Share Sounds presented by Ed Bowsher

This Thursday is Pensions Awareness Day - part of a campaign to promote the importance of saving for the future. Martin Bamford, Chartered Financial Planner, spoke to Share Radio's Ed Bowsher about the major issues in the world of pensions today, and the ways in which you can intelligently prepare for your retirement.

Sara Benwell, Digital Editor of Pensions Insight, joins Share Radio's Senior Analyst Ed Bowsher to go through the day's financial news. Top on the agenda, shoppers are seemingly oblivious to this supposed Brexit uncertainty, as retail sales barely dip. Retail giant John Lewis is hardly basking in the glow, though, as pre-tax profits continue to plummet. Also on the show, nearly a third of homeowners have been put off moving because of stamp duty costs, and a record 44 Billion pounds were shelled out by British business this financial year.

This is 'Crowdfunders', the Share Radio programme that covers the fast-growing world of alternative finance. On today's show, Share Radio's Ed Bowsher discusses a report which looks at the investment performance of one of the leading equity crowdfunding platforms: Seedrs Ed also finds out about the latest developments with the Innovative Finance ISA. This ISA still hasn't really got up and running yet - even though it was supposed to be widely available from April.

Biotech stocks often appeal to private investors because they can deliver big rewards. But with big potential rewards come substantial risk. Share Radio's Ed Bowsher discusses Biotech stocks with Tom Bulford, Editor of the 'Breakthrough Biotech' newsletter and former City fund manager.

New research shows that the vast majority of people would never consider a career in the construction industry, and this could lead to a future shortfall of workers, especially post-Brexit. Naomi Chatterley from leading European specialist supplier to construction SIG Distribution discussed what this research means for the UK.

MPs on the Energy and Climate Change Committee have warned the Government that, on its current course, the UK will fail to achieve its 2020 renewable energy target: to provide for 15% of its energy needs from renewable sources. Morning Money spoke to Bruce Davis, joint MD of green investment company Abundance, to find out more.

It's time for another one of our weekly book reviews. Today Share Radio's Ed Bowsher was joined by American entrepreneur Terri Sjodin, author of 'Scrappy' - a little book about choosing to play big. It tells the stories of extraordinary people who play scrappy in order to attain elusive goals - from a Girl Scout who sold 117 boxes of cookies in 2 hours outside a medical marijuana dispensary to the founder of the Rainforest Cafe restaurant chain. Tune in to see how such a fighting spirit can allow you to attain your goals faster and easier.

This Thursday at 4:30, we are holding a special Q&A edition of this week's Investment Trust show with Henderson Global Investors. Send us in your investment questions via twitter @shareradiouk or email us on [email protected]

Conversations from Africa with Share Radio's Alex Clark and Chris Bishop of Forbes Africa Magazine. This week: the troubles of South African finance minister Pravin Gordhan continue, Zuckerberg makes a first visit to Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Guptas pack up and leave.

John Barass and Jason Baxter from the Wealth Management Association to find out more about the launch of their new stock market indices: Conservative, Income, Growth, Balanced, Global Growth. They explain what these indices measure and how you might choose between them.