All Things Business - The Podcast

Grant McKenna: It can be really lonely at the top | Ep80

In this episode of the All Things Business – The Podcast, Ben is joined by Grant McKenna, Managing Director of Apertus Group. Apertus specialise in automotive procurement, energy and utilities, and while Grant may be known as the Moaning MD, his ambition and drive have propelled his company to impressive heights.

Chief Superintendent Emma Baillie and Amanda Marlow: Knife Crime is socially unacceptable | Ep79

In this episode of All Things Business The Podcast, Ben is joined by Chief Superintendent Emma Baillie and Amanda Marlow to talk about knife crime.

Peter Taylor: The man taking basketball by storm | Ep78

This episode’s guest is Peter Taylor, Chairman at the MK Breakers Basketball Club. The club’s meteoric rise has been the pride of the city, with the club winning national championships and their senior team achieving back-to-back promotions up basketball’s pyramid.

Daniel Crask and Sian: Stone Successful growth and giving back | Ep77

Daniel Crask and Sian Stone from Acorn Analytical Services join Ben for this edition of All Things Business – The Podcast. The asbestos management business has seen some extraordinary growth in the past few years and are using that growth to help promote and raise money for a number of local charities.

Amanda, Shazna and Michelle: Women Changing the World | Ep 76

International Women’s Day is this Saturday (March 8th 2025), and today Ben is joined by three incredible women from the local business community.

Nigel Wagstaff: In 42 years, this was my biggest challenge | Ep75

Today’s guest is Nigel Wagstaff, Managing Director of Houghton Hams. Better known as Waggy, Nigel has had a storied career in business throughout multiple industries, but Houghton Hams has remained his pride and joy. A family-owned and run business, Houghton Hams began life in 1983. Waggy used his connections in the food business from his time as a sales manager to get started, getting his first ham cure from his former employer. Seeing a gap in the local ham market, he used some redundancy money and a loan from the bank to start the business, producing his first 50 hams and delivering them himself.

Ryan Evans: I never saw myself as an entrepreneur | Ep74

Ben and Nick welcome Ryan Evans, Director at MK Loft Boarding. The business offers loft conversion services: creating raised loft boarding, installing ladders and adding mains light support. Their boarding method, where the board is fixed directly to the joist, allows for better air flow and greatly reduces issues such as damp and condensation and is much more suited for lofts with insulation or wiring installed. This makes their lofts much more usable as storage spaces.

Faryl Smith: Northamptonshire's singing sensation | Ep73

All Things Business – The Podcast welcomes Faryl Smith, who Ben bills as ‘Northamptonshire’s finest singer’, a title she’s hesitant to accept but one that’s difficult to dispute. Born in Kettering, Faryl recently returned to the county with her fiancé after ten years living in London. She was training to become an opera singer at Guildhall School of Music & Drama, completing undergraduate, postgraduate and opera-specific courses.

Mike Tillson & Matt Thompson: Northamptonshire Limited Report 2024 | Ep72

For the first episode of 2025, Ben is joined by Mike Tilson, Partner at Grant Thornton and Matt Thompson, Corporate Partner at Howes Percival. They’re here to discuss the Northamptonshire Limited Report, an annual report celebrating the top 100 businesses in the county produced collaboratively between the two law firms. This year, they’re including more detailed information on the fastest growing businesses and international contributors.