James Reed: all about business
'James Reed: all about business' puts you at the heart of fun, dynamic, candid conversation with business leaders, philanthropists and charitable celebrities as they use their journeys to give clear, actionable advice. Hosted by James Reed CBE, the Chairman and CEO of Reed Group, you’ll hear the highs and lows of what it means to be a true business leader to empower you to implement smarter, more meaningful strategy in your business or career.
47: Is this platform a new era beyond OnlyFans?: Innovation VS ethical responsibility | Felix Henderson
How do you balance innovation with ethical responsibility?
This week on All About Business, we’re joined by Felix Henderson, Co-founder and COO of Ohchat, a generative AI business that builds "digital twins" of real-world content creators. In this episode, Felix shares his journey of building a business from the ground up, and provides insight into the AI future of adult entertainment and how an early venture in student housing, and a strategic pivot during the pandemic, led to a service-based business which became a launchpad for his current AI-powered tech venture. Is this the new OnlyFans?
...46: The power of PR: Controlling your brand reputation and the steps to handling a media crisis | Sarah Woodhouse
How do you build a resilient brand and lasting reputation and control chaos when a PR crisis hits?
This week on All About Business, we’re joined by Sarah Woodhouse, co-owner and director at Ambitious PR. With over 25 years of experience in strategic communications, Sarah helps high-growth businesses manage their public image and tell their story with transparency.
In this episode, Sarah offers practical lessons on how to communicate with purpose, prepare for unexpected crises, and tailor your message to connect with the audiences that matter most. She discusses the critical differences between marketing and st...
45. “We lost 11 million in one month!”: What Hays Travel did to go from crisis to smashing £3 Billion | Dame Irene Hays
Dame Irene Hays built Hays Travel with her husband John, growing it from a small counter at the back of a babywear shop into the UK’s largest independent travel agency with 512 branches nationwide. Along the way, she navigated major industry shifts, acquired the legendary Thomas Cook brand, founded the Hays Travel Foundation, and built a leading apprenticeship programme that now employs hundreds of apprentices. But this isn't come without massive hurdles, heartbreak and sheer determination to turn crisis into a success.
In this week’s episode of All About Business, Irene shares the leadership principles and bold...
44. Should you hire ex offenders? Reed's report is here and the verdict is in! | Alex Head
Reed's Report: Employer Attitudes to Hiring People with Criminal Convictions
Resettling into society after prison is a huge challenge — especially when employers are reluctant to hire people with a criminal record. Too often, talented individuals are overlooked, leaving skills and potential untapped, and making them far more likely to reoffend.
In this episode, we dive into the findings of the latest REED report; "Employer attitudes to employing people with criminal convictions.”, and its findings. The report reveals a concerning trend where one in five employers would not consider a candidate with a conviction at all, and...
43. Can we save the post-covid schooling crisis with THIS AI tool? | Phillippa De’Ath
Education is changing fast, and the old ways of running learning institutes are no longer working. Philippa De’Ath set out to solve this when she co-founded Arbor Education, a platform designed to shift the focus of teachers away from admin work and back to what matters most: the students.
In this week’s episode of All About Business, Philippa shares how she and her co-founder built a mission-driven company that is both profitable and has a significant social impact. She reveals the secrets to scaling in a complex, highly regulated industry, from automating routine tasks with AI...
5 top summer takeaways you should hear to grow your business - Part 2
Fresh from the holidays? Here are 5 top summer takeaways to get you inspired and ready for September.
In this special bonus episode of All about Business, we’ve handpicked some of the most valuable insights from our incredible podcast guests. Since launching last October, we’ve had the privilege of hearing the powerful journeys, lessons, and strategies from some of the most successful entrepreneurs out there.
We talk about:
Redefining self and creativity with an ADHD diagnosisStaying true to your business venture with no turnover in the first yearsThe future of customer serviceTesting ideas to b...5 top summer takeaways you should hear to grow your business - Part 1
Fresh from the holidays? Here are 5 top summer takeaways to get you inspired and ready for September.
In this special bonus episode of All about Business, we’ve handpicked some of the most valuable insights from our incredible podcast guests. Since launching last October, we’ve had the privilege of hearing the powerful journeys, lessons, and strategies from some of the most successful entrepreneurs out there.
Timecodes:
00:00 - Intro
00:27 - Takeaway 1 Rob Moore
03:20 - Takeaway 2 Neil Clifford
08:05 - Takeaway 3 Michelle Kennedy
11:18 - Takeaway 4 Nicola Reed
42. Silent Disco Founder: "I didn’t want to build a company; I wanted to build a feeling" | Toby Burns
Great business ideas don’t have to be original, they just have to work. Some of the most successful startups are built by borrowing proven concepts, improving them, and executing better. That’s exactly how Toby Burns, founder and CEO of The Silent Disco Company, built a scalable business from a simple idea.
In this week’s episode of All About Business, Toby shares how he turned a simple idea into a nationwide brand, built on clever systems, high-volume logistics, and relentless execution that started with a few headphones to now powering thousands of events across the UK.
...41. The new poverty line: How working professionals are being pushed into hardship and what to do about it| Mark Game
Just last week, a Data Analyst was forced to turn to charity to feed his family. Once secure in a stable profession, he is now among the growing number of educated, working professionals whose livelihoods have been eroded by soaring inflation, pushing them into hardship. And the crisis shows no signs of easing.
In this week’s episode of All About Business, Mark Game, Co-Founder of The Bread and Butter Thing. They’ve built a business where commercial success and social impact go hand in hand, offering help by rescuing surplus food from major retailers and getting it i...
40. Microsoft’s 6 principles for developing the best AI strategy | Jed Griffiths
AI isn’t the future, it’s already reshaping the way we work, build, and compete. If you’re starting or looking to scale a business right now, understanding how to actually use AI, not just talk about it, could be your biggest edge.
In this week’s episode of All About Business, Microsoft UK’s Chief Digital Officer Jed Griffiths shares what he’s seeing at the front lines of AI adoption. From how enterprises are deploying tools like Copilot to what’s coming next in automation and strategy, Jed offers a rare inside look at how the most p...
39. Smarter, fairer, faster: How AI is redefining graduate hiring | James Uffindell
Most graduates leave university with a degree but little direction, but how do you figure out what to do with your life, and how do you actually get your foot in the door?
In this week’s episode of All About Business, the founder of Bright Network James Uffindell shares the full journey. From his first venture helping students access top universities, to scaling Bright Network into one of the UK's leading platforms for connecting talent with opportunity.
From a working-class upbringing in Warwickshire to founding Bright Network, a tech-driven platform used by over a mi...
38. The chemistry of growth: turning a mould problem into a thriving business | Byron Dixon, OBE
Five years. Zero sales. No paycheck. Most people would’ve given up. Byron Dixon didn’t. Instead, he turned his chemistry knowledge and desire for change into Micro-Fresh. A breakthrough technology now used globally to fight mold, bacteria, and bad smells in everything from school shoes to hospital bedding.
In this episode of All About Business, we meet Byron Dixon, scientist, entrepreneur, and founder of Micro-Fresh. He shares how he went from a council estate in Leicester to living in Denmark and learning from the Scandinavian way of life, to building a global brand that’s protecting lives...
37. Hitting rock bottom to building a global brand from scratch | Matthew Jones, The King of Doughnuts
He pushed himself to the limit and lost everything. But that didn’t stop him from coming back stronger than ever and building a global brand from scratch.
On this episode of All About Business we meet Matthew Jones, founder of Bread Ahead, who teaches us why the road to success isn’t always smooth. For him it was full of late nights, hard lessons, and a brutal turning point that forced him to rebuild his business and his life from the ground up.
When Matthew started making doughnuts at Borough Market, he never expected they...
36. How to get users on your app from day one | Michelle Kennedy
Nearly 10,000 apps are uploaded to the app store every week, and most of them are ignored. So how do you launch one that becomes a movement?
In this episode of All About Business, we’re joined by Michelle Kennedy, founder and CEO of Peanut; the social networking app that has transformed how women connect and help each other through every stage of motherhood.
What does it take to walk away from a top executive role and start from scratch? From pitching with nothing but a deck, to raising over $23 million, to building one of the mo...
35. Cargo without borders: How airships are about to connect the unreachable | Mark Dorey
Did you know that nearly half the planet still isn’t connected? In many places, getting essential supplies like medicine and food is not only costly, it’s nearly impossible. But what if we were standing on the edge of a breakthrough that could change all of that?
On this episode of All About Business, we're joined by Mark Dorey, co-founder and CEO of Straightline Aviation. A pioneering company building hybrid airships designed to deliver cargo to the most remote corners of the world.
No roads, no airports - no problems. It’s a bold missio...
34. The importance of being idle: A serious case for doing less | Tom Hodgkinson
We've long been taught that hard work is beneficial for both body and mind, but is that truly the case? Could there be inherent value in slowing down, embracing rest, and allowing ourselves the space to simply be idle?
Today on 'All About Business', we meet Tom Hodgkinson, founder and editor-in-chief of The Idler Magazine, a publication that teaches its readers the value of slowing down.
In this episode, we learn about the philosophy of idling, challenge traditional beliefs that hard work is inherently good, and explore the idea that true fulfilment, in both life...
33. Surfers Against Sewage: Are we sitting on a public health time bomb? | Giles Bristow
The UK is ranked last in Europe for bathing water quality. With a small team and limited resources, how have a ‘bunch of surfers from Cornwall’ got parliament to listen and launch a commission on England’s chemical cocktail of stinking sewage?
Today’s guest on All About Business is Giles Bristow, CEO of Surfers Against Sewage, a water reform charity that’s been around for over three decades.
In this episode, we discuss the dangers of not taking sustainability seriously, how to get the government to sit up and listen, and why community lies at the hea...
32. What a venture capitalist is REALLY looking for when deciding to invest in your business | Sasha Kaletsky
What should you do if you have a brilliant business idea but don’t have the funds to bring it to life?
In today’s episode of All About Business, I'm joined by venture capitalist Sasha Kaletsky. Sasha is the co-founder of investment firm Creator Ventures which he started with his cousin Caspar Lee. They have injected millions of dollars into digital tech companies in six short years.
In this episode, we explore how to craft the perfect pitch, how social media is shaping our economy, and how you can use simple AI tools to scale yo...
31. MIND GYM: The work-out that will enhance your brain for ultimate productivity | Octavius Black CBE
How can you use psychology to quickly go from struggling employee to productivity machine?
Today’s guest on All About Business is Octavius Black CBE, the co-founder of MindGym, a corporate learning company that merges behavioural science with leadership development to turn struggling teams into powerhouses of productivity.
In this episode, we discuss the psychology behind high performance, why most leadership programmes are a waste of time, and the psychometric test that can predict your team’s future.
Octavius Black CBE is the founder and executive chair of MindGym, a company that delivers corpor...
30. How the Princess of Wales’ favourite designer would build a jewellery brand in 2025 | Kiki McDonough
How would a Jeweller who has become a favourite amongst the royal family start from scratch in 2025?
In this episode of All About Business, James interviews Kiki McDonagh, a fifth-generation jeweler renowned for her work with high-profile clients including Princess Diana and the current Princess of Wales. They discuss how she transformed the perception of fine jewellery, making it more accessible and encouraging women to buy for themselves. She shares insights into her design inspiration, the evolution of her brand, and the importance of business strategies such as starting small, maintaining strict financial oversight, and building customer...
29. From nail art in Dalston to global beauty-tech icon | Sharmadean Reid MBE
How do you build a brand that not only speaks to a whole generation of women, but also transforms an entire industry?
In this episode of All About Business, I sit down with Sharmadean Reid MBE, the trailblazing entrepreneur behind brands such as WAH Nails, Beautystack and The Stack World.
We discuss her experiences navigating the fashion and tech industries, how the pandemic changed her outlook on business, and the inspiration behind her new luxury beauty brand, 39 BC.
Sharmadean Reid MBE is an entrepreneur, creative consultant and advocate for women’s empowerment. Her work...
28. Adapt or die: How can businesses improve efficiency? | Livio Manzini
In December 2020, the UK signed its first post-Brexit trade deal with Turkey, safeguarding a £18.6bn relationship. But how did Turkey become so important for UK business?
In this episode of All About Business, I’m joined by Livio Manzini, Chairman and CEO of Bell Holding, a packaging and services company based in Turkey. We explore Turkey’s secret to efficient manufacturing, why trade wars are bad for everyone, and why ditching the Gregorian calendar might be good for business.
Livio Manzini has been the Chairman and CEO of Bell Holding since 1993. Bell Holding owns packaging and s...
27. Lewis Hamilton’s brand expert reveals the key to building a winning reputation | David Robertson Mitchell
Consistent branding has the power to increase your revenue by up to 20%. But with massive rebrands making headlines for all the wrong reasons, how can you refresh your image without alienating your audience?
In this episode of 'All About Business,' I sit down with David Robertson Mitchell, who spent almost a decade working as a brand consultant for Mercedes’ Formula One team.
We discuss how he helped build Lewis Hamilton’s influential brand with the Mercedes’ Formula One team, the secret to getting your finance director on board with your marketing plans and why Jaguar’...
26. "Net Zero is a Fantasy!" 5 ways to save the economy according to Luke Johnson, former Gails Chairman
With new economic policies forcing UK businesses to tighten their purse strings, how can we keep the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit alive, while also getting the economy back on track?
In this episode of All About Business, I’m joined by Luke Johnson, the serial entrepreneur who spotted some of the UK’s most popular food brands, including Pizza Express, The Ivy and Gail’s Bakery.
We discuss how to spot a winning investment, what the UK should be doing to promote entrepreneurship, and Luke’s five tips for reviving the economy.
Luke Johnson is an...
25. Human-like AI is rewiring our kids' brains! Educating the future generation with Philip Colligan
With 77% of 13-18 year olds using artificial intelligence in some way, how can we make sure young people are using AI effectively while also protecting them from its potential dangers?
In this episode of All About Business, I sit down with Philip Colligan, the CEO of Raspberry Pi Foundation, which provides free AI education to children across the globe. We discuss why AI is becoming more and more human-like, how to build a global network and why asking AI to help with homework might not be such a bad thing.
Philip Colligan is the CEO of...
24. Responding to a crisis: The force behind getting life-saving vaccines to the public | Dame Kate Bingham
The UK’s life science sector is booming, generating over £100 billion in turnover in 2022. And with more and more companies entering the space, how do you marry business and science to create a drug that not only makes money but saves lives.
In this episode of All About Business, I sit down with Dame Kate Bingham, Managing Partner at SV Health Investors, specialising in biotechnology investments. Kate has over 30 years of experience in healthcare investment and led the UK's vaccine task force during COVID-19.
She shares the ins and outs of health care investment, the cha...
23. From shop floor to CEO of Kurt Geiger: How to climb to the top in fashion with Neil Clifford
How do you go from cleaning toilets to running a multi-million pound company?
In this episode of All about business, I sit down with Neil Clifford, the CEO of luxury footwear brand Kurt Geiger. Neil left school with just one O-Level, and rose to become a top player in the retail industry.
We discuss the lessons Neil learned from his early retail jobs, why CEOs shouldn’t work from home, and how he helped turn Kurt Geiger into a multimillion pound international business.
Neil Clifford started his career at Kurt Geiger as a st...
22. 82% of management are 'accidental managers'. Here's how to fix it | Ann Francke, CEO of CMI
A recent YouGov survey found that 82% of managers are ‘accidental'. So, what is an accidental manager? Why are there so many of them, and just how much is it affecting results within your business?
In this episode of All About Business, I sit down with Ann Francke OBE, the CEO of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) which provides training, qualifications and resources for managers.
She reveals her tips for dealing with toxic bosses, how line managers impact employee wellbeing, and the key skills every manager needs to be successful.
About Ann
An...
21. Fix your ops issues and save thousands every year by looking at THIS data | Anita Dougall
How can you use data to increase revenue, improve customer relationships, and make better business decisions?
In today’s episode of All About Business, I speak with Anita Dougall, the co-founder and CEO of data consultancy firm, Sagacity.
Anita started the business in 2005, and since then has helped companies like AA, British Gas, and Moonpig spin their data into business gold.
She reveals how to use data to optimise customer engagement, drive revenue, and resolve the billing issues that could be costing you millions.
About Anita
Anita is the CEO...
20. LADbible Founder: The contract I signed that put me in hospital | Alex Partridge
How do you turn an idea you had at uni into a multimillion-pound enterprise?
UNILAD and LADbible founder, Alex Partridge, started both companies while he was studying at university, and was a millionaire by the time he was 25.
In this episode of All About Business, we discuss the power of social media, the podcast that led to his ADHD diagnosis, and the harrowing court case that almost cost him everything.
About Alex
Alex Partridge is the founder of UNILAD and LADbible, two of the UK's most popular news and entertainment platforms. He...
19. GOOD SQUISH: Harnessing the power of an instagram personality to generate thousands of sales | Billie-Jo Cronin
In a world where consumers are obsessed with Temu and SHEIN, how can you attract customers to your high-end brand while staving off competition from cheaper alternatives?
In this episode of All About Business, I speak with Billie-Jo Cronin, the founder of luxury accessories brand, Good Squish.
Billie-Jo and her brother, Phoenix, bootstrapped the company, selling 1,900 units in under a year, while also gaining celebrity endorsements.
We discuss how they grew the company organically through Instagram, why community is central to their brand, and why local production and quality control go hand in hand...
18. What The UK needs to learn from Silicon Valley about AI: The Hollingsworth Brothers, Fyxer AI
Concern around AI is higher than ever. But could 2025 be ‘make or break’ for businesses who have yet to embrace it?
In this episode of 'All About Business' I talk with sibling duo, Richard and Archie Hollingsworth, founders of Fixer AI.
They discuss their journey from bootstrapping a $5 million agency to spearheading an innovative AI personal assistant tool which they say can give you an hour back every day. They share insights from their transformative stint in Silicon Valley, reflect on the impactful role of AI in modern businesses, and highlight why 2025 is a pivotal year...
17. The world's #1 mental health clinic for the rich and famous: Spotting the signs before it's too late | Jan Gerber
Entrepreneurs often possess traits that drive their success in business. But what if these same traits were also the root cause of deteriorating mental health, and, if left unaddressed, could ultimately lead to the collapse of their entire business?
In this episode of All About Business, I sit down with Jan Gerber, CEO of Paracelsus Recovery, the world’s no.1 exclusive mental health clinic for the rich and famous.
He reveals the traits both entrepreneurs and criminals share, how to foster well-being in the workplace and why mandatory mental health checks might just save your bu...
16. Sir Alec Reed at 91: A British business legend
Businessman, philanthropist, a maverick at turning strange ideas into success.
In this very special episode, and in celebration of his 91st birthday, I sit down with my father, Sir Alec Reed.
Sir Alec founded Reed in 1960 from a carpet shop in Hounslow with just £75 in his pocket. Since then, he’s founded several charities, launched a business school and in 2011, was knighted for his services to business and charity.
Born in Hounslow in 1934, Sir Alec Reed left school at 16 and ten years later founded Reed Recruitment, which has grown into the UK’s largest...
15. Making big decisions whilst sticking to your values with Steph Rix
How can you turn everyday employees into strong leaders who are proud to work for your business?
In this episode of All About Business, I sit down with executive coach and 'Life’s Work' founder, Steph Rix. She explains how you can beat imposter syndrome for good, the difference between leadership and management and how you can use your personal values to become a better leader.
Steph is the Founder and Managing Director of Life’s Work where she provides team, career and Leadership coaching for businesses and individuals.
She has a Masters in Ca...
14. Ruby Wax: Is your workforce frazzled? The science of mindfulness and increasing productivity
With over a quarter of UK workers experiencing negative wellbeing because of work, how can you improve your own mental wellbeing, and stop being frazzled for good?
In this episode of 'All About Business,' I sit down with comedian, writer and mental health advocate Ruby Wax OBE.
We discuss how mindfulness can transform your mental health, how businesses can support struggling colleagues and the time Trump left her stranded in Arkansas.
Ruby Wax OBE is an actress, comedian, writer, television personality, and mental health campaigner. In 2017, Ruby founded the Frazzled Cafe, a com...
13. Taking on a family zoo business and making a success of it | Reggie Heyworth
How do you keep wildlife business running in the face of social, political and cultural change?
In this episode of All About Business, I speak to Reggie Heyworth, the owner of one of the UK’s biggest wildlife parks. Cotswold Wildlife Park, which was started by his father all the way back in 1969. We discuss how he took over the business from his father, how they kept the animals alive during the pandemic as well as his thoughts on the ‘anti-zoo brigade.’
Reggie grew up in the Cotswold Wildlife Park, a business his father started in 1969...
12. How to deliver social impact to drive more profit | Isabel Kelly, Founder of Profit with Purpose
With new sustainability laws coming into play, how can you make sure your organisation is ESG-ready, without sacrificing your bottom line?
In this episode of All About Business, I’m joined by Profit with Purpose founder Isabel Kelly, where we discuss all things ESG. We explore how you can meet your social and environmental goals while still remaining profitable, and how you can develop an authentic strategy that goes hand in hand with your brand
Isabel is the Founder of Profit with Purpose, a consultancy firm that works with companies to create and embed social imp...
Bonus Ep: The Darker Side of Journalism: One Woman's Journey to Fleet Street | Shorts with Sue Douglas part 3
In this episode of 'All About Business', James is joined by Sue Douglas, who transitioned from a medical journalism background to becoming a top Fleet Street editor. She discusses her move to apartheid-era South Africa as a reporter for the Rand Daily Mail and witnessed significant historical events firsthand.
Returning to the UK, she navigated her way through the competitive media landscape, encountering both setbacks and successes, ultimately finding her place in the vibrant and chaotic world of Fleet Street journalism.
Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:28 Guest's Career Beginnings
00:38...
Bonus Ep: Balancing Business Leadership and Family Life | Shorts with Sue Douglas part 2
In this bonus episode of 'All About Business,' Journalist, Tech CEO and Entrepreneur, Sue Douglas, explores the complexities of balancing business management and leadership with personal life responsibilities.
Sue delves into the gender dynamics within professional settings, the historical and biological roles of men and women, and the struggle for achieving a balanced work-life equilibrium. The conversation also touches upon personal anecdotes about parenting, societal expectations, and the implications of more women entering the workforce.
Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:27 Gender Differences and Career Choices
01:12 Balancing Career and...
