The Go Radio Business Show with Hunter & Haughey. Scotland’s Business Podcast.

• Scotland’s Future: Lessons from Singapore

  Scotland’s Future: Lessons from Singapore & Bold Ideas for Change Episode Summary In this pivotal episode, Sir Tom Hunter and Lord Willie Haughey explore Scotland’s economic crossroads, drawing inspiration from Singapore’s transformation. They’re also joined by Willie Watt, Chair of the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB), who shares insights into how SNIB is tackling inequality, housing, and net zero challenges through strategic investment. This episode is a rallying cry for bold leadership, long-term planning, and radical reform to secure Scotland’s future. Episode Summary [01:08] Scotland’s Decline: A State of the Nation Address Education, NHS, and economic performance in decline. Reference to the PISA study and Scotland’s fall in global rankings. [06:10] Learning from Singapore Singapore’s transformation from poverty to prosperity. Leadership, vision, and execution under Lee Kuan Yew. [09:24] Housing Emergency in Scotland One year after declaring a housing emergency, fewer homes are being built. The need for policy stability to attract investment. [12:38] The Case for Radical Reform Scotland’s managed decline and the call for a second Enlightenment. Clean energy and housing as twin pillars of recovery. [16:23] Fiscal Autonomy & Tax Policy Proposal for Scotland to become an enterprise zone. Discussion on income tax disparities and attracting talent. [20:23] Leadership & Governance The need for competent, well-paid leadership. Comparison with Singapore’s meritocratic system. [26:44] Immigration & Skills Scotland’s demographic challenges. Call for a merit-based immigration system and skills revolution. [31:57] Planning Reform & Business Growth Planning delays stifling economic development. Singapore’s 35-day planning approval vs. Scotland’s 150+ days. [34:50] Tax Take vs. Tax Rate Encouraging wealth creators to invest in Scotland. Importance of stable, growth-oriented tax policy.   [42:08] Guest Segment: Willie Watt, Chair of SNIB About SNIB Established by an Act of the Scottish Parliament with cross-party support. Mission: Use commercial finance to address long-standing structural issues in Scotland: Inequality Net Zero Transition Productivity & Innovation   Key Insights from Willie Watt [43:20] Funding Challenges SNIB is not funded like a traditional bank. Operates under restrictive fiscal rules—must use capital within the financial year. Advocates for multi-year funding flexibility and reinvestment of profits to become a perpetual institution. [46:08] Investment Focus Areas Affordable Housing: 750+ units funded through Thriving, targeting essential workers. Innovation: Investment in Utopi, a SaaS platform for smart building energy management. Net Zero: £50M invested in Port of Ardersier, a strategic offshore wind hub. [52:22] Planning & Policy Bottlenecks Planning delays are a major barrier to investment. Advocates for a presumption in favor of development, similar to Portugal. Warns that Scotland risks falling behind if England’s planning reforms outpace Scotland’s. [59:03] What SNIB Looks for in Businesses Scale-up stage with proven revenue and strong leadership. Investment range: £2M–£10M, with potential for follow-on funding. Preference for businesses with: Disruptive potential Intellectual capital Realistic, robust business plans [01:02:11] SNIB’s Role in Solving the Housing Crisis SNIB is ready and willing to support housing solutions. Emphasises the need for collaboration with government and policy stability to unlock private investment.   Resources: The Hunter Foundation - Singapore Report. https://www.thehunterfoundation.co.uk/ Join the Conversation What did you think of this episode? Email: [email protected] Follow us @thisisgoradio on Intagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Tok Tok For more Go Creative Podcasts, head to https://thisisgo.co.uk/podcasts/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ATeQDaPNV/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Email: [email protected]   

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  1:04:46
• Global Trade Deals, Gates’ Billions, Buffett’s Wisdom, + the £6K Startup That Became a £50M Adventure

  Go Radio Business Show [00:01:12] Scottish Government & CalMac Ferries £3.9B allocated to CalMac over 10 years. Discussion on public vs. commercial service models. Accountability issues in public sector ferry management. [00:03:10] Interest Rate Cuts & Economic Outlook UK interest rate drops to 4.25%. ECB hints at further cuts to 2.75%. Debate on inflation, tariffs, and economic stimulation. [00:05:00] UK Growth Indicators & Trade Optimism around GDP growth and low inflation. Concerns about unemployment and trade alignment with the US. [00:06:08] US-UK Trade Deal & Tariffs Donald Trump praises UK and Keir Starmer. Concerns over food imports (e.g., cloned chicken). Positive developments in steel, cars, and aerospace sectors. [00:08:12] Global Business Icons: Gates, Musk & Buffett Bill Gates pledges $200B to global health by 2045. Criticism of Elon Musk over aid cuts. Warren Buffett’s legacy, quotes, and investment philosophy. [00:18:30] Corporate Highlights: Next & Scottish Power Next reports over £1B in profits. £600M investment in Scottish Power for clean energy transition. Job losses in oil sector vs. green job opportunities. [00:20:34] Scottish Edge & Entrepreneurial Support £1.2M funding boost for Scottish Edge. Praise for Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes. [00:22:02] Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Update Stuart Patrick discusses: Free trade agreements with India and the US. Glasgow’s role in international trade missions. £350M investment in Glasgow Airport. Concerns over rent control and parking fines. [00:34:28] Special Guest: Neil Lapping, Macs Adventure Neil’s journey from South Africa to Scotland. Founding Macs Adventure with £6,000 in debt. Growth from 10 to 200+ employees and £50M+ revenue. Impact of COVID-19 and business resilience. Importance of customer obsession and mentorship. Community impact through local tourism and sustainability. [00:53:11] Macs Adventure Information 200+ guided and self-guided trips across the UK and Europe. Focus on immersive, sustainable travel experiences. [00:54:16] Next Week’s Teaser: The Singapore Model Preview of a special episode exploring what Scotland can learn from Singapore’s economic strategy. For more Go Creative Podcasts, head to https://thisisgo.co.uk/podcasts/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ATeQDaPNV/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Email: [email protected]    Keywords Go Radio Business Show, Scottish business podcast, Trywire electric cars, CalMac ferry funding, UK interest rate cut 2025, Donald Trump UK trade deal, Bill Gates philanthropy 2045, Warren Buffett investment quotes, Macs Adventure founder story, Neil Lapping entrepreneur, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Scottish Edge funding, Glasgow Airport investment, UK-India trade deal, UK-US trade agreement 2025, Clean energy Scotland, Scottish tourism business, Adventure travel Scotland, Sustainable tourism UK, Business mentorship success  

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  55:22
• Global Trade and Games: From Trump's Tariffs to Glasgow's Commonwealth Games 2026

  Go Radio Business Show [01:14 - 01:42] Easter Break and Personal Anecdotes Tom and Willie share personal stories about their Easter break and family time.   [01:42 - 02:22] Donald Trump's Ambitions Discussion on Donald Trump's comment about wanting to be considered for Pope. Light-hearted banter about Trump's ambitions and leadership.   [02:22 - 02:31] Movie Recommendation Recommendation of the movie "Conclave" with a twist at the end.   [02:31 - 04:26] Business and Tariffs Detailed discussion on the impact of tariffs on global trade. Analysis of Trump's tariff policies and their effects on businesses and consumers.   [04:26 - 05:42] UK and US Tariff Relations Discussion on the UK-US tariff relations and potential impacts. Mention of Mark Carney and the new Premier of Canada.   [05:42 - 07:02] Turnberry Hotel and The Open Championship Debate on whether Turnberry Hotel should host The Open Championship. Praise for Turnberry's investment and quality as a golf course.   [07:02 - 07:53] Local Business Growth Announcement of Car Money creating 50 new jobs in Motherwell Positive news for North Lanarkshire and the finance tech sector.   [07:53 - 10:24] Airbus and Boeing's Acquisition Discussion on Airbus and Boeing taking over Spirit Aero Systems. Impact on Prestwick facility and high-paying technical jobs.   [10:24 - 11:37] Edinburgh Biosciences Innovation Introduction of a new cataract treatment procedure by Edinburgh Biosciences. Potential benefits for millions of sufferers and increased access to treatment.   [11:37 - 12:12] Blackout in Spain and Portugal Analysis of the recent blackout in Spain, Portugal, and parts of France. Speculation on the causes and potential implications for businesses.   [12:12 - 14:08]  Impact of Blackouts on Society Discussion on the societal impact of blackouts and the importance of electricity and water access. Anecdote about a business partner's experience during the blackout.   [14:08 - 17:29] Political and Economic Challenges Analysis of the UK's and Scotland's economic situation. Discussion on the need for clever people in politics and better management of local authorities.   [17:29 - 17:45]  Hunter Foundation's Initiative Introduction of the Hunter Foundation's initiative with Oxford Economics. Commitment to discussing bold ideas for Scotland's future.   [17:45 - 21:09] Tax Policies and Talent Attraction Debate on Scotland's income tax rates and their impact on attracting talent. Discussion on the non-dom tax policies in London and their consequences.   [21:09 - 22:13] Unemployment Concerns Concerns about rising unemployment levels and the struggle of graduates to find jobs. Importance of decent paid jobs and the role of wealth creators.   [22:13 - 22:37]  Stimulating Debate Call to stimulate debate on economic and social policies. Emphasis on finding solutions and improving the status quo.   [22:37 - 24:09] Kilt Walk Event Highlights from the recent Kilt Walk event in Glasgow. Success of the event in raising funds for Scottish charities.   [24:51 - 25:00] Special Guest: Phil Batty, CEO of Glasgow's 2026 Commonwealth Games.   [25:00 - 30:00]  Commonwealth Games 2026 Detailed discussion with Phil Batty about the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Explanation of the new model for delivering the games and its benefits.   [30:00 - 33:06] Logistics and Accommodation Challenges and strategies for organising accommodation and transport for the games. Importance of providing a great experience for athletes and visitors.   [33:06 - 35:28]  Athlete Experience Discussion on the inclusive and equal approach for athlete accommodation. Benefits of a multi-sport event for athletes.   [35:28 - 36:01] Economic Impact Potential economic impact of the Commonwealth Games on local businesses. Opportunities for retail, hospitality, and other sectors.   [36:01 - 37:48] Preparation and Engagement Importance of businesses preparing for the games and engaging with the community. Encouragement to talk up the event and get involved.   [37:48 - 42:01] Success Metrics Key metrics for measuring the success of the Commonwealth Games. Importance of showcasing Glasgow and Scotland to the world.   [42:01 - 45:06] Board You Can’t Afford: James Fleming, founder of The Power Within Training. Discussion on leadership development and business growth consultancy.   [45:06 - 50:45] Business Growth and Investment James Fleming shares his journey and challenges in growing his business. Advice from the hosts on balancing investment and saving.   [50:45 - 56:19] Leadership and Training Insights into leadership training and the importance of psychometric testing. Benefits of investing in employee development.   For more Go Creative Podcasts, head to https://thisisgo.co.uk/podcasts/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ATeQDaPNV/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Email: [email protected]    Donald Trump Pope ambitions, Conclave movie recommendation, Global trade tariffs, Trump's tariff policies, UK-US tariff relations, Turnberry Hotel Open Championship, Local business growth Motherwell, Airbus Boeing Spirit Aero Systems, Edinburgh Biosciences cataract treatment, Spain Portugal blackout analysis, Societal impact of blackouts, UK Scotland economic challenges, Hunter Foundation Oxford Economics, Scotland income tax rates, Non-dom tax policies London, Rising unemployment concerns, Kilt Walk event Glasgow, Commonwealth Games 2026 Glasgow, Athlete accommodation strategies, Economic impact Commonwealth Games, Leadership development consultancy, Business growth investment, Psychometric testing benefits  

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  58:02
• Music Videos with Harry Styles, Tech Giants in Silicon Valley, and Space Exploration with NASA

  Go Radio Business Show: Most Downloaded Interview with Marie Owen, CEO of LS Productions [00:01:17]  Marie Owen's Career Journey Marie Owen shares her background, starting LS Productions as a hobby and balancing work with family life. [00:02:24] Transition to Entrepreneurship Marie Owen discusses her transition from cabin crew to entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges and learning experiences. [00:03:20] Starting LS Productions Marie explains how she started LS Productions with limited experience and support from her husband. [00:04:57] Early Business Challenges Marie talks about the initial challenges in funding and partnerships, and how she secured her first project. [00:06:12] Winning Business Marie emphasises the importance of sales and marketing in winning business and building customer relationships. [00:08:09]  High-Profile Projects Marie shares stories of working on high-profile projects with Ronaldo and Harry Styles, detailing the process and challenges. [00:10:05]  Harry Styles Music Video Marie recounts the experience of shooting a music video with Harry Styles in St. Abbs, discussing the logistics and local impact. [00:16:06]  Educational and Support Networks Marie talks about the support networks and educational programs that helped her grow LS Productions.   [00:19:38] Interview: Kevin Dorren, CEO of Parsley Box [00:21:01]  Background: Kevin Doran's journey from a non-entrepreneurial family to founding multiple businesses. [00:23:57]  Orbital: Founded a tech company, moved to Silicon Valley, and took the company public. [00:32:27]  Diet Chef: Started an online diet business inspired by Nutrisystem, later sold to a French competitor. [00:35:09] Parsley Box: Founded a meal delivery service for the elderly, experienced rapid growth during COVID-19. [00:37:43]  Challenges: Scaling up quickly during the pandemic, working with local authorities and the NHS. [00:40:57] Insights: Shared lessons on public markets, the importance of innovation, and the entrepreneurial landscape in Scotland.   Interview: Alan Cannon, CEO of Krucial [00:42:06] Background: Alan Cannon's interest in physics and problem-solving led him to the defence industry and later to Clyde Space. [00:46:58]  Clyde Space: Worked on small satellites, contributing to the growth of the space industry in Scotland. [00:51:04]  Entrepreneurial Journey: Inspired by Silicon Valley start-ups, founded Krucial in 2018. [00:52:56]  Krucial: A cloud infrastructure company helping organisations leverage satellite data. Grew significantly during the pandemic. [00:53:56]  Support: Participated in the Creative Destruction Lab program, which encouraged thinking big and building massive. [00:55:28] Future Plans: Aiming to expand globally and work with various industries to improve sustainability and profitability.   Keywords: Sir Tom Hunter, Lord Willie Haughey, Kevin Dorren, Silicon Valley, Parsley Box, Alan Cannon, Krucial, Digital Transformation, Space Scale-Up, Marie Owen, LS Productions, Film and TV Commercials, Ronaldo, Harry Styles, Entrepreneurship, Cabin Crew, Customer Service, Business Challenges, Sales and Marketing, High-Profile Projects, Music Video, Scottish Enterprise, Entrepreneurial Scotland

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  58:03
• Leadership with Sir Alex Ferguson and Insights from Top Innovators.

  Go Radio Business Show: Most Downloaded Interviews Interview with Sir Alex Ferguson 00:01:12] Early Leadership: Sir Alex discusses his early leadership experiences, starting from his apprenticeship and union involvement.  [00:03:33] Football Career Beginnings: Transition from apprenticeship to full-time football, and the realisation of his leadership potential [00:06:26] Entrepreneurial Ventures::Sir Alex talks about balancing his football career with entrepreneurial ventures like opening a pub. [00:09:03] Coaching and Management:Insights into his coaching philosophy and the importance of building a football club, not just a team.  [00:11:56] Managing Big Clubs:Challenges and strategies in managing big clubs like Manchester United, including changing the club culture.  [00:14:22] Winning Mentality: The importance of instilling a winning mentality in players and the role of captains in carrying the manager's message.  [00:18:05] Assistant Managers: The crucial role of assistant managers in his career and the qualities that made them effective.  [00:22:10] Modern Challenges: Challenges of managing young players today, especially with the influence of money and agents.  [00:23:54] Proudest Achievements: Reflecting on his proudest achievements, including winning the European Cup.   Interview with Billy Lyle from Illuminate AI [00:24:53] AI in Business: Billy discusses the accessibility and benefits of AI for businesses, emphasising prompt engineering. [00:27:07] AI Providers: Overview of major AI providers like OpenAI and Google, and their investments in AI.  [00:28:39]  Impact on Professional Services: Potential disruptions and opportunities AI brings to professional services like law and accounting.  [00:29:53] AI's Future and Risks: Discussion on the future of AI, potential risks, and ethical considerations.  [00:31:39] Adapting to AI: Tips for small business owners on how to adapt and leverage AI to stay competitive.  [00:33:37] Real-World AI Application:Lord Haughey shares a real-world example of using AI to enhance energy efficiency in housing projects.  [00:35:32] AI and Job Market:The impact of AI on the job market and the importance of human involvement in AI processes. Interview with Poonam Gupta OBE [00:39:23] Entrepreneurial Journey: Poonam shares her journey from India to Scotland, starting her business with no initial capital.  [00:43:35] Cash Flow Management: Strategies for managing cash flow in the early stages of business without external funding.  [00:45:12] Business Growth: Growth of PG Paper and future targets, aiming for £250 million in revenue.  [/00:46:36] Balancing Family and Business: Challenges and strategies for balancing family responsibilities with business growth.  [00:48:09] Recognition and Awards:Receiving the OBE and the importance of giving back to the community. Keywords:  Early Leadership, Football Career Beginnings, Entrepreneurial Ventures, Coaching Philosophy,Managing Big Clubs, Winning Mentality, Role of Assistant Managers, Modern Challenges, Proudest Achievements,AI in Business, AI Providers, Impact on Professional Services, AI's Future and Risks, Adapting to AI, Real-World AI Application, AI and Job Market, Entrepreneurial Journey, Cash Flow Management, Business Growth, Balancing Family and Business, Recognition and Awards  

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  52:19

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