The Desert Island Investor

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, subscriber Martin Booth asks Mark, what is your favourite stock? 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.thede...

Bioventix are a UK biotech company that specialise in creating antibodies from sheep that are then used in diagnostic blood testing. The ailments that the Bioventix products can accurately detect include vitamin D deficiency, heart conditions, thyroid problems and most recently, Alzheimer’s. Mark has been a shareholder since 2017 and he has recently added to his holding. In this episode of the pod...

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, subscriber Christopher Leigh asks Mark what his current top ten holdings and weightings are. If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the ema...

Fund manager Adam Rackley accredits his robust financial decision making to a lifestyle which includes numerous physical challenges. One of those challenges was to row across the Atlantic Ocean. In this episode of the podcast Mark talks with Adam to find out how that amazing feat of endurance has affected his strategic thinking. For those that want more details about his transatlantic adventure, A...

In this episode of the podcast Mark talks with Joe Barry who is an undergraduate at the London School of Economics and a relatively new private investor. Although Joe is just 20 he manages a small but profitable portfolio and he is looking forward to expanding it as part of his strategy for financial security. The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted by London City based analysts Pr...

In this episode Mark provides an update on the company's share performance. He also takes Paul for lunch at a GREGGS in Manchester where they discover that contrary to widespread belief the company is taking steps to prevent the theft of food from their outlets... just not the steps you might imagine. Links: Greggs: https://www.greggs.co.uk/ The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted...

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, subscriber 'Dorset Dave' asks Mark whether or not there's a risk that flattery from the management of a holding might influence his impartial opinion about that company. If you would like to hear Mark's opinion...

Victrex plc are producers of high performance engineering polymers and a range of thermoplastic products including films, tapes, pipes, fibres and filaments. Victrex also offer a bespoke service for the design, prototyping and manufacture of injection moulded alternatives to metal parts. In this episode Mark talks about his holding in Victrex and explains how he sees the company's future supplying...

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, subscriber Jim Doherty asks Mark for his opinion on the recent trade tariffs introduced by Donald Trump. If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle u...

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...