The Bottom Line
BBC Radio 4
The definitive business podcast from the BBC. Each week, the BBC's Evan Davis is joined by bosses, entrepreneurs and industry experts, to lift the lid on how their businesses work, and what it’s like to be in charge. They discuss a big issue, a big challenge, or a big question facing their industry. From managing AI to managing millennials, from supermarkets to supercharging a new product.And our guests will share their stories of success and failure along the way. Podcasts are published every Thursday. And as well as being a podcast, we are also available every Thursday afternoon and Tuesday evening on BBC Radio 4. You can now also listen to The Bottom Line on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play The Bottom Line”. It works on most smart speakers.The Bottom Line has published a spin off series - Decisions That Made Me - where Evan asks entrepreneurs and business leaders about the most crucial moments in their lives and careers. You can watch these episodes here: https://t.ly/oJ8lW. Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with Evan and the team on email at bottomline@bbc.co.uk.The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University and is an EcoAudio certified production.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 18, 2021 • 28min
Net Zero in the house
What are the business opportunities in turning our old housing stock green? The UK has some of the least energy-efficient housing in Europe – most of it built before environmentally efficient design was regulated. It’s estimated around a quarter of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy we use for heating, lighting or running appliances in our homes, public buildings or workplaces – and energy used in our homes is the most significant source.How soon can heat pumps, solar panels and better insulation around the house help the UK Government achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2050? And will this ramping up of energy efficiency measures really lead to a green jobs revolution?Guests:Dr Sara Walker, Director of the Centre for Energy, Newcastle University
Neil Hargreaves, Managing Director for Northern Europe at Knauf Insulation
Phil Hurley, Managing Director of Nibe, one of Europe's leading manufacturers of renewable energy products
and Barry Hughes, homeowner at Springfield Meadows - an estate of carbon zero houses.Presenter: Evan Davis
Producer: Lesley McAlpine
Feb 11, 2021 • 28min
The Covid Hangover
What are the long-term implications for the Covid crisis for the British economy. The government has borrowed more money over the last 12 months than ever before in peacetime. The ratio of public debt to national income is above 90%. If it rises even further do we need to worry? How will the chancellor manage the economic pain caused by coronavirus? What will it mean for tax and spending - and is there a route back to growth? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTS
John Kay, economist, author, consultant
Dame Minouche Shafik, director of London School of Economics and Political Science, former deputy governor of the Bank of England
Gemma Tetlow, chief economist, Institute for GovernmentProducer: Julie Ball
Editor: Hugh Levinson
Feb 4, 2021 • 28min
Return to Brexit
Almost five years ago on The Bottom Line - just before the EU referendum – debated the pros and cons of being in the EU. In a tribute to Radio 4’s The Reunion, the programme has reassembled most of the original contributors to get a sense of whether hopes and fears have been delivered. From current customs glitches, aspirations to increase UK global exports, to Brussels red tape versus ease of trading in a European Single Market. What do guests think now?Joining Evan Davis will be:Jon Moynihan, venture capitalist
Rachel Kent, head of financial services regulation at the law firm Hogan Lovells
Julia Gash, artist and entrepreneur
and Christopher Nieper, managing director of clothing manufacturer David Nieper
Dec 11, 2020 • 28min
Competence
From the NHS Test and Trace Service to the lack of PPE at the start of the pandemic - both projects branded as having been incompetently delivered. But do we fail to notice the constraints their senior leadership team operate under? Evan Davis and expert guests discuss why some big public projects like the London 2012 Games went well. While others, like Crossrail, get bogged down in delays and a budget overspend. Just how is competence measured and delivered?Guests:Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, former Chair of the Olympic Delivery Authority
Dame Jackie Daniel, CEO of Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Justin King, former CEO of Sainsbury's, and Vice Chair of Terra Firma
Dec 11, 2020 • 28min
Sector Shutdown
How are industries like live music, travel, conferences and events coping with the pandemic recession - and what plans do they have for survival? These business sectors have been hit disproportionately hard by the dramatic changes in our ways of life. In a programme recorded before the recent announcement of an apparently successful vaccine trial, Evan Davis discusses with business leaders from across these industries.
Producer: Julie BallGUESTSTim Hawkins, Chief Strategy Officer, Manchester Airports GroupCharlotte Gough, Divisional Director, Corporates, MCI GroupPeter Marks, Chief Executive, The Deltic Group
Nov 5, 2020 • 28min
Commercial Property Wars
Commercial landlords and tenants are at odds over unpaid rents due to the pandemic. Many retail, hospitality and leisure businesses are suffering acutely. Most have landlords who collect rent for their premises. In turn, many landlords have to pay interest on their loans to the banks. The pandemic is upsetting that delicate financial balance. It's estimated that billions of pounds is owed to landlords in unpaid rents. Threats of legal action against tenants are hitting the headlines. Just who should take more of the financial hit - commercial landlords or their tenants?GuestsEdward Ziff, Chair and CEO of Town Centre Securities, a property investment firm
Mark Dixon, CEO of International Workplace Group, which rents, develops and sublets office space
and Charlotte Heyes, director of the small pub chain, Common and Co
Oct 29, 2020 • 28min
Bolton Business
How has the pandemic affected commerce in one English town? Bolton's economy has been struck particularly hard by this pandemic. Not only was it subjected to the national lockdown, but it subsequently became a hotspot, under even tighter restrictions. With a town centre that was already in decline, how has this crisis affected local businesses and what does the future hold for the town? Evan Davis and guests discuss. GUESTSJonathan Warburton, Chairman, WarburtonsJoseph Carr, Managing Director, Carrs PastiesMartyn Cox, Deputy Leader, Bolton Council Reporter: Matthew Bone
Producer: Julie Ball
Oct 22, 2020 • 28min
COVID-19 and the gig economy
Is the pandemic a spur to a world of temps and zero hour contracts? Hundreds of thousands of people have been losing their jobs during the crisis. Many are turning to the gig economy to boost their income. Should we welcome the acceleration of the move away from conventional employment? Evan Davis and guests discuss the pros and cons of the expanding gig economy. GuestsXenios Thrasyvoulou, CEO of People Per Hour
Lorna Davidson, CEO of Red Wigwam
Matthew Taylor, CEO of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
and Ed Cross, self-employed courier for Hermes
Oct 16, 2020 • 28min
Cybersecurity
In modern business it's impossible not to be worried about a cyber attack of some form. But how do you lower your chances of attack and what do you do if someone manages to get in your system and data? Evan Davis and guests discuss.GUESTSSian John, director, EMEA, cyber security strategy, Microsoft UKGeoff White, author, 'Crime Dot Com' and investigative technology journalistJake Davis, consultant, Hacker Culture National Centre for Cybersecurity - Cyber Essentials advice for businesses https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberessentials/advicePresenter: Evan Davis
Producer: Julie Ball
Editor: Hugh Levinson
Oct 8, 2020 • 28min
The economy - winter is coming
The second pandemic wave means UK businesses have to live with uncertainty for at least another six months. Those economic green shoots and the summer of 'eat out to help out ' seem a while back. So what are the implications for jobs and overall business viability in this climate? Difficult conversations are going on in boardrooms across the country. Evan Davis with expert guests reflect on the choices businesses face in these extraordinary times. Guests
Nobel economist, Professor Joseph Stiglitz
Wendy Carlin, Professor of Economics at University College London and member of the advisory panel to The Office for Budget Responsibility
Entrepreneur Paul Campbell, founder of Hill Capital Partner
Hannah Bernard, Head of Business Banking at Barclays
