Shows
The Blunt DollarGeorge Lagarias: What the World Gets Wrong About Financial CrisesIn this episode of The Blunt Dollar, we’re joined by George Lagarias, Chief Economist at Mazars, for a thought-provoking conversation on financial crises, economic cycles, and the elusive search for stability in global markets. With over 20 years of experience navigating economic turmoil from Athens to London, George offers a deeply reflective and honest perspective on the past, present, and future of capitalism.We kick off with George’s personal experience of living through the Greek and Cypriot debt crises, uncovering how they left generational scars on institutions, job markets, and societal optimism.But t...2025-05-201h 09
Board Agenda: The Macro MemoThe Macro Memo - The Macro Memo: Trade Wars & Business Strategy: Planning Through UncertaintyIn this special edition of The Macro Memo, we examine the seismic shifts in global trade policy following dramatic US tariff announcements. With duties briefly imposed on over 90 countries—before being swiftly revised to a flat 10% and a steep 145% on China—boards and executive teams now face extraordinary volatility in trade conditions and economic indicators.Host Gavin Hinks is joined by economist George Lagarias and business strategist Mark Kennedy to dissect what this all means for business leaders. The episode explores how tariffs impact inflation, supply chains, business modeling, and investor sentiment, and why managing uncertainty must now...2025-04-1436 minBoard Agenda: The Macro MemoThe Macro Memo - US election, trade wars & the challenges facing European businessesIn a discussion hosted by Gavin Hinks, Mark Kennedy and George Lagarias explore the impact of the US election results, the rise of populism in Europe and the intricate relationship between macroeconomics, geopolitics, and business. They highlight the ongoing volatility in business environments, particularly in light of the US election result and its shifting global leadership. The conversation touches on trade tensions, especially between the US and China, and the potential for positive economic outcomes despite challenges. They also address the importance of European unity in the face of rising populism and the need for political cohesion to enhance...2024-12-0939 minBoard Agenda: The Macro MemoThe impact of US election results on European businessIn a discussion hosted by Gavin Hinks, Mark Kennedy and George Lagarias explore the impact of the US election results, the rise of populism in Europe and the intricate relationship between macroeconomics, geopolitics, and business. They highlight the ongoing volatility in business environments, particularly in light of the US election result and its shifting global leadership. The conversation touches on trade tensions, especially between the US and China, and the potential for positive economic outcomes despite challenges. They also address the importance of European unity in the face of rising populism and the need for political cohesion to enhance...2024-12-0939 minBoard Agenda: The Macro MemoEurope must invest to stave off economic ‘decline’ & the impact of the UK's Labour budget on businessThe EU faces little choice but to act on recommendations from a high level report that it needs to invest €750m to €800m a year to head off economic “decline” in the trading bloc, according to a leading economist.George Lagarias, the chief economist at professional services firm Forvis Mazars, says there will be difficulties negotiating the investment funds as a “common” pot of borrowing, particularly against claims that it could threaten the national sovereignty of EU member states. But, Lagarias warns, European leaders have no choice, despite the downside risks.“Will Europe get there? As an e...2024-10-2444 minBoard Agenda: The Macro MemoThe Macro Memo - Global Trends Briefing for Boards & Directors: impact of elections on business and economics, focusing on the European elections, the French election, and the upcoming UK general election.This episode of the Macro Memo podcast explores the impact of elections on business and economics, focusing on the European elections, the French election, and the upcoming UK general election. Business leaders expect a “volatile” time as they manage the fall out from high inflation during a time of political uncertainty as elections play out in the UK, the US and in Europe. The warning came from Mark Kennedy, a partner at Forvis Mazars, on Board Agenda’s Macro Memo podcast.He was reflecting on the way business adapted to high interest rates and infl...2024-07-0245 minBoard Agenda: The Macro MemoThe Macro Memo - Global Trends Briefing for Boards & Directors: Why is regulatory oversight from climate to cyber on the rise, and what's the impact on global business?A great wave of regulation is washing across business: capital rules for banks, cyber security and sustainability reporting mean corporate leaders appear to be in a new age of oversight. What’s driving this rule-making overdrive and how should business respond?Mark Kennedy and George Lagarias of Mazars, and Gavin Hinks of Board Agenda—also ask why London is struggling as a centre for IPOs and, with the Paris Olympics just around the corner, we ask whether showpiece events can really boost finance and economics?Those are some the big issues under discussion in this mont...2024-05-0241 minBoard Agenda: The Macro MemoThe Macro Memo - Global Trends Briefing for Boards & Directors: Why is Europe's economy in the slow lane?The global economic landscape appears to be going through a form of fragmentation. There are growing tensions between the US and China over “dumping” of industrial products; the German economy is in “troubled waters”; France has revised down its growth; and the UK has sunk into recession (though could emerge quickly). Yet the largest developing world economies continue to do grow at a clip. What’s driving the differential performance? And how should business respond?These are among the big questions tackled in this month’s The Macro Memo podcast, as it considers an evolving economic environment.The tea...2024-03-0538 min
Board Agenda: The Macro MemoThe Macro Memo - Global Trends Briefing for Boards & Directors - Looking ahead to 2024 - prospects for inflation & interest rates; risk of trade wars & the global shortage of labour skills.The Macro Memo podcast looks ahead at prospects for 2024. Some observers think the inflation crisis is close to resolution. But is it? And what are the implications for business and, most importantly, interest rates. Those are some of the big questions tackled by The team—Mark Kennedy and George Lagarias of Mazars, and Gavin Hinks of Board Agenda, who also look at the risk of trade wars and whether the EU’s concern with Chinese electric cars reflects bigger issues.Lastly, this episode looks at labour markets and how companies will cope with a global short...2024-01-1641 min
The Sky News Business PodcastInterest rates, Currys and FIFAAs the Bank of England holds the base rate of interest steady at 5.25% Ian speaks to Gurpreet Gill of Goldman Sachs Asset Management.FIFA has announced a record-high year for the amount of money spent on agents - with English teams spending by far the most. Our sports correspondent Rob Harris has more.George Lagarias Chief Economist at Mazars Wealth Management discusses the latest news from the markets.2023-12-1421 min
Board Agenda: The Macro MemoThe Macro Memo - global trends briefing for boards & directors: COP28 / where next for sustainability? US, Europe & business in China; interest rate predictions for US, UK & EuropeCOP 28 is underway in Dubai but what responsibility do business leaders have for beating climate change? How will trade benefit from from US and European efforts to improve relations with China? And can companies in the EU, and elsewhere, expect an interest rate cut for Christmas? Mark Kennedy, partner and member of Mazar’s group executive board, alongside George Lagarias, Mazars’ chief economist, offer their thoughts on global trends to Board Agenda’s Gavin Hinks in this edition of Macro Memo.2023-12-0535 min
Board Agenda: The Macro MemoThe Macro Memo - global trends briefing for boards & directors: predictions for the autumn statement; the impact of conflict & geopolitical uncertainty on global trade; can firms play a role in making sure artificial intelligence is safe? What does Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement hold for UK business and what will it do for the economy? How is global trade affected by conflict and geopolitical uncertainty? And can companies play a role in making sure artificial intelligence is safe, or is the world heading for a Terminator-style melt down? Mark Kennedy, partner and member of Mazars’ group executive board, alongside George Lagarias, Mazars’ chief economist, offer their analysis of global trends to Board Agenda’s Gavin Hinks in this episode of Macro Memo.2023-11-1643 minThe Sky News Business PodcastIsrael, inflation risks and grocery pricesIan King talks to George Lagarias from Mazars about the economic risks from the unrest in the middle east. He also discusses the fall in grocery price inflation with Tom Steel from Kantar. We also hear all the latest markets analysis from John Wyn-Evans, from Investec.2023-10-1015 min
Growth Capital by The QCAEpisode 8: Autumn’s here – how are you feeling?As the City of London comes back to life this autumn, how’s the mood corporately, economically, politically?
Inflation is sticky and interest rates are still rising. What will bring back the IPOs that are the lifeblood of many City firms?
And with a general election probably no more than a year away, how will the Chancellor unlock investment and increase the attractiveness of London as a listing venue in his Autumn Statement?
This conversation features two guests from QCA member firms:
Simon Bridges, head of the European investment banking division at Ca...2023-09-0440 min
Exploring Family BusinessThe economic landscape and how it’s affecting family businessesThe final episode sees George Lagarias (Chief Economist at Mazars in the UK), join Natalie Wright to discuss the economic landscape and how its affecting family businesses in the UK. We touch on various sectors including manufacturing, retail, and wholesale as well as property and construction. Although still in the midst of a global pandemic, we are moving away from lockdowns, resulting in more demand for products; the result being a demand for employees, rising business volumes, and a more optimistic future for businesses. However, against this backdrop, concerns around inflation, pivoting business models, rising employment costs, and the n...2021-07-1934 min