The Loop

For over a century, society has relied on the internal combustion engine to get us around. But now the environmental impact of burning carbon-based fuels has become impossible to ignore. So, what is the future of the car, and how will this impact businesses in the UK?In this episode, resident host Jon Cronin is joined by RSM's Head of Automotive, Richard Bartlett Rawlings, Technology and Media Partner, Ben Bilsland and Society of Motor Manufacturers and Trader's (SMMT) Senior Manager, Alice Seabrook-Martina. The panel delves into electric vehicles and what this means for consumers and businesses, infrastructure investment and alternative options to electric vehicles (EVs).  Find out more what the future of automotive could mean for you in this episode of The Loop. Speakers:Richard Bartlett-Rawlings – Head of Automotive Manufacturing, RSM UKBen Bilsland – Technology and Media Partner, RSM UKAlice Seabrook-Martina – Senior Manager, SMMTJon Cronin – Host and Head of Broadcast and Content, Lansons

Many businesses across the UK have been planning their future and considering what will set them up for success. For some, that decision could be a private equity investment. But private equity has had some bad press lately – so, why should you consider a private equity investment?In this episode, our resident host Jon Cronin is joined by a panel from RSM, Growth Capital Partners and Cloudsense to talk about all things private equity. The panel discusses what bringing on a private equity partner means for a business, what the market is currently like for both the PE firms and businesses and why communication is so essential for both parties.  Find out more about what private equity could do for your business in this episode of The Loop. RSM recently conducted a survey of private equity backed businesses to paint a picture of how private equity firms have supported these businesses throughout the pandemic and what the future looks like for their relationships. Read our findings here: https://www.rsmuk.com/ideas-and-insights/private-equity-and-trading-through-the-pandemicSpeakers:Charlie Jolly – Head of Private Equity, RSM UKKirsty McDonald – Partner, Growth Capital PartnersHamish Floyd – Chief Financial Officer, Cloudsense Jon Cronin – Host and Head of Broadcast and Content, Lansons

Digital transformation has been a big focus for businesses over the past 18 months, with the coronavirus accelerating investment in all things digital. But the pandemic has also offered opportunities for criminals to launch sophisticated and dangerous cyber attacks. Back with season 2 part 2 of The Loop, our host Jon Cronin is joined by a panel of experts from RSM UK, Savills Plc and Merlin Entertainments, all of whom are on the front line of cyber security for their businesses. The experts discuss what to do in the wake of an attack, the importance of playbooks and why creating a culture of trust and safety is so important.  Learn the art of cyber security with this episode of The Loop. Our cyber report offers an insight into the ever evolving world of cyber crime. Find out about the current threat to the middle market and what you can do to keep your business safe with our report here: https://www.rsmuk.com/real-economy/cybersecuritySpeakers: Sheila Pancholi – Technology Risk Assurance Partner, RSM UK Chris Knowles – Chief Digital Officer, RSM UK Richard Card – Chief Information Officer, Savills Plc  Lee Cowie – Chief Technology Officer at Merlin Entertainments Jon Cronin – Host and Head of Broadcast and Content, Lansons

Businesses now produce and store a huge amount of data, but unlocking the knowledge it holds can be a challenge. Implementing a data analytics strategy is the key to finding out what your data can tell you about taking your business forward.Analytics experts from RSM talk to host Jon Cronin about getting the foundations right for implementing a data analytics strategy, how to get everyone in the business on board and how to unlock the knowledge inside your data. 

What could your people achieve if they were supported by digital colleagues that worked around the clock and never made a mistake? That's what's on offer with Robotic Process Automation (RPA), when you automate your repetitive and rules-based processes with software bots.In this episode, RSM's Head of Automation Darren Mee and Associate Director Satvinder Bamra join resident host Jon Cronin to discuss the what, why, and how of RPA. Listen in to find out how your business could benefit from RPA, and how to get automation right.

Restructuring a business often isn't the doom and gloom story you might expect. In this episode of the Loop our panel of experts discuss the misconceptions around debt restructurings, and what is key to affording your business the best opportunity for its future.

How damaging will the economic impact of coronavirus be? With billions of people all over the world in lockdown, whole sectors of the economy at a standstill, and a global jobs crisis looming, how can middle-market businesses  make it through? In this episode, resident host Jon Cronin is joined by RSM UK partner Simon Hart and Joe Brusuelas, the chief economist at RSM US. Listen in as Jon, Simon, and Joe explain the economic impact of coronavirus and give practical advice for adapting your people and operations for the new normal. 

We're in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution and data has taken centre stage as a gateway commodity for future business success. Getting the right finance solutions in place to ensure your business can grow, innovate and remain competitive in the global markets is key in any sector, but has come to the forefront as an issue for manufacturing companies in the UK. Given recent developments in the economy and Brexit, in this episode we welcome Tim Figures, Make UK's Director of Technology, Sustainability and Innovation as well as Mike Thornton, RSM's Head of Manufacturing to talk through some of the issues faced by manufacturing businesses in the current economic climate. From productivity to digitisation - listen in to discover more about these challenges.

The tech sector is one of the UK's fastest growing markets. While it's promising to see tech businesses flourishing nationwide, there are numerous challenges that face start-up and scale-up founders, including access to funding, building a network and maintaining a competitive working environment.New founders often do not have the necessary business management experience to foresee these obstacles, which is why in this latest episode we've put together an expert panel to discuss the key issues facing tech firms across the UK, and to develop ideas to address these.For practical advice on what tech founders can do to ensure they are prepared to deal with key challenges to the growth of their firms, tune in to this episode!

IR35 is the word on everyone's lips at the moment, but what is it all about? The UK government's anti-avoidance tax legislation is expected to take effect next year, with confirmation that off-payroll rules first introduced to the public sector, will now be amended and extended to the private sector. Recently, in the wake of the government's tax crackdown, a number of high-profile businesses started culling contractors, in what the press are calling the ‘IR35 Blame Game'.It seems there is mass confusion over exactly who will be affected and how severely; and whether there will be delays in implementing it as some are calling for. For practical advice on what this means and what you need to do, tune into this podcast episode. 

In our sixth episode of The Loop, RSM's Matt Humphrey, Hannah Gibson-Patel and the Governance Forum's Karl George discuss the importance of establishing effective corporate governance to ensure a sustainable future for any organisation. They also delve into some of the fundamental mistakes that can result in a lack of trust in the boardroom.For practical advice on what Boards can do to secure a sustainable, ethical future for their organisation tune in to this podcast. 

Climate change is a global emergency. We've just come out of a summer of extreme weather; UK-wide climate change protests; and significant announcements from the government committing to ambitious zero carbon targets by 2050. This all points to a need for wholesale reform of energy consumption in the UK, and across the globe. But are businesses ready to adopt a carbon neutral approach to operations; and how can tax help to deliver sustainable change?If you want to know more about how climate change might impact your businesses, or what more needs to change within our tax system to reach ambitious targets, then this is the episode for you. 

Overseas expansion is an appealing growth pathway for many businesses. However, the associated challenges require solutions built on foresight and efficient planning. Have you taken into consideration what the tax implications are? What are your plans for hiring and retaining an international workforce? Do you understand the nuances of local business culture and etiquette in your target country? RSM's international tax specialist, Claire Spence, and head of transactions, Rob Donaldson, answer these questions and more in this episode of the Loop.

Brexit is a disruptor. Whether its impacting today's operations and decision making, or future trade or investment, Brexit is disrupting businesses today; but are you ready? Do you have an EORI number to allow you to trade beyond Brexit? Have you mapped your supply chain to mitigate risk? What will happen to interest rates in the event of a no deal Brexit? And how will macro political events and trade tariffs impact your business? If you want to know more about how a no deal Brexit might impact your businesses, or what future trade will look like beyond Brexit, then this is the episode for you. 

Untangling the pressing issue of securing a future workforce in the manufacturing sector with RSM's Mike Thornton and David Gibbens, and our host Jon Cronin. In this episode, we discuss real life workforce scenarios to deliver practical advice on how to manage workforce needs for now and in the future. If you want to know how to address the skills gap through retaining existing talent and attracting new skills; whilst embedding flexible working into your culture, then this is the podcast for you.  Take a listen and subscribe to stay in #TheLoop on your favourite podcast platform.

In the first episode, we delve into the complex world of GDPR with RSM's Sheila Pancholi and Steve Snaith, and our host Jon Cronin, where they discuss real life GDPR scenarios to deliver practical advice on how companies manage a data breach.If you want to know how to manage a data breach, mitigate the risk of a ransomware attack or make sure your data is protected, this is the episode for you.Take a listen and subscribe to stay in the Loop on your favourite podcast platform.