BUSINESS AT CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL
As well as hosting exclusive events with some of the world’s leading authors, politicians,
journalists, sport stars, actors, and critics; The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival (5-14
October) also boasts several talks about the economy and business from world-renowned
experts. Read on to discover our business and economic highlights or go online for the full
Festival programme cheltenhamfestivals.com. Call 08448808094 to book tickets.
GAVIN ESLER - LESSONS FROM THE TOP
Sunday 7 October / 6-7pm / £7
Broadcaster and Newsnight presenter, Gavin Esler has learnt a lot about what it takes to be a
leader after thirty years spent interviewing world figures in business, culture, the military and even
terrorism. To mark the publication of Lessons From the Top, he presents a fascinating firsthand
view of those who achieve power and their ‘leadership stories’.
GOING GLOBAL: WHY THE WORLD LOVES TO BUY BRITISH
Wednesday 10 / 2-3pm / £7
From Top Shop to Mulberry, from Burberry to Barbour, British brands are an on-going global
success story. We are joined by the designer Wayne Hemingway, the style commentator Peter
York and Sky News Business Presenter Dharshini David to discuss the enduring appeal of the
best of British.
INDIA EXPRESS
Wednesday 10 October / 6.30-7.30pm / £7
India is at an extraordinary turning point - widely predicted to become one of the economic
powerhouses of the 21st century. As well as exploring India’s turbulent 20th century, our panel of
India experts, Edna Fernandes author of Holy Warriors, Sunil Khilnani author of The Idea of
India, from King’s College London and India: A Portrait author Patrick French debate how long
this economic growth will continue and explore what the future holds for the world’s largest
democracy.
HILARY DEVEY - BOLD AS BRASS
Wednesday 10 October / 6.30-7.30pm / £9
The entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den sensation’s candid and powerful memoir Bold as Brass
reveals the full story of her turbulent life, how she built her £100 million company, Pall-Ex, and
how she never gave up even when she was so broke she couldn’t afford to cook a Christmas
dinner. Witty, warm and humorous she joins us in conversation with The Times’ columnist
Deborah Ross.
THE RISE OF CHINA & THE FUTURE OF THE WEST
Thursday, October 11, 2012 - 18:30
6.30-7.30pm £7
The popular view of China is one of an economic powerhouse set to dominate the 21st century,
but at what cost? China experts Jonathan Fenby, author of Tiger Head, Snake Tails, Martin
Jacques, author of When China Rules the World, economist Will Hutton and writer Xinran,
author of Message From An Unknown Chinese Mother: Stories of Love and Loss join John
Gittings to explore China’s economic ascendancy and the price which has accompanied it.
GREAT GROWTH DEBATE
Saturday, October 13, 2012 - 12:00
12-1pm £7
As Britain continues to wrestle with its deficit - how should the government encourage growth in
the economy? We join Kwasi Kwarteng MP, author of Britannia Unchained, the economist and
author of How Much is Enough? Robert Skidelsky, and business guru Digby Jones to debate
the way forward.
THE ECONOMY: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Saturday, October 13, 2012 - 14:00
2-3pm £7
What exactly is quantative easing? Can we ever rein in bankers’ pay? Why should we care about
the Euro? Our finance gurus, the BBC Economics Editor Hugh Pym, the Financial Times
columnist Gillian Tett, and the economist Robert Skidelsky, help you navigate your way through
the economic jargon to a real understanding of the issues. Why not tweet your questions in
advance to @cheltfestivals #cheltlitfest?
TRADING FLOOR TO NEWSROOM: BUSINESS & THE MEDIA
Saturday 13 October / 4-5pm / £7
Does the way that business is reported in the media reflect what is really going on? And what was
it like reporting at the height of Britain’s economic meltdown? Three leading business journalists,
BBC Newsnight Economics Editor Paul Mason, BBC Chief Economics Correspondent Hugh
Pym and Gillian Tett, from The Financial Times - reflect on that extraordinary period of upheaval
and share their personal highs and lows of reporting from the economic frontline.
AUSTERITY, THE EURO & US - VINCE CABLE, EVAN DAVIS, OLIVER KAMM & LINDA
YUEH
Sunday 14 October / 12-1pm / £8
How will the problems in the Eurozone affect Britain in the long-term? Is our self-imposed
austerity a route to prosperity or decline? To debate these vital economic questions, we welcome
Vince Cable, the Government’s Business Secretary, Linda Yueh, a leading economist and Evan
Davis, the BBC Radio 4 Today presenter. Chaired by The Times’ leader writer, Oliver Kamm.
FROM A CRISIS TO A DRAMA - AIFRIC CAMPBELL, SARAH CHURCHWELL JOHN
LANCHESTER & PAUL MASON
Sunday 14 October / 4-5pm / £7
As Britain struggles to recover from the banking crisis, we examine fictional money men and
women from the past and present with Aifric Campbell, author of On the Floor, John
Lanchester, author of Capital, literary critic Sarah Churchwell, and the author of Rare Earth,
BBC Newsnight Economics Editor Paul Mason. What do these anti-heroes tell us about social
attitudes to money and the money-makers?
About the Festival
Inspired by the theme People:Power The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival programme is a
feast of debate, discussion and entertainment. It takes place in the heart of Regency Cheltenham
and has a programme of nearly 500 exclusive events.
Kofi Annan, J.K. Rowling, Nigella Lawson, David Mitchell, Sir Roger Moore, Salman Rushdie,
David Walliams, Benedict Cumberbatch and Sir Terry Pratchett are just some of the celebrated
names to appear at the 63rd The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2012.
More information is available at cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature or at 08448808094.