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PODCAST

The Desert Island Investor

Mark Atkinson and Paul Kerin

The Desert Island Investor podcast is a series of podcasts that document the experiences and strategies of private investor Mark Atkinson. Mark"s long-term investments have enabled him to become financially independent and to retire at the comparatively early age of 53. The stocks that Mark reviews on this channel are from his real portfolio and not a "virtual" portfolio, so these are genuine win-some, lose-some stories. We hope that you"ll also enjoy our regular feature "Question in a Bottle"

business investing

All Episodes

29:22

Fundsmith. My review of the 2026 ASM fresh from the...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2026/02/27

Fundsmith, under the guidance of portfolio manager Terry Smith, invest in equities on a global basis. Mark has been invested in Fundsmith for many years and regularly attends their annual shareholder meetings. In this episode he reports back from the 2026 event in London.Links:Fundsmith: https://www.fundsmith.co.ukThe Desert Island Investor is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research at https://www.progressive-research.com. You'll also find us on YouTube,

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33:06

The 2025 James Halstead AGM. A review of the stock...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2026/01/29

James Halstead is a UK-based manufacturer and distributor of commercial flooring products. They offer high-quality vinyl flooring solutions under their flagship brand Polyflor, plus they are the company behind 12 other well known brands in the commercial flooring market. The company was formed in 1915 and went public in 1948 where it has gained considerable kudos for having raised its investor dividend for 49 consecutive years. In this episode of the podcast Mark provides an updated review

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24:24

Secrets. Is hiding bad news from investors a cloak...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2026/01/19

Desert Island Discord is a new series of confrontational podcasts from The Desert Island Investor Mark Atkinson. In Mark's regular podcast he reviews his own stocks, but in these episodes he will be talking about some of the more negative aspects of the world of investing that really grinds his gears. In this episode 'Secrets' he exposes the reluctance of many PLCs to keep private investors promptly informed about issues that can negatively impact on their ROI. The topics discussed include

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37:20

My festive review of Magnum (MICC) Unilever's new...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/12/22

In this episode of the podcast Mark talks about Unilever spinning off its ice-cream business into a new investment opportunity The Magnum Ice Cream Company (MICC). Mark is already a Unilever shareholder so like many others he now eagerly awaits to see how the business will perform. Paul kits out the parrots in little Salvation Army outfits for a short carol service. Merry Christmas from everyone on the island!Links:Magnum: https://www.magnumicecream.com/uk/home.htmlThe Desert Island

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7:42

Question in a Bottle. Which stocks do you class as...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/12/12

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, subscriber Christopher asks Mark, which stocks in your portfolio do you class as "the dregs"?If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.ukQuestion in a Bottle and The Desert Island

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25:31

My review of Smurfit Westrock and the growing...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/11/28

In this episode Mark reviews his holding in Smurfit Westrock plc (ne Smurfit Kappa) a company that continues to expand their market lead in the world of corrugated, ecommerce and retail packaging. Mark runs through the figures in detail and also talks about how their success is, at least in part, attributable to a growing international consumer class which is reshaping the global economy.Links:Smurfit Westrock: https://www.smurfitwestrock.com/The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously

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19:20

My stock review of toy masters the Character Group plc

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/10/29

In this episode of the podcast Mark will be discussing his investment in the Character Group plc, a company engaged in the both the design and worldwide distribution of toys, games and giftware. The business was founded in 1991 and has become a leading purveyor of famous toys such as Pepper Pig, Power Rangers, the Teletubbies, plus dozens more that Mark and I have never heard of.Links:The Character Group (corporate): https://www.thecharacter.com/The Desert Island Investor podcast is

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8:21

Question in a Bottle. What do you think about buybacks?

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/10/16

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, subscriber Joseph Harbin asks Mark, what do you think about buybacks?.If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.ukQuestion in a Bottle and The Desert Island Investor podcast are

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23:25

My review of Intertek plus a London Investor Show...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/10/01

The Intertek Group is an FTSE 100 company that provides quality assurance solutions across a wide range of industries. They’re in the business of testing, inspecting and certifying the standards that apply to everything from food production and car engine emissions, to the quality of crude oil and the safety of toys and pharmaceutical products. Mark has recently invested and in this episode he reviews the company behind the stock. We are also giving away a limited number of complimentary

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65:13

I talk to Peter Hadsley-Chaplin, non-executive chair...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/09/10

The M.P. Evans group plc supplies certified sustainable palm oil to product manufacturers worldwide. The business has an illustrious history, it ticks all the boxes with respect to ESG and through hard work and innovation it is thoroughly deserving of it's impressive market valuation. In this episode our guest castaway is Peter Hadsley-Chaplin, the current non-executive chairman and former CEO of the company. Listen now as he talks to Mark about his role in the success of the business and

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8:32

Question in a Bottle. What is your favourite stock?

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/08/16

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, subscriber Martin Booth asks Mark, what is your favourite stock?If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.ukQuestion in a Bottle and The Desert Island Investor podcast are

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29:52

My review of UK biotech company Bioventix (BVXP)

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/07/29

Bioventix are a UK biotech company that specialise in creating antibodies from sheep that are then used in diagnostic blood testing. The ailments that the Bioventix products can accurately detect include vitamin D deficiency, heart conditions, thyroid problems and most recently, Alzheimer’s. Mark has been a shareholder since 2017 and he has recently added to his holding. In this episode of the podcast he talks about his investment and how he sees the future panning out for

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9:31

Question in a Bottle. What are your top ten holdings...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/07/20

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, subscriber Christopher Leigh asks Mark what his current top ten holdings and weightings are.If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.ukQuestion in a Bottle and The Desert Island

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60:34

I interview Adam Rackley, fund manager at Cape Wrath...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/06/27

Fund manager Adam Rackley accredits his robust financial decision making to a lifestyle which includes numerous physical challenges. One of those challenges was to row across the Atlantic Ocean. In this episode of the podcast Mark talks with Adam to find out how that amazing feat of endurance has affected his strategic thinking. For those that want more details about his transatlantic adventure, Adam has written a book called 'Salt, Sweat, Tears. The Men Who Rowed The Oceans' which you can

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36:30

20 year old Joe Barry agrees that it’s never too...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/06/14

In this episode of the podcast Mark talks with Joe Barry who is an undergraduate at the London School of Economics and a relatively new private investor. Although Joe is just 20 he manages a small but profitable portfolio and he is looking forward to expanding it as part of his strategy for financial security.The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading

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29:22

GREGGS. My stock update, a spot of lunch and some...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/05/29

In this episode Mark provides an update on the company's share performance. He also takes Paul for lunch at a GREGGS in Manchester where they discover that contrary to widespread belief the company is taking steps to prevent the theft of food from their outlets... just not the steps you might imagine.Links:Greggs: https://www.greggs.co.uk/ The Desert Island Investor podcast is generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube,

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10:57

Question in a Bottle. Does flattery ever affect your...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/05/20

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, subscriber 'Dorset Dave' asks Mark whether or not there's a risk that flattery from the management of a holding might influence his impartial opinion about that company.If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on

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33:57

A review of my holding in engineering polymer experts...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/05/01

Victrex plc are producers of high performance engineering polymers and a range of thermoplastic products including films, tapes, pipes, fibres and filaments. Victrex also offer a bespoke service for the design, prototyping and manufacture of injection moulded alternatives to metal parts. In this episode Mark talks about his holding in Victrex and explains how he sees the company's future supplying polymers and parts for use by the medical, aerospace and automobile industries

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11:35

Question in a Bottle. How will Trump's tariffs affect...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/04/20

Question in a Bottle is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson answers questions sent in by listeners of his podcast The Desert Island Investor. In this episode, subscriber Jim Doherty asks Mark for his opinion on the recent trade tariffs introduced by Donald Trump.If you would like to hear Mark's opinion on an investing-related topic, pop your question into a bottle using the email form on https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.ukQuestion in a Bottle and The

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43:24

The fight wasn't over when I visited the 2025 Titon...

The Desert Island Investor ·

2025/04/03

Titon Holdings plc (TON) is one of Mark's investments that has been dogged with problems and it is currently a loss-making component of his portfolio. In this podcast, Mark provides his feedback from attending their 2025 AGM where he was encouraged to see that work is being done to attempt a recovery. To listen to Mark's review of the previous 2024 AGM, which was a little more confrontational, follow the link below:Titon Holdings 2024 AGM: https://share.transistor.fm/s/791954a6 Links:Titon

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64 results

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