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 challenges that came with leading the UK’s vaccine taskforce, and what she did when the press questioned her credentials. 

Dame Kate Bingham is a venture capitalist and biotech investor. She is best known for her role as the chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she led efforts to procure and distribute vaccines. 

Katie is currently a managing partner at SV Health Investors, specialising in biotechnology investments. 

Kate was awarded a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2021.

Timestamps

02:22 Kate Bingham's career journey

05:42 Precision medicine and disease modification

12:01 The future of healthcare and AI

14:18 Dementia discovery funds and new drugs

20:32 The challenges and rewards of venture capital

24:29 The Importance of constructive relationships in venture capital

30:37 Challenges and successes of the vaccine task force

40:32 Navigating political and public scrutiny

49:59 Women in science and leadership

Links

Follow Kate on LinkedIn

Visit Kate’s company website

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn

All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.com

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

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 store manager and worked his way up to becoming CEO over the course of 20 years. He has been instrumental in expanding the business internationally and launching its online presence. The brand has grown to operate in 28 countries with 57 standalone retail locations.

Neil is also dedicated to giving back to the community, having set up The Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation which aims to raise £1 million every year to support young creatives. The Foundation has also created Business By Design, an academy for 18-20 year olds to upskill and prepare them for careers in fashion.

Timestamps

03:12 First jobs and rising through the retail ranks

13:17  Career breakthroughs

22:12 Private equity and global expansion

37:36 Strategies for business growth

40:05 Personal reflections

50:24 Philanthropy and social responsibility

Links

Check out Kurt Geiger

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn

All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.com

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo Media

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

Ann is CEO of the Chartered Management Institute, an organisation that creates confident leaders through leadership development training, qualifications, and research. She started her career at Procter & Gamble and has held senior executive positions at Mars, Boots, Yell and BSI. 

She is an expert on gender dynamics in the workplace and has written a book about how to create a gender-balanced workplace. 

Ann also wrote the Financial Times Guide to Management and was named as one of the Top 100 Women to Watch in the 2015 Female FTSE Cranfield report. In 2020, she was awarded an OBE for her services to workplace equality.

Timestamps

02:38 The importance of professional management training

06:56 Key skills for new managers

16:49 The impact of conscious leadership

21:37 Dealing with bad management 

31:28 Addressing conflict and toxic behaviour

37:28 The role of line management in organisational success

39:19 Sponsorship vs mentorship

44:56 Examples of effective leadership

48:24 Gender balance and inclusivity in the workplace

51:39 The say-do gap in inclusivity

54:13 The importance of professionalising management

Links

Follow Ann on LinkedIn

Read Ann’s book

Get management training

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn 

All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.com

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

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 and founding partner of Sagacity, a leading consultancy that specialises in providing data-driven insights to help businesses maximise their returns. 

Before co-founding Sagacity in 2005, Anita worked in investment banking. Her experience in financial and commercial roles that relied heavily on technology, led to her becoming an independent consultant, eventually co-founding Sagacity.

In 2025, Anita was recognised on the E2E Female 100 track list, which celebrates the UK’s fastest growing female-led or founded businesses.

Timestamps

00:31 Understanding data

04:55 Improving customer engagement

06:28 Billing and debt collection 

20:03 Anita's career journey

30:13 Business growth

37:30 Choosing the right investor

42:46 Recruitment and company culture

45:58 Data usage and permissions

Links

Visit Sagacity’s website

Read about Anita’s recognition on the E2E Female 100 track list

Follow Anita on LinkedIn

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn

All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.com

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk 

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 has been open about his struggles with ADHD, and has written a book that explores how the diagnosis has impacted his life and career.

Alex also hosts the podcast, ADHD Chatter, where he discusses ADHD with leading experts, celebrities and psychiatrists.

Timestamps

00:43 Alex's early entrepreneurial ventures

03:58 Late-night pizza deliveries

06:19 The birth of UNILAD

09:12 Going viral and building a team

18:08 Challenges and legal battles

22:37 Facing the courtroom: A flashback to childhood anxiety

30:33 Alex’s ADHD diagnosis

40:08 Starting a new career

42:29 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

Links:

Watch Alex’s podcast

Read Alex’s book 

Follow Alex on LinkedIn

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn

All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.com

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit www.flamingo-media.co.uk 

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. 

About Good Squish

Good Squish is an independent brand that specialises in hand-stitched accessories made from dead stock fabrics, which helps to reduce waste by repurposing materials that would otherwise go unused. Their products, which include scrunchies, hair pins, keychains and tote bags, feature whimsical and creative designs. 

Timestamps

01:26: The Concept of Dead Stock

02:22: The Organic Growth Journey

08:31: Maintaining Quality and Customer Satisfaction

14:56: Expanding Internationally

19:35: Working with Family

23:31 Decision-Making and Idea Curation

24:36: Challenges and Benefits of Collaborations

32:40: Celebrity Endorsements and Organic Growth

36:49 Future Plans

Links

Check out the Good Squish website

Follow Good Squish on Instagram

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn

All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.com

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

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 for AI adoption. 

Timestamps

04:24 Building Fixer AI

07:00 Success and Growth of Fixer AI

21:05 The Accelerator Experience

30:04 Moving to San Francisco: A Family Decision

31:02 Cultural Diversity in the Accelerator Program

32:13 Lessons from the American Business Culture

33:14 The Power of Being Direct

36:27 Adapting to the American Market

38:05 Building a Strong Team

41:34 Brothers in Business: Trust and Dynamics

44:46 Hiring and Scaling Up

54:09 Future Goals and Reflections

Links

Follow Archie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/archie-hollingsworth-a07168152/ 

Follow Archie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-hollingsworth-444b8589/ 

Visit Fyxer.AI: https://www.fyxer.com

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chairmanjames/

All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.com

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo Media.

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 business.

Paracelsus Recovery takes a unique, tailored approach to treating its patients and has extensive experience at treating CEOs, UHNW individuals and those with a public profile.

Timestamps:

03:25 Recognizing Burnout and Mental Health Issues

08:17 The Role of Addiction and Self-Medication

12:46 Entrepreneurial Traits and Their Dark Side

19:48 The Concept of Reparenting

23:27 Balancing Physical Health and Business

28:02 The Importance of Confidentiality in Mental Health

34:09 Understanding the Impact of Information Diet

39:58 Building Trust in Mental Health Services

48:12 The Role of Psychedelics in Mental Health Treatment

53:34 Mental Health Strategies for Business Leaders

01:01:36 Promoting Mental Fitness and Resilience

Links:

Follow Jan Gerber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerberjan/

Visit Jan Gerber’s website: https://jangerber.com/

Learn more about Paracelsus Recovery: https://www.paracelsus-recovery.com/en

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chairmanjames/

All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.com

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo Media

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 family-owned recruitment company. Today, he shares his insights from over seven decades in business, the lessons he’s learnt along the way and why ideas are the real currency of business.

Awarded the Beacon Prize in 2010 and knighted in 2011, Sir Alec’s flagship charity initiative, Big Give, has raised over £346 million for a variety of causes, including Womankind and Ethopiaid, both of which he also started.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

02:03 Sir Alec Reed

03:27 Starting Out in Life - Accountant

04:13 Joining Gillette - An Idea Company

04:44 Early Business Ideas - Toy Soldiers

05:43 The Reed Brothers - Printing Business

06:26 Taking The Wrong Course

07:44 A Tremendous Urge to be Self Employed

10:31 Starting An Employment Agency

13:31 Working On Your Own - Undiluted Ideas

16:48 Learning to Raise Alternative Funding

18:45 A Family Business - One Route to Consider - Risks and Benefits

23:43 The End Game - Exits - Inheritance and Selling

25:16 Philanthropy - Foundations and Charities

27:35 Cancer - Selling a Business and Financing a Charity

32:14 A New Approach to Charity - A Social Innovation

34:48 The Big Give

38:36 Looking at Failure as a Road Sign to Change Direction

41:39 Ideas! An Idea a Day as an Exercise

47:51 Wrap Up and Thank You

Links: 

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chairmanjames/

Find out more about Big Give: https://donate.biggive.org/

All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.com

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo Media 

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 Career Development and has been an executive coach for almost ten years.

00:58 Defining Leadership: Self-Awareness and Values

08:08 The Role of Values in Leadership

12:27 Dealing with Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome

17:37 Overcoming Overthinking and Taking Action

23:31 The Importance of Transparency in Organizational Change

28:39 Navigating Difficult Conversations

35:03 Supporting Employee Development on a Budget

40:46 Identifying and Nurturing Potential in Employees

45:20 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Get coaching for your team

Follow Steph on LinkedIn

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn

All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.com

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk