The Business
Hannah Prevett and Dominic O’Connell bring you one big business story you need to know every week. Uncovering the personalities, power plays, boardroom dramas and sheer ambition that drive the world of business, Hannah and Dominic get the inside story from the people who are in the room when the deal goes down - from start-ups to tech titans, market movers to City CEOs.
Episodes
Does Andy Burnham’s government have the guts to deliver growth?
Andy Burnham is officially in No. 10, and his cabinet is in place. Replacing Rachel Reeves’ as Chancellor is John Healey - not, in fact, Shabana Mahmood or Ed Miliband, both names that were thrown around in the lead up. Can the so-called “King of the North” deliver the growth and stability the business community says has been so badly lacking? Amidst a flurry of policy announcements - bus far
Peppa Pig World: What UK hospitality sector hopes for from Andy Burnham
In the words of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Peppa Pig World “is very much my kind of place.” But how does Paultons Park, one of the UK's most popular theme parks, navigate the shifting UK economy? Located in Hampshire, Paultons Park has been in the Mancey family since first opening its doors in 1983. The amusement park now welcomes a million visitors annually. In 2011, the park
EasyJet Takeover: Inside the £5.7bn US private equity bidding war
What does the high-stakes easyJet takeover bid mean for the future of budget travel? We unpack the intense bidding war between US giants Apollo and Castlelake.Last Friday, in the latest twist in the saga for takeover of easyJet, Apollo secured an agreement to buy the airline in a £5.7B deal, gazumping an offer from US private credit group Castlelake. Just days earlier, easyJet had agreed to the Ca
Grindr CEO on Madonna, AI and UK age verification
How have UK age restriction laws affected Grindr’s users? What changes will AI bring to the dating app? And where does Madonna fit into all this?In this episode of The Business, Grindr CEO George Arison joins Dominic O'Connell, Times columnist and Times Radio business correspondent, to discuss Grindr’s cultural prominence, the future of the app, and their recent collaboration with the Queen of Pop
BONUS: The AI bubble, deepfakes and the future of UK tech
Is the AI bubble bound to pop? How can UK companies prevent the malicious use of AI? And is there a role for increased regulation in the AI industry?In this bonus episode of The Business, Synthesia CEO and co-founder Victor Riparbelli joins Hannah Prevett, associate business editor at The Sunday Times, to discuss the company's success in a world of rapidly growing AI companies, the role he thinks
UK unicorn CEO: why Europe is lagging behind on AI
How can we develop an AI ecosystem for UK companies? How can tech startups and scale-ups thrive in the UK and Europe? And how did this UK company nearly double its valuation this year?In this episode of The Business, Synthesia CEO and co-founder Victor Riparbelli joins Hannah Prevett, associate business editor at The Sunday Times, to discuss the company’s rapid success, what AI-generated video cre
Burnham and Business - what could a PM refresh do for the UK economy?
Sir Keir Starmer has resigned, and all eyes are on Andy Burnham as likely new Prime Minister. On The Times Business podcast, Richard Fletcher, business editor of The Times, and Mehreen Khan, economics editor at the paper, join the show to examine what a new Prime Minister might do for the UK economy, the business community and the world of entrepreneurship.Andy Burnham was educated at Cambridge an
BONUS: Kemi Badenoch on UK economic growth at The Times CEO Summit
What will it take to see growth in the British economy again? In this bonus episode of The Business, Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, sets out her answer. Recorded live at The Times CEO Summit, which brings together business leaders and policy makers to discuss current economic challenges and opportunities, Badenoch joined Fraser Nelson to talk growth, regulation and the future of Britain'
Inside Keir Starmer's social media ban
This week on The Business, our sister series, The Times Tech Podcast is taking over the feed. Find full episodes wherever you get your podcasts.Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a ban on social media for under-16s, due to come into effect next year. But questions remain over how it will be enforced, and whether it will actually work. Mark Sellman joins Katie Prescott to answer the key ques
BONUS: How UK companies can land their big, American break
What does it take for a British business to make it in the United States? In this episode, we hear from the people who’ve managed to pull it off. UK chief executive of the PR firm Grayling, Heather Blundell, is alongside the Berry co-founder Ryan Burnham and designer Freya Rose Archer for this special episode recorded in Los Angeles at the 2026 Greater Together LA summit. They discuss the opp
Rivals or partners? What the US relationship means for UK business
This episode is sponsored by PwC. Is the so-called 'special relationship’ between the United Kingdom and United States alive and well? Amid political tensions, have these ties frayed - and what does this mean for the business community?In an episode recorded at the UK Government’s Greater Together LA programme, we take a practical look at what growth and opportunities are available to UK busi
BONUS: ARIA's Kathleen Fisher on AI in business, risk-taking and the future of the UK economy
Kathleen Fisher, chief executive of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), joins Hannah Prevett for her first major interview since taking charge of the UK's high-risk research agency.Created in 2023, Aria was the invention of Conservative Party adviser Dominic Cummings. Inspired by the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) - where Fisher previously worked - ARIA was des
Business secretary Peter Kyle: how to produce a British SpaceX
Labour's Secretary of State for Business, Peter Kyle, joins us in the studio to answer some of the most pressing questions facing the UK economy: how does Britain position itself as a legitimate global destination for business, investment, and innovation? “We have the potential to scale fast, but too often companies are leaving this country when they get to a need for a certain size of invest
IPOs go ‘mega’ – should we be worried?
The three largest share listings ever are about to happen. SpaceX, Anthropic and OpenAI are set to sell their shares to the public, and each will be valued at one trillion dollars or more. On this episode of the Business, we ask: How will the markets find the money? Should we be worried about the world stock market being even more dominated by a tiny handful of companies? And will we ever see
Nuclear fusion, holy grail of clean energy
Nuclear fusion proponents believe their technology will supply power through the grid by the 2030s. These hopes come at a time when private investment in the commercial industry exceeds $10bn globally. Is the industry on the cusp of greatness? What companies are getting in early? Presenter:Dominic O’Connell, columnist at The Times and business correspondent at Times RadioGuests:Warrick M
BONUS: Inside the SpaceX monopoly
SpaceX - which last week confirmed its plans to go public - dominates orbital launches. So what does its monopoly mean for other players in the space tech world? In this bonus episode, part of our recent conversation with Mark Bogett, chief executive of Seraphim Space, we discuss the commercial impacts of SpaceX's market control.Presenter:Dominic O’Connell, columnist at The Times and business corr
Could an AI revolution keep Britain working?
This episode of the Business is sponsored by PwC. Anxiety about how artificial intelligence will impact companies, employees and careers is reaching a fever pitch. Workers are beginning to ask: will technology wipe out entire sections of the employment base? On this episode of The Business, we consider how organisations can turn that uncertainty and fear into hope and opportuni
Lift off for the space economy
This week, Elon Musk’s satellite and rocket production company SpaceX confirmed its plan to take the company public. As part of the IPO, according to the securities filing, the company plans to offer retail investors the chance to buy stock. Could it all be a game changer for the space sector? And will this mean a wall of money chasing space-related opportunities? Presenter:Dominic O’Con
A new PM? What next for the economy and business
The uncertainty dominating British politics in the last half decade has ramped up to a full-blown drama in recent days. As uncertainty hangs over Prime MInister Keir Starmer's premiership and a possible leadership challenge looms, we consider: what does this chaos mean for the British business community?Presenter:Dominic O’Connell, columnist at The Times and business correspondent at Times RadioGu
BONUS: An insider’s guide to building a LinkedIn following
LinkedIn is not without its critics, but there is no doubt it provides a great way for professionals and founders to build a following, a presence and to share their ideas. We asked LinkedIn’s chief economic opportunity officer Aneesh Raman about the best ways to use the platform. Read more: Crying videos on LinkedIn? It’s not a good look, says top execPresenter:Hannah Prevett, associate busi
Why honing ‘human’ skills could AI-proof your career
The impact of Artificial Intelligence on the workplace is inevitable - but are there ways to protect your business and career? Aneesh Raman, chief economic opportunity office and the co-author of Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI tells us why the impact of AI is not pre-determined, and how workers should go about adapting to this rapidly changing environment. Presenters:Han
Can cinemas survive the doomscroll?
Cinemas have had a rough fight for audiences ever since television arrived in our homes. The competition is now tougher than ever - streaming services, all kinds of online content available for free, and a culture hooked on short, endlessly scrollable clips. What is cinema’s role in this new entertainment economy - and can it still thrive?Presenter:Hannah Prevett, associate business editor of The
BONUS: Are boards turning their backs on ESG-related pay?
How much pressure is there on companies to dial back on linking pay to ESG -- environment, social and governance -- in light of the Trump administration? Presenters:Hannah Prevett, associate business editor of The Sunday TimesDominic O’Connell, columnist at The Times and business correspondent at Times RadioGuests:Pippa Begg, Board IntelligenceRichard Belfield, WTWProducer: Hope FedericoExecutive
Are UK execs underpaid? Or just greedy?
British companies have nearly always paid less than the Americans – but as the global war for talent heats up, is lower remuneration costing the UK a competitive edge? Read more:Could US-style 1,000% bonuses be heading to the City?Jaw-dropping salaries put top AI talent out of reach for UK unicornsPresenters:Hannah Prevett, associate business editor of The Sunday TimesDominic O’Connell, colum
BONUS: Young founders on rejecting WFH
Last week, two successful young UK founders joined The Business - venture capitalist Harry Stebbings, who founded 20VC and Amy knight, whose company Must Have Ideas sells home cleaning products. Both have a full in-office policy, believing it is best for their companies, and the only way for their staff to thrive. In this bonus episode, we talk about why they believe "in-office" is the best,
How UK's youngest founders made it big
The Sunday Times Young Power List drops today: 30 of the nation’s most inspiring, influential people who are under the age of 30. On this episode, we’re speaking to two members of the next generation of British business talent about taking a leap, building a company in your early twenties– and what it’s like to launch a venture in the UK today. Is age a barrier to forming a business? Is unive
What does the Iran war mean for your business?
With stock prices and energy costs reeling as the fragile Middle East ceasefire threatens to shatter, we ask what happens next for global business? And what has the conflict taught us about long-term weaknesses in the British economy?Presenters:Hannah Prevett, associate business editor of The Sunday TimesRichard Fletcher, business editor of The Times Guests:Simon French, Chief
New workers' rights - business winner or killer?
New week, the government’s Employment Rights Act begins to take effect. The legislation, a fulfillment of one of Labour’s biggest manifesto promises, changes sick pay, parental leave and unfair dismissal rights. Plus, future measures will target zero hours contracts. Keir Starmer has described the legislation as the “biggest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation”. But - coming on top of
Drill baby drill? The new battle for the North Sea
As the conflict in the Middle East threatens to whack the world economy with an energy shock - and possibly a huge recession, the debate about the UK’s North Sea has re-ignited. Should we be drilling there to help our energy security in a volatile global market? There’s now a growing chorus of voices, from surprising places, calling on the government to support more North Sea exploratio
Inside the drone war - With CEO of Modini Nick Sharpe
Drones are transforming war, from Ukraine to the Middle East - some 80 percent of battlefield casualties in Ukraine are now the result of drone strikes. The devices are cheap to manufacture, are transforming military strategy but represent a massive challenge for the British armed forces as they try to modernise. It is also a business challenge. So, which companies are best-placed to make the dron
The £50m Club: The hard truth about scaling a business
While the UK is a breeding ground for brilliant ideas, very few start-ups ever reach "supersize" status. So what are the hurdles preventing British companies from joining the £50M+ revenue club? This week we consider a new report from the Scale-up Institute about female-founded businesses which shows that it may not just be about the funding. Presenters:Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Edit
Worse than expected? Why Iran could trigger a major energy shock
The attack on Iran and its consequences have sent shockwaves around the global economy, hitting stock markets, airlines and energy supplies. UK gas prices have nearly doubled and the flow of a fifth of the world’s crude oil supply - which travels through the Strait of Hormuz in tankers - has largely ground to a halt.As the ripple effect is felt across the world, how harsh will the economic fallout
A new era of geopolitics: Leading when you can't see what's coming
This episode of The Business is sponsored by PwC. It was recorded before the recent attacks on Iran by the US and Israel.At Davos this year, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke of “a rupture in the world order”. And ahead of the Munich Security Conference, Marco Rubio, United States Secretary of State described “a new era of geopolitics”. What does that new era look lik
Will quantum computing change everything? With Quantum Motion CEO
Quantum computing has been described as “the next big thing “ - a tech revolution to rival AI that could have implications across sectors as diverse as finance, chemicals, life sciences and manufacturing. This cutting-edge tech - which uses quantum physics to solve problems much faster than today’s regular computers - is already being used by HSBC. The bank has trialled IBM’s quantum technology in
A new runway for Heathrow? With IAG boss Luis Gallego
Making money out of airlines is tough. Warren Buffett once said if he had a time machine he would go back and shoot the Wright Brothers. Luis Gallego made his mark turning around the Spanish airline Iberia and in 2020 he got the top job at International Airlines Group, parent company of Aer Lingus, Iberia, Vueling and British Airways. So how do you run an airline, how did covid supercha
How a ‘creator mindset’ can supercharge your business - With Sidemen manager Jordan Schwarzenberger
The numbers behind YouTube juggernaut The Sidemen - the seven-strong collective often referred to as the UK’s answer to MrBeast - are nothing short of staggering. What began as a group of friends playing Grand Theft Auto as a hobby and uploading it online is now a nine-figure empire spanning multiple channels, merchandise, a fried chicken chain, a vodka brand and a netflix reality show. The offici
The ‘secret sauce’ of success - With Octopus Energy CEO, Greg Jackson
Octopus Energy has gone from market entrant to market leader in just 10 years. Greg Jackson, chief executive and co-founder is at the forefront of this business success story. The secret sauce? It’s nothing to do with energy - it’s the Kraken software that links the company to its customers and suppliers. So how did he do it? Why does he think 'spaghetti stacks' of ancient software are what’s
Lazy, Entitled… or just honest? How Gen Z is redefining the world of work
By 2030, there will be five generations in the workplace and the majority will be Gen Z. The first post-internet generation, some characterise them as entitled, anxious and difficult to manage. But they’ve also contended with a pandemic during their school and early career years, major financial insecurity and intense geopolitical concerns. So what makes them tick as workers? How can managers
Trumponomics: who wins and who loses?
US President Donald Trump’s much-anticipated appearance at the World Economic Forum at Davos certainly did not disappoint. After threatening to take Greenland into US control - and slap punitive tariffs on NATO allies that stood in his way - he promptly backed down late Wednesday. While the immediate reaction at the Swiss resort was one of relief, it has left world leaders and the global business
How to start your own business - With founders of GoHenry & D. Louise
“I blame it on my kids” - that’s how Louise Hill, founder of multi-million pound business GoHenry - a financial app for kids - describes what motivated her to start her business. And Olivia Jenkins, founder of jewellery company D. Louise, put down the ‘giant backpack’ of grief weighing her down to set up on her own. If you’ve ever thought of starting your own business, maybe January - and the
2026: Sunshine or a gathering storm?
The economy is sluggish, growth elusive, and unemployment is heading for 5% - 2026 looks tough for business. But, the FTSE 100 has broken 10,000 points for the first time, gold keeps on going up, and up in value - and still the AI bubble hasn’t burst. From Davos parties, to driverless cars, what's up, what’s down? And how do you prepare yourself for 2026?Presenters:Hannah Prevett, Associate B
The curious case of Mike Lynch
British tech billionaire Mike Lynch died in August 2024, on board The Bayesian, his luxury superyacht, sunk by a freak storm as it was moored off Sicily. He’d been there with his family and closest associates to celebrate his acquittal of criminal fraud charges in the US. It was a tragic end to the story of a self-made business man - a man who was one of Britain’s biggest titans of tech. So, who e
Musk vs Bezos: The new race for space
In space, a battle between big business is taking place as two of the world’s wealthiest men vie for dominance. Elon Musk’s Space X and Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin have taken the space industry in the US out of the hands of government and into the hands of the private sector. But what are the consequences? Who will win the commercial race to extract crucial minerals from outer space? And who will pol
The battle of the fat jabs
2025 has been a wild ride of big pharma - driven by explosive use of revolutionary weight-loss medication - pushing one of the biggest manufacturers, Eli Lilly, to a trillion-dollar valuation. A dramatic takeover war also saw Denmark’s pharma darling Novo Nordisk trumped by US giant Pfizer. Now, while Novo’s share price is down 50% over the course of the year, Lilly is in the stratospher
Gold Rush: Boom or bubble?
Gold, the world's oldest asset, is experiencing a remarkable boom. Its value has surged from just over £2000 per ounce a year ago to well over £3000 today, reaching highs not seen since the 1970s. This rapid rise is unusual because gold typically peaks when stock markets decline, yet this rally has coincided with booming equity markets. So, what is driving the value up? Have we reached the peak, o
Bonus: AI - Reshaping Britain’s workforce
This episode of The Business is sponsored by PwC.As AI rapidly reshapes the world of work, businesses face the biggest transformation since the industrial revolution. While 90% of CEOs surveyed are investing in AI, only 15% are currently getting the value. So, what are the tools driving productivity gains? How can companies move AI from an IT project to one that’s truly integrated across the busin
Chicken Wars: Can KFC still rule the roost? With KFC's Rob Swain
Fried chicken is booming in Britain - the market is now worth over £3bn a year. Up and down high streets, a whole new generation of fast food chicken restaurants have sprung up, buzzy US imports like Wingstop and Dave’s Hot Chicken, putting pressure on the established brands.In part, it’s down to Gen Z enthusiasm, driven by pop culture hits like Chicken Shop Date as well as viral ASMR videos of cr
Rachel Reeves’s high tax, high spend budget
It’s being described as a "smorgasbord" of a budget - an offer from Rachel Reeves made up not of big, bold moves but of small, bite-sized titbits. But tax is up, spending is up and debt is still high - so do the measures add up to anything appetising for business at all? We pick over the details, from the big picture to the small tweaks in this budget special.Guests: Helen Miller, Institute f
Britain’s biggest bitcoin buyer - with Smarter Web Company's Andrew Webley
More than $1 trillion has been wiped from the Crypto market in just six short weeks, but on The Business we hear from a man who still trusts Bitcoin more than any other currency. While many around the world fret about crypto crooks and markets that can be spooked by vibes alone, what’s it like to be ‘all in’ on Bitcoin? Andrew Webley, the founder and chief executive of the The Smarter Web Com
Are trillion dollar tech stocks about to pop? With Andrew Ross Sorkin
There are few things that are as fascinating, thrilling - and sometimes as completely confounding - as the stock market. Right now, that's as true as ever. Consider Nvidia, which became the world's first $5 trillion company last month - putting its value higher than the GDP of every country except the US and China. Is there a logic to it, or is this plain madness? To get a grip on the forces
Bonus: Budget preview - headroom and hard choices
This episode of The Business is sponsored by PwC.All eyes are on Chancellor Rachel Reeves as she prepares her autumn Budget. There have been hints at manifesto-breaking tax increases as she warns that everyone will have to do their “bit for the security of our country and the brightness of its future.” But what could all that mean in practice for business? Barret Kupelian, UK Chief Economist
Cyber attacks and surviving Amazon - with Currys CEO Alex Baldock
What is it like to have a window into the spending habits of 80 percent of British households? Alex Baldock knows very well. As the chief executive of Currys, he leads one of the nation’s biggest retailers, a job that involves overseeing hundreds of bricks and mortar stores across six countries - and some 24,000 employees.Alex joins Hannah and Dom to talk about how a retail business survives - and
The rise of the corporate landlord - with Grainger's Helen Gordon
Labour has gone in hard with a big, bold promise - build 1.5 million homes over the course of this parliament. That means 300,000 homes a year, a target it is already failing to hit. In fact, just this week, Britain’s developers told the Office for Budget Responsibility the end-of-decade building goal will not be met, and its forecast for economic growth from homebuilding is far too optimistic.&nb
Mind the (pay) gap - with Grayling's Heather Blundell
It’s widely acknowledged that diversity is good for business, but white men still dominate the top echelons of UK companies. The pay gap, though narrowing, persists - and, across the workforce, men outearn women by 13%. So, fifty years after the Equal Pay Act came into force, why are some businesses still not taking it seriously? And what can companies do to fix it?Guest: Edwina Dunn, entrepr
How to build a British unicorn - with Quantexa's Vishal Marria
Vishal Marria is a homegrown business success story; a Balham local who took the leap from his secure job to launch his own company that is now worth over £2B - achieving that mythical unicorn status. His firm Quantexa, which uses AI to help companies make sense of big data, raised £140M earlier this year to make acquisitions and fund further expansion in the US - and now may be on the cusp o
A grim future, Farage and Man United - with Sir Jim Ratcliffe
He's one of Britain's most successful industrialists and part-owner of Manchester United. Sir Jim Ratcliffe - regularly found near the top of the Sunday Times rich list with an estimated wealth of over £17bn - is the founder and CEO of the chemicals giant INEOS. So what's the future for his business? Why does he think Net Zero is a disaster? And how will he make Man United 'the most profitable clu
Introducing The Business
A new weekly podcast all about the world of business starts on Thursday 9th October. Today's biggest companies wield more influence than many countries. The people who run them are visionaries, philanthropists - and sometimes crooks. With new technologies and business opportunities emerging daily, never before has navigating this ever-changing landscape been more important. Uncovering the per
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