This week Nick talks to Brusk Korkmaz

Brusk Korkmaz has over 20 years’ experience in the construction industry, building a broad and respected career across civil engineering and labour supply. In 2008, he founded Hercules PLC, reflecting his strong entrepreneurial drive. Prior to this, Brusk held senior roles at leading organisations including MJ Gleeson, Black & Veatch, and Hochtief UK.

Nick and Brusk discuss Brusk’s journey from moving to the UK to study civil engineering at UCL to building a career across major UK infrastructure projects. Brusk explains his motivation for working in civil engineering, rooted in improving everyday life through essential infrastructure such as water, power and transport. After gaining experience at leading contractors, he founded Hercules in 2008 during the financial crisis, identifying a gap in the market for reliable, skilled and compliant labour supply. What began with water-sector projects grew steadily into a specialist business supplying over 25 trades across infrastructure.

The conversation then focuses on Hercules’ growth, its technology-enabled workforce model and its role in addressing skills shortages across UK infrastructure. Brusk outlines how the company uses digital tools to match qualified workers to local projects quickly, alongside a dedicated training academy that upskills and retrains thousands of people. Nick and Brusk also explore long-term infrastructure investment in water, energy and transport, the importance of compliance and workforce retention, and Hercules’ strategy of organic growth alongside targeted acquisitions. Together, they highlight how labour supply, training and technology combine to support the delivery of large, regulated infrastructure projects across the UK.

Brusk's Book Choices
Losing my Virginity by Sir Richard Branson
What it takes by Stephen A. Schwarzman

Brusk's Music Choices
Dancing in the Moonlight - Toploader
Don't Stop me Now - Queen

This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week Nick talks to Hugh Hendry.

In this special episode recorded in front of a live audience at November's MelloLondon investor event in London. Legendary hedge fund manager and self-styled “Asset Capitalist” Hugh Hendry speaks with Nick about today’s macroeconomic landscape, the psychology of bubbles, and why imagination—rather than pure data—is essential for understanding markets. Hendry reflects on his unconventional career, his philosophy of “playfulness, curiosity and mischief,” and his belief that investors must learn to become “world-class losers” by surviving their mistakes rather than fearing them.

Hendry argues that we are living through a moment of profound uncertainty, shaped by technological singularity fears, social tension, and extreme divergence in economic outcomes. He describes current market conditions as “bubble-like,” fuelled by compressed cycles and narrative-driven risk-taking. He outlines his four-quadrant macro framework—cash, equities, long-duration bonds, and “narrative assets” such as gold, property, private equity, and crypto—and stresses the need for flexible allocation and anti-fragility. Will AI Make Us 10x Richer — or Dead?

Follow Hugh Hendry - https://substack.com/@acidcapitalist

This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week Nick talks Katie and Jeremy Prescott

Katie Prescott is the Technology Business Editor at The Times and a weekly columnist for its award-winning business section. A regular contributor to Times Radio and The Times daily podcast, The Story, she is widely recognised following a decade at the BBC, where she reported on technology and business for Radio 4’s Today programme. She hosts The Times Tech Podcast and was named Tech Commentator of the Year at the UK Tech Awards.

In the episode, Nick discusses with Katie and her father Jeremy the story behind Katie’s debut book, The Curious Case of Mike Lynch. Drawing on Katie’s reporting for The Times and Jeremy’s long career in the City, the conversation traces Lynch’s journey from a prodigiously talented outsider to the founder of Autonomy, once one of Britain’s most celebrated technology companies, and into the complex, decade-long legal battles that followed its £11bn sale to Hewlett-Packard. Together, they unpack the culture of Silicon Fen, the pressures of public markets, the blurred lines between aggressive growth and alleged fraud, and the profound personal and professional consequences that culminated in the tragic final chapter of Lynch’s life.

Katie and Jeremy's Book Choices where:
Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe
The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth
Fall by John Preston
Bad Blood by John Carreyrou

Katie and Jeremy's Music choices where:
Charles Trenet - Boum
Charles Trenet - La Mer

This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week Nick talks to Charles Skinner

Charles Skinner is a leading authority on Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA). As CEO, he transformed a £3m business into a £100m exit and grew another company’s value 30-fold to £300m, earning AIM Company of the Year in 2016. He is currently the CEO of Restore PLC, and the author of Buy, Run, Build: A Guide to Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition. Charles also advises the ETA search fund Mentmore Associates and chairs four private companies.

Nick and Charles discuss Charles Skinner’s unconventional career path, beginning in investment banking before moving into venture capital, journalism and ultimately discovering his strengths in running and improving real businesses. Charles reflects on how he gradually shifted away from finance-led roles towards hands-on leadership, realising he was far more interested in building companies than simply analysing them. He and Nick explore the early stages of his journey, including lessons learned from missteps, the appeal of smaller operational businesses, and the importance of understanding people, staying humble and learning from failure.

They then turn to the rise, challenges and rebuilding of Restore, the company most associated with Charles’s leadership. Nick and Charles also explore themes such as entrepreneurship through acquisition, decentralised leadership, motivating teams, and managing crises with transparency and decisiveness. Charles illustrates these ideas with candid stories about leadership errors, boardroom politics and the importance of “running towards the gunfire” when problems arise.

Charles’s book choices were:
The Practice of Management by Peter F Drucker
https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/practice-of-management-the-book-peter-f-drucker-9780434903894

Parkinson's Law by C Northcote Parkinson
https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/parkinson-s-law-book-c-northcote-parkinson-9780140023664

Charles’s music choice was:
Bach: The Goldberg Variations played by Glenn Gould
https://open.spotify.com/album/1aCpHSQE5ghxibsQ5gkBe0

Charles' Book - Buy, Run, Build: A Guide to Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition - is available here

This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

In this week's episode Nick talks to Allan Lockhart

Allan Lockhart is the CEO of NewRiver REIT plc and has over 35 years of experience in the UK retail real estate sector. He began his career with Strutt & Parker in 1988, advising leading property companies and institutions on retail leasing, investment, and development. In 2002, he joined Halladale Plc as Retail Director, where he focused on identifying value-add opportunities within the UK retail market and delivering effective asset management strategies. Following Halladale’s successful sale in early 2007, Allan co-founded NewRiver, serving as Property Director from its IPO before being appointed Chief Executive Officer in May 2018.

Nick and Allan’s discussion focuses on the transformation of UK retail real estate and the future of the sector. Allan Lockhart, CEO of NewRiver REIT, reflects on his unconventional career path from insurance broking to property investment and how shifts in technology, e-commerce, and consumer behaviour have reshaped retail spaces. He explains the evolution from long-term leases to a more operationally driven market and champions omnichannel retailing — where physical stores complement online sales as critical “last-mile” distribution points. He highlights the enduring strength of convenience-led retail, retail parks, and grocery-anchored assets as consumers prioritize accessibility and efficiency.

The conversation then widens into economic and policy themes. Allan emphasizes the resilience of UK consumers amid inflation and high interest rates, buoyed by strong employment and elevated savings. He calls for decisive government fiscal reform to reduce debt and stimulate investment, particularly through business rate and stamp duty reforms that could unlock real estate growth. Looking ahead, he envisions NewRiver doubling in size through strategic acquisitions and data-driven decision-making, with AI and predictive analytics central to this growth.

Allan's Book Choices were:
The Outsiders : Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success by William N. Thorndike
The Fourth Turning Is Here by Neil Howe

Allan's Music Choice:
Sex Pistols -Anarchy in the UK

This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week Nick talks to Jeff Chatfield

Jeff Chatfield is the CEO of Avation, a publicly listed aircraft leasing company with a global portfolio of commercial and regional aircraft. He has over two decades of experience in the aviation finance industry, leading the company through multiple bond issues and strategic fleet expansions. Known for his pragmatic approach to capital management, Chatfield has built Aviation into one of the few small-scale lessors capable of issuing public bonds. Based between Singapore and London, he is recognised for his clear, data-driven insights into market trends and aircraft investment strategy.

In this episode Nick and Jeff discuss the company’s recent US$300 million bond issue and improved credit ratings from major agencies, marking a significant step forward since its earlier, lower-rated bonds. Jeff discusses how the refinancing provides long-term stability, enabling the company to continue its growth trajectory over the next five and a half years. He explains how the upgraded ratings reflect Aviation’s maturity and scale in a market where even US$20 billion is now considered small, while also noting the flexibility and strategic value of bonds for managing capital efficiently.

The discussion moves to fleet strategy, including the extended lease of a wide-body A330 to EVA Air and the company’s ongoing focus on narrow-body aircraft such as A320s and ATRs. Chatfield highlights the global demand for aircraft driven by replacement cycles and rising air travel in emerging economies such as India and China. He emphasises Aviation’s valuable order book and purchase rights, which position the company strongly amid limited aircraft supply.

Jeff's Book Choice was:
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week Nick talks to Julian Roberts

Julian Roberts is an executive coach, author and podcast presenter known for his work in developing personal and organisational resilience.

In this episode, Nick and Julian talk through Julian’s varied career path — from studying medical sciences and starting out in pharmaceutical sales, to spending twenty years in the food industry with brands such as Heinz, before moving into executive coaching following a difficult corporate experience that led him to reassess his direction.

Julian explains how his interest in people and performance encouraged him to retrain as a coach and study psychology and neuro-linguistic programming. He describes how his coaching helps individuals and teams to gain clarity, challenge assumptions and take practical steps towards improvement. He also discusses how adaptability and learning, rather than persistence alone, are key to building resilience and improving both personal performance and workplace culture.

Julian's Book choice was:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Julian music choice was:
“Intro” by The xx.

This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.

This week Nick talks to Oktay Kavrak.

Oktay Kavrak is Head of Communications and Strategy at Leverage Shares, a European leader in exchange-traded products (ETPs). Oktay discusses the company’s mission to democratize access to investing, with over $1.5 billion in assets under management as of July 2024. He shares his professional journey from IBM and DeGiro to joining Leverage Shares in its early stages, helping pioneer leveraged ETFs across Europe.

Oktay explains how Leverage Shares introduced the first leveraged single-stock ETFs - products that offer amplified exposure to major names like Tesla, Nvidia, and Coinbase. Designed for short-term, tactical trading, these products allow investors to multiply daily movements of popular stocks while maintaining transparency and regulated exchange access. The discussion also highlights the rise of Income Shares, which generate monthly cash flow through covered call and cash-secured put strategies, offering investors both growth and yield opportunities. Notably, Leverage Shares’ 3x Tesla ETF has been the most traded ETF on the London Stock Exchange for three consecutive years, reflecting the strong retail demand for active, accessible trading tools.

Nick and Oktay look ahead, as OKtay predicts that the ETF industry will continue expanding, driven by retail participation, product innovation, and greater demand for diversified and income-generating strategies. As the market evolves, firms like Leverage Shares are bridging the gap between complex institutional strategies and retail accessibility—bringing structured, transparent products to investors worldwide.

Oktay's Book Choices where:
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed

Oktay's Music Choice was:
Coldplay

This content is issued by Zeus Capital Limited (“Zeus”) (Incorporated in England & Wales No. 4417845), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) for designated investment business, (Reg No. 224621) and is a member firm of the London Stock Exchange. This content is for information purposes only and neither the information contained, nor the opinions expressed within, constitute or are to be construed as an offer or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell the securities or other instruments mentioned in it. Zeus shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, including lost profits arising in any way from the information contained in this material. This material is for the use of intended recipients only.