The Bottom Line

For many graduates an internship has become the default route to full-time, paid employment. But getting a good placement is competitive and in some cases poorly paid or unpaid. What does this mean for social mobility and diversity in the workplace? Evan Davis and guests discuss the pros and cons of internships.

GUESTS

Sarah Churchman, UK Head of Inclusion, Diversity and Wellbeing, PwC

Technological advances have made it easier for businesses to offer us more personalised goods and services, from customised cars to clothes that fit better and pioneering cell and gene therapies to target serious illnesses. How far can this personalisation revolution go?

GUESTS

Darrin Disley, Chief Executive of cell therapy company, Mogrify

There are more than two-and-a-half thousand consumer and business magazine titles on sale in the UK. What is the appeal of magazines and how does the business endure in spite of falling advertising revenues and declining circulation figures?

GUESTS

Wolfgang Blau, President, Conde Nast International

Terri White, Editor-in-Chief, Empire Magazine

Rebecca McGrath, Senior Analyst, Media, Mintel

What's the point of an audit if it fails to detect when a company's about to go under? The sudden collapse of BHS, Carillion and Patisserie Valerie has dented public confidence in the firms that audited them and prompted calls for a shake-up of the audit industry. Would more competition in the sector, which is dominated by four big players, drive audit quality up? Do accountants need to be more robust in challenging company figures?

Joining Evan Davis for The Bottom Line:

Bill Michael, UK Chairman and Senior Partner at KPMG.

Understanding how humans think and what makes them tick can be enormously helpful if you're running a company. Luckily behavioural science is on hand to do just that. How far can its use improve decision making in businesses?

Joining Evan Davis are:

Octavius Black, CEO and Co-founder of MindGym

Higher education in the UK is an astonishingly successful British industry, with an income of almost £35 billion a year. Universities have expanded hugely with more students from home and abroad. But uncertain times lie ahead. Tuition fees are under review and some people in the sector argue Brexit may make it harder to attract students from EU countries. Are universities sustainable as businesses?

Guests:

The Internet of Things promised to revolutionise the way we live and work but what has it delivered and what more is it capable of doing? Join Evan Davis and guests as they discuss The Internet of Things.

GUESTS

Kevin Ashton, Author who coined the phrase the Internet of Things

Caroline Gorski, Global Director of R2 Data Labs, Rolls Royce Plc

Paul Beastall, Head of Strategy, Cambridge Consultants

Has the #MeToo movement made businesses change the way they deal with sexual harassment and gender equality claims in the workplace? Does the law around non-disclosure agreements - often used to hush up this kind of behaviour - need to be changed? Evan Davis and guests discuss.

Samantha Mangwana, Employment Lawyer, Partner, CM Murray

Zelda Perkins, Campaigner and Theatrical Producer

Octavius Black, CEO and Co-founder, TheMindGym

There has been an explosion in the number of craft ale breweries and small-scale gin distilleries in recent years. The so-called super premium alcohol sector is growing. Why are these drinks popular among consumers? Is this a passing fad or is the drinks business facing fundamental change? Evan Davis and guests discuss.

Guests:

Tina Warner-Keogh, partner and co-owner of Warner Edwards Gin Distillery

There is some evidence to suggest we are falling out of love with buying material things. Instead, we want to splash out creating memories that last a lifetime. What does the growth of what's known as the experience economy mean for businesses? Evan Davis and guests discuss.

Guests

Tristram Mayhew, Group Chairman, Go Ape!