In this episode, Mark Pearson, Head of Economic Development with Reading's Economy and Destination Agency, shares a seminal presentation that he gave at the Reading 100 AI event in September 2026.

The talk shares the challenges that AI presents and the opportunities that the human connection offers to businesses and residents in Reading.

In this episode, Mark speaks with Claire Anderton-Bell, entrepreneur and founder of Spill Bar.

The conversation explores Claire's entrepreneurial journey, her approach to building authentic businesses, the challenges facing independent enterprises, and why she believes Reading is an excellent place to start and grow a business.

In this opening episode, Mark Pearson, Head of Economic Development with Reading's Economy and Destination Agency, introduces Reading's Economic Development Framework (2025–2035), titled "Technology, Talent and Trade."

The episode outlines a long-term vision for transforming Reading into a smarter, greener, fairer, and more competitive economy over the next decade.