In this episode of the podcast Mark will be discussing his investment in the Character Group plc, a company engaged in the both the design and worldwide distribution of toys, games and giftware. The business was founded in 1991 and has become a leading purveyor of famous toys such as Pepper Pig, Power Rangers, the Teletubbies, plus dozens more that Mark and I have never heard of.

Links:

The Character Group (corporate): https://www.thecharacter.com/

The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.

If you have a question for Mark for our mini-podcast 'Question in a Bottle' please complete the form on our website at https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto. Seagulls: justkiddink.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, subscriber Joseph Harbin asks Mark, what do you think about buybacks?.

If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk

Question in a Bottle and The Desert Island Investor podcast are generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

The Intertek Group is an FTSE 100 company that provides quality assurance solutions across a wide range of industries. They’re in the business of testing, inspecting and certifying the standards that apply to everything from food production and car engine emissions, to the quality of crude oil and the safety of toys and pharmaceutical products. Mark has recently invested and in this episode he reviews the company behind the stock. We are also giving away a limited number of complimentary tickets to the London Investor Show in October 2025.

Links:

Intertek: https://www.intertek.com/

The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.

If you have a question for Mark for our mini-podcast 'Question in a Bottle' please complete the form on our website at https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto. Seagulls: justkiddink. Big structure collision: Osvoldon. Waves and wind: soundmary. Pigeons taking off: Nakhas.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

The M.P. Evans group plc supplies certified sustainable palm oil to product manufacturers worldwide. The business has an illustrious history, it ticks all the boxes with respect to ESG and through hard work and innovation it is thoroughly deserving of it's impressive market valuation. In this episode our guest castaway is Peter Hadsley-Chaplin, the current non-executive chairman and former CEO of the company. Listen now as he talks to Mark about his role in the success of the business and the inner workings of the M.P. Evans board

Links:

M.P. Evans Group: https://www.mpevans.co.uk/investors/market-prices/share-price

The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.

If you have a question for Mark for our mini-podcast 'Question in a Bottle' please complete the form on our website at https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, subscriber Martin Booth asks Mark, what is your favourite stock?

If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk

Question in a Bottle and The Desert Island Investor podcast are generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

Bioventix are a UK biotech company that specialise in creating antibodies from sheep that are then used in diagnostic blood testing. The ailments that the Bioventix products can accurately detect include vitamin D deficiency, heart conditions, thyroid problems and most recently, Alzheimer’s. Mark has been a shareholder since 2017 and he has recently added to his holding. In this episode of the podcast he talks about his investment and how he sees the future panning out for Bioventix.

Links:

Bioventix: https://www.bioventix.com/

The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.

If you have a question for Mark for our mini-podcast 'Question in a Bottle' please complete the form on our website at https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, subscriber Christopher Leigh asks Mark what his current top ten holdings and weightings are.

If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk

Question in a Bottle and The Desert Island Investor podcast are generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

Fund manager Adam Rackley accredits his robust financial decision making to a lifestyle which includes numerous physical challenges. One of those challenges was to row across the Atlantic Ocean. In this episode of the podcast Mark talks with Adam to find out how that amazing feat of endurance has affected his strategic thinking.

For those that want more details about his transatlantic adventure, Adam has written a book called 'Salt, Sweat, Tears. The Men Who Rowed The Oceans' which you can buy on Amazon.

Links:

Cape Wrath Capital: https://capewrathcapital.com/

The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.

If you have a question for Mark for our mini-podcast 'Question in a Bottle' please complete the form on our website at https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto. Rowing picture: Adam Rackley.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

In this episode of the podcast Mark talks with Joe Barry who is an undergraduate at the London School of Economics and a relatively new private investor. Although Joe is just 20 he manages a small but profitable portfolio and he is looking forward to expanding it as part of his strategy for financial security.

The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.

If you have a question for Mark for our mini-podcast 'Question in a Bottle' please complete the form on our website at https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

In this episode Mark provides an update on the company's share performance. He also takes Paul for lunch at a GREGGS in Manchester where they discover that contrary to widespread belief the company is taking steps to prevent the theft of food from their outlets... just not the steps you might imagine.

Links:

Greggs:
https://www.greggs.co.uk/

The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.

If you have a question for Mark for our mini-podcast 'Question in a Bottle' please complete the form on our website at https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto. Pigeon farm in Palestine: https://freesound.org/s/802459/

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.