James Reed: all about business

Reed Global
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'James Reed: all about business' puts you at the heart of fun, dynamic, candid conversation with business leaders, philanthropists and charitable celebrities as they use their journeys to give clear, actionable advice. Hosted by James Reed CBE, the Chairman and CEO of Reed Group, you’ll hear the highs and lows of what it means to be a true business leader to empower you to implement smarter, more meaningful strategy in your business or career.

  1. 5D AGO

    65. From Dragon’s Den to Startup Success | Jinesh Vohra

    What if becoming mortgage-free wasn’t about earning more money, but about using what you already spend more intelligently? In this episode of All About Business, James speaks with Jinesh Vora, Founder and CEO of Sprive, the UK fintech app helping homeowners pay off their mortgages faster without changing their lifestyle. Jinesh shares his journey from a 14-year career at Goldman Sachs to fintech founder, shaped by a three-generation family legacy of entrepreneurship. He reflects on leaving a high-paying corporate role, bootstrapping a startup through the pandemic, and building trust with banks and lenders in a highly regulated industry. The conversation explores scaling a fintech responsibly, from angel and venture funding to securing a major TV-for-equity deal with Channel 4. Jinesh also shares candid lessons from pitching on Dragons’ Den, alongside insights on leadership, resilience, AI, and avoiding growth at all costs. This is a practical conversation about financial freedom, fintech innovation, and building a purpose-led business that helps people take control of their money. Timestamps 01:49 The birth of Sprive: A mortgage app revolution 11:10 Jinesh's entrepreneurial journey and family legacy 14:39 The Goldman Sachs experience 24:01 Navigating the pandemic and launching Sprive 32:09 Networking and angel investors 34:11 Dragon's Den experience 41:15 Hiring strategies and team building 48:49 Future vision and personal goals Follow James Reed on LinkedIn Follow Jinesh Vohra on LinkedIn Find out more about Sprive App here All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

    58 min

  2. FEB 2

    64. How to convert visibility into sales and long-term growth | Penelope Chilvers

    How do you build a creative business from scratch and ensure it steadily grows without compromising on quality, craft, or values? In this episode of All About Business, James sits down with Penelope Chilvers, English footwear designer and founder of the eponymous luxury brand, and they talk about building a resilient business rooted in craftsmanship, customer closeness, and long-term thinking. Penelope shares her unconventional journey from training as a painter to launching a footwear business in London as a single parent. She reflects on learning her trade from the ground up, building a brand without formal business training, and why necessity — not strategy — drove her early entrepreneurial decisions. Penelope talks about the importance of craftsmanship, materials, long-term supplier relationships, and how staying close to customers has shaped everything from design to retail strategy. James and Penelope discuss growth, from opening stores and expanding internationally, to raising investment and introducing clothing alongside footwear. Penelope shares why steady, organic growth has served her better than chasing trends, how slow fashion has become a competitive advantage, and why durability, purpose, and trust now matter more than ever. This is a thoughtful conversation about learning your craft, respecting the people who help you build, and creating a business designed to last. Timestamps: 02:59 From painter to designer 07:59 The first big orders 15:00 Sustaining quality and craftsmanship 22:52 Family and business dynamics 29:50 Expanding into the American market 35:52 Men's range and iconic products 47:58 Slow fashion and ethical production Follow James Reed on LinkedIn: Follow Penelope Chilvers on LinkedIn: Find out more about Penelope Chilvers store here: All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

    56 min

  3. JAN 26

    63. The future of PR and business in an AI world | Francesca Gamble

    How do you create a modern PR strategy that builds brand relevance and marketing-led businesses able to thrive through cultural and technological change? In this episode of All About Business, James sits down with Francesca Gamble, founder of GTN Consultancy, to explore the future of PR, marketing, and business in an AI-driven world. With a career spanning global agencies, luxury fashion brands, and major cultural moments — including Dolce & Gabbana, Stella McCartney, and the London 2012 Olympics — Francesca shares her journey from agency leadership to launching her own independent consultancy. She explains what it really takes to build a modern PR and marketing business without hype, awards, or ego, and why so many agencies fail by prioritising image over impact. The conversation dives deep into brand partnerships, celebrity collaborations, and equity-based deals as powerful growth strategies for challenger brands. Francesca breaks down why great products still fail without strong marketing, how cultural relevance directly drives sales, and why results matter far more than industry accolades. Looking ahead, Francesca offers a bold and timely perspective on the future of PR and advertising in the age of AI. As automation accelerates across marketing, media, and communications, she argues that being human, authentic, and culturally aware will become the ultimate competitive advantage. A no-nonsense conversation about entrepreneurship, independence, brand relevance, and building a business that lasts in a rapidly changing world. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 04:38 Starting a PR business 10:08 The role of PR in modern marketing 17:54 Celebrity partnerships and brand collaborations 32:28 The importance of flexibility and client relationships 42:24 The reality of entrepreneurship 51:03 Successful celebrity brand partnerships 58:00 The future of PR and female founders Follow James Reed on LinkedIn: Follow Franscesa Gamble on LinkedIn: Find out more about GTN Consultancy here: All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

    1h 6m

  4. JAN 19

    62. How to stack revenue: The 3 levers that optimise growth of any local food business | Pete Russell

    What if the future of food isn’t bigger, faster, and more centralised, but local, decentralised, and community-powered? In this episode of the All About Business podcast, James is joined by Pete Russell, Founder of Ooooby and Co-Founder of DECENT, to explore how technology, ethical entrepreneurship, and optimism can transform the global food system from the ground up. Pete shares his journey from running a highly profitable industrial food business to building one of the UK’s leading local food platforms, connecting independent farmers and producers directly with their communities. The conversation dives deep into the realities of entrepreneurship, scaling purpose-led businesses, and the challenges of building alternatives to industrial food supply chains. A key theme of the episode is steward ownership, a business model that separates profit from control. Pete explains how steward ownership protects mission, prevents mission drift, and ensures long-term impact over short-term returns, offering a compelling alternative to traditional shareholder capitalism. James and Pete also explore the future of commerce and AI, with Pete presenting a bold vision of a shift from the attention economy to the intention economy. As artificial intelligence reshapes how we discover and buy products, Pete argues that traditional marketing and advertising may become obsolete, replaced by systems that prioritise values, trust, and genuine human needs. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 02:03 Meet Pete Russell: The Visionary Behind Oooby’s Food Revolution 03:06 What Is Oooby? Decentralizing the Global Food Supply Chain 06:25 Farm-to-Table Logistics: How Oooby Empowers Local Farmers 10:12 The 1.9% Disruptor: Why Low-Margin Tech is Saving Small Farms 14:45 Debunking the Myth: Why Local Food Costs Less Than Supermarkets 19:30 The Awareness Gap: Why Traditional Food Systems Still Dominate 27:05 17 Years of Resilience: Pivoting Through Near-Death Business Challenges 33:40 The Software Pivot: Solving the Logistics Nightmare of Local Food 40:00 Future of Food: AI, Agentic Commerce, and Decentralized Platforms 56:15 What wakes you up on a Monday? Follow James Reed on Linkedin Follow Pete Russell on Linkedin Find out more about Oooooby and how to sell local food online All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

    57 min

  5. JAN 12

    61. The email that saved HomeServe and sparked a £4bn business | Sir Richard Harpin

    Building a billion-pound business is one thing, but what does it take to scale globally, exit successfully, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs? In this episode of All About Business, James speaks with Richard Harpin, founder of HomeServe, the home emergency repairs and improvements launched in 1993. Richard talks about his journey from early failures to growing a FTSE 100 multinational across the UK, France, Spain, the US, Canada, and Japan that sold for £4.1 billion in 2022. Richard shares how a plumbing insurance model sparked the subscription-based affinity partnerships, the challenges of international expansion, and why copying successful ideas while focusing on execution was key to cracking markets and achieving organic growth. Together they discuss Richard’s post-exit ventures including Growth Partner, Business Leader magazine, and his bestselling book "How to Make a Billion in Nine Steps". The conversation also explores Richard's passion for inspiring breakthroughs, the role of optimism in navigating setbacks, and why doubling the UK's large companies through community-driven support, matters more than ever in a challenging economic landscape. Timestamps 01:00 The early struggles and pivots 06:42 The breakthrough: Plumbing insurance model 17:40 The power of copying and mentorship 28:53 Challenges and opportunities for mid-size businesses 37:55 Introducing growth partner: investment in retail 48:10 The not-to-do list for entrepreneurs 01:02:29 Recruitment: Hiring your replacement Follow James Reed on Linkedin Follow Richard Harpin on Linkedin Buy Richard’s book “How to Make a Billion in Nine Steps” All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

    1h 11m

  6. JAN 5

    60. Gold medal to boardroom: The one olympic method I applied that turned my workforce elite | Adrian Moorhouse MBE

    Winning Olympic gold is one of the highest achievements in sport, but what are the skills that you can apply to build an elite team in your business? In this episode of All About Business, James meets Adrian Moorhouse MBE, three-time Olympian and gold medalist. Adrian talks about his journey from the pool to the boardroom, exploring big hairy audacious goals (BHAGs), the power of curiosity, and heart-driven leadership in challenging times, and why mindset, meaning, and community matter more than ever for sustained success in sport and business. Adrian discusses his entrepreneurial transition, launching Lane Four in 1995, growing it through high-performance culture and client impact, and navigating its sale to EY in 2021, while confronting common entrepreneur pitfalls. He also shares how escaping school bullying through swimming ignited his drive and why choices over sacrifices defined his path. Timestamps 01:20 Transition to business 04:44 Challenges and learnings 07:58 Creating a winning team 12:41 Resilience and focus techniques 17:16 From athlete to entrepreneur 32:30 Navigating the 2008 financial crisis 36:46 Mentoring and leadership insights 48:53 The intersection of sports and business 57:09 The importance of curiosity in leadership Follow James Reed on LinkedIn Follow Adrian Moorhouse on Linkedin Find out more about The Tom Dean Swim School All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

    1h 1m

  7. 12/29/2025

    59. From rejection to £100m deals: The Netflix pitch that changed British TV | Andy Harries OBE

    Building a career in television is one thing, but what does it really take to produce global hits like The Crown and Outlander while building and scaling a production empire? In this episode of 'All About Business,' James speaks with Andy Harries, co-founder and CEO of Left Bank Pictures. Together they discuss Andy's 50-year journey from a promotion scriptwriter at Granada Television, to launching his own company, selling it to Sony, and navigating the streaming revolution. Andy explains how being rejected at 26 became the fuel for his ambition, how his early documentary work took him around the world, and what he learned directing cultural icons including the Sex Pistols, Malcolm McLaren, and Truman Capote. The conversation dives into the business of creativity, including the high stakes Netflix pitch that led to a 100 million pound deal for The Crown, what global streamers look for when backing premium drama, and how British television has scaled to a global audience. Andy also reflects on his transition into an executive chairman role, mentoring the next generation of talent, and why protecting British creativity and a strong BBC matters more than ever. Timestamps 02:26 Journey through Granada 06:02 Transition to comedy and drama 09:34 The Queen and Prime Suspect 12:47 Founding Left Bank Pictures 39:35 Reaching out to Ken Braner 50:17 The Crown and Netflix partnership 01:04:35 Transitioning roles and future projects Follow James Reed on LinkedIn Find out more about Left Bank Picture and Andy Harris All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

    1h 14m

  8. 12/22/2025

    58. Behind the doors of Downton Abbey: Managing the 1,300-year-old Highclere Castle | Lady Carnarvon

    Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey, is one of the most famous houses in the world. But what does it really take to run it as a modern business? In this episode of All About Business, James speaks with Fiona, Lady Carnarvon, custodian of Highclere Castle, about managing a 1,300-year-old heritage estate with roots dating back to 749 AD. She shares how Downton Abbey transformed Highclere’s global profile, what it is like to live and work alongside a major film production, and how the castle evolved into a year-round destination. Lady Carnarvon discusses her entrepreneurial approach, from Christmas events and behind-the-scenes tours to virtual experiences, bestselling books, and Highclere Castle Gin, while confronting the hard economic realities of British farming and long-term stewardship. The conversation also explores Highclere’s ghost stories, its sense of community, and why heritage, kindness, and authenticity matter more than ever in a changing world. Timecodes 04:29 Christmas at Highclere 09:56 Tutankhamun and Downton Abbey 18:41 Challenges of modern farming 27:11 Ghost stories and blessings 36:45 The mysterious death of Lord Carnarvon 43:38 The success of Highclere Castle Gin 48:03 Building a brand and community 56:43 Final thoughts and future plans Follow James Reed on Linkedin: Find out more about Lady Carnarvon and Highclere Castle: All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more here This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

    58 min
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4.3
out of 5
178 Ratings

About

'James Reed: all about business' puts you at the heart of fun, dynamic, candid conversation with business leaders, philanthropists and charitable celebrities as they use their journeys to give clear, actionable advice. Hosted by James Reed CBE, the Chairman and CEO of Reed Group, you’ll hear the highs and lows of what it means to be a true business leader to empower you to implement smarter, more meaningful strategy in your business or career.

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