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Dougal Shaw

Dougal Shaw is senior correspondent at Business Leader. He is a digital journalist and multiplatform creative focused on entrepreneurship and how leaders succeed. He previously worked at the BBC and runs Business Leader's My Business Leader Secret video series.

Dougal Shaw

The Guardian: Pulling off one of Britain’s toughest turnarounds

The Guardian: Pulling off one of Britain’s toughest turnarounds

After a decade as editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner is using her business acumen to reinvent The Guardian

Nails.INC founder Thea Green: Don’t sweat the small stuff

Nails.INC founder Thea Green: Don’t sweat the small stuff

Thea Green, one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs in the beauty and self-care space, shares her advice

Gtech: The window-fitter who became a UK success story

Gtech: The window-fitter who became a UK success story

Nick Grey's story is a tale of grit, design obsession and the strategic choices behind sustainable success

How Nails.INC went from high street nail bars to global retail brand

How Nails.INC went from high street nail bars to global retail brand

Viral collaborations, bold branding and a sharp eye for trends helped Nails.INC become a household name. Its founder opens up about the lessons learned along the way

Turning setbacks into strategy: Sir Chris Hoy on business, health and hope

Turning setbacks into strategy: Sir Chris Hoy on business, health and hope

What an iconic Olympian’s journey can teach today’s business leaders about clarity, teamwork and grit

Rio Ferdinand: How to win at business pitches

Rio Ferdinand: How to win at business pitches

The former Manchester United and England footballer on how to convince people to back your business ideas

How Bloom & Wild turned complaints into its greatest growth engine

How Bloom & Wild turned complaints into its greatest growth engine

Behind the company's growth lies a leadership lesson in turning customer complaints into brand advocacy

Belu Water CEO on the little-known tax causing 'big headaches' for business

Belu Water CEO on the little-known tax causing 'big headaches' for business

Natalie Campbell explains how the extended producer responsibility scheme is hitting her business

The Social Hub: A unique British experiment in property

The Social Hub: A unique British experiment in property

A building in Glasgow is testing out a new concept, combining a co-working space with accommodation for hotel guests and a hall of residence for students. Can they all get along?

JustPark founder: I'm delighted not to be CEO anymore

JustPark founder: I'm delighted not to be CEO anymore

Anthony Eskinazi is one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs in the sharing economy sector, but there's things he wishes he knew much earlier to scale.

How to work with AI and transform your business

How to work with AI and transform your business

The real value of artificial intelligence lies not in replacing people but in collaborating with humans’ unique creativity

Michelin-star chef on the ingredients for success in turbulent times

Michelin-star chef on the ingredients for success in turbulent times

The discipline it takes to be a top chef “also works well in the boardroom”, according to Chris Galvin, the chef patron of Galvin Restaurants

Oriens Aviation CEO: Never forget to debrief

Oriens Aviation CEO: Never forget to debrief

Edwin Brenninkmeyer, who is a qualified pilot as well as being a CEO in the aviation industry, shares tips from the cockpit

Airtasker CEO: Hire internally when scaling

Airtasker CEO: Hire internally when scaling

Australian entrepreneur Tim Fung believes that you should prioritise developing internal talent when growing a business

WD-40 CEO: Think of mistakes as learning moments

WD-40 CEO: Think of mistakes as learning moments

Steve Brass explains how he promotes psychological safety at work to foster innovation

Cohesity CEO: Getting fired was the best thing to happen in my career

Cohesity CEO: Getting fired was the best thing to happen in my career

Major career setbacks can be moments to take stock and recalibrate, according to US tech boss Sanjay Poonen

Mediaplus UK CEO: Reframe your comms around AI

Mediaplus UK CEO: Reframe your comms around AI

Communications specialist Tom Laranjo shares advice on how to integrate artificial technology into the workplace

Pitchify founder: Listen to what people actually want

Pitchify founder: Listen to what people actually want

Video games entrepreneur Gina Jackson explains a common trap developers can fall into when making games

The Gym Group CEO: Think about what Gen Z wants

The Gym Group CEO: Think about what Gen Z wants

Will Orr shares his insights into Gen Z’s changing attitude to health and fitness

SurveyMonkey CEO: Leaders need to ask the hard questions

SurveyMonkey CEO: Leaders need to ask the hard questions

Eric Johnson leads an online platform focused on the value of collecting feedback, a principle he applies to his own company

Forest bikes founder: Don't compromise your founding principles

Forest bikes founder: Don't compromise your founding principles

Ebike entrepreneur Caroline Seton explains why start-ups should withstand external pressures to change course

Popeyes UK boss: The CEO is at the bottom of the ladder

Popeyes UK boss: The CEO is at the bottom of the ladder

Tom Crowley explains his philosophy for running successful high street food businesses

Wendy Wu: Show passion and customers will reward you

Wendy Wu: Show passion and customers will reward you

The travel tour entrepreneur’s business is thriving after the pandemic because she listened to customers

How a one-man promotion machine became Britain’s fastest-growing business

How a one-man promotion machine became Britain’s fastest-growing business

Number one in our Growth 500 is a music promoter to the stars whose down-to-earth approach strikes a chord with industry greats

Saint and Sofia CEO: Make shopping a social experience

Saint and Sofia CEO: Make shopping a social experience

Fashion entrepreneur Dessi Bell explains why customers are looking for something different when they shop on the high street

Gtech founder: Find synergy in your sponsorships

Gtech founder: Find synergy in your sponsorships

The home appliances inventor and entrepreneur explains what he’s learned from sponsoring Brentford FC

How improv could improve your communication skills

How improv could improve your communication skills

Neil Mullarkey is an improvisational comedian who has a few tricks to teach the world of business

Yotel CEO: You don’t need to choose between tech and people

Yotel CEO: You don’t need to choose between tech and people

Hubert Viriot explains his approach to using technology in the hospitality industry

Karen Blackett: Listen more in order to lead

Karen Blackett: Listen more in order to lead

The advertising veteran believes that leaders need to listen to those around them to set the right course for the business

Sir Chris Hoy: Make sure you all buy into the same goal

Sir Chris Hoy: Make sure you all buy into the same goal

The Olympic cycling champion has brought lessons from his time in sport to his work in business

Otto Car CEO: ‘Cultural shifts’ are business opportunities

Otto Car CEO: ‘Cultural shifts’ are business opportunities

The auto industry entrepreneur believes smart pivots can be the start button to fire up business success

Hilton EMEA President: Diverse customers need a diverse team

Hilton EMEA President: Diverse customers need a diverse team

The hotel executive believes the hospitality industry needs to be proactive in hiring to reflect society

Sir John Hegarty: See AI as a partner, not a tool

Sir John Hegarty: See AI as a partner, not a tool

The legendary ad exec believes leaders should collaborate with the technology, rather than use it as a tool

Apprentice stars: What Lord Sugar taught us

Apprentice stars: What Lord Sugar taught us

Contestants from The Apprentice reveal the fundamental business lessons they learned from taking part in the TV show

Tariff special with Times political editor Steven Swinford

Tariff special with Times political editor Steven Swinford

The Business Leader team are joined by the political editor of The Times Steven Swinford to cover what you need to know about the tariffs

Sizewell C boss: Your workforce should mirror society

Sizewell C boss: Your workforce should mirror society

The woman leading the Sizewell C nuclear plant project explains her approach to building a diverse workforce

Pip & Nut: Passion project to supermarket hit

Pip & Nut: Passion project to supermarket hit

Pip Murray talks about how she took her idea from the kitchen table to supermarket shelves, through food markets, rigorous product testing and more

PocDoc CEO: Lend your expertise to other businesses

PocDoc CEO: Lend your expertise to other businesses

The healthtech entrepreneur runs a 'Last Friday' club where other leaders can book a session and ask him for advice

Airwallex CEO: Hire for personality traits, not experience

Airwallex CEO: Hire for personality traits, not experience

The fintech entrepreneur explains a key hiring strategy that has helped him scale a global business

Joanna Jensen: Don't avoid the nitty gritty

Joanna Jensen: Don't avoid the nitty gritty

The entrepreneur and angel investor explains a common issue she encounters with start-up founders

Grind's CEO on how he built a coffee empire

Grind's CEO on how he built a coffee empire

David Abrahamovitch built Grind from one cafe in Shoreditch to a multimillion-pound business that is now expanding beyond London. This is the story of how he did it.

LinkedIn gets physical

LinkedIn gets physical

LinkedIn is the leading social network for businesses around the world. Now it wants a stake in real-life interactions too.

The story behind Gousto recipe boxes

The story behind Gousto recipe boxes

Founder Timo Boldt explains how AI tech is embedded in Gousto and how coaching and mentorship have transformed him as a leader

GoFundMe CEO: Risk-profile yourself to build your career

GoFundMe CEO: Risk-profile yourself to build your career

The leader of the online fundraising platform says measuring your personal risk appetite is vital for success

Quantum and AI: What the future holds for British business

Quantum and AI: What the future holds for British business

IBM UK chair Nicola Hodson discusses how businesses can implement artificial intelligence, the state of Quantum computing and much more

Heka founder: Becoming a mother made me a better leader

Heka founder: Becoming a mother made me a better leader

The founder of the employee benefits platform says parenthood has improved her leadership style

Beauty Pie founder: From facials with Madonna to consumer hits at Boots

Beauty Pie founder: From facials with Madonna to consumer hits at Boots

Serial entrepreneur Marcia Kilgore shares how to develop original consumer products, hire the right people and much more.

Seismic CEO: The best way to grow is never to shrink

Seismic CEO: The best way to grow is never to shrink

The boss of the US tech unicorn says a key part of growing his business involves working hard to ensure that it doesn't lose customers.

Bloom & Wild CEO: See mistakes as an opportunity

Bloom & Wild CEO: See mistakes as an opportunity

The co-founder and CEO of the flower delivery specialist says mistakes with customers can be a chance to shine and even build advocacy

Jordan Schwarzenberger: The opportunity on LinkedIn is staggering

Jordan Schwarzenberger: The opportunity on LinkedIn is staggering

Jordan Schwarzenberger shares his advice on how to connect with Gen Z and stand out on social media as a business leader.

Clarendon Fine Art MD: Make use of reverse mentoring

Clarendon Fine Art MD: Make use of reverse mentoring

The fashion boss turned art gallery executive believes leaders should be open to having younger people coach and educate them

Two Chicks CEO: Be open about who your audience will be

Two Chicks CEO: Be open about who your audience will be

When Alla Ouvarova brough the concept of liquid egg white to the UK, she was surprised by who ended up buying the product

Gousto CEO: Becoming a coach made me a better leader

Gousto CEO: Becoming a coach made me a better leader

Timo Boldt says becoming a coach has helped him to better understand and support employees

Docusign CEO on the AI revolution

Docusign CEO on the AI revolution

How does a tech leader navigate a post-pandemic slump and harness AI to redefine an industry? Allan Thygesen shares how he’s steering the company

Our predictions for business in 2025

Our predictions for business in 2025

The Business Leader editorial team look at the year ahead, the trends we expect to see, what leaders should stop doing and much more

Ordnance Survey CEO: Ask three questions before proposing a new business idea

Ordnance Survey CEO: Ask three questions before proposing a new business idea

The CEO of the mapping service says too many would-be entrepreneurs jump in blind without having done enough research

How bamboo helped put this business on a roll

How bamboo helped put this business on a roll

Julie Chen was visiting a farm in China when she had the idea for building a business based on importing eco-friendly toilet paper