The experience economy unpacked: growth, risk, and what comes next

Alternatively Speaking Podcast

28 Jul 2026 25 min listen

For experience-led businesses, what does it take to turn a curious first-time visitor into a fanatical fan? And amid cost-of-living challenges, why are nearly half of 18–34s in the UK cutting back elsewhere just to keep spending on experiences?

This is Alternatively Speaking, the Grant Thornton podcast where we explore the healthy tensions that shape modern business. 

In this episode, Samantha Simmonds is joined by Simon Presswell, an international advisor in sport, entertainment and immersive experiences who has held senior leadership roles at Universal Destinations and Experiences, Ticketmaster, Eventim UK and more, and Yvonne Chappell, Tax Partner and Head of Travel, Tourism and Leisure at Grant Thornton UK.

Between them, they discuss what separates a great experience from a forgettable one, what it takes for these businesses to succeed long term, and how the economics stack up. 

Watch for insight on: 

  • how the experience economy has developed into a golden thread running through consumer sectors
  • what makes some investments pay off over 20-plus years, while others fail within 12 months
  • how to use AI and automation to take the grind out of routine work, without losing the human connection that keeps fans coming back
  • the tax reliefs and capital allowances experience-led businesses most often leave unclaimed

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This episode was filmed on 20.07.2026. For Yvonne's insight on the business rates cuts for pubs, social clubs and live music venues, announced on 23.07.2026, click here.

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Simon Presswell
Special Advisor Sports, Entertainment and Cultural Sector

Simon Presswell is a leading international executive, adviser and keynote speaker in sports, entertainment and immersive experiences. He has held senior leadership roles including Managing Director, EMEA at Universal Destinations & Experiences, Managing Director of Ticketmaster UK, CEO of Eventim UK, and COO, CMO and CTO of Technicolor Creative Studios.

Yvonne Chappell
Corporation Tax Partner Grant Thornton UK

Yvonne Chappell is a Partner at Grant Thornton, specialising in corporation tax and advising UK and international groups on their tax affairs. Much of her career has focused on the consumer sector, spanning travel, tourism and leisure, retail, and food and beverage, giving her a close-up view of how these industries are adapting as the experience economy reshapes the way businesses create and capture value. 

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