The Business

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: thebusiness@thetimes.com
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: thebusiness@thetimes.com

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: thebusiness@thetimes.com
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: thebusiness@thetimes.com
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: thebusiness@thetimes.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.