Big Boss Interview

BBC News
  • 4,3 (48)
  • TIN TỨC KINH DOANH
  • HAI TUẦN MỘT LẦN

Big Boss Interview is where the most high-profile chief executives and entrepreneurs come to give you their insights and experiences of running the world's biggest and well-known businesses. The series is presented by Sean Farrington, Felicity Hannah and Will Bain, who you'd normally hear presenting the business news on BBC Radio 4's Today programme as well as BBC 5 Live's Wake Up To Money. Each week they'll be finding out just what it takes to run a huge organisation and what the day to day challenges and opportunities are. You can get in contact with the team by emailing bigboss@bbc.co.uk

  1. #36 Bank of England: Private Credit Has Echoes of Great Financial Crisis

    2 GIỜ TRƯỚC

    #36 Bank of England: Private Credit Has Echoes of Great Financial Crisis

    Sarah Breeden, Deputy Governor of the Bank of England for financial stability, joins Big Boss Interview to discuss risks in the global financial system, the rapid growth of private credit, and whether markets are prepared for the next economic shock. She tells BBC Business Editor, Simon Jack the private credit market has grown to around $2.5 trillion in less than two decades, and says the BoE is watching the sector closely. She warns it has “never been tested at this scale” and that aspects of the market carry echoes of the period leading up to the 2008 financial crisis — including rising leverage, complex interconnections between funds, insurers, pension schemes and banks, and limited transparency compared to traditional lending. There are already signs of strain. Investors have begun pulling money out of some funds, while others have been gated or marked down. Breeden warns this could lead to what she describes as a “private credit crunch”, where companies reliant on this form of financing may struggle to refinance their debt. While distinct from a banking-led crisis, she says the consequences for the real economy could still be significant. At the same time, she highlights a growing disconnect between financial markets and underlying economic risks. Asset prices in some areas remain close to record highs despite geopolitical instability, persistent inflationary pressures and vulnerabilities within parts of the financial system. Breeden says the Bank expects an adjustment — meaning prices will fall — but stresses the key question is not whether this happens, but when and how sharply. A further concern is the reduced capacity of governments to respond to future crises. Sovereign debt levels are at historic highs, limiting the scope for large-scale fiscal intervention of the kind seen during the 2008 financial crisis or the energy shock following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That places greater emphasis on ensuring the resilience of the financial system itself. Breeden says the scenario that most concerns her is a combination of risks materialising simultaneously — a macroeconomic downturn, a loss of confidence in private credit, and a sharp repricing of risky assets. It is this kind of convergence, she says, that “really keeps me awake at night”. The Bank is actively stress-testing such scenarios and working with international counterparts to ensure the system is prepared. While she notes that the banking sector is significantly better capitalised than before 2008, reducing the likelihood of a repeat of that crisis, the interview makes clear that new forms of risk are emerging in parallel — and that understanding how they interact will be critical in determining how resilient the global financial system proves to be. Presenter: Simon Jack Producer: Ollie Smith & Olie D'Albertanson Picture: Reuters

    24 phút
  2. #35 Pret CEO: Inflation From War Starting to Bite

    5 NGÀY TRƯỚC

    #35 Pret CEO: Inflation From War Starting to Bite

    Pano Christou, CEO of Pret, joins Sean Farrington for this episode of Big Boss Interview to discuss fuel volatility, salads, and subscriptions. Pret is starting to see inflation from the war in the Middle East, with fuel price volatility affecting the business. Prices aren’t currently set to rise, but he says they may have to if disruption continues. Some exports into the Middle East business are taking longer, but that’s not hampering Pret’s growth ambitions in the region. He says Pret’s revised £5-a-month drinks subscription has grown by close to 25% over the past year, after the original COVID-era offer had to “evolve”. Its newer large salad range has been a “roaring success”, selling 40% more units than expected, especially in the evening, as consumers move away from bread. He says he never set out to become chief executive, having worked his way up from assistant manager after earlier roles at Pret and McDonald’s, and says career progression comes from focusing on the job in front of you. Presenter: Sean Farrington Producer: Jeevan Nerwan Editor: Henry Jones 00:12 Fliss and Sean set up the interview 01:58 Pano Christou joins the pod/return to the office 09:12 Pret's subscription offer 14:12 Career history - from assistant manager to CEO 31:15 Impact of the US-Israel war with Iran 38:15 Salad success/Brits moving away from bread 43:38 Weight-loss drugs 45:07 Listing

    49 phút
  3. #34 Autotrader CEO: Chinese Car Growth is "Mind-boggling"

    8 THG 4

    #34 Autotrader CEO: Chinese Car Growth is "Mind-boggling"

    Nathan Coe, CEO of Autotrader, joins Sean Farrington for this episode of Big Boss Interview to discuss how rising fuel prices, the rapid growth of Chinese carmakers and advances in AI are reshaping the UK car market. Coe says the recent spike in petrol prices has triggered an immediate shift towards electric vehicles, with enquiries on Autotrader up 30% month-on-month. He says higher fuel costs are pushing more buyers to reconsider the total cost of ownership, accelerating interest in EVs. He also highlights the rapid rise of Chinese manufacturers in the UK market, describing their growth as “mind-boggling”. Firms such as BYD, he says, have scaled in a year what took Tesla six to seven, helped by competitive pricing and a shift in consumer behaviour - with EV buyers showing less loyalty to traditional brands. Coe is also asked about the Competition and Markets Authority investigation into online reviews, stressing the company’s focus on acting with integrity. On AI, Coe says Autotrader is working with firms including OpenAI, Google Gemini and Meta, and argues that while investor concerns about AI have weighed on the company’s share price, it has not seen a fall in traffic and believes the technology will strengthen its offering rather than disrupt it. Presenter: Sean Farrington Producer: Jeevan Nerwan Editor: Henry Jones 00:12 Fliss and Sean set up interview 01:47 Nathan Coe joins the pod/Iran war impact on EV demand 09:10 Chinese car sales in the UK growing faster than expected 16:08 The UK's EV transition 18:42 CMA investigation 23:53 AI

    41 phút
  4. #33 Octopus CEO: Energy Bills Likely to Rise From July

    29 THG 3

    #33 Octopus CEO: Energy Bills Likely to Rise From July

    Wholesale gas prices have roughly doubled in three weeks amid instability in the Middle East, and Greg Jackson, co-founder and Chief Executive of Octopus Energy, the UK's biggest household energy supplier, says it is "very likely" that energy bills will rise from July. The energy price cap is set to fall in April due to government tax cuts on electricity, but Jackson warns that fixed tariffs and business tariffs are expected to climb in the summer quarter. He compares the situation to Groundhog Day — just three years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine triggered a fossil fuel crisis. Consumer behaviour has shifted sharply in the three weeks since the crisis began. Octopus has recorded a 50% increase in rooftop solar sales, a 30% rise in heat pump sales, a 40% jump in heat pump orders, and a 30% increase in demand for electric vehicle charging points. He says a dramatic shift is needed in the UK. China's approach to energy offers a stark contrast. Some 75% of all renewables being built globally are in China, more than half the cars sold there last year were electric, and the Chinese state oil company is planning for no petrol stations by 2040. He describes China's energy investment as "breathtaking" and sees "a lot of talk and no action" in Europe. Octopus has raised around $3 billion in investment, but Jackson reveals that roughly $2.9 billion of that came from outside the UK. He blames pension and fund management regulations introduced around 2000, which he says have caused UK pension funds to cut their allocation to UK equities from about 40% to roughly 3%. The result, he argues, is that British pensioners receive lower returns while overseas investors capture the growth of British companies. Presenter: Sean Farrington Producer: Olie D'Albertanson Editor: Henry Jones 00:13 Fliss and Sean set up interview 02:01 Greg Jackson joins the pod/ Iran war impact on energy. 05:07 Bills likely rising from July. 08:42 Consumer response. 50% solar surge, heat pumps. 14:40 Tesla & Musk's business entering the UK energy market. 16:07 Future of energy and cars. 19:18 Europe "torturing ourselves" over electrification.. 24:33 Overseas investment and UK consequences 27:57 Next election. Reform, Greens, and the future of energy policy 31:22 The entrepreneur. How Jackson became passionate about energy 36:45 AI and the next generation. Impact on young people's prospects 41:39 End of pod

    42 phút
  5. #32 BlackRock CEO: Global Recession Looms if Iran War Continues

    25 THG 3

    #32 BlackRock CEO: Global Recession Looms if Iran War Continues

    Larry Fink, is Chairman and CEO of BlackRock - the world’s largest asset manager, overseeing more than $14 trillion in investments on behalf of governments, pension funds and individual investors globally. He tells BBC Business Editor Simon Jack that oil prices could remain above $100 a barrel for years — and rise to $150 — if the Iranian conflict is not resolved, a scenario he says would trigger a “stark and steep recession”. Higher energy costs would ripple through agriculture, fertiliser, and global supply chains, acting as a regressive tax that disproportionately affects the poorest. Fink calls for “energy pragmatism”, arguing countries should use all available energy sources — from oil and gas to renewables and nuclear — to build resilience. He highlights Europe’s fragmented power systems as a structural weakness, particularly as energy demand rises with the expansion of AI infrastructure. On trade, Fink says globalisation is being recalibrated rather than reversed. Post-war trading systems that favoured certain economies are shifting towards greater symmetry, though he acknowledges tariffs are inflationary. He dismisses comparisons to the 2008 financial crisis, arguing the $2.2 trillion private credit market is transparent, with clearly defined liquidity limits. Artificial intelligence, he says, will be transformational — driving demand for massive infrastructure investment while creating large numbers of skilled blue-collar jobs. Fink argues societies have overemphasised university education and must reassess the value of skilled trades in the AI economy. Presenter: Simon Jack Producer: Olie D'Albertanson & Ollie Smith 00:15 Will Bain and Simon Jack set out who BlackRock/Larry Fink is 03:30 Larry Fink joins the podcast - discuss oil price scenarios 12:04 Globalisation and tariff impact 19:07 Are we reliving the Financial Crisis of 2008? 22:53 AI Investment: Bubble or necessity? 30:28 The case for blue-collar careers 32:58 AI, demographics, and the future of taxation

    35 phút
  6. #31 Mountain Warehouse CEO: Middle East Conflict Impacts UK Retail

    16 THG 3

    #31 Mountain Warehouse CEO: Middle East Conflict Impacts UK Retail

    Mark Neale, founder and chief executive of Mountain Warehouse - the outdoor clothing company - joins Will Bain for this episode of Big Boss Interview to discuss how conflict in the Middle East, tariff volatility and UK economic policy are affecting retailers and the wider economy. Disruption to global shipping routes is already pushing up costs for businesses importing goods from Asia. Prior to the latest US/Isarael war against Iran ,attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea had effectively closed the Suez Canal to many freight ships for nearly a year, forcing cargo to travel around the Horn of Africa instead. That detour adds roughly two weeks to delivery times and significantly increases freight costs. Neale says companies have built greater resilience into supply chains since the pandemic, but sustained disruption in from the latest conflict will eventually feed through into higher prices if the situation continues. Trade policy is creating further uncertainty due to the impact of American tariffs. Neale questions what such tariff policies are designed to achieve, arguing that no realistic trade regime is going to bring garment manufacturing back to the United States. He also says they've tried diversify away from Chinese made clothes as a result. The interview also examines the state of the UK economy. Neale argues the country has lost “the best part of a year of growth” because the government repeatedly emphasised how broken parts of the country were — from the NHS to the economy — without setting out a clear positive vision for growth. When the new administration arrived, he says, inflation and interest rates were already beginning to fall and there were early signs of recovery emerging. Neale compares the situation to a new chief executive taking over a struggling company: you acknowledge the problems, but you also need to rally the workforce with a plan. Hiring and labour regulation are another concern. Neale describes the government’s proposed Employment Rights Bill as “the let’s make it more difficult for people to get a job Bill”, warning that additional regulation may make businesses more cautious when recruiting. With around a million people in the UK currently out of work due to long-term sickness, he argues that policies which increase perceived hiring risk could make it harder for people trying to re-enter the workforce to get an opportunity. Competition for jobs is already intense. When Mountain Warehouse opened a new store in Wigan, 493 people applied for just ten roles, including more than 100 applicants for the store manager position alone. Neale says that when employers face such large applicant pools alongside stricter employment rules, they are more likely to choose the safest candidate — potentially shutting out those who most need a chance. Presenter: Will Bain Producer: Olie D'Albertanson Editor: Henry Jones 00:00 Sean and Will start the show 01:45 Mark Neale joins BBI 02:28 From rollerblades to Mountain Warehouse 08:17 Freight concerns & Middle East disruption 11:38 Diversifying supply chain away from China 17:44 Government stamping out green shoots of recovery & lost year of growth 25:39 Employment Rights Bill impact & unintended consequences for hiring 29:33 De minimis, ideal high street & long-term confidence

    36 phút
  7. #30 PwC UK: The Chancellor Should Break Her Fiscal Rules

    13 THG 3

    #30 PwC UK: The Chancellor Should Break Her Fiscal Rules

    Marco Amitrano, European boss of PwC, joins the Big Boss Interview to discuss the UK economy, artificial intelligence, business confidence and the case for loosening the government’s fiscal rules to unlock infrastructure investment. Amitrano makes a direct appeal to Chancellor Rachel Reeves to reconsider the government’s borrowing limits, arguing that strict fiscal rules risk preventing the investment needed for long-term economic growth. He says the UK faces what has been described to him as a £2 trillion infrastructure gap, spanning transport, digital networks and the energy grid. Relaxing borrowing restrictions, he argues, could allow government to invest alongside business in the technology, talent and infrastructure needed to make the UK globally competitive. Amitrano acknowledges that markets may initially react with higher borrowing costs, but says a transparent plan showing how spending would drive growth could reassure bond investors. Artificial intelligence is already reshaping the professional services sector, with Amitrano revealing that more than 80% of chief executives globally are making material investments in AI, and around 60% now see it as critical to their organisation’s survival. He discusses how the technology is transforming how businesses operate, while pushing back against claims that AI is already replacing large numbers of graduate jobs. PwC recently reduced its graduate intake from around 1,500 to 1,300, but Amitrano says that decision was driven by a slowdown in demand following the November 2024 Budget, not automation. The firm still receives roughly 400,000 applications each year and uses AI only in the early stages of screening before human interviews. Before the recent escalation in the Middle East, Amitrano says business confidence had been showing signs of recovery. Falling finance costs, strong corporate balance sheets and wage inflation running ahead of cost inflation had created conditions for what he describes as potential economic “lift-off”. However, geopolitical tensions have reintroduced uncertainty, particularly around energy prices, where the UK remains the most expensive country in Europe for energy. He also reflects on the impact of the November 2024 Budget, which he describes as a miscalculation that combined several policies — workers’ rights reforms, minimum wage increases and higher employer National Insurance contributions — in a way that made hiring feel riskier for businesses. Amitrano says that damaged the relationship between government and business, although dialogue has begun to improve through initiatives such as Keep Britain Working, which aims to bring economically inactive people back into the labour market. Presenter: Simon Jack Producer: Ollie Smith & Olie D'Albertanson 02:32 AI transformation imperative for business survival 06:15 Graduate recruitment cut due to economic slowdown, not AI 10:07 AI in recruitment: screening 400,000 applications for 4,000 jobs 14:07 Value of university education beyond qualifications 19:37 November 2024 budget damaged business confidence 21:57 Middle East conflict derails UK economic recovery 26:32 Call for Rachel Reeves to relax fiscal rules for infrastructure 28:07 £2 trillion infrastructure gap: technology, talent and infrastructure spending needed

    40 phút
  8. #29 Sotheby's CEO: Art World Money Laundering Claims Are Misguided

    10 THG 3

    #29 Sotheby's CEO: Art World Money Laundering Claims Are Misguided

    Charles Stewart, chief executive of Sotheby's, joins the Big Boss Interview and discusses the scrutiny facing the art market over money laundering, the growth of digital art and NFTs, the expansion of sports collectibles, and how the conflict in the Middle East could affect the industry. Stewart, who previously served as chief executive of a small bank before joining Sotheby’s, describes the characterisation of the industry as working with illicit money as a “misjudged notion”. He argues the company’s client base consists largely of established collectors, museum trustees and philanthropists who buy works to live with them rather than to obscure wealth. Russian buyers — often cited in discussions about opaque art transactions — represented less than 1% of Sotheby’s global business when sanctions were imposed following the invasion of Ukraine, he says, challenging assumptions about the role of Russian money in the market. Geopolitics is also shaping the art market. The Middle East has become an increasingly important region for Sotheby’s, with auctions in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi reflecting years of market development across the Gulf. Stewart says the company’s immediate priority amid escalating regional tensions is the safety of staff working there, though he notes market reaction to the latest conflict has so far been “somewhat muted”. Stewart notes that countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are investing heavily in cultural infrastructure as part of longer-term economic diversification strategies. Institutions such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi — open for nearly a decade — and the forthcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi form part of plans to establish new global cultural destinations. Despite these shifts, London remains central to Sotheby’s global operations. The company’s New Bond Street headquarters reflects more than 280 years of British heritage and the city continues to function as Sotheby’s second-largest sales centre after New York. A recent London auction achieved a 100% sell-through rate with bidders from 40 countries, demonstrating sustained international participation despite post-Brexit complications around import and export logistics. The conversation also examines how technology is changing the art market. Stewart argues digital art represents a natural evolution in artistic practice rather than simply a speculative phenomenon linked to the boom and collapse of NFTs. He distinguishes between cryptocurrency speculation, the blockchain technology underlying NFTs, and the broader creative shift as artists adopt digital tools. Sports memorabilia has also become a growing category for Sotheby’s. The market now extends beyond historic trophies and medals to include game-worn shirts and collectibles authenticated through technology that can match items to specific moments in matches. Stewart attributes the expansion partly to generational wealth transfer and to younger collectors’ interest in pre-owned objects with personal and cultural significance. Presenter: Sean Farrington Producer: Olie D'Albertanson Editor: Henry Jones 02:12 - Middle East conflict impact 15:30 - Anti-Money laundering regulations 17:29 - Russian sanctions 19:30 - "Misguided Notion" of art world bad behaviour 23:34 - Digital Art as natural evolution 29:30 - Sports memorabilia growth

    37 phút
Xem tất cả (258)

Người Dẫn & Khách Mời

4,3
/5
48 Xếp hạng

Giới Thiệu

Big Boss Interview is where the most high-profile chief executives and entrepreneurs come to give you their insights and experiences of running the world's biggest and well-known businesses. The series is presented by Sean Farrington, Felicity Hannah and Will Bain, who you'd normally hear presenting the business news on BBC Radio 4's Today programme as well as BBC 5 Live's Wake Up To Money. Each week they'll be finding out just what it takes to run a huge organisation and what the day to day challenges and opportunities are. You can get in contact with the team by emailing bigboss@bbc.co.uk

Thông Tin

  • Nhà sáng tạo
    BBC News
  • Năm hoạt động
    2013 - 2026
  • Tập
    258
  • Xếp hạng
    Sạch
  • Bản quyền
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Trang web chương trình
    Big Boss Interview

Nội Dung Khác Của BBC

Có Thể Bạn Cũng Thích