Board Agenda: The Macro Memo

In this episode of Macro Memo , we unpack the big forces shaping business as we head into 2026. From the looming U.S. Supreme Court decision on trade tariffs, to the reality behind AI adoption, and the EU’s major revisions to sustainability reporting, our experts Mark Kennedy and George Lagarias from Forvis Mazars, join host Gavin Hinks to explore what these shifts mean for companies worldwide—and...

This episode of The Macro Memo podcast delves into the intersection of macroeconomics and geopolitics, highlighting how these factors are reshaping business strategies. With discussions on the shift from neoliberal globalization to a multipolar world, the importance of understanding geopolitical risks for international expansion is emphasized. The conversation also touches on sustainability report...

In this special edition of The Macro Memo, we examine the seismic shifts in global trade policy following dramatic US tariff announcements. With duties briefly imposed on over 90 countries—before being swiftly revised to a flat 10% and a steep 145% on China—boards and executive teams now face extraordinary volatility in trade conditions and economic indicators. Host Gavin Hinks is joined by econom...

In a discussion hosted by Gavin Hinks, Mark Kennedy and George Lagarias explore the impact of the US election results, the rise of populism in Europe and the intricate relationship between macroeconomics, geopolitics, and business. They highlight the ongoing volatility in business environments, particularly in light of the US election result and its shifting global leadership. The conversation tou...

The EU faces little choice but to act on recommendations from a high level report that it needs to invest €750m to €800m a year to head off economic “decline” in the trading bloc, according to a leading economist. George Lagarias, the chief economist at professional services firm Forvis Mazars, says there will be difficulties negotiating the investment funds as a “common” pot of borrowing, particu...

  How will the result of the US election outcome affect geo politics? Is the Fed on the brink of its first rate cut? How has it got there? What implications does it have for the US economy? What are the implications for the global economy? What will the impact be on trade? Is Keir Starmer building bridges to the EU and can he really soothe trade relations? Is it just confidence building or are the...

This episode of the Macro Memo podcast explores the impact of elections on business and economics, focusing on the European elections, the French election, and the upcoming UK general election.  Business leaders expect a “volatile” time as they manage the fall out from high inflation during a time of political uncertainty as elections play out in the UK, the US and in Europe.  The warning came fro...

A great wave of regulation is washing across business: capital rules for banks, cyber security and sustainability reporting mean corporate leaders appear to be in a new age of oversight. What’s driving this rule-making overdrive and how should business respond? Mark Kennedy and George Lagarias of Mazars, and Gavin Hinks of Board Agenda—also ask why London is struggling as a centre for IPOs and, wi...

The global economic landscape appears to be going through a form of fragmentation. There are growing tensions between the US and China over “dumping” of industrial products; the German economy is in “troubled waters”; France has revised down its growth; and the UK has sunk into recession (though could emerge quickly). Yet the largest developing world economies continue to do grow at a clip. What’s...

The Macro Memo podcast looks ahead at prospects for 2024. Some observers think the inflation crisis is close to resolution. But is it? And what are the implications for business and, most importantly, interest rates.   Those are some of the big questions tackled by The team—Mark Kennedy and George Lagarias of Mazars, and Gavin Hinks of Board Agenda, who also look at the risk of trade wars and whet...

COP 28 is underway in Dubai but what responsibility do business leaders have for beating climate change? How will trade benefit from from US and European efforts to improve relations with China? And can companies in the EU, and elsewhere, expect an interest rate cut for Christmas?   Mark Kennedy, partner and member of Mazar’s group executive board, alongside George Lagarias, Mazars’ chief economis...

  What does Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement hold for UK business and what will it do for the economy? How is global trade affected by conflict and geopolitical uncertainty? And can companies play a role in making sure artificial intelligence is safe, or is the world heading for a Terminator-style melt down?  Mark Kennedy, partner and member of Mazars’ group executive board, alongside George Lagaria...

What’s next for boards in the UK pharma and life sciences industry? Navigating the challenges of innovation, productivity and ESG in a post Covid world.   The life science industry is in a dynamic phase of transformation which has been rapidly accelerated by the pandemic, with more workforce agility, shortening development and review times, increased speed to market, and greater efficiencies. In r...

An industry of high strategic importance to the economy, the UK auto sector is undergoing rapid change, dealing with clean tech innovation, a shift to electric vehicles, supply chain issues and poor sales. To explore how boards in the industry are tackling these issues, Gavin Hinks interviews Mike Hawes CEO of the SMMT, Dr. Andy Palmer, CEO of Switch Electric, and Louis Burns, Partner and auto sec...

Consumer retail firms are witnessing upheaval. Aside from uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the retail sector is confronted with the climate change agenda, supply chain realignment, cybercrime and data security. It is a dynamic and fast-moving set of issues which could spell the end of the road for some retailers if not managed correctly. Some have already had to close their doors.   To explore...

Sir Donald Brydon, one of the most prominent board directors in the UK, is chairman of Tide Holdings, and the former chair of the London Stock Exchange, Sage and Royal Mail. Sir Donald is also the author of a 2019 government commissioned report into audit reform, the recommendations of which are being proposed for new UK corporate governance rules.   This year he was awarded Lifetime Achievement A...

As UK government proposals increase responsibilities for directors, our latest podcast discusses the impact on the oversight of risk management by the board, and specifically on the issue of internal controls and the payment of dividends. Experts from Mazars the global auditing and accountancy firm, explain the implications of the reforms in discussion with Gavin Hinks, the editor of Board Agenda....

The Covid-19 pandemic has helped crystallise the need to renew efforts on boardroom diversity in UK firms, it has thrown a spotlight on the relationship between companies and their stakeholders and this, in turn, has increased the need for corporates to ensure their boards are diverse.   There is growing pressure on boards to change. Companies can now expect to be challenged more robustly; boards...

In this podcast episode of Board Agenda we focus on the issue of ethics in the workplace and discuss the findings of a new global survey which finds that pressure on employees to compromise standards has increased significantly during the pandemic, in the US and in 10 other countries around the world, including the UK.  The research is from the Ethics and Compliance Initiative, and we discuss the...

How strong values and clear communication with the board helped guide one of the “world’s most ethical companies” through the pandemic.

The world faces a global shortage of technology skills, according to experts, and in our latest interview Deanna Mulligan, former chief executive of Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, reveals how the crisis might be addressed. Mulligan speaks about her new book, Hire Purpose: How Smart Companies Can Close the Skills Gap , which spells out how a corporate purpose focused on lifelong learni...

Legal & General Investment Management has over £1trillion in assets under management, is one of Europe’s largest asset managers & provides investment management services for many of the UK’s biggest corporate pension schemes. We talk to Sacha about Legal & General's current agenda with boards  and where it may go in the future;  about inclusive capitalism & the changing enviro...

Dame Alison Carnwath discusses the role of the non-executive director, future fit boards & the skillsets now needed by board members to meet the demands of a rapidly transforming business environment.  Dame Alison  is presently an independent director for Zurich Insurance Group AG, BASF AG and PACCAR, and a Non-executive Director of BP.  She is also a Senior Advisor to Evercore Partners, and C...

What does it take to be an effective non-executive director? The demands on non-execs have grown considerably in recent decades, while the pandemic has added significantly to the pressure confronting organizations. What are businesses looking for from NEDs  & how can a non-executive director make a real contribution to the boards they serve? During this podcast of Board Agenda   editor Gavin H...

In this episode of Board Agenda, we interview John Allan, the Chairman of Tesco & one of the UK’s foremost corporate leaders to gain his insights about the role of non-executive directors, their responsibilities and priorities at time when their role on the board has arguably never been more critical, during a period of great uncertainty for business community & the economy of the UK.  We...