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Chris Thomason author of The Idea Generator joins Simon for our new slot ‘In My Experience’ where he talks about he went from working in mining in Mozambique at the height of the civil war to founding Ingenious Growth a company that helps develop new services and customer experiences.

Annual house price growth slowed to its lowest rate since January. However, according to the Nationwide, there are now signs that demand in the market is beginning to strengthen. Prices in November were 4.4% higher than the same time last year, compared with a 4.6% increase in October. To discuss the findings in more detail, Olivia Demetriades spoke to Nationwide's Chief Economist, Robert Gardner.

Every week The Investment Trust Show - brought to you in association with Henderson Global Investors - provides insight into one of the most interesting and misunderstood asset classes. This week, Share Radio's Ed Bowsher answers your investment queries along with an expert panel: Gavin Lumsden, Editor in chief at Citywire and Stephen Chilcott, Chartered Financial Planner at Addidi Wealth. To delve further into the world of investment trusts, visit the Investment Trust Show audioBoom page: https://audioboom.com/channel/shareradio-investmenttrustshow

What would contribute most towards narrowing the north-south divide? Better school results or transport links? According to Britain's biggest business lobby group, the Confederation of British Industry, improved school results are in fact more important. While the government has prioritised faster road and rail links in the Midlands and north of England, ensuring that pupils get good qualifications would be the most effective way of tackling productivity differences across the UK. The CBI's new campaign, 'Unlocking Regional Growth', aims to improve productivity outside London and the south east, as London is 30% more productive than the national average. To comment on the findings, Simon was joined by Patrick Woodman, head of research for the Chartered Management Institute.

Hannah Kinston is student but needed help funding her degree and of course, she was not alone. So a few students teamed together to create an unusual business - a cheese making one. This is to help fund degrees in agriculture, business, and veterinary medicine at Nottingham University. She explains all to Georgie on the line.

What does it take to start up your own business? Guts determination and lots of energy. In the business world, some of the stories are truly inspirational. And in Cheryl Spain's case, it's no different. Back in 2013 Cheryl was a single parent with one dream - to create and run her own fitness studios. No money; very little and now she runs Fitness Fusions in a large building in Clapham. She joined Georgie in the studio to tell her story.

Christmas is an expensive time of year for us. And with it only round the the corner, it means spending money on gifts for many people. But what if you want to reject the pressure to splash the cash and make presents instead? Where would you start? To find out, Georgie was joined on the line by Textile artist Kate Jackson.

Are you hoping for a pay rise in 2017? New research has found 40% of us don't believe we’ll will get one. And, rather gloomy economic conditions combining with predictions British workers probably won't get a pay rise for 10 years. So how financially fit are you for the news year? To find out, Georgie was joined in the studio by Lisa Hardstaff credit expert from Equifax and Nick Hill, Money Expert from the Money Advice Service.

Georgie Frost is joined in the studio by Tom Church, Co-Founder, LatestDeals.co.uk. Today on the agenda, they discuss energy price hikes - and what they mean for millions of people, with it being estimated that four million working families are struggling to pay their energy bills right now before the increased bills. Elsewhere, it's better news for gas prices as British Gas has announced a price freeze for more than six million customers over the winter. Plus, Ofcom has announced a review of the retail market for standalone landline telephone services, to ensure that customers receive value for money. All these stories and more on The News Review.

Luke Johnstone, Founder of PACK'D, a frozen smoothie kit making business, was awarded last night Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Amazon Growing Business Awards. We started by asking him how he started his own business and the idea behind it.