Boardroom Uncovered

Cyber attacks on UK firms are not just likely - they’re inevitable, the Northern European boss of HP has warned in the latest episode of City AM’s Boardroom Uncovered podcast. Speaking to UK Editor Jon Robinson, Neil Sawyer said businesses must shift from reactive fixes to proactive defence. They also dig into why 2025 has seen a surge in high-profile breaches - from retail to luxury - and why the...

In this episode of Boardroom Uncovered, City AM UK Editor Jon Robinson sits down with the CEO of Sage Group to unpack the challenges faced by UK-listed tech companies and the reasoning behind the FTSE 100 giant’s decision to remain headquartered in the UK.  With the company boasting a global reach and nearly 40 per cent of its shares held by US funds, the conversation explores why a move to the Na...

In the latest episode of Boardroom Uncovered, City AM's UK Editor Jon Robinson sits down with James Reed, CEO of Reed, to chart the recruitment firm’s evolution and unpack his vision for Britain. Reed discusses how he’d remake the UK into a powerhouse for entrepreneurs - emphasising the need for less red tape, smarter tax policy and a thriving job market that delivers for all. He reflects on...

In the latest episode of Boardroom Uncovered, City AM's UK Editor Jon Robinson delves into issues of tax fairness with ClearScore CEO Justin Basini, who describes it as “unforgivable” that large companies can avoid paying their due tax in the UK. Basini also reveals his ambition to float ClearScore in London, calling it the “signature achievement” he hopes to deliver for the business. He argu...

In the latest episode of Boardroom Uncovered, City AM's UK Editor Jon Robinson sits down with Phil Halliday, Managing Director of HMV, to unpack the storied retailer’s unlikely resurgence. Once a cautionary tale of the high street’s decline, HMV has quietly engineered a turnaround, with Halliday at the helm steering Britain’s most famous music shop into the streaming age. Far from a nostalgic...

The chief executive of Ordnance Survey has revealed why he thinks pop icon Rihanna would make the perfect addition to his boardroom. Nick Bolton, who runs the history national mapping agency, told City AM’s Boardroom Uncovered podcast that the singer-turned-entrepreneur embodies the kind of imagination and edge every company needs. Speaking to City AM's UK editor, Jon Robinson, on the latest...

The chief executive of holiday park chain Butlin’s has hit out at Chancellor Rachel Reeves after saying increases taxes on businesses is not the way to improve the UK economy. He added that both tax rises has made it harder for companies such as Butlin’s to hire new employees and that the Autumn Budget in 2024 felt like a “tax on jobs”. Speaking to City AM's UK editor, Jon Robinson, on the la...

Since Trustpilot was founded in 2007 by Peter Holten Mühlmann, the company has set about becoming a household name and, for many, a go-to destination to find out more about what others think of particular companies and experiences. Now, Trustpilot's CEO has insisted that the reviews site "isn't perfect" but wants to be "the universal symbol of trust". Speaking to City...

The CEO of Bupa has rejected calls for the NHS to move to an insurance model and said that while it needs "fine-tuning", its "soul will remain" intact.  Speaking to City AM's UK Editor, Jon Robinson, on this episode of City AM's Boardroom Uncovered, Carlos Jaureguizar said the NHS changing to an insurance model would be "too disruptive".  His comments follow...

In this episode of Boardroom Uncovered, the CEO of Allwyn UK has insisted The National Lottery is not gambling, despite the company being regulated by the Gambling Commission. Andria Vidler, who has been the head of Allwyn for nearly two years at the time of recording, sought to set The National Lottery apart from betting giants such as Bet365, Betfred and PaddyPower.  Vidler also opened up to Cit...

The chief executive of Omaze has set out the reasons why he believes the UK is the right place for his growing business to invest. Matt Pohlson, who helped found the company in the US before moving full-time across the Atlantic,  also acknowledged the well-known pitfalls of choosing to invest in this country rather than in the States. Speaking to City AM's UK Editor on the latest episode of B...

The chief executive and co-founder of UK technology unicorn Motorway has spoken out about whether his company will choose London for a possible future initial public offering (IPO). Speaking to City AM's UK Editor Jon Robinson on the latest episode of Boardroom Uncovered, Tom Leathes opened up about the chances of Motorway going public on the London Stock Exchange. The main market has come un...

The move to working from home (WFH) and hybrid office policies post-pandemic are having an impact on where Pret A Manger is considering opening new stores, its UK boss has said. Speaking to Jon Robinson on this episode of City AM's Boardroom Uncovered podcast, Clare Clough said the business is having to adjust to the changes in working patterns and locations. She said the result will be the b...

Gen Z are ditching the pub and instead choosing to socialise with their friends at the gym more, the boss of one of the UK's largest chains has said. Will Orr, the chief executive of The Gym Group, told Jon Robinson on this episode of Boardroom Uncovered that the trend is an "incredible generational opportunity" for his company and one he is hoping to further capitalise on in the co...

The UK boss of pizza chain Papa Johns has branded the rising costs his business is facing as a result of a "perfect storm of difficulty". Speaking on this episode of City AM‘s Boardroom Uncovered podcast, managing director Chris Phylactou also called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to "start giving some relief to businesses" as companies are having a "hard time". He point...

The UK is at risk of "taking too many steps down a road of not wanting to celebrate risk takers and wealth creators", according to the co-CEO of sports apparel brand, Castore. Thomas Beahon, who shares the top job with his brother Phil, added that "there's not a lot of incentive for anyone to take risks right now" and called for a flat rate of income tax to be introduced....

The UK boss of LinkedIn has revealed her top three tips to help boost your profile on the social media platform. Speaking to City AM's UK Editor, Jon Robinson, on the new episode of the Boardroom Uncovered podcast, Janine Chamberlin admitted that she doesn't have direct access to the all-important algorithm, but she does know a few hints and tips to help drive engagement on the site. Boa...

Capitalism is "unbelievably tedious" and needs to be rebranded in order for people to fight for its survival by the end of Donald Trump's second US administration, marketing veteran Rory Sutherland has said. Speaking on the latest episode of City AM's Boardroom Uncovered podcast, Sutherland said that free market capitalism has been made "so boring that I'm not sure pe...

The CEO of FTSE 100 Auto Trader UK has revealed that he is "not the most sophisticated of car buyers". However, he admitted that he uses Auto Trader "loads".  Nathan Coe, speaking to Jon Robinson on the latest episode of City AM's Boardroom Uncovered podcast, said the government needs to encourage more investment into companies listed on the London Stock Exchange to revive...

The boss of Interactive Investor has shared his top three tips for investing in UK and foreign markets. Richard Wilson, speaking to Jon Robinson on the latest episode of City AM's Boardroom Uncovered podcast, has set out what he thinks all investors should do in order to maximise their returns. The chief executive was speaking ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivering her Spring Statement...

Checkatrade can still do more to protect customers from rogue traders despite blocking a record number of applicants last year, its chief executive has said. Jambu Palaniappan, speaking to Jon Robinson on this episode of City AM's interview series Boardroom Uncovered, said the home improvement platform is in the business of trust and that it forms "a core part of who we are". Boardr...

In this episode of Boardroom Uncovered, Neville Koopowitz, the chief executive of health and life insurance giant Vitality, opens up about growing up in South Africa and living through the transition from Apartheid to democracy as well as talking about whether leadership sits comfortably with him. The CEO also talks to host Jon Robinson about his approach to attempting to maintain a work-life bala...

The boss of Trainline has outlined his European expansion plans as the online ticket giant faces government-backed competition at home. Jody Ford, speaking on the latest episode of City AM's Boardroom Uncovered, opened up to UK Editor Jon Robinson about the company's growth in the likes of Spain in recent years and which other European nations are next on his target list. Boardroom Uncov...

A career that's taken him from his home in Mexico all the way to Norwich to lead Naked Wines, via Belgium, was probably not something Rodrigo Maza could have predicted when he first started out. But the chief executive, who has only been in the job for less than a year, has not only settled into his new surroundings, but also already had an impact on turning around the ailing company which en...

The UK boss of Haribo has revealed how he's gone from being too "optimistic and challenging" at the start of his career working for Heineken to more of a realist now he's leading one of the UK's largest confectionary makers. Jon Hughes has been in the top job at a Pontefract-headquartered company, which also makes Maoam, since the back end of 2018. Speaking on the latest e...