Top of the Agenda

Episode 18: Should pensions be a source of funding for a country’s investment needs?

The UK government aims to stimulate economic growth by encouraging more investment in British businesses. One potential source of that investment is pension funds, but would such policies truly serve the long-term interests of savers and/or the short-term needs of the economy?

In this episode of Top of the Agenda, Dr Helen Jenkins speaks with Julian Franks, Professor of Finance at London Business School, and Sean Thomas, Principal at Oxera. Together, they explore the challenges governments face in designing policies that boost productivity and drive sustainable growth.

Episode 17: What are the challenges of decarbonising industry in the transition to a green economy?

Earlier this year, the European Commission set out its recommendations for implementing its clean industrial deal—aimed at supporting the EU’s decarbonisation goals while maintaining global competitiveness. Although sectors like electricity generation have seen substantial emissions reductions, many industrial areas still face a steep path ahead.

In this episode of Top of the Agenda, Dr Helen Jenkins speaks with Christophe Schramm, Head of Strategy and Sustainability at Siemens Energy Transformation of Industries, and Sahar Shamsi, Partner at Oxera. Together, they discuss how decarbonising industry throughout Europe is essential for achieving net zero goals and examine the key challenges—including policy gaps, regulatory uncertainty, and the need to align financial investment with climate ambitions.

Episode 16: What’s driving the loss of skilled women in STEM?

Despite progress in education, women remain significantly underrepresented in many STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) fields—and those who do enter are more likely to leave mid-career. In the UK, for example, women make up 30% of economics undergraduates, but just 15% of professors. So why are we still failing to retain this highly skilled and educated talent?

In this episode of Top of the Agenda, Dr Helen Jenkins is joined by Doctor Clémentine Van Effenterre, Professor at the University of Toronto, and Professor Sarah Smith OBE, from the University of Bristol. Together, they delve into the structural barriers, unconscious biases, and rigid career pathways that contribute to the attrition of women in STEM—and discuss what needs to change to build more inclusive and sustainable careers in the field.

Episode 15: Why is productivity slowing down—and what does it mean for growth?

Across developed economies—including the UK, France, Japan, and the US—productivity growth has been slowing for decades. This trend appears to contradict the rapid pace of technological innovation, particularly in AI, and the transformative effects of globalisation. So why, despite all this progress, is economic growth falling?

In this episode of Top of the Agenda, Dr Helen Jenkins is joined by Professor Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford. Together, they explore the paradox of declining productivity in an age of innovation, drawing on Professor Goldin’s extensive experience advising global institutions on economic growth, development, and migration.

Episode 14: Financing the green transition: can private capital bridge the gap?

The green transition isn't just about switching from fossil fuels to renewable or zero-carbon sources—it also requires smarter, more efficient use of energy. By harnessing technology, improving energy efficiency, and generating power closer to where it’s consumed, we can cut both costs and carbon emissions.

In this episode of Top of the Agenda, Dr Helen Jenkins is joined by Jonathan Maxwell, founder and CEO of Sustainable Development Capital LLP (SDCL). Together, they explore how private finance can play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable infrastructure, the opportunities and barriers in deploying energy-efficient technologies, and using private finance to support these new technologies.

Episode 13: One year on developments in artificial intelligence (AI)

In this episode, one year on from their conversation in the very first Top of the Agenda podcast, Dr Helen Jenkins welcomes back Professor Richard Susskind CBE.

Together they delve into the themes in Professor Susskind’s new book, ‘How to think about AI: A guide for the perplexed’, and share their thoughts on how we all need to think much more about AI to both harness the opportunities for humanity and avoid and mitigate the risks.

Following on from the discussion Dr Sebastian Wernicke, a Partner at Oxera and an expert in leveraging data science, machine learning and AI, joins Helen to share his insights on how businesses and governments are thinking about and responding to the challenges of implementing AI today.

Episode 12: ESG: does the political shift mean businesses will lose out?

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles have long been a key factor in Boardroom discussions and decisions. However recent political developments—particularly in the US—have sparked a stark change in direction. Is it all over for ESG, or is there a future?

In this episode of Top of the Agenda, Doctor Helen Jenkins is joined by Professor Marco Becht, Executive Director and Fellow of European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI), and Dr Luis Correia da Silva, Partner and Chair of the Board at Oxera. Together, they discuss the evolution of ESG since its inception in the early 2000s, what the current political shift could mean for businesses and investors, and how the ESG agenda may move forward.

Episode 11: Leveraged buyouts: a smart strategy or a risky gamble?

The second episode in the Top of the Agenda series on private equity demystifies leveraged buyouts (LBOs); a widely used yet controversial private equity strategy. While LBOs can offer the potential for substantial returns by using debt to finance acquisitions, they also come with significant risks such as excessive debt burdens and aggressive cost-cutting measures.

Helen Jenkins and Tim Jenkinson, Oxera Partner and professor of finance at the University of Oxford’s Said Business School, explore the potential of LBOs to unlock value, rejuvenate companies, and drive growth while also addressing how they can negatively impact long-term business performance, sometimes leaving companies worse off.

Episode 10: Collective actions: are consumers reaping the benefits?

When companies engage in price fixing, abuse their market dominance, or form illegal cartels, consumers and businesses can suffer but since 2015 in the UK and 2020 across the EU, collective actions are challenging these anti-competitive practices and are seeking compensation. Many of us may even be members of a class action without even knowing it and could be due some compensation.

In this episode of Top of the Agenda, Helen Jenkins is joined by James Hennah, a Partner in Linklater’s litigation arbitration and investigations practice, and Kimela Shah, a Principal at Oxera who specialises in consumer and collective actions. Together, they discuss the latest legal developments, the landmark cases and the evolving framework for collective redress.

Episode 9: How can and should economic regulation contribute to growth?

Will reducing or changing economic regulation kickstart our economy? As policymakers across Europe seek ways to boost economic performance, the role of regulation is under the spotlight. Should economic regulators actively promote growth, or does their core purpose lie elsewhere? In the UK, recent government pressure on regulators to support economic growth has reignited this question.

 

In this episode of Top of the Agenda, Helen Jenkins is joined by Sir John Vickers, Warden of All Souls College, Oxford, and Luis Correia da Silva, Oxera Chair. Together, they explore how economic regulation influences growth, competition, and market stability.