Down To Business

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Luke Mackey, Co-founder & CEO of Kota.

Bobby is joined by Lord Mark Price whose latest book is titled 'Work Happier: How to be Happy and Successful at Work'

For this week's Industry Review, we're uncorking the business of wine in Ireland. From independent retailers to the expert palate, we'll explore how trends, taste, and commerce shape what ends up in your glass. Joining Bobby is:Michelle Lawlor, The Nude Wine CoTom Doorley, Food and wine writer & consultantJames O'Hara, Premium Wines Limited

Bobbby takes a trip out to Hidden Hearing on the Merrion Road in Dublin to get an assessment and chat with Enda Dooley, audiologist with Hidden Hearing about the work that they do there.

In the UK, with government debt rising and gilt yields under pressure, some commentators have even raised the spectre of an IMF bailout but how realistic are those fears, and what do they tell us about the state of the UK economy right now? David Smith, Economics Editor with the Sunday Times took a call from Bobby to assess the health of the UK economy and discuss whether the idea of the IMF having to step in is far fetched.

Joining Bobby to go through the business pages in the morning papers is Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite and Jon Ihle Deputy Business Editor at the Sunday Times Ireland.

Valio is Finland's biggest food exporter, which brands itself as “the most innovative dairy and food company in the world”. Valio's chief innovation officer, Kevin Deegan, joins Bobby to chat about the business and why the death of dairy has been overstated.

Joining Bobby in this week's Executive Chair is Mark Kennelly, CEO of Golf Ireland.

The world of work is changing fast, and few people see that more clearly than those working in HR.For this week's Industry Review, Bobby chats with three HR professionals to hear how the sector is doing, the challenges they're facing, and what they think is coming next for the workplace.Joining Bobby is● Damien McCarthy, Managing Director of HR Buddy ● Crystel Robbins Rynne, CEO of HR Locker● Alison Hodgson, CIPD Market Country Director

‘NestiFi' is an AI-powered platform that helps families co-invest for children. The idea is to modernise pocket money by allowing parents, grandparents, and relatives to pool contributions into a child's future nest egg, blending traditional index funds with blockchain, while also teaching kids about financial literacy in a simple, engaging way. Niall Dennehy, CEO and Founder of 'NestiFi', joins Bobby to discuss.

Bobby took a trip out to Finglas in north Dublin to chat to the owner of Olivier's Bread, who operates a bread vending machine outside their premises.

Joining Abobby to run through the main stories from the business pages is Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM and Stephen O'Leary, Founder and CEO of Olytico.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Chris Lauder, Founder of The Dublin Academy of Education & CEO of the recently formed Axis Education Group.

As a manager, or even as a worker, how well do you know the personalities of those around you? Have you thought that knowing this might be good for your business? Lewis Senior is the co-author of a new book, Personalities Remixed, that helps you do just that. He joins Bobby to discuss.

Joining Bobby to chat about the state of the play when it comes to car sales in 2025 is: - Rowena Dooley, Dealer Principal at Dooley Motors Carlow - Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General (Society of the Irish Motor Industry) - Vincent Doyle, car salesman and bass player with ‘Cry Before Dawn'.

Joining Bobby to chat about the utility of the one-pager and how they can attract and increase the level of investment into a company is Margaret E. Ward, CEO of Clear Eye Leadership Consultants.

Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, joins Bobby to chat about his role and discuss whether this is something we need here in Ireland.

Joining Bobby to run through the main stories from the business pages on Saturday was Doug Keatinge of Avolon & Linda Daly, Business Reporter with the Sunday Times.

This week on Executive Chair Bobby is joined by Karl Deeter who is the founder of Online Application to discuss his life and career.

What makes an idea turn itself into a business that is profitable in both the short and long terms? That's the challenge Eddie Hartman interrogates in his new book. Bobby caught with Eddie on all things about his book; Scaling Innovation: How Smart Companies Architect Profitable Growth.

Whether you're looking to invest in stocks and crypto, or if you're simply trying to save money to put down for a mortgage – a financial advisor might be just the kind of sensei you need to help guide exactly what to do with your money.So, for our Industry Review this week, we're talking money and Bobby was joined by three of Ireland's best financial advisors who'll share all the secrets of a financial guru and where the business is going. He spoke to Jonathan McDonnell, MD Castle Capital in Limerick, Robert Whelan, Managing Director at Rockwell Financial and Margaret Barrett, Managing Director at Mortgage Navigators.

Now, the fraudsters are getting smarter – and it's not just consumers they're after.From fake ads on social media to CEO impersonation and invoice redirection, businesses are increasingly in the firing line.Paul O'Brien from Bank of Ireland's Group Security team joins Bobby to discuss the best ways to protect yourself, online and on the phone.

Now, it's time to throw a sausage on the barby. Bobby went out to Herbert Park in Dublin for the Big Grill ‘25 - celebration of all things barbecue. He spoje to Andy Noonan, The Big Grill Festival Director, Daniel "BBQ Snob" Vaughn, John Bates, Head Chef and fire tender at InterStellar BBQ and Raquel Acosta aka the Jamonfluencer

Valerie Cox and John Ilne join Bobby Kerr to discuss the days biggest business stories.

Bobby meets Roddy Greene, Managing Director of Mondello Park, at the world famous track to about running Ireland's only International Motorsport Venue and navigating the Business of High-Speed Racing.Listen here.

Technology Commentator Andy O'Donoghue examines Meta's Multi-Billion Investment into AI Superintelligence, its implications for the Workplace, and the broader societal risks.Listen here for all the details on a potentially world-altering announcement.

Three Independent Furniture Retailers join Bobby for the Industry Review this week.Grainne Cassidy, Founder of Pieces.ie, Orla Walsh, of Rightstyle Furniture and Conleth McKernan, of Benmore StudioThe guys discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities in the sector — from shifting customer tastes to supply chain pressures.Listen here.

Bobby heads to the RDS to soak in the atmosphere, meet Exhibitors, and explore why this Summer staple continues to draw crowds year after year.The Horse Show is one of the biggest events of the equine calendar. Bobby gets to see exactly what keeps the show going for so long by meeting some of the biggest names in the business.Listen here.

Cliff Taylor, Managing Editor of The Irish Times, explains the potential impact of Donald Trump's apparent Global Trade War on Ireland's Economic Stability and Export Markets.After a tumultuous few months of global trade, there isn't many signs of slowing down.Listen here.

Ronan Reid, Senior Stockbroker at Cantor, and Journalist & Author Valerie Cox join Bobby to run through the weekend's top business headlines.From Trump tariffs to Ryan Tubridy's big fine, get all the biggest business stories here.

Join Bobby Kerr on this week's episode of "Down to Business" as he dives into the intricate world of trade tariffs and their impact on the Irish economy. With renowned broadcaster and businesswoman Norah Casey and Declan Ralph from BWG Group, Bobby navigates the latest developments in the EU-U.S. trade deal and the ongoing uncertainties that could affect various industries, from pharma to spirits. Discover how companies are strategizing in response to U.S. tariffs and get insights into the current state of the airline industry as Aer Lingus reveals impressive profit numbers. Plus, the discussion touches on DIY woes and the joys of the upcoming bank holiday weekend.

Bobby's out and about again and this week visits the bustling world of Bambino, a New York-style pizza shop located on Dublin's Stephen Street. Bobby sits down with founders Nick and Shane to uncover the story behind their successful venture. Hear how a late-night Zoom call during lockdown sparked their passion for pizza, and get insights into their unique operation that keeps customers coming back for more. From the psychology of queues to crafting the perfect slice, discover what makes Bambino a local favourite.

Join Bobby Kerr in this engaging episode as he delves into the world of corporate culture with playwright Catriona Daly and HR expert Louisa Meehan. Catriona shares insights about her new comedy, "The Lunch Punch," which humorously critiques the often absurd jargon and flawed hierarchies of modern workplaces. With sold-out performances already, she reveals the inspiration behind the play and how it reflects everyday office life. Louisa adds a layer of expertise as she breaks down the difference between corporate culture and the "felt culture" experienced by employees. Together, they explore how language can often confuse and mislead, leaving many feeling disconnected in their work environments.

In this episode of "Down to Business," Bobby Kerr sits down with Hari Abburi to delve into his thought-provoking book, "Ideas Don't Die, Companies Do." Hari challenges the prevailing notion of customer obsession, arguing that the future lies in organizations that prioritize innovative ideas.He shares insights on how many companies focus on efficiency but neglect the importance of curiosity and imagination in driving true innovation.

In this episode, Bobby welcomes Donnchadh Casey, CEO of Calypso AI, who shares his fascinating journey from a petrol forecourt in Cobh to leading an innovative cybersecurity firm. Donnchadh reflects on his diverse career in engineering, including his time at McKinsey and Qualtrics, before diving into the world of AI and its transformative impact on business and society. Discover how Calypso AI is safeguarding organizations as they harness the power of artificial intelligence, and hear insights on the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Bobby Kerr dives deep into the evolving landscape of Ireland's hotel sector with three industry leaders. Join Bobby as he chats with Allen Flynn from the Flynn Hotel Collection, Paul Gallagher of the Irish Hotels Federation, and Dee Nix, CEO of Lawlor's Hotel in Naas. They discuss the current state of the industry, the impacts of tourism fluctuations, staffing challenges, and innovative steps being taken to attract guests.

Former Airbnb executive Aisling Hassell now leads Daha Wellness. She sits down with Bobby to talk about leaving the corporate world behind and building something with purpose.Listen here.

Aidan O'Shea from Otonomee, Caitlín McConn, Operations Manager at Grow Remote, and Dee Coakley, Co-founder and CEO of Boundless, join Bobby to explore how remote working has evolved from a pandemic fix to a permanent fixture.What will employers' new approach to work mean for productivity, culture, and the future of business?Listen here

Rafe Uddin of the Financial Times joins us to explain how autonomous taxis are gaining ground in Silicon Valley and what it might mean for cities around the world.Listen here.

Declan Murphy, Founder and Chair of Allsorter, talks about how AI-generated CVs are flooding recruitment and how his company is helping separate fact from fiction.Listen here.

Bobby is out and about to visit Éist Coffee in a Glenegeary to find out if coffee and commuting really go hand in hand — and what it takes to run a business in a unique location like a train station.Listen here.

Lorcan Allen of Keating & Associates and Joan Mulvihill, Digitisation Lead at Siemens, join Bobby to run through the top business headlines from the weekend papers.Trump tariff talks continue, and Intel's troubles are among the stories in the headlines this weekend.Listen here.