Business in Focus

In March 2020, almost overnight, COVID-19 transformed the working patterns of people across almost every industry — in the UK and around the world. In this episode, host Emily Khan is joined by Darren Jukes, PwC's Leader of Industry for Industrial Manufacturing and Cat Mccusker, our Education Leader. We take a look at the emerging trends that are likely to stick around and examine the role the wor...

The world is facing huge challenges in the face of climate change and growing inequality. Businesses, governments, the financial community and other stakeholders see the 2020s as the decade for action, with major new commitments to achieving net zero emissions. In this episode, we discuss how organisations can invest in real assets - the built environment and infrastructure that surrounds us - in...

Black Friday has become a significant event in the retail calendar over recent years. For many people, it’s the biggest opportunity of the year to bag a bargain - even overtaking the Boxing Day sales in recent years. So it’s a big deal for retailers, who use Black Friday to drive sales and clear excess stock. Retail experts Lisa Hooker and Jac Windsor join host Paul Lenarduzzi for this episode, di...

We all know the right nutrition can improve our performance. But for elite athletes, eating well isn’t just a lifestyle choice – it's a crucial part of their success, enabling them to train, recover and perform to their full potential. In this episode, host Rowena Morris is joined in our virtual studio by Greg Rutherford, MBE, a retired British long jumper who won gold for Great Britain at the Oly...

As shoppers return to the high street and pubs and restaurants reopen their doors, life is slowly starting to look a little more like what we’re used to. In this episode, host Rowena Morris is joined by two experts from our Business Restructuring practice, Steve Russell and Issy Gross, to examine what recovery is going to look like for many businesses over the coming months. We take a look at how...

For many organisations, COVID-19 has highlighted the discrepancy between the skills people have and those needed for jobs in a digital world. In this episode, Fiona Camenzuli and Lord Gavin Barwell join host Emily Khan to discuss the role of government and business in helping people develop the skills they need to succeed in the future. 

The COVID-19 outbreak has thrown into sharp relief the importance of community, collaboration, and acting with purpose. As we start to think about the economic recovery, we have a unique opportunity to build on this positive trend for purpose-driven action. In this episode, guest host Heather Melville is joined by two of PwC's Government and Health Industries experts, Quentin Cole and Dan Burke, t...

Organisations’ infrastructure and real estate needs are shifting rapidly, and keeping pace with new trends will be fundamental to the UK’s recovery. In this episode, real assets experts Simon Hampton and Neil Broadhead join host Paul Lenarduzzi to discuss how firms can adapt and explore how the public and private sectors can work together to create a better built environment for the future.

From online shopping to conscious consumerism, COVID-19 has fast-tracked the evolution of several existing consumer trends, many of which will be sticking around for some time. In this episode, retail experts Jac Windsor and Lisa Hooker explore what the future might hold for the retail sector and share practical tips to help businesses respond to emerging trends.

Over the lockdown period, many businesses have taken huge steps to protect against the new wave of cyber attacks. At first, it was a case of adapting quickly to new threats. But with many of us set to be operating in this new environment for the foreseeable future, companies must now think about their long-term approach. In this episode, host Rowena Morris is joined by two of PwC's cyber security...

COVID-19 has impacted everyone’s physical and mental wellbeing. And for British Athletics athletes and coaches, the lockdown has meant they’ve had to think differently about how they train, stay motivated and inspire others. Host Rowena Morris is joined by Alex Cooke, a Data Intelligence Partner at PwC, to discuss how we're using data analytics to help British Athletics athletes win more medals in...

Over the past few months, many businesses have devoted significantly more time to responding to COVID-19 than to preparing for Brexit. But in some respects, the steps businesses have taken to navigate COVID-19 - such as strengthening their supply chains - will stand them in good stead when it comes to preparing for the future trading relationship between the UK and the EU.  In this episode, host R...

The FCA - the Financial Conduct Authority - and other regulators have been very active in their response to COVID-19, aiming to support the industry and ensure the fair treatment of customers at this difficult time. In this episode, host Rowena Morris is joined by Andrew Kail, PwC’s FS leader, and Katie Fisher, Director of Strategy at the FCA, to discuss how the FCA's business plan for this year w...

The social distancing measures put in place by governments all over the world have caused an increase in demand for technologies that facilitate remote working. This includes virtual reality and augmented reality (VR and AR), both of which offer smart ways to upskill and collaborate without the need for face-to-face interaction. In this episode, host Rowena Morris is joined by Jeremy Dalton, PwC's...

COVID-19 has made it crucial for companies to protect liquidity. Across all sectors, we’ve seen a rapid shift in working capital requirements, driven by huge disruption of supply and demand.  In this episode, host Rowena Morris is joined by two experts from PwC's operational restructuring business, Daniel Windaus and Ian Morgan, to discuss the working capital challenges that businesses are facing...

The coronavirus outbreak has been stressful for many people, including those in leadership positions. We are being asked to lead in a world that is unlike anything we've ever experienced. Fear and anxiety can be overwhelming and cause strong reactions, making it difficult to look after our wellbeing. And even if we're not experiencing these feelings ourselves, it's so important that we're able to...

On Sunday, 10th May, the government set out a roadmap to lift the lockdown that has transformed the lives of people across the UK. So, over the coming weeks, many businesses will be preparing to support their employees as they return to the workplace, if it’s appropriate for them to do so. Chris Box, PwC's EMEA HR Consulting Lead, and Nicola Shield, our Lead for Governance, Risk, Compliance and Co...

COVID-19 has impacted many regions that are at the heart of global supply chains. And this has caused a spectrum of challenges for businesses: some are fighting to keep up with extreme sales growth, while others are suffering from a huge drop-off in demand. In this episode, host Rowena Morris is joined by Mark Anderson, a Forensics Partner at PwC, and Penny Flint, a Director in our risk management...

Many government-backed funding initiatives are now open for business. But when it comes to putting your application together, it can be difficult to know where to start. In the second half of our special two-part feature on accessing government funding, Sarah Strang and John Williams from PwC's Debt & Capital Advisory business discuss the two Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Schemes. The...

The government has put in place a number of initiatives to support businesses that are struggling to navigate the impacts of COVID-19. In this two-part special feature on accessing government funds, host Rowena Morris is joined by Sarah Strang and John Williams from our Debt & Capital Advisory business to discuss the government-backed initiatives that are available. Our expert panel shares pra...

In this episode, we welcome a special guest to our virtual studio: David Fairs, the Pension Regulator's Executive Director for Regulatory Policy, Analysis and Advice. David joins host Rowena Morris and PwC pensions experts John Dunn and Katie Lightstone to explore the impact coronavirus has had on pensions and outline how the Regulator is using its annual funding statement to address the crisis. W...

Many businesses are experiencing cash flow difficulties as a result of coronavirus. In recent weeks, the government has announced generous support packages to help businesses address these challenges. But even with this support, many businesses could soon be forced to make some very difficult decisions. In this episode, host Rowena Morris is joined by Tim Allen, who leads PwC’s Operational Restruc...

Coronavirus has put the relationship between companies, government, society and the public into the spotlight. More and more, businesses are being expected to help society solve the problems arising from the pandemic. And many are rising to the challenge, using their purpose to inspire positive action. In this episode, host Rowena Morris is joined by PwC Partners Emma Cox and Brenda Trenowden, who...

The coronavirus pandemic has transformed the way we work. And while half the UK population is able to work from home, this doesn’t come without its challenges, including an increase in cyber security threats. Cyber criminals will be capitalising on confusion and uncertainty as we all adjust to new ways of doing business. In this episode, cyber experts Sean Sutton and Rachel Mullan join host, Rowen...

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is causing severe challenges for people and the economy, and we’ve seen a broad spectrum of impacts across industries. Some businesses have struggled to keep up with increased demand, while for others, unfortunately, commercial activity has all but dried up.