Do Not Adjust Your Focus Episode 7 - Nick Baird on Britain after Brexit

Episode 7 of Do Not Adjust Your Focus was recorded prior to the Covid-19 crisis. In many ways, the world was a different place before the pandemic. But in many, many others it was not. What this crisis of public health has partly obscured is the political and economic reality of Britain today - which is that we are now a ‘post-Brexit’ country.

Our guest for this episode, Nick Baird, Group Corporate Affairs Director at Centrica, has a wealth of relevant experience. Nick’s career began in the Foreign Office where he was the UK representation to the EU as First Secretary and later Ambassador to Turkey. He went on to be CEO at UK Trade & Investment before beginning his current role at one of the world’s major multinational energy companies.

Nick talks to Stuart about the challenges and opportunities facing British businesses, big and small, after Brexit, offering his unique and expert perspective on what industries can capitalise on this change of direction for the country.

They discuss the false dichotomy of a Britain as either a ‘Singapore on Thames’ or a re-nationalised return to the 1970s.

They talk about COP26, to be held in Glasgow (postponed but not cancelled since the time of recording), and how this is a chance for Britain to show some real leadership in the march towards clean growth and net zero emissions, and the importance of energy companies being part of that debate.

You can listen to this and previous episodes here, and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.