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Responsible entrepreneurs and investors are the only hope for a better future
A pioneer of British streetwear and impact investing, Roger Wade founded Boxfresh in 1989 and launched the world’s first pop-up mall, BoxPark Shoreditch, in 2010, which has since expanded to Croydon and Wembley.
After achieving successful exits from both businesses, Roger founded and became chairman of Boxfund VC, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage, purpose-driven consumer brands with a focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) values.
Timestamps:
(00:00:00) – Preview
(00:04:02) – The big problem with today's investors and VCs and their obsession with hype over longevity
(00:13:13) – Why UK-based investors pushing for quick exits and selling to US corporations is a bad idea for sovereignty
(00:18:21) – Can Europe challenge US investment dominance, especially under the Trump Administration?
(00:21:00) – How is Brexit the real catalyst for the UK's economic chaos and empowered US vulture capitalists
(00:23:32) – Why business sectors and professionals need to start understanding and scrutinising current geopolitics
(00:36:00) – How our political leaders allowed major US corporations to destroy the British economy
(00:46:00) – Roger Wade's remarkable story, from poverty and racial attacks, to one of the UK's most pioneering entrepreneurs and VCs
(00:58:17) – The courage to challenge the status quo for business professionals, and why they must start speaking out now!
(01:04:23) – How powerful US corporate lobbying groups have a dangerous influence on UK politics and business
(01:11:50) – Have the current broken, divisive politics and the Middle East conflict exposed the weakness of the status quo
(01:17:34) – Roger's hopeful view of the future: Are you a lover or a hater?
Episode Notes & Citations:
https://ceoretort.com/podcast/guest/2025/11/10/roger-wade-responsible-entrepreneurs-and-investors-are-the-only-hope-for-a-better-future/
Support our independence by becoming a member:
https://CEORetort.com/Support
Check out our new YouTube channel, The CEO Retort Extra: youtube.com/@ceoretortextra
Sponsors & Offers:
- Brain.fm – Peak your productivity on demand with Neuromusic. Get an extended 30-day free trial without limits. Go to Brain.fm/CEOR
- Ground News – See how media bias affects news coverage. Get 40% off top tier: https://check.ground.news/CEORetort
- Saily eSIM – Stay connected worldwide. Use code CEORetort5 for 5% off 10GB & 20GB plans: https://ceoretort.com/saily
Subscribe to The CEO Retort:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CEORetort
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ceo-retort/id1767132889
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ytJdrSK0yGL2OZfTitnp8
Connect with Tim El-Sheikh:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timelsheikh
View all episodes
By Tim El-SheikhA pioneer of British streetwear and impact investing, Roger Wade founded Boxfresh in 1989 and launched the world’s first pop-up mall, BoxPark Shoreditch, in 2010, which has since expanded to Croydon and Wembley.
After achieving successful exits from both businesses, Roger founded and became chairman of Boxfund VC, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage, purpose-driven consumer brands with a focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) values.
Timestamps:
(00:00:00) – Preview
(00:04:02) – The big problem with today's investors and VCs and their obsession with hype over longevity
(00:13:13) – Why UK-based investors pushing for quick exits and selling to US corporations is a bad idea for sovereignty
(00:18:21) – Can Europe challenge US investment dominance, especially under the Trump Administration?
(00:21:00) – How is Brexit the real catalyst for the UK's economic chaos and empowered US vulture capitalists
(00:23:32) – Why business sectors and professionals need to start understanding and scrutinising current geopolitics
(00:36:00) – How our political leaders allowed major US corporations to destroy the British economy
(00:46:00) – Roger Wade's remarkable story, from poverty and racial attacks, to one of the UK's most pioneering entrepreneurs and VCs
(00:58:17) – The courage to challenge the status quo for business professionals, and why they must start speaking out now!
(01:04:23) – How powerful US corporate lobbying groups have a dangerous influence on UK politics and business
(01:11:50) – Have the current broken, divisive politics and the Middle East conflict exposed the weakness of the status quo
(01:17:34) – Roger's hopeful view of the future: Are you a lover or a hater?
Episode Notes & Citations:
https://ceoretort.com/podcast/guest/2025/11/10/roger-wade-responsible-entrepreneurs-and-investors-are-the-only-hope-for-a-better-future/
Support our independence by becoming a member:
https://CEORetort.com/Support
Check out our new YouTube channel, The CEO Retort Extra: youtube.com/@ceoretortextra
Sponsors & Offers:
- Brain.fm – Peak your productivity on demand with Neuromusic. Get an extended 30-day free trial without limits. Go to Brain.fm/CEOR
- Ground News – See how media bias affects news coverage. Get 40% off top tier: https://check.ground.news/CEORetort
- Saily eSIM – Stay connected worldwide. Use code CEORetort5 for 5% off 10GB & 20GB plans: https://ceoretort.com/saily
Subscribe to The CEO Retort:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CEORetort
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ceo-retort/id1767132889
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ytJdrSK0yGL2OZfTitnp8
Connect with Tim El-Sheikh:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timelsheikh