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The Bottom Line, The Bottom Line, Decisions That Made Me: Julian Metcalfe (Itsu and Pret A Manger)

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

Decisions That Made Me: Julian Metcalfe (Itsu and Pret A Manger)

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March 27, 2025

15 minutes

Available for over a year

An early ion for the high street meant Julian Metcalfe was determined to get into retail from the get-go. He and his partner Sinclair Beecham founded Pret A Manger when he was just 26. In 2008 Pret was sold to a private equity firm, and Julian no longer had a say in the company’s future. Now Julian is in charge of Itsu, an Asian-inspired fast-food chain. The food entrepreneur talks to Evan Davis about how he is determined not to lose his decision-making role this time around.

Production team:

Producer: Eleanor Harrison-Dengate

Editor: Matt Willis

Sound: John Scott

Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison