How did M&S pull off one of the biggest turnarounds in British retail? Hannah Prevett speaks to operations director Sacha Berendji about the high street giant's transformation.

In this episode of The Business, we explore how M&S transformed its food, fashion, and shop location strategy to capture market share across British business. From store renewals and digital growth - to managing a cyber attack - we consider what its resurgence reveals about wider retail trends and consumer spending across the UK economy. M&S operations director Sacha Berendji joins Hannah Prevett, associate business editor at The Sunday Times, to discuss the corporate strategy behind the multi-billion-pound revival of M&S. He explains how leadership set the course to revamp its product lineup, handle the logistics of "fortress factories" and is now approaching shoplifting challenges. He also discusses the tax burden on high street retailers, along with what M&S wants from government fiscal policy to address rising costs and the youth unemployment crisis.

He breaks down the company's decision to close a number of high street shops across the country:

“We're very well aware of the role that we play on a high street and within a local community, so we never take these decisions [to close a location] lightly - but when you look at the economics at play, not just for us, but for all retailers, and, really importantly, where customers are shopping, it has become more and more difficult to justify being in locations where there isn't customer foot fall,” he says on the show. “It's not an anti-high street agenda … If the high street is the right place, then we'll be on the high street.”

Guest:

• Sacha Berendji, operations director at M&S

Presenter:

• Hannah Prevett, associate business editor at The Sunday Times

Producer: Hope Federico

Executive Producer: Miriam Hall and Emily Leahy

Get in touch: [email protected]

Picture: Getty

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This series is sponsored by PwC.

Could we see the first female Formula 1®  driver in 50 years racing in a Grand Prix?

In the second episode of a special series, host Andy Jaye speaks to 19 year old F1 ACADEMY driver Rachel Robertson, who’s chasing that dream and breaking down barriers in motorsport. Joined by PwC’s chief people officer Phillippa O’Connor they discuss Rachel’s inspirational story from a karting to the F1 ACADEMY, and how talent investment and more inclusive workplace cultures can open up new career pathways.

Together they explore how nurturing talent is vital for Formula 1® and how industry leaders can attract more diverse talent to drive high performance and long term economic growth.

You can also watch this episode on Times Business channel on YouTube.

Presenter:

Andy Jaye, Broadcaster

Guests:

Rachel Robertson, F1 ACADEMY driver

Phillippa O’Connor, PwC Chief People Officer

Producer: Harry Bligh and Shabnam Grewal

Executive Producer: Emily Leahy 

Video Producer: Super Llama

Get in touch: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are wealth creators fleeing Britain, and what does a super-rich exodus mean for Treasury tax revenues and the wider UK economy?

In this episode of The Business, Hannah Prevett investigates why high earners are leaving the country and whether changes to non-dom status are accelerating the trend. She is joined by Dan Neidle, tax lawyer and founder of Tax Policy Associates, and Robert Watts, Times contributor and compiler of the Sunday Times Rich List.

Together, they explore high-profile departures, including hedge fund founder Chris Rokos, who paid £330m in UK tax in a single year. They examine how abolishing non-dom rules, rising inheritance tax, and proposed exit taxes impact capital investment across British business. And as ministers prepare their upcoming budget, Hannah asks how government fiscal policy can retain top talent in the country, protect tax receipts, and drive long-term economic growth.

Presenter:

Hannah Prevett, associate business editor at The Sunday Times

Guests:

Dan Neidle, founder of Tax Policy Associates

Robert Watts, Times contributor

Producer: Hope Federico

Executive Producer: Emily Leahy and Miriam Hall 

Video Producer: Bronwen Latham

Image: Getty

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This series is sponsored by PwC.

What does it take to broadcast the excitement and drama of Formula 1® to millions of fans across the world, with high pressure stakes and no room for error?

In the first episode of a special series, host Andy Jaye speaks to Dean Locke, Formula 1®’s Executive Director of broadcast, Media and Race Operations and PwC’s UK Consulting Chief Markets Officer David Allen. Together they examine how innovation, AI and tech have transformed Formula 1®’s high-stakes broadcasting operation to deliver greater efficiency, sustainability and quality, and what industry leaders can learn about corporate strategy and harnessing tech.

You can also watch this episode on Times Business channel on YouTube.

Presenter:

Andy Jaye, Broadcaster

Guests:

Dean Locke, Formula 1® Executive Director of broadcast, Media and Race Operations 

David Allen, PwC UK Consulting Chief Markets Officer 

Producers: Harry Bligh and Shabnam Grewal

Executive Producer: Emily Leahy 

Video Producer: Super Llama

Get in touch: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coming soon…The Business of Formula 1®

A series sponsored by PwC.

Listen on The Business wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on Times Business channel on YouTube.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How is Pret A Manger turning a London high-street staple into a powerhouse brand? In this episode of The Business, chief executive Pano Christou breaks down the Pret A Manger global strategy, detailing how the company adapts its corporate strategy for international markets while staying true to its British business roots.

Recorded live at The Times Future of London summit, Hannah Prevett sits down with one of retail's most prominent industry leaders. Pano reflects on his 26-year journey from the shop floor to the executive suite, sharing lessons in entrepreneurship, building a resilient model, and navigating changing retail trends and consumer habits.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to press follow at the top of your podcast app.

Presenter: 

Hannah Prevett, associate business editor of The Sunday Times

Guest: 

Pano Christou, Chief Executive of Pret A Manger

Producer: Hope Federico

Executive Producers: Miriam Hall and Emily Leahy

Video Producer: Bronwen Latham

Image: Getty

Get in touch: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is Jaguar Land Rover cutting 4,000 jobs? Dominic O’Connell examines what the news of this major reduction means for the future of British car manufacturing.

In this episode of The Business, we break down the decision by Jaguar Land Rover to cut nearly 10% of its UK workforce as the car maker pushes to save £1.7 billion. With automotive output falling to levels not seen since the 1950s in the UK, we ask whether soaring energy costs, Donald Trump's tariffs, and fierce Chinese competition threaten the wider UK economy and long-term economic growth.

Dominic is joined by Oliver Gill, deputy business editor at The Sunday Times, who broke the story, and David Bailey, professor of business economics at Birmingham Business School. Together, they explore whether Jaguar Land Rover can successfully pivot to luxury electric vehicles, how changing government fiscal policy impacts British business, and whether Prime Minister Andy Burnham's pledge to re-industrialise Britain is realistic.

Guests:

• Oliver Gill, deputy business editor at The Sunday Times
• David Bailey, professor of business economics at Birmingham Business School

Presenter:

• Dominic O’Connell, Times columnist and Times Radio business correspondent

Producer: Hope Federico 

Executive Producers: Emily Leahy and Miriam Hall

Video Producer: Bronwen Latham

Get in touch: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is sponsored by PwC.

Why are so many young people out of work? Government adviser Alan Milburn joins The Business to discuss youth unemployment, the rising number of NEETs (not in employment, education or training) and first jobs.

In this episode, Alan Milburn — who has been examining the surge in young people classified as NEETs — is joined by PwC’s Chief People Officer Philippa O’Connor. Together with hosts Hannah Prevett and Dominic O’Connor, they analyse why tackling youth unemployment is critical for the UK economy and future economic growth.

Drawing on research from the Social Market Foundation and PwC, they explore why British business must invest in entry-level talent, how industry leaders can help young people build a career, and what’s needed to keep young people out of long-term unemployment.

Guests:

Alan Milburn, author of the government-commissioned review into young people and work

Phillippa O’Connor, chief people officer, PwC UK

Presenter:

Hannah Prevett, associate business editor, The Sunday Times

Dominic O’Connell, business correspondent, Times Radio

Producer: Hope Federico

Executive Producer: Emily Leahy 

Get in touch: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is English sparkling wine outperforming Champagne to become a fast-growing sector in British business? Dominic O'Connell speaks to Chapel Down CEO James Pennefather.

What was once viewed as a niche agricultural experiment is now a major success story across the UK economy. In this episode of The Business, James Pennefather, chief executive of Britain’s largest wine producer Chapel Down, joins Dominic O’Connell to discuss how domestic vineyards are expanding and reshaping luxury retail trends.

James reveals the corporate strategy behind scaling English sparkling wine to capture a significant part of the global champagne market by 2035. He discusses Kent's chalk soils, navigating export growth in the US, and why younger consumers are embracing local fizz. 

Plus, he shares how Chapel Down uses its AIM listing as an innovative marketing tool to turn shareholders into loyal customers, and why English sparkling wine represents a major opportunity for UK entrepreneurship.

"English sparkling wine has the same quality credentials as champagne, but a slightly more approachable positioning," Pennefather says.

Guest:

• James Pennefather, Chief Executive of Chapel Down

Presenter:

• Dominic O’Connell, Times columnist and Times Radio business correspondent

Video producer: Bronwen Latham 

Producer: Hope Federico 

Executive Producers: Emily Leahy and Miriam Hall

Photo: Getty 

Get in touch: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How will US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and global bond markets impact UK borrowing, John Healey’s UK Budget, and the wider UK economy? Rising inflation rates, soaring government debt, and higher borrowing costs are putting severe pressure on global markets. But can politicians intervene without making things worse?

The US Treasury intends to double its buyback operations of government bonds to control yields. But how far can Scott Bessent go before investors lose faith?

In this episode of The Business, Dominic O’Connell brings you essential market analysis with The Times economics editor, Mehreen Khan, and Chris Jeffery, Head of Macro Strategy at Legal & General Investment Management. They unpack how spiralling UK borrowing costs affect everything from mortgage rates to pension values, delivering the definitive financial news breakdown.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to press follow at the top of your podcast app.

Guests:

• Chris Jeffery, head of macro strategy, Legal & General Investment Management
• Mehreen Khan, economics editor, The Times

Presenter:

• Dominic O'Connell. business correspondent, Times Radio

Producer: Hope Federico

Executive Producers: Miriam Hall and Emily Leahy

Video Producer: Bronwen Latham

Image: Getty 

Get in touch: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did Trinny Woodall build a global cosmetics empire by targeting an overlooked market? Hannah Prevett speaks to the Trinny London founder about entrepreneurship, corporate strategy, and leading a modern British business.

In this bonus episode, Trinny Woodall shares how she turned personal brand authority into an innovative enterprise, which she launched at age 53. As one of the UK’s most prominent industry leaders, Trinny Woodall explains why raising capital was challenging, how she navigated changing retail trends - and what it takes to scale a brand.

"The more we go into AI, the more important it is when you scroll through social, you're being sent an ad or you're seeing something on a billboard ... That company has a soul and it has a code of beliefs which are not to do with the product it's selling you," she says. "That code of beliefs is actually what you relate to and connect with, and therefore, at that top-line level, you agree with what the feeling is, of that brand."

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to press follow at the top of your podcast app and look for the full episode with Trinny Woodall wherever you get your podcasts.

Guest:

• Trinny Woodall, founder and CEO of Trinny London

Presenter:

• Hannah Prevett, associate business editor at The Sunday Times

Producer: Hope Federico

Executive Producer: Miriam Hall and Emily Leahy 

Video Producer: Bronwen Latham 

Get in touch: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.