The Business

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 official YouTube channel has more than 22 million subscribers. So, what has driven their stratospheric growth? Jordan Schwarzenberger, CEO of management and venture company Arcade, has managed the group for the last five years and joins the Business to talk over the strategy behind its online presence - and what businesses and individuals can learn from their success. He walks through his career trajectory, the booming creator industry, and why content remains so overlooked in company and career development. Presenters:Dominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times RadioHannah Prevett, associate business editor at The Sunday Times Guest:Jordan Schwarzenberger, co-founder of Arcade MediaProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

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 holding so many businesses back? And what plans does he have to float Kraken? From memories of his failed career as a game designer, why corporate life can be addictive - and why he thinks business leaders should be optimistic in a challenging world, Dom and Katie hear his lessons from the frontline.Presenters:Dominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times RadioKatie Prescott, Technology Business Editor, The Times and host of the Times Tech PodcastGuest:Greg Jackson, CEO and co-founder, Octopus EnergyProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

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 best motivate - and retain - their ambitious, outspoken Gen Z staff? And what does that future workplace look like when flexibility is the norm and AI is undertaking many of the tasks once done by juniors?Presenters:Modupe Omitola, journalist at The Times. Dominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times RadioGuests:Ann Francke, Chief Executive, Chartered Management Institute and Times contributorMurvah Iqbal, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Hived Producer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

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 community with a serious case of whiplash. In this episode, we consider how the world according to Trump is impacting investors, global markets and economies around the world. Just how damaging could those tariffs have been to the UK and EU? Why are Trump's attacks on the Chair of the Federal Reserve so consequential for the global economy?  And what’s the knock-on effect of Trumponomics on British business?Presenters:Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday TimesJosh Glancy, Associate Editor, The Sunday Times Guests:Yael Selfin, Vice Chair and Chief Economist, KPMG UK Jack Barnett, Economics Correspondent, The TimesRichard Fletcher, Business Editor, The TimesProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.comClips: CBS Texas, Channel 4, BBC, CNBC, NBC news 

“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 beginning of a new year - is the perfect time to break free of the 9-5 drudgery and realise your own brilliant idea. But where to start? How do you turn your passion project into a thriving business? Today, we hear from Louise and Olivia - as they join Dom and Hannah to give their advice on how to make it all work. Presenters:Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday TimesDominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times RadioGuests:Louise Hill, Co-founder and CEO, GoHenryOlivia Jenkins, Founder and CEO, D. LouiseProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

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 Business Editor, The Sunday TimesDominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times RadioGuests:Richard Fletcher, Business Editor, The TimesKatie Prescott, Technology Business Editor, The TimesProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com