The Business

Christian Davenport, a journalist at the Washington Post and author of Rocket Dreams, dives into the thrilling competition between Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin. He shares fascinating insights from his interviews with both tech titans and illuminates their differing approaches to space. Davenport discusses the revolutionary shift of space from government to private hands, the implications of mining extraterrestrial resources, and the growing U.S.-China space rivalry. With an eye on future possibilities, he predicts an evolving commercial space economy and the challenges ahead.

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 stratosphere normally reserved for the likes of tech firms.  But the story’s not over. These, and smaller, challenger companies are slogging it out for market dominance. Who can nail the science for the next holy grail in weight loss meds – an oral pill. And what does investor behaviour tell us about where the market is going? Presenters:Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday TimesRichard Fletcher, Business Editor, The TimesGuests:Eleanor Hayward, Health Editor, The TimesPaul Major, portfolio manager at Bellevue Asset managementProducer: 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.

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, or is there more growth to come?Guests:Mehreen Khan, Economics Editor, The Times.James Ashley Morrison, Associate Professor, Department of International Relations and Associate Director of the Phelan United States Centre at the London School of Economics & Political Science.Jim Luke, Portfolio Manager of Schroders Global Gold Fund.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.

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 business? And how exactly are the UK’s largest employers preparing their workforces for the future? In this special bonus episode of The Business, recorded at the Times Tech Summit, Dominic O'Connell chairs a discussion with those at the forefront of this new technology.   Guests:Dr Seth Dobrin, CEO, Qantm AIDanielle Gilliam-Moore, Director, Global Public Policy, SalesforceUmang Paw, Chief Technology Officer, PwC  Hosts:Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday TimesDominic O’Connell, columnist, The Times & business reporter, Times Radio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob Swain, the General Manager of KFC UK & Ireland, shares insights from his extensive career. He discusses the booming £3bn fried chicken market, driven by Gen Z excitement. Competition from newcomers like Wingstop challenges KFC to innovate and stay relevant. Rob dives into the importance of digital marketing strategies, particularly on TikTok, and the brand's commitment to community through youth employment initiatives. Plus, he reveals his favorite KFC items and how the company adapts to changing dietary preferences.

Helen Miller, Director at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, dissects Rachel Reeves's budget, highlighting £26bn in tax rises and a larger fiscal buffer despite a looming debt. Steve Rigby from the Rigby Group shares family business perspectives on missed growth opportunities and the impact of rising minimum wages. Richard Fletcher, Business Editor of The Times, provides insights on market reactions and critiques the absence of substantial tax reform. The discussion shifts towards AI's potential to enhance productivity ahead of the election, leaving listeners with a surprising note of optimism.

Andrew Webley, the founder and CEO of Smarter Web Company, shares his bold pivot from web design to a Bitcoin treasury company amidst a tumultuous crypto market. He discusses the inspiration behind his journey, drawing from Bitcoin evangelist Michael Saylor. Despite his company's share price plummeting, Andrew remains a staunch advocate for Bitcoin's future. He explores the mechanics of valuing Bitcoin treasuries, reveals personal security practices for crypto holdings, and compares Bitcoin's potential to past tech revolutions, advocating for its long-term disruptive impact.

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 at play, Dom and Hannah explore some historical parallels, first with Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York-based financial journalist and author of the book 1929, which explores the market crash of that year. Plus, veteran investment analyst Stephen Clapham joins Dom and Hannah.What can we learn from the market crashes of the past? Is there a brewing AI bubble about to pop? And are there some more troubling, lesser known stress points in the system? Guests: Andrew Ross Sorkin, journalist and author of 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History — and How It Shattered a NationStephen Clapham, veteran investment analyst and founder of Behind the Balance Sheet, an investment research and investor training consultancy Hosts: Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday TimesDominic O’Connell, columnist, The Times & business reporter, Times RadioYou can buy the following books mentioned in this episode at the Times Bookshop:1929 by Andrew Ross SorkinToo big to fail by Andrew Ross SorkinNudge by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R SunsteinEngines that move markets by Alisdair NairnProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonDevelopment Editor: Sandra ShmueliExecutive Producer: Kate FordGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 at PwC and Claire Blackburn, PwC UK Head of Tax, join Dom and Hannah on this bonus episode to consider the choices the Chancellor is facing, what measures she might announce - and what they may indicate for Britain’s economic trajectory.    Guests:Barret Kupelian, UK Chief Economist at PwCClaire Blackburn, PwC UK Head of TaxHosts:Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday TimesDominic O’Connell, columnist, The Times & business reporter, Times Radio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 thrives - in the era of one-click online shopping, why cyber attacks are a daily threat, and what he wants to see from Rachel Reeves's Budget. Plus, Black Friday and why the LED face mask has joined the air fryer as the must have item this Christmas. Guest: Alex Baldock, Chief Executive, CurrysHosts: Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday TimesDominic O’Connell, columnist, The Times & business reporter, Times RadioProducer: Miriam HallSenior Producer: Julia JohnsonDevelopment Editor: Sandra ShmueliExecutive Producer: Kate FordGet in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.