The Business

Coming soon…The Business of Formula 1®A series sponsored by PwC.Listen on The Business wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on Times Business channel on YouTube.

How is Pret A Manger turning a London high-street staple into a powerhouse brand? In this episode of The Business, chief executive Pano Christou breaks down the Pret A Manger global strategy, detailing how the company adapts its corporate strategy for international markets while staying true to its British business roots.Recorded live at The Times Future of London summit, Hannah Prevett sits down with one of retail's most prominent industry leaders. Pano reflects on his 26-year journey from the shop floor to the executive suite, sharing lessons in entrepreneurship, building a resilient model, and navigating changing retail trends and consumer habits.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to press follow at the top of your podcast app.Presenter: Hannah Prevett, associate business editor of The Sunday TimesGuest: Pano Christou, Chief Executive of Pret A MangerProducer: Hope FedericoExecutive Producers: Miriam Hall and Emily LeahyVideo Producer: Bronwen LathamImage: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

This episode is sponsored by PwC.Why are so many young people out of work? Government adviser Alan Milburn joins The Business to discuss youth unemployment, the rising number of NEETs (not in employment, education or training) and first jobs.In this episode, Alan Milburn — who has been examining the surge in young people classified as NEETs — is joined by PwC’s Chief People Officer Philippa O’Connor. Together with hosts Hannah Prevett and Dominic O’Connor, they analyse why tackling youth unemployment is critical for the UK economy and future economic growth.Drawing on research from the Social Market Foundation and PwC, they explore why British business must invest in entry-level talent, how industry leaders can help young people build a career, and what’s needed to keep young people out of long-term unemployment.Guests:Alan Milburn, author of the government-commissioned review into young people and workPhillippa O’Connor, chief people officer, PwC UKPresenter:Hannah Prevett, associate business editor, The Sunday TimesDominic O’Connell, business correspondent, Times RadioProducer: Hope FedericoExecutive Producer: Emily Leahy Get in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is English sparkling wine outperforming Champagne to become a fast-growing sector in British business? Dominic O'Connell speaks to Chapel Down CEO James Pennefather.What was once viewed as a niche agricultural experiment is now a major success story across the UK economy. In this episode of The Business, James Pennefather, chief executive of Britain’s largest wine producer Chapel Down, joins Dominic O’Connell to discuss how domestic vineyards are expanding and reshaping luxury retail trends.James reveals the corporate strategy behind scaling English sparkling wine to capture a significant part of the global champagne market by 2035. He discusses Kent's chalk soils, navigating export growth in the US, and why younger consumers are embracing local fizz. Plus, he shares how Chapel Down uses its AIM listing as an innovative marketing tool to turn shareholders into loyal customers, and why English sparkling wine represents a major opportunity for UK entrepreneurship."English sparkling wine has the same quality credentials as champagne, but a slightly more approachable positioning," Pennefather says.Guest:James Pennefather, Chief Executive of Chapel DownPresenter:Dominic O’Connell, Times columnist and Times Radio business correspondentVideo producer: Bronwen Latham Producer: Hope Federico Executive Producers: Emily Leahy and Miriam HallPhoto: Getty Get in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

How will US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and global bond markets impact UK borrowing, John Healey’s UK Budget, and the wider UK economy? Rising inflation rates, soaring government debt, and higher borrowing costs are putting severe pressure on global markets. But can politicians intervene without making things worse?The US Treasury intends to double its buyback operations of government bonds to control yields. But how far can Scott Bessent go before investors lose faith?In this episode of The Business, Dominic O’Connell brings you essential market analysis with The Times economics editor, Mehreen Khan, and Chris Jeffery, Head of Macro Strategy at Legal & General Investment Management. They unpack how spiralling UK borrowing costs affect everything from mortgage rates to pension values, delivering the definitive financial news breakdown.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to press follow at the top of your podcast app.Guests:Chris Jeffery, head of macro strategy, Legal & General Investment ManagementMehreen Khan, economics editor, The TimesPresenter:Dominic O'Connell. business correspondent, Times RadioProducer: Hope FedericoExecutive Producers: Miriam Hall and Emily LeahyVideo Producer: Bronwen LathamImage: Getty Get in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

How did Trinny Woodall build a global cosmetics empire by targeting an overlooked market? Hannah Prevett speaks to the Trinny London founder about entrepreneurship, corporate strategy, and leading a modern British business.In this bonus episode, Trinny Woodall shares how she turned personal brand authority into an innovative enterprise, which she launched at age 53. As one of the UK’s most prominent industry leaders, Trinny Woodall explains why raising capital was challenging, how she navigated changing retail trends - and what it takes to scale a brand."The more we go into AI, the more important it is when you scroll through social, you're being sent an ad or you're seeing something on a billboard ... That company has a soul and it has a code of beliefs which are not to do with the product it's selling you," she says. "That code of beliefs is actually what you relate to and connect with, and therefore, at that top-line level, you agree with what the feeling is, of that brand."If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to press follow at the top of your podcast app and look for the full episode with Trinny Woodall wherever you get your podcasts.Guest:Trinny Woodall, founder and CEO of Trinny LondonPresenter:Hannah Prevett, associate business editor at The Sunday TimesProducer: Hope FedericoExecutive Producer: Miriam Hall and Emily Leahy Video Producer: Bronwen Latham Get in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

How did Trinny Woodall build cosmetics brand Trinny London into a multimillion-pound British business? Hannah Prevett speaks to the founder about reinvention.Few people understand business reinvention quite like Trinny Woodall. Best known for her hit television career, Trinny Woodall launched her cosmetics enterprise Trinny London from her own home in 2017 at age 53. In this episode of The Business, we explore how she navigated fundraising hurdles, targeted the over-40s skincare market, and established a major force in UK retail trends.Trinny Woodall reveals the corporate strategy behind building her beauty brand from scratch, her non-negotiables in hiring, and why establishing a support network of female founders was crucial to her success in entrepreneurship."You need to really build a network of other female founders so that you feel you have women at the same place as you with the same struggles," Woodall says. "Because it's important to sense-check your thought process against somebody who is in a very similar position to you."Guest:Trinny Woodall, founder and CEO of Trinny LondonPresenter:Hannah Prevett, associate business editor, The Sunday TimesProducer: Hope FedericoExecutive Producer: Miriam Hall and Emily Leahy Video Producer: Bronwen Latham Get in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

Is tax policy driving away British business leaders? Hannah Prevett speaks to Castore co-founder Tom Beahon about the future of UK business. In this bonus episode of The Business, Castore Co-founder Tom Beahon shares his concerns that successful entrepreneurs have little incentive to remain in the UK under current fiscal policy - and what changes he hopes Prime Minister Andy Burnham will deliver. Founded in 2015 by Tom and his brother Phil, the sportswear company designs bespoke kits for premier football clubs and has become a major player in retail trends. It was last valued at almost £1 billion.While Beahon has no desire to leave Britain himself, he warns that talented business leaders are choosing international tax havens over building businesses within the UK. He is increasingly concerned that “our best and brightest, our most capable people” are choosing to leave Britain. “Let's not pretend otherwise,” he says on the show. “That is not good - that doesn't make me happy, I don't think it makes anyone in the entrepreneurial community happy.” Beahon argues that the government should be asking why successful British businesspeople are moving abroad, rather than criticising them for doing so. He says the UK needs to become a place where people want to, not only to start businesses, but to build and scale them. Beahon believes Burnham should make some difficult decisions on public spending, warning that there is a limit to how much can be taken from those at the top. If you like this bonus episode, be sure to watch the full interview with Tom Beahon on Times Business, or listen wherever you get your podcasts.Guest:Tom Beahon, co-founder of CastorePresenter:Hannah Prevett, associate business editor at The Sunday TimesProducer: Hope Federico Video Producer: Bronwen LathamExecutive Producers: Emily Leahy and Miriam Hall Photo Credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com