The Business - 08/02/2009

Presented by Graham Stewart. Bob Cleland, chief executive of Renfrew-based Howden UK, tells us how the global engineering company expects to defy the recession by doubling turnover to one billion pounds over the next few years. With the reporting season getting under way tomorrow, we look at the thorny issue of bankers' bonuses. With the Treasury announcing an investigation into the management of our banks, BBC political correspondent Terry Stiastny tells us what we can expect. It's not just the government which is scrutinising the way banks operate; some of the world's biggest pension funds have clubbed together to hold to account the financial institutions they're investing in. The group is being led by investment and corporate governance advisors Hermes Equity Ownership Services, and we speak to its chief executive Colin Melvin. In a week then Commons leader Harriet Harmon asked the Equality Commission to rule whether City bonuses discriminate against women, our reporter Gillian Sharpe examines the theory that the world's economy would be in better shape if business took advantage of so-called "feminine values'. And the chief executive of Scotland Food and Drink, Paul McLaughlin, tells us about an international conference offering guidance to companies looking to trade globally.