Wake Up to Money

Emily McCorkle, owner of Low and Slow, tackles the impact of late payments on small businesses. She highlights how uncertainty affects consumer confidence and planning. April LaRousse from Insight Investment shares insights on the fragile nature of US-China trade relations and warns about the risk for investors. Craig Beaumont, from the Federation of Small Businesses, advocates for stricter rules to enforce timely payments, emphasizing their crucial role in small business survival. Together, they navigate today's economic challenges and offer actionable insights.

In this engaging discussion, Jane Foley, head of FX strategy at Rabobank, and George Ligaris, chief economist and investment strategist at Mazes Wealth Management, delve into the UK’s economic landscape. They dissect the striking 27% drop in car production linked to a cyber attack on Jaguar Land Rover, and unpack the broader economic repercussions it may trigger. The duo also tackles inflation’s hidden aspects, Brexit's impact on growth, and the recent surge in UK stock indices, highlighting its interplay with global trends and AI innovations.

Carleen Jackson, Chief Executive of Cloud9 Insight, shares insights on how AI tools like Microsoft co-pilot are transforming business strategies. George Godberg, a Polar Capital fund manager, discusses the improving inflation landscape and its implications for the market. Julie Ask, a Silicon Valley tech analyst, evaluates OpenAI's new browser, Atlas, finding it promising yet not consumer-ready due to privacy and functionality issues. The trio also explores the growing American investment in UK football, citing undervaluation and documentary interest as key factors.

This discussion features Jane Sydenham, Senior Investment Director at Rathbones, and Graham MacDonald, Chief Executive of JCB. Jane shares insights on inflation dynamics and the impacts of high food prices on households. Graham argues against taxing growth and highlights JCB’s strategy of localizing production to navigate US tariffs. Together, they explore the challenges of the UK’s economic landscape and how future budgets should foster business investment for sustainable growth.

Stephen Kelly, former CEO of Sage and now leading Serato, discusses the implications of the recent AWS outage. He delves into how crucial businesses have become dependent on cloud services and the vulnerabilities they face, particularly in public and retail sectors. Stephen emphasizes the importance of disaster recovery strategies, urging firms to adopt multi-cloud approaches. He also alerts listeners to growing security threats, especially phishing risks, in the wake of such outages. His insights help navigate the complexities of today's tech-dependent landscape.

Tamara Roberts, CEO of Ridgeview Wine Estate, shares insights on the challenges facing the wine industry, from harvest timing to cost-of-living impacts. Emma Wall, Chief Investment Strategist at Hargreaves Lansdown, discusses market volatility and the potential for economic corrections. Jonathan Dudley, from Crow UK, addresses the repercussions of a cyber-attack on Jaguar Land Rover and its effects on the automotive supply chain. Nick Marsh highlights China's economic performance and the push for technological self-sufficiency.

Linda Yu, an economist from Oxford University, discusses the UK’s fiscal challenges and upcoming budget implications, emphasizing the need for stability amidst recurring budget shortfalls. Tom Snellick shares insights on his virtual clay-shooting venue, Clay's, revealing its growth strategy and appeal in shifting social habits. Phil Halliday, from HMV, highlights the resurgence of physical music formats and the ongoing relevance of full albums, especially after Sam Fender's recent Mercury Prize win. Together, they delve into economic trends affecting the high street and consumer behavior.

Rachel Swan, a transportation correspondent for the San Francisco Chronicle, dives into Waymo's upcoming driverless taxis in London, sharing insights from her firsthand reporting. Nicky Fuchs, CEO of Office Space in Town, discusses how new transport technologies might reshape London's culture and attract investment. Will Walker Arnott from Charles Stanley analyzes the implications of shortened banker bonus deferrals on economic behavior. Together, they explore how autonomous vehicles could transform commuting while considering public reactions and regulatory impacts.

Byron Dixon, the founder of Microfresh, discusses the challenges small businesses face, particularly in diversifying supply chains amid rare earths dependence. Lucinda Guthrie shares insights on cautious investor sentiment and declining M&A activity influenced by IMF forecasts for the UK. Meanwhile, Blake Garfield reveals how US-China trade tensions disrupt his mattress business's sourcing decisions and inventory planning, highlighting the broader impact on small businesses navigating tariff uncertainties.

Lindsay Blakely, founder of Bumble and Goose, shares her insights on cybersecurity for small businesses and the challenges of running an online bakery. Philip Bouveraar discusses the complexities of rebuilding Gaza, emphasizing local involvement and infrastructure needs. Eileen Burbage, a tech investor, delves into the surge of AI-related investments and how large firms are creating opportunities for startups. They also explore the growing popularity of caravanning, blending lifestyle appeal with the latest market trends.