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High Performance Business

High Performance

You know the score, but what happens on the pitch is only half the story .

Soaring ticket prices. Endless subscription fees. Baffling rule changes. Even the most diehard fans are left wondering: why?

Award-winning sports journalists Natalie Pirks & Colin Murray step back from a busy news cycle to deliver the business playbook.

Armed with razor-sharp wit and genuine curiosity, they bridge the gap between the sports business and the sport itself, unpacking the power plays shaping global games and decoding what they really mean for people in the stands.

From FIFA and F1 to the Premier League and major US sports, High Performance Business delivers top-down clarity straight from the pitch-side, court-side, and paddock.

Because when you understand the mechanics behind the machine, you're no longer sitting on the sidelines.

No business degree required.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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30 episodes
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Avg 42 min
English

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May 26 · 47 min
How Private Equity Bankrupts Your Favourite Companies | Eric Ries
Why do good companies go bad? Eric Ries reveals forces corrupting companies right as they are at their most successful - from Blockbusters activist shareholders inadvertently setting the company on a path to bankruptcy, to the British health company forced to sell to a cigarette giant. Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad and How Great Companies Stay Great by Eric Ries is publishing on 28th May (Penguin Life, £17.99) Eric also reveals how companies can avoid the corruption, and the surprising examples of when things are done right. IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 19 · 47 min
The £50,000 Lawyer Problem AI Solved In Half A Day | Daniel Priestley
Award winning author and entrepreneur Daniel Priestley joins us to reveal how AI has become the ultimate power shift, turning global knowledge into a universal commodity. He introduces the "AI Cake", a strategic internal nervous system every business must build, to explain why traditional information gatekeepers are becoming obsolete. We go behind the scenes of a £170k legal dispute where Daniel bypassed six-figure fees by using Claude to identify critical oversights missed by human counsel. This serves as a case study in using AI to disrupt established professional services and solve complex problems in hours rather than months. Despite the technology’s power, Daniel argues that AI is purely "rocket fuel" that lacks conviction. Since AI has no "gut feel" or skin in the game, human purpose remains the only factor that provides direction. Without vision, the most advanced models simply spin their wheels. This episode explores the shifting economic pendulum as land and labor give way to the era of "Enterprise.” IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au Eight Sleep 👉 Upgrade your sleep and wake up with more energy - get up to £350 off the Pod 5 with code RWIH: https://highpfrmc.com/eightsleep-au XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 12 · 49 min
Why Robert De Niro, Sly Stallone & The Muppets Sell Bread for Warburtons
The ambition of a family business meets the influence of the A-list in a story that redefined British advertising. In this episode, Warburtons chairman Jonathan Warburton reveals how a bakery from Bolton bypassed the traditional corporate playbook to land global icons like Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, and Samuel L. Jackson. Jonathan breaks down the high-stakes world of celebrity negotiation, explaining why he treats Hollywood stars as collaborators rather than just paid endorsements. He dives into the "Hollywood grapevine", where legends like Morgan Freeman and Samuel L. Jackson compares notes on the brand, and explores how a personal, values-led approach convinced global legends to trade the red carpet for a delivery van. It’s a look at what happens when a legacy brand stops playing safe and starts playing for keeps, where the gap between a global hit and a total flop comes down to a single letter and a handshake. Bio: Since 2001, Jonathan Warburton has served as Chairman, transforming the family business into a national brand. After early experience at Unilever, he joined Warburtons at 23, rising through sales and marketing to lead their iconic family-led TV campaigns. This year, the company is celebrating its 150th anniversary. For more details https://www.warburtons.co.uk/ IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au Eight Sleep 👉 Upgrade your sleep and wake up with more energy - get up to £350 off the Pod 5 with code RWIH: https://highpfrmc.com/eightsleep-au XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 5 · 42 min
Silicon Valley to China | Bill Gurley's 2026 Investment Playbook
Venture capital legend Bill Gurley joins Jake to challenge the "AI doomerism" narrative and expose the high-stakes power play defining our future. He argues that AI anxiety is a low-agency response to an unstoppable shift, warning that the real risk isn’t the technology itself, it’s the choice to ignore it. Bill pulls back the curtain on the "safety" movement, questioning why the leading AI giants are suddenly the loudest voices calling for regulation. He explores whether this fear-mongering is a calculated move to invite state intervention, potentially allowing a handful of companies to write the rules and lock in a permanent monopoly. Bill also reframes the US-China AI race as an "infinite game," questioning if America’s proprietary approach is actually prepared for the scale of China’s open-source strategy. 'Bill Gurley's new book Runnin' Down A Dream is available to purchase here: https://amzn.eu/d/0cCYDQH0 IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au Eight Sleep 👉 Upgrade your sleep and wake up with more energy - get up to £350 off the Pod 5 with code RWIH: https://highpfrmc.com/eightsleep-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 28 · 42 min
How Much Money is Professional Darts Worth? | PDC CEO
PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter has spent over a decade transforming Darts from a smoke-filled niche into a global entertainment powerhouse. He did it by flipping the traditional sports model on its head: instead of telling fans what to want, he listened to them, removing the stress of the result to create the most authentic atmosphere in live events. In this episode, Matt explains why the "Luke Littler phenomenon" wasn't a stroke of luck, but a decade-long masterclass in building youth pathways and relatability. He draws sharp, uncomfortable contrasts between the organic growth of Darts and the "manufactured" models of LIV Golf, revealing why corporate spreadsheets often fail where genuine connection succeeds. From his "relationships over contracts" philosophy to the tactical use of data in fan education, this is a strategic blueprint for leading a brand that thrives on authenticity and rapid innovation. IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au Eight Sleep 👉 Upgrade your sleep and wake up with more energy - get up to £350 off the Pod 5 with code RWIH: https://highpfrmc.com/eightsleep-au Stride 👉 Feel, think and perform better today and invest in your future health at: https://highpfrmc.com/Stride_au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 21 · 45 min
Joe Wicks: Social Media In 2026, Dealing With Criticism & Sticking To The Mission
Joe Wicks built a multi-million-pound empire on a £147 workout plan, creating a cash-rich, self-funded business with no investors. In this episode, Joe shares the journey that led to his success, from launching his first PDF to building a brand rooted in purpose over profit. He also reveals the brutal truth about today’s market, admitting that starting his career now would be “impossible” due to the changing dynamics of social media and the death of organic reach. Joe explains how the perfect storm of social media timing (2012-2014) helped him reach millions with no paid ads and how the algorithm shift has made building an audience exponentially harder. Despite the challenges, Joe remains focused on his mission, choosing legacy over fame and prioritising his values over monetisation. IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au Eight Sleep 👉 Upgrade your sleep and wake up with more energy - get up to £350 off the Pod 5 with code RWIH: https://highpfrmc.com/eightsleep-au Stride 👉 Feel, think and perform better today and invest in your future health at: https://highpfrmc.com/Stride_au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 14 · 47 min
AI, Private Equity, & Predicting The Next Financial Crisis | Ex-Goldman Sachs CEO
Is the next global financial crisis not just possible, but overdue? Former Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO Lloyd Blankfein didn’t just survive the 2008 financial crash; he steered the firm through it by trading the ego of a "warrior" for the "professional paranoia" of a worrier. In this episode, Lloyd explains why the "kindling" for the next global crisis is already building on the forest floor and why survival depends on a discipline most leaders ignore. He offers a sharp assessment of the AI bubble and why America’s unique standing allows it to recover faster than the rest of the world. From the personal moments that shaped his skepticism to his lessons on navigating extreme risk, this is a masterclass in leading when the global economy is on the brink. Lloyd Blankfein's new book Streetwise: Getting to and Through Goldman Sachs is out now: https://geni.us/StreetwiseGS EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au Stride 👉 Feel, think and perform better today and invest in your future health at: https://highpfrmc.com/Stride_au Eight Sleep 👉 Upgrade your sleep and wake up with more energy - get up to £350 off the Pod 5 with code RWIH: https://highpfrmc.com/eightsleep-au XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 8 · 1 hr 3 min
Football Finance Expert Explains Man City's 115 Charges | Stefan Borson
When football meets finance, the real story often sits behind the headlines. In this episode, Stefan Borson takes us inside the financial reality of the Premier League, from Everton's point deduction to the ongoing Manchester City case and what a “win” actually means for the league. Drawing on his background advising clubs and now analysing them from the outside, Stefan breaks down the decisions, loopholes, and pressures shaping modern football. He explains why owners lose rationality, how clubs can lose tens of millions even when they succeed, and why some of the biggest teams in the world may ultimately become unsellable. Eight Sleep 👉 Upgrade your sleep and wake up with more energy - get up to £350 off the Pod 5 with code RWIH: https://highpfrmc.com/eightsleep-au Stride 👉 Feel, think and perform better today and invest in your future health at: https://highpfrmc.com/Stride_au EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 31 · 59 min
How David Beckham Became Football’s First $500M Brand | Simon Bayliff
Before athletes became global brands, there were a handful of people shaping the strategy behind the scenes. In this episode, founder and CEO of ARETÉ Simon Bayliff takes us inside the decisions that built “Brand Beckham,” and the close working relationship that underpinned it; built on trust, alignment, and a shared focus on performance first. He breaks down how Beckham’s brand was carefully constructed, from defining what made him marketable to choosing partnerships that delivered real impact. It’s also a look at how that model has evolved, and why today’s top athletes are no longer just talent, but full-fledged businesses driven by the decisions made in the room. IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au XTB 👉 To find out more and make your money work, use code RWIH at: https://highpfrmc.com/xtb-rwih-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 24 · 1 hr 1 min
How an Unknown Sportswear Brand Landed Red Bull & McLaren | Castore
How does a £20,000 family loan turn into a £300 million global brand? For Tom Beahon, it all began with his parents remortgaging their home to support him and his brother’s dream of creating Castore. That early sacrifice sparked a relentless drive to succeed and made failure not an option. Tom Beahon takes us through the early hustle, from hiding in train toilets to avoid paying fares, to camping in magazine office lobbies to get meetings. He talks about the struggles of paying himself and his brother just £1,000 a month for three years while building the business and how their £2 million partnership with Andy Murray gave Castore the credibility and authority to secure international partnerships with Premier League teams and Formula One. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/rwih Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Showing 21–30 of 30 episodes