Trading Up

The Irish News
  • 4.5 (13)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Trading Up hosted by Jim Fitzpatrick and produced in association with EY, delves into the real businesses, personal stories, and remarkable journeys of entrepreneurs. Discover insights on risk, resilience, and business growth from diverse founders and leaders in businesses big and small across various industries. Tune in weekly for inspiring entrepreneurial learnings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. From Tobermore to Detroit: Lyle Watters and The Unconventional Path to Leading Ford

    3 DAYS AGO

    From Tobermore to Detroit: Lyle Watters and The Unconventional Path to Leading Ford

    From his family’s undertaking business in Tobermore to the "Glass House" in Detroit, Lyle Watters’ journey to the top of Ford Motor Company is a masterclass in resilience. In this episode of Trading Up, Lyle reveals how he navigated an unconventional career path to lead operations across three continents. We dive deep into his toughest assignments: negotiating with Prime Ministers in Romania; managing a 100-day Covid lockdown in China; and turning around a "hopeless" $1 billion loss in South America while under armed guard. Lyle shares candid insights on the burden of leadership, recounting how he personally addressed staff during painful plant closures to tell them, "This is not your fault". Packed with actionable lessons on radical transparency, the EV revolution, and why organisations must "stay paranoid" to survive, this is essential listening for aspiring leaders and business strategists. Disclaimer Brought to you in association with EY. The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views or positions of EY or its other member Firms. EY proudly sponsors the Trading Up podcast but does not endorse or take responsibility for any statements made by individual guests. The Trading Up podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min

  2. 28 JAN

    Mark Carney’s Davos Warning: The Death of the Old Order & How UK & Europe Should Respond

    The rules-based world order is dead. That is the brutal wake-up call from former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney at Davos. In this episode of Trading Up Unpacked, Jim Fitzpatrick and Richard Ramsey break down Carney’s "Churchillian" analysis of the shifting global economy. They unpack Carney’s argument that international rules have become a "fiction" and explore his strategy of "variable geometry" and how that applies to the UK, Europe and even Northern Ireland. Key topics include: The Lie of the Old Order: Why economic integration has become a weapon rather than a mutual benefit.At the Table or On the Menu: The urgent need for middle powers (UK, Canada, Japan) to forge a "Third Path" or submit to hegemons.The End of the Peace Dividend: The difficult trade-offs facing Europe between funding welfare and increasing defense spending.The Globalisation Trilemma: Applying Dani Rodrik’s theory on why you cannot have globalisation, sovereignty, and democracy all at once but can have only two of the three. Disclaimer Brought to you in association with EY. The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views or positions of EY or its other member Firms. EY proudly sponsors the Trading Up podcast but does not endorse or take responsibility for any statements made by individual guests. The Trading Up podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min

  3. 21 JAN

    Building a £20M E-commerce Brand: The Kukoon Rugs Story

    Join Jim Fitzpatrick as he interviews Paul and Clare Vallely, the brother-sister duo behind Kukoon. Learn how they scaled a rug business from local market stalls to a £20 million turnover global brand. This episode dives deep into the realities of modern e-commerce, exploring the shift from eBay to building an independent brand amidst the high marketing costs of Google and Amazon. Discover essential insights on successful rebranding, the surprising value of physical retail stores for building trust, implementing advisory boards to navigate business crises, and taking a stand on humanitarian issues. Disclaimer Brought to you in association with EY. The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views or positions of EY or its other member Firms. EY proudly sponsors the Trading Up podcast but does not endorse or take responsibility for any statements made by individual guests. The Trading Up podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 9m
  4. Economic Inactivity, EV Wars, and Regime Roulette: Navigating the 2025 Landscape

    14 JAN

    Economic Inactivity, EV Wars, and Regime Roulette: Navigating the 2025 Landscape

    Jim Fitzpatrick and Richard Ramsey explore the shifting dynamics of Northern Ireland’s economy with employment falling and economic inactivity hitting a new grim record high. They examine the political deadlock over Stormont's multi-year budget and the impossibility of proper government in its absence. Turning to car sales for some insight, they discuss why Tesla sales have more than doubled in NI despite a European decline, while Chinese giant BYD has seen fivefold growth. Globally, the discussion turns to "Regime Roulette," analysing the US incursion into Venezuela for its vast oil reserves and Jerome Powell's high-stakes stand for Federal Reserve independence against the Trump administration. The Fed may seem far away, but its independence is a vital pillar of the global economy. The duo provide their usual critical insights into the intersection of global headwinds and local consequences. Disclaimer Brought to you in association with EY. The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views or positions of EY or its other member Firms. EY proudly sponsors the Trading Up podcast but does not endorse or take responsibility for any statements made by individual guests. The Trading Up podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  5. The Business of the Arts: Claire Murray and Scaling Success at the Lyric Theatre

    7 JAN

    The Business of the Arts: Claire Murray and Scaling Success at the Lyric Theatre

    Join host Jim Fitzpatrick on Trading Up as he welcomes Claire Murray, Head of Development and Marketing at the Lyric Theatre, to deconstruct the "business" of show business. Claire discusses her transition from the high-stakes world of FMCG marketing at Coca-Cola and Heineken to steering the financial and creative success of Northern Ireland’s premier self-producing theatre. Celebrating the Lyric's 75-year history, this episode explores how corporate strategy can sustain cultural institutions. Claire details her implementation of flexible pricing models that significantly boosted ticket yield and the theatre's vital earned income, which now accounts for two-thirds of its turnover. Beyond the stage, the discussion highlights the arts as an economic engine, using "soft power" to attract inward investment and enrich the civic life of Belfast and Northern Ireland. This is an essential listen for anyone interested in marketing, entrepreneurship, and the symbiotic relationship between culture and commerce. Just as a master welder in the Lyric's scene shop carefully joins steel to build a set, this episode illustrates how Claire Murray fuses corporate marketing with artistic vision to build a sustainable future for this vital cultural institution. Disclaimer Brought to you in association with EY. The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views or positions of EY or its other member Firms. EY proudly sponsors the Trading Up podcast but does not endorse or take responsibility for any statements made by individual guests. The Trading Up podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min
  6. Listener Questions: Breaking the Grant Culture and Fixing Northern Ireland’s Economy

    31/12/2025

    Listener Questions: Breaking the Grant Culture and Fixing Northern Ireland’s Economy

    In this special holiday edition of Trading Up Unpacked, Jim Fitzpatrick and Professor Richard Ramsey dive deep into the pressing economic questions facing Northern Ireland. They tackle the controversial "grant culture" and the "perverse incentives" that have shaped the region since the days of Delorean, arguing for a shift toward competition and tax-based incentives. Jim and Richard explore the "fiscal deficit attention disorder" affecting public services and propose a radical solution: moving the government out of Stormont to reconnect with the people. For business owners, the episode provides essential insights into succession planning, highlighting the Almac trust model and the evolving landscape of Employee Ownership Trusts. Finally, they debate the missed opportunities in the recent licensing review and the need for a more competitive hospitality sector. Whether you are a policymaker or an entrepreneur, this episode offers a masterclass in navigating Northern Ireland’s unique business environment. Disclaimer Brought to you in association with EY. The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views or positions of EY or its other member Firms. EY proudly sponsors the Trading Up podcast but does not endorse or take responsibility for any statements made by individual guests. The Trading Up podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
  7. Tiarnán O'Neill: Bucking The Trend & The Galgorm Growth Blueprint

    24/12/2025

    Tiarnán O'Neill: Bucking The Trend & The Galgorm Growth Blueprint

    How does a local hospitality group thrive while the wider sector faces "lights out" financial pressures?. In this episode of Trading Up, Galgorm Collection CFO Tiarnán O’Neill reveals the strategy driving the group’s £70 million turnover and remarkable 94% occupancy rates. He discusses Galgorm’s rapid expansion through acquisitions like The Rabbit and Roe Valley Resort, alongside their ambitious project to build Northern Ireland's first new links golf course in over a century. Drawing on his unique career—from PWC to modernising the Diocese of Down and Connor’s 400-year-old financial structure—O’Neill provides a masterclass in scaling luxury hospitality. He addresses critical challenges, including VAT disparities and National Insurance hikes, while outlining an ambitious 10-year vision for growth. Disclaimer Brought to you in association with EY. The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views or positions of EY or its other member Firms. EY proudly sponsors the Trading Up podcast but does not endorse or take responsibility for any statements made by individual guests. The Trading Up podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  8. Northern Ireland Economy Under Pressure: Brexit Frictions, Budget Crises, and Global Policy Headwinds

    17/12/2025

    Northern Ireland Economy Under Pressure: Brexit Frictions, Budget Crises, and Global Policy Headwinds

    On this week's episode with Jim Fitzpatrick and Richard Ramsey they explore how one key private sector survey suggests Northern Ireland's economy is struggling, marked by a sixth straight month of declining business activity and escalating input costs, particularly in construction, outpacing other UK regions. Despite some resilience among cross-border firms, the absence for more than a decade of a multi-year budget from Stormont is fostering short-termism and hindering strategic planning. The commitment to UK public sector pay parity exacerbates financial woes, highlighting Northern Ireland's "cake and eat it" approach of demanding high spending with low taxes and a refusal to countenance measures such as water charges. Brexit frictions - which in Northern Ireland mean things like potential shortages of GB-sourced, non-EU-compliant cars and tumble dryers - are spurring wider UK discussion about rejoining the EU customs union or single market. Meanwhile, the independence of the US Federal Reserve faces political scrutiny, and Ireland's economic model is under pressure due to its low spending on defence, raising concerns about its critical infrastructure vulnerability and reliance on US investment in this new world of disorder. Brought to you in association with EY. The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views or positions of EY or its other member Firms. EY proudly sponsors the Trading Up podcast but does not endorse or take responsibility for any statements made by individual guests. The Trading Up podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
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4.5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Trading Up hosted by Jim Fitzpatrick and produced in association with EY, delves into the real businesses, personal stories, and remarkable journeys of entrepreneurs. Discover insights on risk, resilience, and business growth from diverse founders and leaders in businesses big and small across various industries. Tune in weekly for inspiring entrepreneurial learnings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    The Irish News
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Irish News
  • Show Website
    Trading Up

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