With new economic policies forcing UK businesses to tighten their purse strings, how can we keep the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit alive, while also getting the economy back on track?

In this episode of All About Business, I’m joined by Luke Johnson, the serial entrepreneur who spotted some of the UK’s most popular food brands, including Pizza Express, The Ivy and Gail’s Bakery.

We discuss how to spot a winning investment, what the UK should be doing to promote entrepreneurship, and Luke’s five tips for reviving the economy.

Luke Johnson is an entrepreneur known for expanding the Pizza Express brand. He also founded Signature Restaurants, which owned notable restaurants including, The Ivy, and Le Caprice. Luke is currently Chairman of Risk Capital Partners, a private equity firm. From 2015-2021 he wrote a regular column for The Sunday Times where he shared his business expertise.

Timestamps

02:11 Who is Luke Johnson?

06:36 The traits entrepreneurs need to have

07:23 Pizza Express beginnings

11:36 Being a projector

13:40 The British business climate

23:19 Risk Capital Partners

26:03 Gail's Bakery

27:33 Luke's business formula

31:56 How we can encourage entrepreneurship in the UK

36:09 Luke's book and weekly column For entrepreneurs

40:56 Television and the arts

46:04 Future projects with Risk Capital Partners

49:05 Reed Interview Round

Links

Get Luke’s book

Visit Luke’s website

Check out Risk Capital Partners

Follow Luke on LinkedIn

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn

All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.com

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk