Tales of Silicon Valley

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 Producer: Miriam HallPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, columnist at The Times and business correspondent at Times RadioGuests:Pippa Begg, Board IntelligenceRichard Belfield, WTWProducer: Hope FedericoExecutive Producer: Miriam HallPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, and only way to go.PresenterHannah Prevett, associate business editor, Sunday Times Guests:Harry Stebbings, founder, 20VCAmy Knight, founder, Must Have Ideas Producer: Miriam HallExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 university degree a waste of time? And is a commitment to hustle culture imperative to making something of your outfit? Read more: The Young Power List 2026  Five successful entrepreneurs share how they made it without a degree PresenterHannah Prevett, associate business editor, Sunday Times Guests:Harry Stebbings, founder, 20VCAmy Knight, founder, Must Have Ideas Producer: Miriam HallExecutive Producer: Kate FordGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Economist & Head of Research, Panmure LiberumJorge León, Senior Vice President & Head of Geopolitical Analysis, Rystad EnergyProducer: Hope FedericoProducer: Miriam HallExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 increases in the National Minimum Wage, higher national insurance contributions and increases in business rates - many business owners are concerned. So, what exactly is coming down the track? And how can businesses get ready? Presenters:Dominic O’Connell, columnist at The Times and business correspondent at Times RadioHannah Prevett, associate business editor of The Sunday TimesGuests:Brian Whiting, WH PubsShevaun Haviland, Director General at The British Chambers of CommerceProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

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 exploration. So, will the government – having banned new licenses as part of net zero drive – now give them the go ahead?Presenters:Dominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times RadioEmma Powell, media and telecoms editor, The TimesGuests:Tessa Kahn, founder and executive director, Uplift.Chris Wheaton, energy analyst, Stifel. Producer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 drones needed? And how do they get through the complexities of tight budgets, ever-changing technology and tough competition?Presenters:Dominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times RadioHannah Prevett, associate business editor at The Sunday Times Guests:Oliver Gill, Deputy Business Editor at The Sunday TimesNick Sharpe, Chief Executive, ModiniProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Editor, The Sunday TimesDominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times RadioGuests:Sam Smith, co-founder, Super ScalersHelen Cannon, CEO, Ison TravelProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 be, will inflation - only just under control - rise? And, with gas and oil stores in Europe limited, might there be a major energy shock ahead?Presenters:Dominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times RadioHannah Prevett, associate business editor at The Sunday Times Guest:Richard Fletcher, business editor, The Times Dr Amrita Sen, Founder and Director of Market Intelligence at Energy AspectsRead more: Markets complacent over surge in oil price, warns analystProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

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 like for business? What are the tensions, the traps and the opportunities to look out for? In this episode of The Business, Marco Amitrano, Senior Partner PwC UK and Middle East and Lord Gavin Barwell, former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Theresa May, discuss business resilience in an unstable world. Guests Marco Amitrano, Senior Partner PwC UK and Middle East Lord Gavin Barwell, former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Theresa May Hosts:Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday TimesDominic O’Connell, columnist, The Times & business reporter, Times Radio Hosted on Acast. See a

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 trading. Over the past few decades the government has been investing heavily in quantum, and many start-ups have spun out of UK universities. We speak to one UK company that is scaling up, Quantum Motion, to ask - how long it will be before this tech sees a breakthrough on the scale of AI? What is the commercial potential and, as some have suggested, will it break the blockchain? Presenters:Katie Prescott, technology business editor, The Times and host of the Tech PodcastDominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times RadioGuest: James Palles-Dimmock, Chief Executive, Quantum MotionProducer: Mir

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 supercharge our love of travel and how can Luis navigate the possible development of a third runway at Heathrow - Britain’s biggest airport.Presenters:Dominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times RadioHannah Prevett, associate business editor at The Sunday Times Guest:Luis Gallego, CEO of International Airlines GroupProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonExecutive Producer: Kate FordPhoto credit: GettyGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 busin

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

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 Hosted on Acast. See a

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, E

“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 Fo

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 exactly was Mike Lynch? How did he manage to build such a huge tech success story? And how did it all come crashing down?As we end the year, Dom and Hannah have each picked their ‘business book of 2025’. In today’s episode Hannah sits down with Katie Prescott, Times colleague and author of The Curious Case of Mike Lynch.Host: Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday Times.Guest: Katie Prescott, Technology Business editor for The Times, presenter on The Tech Podcast and author of ‘the curious case of Mike Lynch’Clips: GettyPhoto: GettyProducer: Miriam HallExecutive producer: Kate FordGet in touch: thebusin