The Desert Island Investor

Titon Holdings plc (TON) is one of Mark's investments that has been dogged with problems and it is currently a loss-making component of his portfolio. In this podcast, Mark provides his feedback from attending their 2025 AGM where he was encouraged to see that work is being done to attempt a recovery. To listen to Mark's review of the previous 2024 AGM, which was a little more confrontational, fol...

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, a reporter from the Financial Times asks Mark for his opinion on the recent departure of the Entain CEO. If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle u...

Fundsmith, under the guidance of portfolio manager Terry Smith, invest in equities on a global basis and the company’s approach is to be a long-term investor in its chosen stocks. In this podcast, Mark provides his feedback from attending the 2025 Fundsmith Annual Shareholders' Meeting. Links: Fundsmith https://www.fundsmith.co.uk The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted by London C...

The M.P. Evans Group PLC owns a number of oil-palm plantations in Indonesia and the company is certified by the RSPO as a producer of sustainable palm oil. This is part two of a two-part podcast. In this episode Mark will be talking about his recent experience of visiting an M.P. Evans palm oil plantation on Bangka Island in Indonesia. If you would like to listen to part one, in which Mark gives a...

The M.P. Evans Group PLC owns a number of oil-palm plantations in Indonesia and the company is certified by the RSPO as a producer of sustainable palm oil. This is a two-part podcast. In this episode Mark provides a performance update about his holding in the stock and he and Paul take a closer look at the palm oil industry as an investment opportunity. In part two, which is coming soon, Mark will...

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, listener Ormerod Green asks "Is it ethical to be a tax exile?". If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on https://www.thedes...

In this episode of the podcast, Mark reviews his 20-year holding in supermarket giant TESCO and looks at how the 2024 budget and other issues are likely to affect future performance and share value. Paul gets the Parrots to say grace before eating their Christmas dinner. The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research . You'll also...

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, listener Wilf Taylor asks "How much time do you spend on research?". If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on https://www.t...

As well as talking about John's globe-trotting childhood and his illustrious career, Mark and John discuss one thing that they have in common, their investment in touch-screen technology business Zytronic. The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcastin...

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, listener Edward Brown asks "How might the 2024 budget affect you as an investor?". If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on...

Alliance Pharma PLC is a leading international healthcare business. The company was established in the UK over 20 years ago and today it markets products in over 100 countries worldwide. In this episode Mark reveals how the business is performing for shareholders and he also delves into the intriguing incident when Alliance were falsely accused by the CMA of engaging in anti-competitive practices....

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, listener Jim Doherty asks "What tips do you have to achieve early retirement?". If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on ht...

In addition to conducting a focused financial assessment, looking at how the bigger picture might affect your potential investments is equally important. In this episode Mark discusses how climate change and population growth have become catalysts for the flood prevention solutions offered by Genuit plc, the company formerly known as PolyPipe. Links: Genuit Group https://www.genuitgroup.com/ Weir...

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, listener Anthony Beech asks "Which broker do you use and why?". If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on https://www.thedes...

David Barry is a successful and well known private investor with interests that can best be described as eclectic. Aside from instigating this ambitious American law suit his career ranges from being an investment banker and antique dealer, to prospecting for gold. Most significantly he is a major shareholder (above 3%) in a number of listed businesses. In this episode of the podcast Mark talks wi...

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, listener Darren Wrigley asks "How do you live off your dividends?". If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on https://www.th...

The demand for the effective sterilisation of medical equipment is one that is unlikely to ever change. In this episode Mark reviews his holding in Tristel, the inventors of a patented biocide which is effective across a wide range of medical applications. The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research . You'll also find us on YouT...

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, Katherine Amos asks Mark "How do you choose your stocks?". If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on https://www.thedesertis...

Concurrent Technologies plc is a British company that designs and manufactures ultra-rugged computer boards for use in integrated systems. These products are designed to be durable and reliable in extreme conditions and their markets include defence, aerospace, scientific research and telecommunications. I have been a shareholder for a while now so I was pleased when their CEO Miles Adcock kindly...

Nichols plc (NICL) is the business behind a number of soft drink creations most notably the classic brand Vimto. Mark has just taken a position in Nichols and in this episode he explains why he thinks the company has a promising future. On the island Paul tries out Vimto on the Parrots and discovers he's the only living creature on the planet that doesn't like it. The Desert Island Investor podcas...

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, fellow investor Paul Igoe asks Mark "When did you give up your day job?". If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on https://...

ME-Group International plc (MEGP) are vending machine experts and they install and operate instant-service equipment in 17 countries around the world. Photo-booths and 24/7 laundry machines are two of their core products. In this episode Mark explains why this holding has been so successful and he puts his underwear where his mouth is by washing his smalls at an ME-Group Revolution Laundry. The De...

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, fellow investor Paul Igoe asks Mark "What were your worst disasters?". If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on https://www...

If a company that you invest in is under-performing, attending their Annual General Meeting gives you an opportunity to find out what they are doing to resolve any issues. In this episode Mark gives a blow-by-blow account of his discussion with the directors of Titon Holdings at their 2024 AGM. The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity...

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, podcast subscriber ROSYGOLFER asks Mark "How do I buy shares for my grandchildren?". If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form...