The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line has been on BBC Radio 4 for twenty years. The programme was first broadcast in 2006. Back then smartphones weren't on sale, Facebook had only just gone public and people still went to Blockbuster to rent videos and DVDs. Tony Blair was prime minister, a litre of fuel cost 90p and interest rates stood at 4.5 per cent. Since then there's been a financial crash, we've had energy price shocks, Brexit and a pandemic. Evan Davis is joined by a panel of guests, who first appeared in the early years of the show, to reflect on how the business landscape has changed over that period of time.
Guests:
Nicola Horlick: CEO of Money & Co
Robin Wight: Advertising Guru
Kim Winser: Luxury Brand Consultant
Alex Cheatle: CEO and founder of Ten Lifestyle Group Plc
Presenter: Evan Davis
Producer: Sally Abrahams & Nick Holland
Sound: Dave O'Neil
Production Coordinator: Katie Morrison
Editor Sam Bonham

Success doesn't always bring confidence. In fact, some of the most accomplished people privately worry they're not as capable as everyone believes. They live with a nagging fear that one day, they'll be exposed as a fraud. It’s often called imposter syndrome, and can affect anyone, at any stage of their career.
Evan Davis and guests explore what imposter syndrome really is, why it happens and how it can hold people back. And they'll share practical tips and strategies for quietening that inner critic and building confidence.
Guests:
Andy Ransom, former CEO, Rentokil and now chair designate, Teenage Cancer Trust
Katy Leeson, former MD, Social Chain and founder of Courageous
Dr Valerie Young, co-founder, the Imposter Syndrome Institute
Production team:
Presenter: Evan Davis
Producers: Sally Abrahams and Nick Holland
Production co-ordinator: Liam Morrey
Sound engineer: Dave O’Neill
Editor: Justine Lang

Few disagree we need business regulations to protect the rights of workers and consumers, ensure markets operate fairly and set standards for a whole host of industries. However, one thing some business owners get frustrated about is the amount of regulation they have to comply with. It's not just that we over-regulate, they also complain that we're slow to regulate too, causing unnecessary and expensive delays. Evan Davis explores the nature of the regulatory landscape in the UK and assesses whether we fairly weigh up the costs and benefits.
Presenter: Evan Davis
Producer: Sally Abrahams & Nick Holland
Sounds: Neil Churchill and Rod Farquhar
Production Coordinator: Katie Morrison
Editor: Sam Bonham
Guests:
John Fingleton: CEO of Fingleton Consultancy
Polly Dhaliwal: COO of Enterprise Nation
David Buttress: Co-Founder of Just Eat

A laptop, reliable wifi and a visa, the formula that has allowed millions to work from almost anywhere in the world. It’s a lifestyle that promises freedom and flexibility: one month in Lisbon, the next in Bali. But after years of countries competing to attract digital nomads, with special visas and tax breaks, some destinations are rethinking the welcome mat. As governments tighten requirements and scrutinise remote workers more closely, Evan Davis and guests examine the economics of life on the move and consider whether the lifestyle really delivers on its promise.
Guests:
Christa Romano, founder of Digital Nomad Life Academy;
Diego Bejarano Gerke, CEO and founder of Wifi Tribe;
Emily Bratt, journalist and brand communications consultant; and
Dave Cook, anthropologist at University College London.
Production team:
Presenter: Evan Davis
Producers: Nick Holland and Sally Abrahams
Sound engineers: Dave O’Neill and James Beard
Editor: Sam Bonham

Whether it’s McDonald’s and Cadbury or H&M and Karl Lagerfeld, brand collaborations are booming. From food to fashion, homeware to movies, why are partnerships having such a moment and what makes some 'collabs' succeed while others fail? Evan Davis and his guests explore the deals, the strategies and the creative thinking that turn collaborations into commercial successes. They also consider the consequences of what happens when things don't go to plan?
Guests:
Karen O’Rourke, Managing Director, H&M, UK and Ireland
Gill Williams, head of partnerships, tpf
Rita Clifton, branding expert, former London CEO, Interbrand
Presenter: Evan Davis
Producer: Nick Holland and Sally Abrahams
Sound engineers: James Breard and Andy Garratt
Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison
Editor: Sam Bonham