#Ad In this episode, we speak to The Gym Group about how Jobcentre Plus is helping it overcome the challenges of recruiting and retaining talent in a fast-growing, service-led business.

As the company expands across the UK, building a consistent pipeline of skilled employees has become a key priority. The conversation explores how partnerships with Jobcentre Plus are helping to address this challenge, from identifying motivated candidates to supporting pre-employment training and structured pathways into work.

We discuss how initiatives such as Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) provide candidates with experience and employers with greater confidence in the hiring process, helping to reduce recruitment risk while opening up opportunities for new talent.

The episode also examines the wider commercial benefits of investing in people — from supporting business growth to building a more resilient workforce — and why structured recruitment support is becoming an increasingly important part of SME growth strategies.

For employers looking to strengthen their talent pipeline, this episode offers a practical look at how Jobcentre Plus can help turn recruitment into a competitive advantage.

#Ad In this episode, we speak to Electra Vehicles, a West Yorkshire-based manufacturer developing electric and hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles, about the realities of building and scaling a technology-led business.

Founder Sid Sadique shares his journey from apprentice mechanic to leading a growing engineering business, and explains the challenges SMEs face in capital-intensive sectors, from regulation and skills shortages to the high cost of innovation.

The conversation explores how Horizon Europe funding has supported Electra’s growth, not only through investment in research and development, but by opening access to international partners, customers and markets. For a business operating in a space typically dominated by large global players, that combination of funding and collaboration has been key.

We also discuss why support for SMEs matters more broadly (from access to talent and technology to guidance on entering new markets) and how businesses can approach innovation funding strategically.

For SMEs looking to scale, this episode offers a practical perspective on how innovation, partnerships and support can help turn ambition into growth.

Daniel Avigad, manager of the TM Lansdowne European Special Situations fund, speaks to MoneyWeek's Andrew Van Sickle about opportunities in European equities, solving the continent's growth problem, and the consequences of populism.