Down To Business

Joining Emmet Oliver in the Executive Chair is Sheila O’Donnell and John Tuomey of O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects.

Across the world, governments are exploring ways to boost food reserves as political instability and climate concerns bring food resource management into sharp focus. Emmet Oliver is joined by Susannah Savage, Commodities Correspondent for the Financial Times, who has been writing about this and how it may affect the market.

Creativity is something we all understand, but does it differ across cultures and societies worldwide? Frederick Heren, author of The World of Creativity, A Journey Across 37 Countries to Discover the Secrets of Creative Minds, joins Emmet Oliver to discuss.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Daniel Rubin, founder of Dune London and author of ‘Sole Survivor: How I Built a Global Shoe Brand'.

For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby looks ahead to the year in travel. Joining him are three industry leaders: Claire Doherty, Product and Operations Director at Travel DepartmentPeter Cullen, Chief Operating Officer of Click&GoMartin Skelly, Director of Navan Travel

In C.O.U.R.A.G.E., Christopher O. H. Williams reveals how to harness innate courage in everyday life to make a lasting impact and live authentically, without regret. He joins Bobby to discuss.

Joining Bobby to chat about his new book 'How To Think About AI: A Guide for the Perplexed’ is Richard E. Susskind.

As a family doctor, Dr Mark Rowe has seen first-hand the impact of investing in your future self with simple, small changes to your daily routine that leverage the science of habits for lasting results. He joins Bobby to chat about his book, ‘Things Your Future Self Will Thank You For’.

Kopper Kreations is an industrial homewares brand that uses reclaimed and recycled materials to create unique and eye-catching homewares. Bobby stopped by their site just off Capel Street in Dublin, where founder Emmet Bosonnet told him all about the business.

This week on the Executive Chair Bobby sits down with Justin van der Spuy & Ray Armstrong, Co-CEOs of Saros Consulting

More than 40 years ago a man called Robin Knox-Johnson became the first to sail singled handed and solo around the world. Back in 1969 Sir Robin earned the ‘golden globe’ award for completed the journey as one of the last great uncharted maritime feats 2026 is set to be a busy year with Sir Robin’s Clipper entering 2 boats in the Round Ireland Race. He also due to speak at a special event in Dublin raising money for UNICEF in FebruaryRobin spoke to Bobby about is life and the year ahead

Staying motivated when life gets tough isn’t easy, but it’s often those moments of adversity that define us. For this week’s Industry Review with a twist, Bobby explored the mindsets and strategies that help us keep going when the going gets tough. He was joined by Motivational Speaker Mark Fennel, Motivational Speaker & Endurance Athlete Enda Doherty and Psychotherapist & Founder of The STLL Daniella Moyles

Bobby is joined by economists Colm McCarthy and Barra Ronantree to examine the economic prospects for 2026

Bobby sits down with founder and managing director of Poachers drinks from Wexford They chat through the business and some of their most popular products

Bobby is joined by Olytico's Stephen O'Leary and Artist and Digitization Consultant Joan Mulvihill to discuss the biggest business stories of the day

Joining Bobby to run through the main stories of the year are Susan HayesCulleton, presenter of 'Taking Stock', Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator and Host of the Driving Life Podcast; and Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search.

For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby focuses on the very serious business of Christmas Dinner - not just what ends up on the plate, but the whole experience around it. He is joined by four leaders who bring expertise from every angle:David Whelehan of Whelehan’s WinesAdrian Martin, Chef, Author, who is one of the longest serving resident chefs on the Six O'Clock show on Virgin Media 1Aoife Comerford, Pastry Sous Chef at Glover’s Alley (One Michelin Star)Etiquette expert, Noel Cunningham

Joining Bobby to chat through some of the best gadgets to buy the tech-lover in your life is Andy O'Donoghue, technology broadcaster and columnist.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Tom O'Brien, Group CEO of Nephin Energy.

Mike Hanrahan, Singer-songwriter and guitarist with Stockton's Wing, joins Bobby to play 'Wishing You Were Here'.

Bobby is joined by Cormac Lucey, Economics Commentator with The Sunday Times, to discuss the idea that the Irish economy is simultaneously in the best of times and the worst of times.

Motivational speaker, David Meade, joins Bobby to chat about how he got into keynote speaking, helping people to analyse the challenges around them critically, and running what he calls 'lightbulb teams'.

Bobby takes a walk down Dublin's Grafton Street, where he talks to retailers like The Camera Centre, Dubray Book, flower vendors, Weir's, The Irish Design Shop, and Patrick Sheary Menswear.

Bobby is joined by Breda Brown of Unique Media and Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM to go through the big business stories from the Saturday papers.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Michael Kelly, CEO of FAIN Ireland & Subsidiaries.

Inflation is at its highest level since February 2024, after growing by 3.2% in the year to last month. Business reporter at the Irish Times, Ian Curran, joins Bobby to discuss.

Pitch '25 invites Irish start-up's and budding entrepreneurs to pitch for their chance to be mentored in the world of retail with Arnotts. Bobby took a trip out to the Arnotts in Dublin city centre to chat to a few of the finalists to see how they’ve been getting on.

Bobby is joined by John Lowe, aka 'The Money Doctor', to get some of his tips ahead of what is the busiest spending period of the year.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, and here in Ireland, we have an incredible array of products made by homegrown talent to choose from.To find out a little bit more about some of the kinds of food producers we have at our disposal, Bobby is joined by:Andy Pratt from The Raw Juice CompanyAlice Tevlin from Rua FoodLisa Quinlan from Clever Foods

For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby takes a deep dive into Ireland’s recruitment landscape - a sector that’s evolving rapidly as talent shortages, hybrid work, and shifting employee expectations reshape how organisations hire. Bobby is joined by three leading voices in the Irish recruitment sector to discuss:Frank Farrelly, CEO & co-founder of Sigmar RecruitmentRachel Tubridy, Managing Director of PeopleSourceElaine Brady, Managing Partner, Barden in Leinster

Joining Bobby to run through the main business pages from the morning papers are Caroline Reidy of the HR Suite & Doug Keatinge, Head of Communications at Avolon.

Zoë Arden works at the intersection of leadership and storytelling. She joins Bobby to discuss her new book ‘Story-Centred Leadership: Crafting Cultures of Change’.

Tax rises and tighter spending could hinder UK economic growth, according to the OECD. Joining Bobby to discuss is David Smith, Economics Editor of The Sunday Times.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Matt Mohan, CEO of The FKM Group

Bobby went out & about at Gifted in the RDS, Ireland's iconic Christmas craft fair, featuring hundreds of makers, designers and artisan food producers.

This week, CEO of Deloitte Ireland Harry Goodard joins Bobby in the Executive Chair.

A look into any high street window across the country will show that Ireland's tailoring trade is evolving - blending tradition with fresh demand for quality, personal service, and sustainable fashion. Louis Copeland of Louis Copeland and Sons, Robin Johnson of Johnson's Tailors in Tullow and Sean Treacy, Owner of Hunter Treacy Tailors join Bobby in studio to discuss how the craft is thriving.

Linda Daly, Business Reporter with the Sunday Times and Tom Molloy, former Group Business Editor at The Independent and until recently the Director of Communications at the Green Party join Bobby for this week's business story round up.

Áine Kennedy, founder of the Smooth Company was chosen as the winner of the Emerging Entrepeneur category at the EY Entrepeneur of the Year Awards on Thursday evening. She joins Bobby on the show to discuss her journey.

It may be chilly outside, but this week, Bobby is out and about at Sun Bear Gelato on Dawson Street! He had the chance to meet David Hennessy, the owner of Sun Bear, and chat all things gelato!

Ireland’s housing crisis is often framed around supply and affordability, but Colm Lauder, Founding Partner at Lauder Teacher and Business Post contributor argues that an ageing population - and a housing stock poorly suited to older residents - is the real structural challenge now coming into view. He joins Bobby to discuss...

Bobby was out & about in Baldonnell Business Park at Amazon's fulfilment centre, where he had the opportunity to see the scale of the operation and to chat to Alison Dunn, Amazon's country manager for Ireland & Marcus Mallon, Site Lead at Amazon.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair is Paul Jacob, CEO and founder of Smart Storage & Wicklow Hub.

For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby dives into a growing trend in the property world: Home Staging.It’s the art of transforming a house into a space buyers can instantly connect with, and it’s becoming a powerful tool for sellers looking to stand out in a competitive market.Bobby is joined by three business owners who are at the forefront of this industry:Vanya McCarthy, MD and Owner of Stage My Home Martyna Wilk, Co-Director & Founder of Smart Home StagingSinead Considine co-owner of The Interiors Project

Regular listeners will know that Down to Business has a long association with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. This week, Bobby is joined by some of this year’s finalists and alumni to look at the changing nature of financial services. Joining Bobby is:Eddie Dillon, who is a finalist in the emerging categoryDerek Foley of Grid Finance who is in the established categoryRoger Wallace, Head of Assurance & EY Entrepreneur of the Year Partner Lead

Bobby is joined by Charlie Curson to chat about his new book 'Be More Strategic: 12 essential practices to build the life and career you want'.

Joining Bobby to run through the business pages from the morning papers is Joan Mulvihil, Digitization Expert & Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search.

Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Tony Gibney, Chairman of Gibney's

For today’s Industry Review, Bobby explores the challenges and opportunities facing driving schools and driving instructors today. Joining Bobby to discuss is:Kevin Horgan, Founder of the National Driving SchoolDominic Brophy, Co-Director of the Professional Driving Instructors AssociationLara Lewis, Driving Instructor.

Dr. David Oxley joins Bobby to chat about his new book 'The Artificial Death of a Career', which reminds us that it's all too human to seek to reduce uncertainty, but in doing so, it creates a 'cocoon' that is limiting and ultimately energy-sapping.