wages and improve working conditions? Join us on this week's The Bottom line to find out...
GUESTS
Rain Newton Smith, Chief Economist, CBI Alan Manning, Economist, London School of Economics Kaan Hendekli, JJ Food Services
The extraordinary success of the creation of vaccines for Covid-19 has made the business of clinical trials look simple. But appearances can be deceptive and it usually takes many years and costs hundreds of millions of pounds to bring a new drug, therapy or medical device successfully to market.
Evan Davis and his guests discuss how the economics of commercial clinical trials now look for companies in the light of such a disruptive event as the pandemic. How far is greater collaboration - with start-ups partnering with big pharma and research companies - changing the way in which trials operate? And will new tech developments - like the greater, tailored use of Artificial Intelligence, digital data and advanced statistical techniques - make the process cheaper and quicker - while compromising neither safety nor patient confidentiality?
Those taking part are: Nuala Murphy of the executive team at Icon plc, a Dublin-based clinical research organisation which last year worked with Pfizer/BioNTech on their Covid-19 vaccine; Houman Ashrafian, managing partner of the biotech team at SVHealth Investors, a venture capital firm with offices in London and Boston; and Avideh Nazeri, vice-president in the UK for clinical development, medical and regulatory affairs at the Danish-headquartered integrated pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk.
Editor Hugh Levinson
Should consumers be told the carbon footprint of the products they buy? And if so, how? In recent years, a shift in customer attitudes towards climate change has caused businesses to up their game when it comes to showcasing the environmental impact of products. But just how transparent it this? How much do buyers want to know about how sustainable their shopping is? Evan Davis and guests discuss the highly complex issues around carbon labelling and how best to communicate sustainable business practices.
Guests
Emma Keller, Head of Sustainability UK & Ireland, Nestle Barry Clavin, Ethics and Sustainability Reporting Manager, Co-Op Hugh Jones, Managing Director, The Carbon Trust
Producer: Lucinda Borrell Sound: Neil Churchill Production Coordinators: Iona Hammond and Siobhan Reed
Electric vehicles are a hot topic. Nissan has announced it will construct a factory to produce EVs, while the government says no new vehicles running on petrol or diesel will be sold after 2030. The electric transport sector will play a crucial role in tackling climate change. But are we on track to hit these targets? Can EVs deliver the same reliable service as combustion engine vehicles and reduce "range anxiety"? Does the rolling out of this transition have consumers convinced? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
Guests Lex Hartman, CEO, Ubtricity Toddington Harper, CEO, GridServe Tanya Sinclair, UK & Ireland Policy Director, Chargepoint
Producer Lucinda Borrell
The spending power of disabled people and their families - the so-called purple pound - is valued at £249 billion a year. So is there a competitive business advantage in designing accessible goods and services? Evan Davis and guests discuss, with examples ranging from haircare products to hotel rooms.
Guests
Sam Latif, Company Accessibility Leader at Proctor and Gamble Robin Sheppard, Co-Founder and President of Bespoke Hotels and Gavin Neate, Chief Executive and Founder of Neatebox
Producer: Lesley McAlpine Sound: Andy Garratt
For nearly 20 years, the cruise industry experienced huge growth. Then a pandemic hit. After a year of forking out for boats docked in port and devastating headlines chronicling outbreaks early on in 2020, what does this mean for the future of cruises? How are they restarting, what barriers are they facing and - most importantly - how do they convince customers that they are indeed safe?
Guests Dr Jennifer Holland, Lecturer in Tourism, Suffolk Business School Ben Bouldin, Vice President, EMA, Royal Caribbean Cruises
For years the suburbs have been seen as places to live, from which you can commute to a big city to work. But has the pandemic pushed the economic pendulum in the other direction? With more people working from home and cities becoming quieter, could this lead to a revival of the suburban economy? Evan Davis explores the national picture and hears from entrepreneurs in Denton, Greater Manchester, who have helped revive its struggling town centre, encouraging people to spend money locally.
Guests
John Spencer, Chief Executive of BizSpace Yael Selfin, Chief Economist of KPMG in the UK
Producer: Lesley McAlpine
How can businesses cope with supply shortages? Car factories across the world have had to shut down because they can't get hold of enough silicon chips. And as many economies bounce back post-Covid, other industries are facing similar problems. How can enterprises plan both for sudden falls and surges in demand and how quickly can supply chains cope? Evan Davis and guests discuss. Guests: Dr Andy Palmer, CEO of Switch Mobility Maureen O'Shea, Leader of Supply Chain and Operations Management for KPMG John Neuffer, President and CEO of the US Semiconductor Industry Association
Producer: Linda Borrell
The pandemic has given a nudge to the decline of cash. If that is the past - what is the future for our payments system? Could it simply be cards linked to bank accounts, handled via apps? Or could we be approaching a pivotal moment when the exciting (or maybe alarming) world of crypto and digital currencies take over? Central banks around the world are pondering this very question and are poised to launch their own digital currencies. Evan Davis and guests look into the future of money.
Guests:
Professor Catherine Mulligan, visiting lecturer at Imperial College, London and director of D-Central Lab at Lisbon University, Marcus Hughes, European managing director for Coinbase, a crypto trading platform Paige McCartney, senior business reporter at the Nassau Guardian
Should we be concerned by the emergence of a set of unbelievably wealthy men? Do the likes of Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk signal return to the age of the "robber baron" of the likes of Andrew Carnegie? They have the ability to make the world a better place through extraordinary acts of philanthopy - but can their efforts distort public policy, along the lines of their whims? Evan Davis and his guests discuss the inner drives that transform these individuals from just rich to hyper-rich. Guests: Dr. Katharina Rietzler, lecturer in American history at Sussex University Paul Vallely, author "Philanthropy: From Aristotle to Zuckerberg" Manfred Kets de Vries, professor of leadership development and organizational change, INSEAD Abigail Disney, documentary filmmaker, granddaughter of Roy Disney
Producer: Julie Ball
It’s all around us and has pride of place in the periodic table. Hydrogen is the number one element. For decades it’s been hailed as a potentially cleaner alternative to the fossil fuels which power heavy industry, our homes and transport systems. But hydrogen from renewable sources has never quite realised its potential. It's expensive to produce. However, as the UK now has targets to cut carbon emissions, green hydrogen may have a major part to play in the clean-up. Evan Davis and guests discuss the business of hydrogen.
Guests: Eugene McKenna, from the chemical giant, Johnson Matthey. Dr Laurie King, Fuel Cell Innovation Centre, Manchester Metropolitan University. And Andrew Cunningham, managing director of Geopura, a green hydrogen energy supplier Producer: Lesley McAlpine
Since Brexit, many companies have had to set up a subsidiary operation in the EU to continue trading. What are the rules, regulations, pitfalls and costs? Evan Davis hears the experience of three very different businesses, in sectors ranging from tights to cheese to architecture.
GUESTS
Brie Read, founder and CEO SNAG Group
Ross Hutchinson, founder and principal director, Hutchinson & Partners, architects
Simon Spurrell, founder and CEO, Cheshire Cheese Company
The government wants to boost the UK's growing space industry through its £400 m investment in satellite communications firm OneWeb. The company is a pioneer, launching satellites in Low Earth Orbit with the aim of providing broadband to under-served areas of the globe. But there are rivals, Elon Musk's Starlink Constellation being the best known. So is the UK investment in OneWeb a moonshot moment? Evan Davis and guests boldly go into discussion over what happens when you combine cutting-edge technology with uncertain business outcomes - and whether the state should be involved
Guests:
Professor Marek Ziebart, UCL Chris McLaughlin, OneWeb and Carissa Christensen, CEO, Bryce Space and Technology Producer: Lesley McAlpine
The rush on shares by individual investors, into struggling US video game store chain Gamestop was portrayed as an attempt by a new breed of retail investors to thwart hedge funds which were shorting the stock. Some investors won big, others lost everything and one hedge fund, Melvin Capital, lost half of its $13bn fund. Was this really a David and Goliath fight, signalling a win for retail stock pickers, collaborating on social media platforms like Reddit? And has it changed the future of investing? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS Holly McKay, Founder and MD, Boring Money Jack Inglis, CEO of Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) Mo and Danny, Online retail investors
What are the business opportunities in turning our old housing stock green? The UK has some of the least energy-efficient housing in Europe – most of it built before environmentally efficient design was regulated. It’s estimated around a quarter of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy we use for heating, lighting or running appliances in our homes, public buildings or workplaces – and energy used in our homes is the most significant source.
How soon can heat pumps, solar panels and better insulation around the house help the UK Government achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2050? And will this ramping up of energy efficiency measures really lead to a green jobs revolution?
Guests:
Dr Sara Walker, Director of the Centre for Energy, Newcastle University Neil Hargreaves, Managing Director for Northern Europe at Knauf Insulation Phil Hurley, Managing Director of Nibe, one of Europe's leading manufacturers of renewable energy products and Barry Hughes, homeowner at Springfield Meadows - an estate of carbon zero houses.
Presenter: Evan Davis Producer: Lesley McAlpine
What are the long-term implications for the Covid crisis for the British economy. The government has borrowed more money over the last 12 months than ever before in peacetime. The ratio of public debt to national income is above 90%. If it rises even further do we need to worry? How will the chancellor manage the economic pain caused by coronavirus? What will it mean for tax and spending - and is there a route back to growth? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS John Kay, economist, author, consultant Dame Minouche Shafik, director of London School of Economics and Political Science, former deputy governor of the Bank of England Gemma Tetlow, chief economist, Institute for Government
Producer: Julie Ball Editor: Hugh Levinson
Almost five years ago on The Bottom Line - just before the EU referendum – debated the pros and cons of being in the EU. In a tribute to Radio 4’s The Reunion, the programme has reassembled most of the original contributors to get a sense of whether hopes and fears have been delivered. From current customs glitches, aspirations to increase UK global exports, to Brussels red tape versus ease of trading in a European Single Market. What do guests think now?
Joining Evan Davis will be:
Jon Moynihan, venture capitalist Rachel Kent, head of financial services regulation at the law firm Hogan Lovells Julia Gash, artist and entrepreneur and Christopher Nieper, managing director of clothing manufacturer David Nieper,
Almost five years ago on The Bottom Line - just before the EU referendum – debated the pros and cons of being in the EU. In a tribute to Radio 4’s The Reunion, the programme has reassembled most of the original contributors to get a sense of whether hopes and fears have been delivered. From current customs glitches, aspirations to increase UK global exports, to Brussels red tape versus ease of trading in a European Single Market. What do guests think now?
Joining Evan Davis will be:
Jon Moynihan, venture capitalist Rachel Kent, head of financial services regulation at the law firm Hogan Lovells Julia Gash, artist and entrepreneur and Christopher Nieper, managing director of clothing manufacturer David Nieper
From the NHS Test and Trace Service to the lack of PPE at the start of the pandemic - both projects branded as having been incompetently delivered. But do we fail to notice the constraints their senior leadership team operate under? Evan Davis and expert guests discuss why some big public projects like the London 2012 Games went well. While others, like Crossrail, get bogged down in delays and a budget overspend. Just how is competence measured and delivered?
Guests:
Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, former Chair of the Olympic Delivery Authority Dame Jackie Daniel, CEO of Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Justin King, former CEO of Sainsbury's, and Vice Chair of Terra Firma
How are industries like live music, travel, conferences and events coping with the pandemic recession - and what plans do they have for survival? These business sectors have been hit disproportionately hard by the dramatic changes in our ways of life. In a programme recorded before the recent announcement of an apparently successful vaccine trial, Evan Davis discusses with business leaders from across these industries. Producer: Julie Ball
GUESTS
Tim Hawkins, Chief Strategy Officer, Manchester Airports Group
Charlotte Gough, Divisional Director, Corporates, MCI Group
Peter Marks, Chief Executive, The Deltic Group
Commercial landlords and tenants are at odds over unpaid rents due to the pandemic. Many retail, hospitality and leisure businesses are suffering acutely. Most have landlords who collect rent for their premises. In turn, many landlords have to pay interest on their loans to the banks. The pandemic is upsetting that delicate financial balance. It's estimated that billions of pounds is owed to landlords in unpaid rents. Threats of legal action against tenants are hitting the headlines. Just who should take more of the financial hit - commercial landlords or their tenants?
Guests
Edward Ziff, Chair and CEO of Town Centre Securities, a property investment firm Mark Dixon, CEO of International Workplace Group, which rents, develops and sublets office space and Charlotte Heyes, director of the small pub chain, Common and Co
How has the pandemic affected commerce in one English town? Bolton's economy has been struck particularly hard by this pandemic. Not only was it subjected to the national lockdown, but it subsequently became a hotspot, under even tighter restrictions. With a town centre that was already in decline, how has this crisis affected local businesses and what does the future hold for the town? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Jonathan Warburton, Chairman, Warburtons
Joseph Carr, Managing Director, Carrs Pasties
Martyn Cox, Deputy Leader, Bolton Council
Reporter: Matthew Bone Producer: Julie Ball
Is the pandemic a spur to a world of temps and zero hour contracts? Hundreds of thousands of people have been losing their jobs during the crisis. Many are turning to the gig economy to boost their income. Should we welcome the acceleration of the move away from conventional employment? Evan Davis and guests discuss the pros and cons of the expanding gig economy.
Guests
Xenios Thrasyvoulou, CEO of People Per Hour Lorna Davidson, CEO of Red Wigwam Matthew Taylor, CEO of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce and Ed Cross, self-employed courier for Hermes
In modern business it's impossible not to be worried about a cyber attack of some form. But how do you lower your chances of attack and what do you do if someone manages to get in your system and data? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Sian John, director, EMEA, cyber security strategy, Microsoft UK
Geoff White, author, 'Crime Dot Com' and investigative technology journalist
Jake Davis, consultant, Hacker Culture
National Centre for Cybersecurity - Cyber Essentials advice for businesses https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberessentials/advice
Presenter: Evan Davis Producer: Julie Ball Editor: Hugh Levinson
The second pandemic wave means UK businesses have to live with uncertainty for at least another six months. Those economic green shoots and the summer of 'eat out to help out ' seem a while back. So what are the implications for jobs and overall business viability in this climate? Difficult conversations are going on in boardrooms across the country. Evan Davis with expert guests reflect on the choices businesses face in these extraordinary times.
Guests Nobel economist, Professor Joseph Stiglitz Wendy Carlin, Professor of Economics at University College London and member of the advisory panel to The Office for Budget Responsibility Entrepreneur Paul Campbell, founder of Hill Capital Partner Hannah Bernard, Head of Business Banking at Barclays
The Black Lives Matter protests have prompted boardroom soul-searching about how to engage a more racially diverse workforce. Good intentions have been around for decades and have encouraged much talk about removing biases from mainly white corporate cultures. But this has still not led to the change people want. Hardly any large UK firms have black, Asian or minority ethnic chief executives.
Evan Davis and guests explore the practical solutions to achieving racial equality at work and the potential benefits to the economy.
Guests
Karen Blackett, OBE, UK head of the ad giant WPP
Dr Kamal Munir, reader in strategy and policy at the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge
Judith Hackitt, independent director at HS2 LTD
Kike Oniwinde, founder and CEO of The Black Young Professionals Network
Producer: Lesley McAlpine
Produced in association with The Open University
Has staying at home during lockdown made us think more about our travel habits? Are you less likely to want to get on a bus or a train to get to work or are you itching to get on the next available flight? And what about the business travel industry? Are companies realising tele-conferencing is now just as acceptable and a cheaper option than a business flight? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Laura Shoaf, managing director, Transport for West Midlands
Simon Jeffrey, policy officer, Transport and Devolution, Centre for Cities
Michael Valkevich, vice-president, Global Customer Group, EMEA, CWT
Presenter: Evan Davis
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: Hugh Levinson
Zoom meetings and working from home. Two habits which office workers have picked up during the enforced lockdown. But will these behaviours habits stick? Some believe that if more of us choose to work from our spare rooms on a regular basis, this will have profound implications for offices, commuting, human interaction and productivity. Evan Davis and guests discuss whether current predictions about the death of the office are over-exaggerated.
Guests
André Spicer, Professor of Organisational Behaviour, City's Business School, University of London Rachel Higham, Managing Director of IT at BT Katrina Kostic Samen. Head of Workplace - Strategy and Design, Development. KKS Savills
Produced by Lesley McAlpine
The programme is produced in association with The Open University
During the pandemic, businesses have faced severe tests, from supply chain shocks to fluctuations in consumer demand. How resilient are companies in dealing with the unknown? In recent years the focus has been on getting costs down, creating lean supply chains, and delivering returns to shareholders. But has that emphasis left supply chains insecure in the face of shocks? Will companies learn to value resilience over mere efficiency?
Guests
Dr Sandra Bell, founder and chief executive of The Business Resilience Company. Michael Davies, guest lecturer at the London Business School and founder and chairman of Endeavour Partners Poonam Gupta, founder and chief executive of PG Paper Guy Gratton, associate professor in aviation and the environment at Cranfield University
What have you learned about yourself in lockdown? What is it you crave, what have you found you barely miss? Evan Davis and guests contemplate life after lockdown and changing consumer habits. A surge in the sale of bikes, toilet roll panic buying, and flour flying off the supermarket shelves. Will these consumer habits stick? Have we learned to value other things in life than shopping? Or will we just want to borrow and spend at the first possible opportunity?
Guests:
Kate Ancketill, founder and CEO, GDR Creative Intelligence Richard Walker, managing director, Iceland Foods Jonathan Cole, managing director, Velorution Kate Nicholls, chief executive, UK Hospitality
Producer: Lesley McAlpine
Will Western economies and companies decouple from China? For decades, the world has relied on this rapidly emerging economy as its factory, producing everything from toilet rolls to iPhones. But post Covid-19, US trade wars and tensions with Hong Kong, is that all about to change? Evan Davis and guests discuss
GUESTS
Liam Casey, CEO and founder, PCH International
Diana Choyleva, chief economist, Enodo Economics
Dr. Yu Jie, senior research fellow, China, Chatham House
Should the government continue to bolster companies, large and small when lockdown is finally eased? If so what businesses do you choose to save and what are the criteria? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Michael Jacobides, holder of the Sir Donald Gordon Chair of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, London Business School
Julie Palmer, Regional Managing Partner, Begbies Traynor, Insolvency practitioners
Mark Blyth, Director of the William R Rhodes Centre for International Economics and Finance, Brown University
Produced in association with The Open University
Is our working week due for major reform? Will a move to a four day week - as proposed by the Labour Party in its recent General Election manifesto - ever happen? From shorter hours to more flexibility in the workplace, what will the modern world of work be like in ten years time? Evan Davis and guests discuss the latest trends.
Guests appearing on The Bottom Line
Kate Cooper, Head of Research, Policy & Standards, Institute of Leadership and Management David Stone, CEO of MRL Recruitment and Karen Jansen, Professor in Leadership Challenge at Henley Business School
Do business gurus really hold the secret to success? Peter Drucker, Michael Porter and Gary Hamel are some of those who've found fame and influence via best-selling business books. But can following their lead transform a company - or are they really just selling themselves? Evan Davis and guests assess the pros and cons of buying from the ideas merchants.
GUESTS Lynda Gratton, professor of management practice, London Business School, CEO The Hot Spots Movement John Kay, economist, author and consultant Eddie Obeng, founder and director of Pentacle
Producer: Julie Ball Editor: Hugh Levinson
How should businesses deal with workplace quarrels? At a time when the nation seems increasingly divided and hot-tempered, is there a way to bring harmony among staff when there are differences of opinion and personality? Evan Davis and his guests explore what can go wrong and look for some possible solutions. In a very cooperative spirit, naturally. GUESTS: Naomi Shragai: psychological business consultant and Financial Times contributor Roxana Mohammadian-Molina, Chief Strategy Officer, Blend Network David Liddle, founder and CEO, The TCM Group
Producer: Julie Ball
How should businesses resolve bitter disagreements in the workplace? As another Brexit deadline approaches and the nation seems increasingly polarised, Evan Davis and his guests discuss. And maybe disagree....
Guests: David Liddle CEO, The TCM Group Naomi Shragai, psychological business consultant, executive coach and Financial Times contributor Roxana Mohammadian-Molina, Chief Strategy Officer, Blend Network
Producer: Julie Ball
How can business benefit from the popularity of vegetarian and vegan products in supermarkets and restaurants? One in eight of us identifies as vegetarian or vegan, but that's not enough to have boosted the market so significantly. So what is happening and is it sustainable? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Kevin Brennan, CEO Quorn
Tommaso Chiabra, venture capitalist and CEO Tommaso Chiabra Holdings
Rachel Hugh, Co-founder, The Vurger Company
Producer: Julie Ball
Will Facebook's launch of its own cryptocurrency be a game changer? What will this mean for established currencies and the global banking system? Evan Davis and guests discuss.
GUESTS
Jutta Steiner, Chief Executive Officer, Parity Technologies
Dr. Catherine Mulligan, Chief Technology Officer of Gov Tech Labs and Data Net at University College, London
Barbara Mellish, Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Citizenship, Enterprise and Government
Presenter: Evan Davis
Producer: Julie Ball
You trust financial professionals to grow your long term savings and pension pot. But how do you know if they are investing it wisely? The UK investment industry is awash with complicated terms and conditions, and unclear and sometimes high charges, which can eat into your monetary returns. The woes of star fund manager Neil Woodford, who has temporarily frozen one of his funds to its investors after poor performance, highlights just how complicated an industry it is. Is some clarity starting to emerge? Evan Davis and expert guests look under the bonnet of the UK investment industry.
Guests:
James Anderson, partner at Baillie Gifford, who jointly manage the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Bella Caridade Ferreira, chief executive and founder of Fundscape Sean Hagerty, managing director of Vanguard Europe
Producer: Lesley McAlpine
Poundland, Lidl, B&M Bargains and Primark are thriving successes on the High Street, while more mainstream retailers have seen their profits hit. Just how do the discounters keep their prices so low? Keeping the business model simple, supply chains lean and costs down are key parts of the story.
Guests: Barry Williams, Managing Director of Poundland Simon Arora, Chief Executive, B&M Bargains Catherine Shuttleworth, Chief Executive of Savvy Marketing
Can a sudden change in direction save a new company? Evan Davis and his guests hear stories about the start-up's nightmare: the original product is not selling, and cash is running out. Can changing focus - with a new service or product - pluck success from the jaws of doom? Speaking to entrepreneurs and experts, he learns about how in a range of sectors, from sanitary products to event ticketing, the key is to shift while staying true to the original vision. Guests: Celia Pool, cofounder DAME Edmund Glover and Nick Stone, FIXR Ramdane Mir, cofounder Cobbleweb
From Somali pirates who've turned kidnapping into a global enterprise to cybercrime and fraud - the worlds of business and wrongdoing potentially have much in common. Clever criminals build business empires and fraud is sometimes carried out by well paid workers at legitimate companies. What the two worlds can have in common is a pursuit of profit and a series of apparently rational calculations. Evan Davis and guests explore why some bright, talented people try to get rich the wrong way, while others manage to do it within the rules.
Guests
Barrister, Sara George, a partner at Sidley Austin LLP Michael Corrigan, Chief Executive at Prosper 4 - a training and recruitment firm for former prisoners and Dr Anja Shortland, Reader in Political Economy at King's College, London.
Who wins and loses in the cut-throat exercise market? Looking good and being fit has become more important as we have become more wealthy. Yet most new gyms and fitness centres fail. Evan Davis and his guests work out the secrets of success in this growing industry, which is is worth over £5 billion in the UK.
GUESTS
Stuart Broster, CEO, Anytime Fitness UK
Tommy Matthews, Managing Director, Be Military Fit
Dawn Tuckwell,, Director and Co-founder, Action PR
PRESENTER: Evan Davis
PRODUCER: Julie Ball