Stay Connected‘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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What should you do if you have a brilliant business idea but don’t have the funds to bring it to life?
In today’s episode of All About Business, I'm joined by venture capitalist Sasha Kaletsky. Sasha is the co-founder of investment firm Creator Ventures which he started with his cousin Caspar Lee. They have injected millions of dollars into digital tech companies in six short years.
In this episode, we explore how to craft the perfect pitch, how social media is shaping our economy, and how you can use simple AI tools to scale your business quickly.
Sasha Kaletsky is the co-founder and Managing Partner at Creator Ventures, a firm that invests in technologies shaping the digital landscape.
Before founding Creator Ventures, Sasha gained extensive experience in private equity, technology, and consulting. He started at Bridgepoint in private equity, contributed to the launch and expansion of Uber, and worked as a consultant at the Boston Consulting Group.
Timestamps
01:58 Introduction
02:31 Creator Ventures
17:37 Setting up in the United States
18:48 CEOs becoming creators
20:35 Building companies with AI
25:51 The future social landscape
29:28 Uber
31:12 The network effect
34:04 The secret behind a 5-Star passenger rating
35:09 What makes a good pitch
39:18 How Sasha determines future markets
41:12 Presenting to VCs
42:39 Due diligence
43:20 How to pitch to Sasha
43:53 Working with family
47:06 When due diligence fails
49:15 How companies can make better use of AI
54:53 Interview round
Links
All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: https://www.reed.com/?utm_medium=AABshownotes
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.
How can you use psychology to quickly go from struggling employee to productivity machine?
Today’s guest on All About Business is Octavius Black CBE, the co-founder of MindGym, a corporate learning company that merges behavioural science with leadership development to turn struggling teams into powerhouses of productivity.
In this episode, we discuss the psychology behind high performance, why most leadership programmes are a waste of time, and the psychometric test that can predict your team’s future.
Octavius Black CBE is the founder and executive chair of MindGym, a company that delivers corporate learning and development programmes through 90-minute training sessions known as workouts.
Octavius has also co-authored several books that provide actionable insights and techniques to improve mental fitness and overall wellbeing.
In recognition of his contributions to business, Octavius was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2023.
Timestamps
00:41 The origin story of MindGym
03:50 The 90-minute learning revolution
07:11 Coaching and performance improvement
13:24 The importance of belonging and inclusion
19:43 HR challenges and innovations
27:42 Addressing workplace stress and wellbeing
30:15 Five conditions for thriving at work
35:39 The role of feedback in the workplace
41:54 The importance of emotional self-regulation
49:06 The future of AI in talent development
Links
Follow Octavius Black on LinkedIn
All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at:
https://www.reed.com/?utm_medium=AABshownotes
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
How would a Jeweller who has become a favourite amongst the royal family start from scratch in 2025?
In this episode of All About Business, James interviews Kiki McDonagh, a fifth-generation jeweler renowned for her work with high-profile clients including Princess Diana and the current Princess of Wales. They discuss how she transformed the perception of fine jewellery, making it more accessible and encouraging women to buy for themselves. She shares insights into her design inspiration, the evolution of her brand, and the importance of business strategies such as starting small, maintaining strict financial oversight, and building customer trust.
Celebrating 40 years in the industry, Kiki outlines her future plans, including expansion into the American market.
Timestamps
03:26 Designing with passion and innovation
05:21 Building a brand and customer relationships
14:32 Navigating the luxury market
20:26 The impact of social media and online sales
26:36 Advice for aspiring jewellers
31:53 Building trust and brand identity
38:37 Challenges and opportunities in the jewellery industry
49:18 Expanding into the American market
53:03 Looking forward: Future plans and reflections
Links:
Follow James Reed on LinkedIn
All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at Reed Global
Visit Kiki McDonagh here
Visit Kiki McDonagh on Instagram
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
How do you build a brand that not only speaks to a whole generation of women, but also transforms an entire industry?
In this episode of All About Business, I sit down with Sharmadean Reid MBE, the trailblazing entrepreneur behind brands such as WAH Nails, Beautystack and The Stack World.
We discuss her experiences navigating the fashion and tech industries, how the pandemic changed her outlook on business, and the inspiration behind her new luxury beauty brand, 39 BC.
Sharmadean Reid MBE is an entrepreneur, creative consultant and advocate for women’s empowerment. Her work focuses on women’s power, equity and ownership.
Sharmadean launched WAH Nails in 2009 as a place for women to hang out, form friendships and build communities while getting creative nail designs. She also founded beauty booking system, Beautystack in 2017, as well as The Stack World in 2021.
In recognition of her contributions, Sharmadean received an MBE in 2015 from Queen Elizabeth II. She published her first book, New Methods for Women in 2024, and is currently working on her second book, along with a scripted TV show about female founders.
Timestamps
01:30 The birth of WAH Nails
05:54 From nail salon to global brand
10:09 The transition to tech and venture capital
12:08 Building Beautystack
20:10 Challenges and reflections during the pandemic
26:06 The pivot to The Stack World
30:38 Corporate anarchy and women's independence
36:31 Introducing 39 BC
49:25 Future projects and vision
Links
Subscribe to Shamadean Reid’s newsletter
Follow Sharmadean Reid on LinkedIn
All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at:
https://www.reed.com/?utm_medium=AABshownotes
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
In December 2020, the UK signed its first post-Brexit trade deal with Turkey, safeguarding a £18.6bn relationship. But how did Turkey become so important for UK business?
In this episode of All About Business, I’m joined by Livio Manzini, Chairman and CEO of Bell Holding, a packaging and services company based in Turkey. We explore Turkey’s secret to efficient manufacturing, why trade wars are bad for everyone, and why ditching the Gregorian calendar might be good for business.
Livio Manzini has been the Chairman and CEO of Bell Holding since 1993. Bell Holding owns packaging and services companies, which includes Reed Recruitment Turkey. Livio is also an Honorary Chair of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Turkey, where he fosters economic relations between countries by promoting bilateral trade, supporting SMEs, and promoting sustainability initiatives.
Timestamps
01:43 Who is Livio Manzini?
08:15 The Gregorian calendar
15:35 Bell Holding, Turkey
21:15 Where the trade war is heading
25:13 Why the US and Europe have failed to compete in manufacturing
27:13 The four-day vs five-day work week
29:26 Livio on tariffs
30:38 Advice for businesses in a fractured world
36:30 Where to find opportunities
38:04 Generational businesses and succession planning
42:41 Advice on starting a dream business
43:43 The relationship between service businesses and manufacturing businesses
46:45 Climate change
Links
Follow Livio Manzini on LinkedIn
All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at https://www.reed.com/?utm_medium=AABshownotes.
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
Consistent branding has the power to increase your revenue by up to 20%. But with massive rebrands making headlines for all the wrong reasons, how can you refresh your image without alienating your audience?
In this episode of 'All About Business,' I sit down with David Robertson Mitchell, who spent almost a decade working as a brand consultant for Mercedes’ Formula One team.
We discuss how he helped build Lewis Hamilton’s influential brand with the Mercedes’ Formula One team, the secret to getting your finance director on board with your marketing plans and why Jaguar’s recent rebrand might not be as terrible as you think.
David Robertson Mitchell aka The Brand Rover, is the Founder and Managing Director of dna-rB, a brand consultancy that works with individuals, businesses and sport teams to define brands, support the implementation of brand strategy and help manage reputations. dna-rB specialises in personal and corporate branding, ensuring alignment between a company’s brand and the personal brand of its CEO.
Timestamps
02:43 Branding Mercedes’ Formula One team
07:14 Lewis Hamilton's personal brand evolution
14:12 Branding success stories in sports
17:11 Rebranding challenges and strategies
30:31 The importance of messaging
34:25 Consistency in branding and marketing
39:40 Personal branding strategies
42:42 The CEO brand
52:14 Reputation management
Links
Check out David Mitchell's website
Follow David Mitchell on LinkedIn
All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.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.
With new economic policies forcing UK businesses to tighten their purse strings, how can we keep the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit alive, while also getting the economy back on track?
In this episode of All About Business, I’m joined by Luke Johnson, the serial entrepreneur who spotted some of the UK’s most popular food brands, including Pizza Express, The Ivy and Gail’s Bakery.
We discuss how to spot a winning investment, what the UK should be doing to promote entrepreneurship, and Luke’s five tips for reviving the economy.
Luke Johnson is an entrepreneur known for expanding the Pizza Express brand. He also founded Signature Restaurants, which owned notable restaurants including, The Ivy, and Le Caprice. Luke is currently Chairman of Risk Capital Partners, a private equity firm. From 2015-2021 he wrote a regular column for The Sunday Times where he shared his business expertise.
Timestamps
02:11 Who is Luke Johnson?
06:36 The traits entrepreneurs need to have
07:23 Pizza Express beginnings
11:36 Being a projector
13:40 The British business climate
23:19 Risk Capital Partners
26:03 Gail's Bakery
27:33 Luke's business formula
31:56 How we can encourage entrepreneurship in the UK
36:09 Luke's book and weekly column For entrepreneurs
40:56 Television and the arts
46:04 Future projects with Risk Capital Partners
49:05 Reed Interview Round
Links
Check out Risk Capital Partners
All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.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
With 77% of 13-18 year olds using artificial intelligence in some way, how can we make sure young people are using AI effectively while also protecting them from its potential dangers?
In this episode of All About Business, I sit down with Philip Colligan, the CEO of Raspberry Pi Foundation, which provides free AI education to children across the globe. We discuss why AI is becoming more and more human-like, how to build a global network and why asking AI to help with homework might not be such a bad thing.
Philip Colligan is the CEO of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a charity that promotes computing education for young people. The Foundation aims to help young people realise their full potential through the power of digital education.
Timestamps
02:05 Raspberry Pi going from charity to billion-pound business
07:07 The IPO journey and listing Raspberry Pi
15:39 AI literacy and preparing the next generation
27:44 The role of AI in education
31:07 Inspiring young minds
36:45 Global expansion and partnerships
39:06 Challenges and strategies for global outreach
Links
Visit Raspberry Pi foundation’s website
All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.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
The UK’s life science sector is booming, generating over £100 billion in turnover in 2022. And with more and more companies entering the space, how do you marry business and science to create a drug that not only makes money but saves lives.
In this episode of All About Business, I sit down with Dame Kate Bingham, Managing Partner at SV Health Investors, specialising in biotechnology investments. Kate has over 30 years of experience in healthcare investment and led the UK's vaccine task force during COVID-19.
She shares the ins and outs of health care investment, the challenges that came with leading the UK’s vaccine taskforce, and what she did when the press questioned her credentials.
Dame Kate Bingham is a venture capitalist and biotech investor. She is best known for her role as the chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she led efforts to procure and distribute vaccines.
Katie is currently a managing partner at SV Health Investors, specialising in biotechnology investments.
Kate was awarded a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2021.
Timestamps
02:22 Kate Bingham's career journey
05:42 Precision medicine and disease modification
12:01 The future of healthcare and AI
14:18 Dementia discovery funds and new drugs
20:32 The challenges and rewards of venture capital
24:29 The Importance of constructive relationships in venture capital
30:37 Challenges and successes of the vaccine task force
40:32 Navigating political and public scrutiny
49:59 Women in science and leadership
Links
All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.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
How do you go from cleaning toilets to running a multi-million pound company?
In this episode of All about business, I sit down with Neil Clifford, the CEO of luxury footwear brand Kurt Geiger. Neil left school with just one O-Level, and rose to become a top player in the retail industry.
We discuss the lessons Neil learned from his early retail jobs, why CEOs shouldn’t work from home, and how he helped turn Kurt Geiger into a multimillion pound international business.
Neil Clifford started his career at Kurt Geiger as a store manager and worked his way up to becoming CEO over the course of 20 years. He has been instrumental in expanding the business internationally and launching its online presence. The brand has grown to operate in 28 countries with 57 standalone retail locations.
Neil is also dedicated to giving back to the community, having set up The Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation which aims to raise £1 million every year to support young creatives. The Foundation has also created Business By Design, an academy for 18-20 year olds to upskill and prepare them for careers in fashion.
Timestamps
03:12 First jobs and rising through the retail ranks
13:17 Career breakthroughs
22:12 Private equity and global expansion
37:36 Strategies for business growth
40:05 Personal reflections
50:24 Philanthropy and social responsibility
Links
All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.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
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