Wake Up To Money
The latest from the world of business and money, covering financial news, market updates, and economic insights. Produced by BBC Radio 5 Live, it provides a comprehensive overview of the day's business stories.
Episodes
Standing down standing charges?
Sean Farrington explores what scrapping standing charges on gas bills could mean for households. We also look at why websites worldwide were taken down to address critical cyber-security vulnerabilities in in a crucial programming language. And, over in the US, Meta has received millions of sign-ups for its AI agent. We get the lowdown on how these digital assistants actually work.
Netflix and Drill
Sean Farrington hears from both sides of the Jackdaw gas field debate as a decision is expected to finally be made. We'll be hearing perspectives from both local voices on the potential impact on local jobs and industry, as well as the investors who want the government to keep its messaging clear on the environment.Also the home entertainment giant Netflix reveals its worst revenues in three years
Parking Mad?
Private car park operators will have less scope to charge drivers for certain mistakes under new government measures announced this morning - Sean Farrington speaks to the AA's head of roads policy on whether the new changes go far enough.Less than 18 months after the discount supermarket Poundland was sold for one pound, talks are ongoing for it to be sold again. What could this mean for the jobs
France in flames
As France rues a weekend of peaceful protests that turned ugly, we talk to an economist in Paris about the cost of living concerns that have driven people out on to the streets.
And we'll be asking if a contract for the UK's space defence programme is in the best interests of the industry.
Also, the Manchester tech firm which is bringing football pundits closer to the action than ever before.
Apple 'i' order
Apple opens pre-orders for its iPhone Duo and announces a move into the smart home tech market. But will the company's new direction bear fruit?
Also, as the Environment Agency declares severe drought for areas of southern England, we speak to a farmer about what continuing water shortages mean for his business.
And we find out what's behind the slump in AI stock and all the week's business storie
Old Rules; new rules
Sean Farrington finds out what the consequences of dropping oil flows though the Strait of Hormuz are, after an increase in attacks on shipping.As the real Living Wage increases, we'll hear why business should pay it from the group that comes up with the figure as well as the business who say they'd love to pay it, but can't.And, London's oldest restaurant - Rules - has a new landlord: the Nationa
The Price of Honey
Sean Farrington looks at English football after the regulator says clubs are existing on a financial cliff-edge.Elsewhere, the steel industry calls on the government to relax import tariffs and quotas as they're facing huge bills for buying specialist products form overseas.And, as Winnie the Pooh turns 100 - we'll look at what has made Hundred Acre Wood's most famous resident such a strong IP.
Cost of Flopping
Sean Farrington delves into the latest IMF outlook for the UK economy which says growth is set to be higher than previously expected this year,Elsewhere, just hours after yesterday's interview with Brad Smith, the UK's AI minister Kanishka Naryan confirmed the UK will now be able to test leading artificial intelligence models before they are released to the public - we'll find out what that means
Brad Smith - Microsoft President
Will Bain examines the financial predicament facing the chancellor ahead of the budgetAnd "AI is moving forward faster than the speed of safety" - so says the President of Microsoft, Brad Smith .. we'll find out why he thinks the UK is best placed to deal with the challengeElsewhere, we'll look at the latest view of the markets ahead of an important data release from the government later this week
Eyes Down
Felicity Hannah looks at the week's biggest business stories with her expert panel. We'll also hear from the body that represents independent musicians about what the impact of AI could be on the creative industries. As the price of oil rises once again, we'll see what that means for markets and find out why questions are asked about Open AI's projected profits.And, we'll hear from the boss of the
Balancing the books
The London Stock Exchange boss tells us that gloom has had an impact on London listings. Dame Julia Hoggett also names supplements maker Applied Nutrition as one of the bourse's recent success stories. Will Bain gets the reaction of founder Tom Ryder. Elsewhere, the International Energy Agency agrees to accelerate the release of barrels of oil, but doesn't expand plans announced in the Spring. Als
A-SOS
Sean Farrington shares the latest developments on the apparent cyber attack on ASOS, we find out how the retailer may respond.Also we learn about the new all-electric era that's arrived for Jaguar and what it means for the carmaker.Elsewhere why the new Sense & Sensibility is the latest period drama driving more of us to the historic properties used as filming locations.
Wakefield Winners
Sean Farrington speaks to the owners of Wakefield Trinity after it became the unlikely club to win the Rugby Super League title - we hear how it's turned its fate around.We also hear what the boss of BT had to say on its takeover of TalkTalk.And Sean will be joined by the founder of the Yoto audio player who tell us why revenues are up.Elsewhere Spain has called a snap general election a year earl
Time to Talk Talk
Will Bain finds out more about the fate of one of the UK's biggest broadcast providers Talk Talk as BT appears set to rescue the company. We'll take a look at what that might mean for customers, and the other bidders throwing their hat in the ring.As the budget edges closer, we hear from the defence sector about what it wants from the Chancellor.And will the price of diesel continue to rise after
Marked absent
Felicity Hannah looks at how AI tools are putting school photography businesses at risk. Elsewhere, we dig into a week of political announcements and pressure at the pumps with our expert panel. And today marks the last day Manchester City can appeal against its more than 100 charges of breaching Premier League financial rules.
Full tank? Empty bank
Sean Farrington takes a look at how energy costs are feeding through to the economy.Elsewhere, the Bank of England Governor tells the BBC that while he thinks artificial intellegence will help boost growth, there is some cause for concern over market valuations of the technology. And, as the second series of The Traitors gets underway, we take a look at some of the sources of the show's success.
Speeches & breaches
Sean Farrington delves into the detail of the Prime Minister's party conference address.Elsewhere, the Premier League confirms that an independent panel has found Manchester guilty of making "sham contracts" with a number of commercial partners. It says this was part of a scheme to disguise secret club funding of more than £830m. Also, a closely-watched forecast predicts a double-digit percentage
Gridlocked?
The PM launches a plan with the aim of helping businesses connect to the grid faster. In his first speech to party conference since taking over as Labour's leader, Burnham will announce the launch of Great British Grid -- a public company that will be able to invest in the grid. Businesses will also get more freedom to "self-build" connections. Sean Farrington takes a look at whether it will diffe
Avanti West Toast
Will Bain hears what the nationalisation of Avanti West Coast will mean for the railways. Elsewhere, with exactly one month until the Budget, Will asks what businesses are hoping for from the Chancellor. And after reports that Manchester City has been found guilty of most of the 115 charges against the club for breaching financial rules, the football world considers what's next.
Splitting the fuel bill?
Felicity Hannah takes a look at what a ban on US exports of diesel could mean for the UK. Elsewhere, our expert panel unpacks a week of climbing bond yields, warnings on AI and a significant meeting between Presidents Xi and Trump. And how do you handle money between friends?
Grape Expectations
Sean Farrington breaks down what’s at stake when Presidents Trump and Xi meet. We also explore the rising cost of protein, and take a look of the business of UK wine as the 2026 harvest gets underway.
Shutdowns and shortages
Sean Farrington explores the potential impacts of an industrial giant's production pause in Hull. And as 100 businesses receive letters from the Government urging them to offer more jobs and work placements to young people, we hear from the skills minister about just how that will be put into practice.
The Andy Burnham Interview
Prime Minister Andy Burnham tells Wake Up to Money that the increase to national insurance has "added pressure" to businesses and tells Felicity Hannah his announcements aimed at tackling the cost of living are not enough on their own and hinted at further support.
Sir Alec Reed
On Wake Up To Money, we talk a lot about jobs, wages and the labour market. And we often hear from the bosses of some of our biggest recruitment firms.One of those is the Reed Group.Sir Alec Reed started the company 65 years ago and made it into one of the UK's biggest private businesses. He was knighted for his services to business and charity in 2011.He'd long stepped down as Chief Executive of
Business of Sport with Sean Farrington
Sean Farrington has a look at the money behind sport - this week: mass-participation events.It's big business - from the thousands of competitors that sign up to take part, to managing the event itself, to the fundraising.Sean hears from Paul Foster, the Chief Executive of The Great Run Company - the company behind the Great North Run and many other events across the country. He'll also speak to N
Business of Sport with Sean Farrington
Sean Farrington speaks to Andrew Georgiou, President & Managing Director of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe and Paul Barber, Chief Executive of Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion FC
Business of Sport with Sean Farrington
Sean Farrington speaks to owner of Worcester City Women FC Nicole Allison and former Head of Women’s Football at The Football Association of Wales Lowri Roberts
Business of Sport with Sean Farrington
Sean speaks to chief executive of British cycling brand Rapha, Fran Millar, and former World Cycling Road Race Champion and four-time British Road Race Champion Lizzie Deignan.
Business of Sport with Sean Farrington
Sean takes a look at the rise of the use in technology in sport. From automated line-calling, VAR & AI data analytics - we ask how tech is shaping the future of sport.
Business of Sport with Sean Farrington
Sean spoke to Padel boss Sam Kemp from R3 Sports, Women's football consultant Andrea Ekblad and sportswear company MandM Chairman Mike Tomkins
Review of the Business Year
Will Bain presents a review of the business year with some of our best interviews from 2024, featuring the biggest stories in money and business this year.
Shein Slammed
Sean Farrington sits down with Superdry boss Julian Dunkerton, who doesn't hold back on Shein. Plus The Friedkin Group has agreed a deal to buy Premier League club Everton.
Trials and Tribunals
What do a football club, a media mogul and a social media giant all have in common?Fresh from another victory, Manchester City faces the start of hearings into its 115 alleged financial fair play charges today - Sean Farrington finds out what's in play.An American court will hear arguments on whether the US government can ban the Chinese social media giant TikTok from the country.And the children
Does rail funding need a revamp?
Felicity Hannah finds out if the private sector should fund a new rail link. And, after the success of the first spacewalk, is the sky the limit when it comes to space tourism?
Trump v Harris
it’s just 8 weeks till the American Election and Trump and Harris go head to head in their first live TV debate. Plus the skills Olympics finally gets underway in Lyon, France.
Apple: Intelligent Thinking?
Sean Farrington takes a look how Apple's latest gadgets will feature all things AI. Plus we find out why ASOS has been getting a lot of backlash online.
Building after Grenfell
Will Bain looks at what has to change in construction following the Grenfell Inquiry.Elsewhere, the Chief Executive of Mountain Warehouse speaks about the company's latest acquisition and broader plans for US expansion, and live music's contribution to the UK economy topped £6bn for the first time last year.
The best of Wake Up To Money 2023
Will Bain looks back at some of the highlights from Wake Up To Money in 2023. There's the story of the takeover of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft including an interview with the Microsoft President Brad Smith which made headlines around the world. Former England and Manchester United footballer Gary Neville explained why he's investing in property and the UK boss of Google Debbie Weinstein told
Wake Up To Money Special - Gary Neville
He's most famous for his football career and more recently, his punditry, but Gary Neville is also hugely successful in the worlds of business and property developing.In this interview, he tells Sean Farrington about his plans for a new £400 million project in the centre of Manchester.They discuss how rising interest rates are affecting the building trade, why Gary feels the hospitality industry i
Wake Up To Money - Elon Musk
The BBC's North America Technology Correspondent James Clayton talks exclusively to Elon Musk about Twitter. They discuss why he bought the social media site, controversy around tackling disinformation and the future for blue ticks.
Boardroom Stories: Sir Ian Livingston
Sir Ian Livingstone talks to Rahul Tandon about founding Games Workshop and the popularity of Dungeons and Dragons. He reveals his collection of hundreds of board games as well as discussing the development of Tomb Raider.
Million By 30: Timothy Armoo, part 2
Timothy Armoo talks to Sean Farrington about his decision to sell the business he founded in a multi-million pound deal. He discusses why he decided to sell, what he's learnt and his plans for what he's going to do next.
Business of Sport: The Ashes
Rahul Tandon looks at the money behind The Ashes. He discusses how important sponsorship is in cricket, how to grow the fanbase and get more people involved in the game. Rahul also speaks to Manoj Badale, one of the owners of the IPL team the Rajasthan Royal.
Boardroom Stories: Guy Hands, founder Terra Firma
One of the biggest names in the world in private equity, Guy Hands, talks candidly about what he calls 'going from hero to zero'.
Speaking with Felicity Hannah he shares his experience of growing his business Terra Firma Capital Partners which became one of the largest investment companies in the world.
He discusses the controversy around his ownership of record label EMI and losing control of th
Boardroom Stories: John Lyttle, Chief Executive, Boohoo
John Lyttle, chief executive of Boohoo, tells Sean Farrington about the company's massive growth and future expansion plans. He says the company doesn't make throwaway fashion and is taking measures to tackle climate change. He also discusses the recent controversy around allegations of mistreatment of staff at some of its suppliers in Leicester.
Business of Sport: Tokyo Olympics
Felicity Hannah looks at how the Olympic games are financed and the competitors are funded. She's joined by Sir Keith Mills, former Deputy Chair of London 2012 organising committee; Nigel Walker who's National Director of the English Institute of Sport; Marie Oldham, Executive chair of the advertising agency VCCP Media and Danny Downs of online sports retailer Fanatics.
The Origins of Reebok
Joe Foster, founder of Reebok talks with Sean Farrington and Reggie Nelson about creating one of the world's biggest brands. From the origins of a family business to breaking America and making trainers a must-have fashion item.
Million By 30: Roei Samuel
Roei Samuel talks to Sean Farrington about setting up e-sports business Real Sport which he sold in a multi-million pound deal and about how having ADHD affected his education and career choices.
Million By 30: Tom Beahon, co-founder Castore
Tom and Phil Beahon set up their sportswear brand Castore in Liverpool after their professional sporting careers came to an end. They chat with Sean about growing the brand, how their parents re-mortgaged their house to give them the money to get it off the ground and working with Sir Andy Murray and football clubs Rangers and Wolves.
Million By 30: CC Clarke
CC Clarke talks to Sean Farrington talks about growing her fanbase to more than two million followers and setting up her make-up business. She discusses how she's carried on with her singing career and dealing with social media trolls.
Business of Sport: Future of Football
After the collapse of plans for a European Super League, Sean Farrington discusses the future of football with current and former club bosses, fans and sport business experts.
Million By 30: Grace Beverley, influencer and founder of sustainable style brand TALA
Sean Farrington chats with Grace Beverley about how she built up a million followers on Instagram before going on to launch her own fitness brand Shreddy and sustainable style brand TALA.
Photo courtesy: Andy Cuthbert
Million By 30: Chester Mojay-Sinclare, founder and chief executive of Enthuse
Sean Farrington chats with Chester Mojay-Sinclare who first got his business off the ground by launching a potato into space. Eleven years later, he has raised over £100 million for charities through his company Enthuse.
Million By 30: Jenna Brown, co-founder and chief executive of Shipamax
How Jenna Brown turned her passion for start-ups into a multi-million backed business.
Million By 30: Alex Lovén, founder of Net World Sports
Sean Farrington chats with Alex Lovén, who started selling cricket bats when he was 13 to his mates at school, graduated to selling the bats on eBay and made £1m in sales by 22 and now, aged 33, his sports equipment business makes £50m in turnover.
Million By 30: Kofi McCalla, The Unknown Vlogs
Kofi McCalla, a menswear fashion YouTuber, on how he hit over 100 million views. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast please visit the BBC Action Line website https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/
Million By 30: Liberty Foreman, CEO and founder of DynamXMedical
Sean Farrington interviews Liberty Foreman, who started up a cancer screening tech company DynamX Medical by spinning it out from her PhD. Since then she’s raised millions in investment all before the company has even turned a profit. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast please visit the BBC Action Line website https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/
Million By 30: Maciek Kacprzyk and Karina Sudenyte, founders of Flawsome!
Sean Farrington interviews Maciek Kacprzyk and Karina Sudenyte, the founders of Flawsome!, a food waste company that saves wonky fruit from landfill and makes them into cold pressed juice and sparkling fruit juice waters.
Million By 30: Timothy Armoo, chief executive of Fanbytes
The story of how 26-year-old Timothy Armoo built a million-pound marketing business.
Million By 30: Adnan Ebrahim, founder of Car Throttle
Sean Farrington chats with Adnan Ebrahim who sold his first website before he was 18. He then founded Car Throttle, which quickly reached millions of followers around the world. He sold it in his mid-20's and has since embarked on a new venture
Business of Sport: Rugby World Cup
Sean Farrington looks at the money behind the Rugby World Cup in Japan including how can smaller countries break into the top tier of the game.
Business of Sport: The Price of Gold
It's a year until the Tokyo Olympics will be getting underway. The British Olympics Association has told us it could be one of the most expensive yet.A number of sports will be making their debut at the games - one of them is competitive climbing. But who sponsors a brand new sport, and how do they get funding?
Business of Sport: Not just about the scores
Sean and Mickey look at how sport is being reported off the pitch, from long reads to podcasts to social media.
Business of Sport: eSports
The industry is worth over $1bn globally. Is it time to take gaming as a competitive activity a bit more seriously?
Boardroom Stories: Sanjeev Gupta, Liberty Steel
Danni Hewson talks with Sanjeev Gupta, boss of one of the world's largest steel producers Liberty Steel.
Boardroom Stories: Co-Op
Chief Executive of the Co-Operative Group, Steve Murrells talks with Danni Hewson about supermarkets; funerals and schools and how it's recovered from a difficult period.
Boardroom Stories: Lovehoney
Lovehoney co-founders Neal Slateford and Richard Longhurst talk about developing their online sex toy company, meeting the Queen and adapting their business for international markets.
Boardroom Stories: Paul Pomroy, McDonald's UK
Wake Up To Money's Sean Farrington meets Paul Pomroy, the Chief Executive of McDonald's for the UK and Ireland to discuss the High Street crisis; plastic straws; Brexit; zero hours contracts and waste.
Boardroom Stories: Linda Jackson, Citroen
Linda Jackson, Chief Executive of Citroen talks about women in the car industry, electric cars and whether the 2CV could ever make a comeback.
Boardroom Stories: Rob Stringer of Sony Music Entertainment
Working with David Bowie on one of pop’s best kept secrets and how he won George Michael back after the star’s bitter split from Sony.
Boardroom Stories: Pure Gym
Humphrey Cobbold, boss of Pure Gym talks to Sean Farrington about how the chain has gone from zero to a million members in less than a decade.Plus how the treadmill is falling out of fashion as workouts change with the times.
Boardroom Stories: Intu's David Fischel
The boss of the company which owns some of the UK’s biggest shopping centres tells Wake Up To Money’s Mickey Clarke that retail is alive and kicking.
Boardroom Stories: Marston's Ralph Findlay
Marston's Chief Executive Ralph Findlay, Quality not quantity: How drinkers’ tastes have changed and why so many restaurants are struggling at the moment.
Boardroom Stories: Domino's Pizza
Domino's Pizza CEO David Wild on executive pay, The Simpsons and chanting.
Boardroom Stories: Bronek Masojada, Hiscox
Terrorism, cyber crime, luxury cars and diamonds. Who says insurance is boring? Bronek Masojada boss of Hiscox talks insurance with Wake Up To Money’s Louise Cooper.
Boardroom Stories: Craig Donaldson
Why banks need more branches and "it was a miserable place to be”: Life at RBS during the bailout.
Boardroom Stories: David Duffy
David Duffy, Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks boss, talks Open Banking, drones and the rise of the robots.
