Business in Focus

In the face of new, complex challenges now is the time for organisations to reset their approach to risk. Host Emily Khan is joined by Dr Jonathan Gillham, Chief Economist and Director of Econometrics and Economic Modelling at PwC UK and Stephanie Bruce, Chief Financial Officer at Abrdn plc to explore this new landscape and how it creates the need for a new perspective. Hear about the opportunitie...

Restructuring and transaction activity is picking up as companies look to recover from the pandemic. How can a focus on ESG or diversity and inclusion (D&I) support better outcomes for these businesses - and where are the challenges holding them back? Restructuring partners Steve Russell and David Kelly join host Rowena Morris to talk through PwC’s research findings and the steps to take to ac...

The sudden push to a digital day-to-day wasn’t only experienced by businesses, but also by their customers. And while digital and ecommerce offer a new way to connect, getting it right across operating models, supply chains and reporting isn’t easy. In this episode, Herculano Rodrigues from THG Ingenuity and PwC’s Carl Sizer, join host Teresa Owusu-Adjei to discuss how digital transformation - for...

The innovation displayed during COVID-19 has meant businesses have grown quickly, but have they grown responsibly? Colin Light and Caitroina McCusker join host Rowena Morris to discuss how businesses can successfully embrace responsible growth and who’s doing it well. Listen now.

The way the disruption of the past year disproportionately hit certain groups within society was an opportunity for organisations to live their purpose like never before. In the latest installment of our ‘In conversation with’ series, Charley Davies, General Counsel and Company Secretary at Provident Financial Group, joins Dan Schwarzmann, PwC’s Head of Market Initiatives and Industries in a conve...

In a new trading environment, what areas do UK businesses need to prioritise in order to drive growth? International Trade Lead Partner Matt Alabaster and Sam Myers, Her Majesty's Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific join host Emily Khan to discuss the role of trade in driving growth and innovation at home and abroad. Listen and subscribe today.

Our podcast brings you our latest insights and practical advice, helping you navigate change with confidence. Hear from diverse voices - from the UK’s top business leaders to athletes, psychologists and politicians - on the issues that matter today. For more expert insights, or to find transcripts for all our episodes, visit our website, at pwc.co.uk/businessinfocus

The pandemic was a crisis lab that forced people and businesses to reinvent how they lived and worked. How can we draw on this innovation, momentum and focus for a greener future? Volker Beckers and Leo Johnson join host Teresa Owusu-Adjei to discuss the industry trends - and the need to move with pace to take advantage.

How businesses approach social mobility - the ability to succeed based on people's potential, not background - will be a crucial part of creating a successful and prosperous UK. Emma Cody and Armoghan Mohammed join host Emily Khan to explore PwC's recent research into the views of the public and the opportunities for business to step in, step up and intervene. Listen now.

This past year has been an opportunity to see Business at its Best, putting their purpose into action as they supported their people and local communities. Host Rowena Morris is joined by James Rutter, Chief Creative Officer at COOK, a manufacturer and retailer of frozen ready meals, and Carl Sizer, PwC UK’s Head of Regions to talk about the people and drive that sit behind inspirational stories....

In this special episode, hosted by Will Sturgeon, PwC UK’s Head of Content and Thought Leadership, our workforce experts Prasun Shah and Victoria Robinson answer your questions on hybrid working. Are you looking for practical advice to help you encourage your people to return to the office? Do you want to know how to manage capacity to avoid mid-week desk shortages? Or how to support your people’s...

No one could have predicted the uncertainty we’ve experienced over the past year and the impact it's had on how we approach risk. In this episode, host Rowena Morris is joined in our virtual studio by Matt Margereson, Chief Operating Officer of Hotel Chocolat, and Richard Bailes, PwC UK’s National Leader of Governance, Risk and Compliance, to discuss the risks that are shaping UK organisations - a...

The past year has shown just how volatile the risk landscape can be. But it’s also shown that how organisations respond can set them apart from competitors, as leaders who have demonstrated resilience and adaptability have tended to emerge stronger. In this episode, we discuss how the new and evolving risks we've faced recently have made us change our approach for good. Host Emily Khan is joined i...

Every year, Mental Health Awareness week represents an opportunity for us all to recognise the importance of our mental wellbeing. This year, the social isolation imposed on many of us by the COVID-19 pandemic has made it more important than ever to look after ourselves and those around us. And this worrying trend hasn’t gone unnoticed by business leaders. Our recent CEO Survey found that 61% of C...

ESG - environmental, social and corporate governance - is climbing rapidly up the agenda, with 70% of respondents to our CEO Survey listing it as a key concern this year, compared with 44% two years ago. But committing to ESG targets is challenging, and many organisations simply don’t know where to start. In this episode, host Emily Khan is joined by Isabelle Jenkins, PwC UK's Leader of Industry f...

From joining the FTSE 100 to donating huge sums to support COVID-19 relief efforts, it's been a pivotal year for Intermediate Capital Group (ICG). In the second instalment of our ‘In conversation with’ series, Vijay Bharadia, ICG's Chief Financial and Operating Officer, joins Marissa Thomas, PwC’s UK Tax Leader in a conversation hosted by Teresa Owusu-Adjei. Marissa, Vijay and Teresa share the mos...

For many organisations, COVID-19 has brought to the fore the discrepancy between the skills people have and those that are needed for the future. Our recent Upskilling Hopes and Fears research - a survey of 32,500 workers across 19 countries - revealed fascinating insights into how people feel about the future of work. In this episode, host Rowena Morris speaks to PwC People and Organisation leade...

Last week, on the 18th March, the Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) published its proposals for restoring trust in the UK’s audit and corporate governance regime. This consultation comes at an important time, as the UK seeks to attract foreign investment and to maintain its status as a leading place to do business. To discuss what this means for UK busines...

In a year like no other, understanding what CEOs see as their biggest challenges and opportunities can provide us all with essential insight. To help us do just that, we’ve launched our 24th annual CEO Survey, which explores the issues that matter to CEOs and how they’re planning for the future. In this episode, host Rowena Morris is joined by Amanda Blanc, the CEO of Aviva, and Kevin Ellis, PwC’s...

International Women's Day is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the successes that women have achieved in the workplace. But progress across the OECD remains slow, and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on female-dominated industries is potentially causing permanent damage. To discuss what this means for women in work today, our host Emily Khan is joined by Laura Hinton, PwC's Chief Peo...

We are delighted to bring you the first instalment in our ‘In conversation with’ series. Over the coming months, our host Teresa Owusu-Adjei, along with members of our Clients and Markets Executive, will speak to our clients about the issues that are front-of-mind for them. You’ll learn how different organisations have responded to the pandemic and hear about their priorities for the future.    In...

The need to level up the UK has long been recognised - and COVID-19 has only intensified this challenge. It’s no longer enough to drive growth in the left-behind regions; right now, it’s about tackling deep-rooted inequalities in every part of the UK - even in some of its wealthiest areas. In this episode, host Rowena Morris is joined by Zoe Watters, a corporate finance partner in our Real Assets...

On the 31st December 2020, the UK left the European Union behind, creating a huge shift in the global order and bringing big changes for British businesses and people. At PwC, we’ve been examining this issue for some time - translating a moving political and policy picture into implications for UK and European businesses. Most recently, at our virtual Trade Summit in November, we convened people f...

2020 was a challenging year for many private and family-run businesses. But it also made leaders pause and think about what they stood for, with many quickly turning their attention to caring for their employees and communities. In this episode, host Emily Khan is joined by Gail's Bakery CEO and co-founder Tom Molnar and PwC's private business leader Suzi Woolfson to discuss what we can carry forw...

This year, the importance of cash and working capital has been brought sharply into focus as even the most well-prepared business plans have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. And while the upheaval has revealed longer term opportunities for businesses, they will first need to weather the difficult months ahead. In this episode, host Rowena Morris is joined in our virtual studio by Rob Lewis,...