Bitesize Business Breakfast Podcast

07 May 2026. Reports of a potential US-Iran agreement sent oil prices tumbling and stock markets surging. Matt Stanley from Kpler joins us on what the latest means for energy markets and how businesses are dealing with the volatility. Plus, the Dubai property market is moving fast with viewings up 160%, buyer registrations up 119% and deals up 31% in April versus March. Espace Real Estate's broker of the week tells us what he's seeing on the ground. And Wyndham is launching branded residences at Dubai Islands - mid-scale, affordable and 68 units only. We find out why the affordable end of the market and how affordable! 

06 May 2026. The Emirates Growth Fund (EGF) has launched the National Champions Programme to identify, prepare and lend to UAE manufacturers with the potential to become local and international leaders. CEO Khalifa Al Hajeri joins us on what he’s looking for. Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) on a new car assembly facility and Emirati talent programmes at Make it in the Emirates. G42 company Inception has launched InceptionClaw - an agentic AI super assistant built for enterprises and governments, and we speak to the CEO. And Mercer on when to activate remote work, when to restrict travel and how UAE employers should be making those calls right now.

05 May 2026. Dubai has announced a two year action plan to bring agentic AI into the private sector through the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. Jessica Constantinidis, Innovation Officer EMEA at ServiceNow, joins us on what that means for businesses on the ground. Plus, Alpha Dhabi reports an 81% surge in net profit with revenue hitting AED 18.8 billion, Derek Nicholson breaks down the numbers. And the Dubai popsicle maker that shipped a million homemade treats to Walmart China tells us how they pulled it off.

04 May 2026. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, releases the Q1 earnings exclusively on The Business Breakfast. 18.6 million guests, 32,000 aircraft movements and 213,000 tonnes of cargo kept moving through the most constrained period DXB has ever faced. IATA’s Kashif Khalid on what the full resumption of UAE airspace actually means on the ground. Plus JA Resorts on hotels gearing up for summer, GEMS Founders School on the new academic year and Paradigm Holdings on gold as a strategic asset right now.

01 May 2026. Two restaurant stories: EatX founder Tom Arnel joins Georgia Tolley at The Guild in ICD Brookfield Place on adjusting their model for more resident repeat visits and what expansion looks like from here. Nando’s is aggressively opening new locations across the UAE in 2026 and the MD tells us why. Plus, luxury retail took a hit during the conflict. We find out what recovery actually looks like and how long it takes. And end of service gratuity is ever changing. More UAE employers are moving toward structured savings solutions and we find out what that means for employees.

30 Apr 2026. The Fed kept rates on hold and Jay Powell confirmed he's staying on as Governor. Economist Jeanne Walter and Keith Fitz-Gerald break down what it means for the region. Plus Euromonitor on a very different Gulf travel market ahead. Dubai Tourism's Hoor Al Khaja on whether the hospitality sector is seeing the first green shoots of recovery. RAKBank CEO Raheel Ahmed on record profits and careful provisioning. And BlackRock's Ehsan Khoman on what it would take to call a turning point for the regional economy.

29 Apr 2026. The UAE Energy Minister called it a policy driven evolution aligned with long term market fundamentals. But what does leaving OPEC after more than five decades actually mean for the UAE's oil production and revenues? Matt Stanley and economist Daniel Richards join us with the analysis. Plus, three Primark stores in under two months - we speak to the Vice President of Primark at Alshaya Group ahead of the Mall of the Emirates opening on May 21. Dubai Taxi Company is growing its fleet and we find out why. And luxury restaurants are struggling amid a dip in tourist numbers - but could this conflict actually be the reset the sector needed? We get analysis from the founder of Il Borro and Josette.

28 Apr 2026. Day 2 of The Business Breakfast broadcasting live from ICD Brookfield Place.  The Arts Club Dubai opened during a pandemic and is still going strong through a conflict. Lulu & The Beanstalk is back to business after six tough weeks - thanks to their loyal customers. Two ICD Brookfield resilience stories told live from the building. Plus, DMCC launches two new Grade A office towers and we ask CEO Ahmed Bin Sulayem what the timing tells us. And Professor Dame Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal Heriot-Watt University on women on boards across the UAE and GCC.  

27 Apr 2026. The Business Breakfast broadcasting live from ICD Brookfiled place this morning - and premium office space is holding firm despite everything, we find out why with the man behind one of the city’s most sought after addresses. Plus, Goldman Sachs warns global oil inventories could hit record lows even if the Strait reopens. Kuwait goes to the bond market and more Gulf states could follow, a bond expert joins us. And Haus & Haus says an overdue property correction is underway in Dubai. Is it a buying opportunity?

24 Apr 2026. One commercial landlord joins us to talk about what his tenants are asking for and what he's prepared to offer. Plus, Allianz Trade is projecting over 15,000 global business insolvencies because of the crisis - senior economist Lluis Dalmau on how they got to that number. Sustainable aviation fuel is back in the spotlight as oil volatility bites, Karl Feilder joins us. And Dubai Holding backs a homegrown Hatta startup in a show of support for Emirati entrepreneurship.

24 Apr 2026. One commercial landlord joins us to talk about what his tenants are asking for and what he's prepared to offer. Plus, Allianz Trade is projecting over 15,000 global business insolvencies because of the crisis - senior economist Lluis Dalmau on how they got to that number. Sustainable aviation fuel is back in the spotlight as oil volatility bites, Karl Feilder joins us. And Dubai Holding backs a homegrown Hatta startup in a show of support for Emirati entrepreneurship.

23 Apr 2026. Commercial Bank of Dubai is out with its Q1 numbers and the CFO joins us to break them down. The IEA is warning of jet fuel shortages in Europe - IATA's regional boss on what that means for routes and travel from here. And schools are back in Dubai, we speak to Espace on whether that's translating into activity in the property market on both the residential and commercial side.  

22 Apr 2026. Dubai is shifting toward a renters market with rents down 12.5% year on year, but office space tells a completely different story, with rents up 14% and occupancy at 95%. Rupert Simmonds from Betterhomes and Matthew Green from CBRE join us with the full picture. Plus, 55 events crammed into H2 and the events and PR industry is bracing for one of the busiest periods it has ever seen. Natalie Crampton from TEC Event Management and Pete Jacob from Current Global discuss how they’re planning for it. And work from park is coming to Dubai! we speak to the people building and operating the outdoor workspace pods.

21 Apr 2026. Several Dubai hotels have closed for renovation. STR, a hospitality data company, joins us to explain what that means for the city’s room stock and what the sector will look like upon reopening. Plus, JW Marriott Marquis is undergoing its first refurbishment in 13 years while staying fully open - we find out how you pull that off. Ras Al Khaimah has doubled its domestic visitor numbers year on year through the RAK Moments campaign. And Dubai property valuations fell for the first time since 2020, ValuStrat’s head of research joins us with the data.

20 Apr 2026. The Strait of Hormuz opened on Friday and closed again on Saturday and the impact on oil prices and shipping insurance costs was immediate. We look at what that volatility means on the ground. Plus, the UAE is easing tax penalties and encouraging companies to come forward and fix mistakes, we speak to the FTA directly on how to use this window. And could UAE residents who worked from home abroad during the conflict find themselves liable for tax in another country? We get some legal advice.

17 Apr 2026. The world's first commercial vertiport is ready next to DXB, with air taxis potentially flying before the end of 2026. We speak to Skyports CEO Duncan Walker. The RTA joins us on 13 kilometres of new road connections reducing journey times by up to 40% across 18 residential areas. Miral Destinations on Yas Island's push to win over UAE residents with all-inclusive offers. And Taj Hotels on resilience, staff welfare and holding the line on service standards during one of the toughest periods the hospitality sector has faced.

16 Apr 2026. UAE children are returning to classrooms but has the move come fast enough to ease financial pressure on schools? Education consultant Shaun Robison, CEO of BBD Education and GSM Middle East, tells us. Art Dubai is revealing more details of its 20th edition, one of the few major events still going ahead in May amid the conflict. Executive Director Benedetta Ghione on what will feel different this year and how the conflict is shaping it. And Stellantis on a new initiative giving UAE small businesses free access to Jeep, RAM, Peugeot and Citroën vehicles to help them stay operational right now.

15 Apr 2026. The ceasefire is holding but the legal questions aren't going away. Chris Bailey-Gibbs from Hadef and Partners breaks down what UAE Labour Law actually says about workplace safety and your right to work from home. Plus, the IMF has cut its UAE growth forecast from 5% to 3.1% this year - economist Ed Bell tells us what that actually means. Sobha Realty launches a Dh40 billion waterfront city in Abu Dhabi, and SITA on why record aviation technology investment isn't delivering the results it should.

14 Apr 2026. Bit of a theme today on trade! Oil prices are swinging as hopes for peace talks jostle with realities on the ground in the Strait of Hormuz. Gulf Intelligence gives us the latest. The ceasefire raised hopes of the Strait reopening but supply chain leaders are still navigating a very uncertain environment and Sam Achampong, Regional Director of CIPS, tells us what that looks like on the ground. As the world waits to see how Iran responds to the new US blockade, we have an exclusive interview with the UN’s International Maritime Organization. And Fadi Ghandour of Wamda Capital on what the crisis is teaching Gulf businesses about resilience.

13 Apr 2026. Q1 job numbers are up. Economic zone fees are coming down. Dubai property is holding steady. And one UAE company is posting 19 percent revenue growth by staying local. Today on The Business Breakfast we look at what’s keeping the UAE economy moving with Cooper Fitch, DIEZ, Fairmont The Palm, Bayut and more.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

12 Mar 2026. Primark is just two weeks away from opening its first UAE store. John Hadden, CEO of Alshaya Group, explains how the launch is staying on track despite challenging circumstances. Plus, Spinneys GM Tom Harvey discusses getting creative to secure supplies, Sam Achampong of CIPS covers major shipping lines suspending cargo bookings to and from the Arabian Gulf, and John Lyons of Espace Real Estate explains what the latest data shows in Dubai’s property market as investors ask questions.

11 Mar 2026. With many travel plans uncertain right now, we ask Avinash Babur, founder and CEO of insurancemarket.ae, what travel insurance actually covers. Plus, Matt Stanley breaks down what a 12% drop in Aramco’s profit means for Saudi Arabia, Vinayak Mahtani of bnbme Holiday Homes on softer bookings in Dubai’s holiday home sector, and the founder of a community market platform on helping small businesses keep trading.

10 Mar 2026. With oil prices climbing above $115 a barrel amid Middle East tensions, concerns about stagflation are emerging. Economist Ed Bell of Emirates NBD explains what it is and whether the UAE is at risk. Plus, Josh Gilbert of eToro on mixed Gulf market performance, Lulu Group’s V. Nandakumar on chartering planes to bring in fresh produce, a legal view on force majeure in the energy sector, and Donna Benton, founder of The Entertainer, on giving away 50,000 memberships to support hospitality and leisure.

09 Mar 2026. Hiring in the UAE is continuing despite regional tensions. Recruitment expert Dan Chadwick tells us what companies are doing right now. Plus, DrinkDry founder Erika Doyle on running an import business while abroad. And with crude oil above $110 a barrel after Middle East output cuts and the Strait of Hormuz closure, Ed Bell and Matt Stanley break down what it means for energy markets.

06 Mar 2026. We speak to Majid Al Futtaim CEO Ahmed Ismail about the state of retail. Plus, the business of spring break holiday camps as families adjust plans, GymNation on managing staff, clients and operations during uncertainty, and an expert analysis of surging jet fuel and energy prices and what they mean for the wider market.

05 Mar 2026. Drone damage to AWS facilities triggered outages for some online platforms, including Sarwa. Group CEO Mark Chawan explains what happened and how they restored services. Plus, Maurice Gravier from Emirates NBD’s CIO office on what wealth advisers are telling private clients right now. Plus, UAE business owner on leading teams through uncertainty, and Sean Evers of Gulf Intelligence on volatile oil and energy markets.

04 Mar 2026. UAE and Saudi PMI data show robust, non-oil private sector growth. Economist Ed Bell breaks down the latest numbers and the most recent market update. Plus, as authorities urge residents not to stockpile, Sky Kurtz of Pure Harvest Smart Farms on local food supply. We speak to Marsh about insurance and market risk as tensions raise questions over refineries, and hear from Dubai residents trying to get back home amid travel disruption.

03 Mar 2026. Plus, The Strait of Hormuz is closed and Iran will fire on any ship trying to pass. That's according to Iranian media quoting an Iranian Revolutionary Guards senior official. Robin Mills explains the implications for global energy supply. Rustin Edwards breaks down how insurers cancelling war-risk cover is reshaping shipping costs, and gold specialist Jeff Rhodes joins us live on safe-haven price dynamics.

02 Mar 2026. Amid heightened regional tensions and airspace disruptions, UAE authorities are urging residents not to panic-buy. We speak to Spinneys and Choithrams on food stocks and supply levels, a hotelier on supporting guests during disruption, energy expert Matt Stanley on oil and supply chains, and Deliveroo and logistics operators on keeping goods moving.

27 Feb 2026. Could AI transcription of online calls and meetings breach UAE privacy laws? We get legal clarity on what businesses need to know. Plus, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) reports record sales despite global tariff tensions, we speak to the CFO. Etihad Cargo has seen a surge in shipments of art, pets and high-value cars, the CEO tells us what that signals about the Abu Dhabi economy. And with new UAE e-invoicing guidelines issued ahead of phased deadlines, we break down what companies must do now.