The Bottom Line Podcast
The definitive business podcast from the BBC.
Hosted by Evan Davis.
The definitive business podcast from the BBC.
Each week, the BBC's Evan Davis is joined by bosses, entrepreneurs and industry experts, to lift the lid on how their businesses work, and what it’s like to be in charge.
They discuss a big issue, a big challenge, or a big question facing their industry.
From managing AI to managing millennials, from supermarkets to supercharging a new product.
And our guests will share their stories of success and failure along the way.
Podcasts are published every Thursday. And as well as being a podcast, we are also available every Thursday afternoon and Tuesday evening on BBC Radio 4.
You can now also listen to The Bottom Line on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play The Bottom Line”. It works on most smart speakers.
The Bottom Line has published a spin off series - Decisions That Made Me - where Evan asks entrepreneurs and business leaders about the most crucial moments in their lives and careers. You can watch these episodes here: https://t.ly/oJ8lW.
Got a question or a comment? Get in touch with Evan and the team on email at bottomline@bbc.co.uk.
The Bottom Line is produced in partnership with The Open University and is an EcoAudio certified production.
Episodes to download
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Airport Lounges: For the Many or the Few?
Thursday
How should operators balance the tension between demand and exclusivity?
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Boom And Bust: Is AI The New Dotcom Bubble?
Thu 15 Jan 2026
Lessons learned from a dotcom entrepreneur on the boom and bust of his company, boo.com.
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USPs: What Is The UK Good At?
Thu 8 Jan 2026
From award-winning theatre to life-saving drugs, what are the UK’s biggest strengths?
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The Decisions That Made Me: Ben Branson (Seedlip)
New Year's Day 2026
Seedlip founder, Ben Branson, on crafting non-alcoholic spirits from nature
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The Decisions That Made Me: Margaret Heffernan
Christmas Day 2025
Former tech CEO, Margaret Heffernan, on switching from programme-maker to business leader
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The Decisions That Made Me – Joey Gonzalez (Barry’s)
Thu 18 Dec 2025
From sweating in class to leading Barry’s fitness brand: Joey Gonzalez’s CEO journey
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The Decisions That Made Me: Sameer Vuyyuru
Thu 11 Dec 2025
Sameer Vuyyuru on the power of AI and the influence of his grandfather.
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The Decisions That Made Me: Harry Destecroix (Ziylo, Science Creates, SCVC)
Thu 4 Dec 2025
Harry Destecroix on spinning out a company from Bristol university and making millions
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The Decisions That Made Me: Sophie Mirman
Thu 27 Nov 2025
Sophie Mirman who founded SockShop and Trotters on moving from junior secretary to MD
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The Decisions That Made Me: Jesper Brodin (IKEA)
Thu 20 Nov 2025
An optimist and a risk-taker, Jesper Brodin on taking IKEA digital and making it greener
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The Decisions That Made Me: Heather Vernon (Woburn Partners)
Thu 13 Nov 2025
From teaching to politics to PR - Heather Vernon on her path to becoming an entrepreneur
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Hypotheticals: How Would You React If You Were Boss?
Thu 6 Nov 2025
Guests consider imagined scenarios inspired by real business challenges
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Productivity: How Can British Business Work Smarter?
Thu 30 Oct 2025
Britain works hard, yet our output is lower than our rivals. Can AI help close the gap?
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Introverts: Can Quiet Voices Conquer The Corporate World?
Thu 23 Oct 2025
What can introverts do to stand out in the workplace?
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Human Resources: Is HR Out of Control?
Thu 16 Oct 2025
From payslips to policy, how HR now plays a central role in how businesses are run.
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Chaos Management: Do Fewer Rules Make For Better Workplaces?
Thu 9 Oct 2025
When leaders embrace chaos, can innovation thrive or does everything fall apart?
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Spinouts: How Can Universities Turn Research Into Successful Businesses?
Thu 2 Oct 2025
How university research creates huge rewards – for founders, universities and the economy.
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Direct to Consumer: A Better Way to Sell?
Thu 25 Sep 2025
How do businesses navigate selling directly to their customers?
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Decisions That Made Me: Greg Jackson (Octopus Energy)
Thu 18 Sep 2025
Greg Jackson left school at 16, then built Octopus Energy into a multibillion-pound giant
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Decisions That Made Me: Charlie Bowes-Lyon (Wild)
Thu 11 Sep 2025
Charlie Bowes-Lyon on co-founding Wild, the refillable deodorant brand bought by Unilever
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Decisions That Made Me: Mark Dixon (IWG)
Thu 4 Sep 2025
IWG’s Mark Dixon went from hot dog seller to founder of a flexible office space provider.
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Decisions That Made Me: Thomas Beahon (Castore Co-Founder)
Thu 28 Aug 2025
Castore's Tom Beahon launched a billion-pound sportswear brand backed by Andy Murray.
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Decisions That Made Me: Anthony Eskinazi (JustPark Founder)
Thu 21 Aug 2025
The parking app creator on ditching a top graduate scheme to set up his own business
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Decisions That Made Me: Joanna Jensen (Childs Farm Founder)
Thu 14 Aug 2025
The children’s skincare entrepreneur on the investor who nearly sank her business.
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Decisions That Made Me: Nick Grey (Gtech, Founder and CEO)
Thu 7 Aug 2025
The cordless vacuum entrepreneur on the big risk he took starting out.
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Decisions That Made Me: Zak Brown (McLaren Racing, CEO)
Thu 31 Jul 2025
How a high school dropout landed one of the biggest jobs in motorsport
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The Bottom Line Business Awards 2025
Thu 24 Jul 2025
The standout successes and costliest catastrophes of the last 12 months.
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Car Parks: Who's Making Money From Your Ticket?
Thu 17 Jul 2025
Evan Davis meets some of the key figures from a much-maligned industry
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Scaling Up: What Turns a Start-Up into a Success?
Thu 10 Jul 2025
What does it take to grow a new enterprise into a multi million-pound business?
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Care Homes: How Will They Cope Without Migrant Workers?
Thu 3 Jul 2025
Overseas hiring is to be banned, but can homes attract enough British workers?
















