Bitesize Business Breakfast Podcast

The founder of the Entertainer, who sold the company 5 years ago, is back at the helm. We speak to Donna Benton, CEO of the Entertainer about why she's back and what she is planning to do to bring it back to its glory days. Plus, we talk expansion of the DMCC with Ahmed bin Suleyam. And, another comeback CEO - Dr. Howard Podolsky, who we remember from our COVID coverage, is back leading the Cambridge Medical and Rehabilitation Center.

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We speak to COO Eddy Tannous of Rotana Hotels about their gulf expansion plans. Plus, an extended chat with Professor Afshin Molavi of John Hopkins University on everything from China US relations, Biden v. Trump, and the UAE's upcoming COP28 conference. And, as Donna Benton returns to the Entertainer - we discuss what that means for the BOGOF company. 

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Real Estate mogul Lewis Allsopp says his new research shows that we are headed that way. Meanwhile, Rove Hotels have announced their expansion plan with 10,000 new rooms to be added across the region. The COO Paul Bridger explains. And, when does winter actually begin in the UAE? As Tom and Richard couldn't decide, we asked ChatGPT. 

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We get details of the Pumpkin Spice Latte sales and the most popular drink in the market with Andy Holmes, President of Starbucks at Alshaya. Plus, we talk the economics of space, with the man behind a Dhs19 billion satellite deal in Abu Dhabi: Yahsat finance chief Andrew Cole. And, we speak to H.E. Sheikh Faisal Bin Saoud AlQassimi, Director, Sharjah Airport Authority about the record passenger traffic they have seen this summer. 

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As Rupert Murdoch steps down as chairman of his media empire, we speak to Mazen Nahawi, Founder & CEO of CARMA about the succession of this conglomerate. Plus, we'll hear from some of the Apple enthusiasts queuing up to six hours to register for today's iPhone 15 launch and Ashish Panjabi of Jacky's about the demand for the new phone. 

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We hear from DXB boss Paul Griffiths about the future of the airports and would we see a move to Dubai South. Plus, as the Fed decided to hold interest rates & the UAE Central Bank followed suit, we asked Carla Slim of Standard Chartered Bank what this means for those of us living in the GCC. And, we talk Atlantis's preparations for NYE including a performance from Sting. 

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This is the number from a new Knight Frank report. STR's research says the Middle East's hotel industry is the strongest in the world on metrics such as occupancy and Revpar & Dubai's average room rate sits above the regional average. We get details from Phillip Wooler of STR & Tim Cordon of Radisson Hotel Group. Plus, as New Year's Eve bookings are in full swing in Dubai, we find out from Tony Samuel of Flash ART Dubai about the demand and preparations for the fireworks display. 

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19 Sep 2023. Ameen Jaber, Head of Marketing, Al Masaood Automobiles joined us to explain why they're seeing an increase in demand. Plus, we get the details from the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, where Dubai-based professor Taufiq Rahim is our man on the ground. And, Banking giant Citi says we're at an inflection point when it comes to cross border payments. We'll find out why with their global head of the future of finance - Ronit Ghose. 

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Tech veteran Ashish Panjabi reveals the true state of the local gadget market. Plus, the DIFC starts selling residential property for the first time this week. We speak to Knight Frank about expected demand. And we get on our bike to discuss the business of cycling following the announcement of more investment into the bikey-infrastructure with Anamaria Castillo, Landscape Strategies Director at Khalq Studio. 

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We look at the economics of traffic here in the UAE as motorists continue to complains of congested roads. Phil Clarke of 4E Road Safety & Transport Consultants for the technical side of traffic and what could that mean to our economy with Jeanne Walters, Economist of Emirates NBD. Plus, we talk tall towers with the editor of MEED, who broke the story that Jeddah’s 1 kilometer behemoth is back on track.

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