The Flint Podcast

In this episode, Flint experts examine the key announcements from this year’s Labour Party Conference, Andy Burnham’s first as Labour leader and Prime Minister.

They explore the priorities set out by the Prime Minister, Chancellor and wider Cabinet, what the conference reveals about Burnham’s approach compared with his predecessor, and what this means for the Government’s policy programme, forthcoming Budget and 10-year plan.

Flint Partner, Kiran Horwich chairs a discussion between:

• Sam White, Specialist Partner, formerly Chief of Staff to Keir Starmer and Special Adviser to Chancellor Alistair Darling in the previous Labour Government
• Siôn Simon, Specialist Partner, former Labour MP, MEP, Metro Mayor candidate and Minister in the last Labour Government
• Virginia Sentance, Partner, former Director at Labour Together and UK Government official, including as part of the Cabinet Office leadership team delivering the UK’s COP26 Presidency

In this episode, Flint experts examine what Andy Burnham's premiership means for policy and politics, as he took office on 20 July with relatively little yet set out publicly about his plans. 

They explore the priorities likely to shape Burnham's and his Cabinet's agenda, the implications for business of a change at the top of Government, and how organisations can engage effectively with the new administration from the outset. The discussion will also look ahead to the pace and shape of the legislative and policy agenda to come. 

Flint Specialist Partner, Liz Lloyd chairs a discussion between Specialist Partners: 

• Siôn Simon, former Labour Minister, MEP, and Metro Mayor candidate 
• Sam White, former Chief of Staff to Keir Starmer 
• Rav Athwal, former Economic Adviser to Keir Starmer and author of Labour's 2024 manifesto

In this episode, Flint experts examine  the implications of the latest election results across Scotland, Wales and England, as pressure grows on the Prime Minister and both Labour and the Conservatives face losses to Reform UK and the Green Party. 

They explore what the results mean for the future of the UK Government, how administrations are likely to be formed in Scotland and Wales, and the implications of increasingly fragmented, multi-party politics for businesses across the country. The discussion will also look ahead to the King’s Speech and the Government’s upcoming legislative agenda. 

Flint Specialist Partner, Liz Lloyd chairs a discussion between: 

• Siôn Simon, former Labour Minister, MEP, and Metro Mayor candidate 
• Sam White, former Chief of Staff to Keir Starmer 
• Tim Montgomerie, journalist, commentator and Reform UK supporter 

In this episode, Flint experts examine the outlook for the Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections, as voters head to the polls with no party expected to secure a majority in either nation. 

They explore potential post-election scenarios and coalition negotiations, the implications for economic, planning and infrastructure policy, and what the results signal about the growing role of multi-party politics in shaping UK electoral outcomes, alongside the key considerations for businesses operating across Scotland and Wales.

Flint Partner Kiran Horwich chairs a discussion between: 

• Liz Lloyd, Specialist Partner, former Chief of Staff to the then Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon 
• Siôn Simon, Specialist Partner, former Labour Minister, MEP, and Metro Mayor candidate

In this episode, Flint experts examine the outlook for US–Iran talks following the fragile ceasefire, and the broader geopolitical and economic implications of the evolving Middle East conflict.

They explore potential scenarios for the ceasefire and negotiations, the regional impact across the Gulf and beyond, the effects on energy markets and the global economy, and the wider political consequences for businesses operating in the region and internationally.

Flint Founding Partner Sir Simon Fraser chairs a discussion between: 

• Heidi Venamore PSM, Senior Adviser and former Australian Ambassador to the UAE and Jordan 
• Alex White, Flint Managing Partner and Former Chief Political Analyst at JP Morgan 
• Francois-Joseph Schichan, Flint Partner and head of Flint’s Geopolitics practice, former French diplomat

France held nationwide municipal elections on 22 March, with all towns and cities going to the polls. This marks the final major electoral milestone before the 2027 presidential and legislative elections and will offer a snapshot of the political landscape. It will also be the start of Macron’s final year in office, in a political situation that is more fragmented than ever.

In this episode, Flint experts examine what the municipal election results reveal about France’s evolving political landscape and the implications for the year ahead.

They explore how the outcomes could shape the dynamics of the 2027 presidential race, what they mean for Macron’s final year in office, and the risks and opportunities for businesses navigating an increasingly uncertain policy environment.

Flint Partner François-Joseph Schichan chairs a discussion between: 

• Anne-Juliette Rohrbach​, Managing Director France.
• Sylvain Guérin, Flint Director in France, former public opinion advisor to President Macron. 

The conflict in the Middle East is colliding with an already fragile global economy. While much of the immediate focus has been on Europe and the US, the second-order effects for Asia may prove more enduring — from energy security and capital flows to critical supply chains and financial stability.

In this episode, Flint experts examine how renewed instability in the Middle East could reshape the outlook for Asia’s major economies, investors and financial centres. 

They explore which economies are most exposed to energy price and supply shocks, how the US, China, India and Russia are recalibrating their positions, and what firms should watch as geopolitical dynamics influence capital allocation across technology, finance and critical industries.

Flint Partner Matthew Chan chairs a discussion between: 

• Heidi Venamore PSM​, Senior Adviser and former Australian
  Ambassador to the UAE and Jordan.
• James Crabtree, Senior Adviser and former Financial Times foreign correspondent and Executive Director of the Institute for International Strategic Studies in Asia.

The conflict with Iran is entering a more dangerous and unpredictable phase, with consequences extending far beyond the Middle East. As the region undergoes a profound geopolitical realignment, businesses face mounting disruption to trade routes, energy markets, supply chains and personnel security.

In this episode, Flint experts assess how the crisis could evolve in the short to medium term, the prospects for leadership and governance in Iran, and the implications for global trade and the wider economy. They also examine what the turmoil means for business operations across the region — and how companies should respond in an increasingly volatile environment.

Flint Founding Partner Sir Simon Fraser chairs a discussion between: 

• Heidi Venamore PSM​, Senior Adviser and former Australian
  Ambassador to the UAE and Jordan.
• Alex White​, Flint Managing Partner and Former Chief
  Political Analyst at JP Morgan
• Sam Lowe​, Partner and head of Flint’s Trade and Market
  Access Practice   

The EU enters 2026 under sustained external and internal strain. As it readies its response to Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats, growing US pressure over Greenland risks escalating into the deepest transatlantic crisis in decades. One year into Ursula von der Leyen’s second term, the EU will also need to calibrate its increasing focus on sovereignty and “Made in Europe” with delivery of the Draghi competitiveness agenda, amidst continued concerns over the state of Europe’s economy.      

Flint Partner Fiona Wright chairs a discussion between: 

• Claus Grube, Flint Senior Adviser, former senior Danish diplomat who notably served as Danish Permanent Representative to the EU.  
• Sir Julian King, Flint Specialist Partner, former European Commissioner for security and former UK Ambassador to France and Ireland.  
• David Wright, Flint Senior Adviser, Chair of Eurofi and former Deputy Director General for financial services at the European Commission. 

On Wednesday 26 November 2025, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a long-awaited Autumn Budget. In this episode, Flint experts discuss the Budget decisions, what it means for Labour's programme, and the political and economic impacts for the business community.  

Flint Specialist Partner Sue Owen chairs a discussion with Specialist Partners, Andy King, former member of the OBR’s Budget Responsibility Committee, and senior Treasury official; Sam White, former Chief of Staff to Keir Starmer and Special Advisor to Chancellor Alistair Darling; Rav Athwal, former Special Advisor for Economic Policy to Prime Minister Starmer, and Labour Director of Policy and manifesto author and Giles Wilkes, former Special Adviser to Prime Minister Theresa May on economic and industrial policy.