James Reed: all about business

4d ago

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

Dec 8

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

Dec 1

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

Nov 24

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

Nov 17

Being successful in hospitality is incredibly tough. But how do you keep a focus on quality and authenticity whilst expanding into multiple new locations? In this episode of All About Business, James is joined by Sir Rocco Forte, titan of the luxury hospitality and hotel industry. They explore his incredible journey as an entrepreneur within a family whose history in hospitality spans over a century. They also delve into how he has prioritised community impact in his work as well as maintaining a family-oriented approach to make something special that lasts. Timecodes: 02:23 Building Iconic Hotels 09:43 The Forte Family Legacy 11:47 Challenges and Triumphs in Business 21:46 Expanding the Hotel Empire 38:54 Family Involvement in the Business 43:53 Leadership and Decision Making 01:00:25 Economic Views and Government Policies Sign up to your 7 day trial for Reed.ai NOW Be part of the million job giveaway HERE Follow James Reed on LinkedIn Find out more about Sir Rocco Forte and Forte Hotels here 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

Nov 10

Socialism doesn’t work. Hyper-capitalism doesn’t work. Is this the answer? What happens when the DNA of a corporation changes? In this episode of 'All About Business', Alex interviews the usual host, James Reed, about his new book, 'Karma Capitalism.' The discussion revolves around the concept of Karma Capitalism, which James defines as a people-centric variant of capitalism where companies, known as Philanthropy Companies or 'Philcos,' allocate at least 10% of their shares to a charitable foundation. James shares personal experiences, including a life-changing accident, that catalyzed his belief in businesses having a purpose beyond profit. He outlines the benefits of this business model, such as improved longevity, increased profitability, and enhanced corporate citizenship. The conversation also touches on the challenges in current capitalism, the limitations of ESG, and the practical steps for companies to become Philanthropy Companies. James emphasises the potential for this philosophy to create a significant positive impact on business and society. I Timecodes: 03:45 The wake-up fall story 12:01 The Big Give and philanthropy 17:14 The benefits of being a Philco 22:16 Legacy and longevity of Philcos 28:55 Examples of successful karma capitalism 31:15 How to transition to a Philco 34:59 The impact of Philco on business 47:15 Challenges and opportunities for family businesses 51:09 Final thoughts and reflections Sign up to your 7 day trial for Reed.ai NOW Be part of the million job giveaway HERE Check out PhilCo’s website: Check out BigGive’s website: Buy ‘Karma Capitalism’ book: Follow James Reed on LinkedIn: 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

Nov 3

The question is...are you a faithful, or are you a traitor? Television is something we all enjoy. But few of us get to see how the shows we love actually come to life and why some of them grip the nation in what can only be described as a phenomenon. Today on All About Business, James is joined by Stephen Lambert OBE. Stephen is a producer and founder of Studio Lambert, the production company behind some of the UK’s most successful shows like The Traitors , Gogglebox , Squid Game: The Challenge and Race Across the World. In this episode, they explore how Stephen built the UK’s most successful independent production company, what goes into producing formats that connect with audiences around the world, and why encouraging risk-taking and innovation is so important in TV. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction 01:09 How Stephen Lambert Started His Career 03:27 The Evolution of the TV Business 20:00 Studio Lambert – Sued by Michael Jackson 20:50 Undercover Boss 25:51 Gogglebox 29:02 Celebrity Traitors 35:08 Celebrity Race Across the World 38:34 Squid Game: The Challenge 42:48 Confidentiality – Avoiding Leaks & Spoilers 47:09 How to Find Work in Television 55:28 Developing a Show 1:01:05 The Future of Unscripted Television 1:08:43 Interview round Sign up to your 7 day trial for Reed.ai NOW Be part of the million job giveaway HERE Follow James Reed on LinkedIn 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

Oct 27

Is it possible to be a highly successful entrepreneur without compromising your commitment to customers, staff, and society? In this episode of All About Business, we’re joined by John Spiers, entrepreneur, philanthropist, veteran of the wealth management industry, and Chairman of EQ Investors, one of the UK’s leading B Corporations. John shares why he returned to the sector to found EQ Investors, how he deliberately built its culture around putting the client first, and why the bottom line will look after itself if you do things correctly. He reveals the unique structure of EQ Investors, with a foundation owning a quarter of the shares, giving clients and staff confidence in the company’s long-term stability and purpose. This purpose-led structure earned the company the highest B Corp score in the UK. John also shares his critique of shareholder-focused capitalism and the short-term pressures of private equity, arguing why a long-term, stakeholder-first model creates greater business resilience. John shares his immense knowledge on how to be an effective philanthropist, explains the creation of his platform, Giving Is Great, and offers vital advice on what to look for, and what not to look for, when assessing a charity’s effectiveness. This episode is packed with valuable insight if you’re an entrepreneur interested in purpose-driven business, investment strategy, and how to build a company that prioritises all its stakeholders for long-term success. Timecodes: 03:52 The concept of philanthropy companies 05:14 Challenges and benefits of philanthropy companies 12:34 The importance of early years and environmental causes 21:24 The creation and impact of giving is great 33:12 The power of matching donations 39:59 Challenges in charity data and impact reporting 47:58 Evaluating charity leadership 54:17 The rewards of philanthropy Check out EQ Investors website: Follow EQ Investors on LinkedIn: Start your free trial at Reed.ai NOW! Follow James Reed on LinkedIn 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