Bitesize Business Breakfast Podcast

10 Apr 2026. David Cook, CEO of Contractors Direct, discussed a four-way business collaboration making home renovation easier for UAE residents. Harrison Moore, CEO of Vacationer, discussed rising holiday home occupancies and who’s actually staying. Amit Malhotra, Global Head of Retail Banking at ADIB on what the banking sector is doing to support SME cash flow six weeks into the regional uncertainty, And NESR, one of the region’s biggest oilfield services companies, discussed why the MENA energy sector could be on the verge of a major investment surge. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

09 Apr 2026. IATA is warning that even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens and traffic returns to normal, jet fuel prices will take considerably longer to follow. Aviation expert Nick Humphrey joins us to explain why the lag exists and what it means for airlines and passengers in the months ahead. Plus, gold hit record highs during the conflict as investors rushed to safety, so what does that mean for the jewellery sector? We speak to the Dubai Jewellery Group about how the industry is adapting to shifts in visitor patterns right now. And our property pulse with Espace Real Estate - covering what both buyers and sellers are actually seeing on the ground right now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

08 Apr 2026. How easy (or not) will it be for energy companies to get oil flowing again through the Strait of Hormuz, and what has five and a half weeks of closure actually done to global energy markets? We speak to economist Jeanne Walters and energy expert Matt Stanley. Plus, Union Properties pays its first dividend in 11 years, we speak to the CEO. And the company that drew up a 'conflict plan' in week one tells us how it’s played out See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

07 Apr 2026. Majid Al Futtaim has launched Ma’an in partnership with Dubai SME, giving UAE small businesses direct access to Mall of the Emirates, VOX Cinemas and Carrefour. CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management Khalifa Bin Braik tells us exactly what is on offer and how to get involved. Hotels in Deira are rolling out 'work from hotel' packages and Yann Decaix, Cluster General Manager of the Dubai Gold District and Dubai Deira Cluster of Hotels, tells us how the hospitality sector is reinventing itself to keep locals coming through the door. Dubai Customs on what the deferral of customs clearance fees means for importers, with Nadia Ibrahim AlMaazmi, Director of Legal Affairs. And Standard Chartered discusses where investors should actually be putting their money right now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

06 Apr 2026. The UAE Minister for Economy and Tourism HE Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri says authorities are in daily contact with the sector and a new tourism support package is coming very soon. He also made clear that a forty day conflict would not determine the future of the UAE economy. Moody’s has reaffirmed the UAE’s Aa2 credit rating and economist Jeanne Walters tells us what that means in practical terms right now. Better Homes on the March performance for the off-plan sector. And visa renewals are holding up but new applications took a hit when the conflict began. Six weeks in, Smart Salem tells us what the numbers are saying about expat confidence in the UAE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

03 Apr 2026. Dubai has added more fee deferrals to its billion dirham economic support package. Three month deferrals on local services fees, accommodation fees and licence amendment fees are now in play and we break down why it matters and what it is trying to do. Media One on how hotels are getting creative to keep occupancy up and what the hospitality picture looks like on the ground right now. Grandiose on how they are keeping shelves stocked and supply chains stable as regional uncertainty puts pressure on food imports and shipping routes. And it started as a WhatsApp group of 60 chefs. Now 200 strong and pumping real money into Dubai’s independent restaurant scene. Chef Kelvin Cheung, Chef and Partner at Jun’s, tells us the story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

02 Apr 2026.  Dubai announced a billion dirham economic support package. We speak to a hotel owner about what this will actually mean on the ground and for their cash flow. Energy expert Matt Stanley on how the oil market is reacting to President Trump’s address to the nation. Emirates Growth Fund invested 45 million dirhams into Carnistore this week and CEO Khalifa Al Hajeri tells us who might be next. And Dubai South discusses how one of the emirate’s largest urban developments is holding up, after a Dh2 billion residential contract was just signed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

01 Apr 2026. Fuel prices in the UAE jumped sharply for April. Super and Special are up around 30%, while diesel is up by more than 70%. Energy expert Matt Stanley and economist Ed Bell put the numbers in context and tell us what higher prices mean for the cost of living amid a global energy shock. SMEs across Dubai are rethinking their corporate structures, and Virtuzone explains what businesses are doing to protect themselves and stay flexible. And Christopher Long, Head of Intelligence and Compliance at Neptune P2P Group, discusses how the shipping industry is navigating the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz and what that means for global trade routes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

31 Mar 2026. The events and conferences industry is adjusting to a very different landscape right now and Mohammed Tayem, CEO of Entourage, tells us how. Emirates Growth Fund has invested 45 million dirhams in Carnistore and we get co-founder Daniel Wanies in to talk us through the timing. AtkinsRealis on how the UAE’s construction sector is keeping projects on track and managing supply chain pressures five weeks into the conflict. And real estate boss Lewis Allsopp has just launched a new business in the ticketing space, seatsy.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 Mar 2026. Companies are rereading their contracts. Liability and risk around project delays are top of mind right now, one lawyer tells us. Plus, Deal Drive on the shifts in the UAE’s second hand car market and whether fuel volatility is pushing buyers towards EVs. And Cooper Fitch on whether the post-Eid recruitment bounce is happening. Finally, our Exec Reporter Georgia Tolley goes behind the scenes at the FII summit in Miami, where organiser Richard Attias hosted a heavyweight guest list led by President Trump. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

27 Mar 2026. Primark has officially opened its doors in Dubai. We cross live from the store (PJs section!) with Alshaya Group CEO John Hadden. Plus, how supplier payment terms are shifting and what it means for business cash flow, with Sam Achampong of CIPS, and former talabat CEO Tomaso Rodriguez on his new role as chairman of Flyby. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

26 Mar 2026. Dubai’s property sector isn’t blinking despite regional uncertainty. Katralnada Binghatti, CEO and Managing Director of Binghatti Holding, tells us how operations and sales are holding up on the ground. John Lyons of Espace Real Estate takes stock of the broader market and how the conflict is and isn’t shaking things up. And AES International on why now is the time to stay calm and stay strategic with your investments. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Mar 2026.  Sarah Brooks, founder of Fikrah HR, shares the advice she’s giving companies as they navigate the current situation. Employment partner Rachel Hill of Addleshaw Goddard talks us through the UAE Unemployment Insurance scheme - what it covers and why every worker should know it. And Dubai Customs joins us on the new Green Corridor, designed to speed up the flow of goods into the UAE through Oman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Mar 2026. Airlines worldwide are changing routes and raising prices due to rising jet fuel costs. We look at how high ticket prices could go with aviation expert Nick Humphrey. Emirates NBD has also revised its oil forecast - economist Dan Richards breaks down what that means for the UAE economy. Plus, hospitality push through the uncertainty: Andre Gerschel has recently opened Barrafina in DIFC, and Dennis McGettigan joins us on his latest acquisition.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 Mar 2026. With salary deductions making headlines, we get the legal reality from Luke Tapp of Pinsent Masons. Regional tensions are driving up shipping, freight, and insurance costs - and it’s landing on your supermarket shelf. The CEO of Choithrams tells us what they’re doing to shield your grocery bill. Friday brunch isn’t dead, it’s just moved! we talk to Leonardo Maltese, Group Executive Sous Chef at Roberto’s Catering Experiences, on how Dubai’s restaurant scene is reinventing hospitality. And this Eid, 73% of UAE residents didn’t travel, but when they did go out, they were choosy. Platinumlist breaks down what that means for the entertainment industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 Mar 2026. We get the latest on oil markets with Matt Stanley of Kpler. Plus, Careem’s Shaden Khallaf on its Ramadan tip-matching campaign and the impact it’s had, Dubai Autodrome’s CEO on adapting during disruption, and how companies are turning to AI as a resilience tool with Shaffra. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Mar 2026. As Dubai International Airport works to move passengers and cargo safely through challenging conditions, CEO Paul Griffiths tells us why DXB will come back stronger. Plus, what the conflict means for Dubai’s real estate brokers, how companies are managing remote work and supporting parents, and the small business behind the ‘Dubai is Home’ hoodies capturing the mood of the moment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Mar 2026. What has the recent conflict meant for Dubai’s rental market? betterhomes’ Rupert Simmonds shares what he’s seeing on the ground over the past two weeks. Plus, DHL Express on adapting supply chains across the region, flyadeal on schedules ahead of Eid travel, and a check-in with local business Nordix Homework on operating through uncertainty. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

16 Mar 2026. Dubai schools operator Taaleem is supporting teaching staff while preparing contingency plans for the next academic term amid regional uncertainty. CEO Alan Williamson joins us. Plus, it’s our C-Suite with Standard Chartered, featuring the career journey of Professor Dame Heather McGregor of Heriot-Watt Dubai. With oil still above $100 a barrel after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Amena Bakr of Kpler breaks down the energy market impact. And despite uncertainty, Dubai property deals continue, with Driven Properties founder Abdullah Alajaji discussing what that says about investor confidence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 Mar 2026. With airspace restrictions affecting flights across the region, IATA’s Kashif Khalid explains what it means for the wider aviation industry. Plus, a look at hospitality jobs with an F&B recruitment expert, Rove Hotels COO Paul Bridger on adjusting pricing as visitor demand softens, and we check in with a Dubai automotive events company taking high-speed driving indoors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.