The Business

Louise Hill, the co-founder and former CEO of GoHenry, and Olivia Jenkins, the founder of the stainless-steel jewellery brand D. Louise, share their inspiring entrepreneurial journeys. They discuss how personal challenges, like grief and parenting, spurred them to launch their successful businesses. The duo offers insights on taking initial steps, the importance of testing products, and navigating the funding landscape, especially for women founders. With practical tips and stories of overcoming hurdles, they motivate listeners to turn their ideas into reality.

Richard Fletcher, Business Editor at The Times, and Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor at The Times, join the discussion on the challenging prospects for 2026. They unpack the surprising resilience of the FTSE 100, driven by gold and defense sectors. Richard delves into the sluggish UK economy, while Katie highlights the tech sector's struggles with AI and infrastructure. They also explore the potential of high-profile US tech IPOs and the looming risks of the AI bubble. Predictions abound as they caution about youth employment impacts.

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: thebusiness@thetimes.comYou can buy The Curious Case of Mike Lynch by Katie Prescott at the Times Bookshop.Listen to The Times Tech Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.