Tim Weller, founder of business publisher Incisive Media, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, chats to Simon Fox, until recently CEO of Reach Plc (formerly Trinity Mirror), about the blood, sweat and tears of M&A and business growth. The conversation takes in Simon’s strategy for merging Express Newspapers with Trinity Mirror and negotiating with fearsome Richard Desmond; the rollercoaster ride of Incisive’s journey through market listing and private ownership; the perils of asking Princess Anne to run your tombola and the risks of performing magic live in front of an audience of advertisers.

The importance of editors in maintaining credibility, stability and helping drive cultural change is also discussed, with hat tips to senior newspaper editors like Lloyd Embley, now Group Editor-in-Chief at Reach.