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Date
Speakers
  • James Reed
    Host
    James Reed, Chairman and CEO, Reed
  • Luke Johnson
    Guest
    Luke Johnson, Co-Founder, Risk Capital Partners LLP
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In this episode of all about business, James Reed is joined by Luke Johnson, the serial entrepreneur who spotted some of the UK’s most popular food brands, including Pizza Express, The Ivy and Gail’s Bakery.

They discuss how to spot a winning investment, what the UK should be doing to promote entrepreneurship, and Luke’s five tips for reviving the economy.

About Luke

Luke Johnson is an entrepreneur known for expanding the Pizza Express brand. He also founded Signature Restaurants, which owned notable restaurants including, The Ivy, and Le Caprice. Luke is currently Chairman of Risk Capital Partners, a private equity firm. From 2015-2021 he wrote a regular column for The Sunday Times where he shared his business expertise.

  • 02:11 who is Luke Johnson?

  • 06:36 the traits entrepreneurs need to have

  • 07:23 Pizza Express beginnings

  • 11:36 being a projector

  • 13:40 the British business climate

  • 23:19 Risk Capital Partners

  • 26:03 Gail's Bakery

  • 27:33 Luke's business formula

  • 31:56 how we can encourage entrepreneurship in the UK

  • 36:09 Luke's book and weekly column for entrepreneurs

  • 40:56 television and the arts

  • 46:04 future projects with Risk Capital Partners

  • 49:05 Reed interview round

Get Luke’s book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Start-Up-Running-Business-Easier/dp/0670920479

Visit Luke’s personal website: https://lukejohnson.org/

Check out Risk Capital Partners: https://riskcapitalpartners.co.uk/

Follow Luke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-johnson-07a845b0/

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chairmanjames/

All about business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.com

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk