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 the late issuance and irregular timing of RNS notices and the increased likelihood of insider dealing taking place when a privileged group of investors is closer to the business than anyone else.

If your own investment journey has been tainted by some poor practice that you think Mark should drag through the mud in a future episode, use the form on our website at https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk to recommend a topic.

Desert Island Discord and The Desert Island Investor are generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research at https://www.progressive-research.com. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.

Created by Mark Atkinson | Produced by Paul Kerin | SFX from Freesound (CC-BY) Sword Fight: FunWithSound.

Desert Island Discord intro music by Paul Kerin and The Parrots of the Caribbean. (c) 2026

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

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.html

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 podcasting channels.

If you have a question for Mark for our mini-podcast 'Question in a Bottle' please complete the form on our website at https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto. Cymbals and Bass Drum: colinb_1000. Tuba: sgossner. Triangle: zabuhailo. Applause: joedeshon. Parrot Jungle: soundbytez.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

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.uk

Question in a Bottle and The Desert Island Investor podcast are generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

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 hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.

If you have a question for Mark for our mini-podcast 'Question in a Bottle' please complete the form on our website at https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

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 generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.

If you have a question for Mark for our mini-podcast 'Question in a Bottle' please complete the form on our website at https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto. Seagulls: justkiddink.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

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.uk

Question in a Bottle and The Desert Island Investor podcast are generously hosted by London City based analysts Progressive Equity Research. You'll also find us on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and all leading podcasting channels.

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

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 tickets to the London Investor Show in October 2025.

Links:

Intertek: https://www.intertek.com/

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 podcasting channels.

If you have a question for Mark for our mini-podcast 'Question in a Bottle' please complete the form on our website at https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto. Seagulls: justkiddink. Big structure collision: Osvoldon. Waves and wind: soundmary. Pigeons taking off: Nakhas.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.

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 the inner workings of the M.P. Evans board

Links:

M.P. Evans Group: https://www.mpevans.co.uk/investors/market-prices/share-price

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 podcasting channels.

If you have a question for Mark for our mini-podcast 'Question in a Bottle' please complete the form on our website at https://www.thedesertislandinvestor.co.uk

Created by Mark Atkinson (LinkedIn) | Produced by Paul Kerin | Bottle Illustration from FreePik (CC-BY) rawpixel dot com. SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink. Corkscrew: YleArkisto.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peaceful-morning
License code: L0TLWWJDT28JVSTX

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is provided for general information only and the opinions expressed by Mark, his guests and the producers of the podcast do not constitute financial advice. Before purchasing financial products it is advisable to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor.