Money Maze Podcast

To celebrate Bremont’s recent successful fundraising round we’ve refreshed this popular interview, originally released in July 2021. Investors in the round included the billionaire hedge fund manager, Bill Ackman, who took a stake in the firm after buying a number of their luxury watches on a visit to London.  When we talk of luxury watches we typically think of Switzerland with its quality engineering and dominant market position, apparently illustrating the economist David Riccardo’s theory of comparative advantage. Yet in this conversation, we learn how Bremont is disrupting the luxury wristwatch market and successfully bringing large scale watchmaking back to UK shores.  Giles English begins by discussing the plane accident that killed his father and almost took his brother’s life as well, yet how the tragedy proved the inspiration to build a luxury watch brand, which can compete with the best. After describing the history of British watch making, with some fascinating anecdotes, Giles explains how he and his brother Nick have approached the two components; building a state of the art watch making capability & developing a luxury brand. Giles describes the engineering challenges involved, the technical aspects of precision engineering, and why seeing the Bremont collections can be a lightbulb moment for collectors. He talks about the collaborations and collections with Jaguar, Concorde, Stephen Hawking and Bletchley Park to name a few, and their vision for the future.  Bremont kindly sponsor the Money Maze Podcast, alongside Schroders,  LiveTrade and  Mintus.

In this episode we talk to someone whose own firm advises some of the world’s most respected finance institutions, especially within the alternative and private assets arena. Jen Prosek explains why she declined the investment banking offers after her MBA, instead following her vision that effective marketing would come to Wall Street. She describes building the business, client engagement, how to pitch more effectively, what mediums to use, and how social media can be harnessed.  She talks about branding, fundraising, content, presentations, and video versus face to face meetings. In an interview filled with great advice for anyone, whatever their stage and age, she tells us that the two most important words are “Just Ask”! Sign up to our newsletter for more in-depth insights | Follow us on LinkedIn The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders,  Bremont Watches, LiveTrade and Mintus.

There are 3 large global management consulting firms considered to be the most prestigious; McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group and Bain & Company. So we’re pleased to feature McKinsey’s Michael Birshan in this conversation, who explains some of the dynamics in the industry and how McKinsey is approaching the challenges and opportunities of 2023. Michael specifically highlights the transition to net zero, and its immense financial implications. He discusses the new markets - like carbon management and natural capital - that are emerging, through to the challenges surrounding incumbents in making necessary shifts (‘better to disrupt yourself than be disrupted’, he notes). There follows a wide-ranging discussion on potential resource shortfalls, the challenge facing corporations in driving innovation, onshoring, talent acquisition, and reinvigorating the languishing UK & mainland Europe public equity markets. Sign up to our newsletter for more in-depth insights | Follow us on LinkedIn The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders,  Bremont Watches, LiveTrade and Mintus.

In Part 2, General Petraeus explains the woeful Russian execution of the war and possible next steps. In this second part of this illuminating conversation, he continues by evaluating NATO cohesion, before discussing China, and, why a mature conversation is essential between China and the West, given their interwoven and critical commercial co-existence. He talks pragmatically but emphatically about trade restrictions in strategic areas, such that there will likely be “higher fences around fewer items”. He then discusses Iran, cyber security, businesses supply chains evolving from “just in time, to just in case”, to the dollar, the individual he would most like to meet, along with other potent insights. Sign up to our newsletter for more in-depth insights | Follow us on LinkedIn The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders,  Bremont Watches, LiveTrade and Mintus.

General David Petraeus has been described as the ultimate soldier/scholar. Targeted by Osama Bin Laden when Commander in Afghanistan, whose communications later revealed that “killing him would alter the war”, he became Director of the CIA and today is Chair of the KKR Global Institute and on their board. In the first part of this absorbing conversation, David Petraeus gives his assessment of the war now, and describes the strategic and tactical failings of Russia compared to the heroic and masterful execution by Ukraine. He discusses the options ahead, the nuclear threat and the emergence of weapons systems and technologies that are altering the nature of war overall. With clarity and candour he provides a brilliant summary almost one year from the start of the invasion and offers thoughts on the conversation and settlement that might follow. Sign up to our newsletter for more in-depth insights | Follow us on LinkedIn The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by  Schroders,  Bremont Watches, LiveTrade and Mintus.

In a captivating discussion, bestselling author Simon Sebag Montefiore, renowned for his works on Russian and world history, delves into the powerful narratives of family dynasties from the Medicis to the Kennedys. He shares insights from his new book, emphasizing how migration and influential families play pivotal roles in shaping nations. Montefiore also reflects on access to Russian archives, revealing the fluctuating relationships with history post-Stalin, while highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of women throughout history.

Founded by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, Andreessen Horowitz (also known as a16z) is a revered venture capital firm which sits at the epicentre of financing entrepreneurial businesses. In this conversation, David Haber, General Partner overseeing fintech investing, begins by discussing his background, including graduating from Harvard, selling his business (Bond Street) to Goldman Sachs in 2017, before joining a16z to establish their first East Coast presence. David is able to offer a unique perspective as both an entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He describes how a16z is growing, its desire to build enduring value by compounding returns and building on competitive advantages. He then explains how they engage with firms of varying size to help them on their journeys and provides an illustration to help frame the conversation. He discusses the private asset explosion, the potential adjustments following this tougher period, risk-taking, hiring, crypto and more! Sign up to our newsletter for more in-depth insights | Follow us on LinkedIn The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders,  Bremont Watches, LiveTrade and Mintus.

In this conversation, we have the opportunity to talk to Alex Rodriguez, or ‘A Rod’ as he is better known, arguably the greatest baseball player of his generation. The discussion moves from how he came to dominate his sport to developing a substantial portfolio of investments and businesses through his investment firm, A-Rod Corp. Alex discusses the early years growing up in Manhattan, his love of baseball and becoming the top prospect in the country, and turning down a university scholarship to sign as a professional. He discusses how Warren Buffett gave him invaluable advice, becoming increasingly involved in real estate and venture, and how he assembles his team. He discusses investment priorities, sifting from the range of opportunities presented, culture, ambition, lessons from sport, and what the future holds. Sign up to our newsletter for more in-depth insights | Follow us on LinkedIn The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders,  Bremont Watches, LiveTrade and Mintus.

Some of tomorrow’s large companies are today’s emerging ones, and in this miniseries we explore the world of venture capital and look at a handful of organisations that operate at a lower level in terms of size, but who are providing critical capital to early and growth-stage companies. In episode 2 of the series, we’re pleased to feature Roberto Italia, CEO of the global, evergreen investment company, Verlinvest. Verlinvest’s portfolio brands include Oatly, Pedego, Purplle.com, Vita Coco, Chewy.com and Tony’s Chocolonely to name a few, and is backed by the families behind AB InBev (the Belgium-based brewing multinational). The discussion covers developing the Oatly brand, investment holding periods, potential exits, consumers’ changing appetites, and the challenges around supply chain re-ordering. Roberto also discusses the headwinds of dealing with inflation, the key takeaways from past investments and the exciting landscape ahead. Sign up to our newsletter for more in-depth insights | Follow us on LinkedIn The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders,  Bremont Watches, LiveTrade and Mintus.

In the first episode of our 4-part Venture Capital Miniseries, we are thrilled to feature Dame Kate Bingham, Managing Partner of SV Health Investors and former Chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce. The much anticipated interview begins with a high level overview of the immense changes that are taking place in the world of medical research which have allowed us to move from treating symptoms to changing the way the body works. Kate describes the various leaps forward across medical conditions and the role SV Health Investors is playing to facilitate this. She discusses their approach, challenges, opportunities and the skills needed to improve the odds of success. She then talks about research excellence, the hurdles in building large biotech enterprises and what the future industry landscape may look like. The conversation then switches to her role as Chair of the Vaccine Taskforce, set up in April 2020 under Boris Johnson to co-ordinate the creation and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine (both in the UK and internationally). She reflects on the obstacles encountered and path to the successful execution of the group’s objectives. Sign up to our newsletter for more in-depth insights | Follow us on LinkedIn The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders,  Bremont Watches, LiveTrade and Mintus.