Morning Drive

From our Morning Drive archive, we're bringing together two conversations on the business of luxury and investment. From the growing demand for Italian craftsmanship in the UAE to the changing dynamics of the global diamond market, what is driving high-end consumer spending today? Tim Elliott speaks with Valerio Soldani, Italian Trade Commissioner, and Rodion Ksonzenko, Founder and CEO of Magnat Family DMCC, about luxury retail, investment-grade diamonds, evolving consumer preferences and why Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a global luxury hub.

Can the UAE's homegrown ingredients become the next global food success story? From camel milk and dates to a growing demand for locally made products, the country is embracing innovation, sustainability and food security to shape the future of its food industry. Tim Elliott speaks with Rashid Gargash, Founder of Rashtions, and Hesham Yehia Abd El Hakim, Acting CEO of Camelicious, about why regional ingredients are moving into the mainstream, what's driving investment in local manufacturing, and whether the UAE can build globally competitive food brands. Catch this conversation across Mira Business platforms.

AI is transforming recruitment in the Middle East by cutting through mountain-loads of CVs and streamlining administrative tasks. Tim Elliott is joined by David Mackenzie, Managing Director of Mackenzie Jones, to discuss how automated hiring tools are freeing up recruiters to focus on what matters most: real human connection.

From our Morning Drive archive, we're bringing together two conversations on one of the biggest financial challenges facing workers today: retirement planning. With rising living costs, volatile markets and longer life expectancies reshaping financial goals, are you really saving enough for the future? We speak with Michele Carby, Founder of The Michele Carby Practice, and Independent Financial Consultant James Thomas about the retirement savings gap, common pension mistakes, and the strategies that can help you build long-term financial security.

We're bringing together two conversations on how smart branding can help businesses navigate challenging times. We speak with Stevi Lowmass, Founder and CEO of The Camel Soap Factory, about the "Save Our Soap" campaign to sell 25,000 bars and support the homegrown brand, alongside Lucy Bradley, Brand Commander at Plug and the creative mind behind the campaign, on why bold storytelling and consistent marketing matter most when businesses come under pressure.

As artificial intelligence evolves from recommending financial strategies to executing transactions, could algorithms soon manage, invest, and spend your salary autonomously? Presenter Tim Elliott sits down with UAE-licensed independent financial consultant James Thomas to unpack recent Moody’s research, examining macro fragility, cyber threats, and why personal finance safeguards remain crucial.

We're bringing back one of our previous conversations on the future of higher education and preparing students for the world of work. As universities place greater emphasis on employability, affordability and industry-ready skills, what should students and parents be looking for? Tim Elliott speaks with Dr Anita Patankar, Executive Director of Symbiosis International University Dubai, and Simon Bradbury, Provost of De Montfort University Dubai, about graduate readiness, scholarships, and how higher education is evolving to meet the demands of today's job market. Catch this conversation across Mira Business platforms.

We're bringing together two conversations on why Fujairah is becoming one of the UAE's most strategically important hubs. As global trade routes evolve and supply chains adapt to geopolitical uncertainty, what role will the emirate play in energy, logistics and real estate? We speak with Frank Kane, Editor-at-Large at Arabian Gulf Business Insights, and Ajay Menon, CEO of Luxe Vista Properties, about Fujairah's growing importance to global shipping, energy security, property investment and the UAE's long-term economic growth. 

We're revisiting one of our previous conversations on the changing media landscape and the growing challenge of reporting the news in an age of misinformation. From international headlines about Dubai to the pressures of covering global conflict and maintaining public trust, Tim Elliott speaks with Justin Harper, Editor of Arabian Business and CEO Middle East, Sahim Salim, Editor-UAE at Khaleej Times, and Mark Thompson, Editor-in-Chief of Gulf News, about the responsibility of modern journalism, the fight for credibility, and why accurate reporting matters more than ever. Catch this conversation across Mira Business platforms.

Are experienced workers being squeezed out of the job market? As data reveals higher unemployment rates among over-55s in AI-exposed roles, Mira Business FM’s Tim Elliott speaks with David Mackenzie, Managing Director at Mackenzie Jones Middle East, to discuss regional hiring trends, workplace adaptability, and career longevity.