Big Boss Interview

Jo Whitfield, in her first chat since becoming Chair of the British Retail Consortium, tells Sean Farrington how she ended up hat the organisation after a career spanning some of the High Street's biggest businesses. She shares why it’s such an important time for retail, and talks about how the sector’s changing—thanks to online shopping, social media, and shifting customer habits—and how retailers are adapting. Jo dives into the pressures businesses face, especially around business rates and taxes, and calls for a fairer system that doesn’t penalize physical stores. There’s also a look at how supermarkets, independents, and online influencers all play a role in today’s retail ecosystem. Jo reflects on being the BRC’s first female chair and why diversity in leadership—across gender, ethnicity, and background—matters for the future of retail. She also touches on tech, AI, and how retail offers flexibility and opportunity, especially for women, whilst on safety, she highlights rising retail crime, the risks to staff and delivery drivers, and what the industry and government are doing about it. Cybersecurity is another hot topic, with Jo stressing the need for constant vigilance and investment. 01:26 Joe Whitfield’s career and appointment as Chair of the British Retail Consortium 03:51 Transformation and challenges in the retail sector 07:40 Impact of business rates, taxation, and the upcoming budget on retailers 14:31 Role of large supermarkets, independent retailers, and online influencers 19:58 Inclusion and diversity in retail leadership 23:41 Women’s careers, technology, and AI in retail 25:23 Retail crime, safety for workers and delivery drivers 32:33 Threats of cyber crime and security in retail (Picture: Getty) Presenter: Sean Farrington Producer: Angus Tiffin Editor: Henry Jones

Glenn Fogel, CEO and President of the world's largest online travel platform, Booking.com joins Will Bain to discuss whether the USA is witnessing a downturn in foreign visits due to the policies of the Trump administration. He also outlines his thoughts on issues that affect many Brits on their summer holidays: over-tourism. You’ll also hear how his company is positioning itself in legal disputes over some property listings, and why the rapid rise of AI could reshape the way we plan and experience our trips. Plus find out why Will got offended! Presenter: Will Bain Editor: Henry Jones 00:00 Intro from Fliss and Will 02:00 Tourists to USA down 05:00 Over-tourism 13:30 Legal cases against Booking.com 17:30 Use of AI (Picture: Getty)

Fiona Eastwood, CEO of Merlin Entertainments tells Sean Farrington what it is like running one of the world’s leading entertainment companies. Merlin runs hundreds of theme parks around the world from Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures, to SeaWorld and Madame Tussauds. She explains how the main competition to her business is the amount of screen-time kids have, and how that influences the partnerships that they make with the likes of Lego, Peppa Pig, Bluey and now, most recently, Minecraft. But the industry has been struggling - from covid lockdowns to the cost of living crisis, in fact Merlin's credit rating was recently even downgraded; Fiona addresses this and calls for a reduction in VAT on the Tourism and Leisure industry and says that there is too much red tape when it comes to planning reforms. And despite being the Big Boss, find out which ride Fiona can't stomach. 00:00 Fliss and Sean Intro 02:15 Interview starts 03:54 Our competition is the home and screen time 04:50 Trends of customer spending 09:35 The growth and importance of Halloween 12:45 Credit rating downgrade of Merlin Entertainments 15:55 Impact of a late Autumn Budget 17:00 We need a VAT cut in Leisure and Tourism sector 20:35 How Merlin develop partnerships with Peppa Pig and now Minecraft 27:00 The role of Madame Tussauds for the business 30:20 Merlin operating in China for 25 years 31:45 How does Chief Operating Officer differ from Chief Exec Presenter: Sean Farrington Producer: Olie D'Albertanson Editor: Henry Jones (Picture credit: Getty)

Nick Mackenzie, CEO of Greene King, has issued a direct appeal to the Chancellor ahead of the autumn budget, urging immediate tax relief for Britain’s pubs. He told Felicity Hannah in this week's Big Boss Interview that unlike the last Budget, he hopes there are no surprises this time aound. The hospitality sector has absorbed over £300 million in additional costs since 2019—driven by rising energy, food, labour and tax burdens—and he says without action on business rates and alcohol duty, investment, jobs and vital community spaces are at risk. Mackenzie, who chairs the British Beer and Pub Association, says the government must honour its manifesto pledge to reform business rates and stop blindsiding the industry with surprise tax hikes. Presenter: Felicity Hannah Producer: Olie D'Albertanson Editor: Henry Jones 00:00 Sean and Felicity introduction 02:00 Intro Nick Mackenzie & why the pub is important 06:35 The evolution of the pub 10:45 The issues affecting the industry 14:57 How did the last budget impact your business 18:18 Govt need to stick to manifesto 23:40 Should opening hours be increased? 26:20 Impact of Covid and latest trends 31:45 Greene King and slavery apology 36:00 Reasons for optimism

Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan, is the biggest name in global banking. He has a hotline to world leaders, and what he says matters. In a wide-ranging Big Boss Interview with BBC Business Editor Simon Jack, he shares his concerns about a frothy market fuelled by money boarding the AI hype train. He also admits that the USA has become a less reliable partner due to President Trump’s use of tariffs, but says NATO is a stronger force thanks to the current administration. However, he warns that the war in Ukraine has changed the world. Timecodes: 00:00 Simon Jack on Jamie Dimon 03:55 Interview starts 05:30 Why invest in the UK 08:45 Frothy markets and AI 15:00 USA less reliable partner 21:00 Ukraine war changed the world 25:58 Tariffs and inflation 30:00 President Dimon?

If you want to sell vapes you should be forced to have a licence - that's according to Asli Ertonguc - the UK and Ireland Managing Director of British American Tobacco, or B.A.T as it's called. They're one of the world's largest tobacco manufacturers and sell the likes of Lucky Strike cigarettes, or Dunhill, and Rothmans. Asli says this approach will have a far bigger impact on reducing smoking than the Tobacco and Vaping Bill which is currently weaving its way through parliament. The Bill aims to make it so that anyone born after 2009 cannot legally buy cigarettes. 00:00 Intro from Will and Felicity 03:24 Start of interview with Alsi Ertonguc 07:02 Disposable vapes 13:05 More regulation needed 19:35 Tobacco and Vaping Bill 29:00 Will and Felicity outro.

AO Chief Executive and Founder, John Roberts is celebrating 25 years at the helm of of one of the UK's biggest electrical retailers - he speaks to Sean Farrington in the first episode of Big Boss Interview. John says he believes the UK is entering a recession and calls on the Government to do more to allow businesses like his aid growth. Instead he feels the Employment Right Bill - which is currently making its way through Parliament - will make business leaders think twice about recruiting. He also outlines why competition from Chinese firms or Amazon is good for business. Meanwhile, with the budget on the horizon, John warns of the dangers of stealing Murray Mints from pensioners and outlines his lack of sympathy for supermarket chains. Timecodes: 00:00 Intro 02:20 Start of interview with John Roberts 06:40 The current economic climate 10:00 Impact of the Employment Rights Bill on businesses 15:00 How hard it is to be competitive today and the impact of Chinese business 19:30 Competing with Amazon 22:30 Relationship with Mike Ashley 26:50 Prospects for school leavers today 30:00 Increases to the state pension 32:00 Raising taxes on the wealthy 36:00 Sean and Will discuss the interview

A new business podcast speaking to the UK's most successful CEOs and entrepreneurs.

For the very final time, Business Matters on the BBC World Service, Rahul Tandon is joined by many of our regular guests from over the last 12 years, who discuss some of the biggest themes we covered, including, the COVID-19 pandemic, cost of living crisis due to the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Donald Trump becoming President of the United States.

Brazil's former president, Jair Bolsonaro, has been sentenced to more than twenty-seven years in prison after the Supreme Court found him guilty of attempting a coup when he lost the 2022 election. More than 300 South Koreans who were arrested in the raid in the Hyundai plant in Georgia have now been released from detention and flown to their country. And how can this affect the economic relations between both countries? London's underground rail system – the Tube – has been closed for five days by a strike over pay and conditions for train drivers, and this has been very stressful for commuters, but more than that, it has been very damaging for businesses. And Roger Hearing hears about the use of artificial intelligence to write speeches for politics and business and how you can detect if it's written by AI or a human. Throughout the program, Roger will be joined by two guests on opposite sides of the world – Nga Pham, a journalist and filmmaker based in Taipei, although she will be joining us today from Hanoi in Vietnam - and Stephanie Hare, a researcher on technology and ethics in London.

US tech billionaire Larry Ellison briefly becomes the world’s richest person after shares in his business Oracle soar in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange. We examine how he has built his business empire which is valued at $393bn. We are in Mexico City to hear about protests about the increasing numbers of outsiders coming in and pushing up things like house prices , and the impact this having on local residents. We hear about some of the challenges facing Gen Z, those born in the late 1990’s and early 2000s as they head into the world of work. Presenter Roger Hearing talks to Washington based journalist Rema Rahman from the website The Hill , and Rintaro Nishimura Associate at the Asia Group in Tokyo about these and some of the other major business stories from around the globe.

The number of jobs created in the United States has been revised down. Not as many people got jobs as expected during the last months of Joe Biden's presidency or the opening period of Donald Trump's return to the White House. It suggests the world's largest economy is weaker than expected, but could it also mean Donald Trump will get his way and the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates? We're joined by the CBC's Takara Small in Toronto, Canada, and Stratagraph's Travis Paterson in Jakarta, Indonesia, to discuss how businesses have been impacted by the increasing use of tariffs by both the US and other governments. Roger Hearing finds out about the impact on the Korean community in the US state of Georgia after the detained Hyundai workers are set to be flown home. Elsewhere, there's a new French prime minister, the fifth in two years, to try to pass a budget. It was promised to be awe-dropping - but what has Apple unveiled at its latest event? And how a high murder rate is threatening tourism on a Caribbean island paradise. Global business news, with live guests and contributions from Asia and the USA.

Rupert Murdoch has bought out three of his children to finally settle a long running family dispute over the future control of his global media business. The US$3.3bn deal sees the media mogul essentially hand his empire to eldest son Lachlan. Andrew Peach is joined by Peter Morici in Maryland, USA, and Nassim Khadem in Melbourne, Australia, with the ramifications still being felt after French MPs ousted prime minister François Bayrou over plans to deal with the country's deficit by cutting public spending. Elsewhere, we hear why Mexico is considering enacting new tariffs on countries they don't have a trade agreement with, including China. And Donald trump's controversial "gold card" visa, offering the super rich permanent residence in the USA for just US$5m. Global business news, with live guests and contributions from Asia and the USA.

We break down the latest US jobs report, which showed hiring in America stalled last month. We explain what that means for the Federal Reserve which has come under immense pressure from the White House to cut interest rates. Plus: Russia's president Vladimir Putin says he wants to rekindle business relationships with the United States. But does the US president share that view? And will sanctions put a stop to that ambition before it even begins? We talk to a former US diplomat to Moscow for those answers. We're on the ground in the US state of Georgia where immigration agents have arrested nearly 500 people during a raid on a Hyundai battery-production facility. It's the biggest workplace raid of President Donald Trump's second term. Also, McDonald’s is taking a stand on tipping. It says all restaurant workers should get a full minimum wage rather than relying on tips to boost a smaller amount of pay. And we look at a growing list of senior executives who've hidden office romances and lost their jobs because of it. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

The US president's pick Stephen Miran is nominated to serve as governor of the central bank. Will he cut interest rates? And, as the US Justice Department launches a criminal investigation into another Fed governor, is Donald Trump closer to controlling the US Central Bank? Also, we talk to a designer and founder of the Very Creative Agency in New York, who's gone viral on social media after hitting the thrift trip jackpot. Is it the end of the illegally streamed sport programmes? We look at the closure of Streameast - the world’s largest illegal sports streaming site. You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.

Nationwide protests sweep Indonesia over police violence and government austerity measures. In the US, artwork once owned by Leonardo DiCaprio and linked to the 1MDB scandal is up for auction. Jamaicans cast votes in parliamentary elections. We examines some of the key issues facing the electorate. A Chilean drinks company takes up a court case against actor Pedro Pascal over the brand name ‘Pedro Piscal’. In the Ivory Coast, UNESCO adds the making of attiéké, a beloved cassava side dish, to the world’s cultural heritage list. Presenter Roger Hearing is joined throughout the programme by two guests on opposite sides of the world - Katia Dmitrieva is the Asia Economics Correspondent for Bloomberg News and Mike Malone is a Veteran Silicon Valley journalist and host of the Silicon Insider podcast.

US President Donald Trump says Washington DC is a 'safe space' after announcing he will send National Guard troops into Chicago to deal with crime. What do businesses think? Russia and China are working together on a major new gas pipeline deal. Google won a court case meaning it doesn’t have to sell its popular Chrome web browser. In Italy, the Venice film festival is taking place. We hear about the big budgets, CGI debates and new movies. And could you go a month without spending? We hear about 'No Spend September', the social media trend about saving money. Roger Hearing will be joined throughout the programme by two guests on opposite sides of the world - Tony Nash, CEO of Complete Intelligence in Houston, and Rachel Cartland, author and commentator, in Hong Kong.

Guyana, one of the world's fastest-growing economies, votes on its oil future as tensions rise with neighbour, Venezuela which claims almost half its territory. Is the English Premier League in an inflation spiral? Roger Hearing investigates, as record-breaking transfer fees dominate the headlines. Meanwhile, Swiss food giant Nestlé has sacked its CEO over his romantic relationship. We find out what economic forces are driving the war in Myanmar. And 40 years after the Titanic wreck was discovered, we explore how a tragic shipwreck became a booming global industry, from movies and museums to podcasts. Roger will be joined throughout the programme by two guests on opposite sides of the world - Sergio Guzman is Director of Colombia Risk Analysis in Columbia and Jessica Khine is a Business Consultant from Malaysia.

They’ve been a key pillar of President Trump’s second term, but now a US appeals court has ruled that most of his sweeping trade tariffs are illegal. Trump says their removal would be a ‘disaster,’ but the final decision will rest with the Supreme Court. So what next for Trump’s signature policy? Our correspondent in the US explains more. Meanwhile, as Fed governor Lisa Cook fights to block President Trump firing her, a legal hearing on the matter ended without a ruling. But with ongoing tensions and concerns over the bank’s independence, who would want the next Fed chair job when the role becomes vacant next year? We hear from a former regional Fed president who says he’s up for the job. And what are your thoughts on’ blue sky thinking’, ‘circling back’ and’ diarising some thoughtification’? Love it or loathe it, workplace jargon is commonplace in many companies. We speak to authors James Schloefell and Charles Firth about their new book on the subject of workplace speak.

Friday sees the US Customs and Border Protection agency scrap tariff exemptions, known as de minimis, for millions of small international postal items arriving from abroad that are valued below US$800. Roger Hearing is joined by Sinead Mangan in Perth and Tony Nash in Houston to discuss the White House's claims that ending the loophole will curb the movement of drugs and provide US$10bn of revenue. But what does it mean for small traders around the world? We catch up with the saga engulfing the Federal Reserve after governor Lisa Cook filed a legal case against US president Donald Trump over his efforts to fire her. Elsewhere, police raids have taken place across Brazil as authorities try to close down a US$10bn money laundering operation. Just days after South Korean president Lee Jae Myung visited Washington DC, we hear from David Kim, the man at the centre of a multi-billion dollar investment from the east Asian country into US shipbuilding. And how old is too old when it comes to being a commercial pilot? Former flyer Kit Darby shares his thoughts. Global business news, with live guests and contributions from Asia and the USA.