The UKTN Podcast is back with the first episode of 2025. This week’s podcast guest is Mark Pearson, a seasoned entrepreneur turned founder and managing partner of Fuel Ventures.

Pearson discusses how working as a chef under Gordon Ramsay led him to life as an entrepreneur, why Chinese capital presents a massive opportunity for British innovation and why after a few tough years, optimism has returned to the UK tech industry.

Fuel Ventures is a London-based technology investment group focussing on early and growth-stage companies. Pearson said Fuel has always had a good relationship with China, grown stronger by the firm recently securing a £20m investment from Chinese partners.

The Fuel managing director said that with Trump likely to further strain US-China relations, there is an opportunity for the UK to grow with increased support from the East.

Listen to the full episode here, along with all previous episodes of the UKTN Podcast.

The UKTN Podcast is sponsored by HSBC Innovation Banking, which offers flexible banking solutions for startups, scaleups, growth businesses, investors and those working towards IPO.

Throughout the series, the UKTN Podcast speaks to some of the key movers and shakers from UK tech. We’ll learn growth strategies from both seasoned and up-and-coming founders, hear market sentiments from investors, and question policymakers on the decisions impacting the country’s innovation economy.

Sign up for our podcast newsletter to ensure you don’t miss an episode.

Already have an account? Log in