The Business

Octopus Energy has gone from market entrant to market leader in just 10 years. Greg Jackson, chief executive and co-founder is at the forefront of this business success story. The secret sauce? It’s nothing to do with energy - it’s the Kraken software that links the company to its customers and suppliers. So how did he do it? Why does he think 'spaghetti stacks' of ancient software are what’s holding so many businesses back? And what plans does he have to float Kraken? From memories of his failed career as a game designer, why corporate life can be addictive - and why he thinks business leaders should be optimistic in a challenging world, Dom and Katie hear his lessons from the frontline.

Presenters:
Dominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times Radio
Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor, The Times and host of the Times Tech Podcast

Guest:
Greg Jackson, CEO and co-founder, Octopus Energy

Producer: Miriam Hall
Senior Producer: Julia Johnson
Executive Producer: Kate Ford
Photo credit: Getty
Get in touch: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By 2030, there will be five generations in the workplace and the majority will be Gen Z. The first post-internet generation, some characterise them as entitled, anxious and difficult to manage. But they’ve also contended with a pandemic during their school and early career years, major financial insecurity and intense geopolitical concerns.

So what makes them tick as workers? How can managers best motivate - and retain - their ambitious, outspoken Gen Z staff? And what does that future workplace look like when flexibility is the norm and AI is undertaking many of the tasks once done by juniors?

Presenters:
Modupe Omitola, journalist at The Times.
Dominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times Radio

Guests:
Ann Francke, Chief Executive, Chartered Management Institute and Times contributor
Murvah Iqbal, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Hived

Producer: Miriam Hall
Senior Producer: Julia Johnson
Executive Producer: Kate Ford
Photo credit: Getty
Get in touch: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump’s much-anticipated appearance at the World Economic Forum at Davos certainly did not disappoint. After threatening to take Greenland into US control - and slap punitive tariffs on NATO allies that stood in his way - he promptly backed down late Wednesday. While the immediate reaction at the Swiss resort was one of relief, it has left world leaders and the global business community with a serious case of whiplash.

In this episode, we consider how the world according to Trump is impacting investors, global markets and economies around the world. Just how damaging could those tariffs have been to the UK and EU? Why are Trump's attacks on the Chair of the Federal Reserve so consequential for the global economy? And what’s the knock-on effect of Trumponomics on British business?

Presenters:
Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday Times
Josh Glancy, Associate Editor, The Sunday Times

Guests:
Yael Selfin, Vice Chair and Chief Economist, KPMG UK
Jack Barnett, Economics Correspondent, The Times
Richard Fletcher, Business Editor, The Times

Producer: Miriam Hall
Senior Producer: Julia Johnson
Executive Producer: Kate Ford
Photo credit: Getty
Get in touch: [email protected]

Clips: CBS Texas, Channel 4, BBC, CNBC, NBC news

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I blame it on my kids” - that’s how Louise Hill, founder of multi-million pound business GoHenry - a financial app for kids - describes what motivated her to start her business. And Olivia Jenkins, founder of jewellery company D. Louise, put down the ‘giant backpack’ of grief weighing her down to set up on her own.

If you’ve ever thought of starting your own business, maybe January - and the beginning of a new year - is the perfect time to break free of the 9-5 drudgery and realise your own brilliant idea. But where to start? How do you turn your passion project into a thriving business? Today, we hear from Louise and Olivia - as they join Dom and Hannah to give their advice on how to make it all work.

Presenters:
Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday Times
Dominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times Radio

Guests:
Louise Hill, Co-founder and CEO, GoHenry
Olivia Jenkins, Founder and CEO, D. Louise

Producer: Miriam Hall
Senior Producer: Julia Johnson
Executive Producer: Kate Ford
Photo credit: Getty
Get in touch: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The economy is sluggish, growth elusive, and unemployment is heading for 5% - 2026 looks tough for business. But, the FTSE 100 has broken 10,000 points for the first time, gold keeps on going up, and up in value - and still the AI bubble hasn’t burst. From Davos parties, to driverless cars, what's up, what’s down? And how do you prepare yourself for 2026?

Presenters:
Hannah Prevett, Associate Business Editor, The Sunday Times
Dominic O’Connell, columnist and business presenter, Times Radio

Guests:
Richard Fletcher, Business Editor, The Times
Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor, The Times

Producer: Miriam Hall
Senior Producer: Julia Johnson
Executive Producer: Kate Ford
Photo credit: Getty
Get in touch: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.