James Reed: all about business

Reed Global
  • 4.3 (153)
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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. 4D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 12/15/2025

    57. How to spot the next billion dollar opportunity before everyone else | James McHugh

    Some of the biggest global businesses started the same way: someone spotted an opportunity early- and then chose the right partner. In this episode of All About Business, James speaks with serial venture builder James McHugh, founder and chairman of Tquila. James reveals the “build-operate-transfer” playbook behind multiple eight-figure exits and how he’s now riding the AI wave with agentic systems and post-keyboard CRMs. He also  shares how he spotted the Salesforce gap in Europe in 2010, repeatedly building (and exiting) high-growth tech-services including joint ventures with Salesforce, ServiceNow and now AI leaders like Anthropic and you.com.  A candid conversation on scaling fast, choosing truth-seeking AI, why governments are dangerously unprepared for mass unemployment, and what abundance on the other side might actually look like. Timecodes 02:31 The Salesforce Opportunity: Building a Business in Europe 05:21 The tquila Story: Naming and Early Success 08:29 The Role of Partnerships in Business Success 11:13 AI and the Future: Opportunities and Challenges 23:22 The Impact of AI on Employment and Society 33:55 The Future of AI and Human Values 38:45 Driverless Cars and the Future of Transportation 47:04 The Impact of AI on Jobs and Society 49:15 The Future of Human Longevity with AI Follow James Reed on Linkedin: Follow James McHugh on LinkedIn: Find out more about tquila: 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 4m

  6. 12/08/2025

    56. Banishing bureaucracy: How Octopus Group built a culture of entrepreneurship leading to a $9 billion valuation | Chris Hulatt

    How do you build a culture where risk-taking is celebrated, bureaucracy is banished and everyone thinks like an entrepreneur? In this episode, James is joined by Chris Hulatt, Co-founder of Octopus Group, a multi-billion-pound investment and energy business that started in a living room and grew into a global force spanning fund management, renewable energy and technology. Chris shares how Octopus went from backing UK startups to creating Octopus Energy, now valued at $9 billion, and why initiatives like Springboard are helping employees become founders themselves. We talk about how to make fast decisions without perfect data, why bureaucracy kills creativity and what it really takes to scale up without losing your entrepreneurial spark. Timecodes: 02:43 - Octopus Energy: The Startup Story 09:16 - The Importance of Financial Literacy 12:21 - Octopus Group Funds & Investment Approach 17:21 - Culture of Entrepreneurship at Octopus 21:40 - The Springboard Scheme for New Ventures 25:08 - Success Stories & Learning from Failure 28:44 - Barriers to Entrepreneurship in the UK 31:13 - Octopus Group’s Shared Purpose 34:05 - Decision Making & Avoiding Bureaucracy 41:05 - Customer-First Philosophy 44:05 - The Future of Octopus Group Donate to the BigGive Christmas challenge NOW! Follow James Reed on Linkedin Follow Chriss Hulatt on LinkedIn Find out more about Octopus Group 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

  7. 12/01/2025

    55. Fame, failure & a 12-stone weight loss: The journey to 2 Michelin stars | Tom Kerridge

    Building a career in food is one thing - but what does it really take to become one of the UKs most famous chefs?  In this episode of 'All About Business,' James Reed speaks with renowned British chef Tom Carriage, exploring Tom’s journey from washing dishes in small kitchens to becoming a Michelin-starred chef and a successful business owner with a portfolio of restaurants.  Tom discusses his approach to leadership, the ethos behind mentoring young professionals, and his thoughts on balancing passion with business acumen. They also delve into Tom’s personal transformation, including his significant weight loss and sobriety, and discuss the broader challenges facing the hospitality industry, including taxation and workforce management.  Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction 02:40- Early career and challenges 08:52 Building a culinary empire 13:10 Philosophy and success 17:11 Mentorship and team building 27:18 Journey to sobriety 31:29 Embracing neurodiversity in the kitchen 40:52 Challenges in the hospitality industry 47:16 Future plans and reflections Donate to the BigGive Christmas challenge NOW! Follow James Reed on Linkedin Visit Tom Kerridge's website to learn more about his food, venues, books and other ventures 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

    51 min

  8. 11/24/2025

    54. The secret behavioural prompts brands use to influence your choices | Raphy March

    How can businesses gain a true understanding of what drives customer decisions? And how can science be applied to create marketing that not only feels deeply human but also delivers measurable results? Today on All About Business, James is Raphy March, Managing Director at Cowry Consulting, a pioneer in combining behavioral science with AI to help global brands like Coca-Cola, EasyJet, and Sky, influence behavior at scale. They explore practical insights on building human-centered AI strategies, the ethics of shaping customer experiences, and how entrepreneurs can use data and psychology to stand out, scale, and grow with purpose. Timecodes: 02:16 Introduction to Raphy March and Cowrie Consulting 08:27 The Nudge Unit and Government Applications 09:08 Behavioral Science in the Private Sector 17:53 Case Study: Keep Britain Tidy 26:51 Ethics in Behavioral Science 29:31 Practical Applications of Behavioral Science 33:37 Using Physical Evidence to Justify a Pay Rise 36:09 Improving Customer Retention at Sky 43:50 Behavioral Science in Brand Perception 49:16 The Role of AI in Behavioral Science 01:07:02 Future of Behavioral Science and AI Sign up to your 7 day trial for Reed.ai NOW Be part of the million job giveaway HERE Follow James Reed on LinkedIn Follow Raphy March on LinkedIn Find out more about Cowry Consulting All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at Reed.com 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 8m
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4.3
out of 5
153 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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