A Different Perspective

This week Nick talks to Peter CurkWith over a decade of experience across multiple sectors, Pete has held diverse roles in executive management, customer experience, marketing, and business development. Currently serving as CEO of ICONOMI, previously leading Big Bang Slovenija as Customer Experience & eCommerce Director. Peter co-founded Dia-Vit Ltd, securing Series A funding, and consulted on digital marketing and sales strategy at Deloitte Slovenia. Earlier roles include interim CMO at GoOpti and COO at Renderspace, focusing on UX design and performance marketing, along with a 10-year tenure at A1 Slovenija d.d., enriching their foundation in business development and leadership. As the CEO of ICONOMI, ICONOMI is a digital asset management platform that enables users to easily manage, invest, and diversify in the world of cryptocurrencies. Founded with the mission to democratize access to the new economy, ICONOMI offers a user-friendly interface for both beginners and experienced investors to build and manage customized crypto portfolios. Through its platform, ICONOMI provides various digital asset management services, including a selection of pre-built crypto portfolios, allowing users to invest with ease and security. By bridging traditional and digital finance, ICONOMI empowers users to access and navigate the digital asset space effectively, making crypto investing more accessible, transparent, and manageable. Nick and Peter discuss ICONOMI, Crypto ETF's, legacy coding and blockchain and the wider crypto sector. Peter's book choice was: The Origin of Wealth by Eric Beinhockerhttps://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/the-origin-of-wealth-by-eric-beinhocker/product/HD_302173723?sku=HD_302173723Peter music choice was: Songs of Joy and Devotion by Depeche Modehttps://open.spotify.com/album/6x7S6u9Cx2S0JD48nPsavEThis content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week Nick talks to Guy Gittins. Guy became CEO of Foxtons in September 2022, bringing with him extensive experience in the property sector and leadership roles. Prior to rejoining Foxtons, he served as CEO of Chestertons, a renowned London-based and international residential property firm. Guy's career began at Foxtons, where he worked until 2006 before taking on the role of Sales and Marketing Director for Peter de Savary. In 2010, he joined Savills and later moved to Chestertons in 2012, leading their flagship Chelsea office. In 2018, he was appointed CEO of ChestertonsNick and Guy discuss Guy's career journey and the evolution of Foxtons, from its founding by Jon Hunt to the present day. Guy's Book choice was How to Build a Car: The Autobiography of the World’s Greatest Formula 1 Designer by Adrian Newey https://www.waterstones.com/book/how-to-build-a-car/adrian-newey/9780008196806Guy's music choice was - Move your body by Marshall Jeffersonhttps://open.spotify.com/track/3OrcEhLzxv1YX597jGjEI7This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week Nick talks to Jeff Chatfield Jeff serves as the Executive Chairman of Avation PLC and played a pivotal role in its founding and development. Throughout his career, he has held management and directorial positions in various companies across sectors such as the airline industry, data distribution, electronics, investment, broadcasting, and manufacturing. He holds both a Bachelor of Engineering and a Master of Engineering Science from the University of Western Australia. Additionally, he is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Directors. Nick and Jeff discuss Avation PLC and the wider aircraft lessor sector. This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week Nick talks to John RobertsJohn began his career as a waiter and kitchen salesman. In 2000, he founded Appliances Online after a friend bet him £1 to start a business. His entrepreneurial journey gained momentum when, in 2014, he led AO World’s listing on the London Stock Exchange, which was valued at £1.2 billion at the time. John has stated that he built AO on his personal mottos: "treat every customer like your gran" and "make your mum proud." In 2021, he was ranked 30th in the Financial Times' list of the UK’s Top 100 Entrepreneurs, and he has won multiple awards, including the This is Manchester Supernova Award and the Retail Week Retail Activist Award.Over the past year, John has become an advocate for restoring over £1 billion in lost youth infrastructure funding, reforming the Apprenticeship Levy, and exploring solutions for improving the care system for looked-after children. He has said that most of his earnings go to charity. Nick and John discuss his career path, the founding of AO.com and his philanthropy. John book choice was - Invention: A Life of Learning Through Failure, by James DysonJohn's music choice was - Don't Stop Me Now, by QueenThis content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week Nick talk's to Corero's CEO Carl HerbergerCarl oversees the business strategy and execution at Corero Network Security, a leading provider of DDoS protection solutions. Corero specialises in automatic detection and protection systems, offering network visibility, analytics, and reporting tools. The technology safeguards against both external and internal DDoS threats, particularly in complex edge and subscriber environments, ensuring continuous internet service availability. Corero operates from centres in Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA, and Edinburgh, UK, with its headquarters in London. The company is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. Nick and Carl discuss the technology safeguard landscape along with Corero's core business. Carl's book choice's where: Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor E Franklhttps://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/viktor-e-frankl/man-s-search-for-meaning/9781844132393How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegiehttps://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/dale-carnegie/how-to-win-friends-and-influence-people/9780091906818Animal Farm by George Orwellhttps://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/george-orwell/animal-farm/9780141036137Built to Last by James Collinshttps://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/james-collins/built-to-last/9780712669689This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week, Nick talks to Christian Purcell, Co-Founder of DropPoint.Christian is the co-founder of DropPoint, a UK-based platform that helps individuals declutter by connecting them with local charitable causes seeking in-kind donations. Through its searchable directory, users can easily find grassroots projects and organizations in need of specific items, allowing them to donate unwanted goods and support their community. DropPoint aims to make the donation process simple and effective, encouraging people to give back in a meaningful way.Christian’s earlier career includes various roles such as Project Manager and Carrier Analyst at wnDirect, Customer Service Advisor and Stock Controller at Arco Ltd, and Contract Administrator at Briggs Amasco Ltd. Christian also combines his role at DropPoint with working for parcelLab as senior technical business analyst.Nick and Christian discuss the formation of DropPoint.org, how it works and what the future holds.Christian’s book choices were The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie.This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

In this week's episode Nick talks to Stewart HallStewart Hall is the CEO and co-founder of Public Policy Holding Company (PPHC), a role he has held since 2014. He is also the co-founder and Chairman of Crossroads Strategies, LLC (CRS). Stewart began his career as Legislative Director to Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) from 1992 to 1996, where he developed extensive expertise in defense policy, appropriations, financial services, and Senate procedures. In 1999, he entered the private sector by co-founding Federalist Group, LLC.Under Stewart's leadership, Federalist Group was acquired by Ogilvy Public Relations, a WPP company, in 2005. The company subsequently doubled in size over the next four years while he remained at the helm. In 2010, Stewart co-founded CRS, and in 2014, CRS was merged to create PPHC—an innovative organization that integrates multiple disciplines of the public policy sector into a single, multi-brand entity.As CEO of PPHC, Stewart has overseen the company's impressive growth, achieving a compound annual growth rate of over 30% annually through a combination of mergers, acquisitions, and organic expansion, and expanding the workforce to over 350 employees nationwide.Stewart holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and both an MA and Ph.D. in Government from the University of Virginia.Nick and Stewart discuss Stewarts career and what the Public Policy Holding Company does. Stewart's book of choice was the The Federalist Papers. The Federalist Papers is a collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the collective pseudonym "Publius" to promote the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/full-textThis content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

In this week's episode Nick talks to Americo LemosAmerico Lemos joined IQE in January 2022, bringing with him extensive experience from his previous role on the executive team at GlobalFoundries, a leading semiconductor design and manufacturing company headquartered in New York. At GlobalFoundries, he served as the Senior Vice President of Business Development for Asia Pacific and China Country President, where he focused on enhancing the company's efficiency and growth in these vital regions. Prior to this, Lemos was the Senior Vice President at Qualcomm, overseeing its data center business. His career also includes a tenure as Vice President of Platform Engineering at Intel, where he led strategic partnerships with Chinese semiconductor companies from 2009 to 2015. Additionally, he has held senior positions at Texas Instruments, Quanta Computer in Taiwan, and Skyworks. Nick and Americo discuss his career and a deep dive intto the world of compound semi conductors.Americo's book choice was: Good To Great by Jim Collinshttps://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/jim-collins/good-to-great/9780712676090This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week Nick talks to Martin Higginson, Founder & CEO Huddled Group plcMartin is a seasoned Technology, Media, and Telecoms (TMT) entrepreneur with a history of founding, selling, and listing multiple businesses. His entrepreneurial journey began in 1982 with the sale of his first business, a BMX magazine, to IPC Magazines. After three years with IPC, he established the publishing and telecoms company Megafone, which he later sold to Scottish Power plc. At Scottish Power, he became Managing Director of the Internet and Interactive division of Scottish Telecom, overseeing Demon Internet. Martin then founded Monstermob Group plc, which listed on AIM in 2003 and grew to a Top 50 AIM listed business with a market capitalisation of £192m before its sale to Zed Worldwide in 2006. He has since founded Cityblock plc, NetPlayTV plc, and Digitalbox plc, which was ranked as a FastTrack 100 Company in 2016 and 2017. Martin is now Founder and CEO of Huddled Group plc. Nick and Martin discuss his career to date,Martin's book choice was: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwellhttps://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/malcolm-gladwell/outliers/9780141036250This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week Nick talks to Dr Daniel DanielDr Daniel Daniel has over 24 years in dentistry and a deep understanding of cryptocurrency. Daniel specialises in teaching busy professionals, like dentists, how to invest in crypto confidently. His journey started at Dalhousie University, where he developed a passion for math and finance before his Dentistry Degree and founding EMC Dental, initially focused on dentistry education. Lately Daniel's interest in crypto grew, and created The Crypto Investing Program, a one-week course designed to simplify crypto investment for busy professionals, making it accessible and profitable. In this episode Nick and Daniel discuss Daniel's career path and the pivot to crypto. They delve into the Bull-Run Method, a strategy for making significant crypto returns with just 10 minutes of daily effort and discuss why the upcoming six months could be the final bull run in crypto and how to capitalize on it. Daniel's book choices where:Chasing the Scream by Johann Harihttps://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/johann-hari/chasing-the-scream/9781408857823Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwellhttps://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/malcolm-gladwell/talking-to-strangers/9780141988498This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week, Nick talks to Magnus Houston. Magnus has diverse career background that spans professional motorcycle racing for Suzuki GB, where he competed in a support race to the World Superbikes, and self-taught creel fishing. He has founded and managed multiple seafood companies and has experience in the alternative investment sector. Additionally, Magnus is a graduate of MIT's Sloan School of Management.With Magnus’ previous company, Fishbox, he digitized a traditional business model, creating a system with four times as many data collection points as Tesco Club Card Points. The real driver of subscription numbers was his comprehensive approach to marketing; handling every aspect of the process, from crafting the brand to creating aspirational videos, working with influencers, and managing social media posts.  Nick and Magnus talk about his extraordinary career to-date, including a serious accident in his motorcycle racing career that put him in a wheelchair, to then becoming a fisherman without any prior experience.Magnus' book choices where:The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers Hardcover by Ben Horowitz https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hard-Thing-About-Things-Building/dp/0062273205The Pyramid of Lies: Lex Greensill and the Billion-Dollar Scandal Hardcover by Duncan Mavin https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pyramid-Lies-Greensill-Billion-Dollar-Scandal/dp/1529088887The World for Sale by Javier Blashttps://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/javier-blas/world-for-sale/9781847942678This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week Nick talks to Marc AdamsMarc Adams is the CEO of Acquisitions4you, a specialized business consultancy firm that focuses on facilitating mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for small to mid-sized companies. They provide end-to-end support throughout the acquisition process, ensuring that their clients achieve strategic growth objectives. The firm's services include identifying potential acquisition targets, conducting comprehensive due diligence, negotiating terms, and managing the integration process post-acquisition. By leveraging their extensive network and industry expertise, Acquisitions4you helps businesses navigate the complexities of M&A transactions, ensuring that both the financial and operational aspects are thoroughly addressed to maximize value and minimize risks.Before Acquisitions4you, Marc served as an Advisor at Flatworld Solutions, having significantly enhanced client profitability by outsourcing specialized tasks in financial service and insurance, creating over $100M in value. As a NED at JBTM Group, Marc achieved similar value creation through strategic growth and productivity improvements. As MD EMEA at RSA Security, Marc led a team to deliver $25M in software sales with significant year-over-year growth. Marc's tenure at Thomson Reuters involved turning around the EMEA business and expanding in emerging markets. Earlier roles include senior sales and engineering positions at Centennial Software, Clearswift, EMC Corporation, Sun Microsystems, Monotype, and Intersolve, where they consistently drove successful mergers and acquisitions, brand equity, and exit strategies.Nick and Mark talk about Marc's life and his career and focus on Marc's new book - Secrets to 10xing Your Business and Cashing Out Tax-Free, the book gives guidance on how you can reshape the destiny of your business with strategies proven to not only multiply its worth but also to ensure a lucrative exit when the time is ripe. They cover chapters from the book, Power of Digital Marketing and Tax-Free Selling: Preparing for the Exit.  Marc's book choices where -  Secrets to 10xing Your Business and Cashing Out Tax by Marc Adamshttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Secrets-10Xing-Your-Business-Tax-Free/dp/B0CRXPBB4TDotCom Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Growing Your Company Online by Russell Brunsonhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/DotCom-Secrets-Underground-Playbook-Growing/dp/1630474770This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week Nick talks to long time friend of the show, Hugh Hendry the Acid Capitalist.Hugh Hendry is a prominent investor and hedge fund manager, best known for founding Eclectica Asset Management. Hendry gained considerable attention for his contrarian investment style and outspoken personality. He began his career at Baillie Gifford before moving to Credit Suisse, where he honed his skills in asset management. Hendry's reputation for making bold, unconventional bets was solidified during the 2008 financial crisis when his fund profited significantly from positions that anticipated the market downturn. His ability to foresee economic shifts and his willingness to take high-stakes risks have marked him as a distinctive figure in the world of finance.Despite stepping back from active fund management, Hendry remains an influential voice in finance, leveraging his deep understanding of market dynamics and his contrarian mindset to provide a unique perspective on economic developments as the Acid Capitalist. Hugh guides Nick through a macroeconomic maze, exploring the markets, gold, the Kobayashi Maru test, Dollar/Yen, Euro/Dollar, the Federal Reserve, Japan's devaluation and yelling at Yelland plus where Hugh invests his money. Fancy a ACID CAPITALIST SUMMER CAMP MACRO RETREAT with Hugh? Click here for details. This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

In the 50th episode of A Different Perspective, Nick talks to Mark Sheppard. Mark is a certified chartered accountant with previous experience at Deloitte and ABN Amro Hoare Govett. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Exeter and a BSc (Honours) in Computing & IT from the Open University.  Mark is the Co/Founder of Manchester and London Investment Trust. Manchester and London Investment Trust is a global equities fund with a bias towards blue chip, high quality, global, growth stocks that are primarily developed market listed.In this episode, Nick and Mark explore the transition from human labour to automation and all aspects of AI. Leveraging Mark's expertise in computing, he guides the conversation beyond the usual news headlines, providing deep insights into the stages of the Ai landscape and its effects. Mark says we need to pay attention, the world changes when we sleep. Mark's book choices were Investing with Keynes: How the World's Greatest Economist Overturned Conventional Wisdom and Made a Fortune on the Stock Market by Justyn Walsh and The World without Work by Daniel Susskind.This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

Brian R. Cook is a seasoned entrepreneur with nearly three decades of experience, having launched close to 200 locations for various boutique fitness brands. He holds a B.S. in exercise physiology from Northeastern University and an M.B.A. from Babson College. His latest venture is StretchMed, a franchise specialising in 1-on-1 stretching sessions, which he established in November 2019. StretchMed now operates over 20 locations across five states, focusing on relieving chronic pain, enhancing mobility, rejuvenating the body, and promoting better movement.Outside of work, Brian, a former hockey player, divides his time between Boston and Puerto Rico and enjoys boating.Brian and Nick discuss Brian's career and work in the fitness space. Brian's book choices where - E-Myth Mastery by Michael E. Gerber, Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter and Good to Great by Jim Collins.This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

In this week's episode Nick talks to Houman AshrafzadehHouman is a serial entrepreneur with diverse experiences in business, finance, and management consulting, Houman has developed a unique skill set and a problem-solving approach to business challenges. Houman has current roles as Co-Founder of Urban Greens and CEO & Founder of Padium. Nick and Houman discuss his career start moving from Sweden to London to study and Houman’s move into finance and brokering. Houman later found that he needed to strike out on his own setting up his brokerage firm 360 in 2013.  Now in 2024 Houman partners in Urban Greens, a salad bar franchise, with 4 locations across London. Recently, Houman launched Padium, a pay and play club for padel in Canary Wharf. Padel was invented in the 1960s in Mexico and is a racquet game that combines the tennis scoring system with the tactical ricochet shots of squash.Houman's book choice was The Lean Startup: How Constant Innovation Creates Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries. This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

Giles and his brother Nick co-founded the Bremont Watch Company in 2002, specialising in the creation of luxury mechanical watches. As one of the select British watch manufacturers,  Bremont was, in 2008, awarded the title of Best British Emerging Luxury Brand. By 2009, Bremont’s reputation for crafting classic aviation-inspired watches propelled them to become the 20th largest chronometer manufacturer globally, reflecting the growing demand for our distinctive designs. Last year Giles and Nick sold a stake to the US hedge fund manager Bill Ackman. Nick and Giles delve into Giles' early business ventures, highlighting his passion for flying. They recount Giles' initial foray into the financial sector, followed by the bold move of reviving a struggling aircraft business alongside his brother, Nick. The brothers' early involvement in an internet business, which concluded with a successful exit, paved the way for them to establish Bremont. This venture was deeply rooted in their lifelong fascination with clocks, watches, and timepieces, a passion inherited from their father, whose tragic death in an aircraft accident served as a poignant inspiration.  Giles book choice was Gipsy Moth Circles the World by Francis Chichester. This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week, Nick talks to Judith Batchelar OBE. Judith Batchelar OBE is a distinguished figure with over 35 years of experience in the food and drink industry. Her career began in manufacturing before she transitioned into retail, working at Marks and Spencer. From 2004 to 2021, she was pivotal at Sainsbury’s as the Director of Sainsbury’s Brand, overseeing all aspects of the company's product offerings, including policy formation on ethical and sourcing issues, product technology, development, safety, and packaging, as well as corporate responsibility and public affairs. Batchelar's academic background includes being a biochemist and nutritionist, holding an Honorary Doctorate in Agriculture from Harper Adams University, and affiliations as a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology and the Royal Society of Arts and Manufacturers​​​​.Nick and Judith discuss Judith's career in the food industry, Judith's passion for food and dietary improvements and the reduction in ultra processed foods. Judith also looks at how the UK needs to adapt for climate change and the effect on our food production, and finally the recent IPO of Micrsosalt, of which Judith is chair. Judith's favourite book choices were: Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard, The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey and Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier.This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week, Nick Searle talks to Sid Lall, Fund Manager.After joining Giles Hargreave in 2007 to work on the Marlborough Special Situations Fund, Sid was instrumental in the design and launch of the Marlborough Multi Cap Income Fund in 2011 and has remained its lead manager. The Marlborough Multi Cap Income Fund was the first among their funds to surpass £1bn in assets under management (AUM) for both Marlborough and Hargreave Hale. Hargreave Hale was acquired by Canaccord Genuity in 2017. It was ranked at the top of its peer group in 2013 and in the top quartile for total returns over 1, 3, 5, and 10 years by the end of 2021. Sid's expertise has primarily been in small to mid-cap stocks, but it has expanded from UK small mid cap income to leverage his original expertise in European small mid cap (at DSP) and build on global equities, which are also held in the non-qualifying quota within the Marlborough Multi Cap Income Fund.Nick and Sid talk about Sid's life and career journey from growing up in Calcutta to leaving India for the UK, with scholarship under Lord Inchcape.  Study at Edinburgh University and his first steps into business and finance, working with Giles Hargreave and what makes a good company stock to invest in. Sid's book choices were Maestro: Greenspan's Fed and the American Boom, The Contender - The Story of Marlon Brando by William J. Mann, My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand and Hedgehogging by Barton Biggs. This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week Nick talks to Zeke Faux, Investigative Reporter and Author. Zeke Faux is an investigative reporter for Bloomberg and author of the 2023 book "Number Go Up: Inside Crypto's Wild Rise and Staggering Fall". The book examines the wild characters of the cryptocurrency world. Nick and Zeke discuss the downfall of the FTX exchange in 2022 led by Sam Bankman-Fried, purchasing a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT, Jean Chalopin the co-creator of Inspector Gadget and his role in the Tether story as well as touch on the darker side of crypto.Zeke’s book choice was The Lost City of Z by Davin Grann.This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.