23. From shop floor to CEO of Kurt Geiger: How to climb to the top in fashion with Neil Clifford
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.Timestamps03:12 First jobs and rising through the retail ranks13:17 Career breakthroughs22:12 Private equity and global expansion37:36 Strategies for business growth40:05 Personal reflections50:24 Philanthropy and social responsibilityLinksCheck out Kurt GeigerFollow James Reed on LinkedInAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis 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
--------
1:11:32
22. 82% of management are 'accidental managers'. Here's how to fix it | Ann Francke, CEO of CMI
A recent YouGov survey found that 82% of managers are ‘accidental'. So, what is an accidental manager? Why are there so many of them, and just how much is it affecting results within your business?In this episode of All About Business, I sit down with Ann Francke OBE, the CEO of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) which provides training, qualifications and resources for managers.She reveals her tips for dealing with toxic bosses, how line managers impact employee wellbeing, and the key skills every manager needs to be successful.About AnnAnn is CEO of the Chartered Management Institute, an organisation that creates confident leaders through leadership development training, qualifications, and research. She started her career at Procter & Gamble and has held senior executive positions at Mars, Boots, Yell and BSI. She is an expert on gender dynamics in the workplace and has written a book about how to create a gender-balanced workplace. Ann also wrote the Financial Times Guide to Management and was named as one of the Top 100 Women to Watch in the 2015 Female FTSE Cranfield report. In 2020, she was awarded an OBE for her services to workplace equality.Timestamps02:38 The importance of professional management training06:56 Key skills for new managers16:49 The impact of conscious leadership21:37 Dealing with bad management 31:28 Addressing conflict and toxic behaviour37:28 The role of line management in organisational success39:19 Sponsorship vs mentorship44:56 Examples of effective leadership48:24 Gender balance and inclusivity in the workplace51:39 The say-do gap in inclusivity54:13 The importance of professionalising managementLinksFollow Ann on LinkedInRead Ann’s bookGet management trainingFollow James Reed on LinkedIn All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis 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
--------
56:46
21. Fix your ops issues and save thousands every year by looking at THIS data | Anita Dougall
How can you use data to increase revenue, improve customer relationships, and make better business decisions?In today’s episode of All About Business, I speak with Anita Dougall, the co-founder and CEO of data consultancy firm, Sagacity. Anita started the business in 2005, and since then has helped companies like AA, British Gas, and Moonpig spin their data into business gold. She reveals how to use data to optimise customer engagement, drive revenue, and resolve the billing issues that could be costing you millions.About AnitaAnita is the CEO and founding partner of Sagacity, a leading consultancy that specialises in providing data-driven insights to help businesses maximise their returns. Before co-founding Sagacity in 2005, Anita worked in investment banking. Her experience in financial and commercial roles that relied heavily on technology, led to her becoming an independent consultant, eventually co-founding Sagacity.In 2025, Anita was recognised on the E2E Female 100 track list, which celebrates the UK’s fastest growing female-led or founded businesses.Timestamps00:31 Understanding data04:55 Improving customer engagement06:28 Billing and debt collection 20:03 Anita's career journey30:13 Business growth37:30 Choosing the right investor42:46 Recruitment and company culture45:58 Data usage and permissionsLinksVisit Sagacity’s websiteRead about Anita’s recognition on the E2E Female 100 track listFollow Anita on LinkedInFollow James Reed on LinkedInAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis 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 www.flamingo-media.co.uk
--------
48:08
20. LADbible Founder: The contract I signed that put me in hospital | Alex Partridge
How do you turn an idea you had at uni into a multimillion-pound enterprise? UNILAD and LADbible founder, Alex Partridge, started both companies while he was studying at university, and was a millionaire by the time he was 25.In this episode of All About Business, we discuss the power of social media, the podcast that led to his ADHD diagnosis, and the harrowing court case that almost cost him everything. About AlexAlex Partridge is the founder of UNILAD and LADbible, two of the UK's most popular news and entertainment platforms. He has been open about his struggles with ADHD, and has written a book that explores how the diagnosis has impacted his life and career. Alex also hosts the podcast, ADHD Chatter, where he discusses ADHD with leading experts, celebrities and psychiatrists.Timestamps00:43 Alex's early entrepreneurial ventures03:58 Late-night pizza deliveries06:19 The birth of UNILAD09:12 Going viral and building a team18:08 Challenges and legal battles22:37 Facing the courtroom: A flashback to childhood anxiety30:33 Alex’s ADHD diagnosis40:08 Starting a new career42:29 Advice for aspiring entrepreneursLinks:Watch Alex’s podcastRead Alex’s book Follow Alex on LinkedInFollow James Reed on LinkedInAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis 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 www.flamingo-media.co.uk
--------
45:25
19. GOOD SQUISH: Harnessing the power of an instagram personality to generate thousands of sales | Billie-Jo Cronin
In a world where consumers are obsessed with Temu and SHEIN, how can you attract customers to your high-end brand while staving off competition from cheaper alternatives? In this episode of All About Business, I speak with Billie-Jo Cronin, the founder of luxury accessories brand, Good Squish. Billie-Jo and her brother, Phoenix, bootstrapped the company, selling 1,900 units in under a year, while also gaining celebrity endorsements.We discuss how they grew the company organically through Instagram, why community is central to their brand, and why local production and quality control go hand in hand. About Good SquishGood Squish is an independent brand that specialises in hand-stitched accessories made from dead stock fabrics, which helps to reduce waste by repurposing materials that would otherwise go unused. Their products, which include scrunchies, hair pins, keychains and tote bags, feature whimsical and creative designs. Timestamps01:26: The Concept of Dead Stock02:22: The Organic Growth Journey08:31: Maintaining Quality and Customer Satisfaction14:56: Expanding Internationally19:35: Working with Family23:31 Decision-Making and Idea Curation24:36: Challenges and Benefits of Collaborations32:40: Celebrity Endorsements and Organic Growth36:49 Future PlansLinksCheck out the Good Squish websiteFollow Good Squish on InstagramFollow James Reed on LinkedInAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis 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
'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.
UK