James Reed: "Socialism and Capitalism don't work, but THIS works." - How becoming PhilCo forces long-term strength, not short-term extraction.
Tue Feb 03 2026
In this episode, Becky is joined by James Reed, Chairman and CEO of Reed, one of the UK’s most recognisable and successful family-owned businesses. James is also the author of Karma Capitalism, a bold vision for a more ethical and purpose-driven approach to business.
Becky and James explore what Karma Capitalism looks like in practice and whether responsible, values-led business models can truly thrive amid today’s economic uncertainty, growing inequality, and rapid technological change.
How philanthropy-owned companies, often referred to as “Philcos”, are redefining corporate ownership, challenging traditional shareholder models, and reshaping how businesses behave, grow, and succeed over the long term.
Why James believes some ESG frameworks fall short of delivering real impact, and what meaningful execution, accountability, and ethical leadership actually look like in modern organisations.
As AI reshapes the world of work, James shares his perspective on the future of employment and the critical role that government policy, public funding, and education will play in supporting workers and businesses alike.
This episode dives deep into ethical capitalism, corporate responsibility, sustainable business models, and AI’s impact on employment, offering practical insight for founders, CEOs, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of business in the UK and beyond.
Do you want to learn how to build a purpose-driven business from Given, the consultancy that’s helped some of the world's largest organisations become purposeful? Download the Insiders’ Guide to Purpose HERE.
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In this episode, Becky is joined by James Reed, Chairman and CEO of Reed, one of the UK’s most recognisable and successful family-owned businesses. James is also the author of Karma Capitalism, a bold vision for a more ethical and purpose-driven approach to business. Becky and James explore what Karma Capitalism looks like in practice and whether responsible, values-led business models can truly thrive amid today’s economic uncertainty, growing inequality, and rapid technological change. How philanthropy-owned companies, often referred to as “Philcos”, are redefining corporate ownership, challenging traditional shareholder models, and reshaping how businesses behave, grow, and succeed over the long term. Why James believes some ESG frameworks fall short of delivering real impact, and what meaningful execution, accountability, and ethical leadership actually look like in modern organisations. As AI reshapes the world of work, James shares his perspective on the future of employment and the critical role that government policy, public funding, and education will play in supporting workers and businesses alike. This episode dives deep into ethical capitalism, corporate responsibility, sustainable business models, and AI’s impact on employment, offering practical insight for founders, CEOs, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of business in the UK and beyond. Do you want to learn how to build a purpose-driven business from Given, the consultancy that’s helped some of the world's largest organisations become purposeful? Download the Insiders’ Guide to Purpose HERE.