The Business

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A series sponsored by PwC.

Listen on The Business wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on Times Business channel on YouTube.
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How is Pret A Manger turning a London high-street staple into a powerhouse brand? In this episode of The Business, chief executive Pano Christou breaks down the Pret A Manger global strategy, detailing how the company adapts its corporate strategy for international markets while staying true to its British business roots.

Recorded live at The Times Future of London summit, Hannah Prevett sits down with one of retail's most prominent industry leaders. Pano reflects on his 26-year journey from the shop floor to the executive suite, sharing lessons in entrepreneurship, building a resilient model, and navigating changing retail trends and consumer habits.

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Presenter:
Hannah Prevett, associate business editor of The Sunday Times

Guest:
Pano Christou, Chief Executive of Pret A Manger

Producer: Hope Federico
Executive Producers: Miriam Hall and Emily Leahy
Video Producer: Bronwen Latham
Image: Getty
Get in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

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Why is Jaguar Land Rover cutting 4,000 jobs? Dominic O’Connell examines what the news of this major reduction means for the future of British car manufacturing.

In this episode of The Business, we break down the decision by Jaguar Land Rover to cut nearly 10% of its UK workforce as the car maker pushes to save £1.7 billion. With automotive output falling to levels not seen since the 1950s in the UK, we ask whether soaring energy costs, Donald Trump's tariffs, and fierce Chinese competition threaten the wider UK economy and long-term economic growth.

Dominic is joined by Oliver Gill, deputy business editor at The Sunday Times, who broke the story, and David Bailey, professor of business economics at Birmingham Business School. Together, they explore whether Jaguar Land Rover can successfully pivot to luxury electric vehicles, how changing government fiscal policy impacts British business, and whether Prime Minister Andy Burnham's pledge to re-industrialise Britain is realistic.

Guests:

Oliver Gill, deputy business editor at The Sunday Times
David Bailey, professor of business economics at Birmingham Business School

Presenter:

Dominic O’Connell, Times columnist and Times Radio business correspondent

Producer: Hope Federico
Executive Producers: Emily Leahy and Miriam Hall
Video Producer: Bronwen Latham
Get in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by PwC.

Why are so many young people out of work? Government adviser Alan Milburn joins The Business to discuss youth unemployment, the rising number of NEETs (not in employment, education or training) and first jobs.

In this episode, Alan Milburn — who has been examining the surge in young people classified as NEETs — is joined by PwC’s Chief People Officer Philippa O’Connor. Together with hosts Hannah Prevett and Dominic O’Connor, they analyse why tackling youth unemployment is critical for the UK economy and future economic growth.

Drawing on research from the Social Market Foundation and PwC, they explore why British business must invest in entry-level talent, how industry leaders can help young people build a career, and what’s needed to keep young people out of long-term unemployment.

Guests:
Alan Milburn, author of the government-commissioned review into young people and work
Phillippa O’Connor, chief people officer, PwC UK

Presenter:
Hannah Prevett, associate business editor, The Sunday Times
Dominic O’Connell, business correspondent, Times Radio

Producer: Hope Federico
Executive Producer: Emily Leahy

Get in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is English sparkling wine outperforming Champagne to become a fast-growing sector in British business? Dominic O'Connell speaks to Chapel Down CEO James Pennefather.

What was once viewed as a niche agricultural experiment is now a major success story across the UK economy. In this episode of The Business, James Pennefather, chief executive of Britain’s largest wine producer Chapel Down, joins Dominic O’Connell to discuss how domestic vineyards are expanding and reshaping luxury retail trends.

James reveals the corporate strategy behind scaling English sparkling wine to capture a significant part of the global champagne market by 2035. He discusses Kent's chalk soils, navigating export growth in the US, and why younger consumers are embracing local fizz.

Plus, he shares how Chapel Down uses its AIM listing as an innovative marketing tool to turn shareholders into loyal customers, and why English sparkling wine represents a major opportunity for UK entrepreneurship.

"English sparkling wine has the same quality credentials as champagne, but a slightly more approachable positioning," Pennefather says.

Guest:
James Pennefather, Chief Executive of Chapel Down

Presenter:
Dominic O’Connell, Times columnist and Times Radio business correspondent

Video producer: Bronwen Latham
Producer: Hope Federico
Executive Producers: Emily Leahy and Miriam Hall

Photo: Getty
Get in touch: thebusiness@thetimes.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.