The Desert Island Investor

Listen to the experiences and strategies of private investor, Mark Atkinson. Mark's long-term investments enabled him to become financially independent and to retire at the comparatively early age of 53. The stocks he reviews are from his actual portfolio, not a 'virtual' one, so these are genuine win-some, lose-some stories. We hope that you'll also enjoy regular feature 'Question in a Bottle' where Mark answers listeners' questions about investing.

The Desert Island Investor

About the Podcast

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This communication is provided for information purposes only, and is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite securities or units. Investors should seek advice from an Independent Financial Adviser or regulated stockbroker before making any investment decisions. Progressive Equity Research Ltd (“PERL”) does not make investment recommendations.

Opinions contained in this communication represent those of PERL and/or our affiliates at the time of publication and PERL does not undertake to provide updates to any opinions or views expressed. PERL does not hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this communication, however, PERL’s directors, officers, employees, contractors and affiliates may hold a position,  and/or may perform services or solicit business from, any of the companies or related securities mentioned.

Any prices quoted in our research are as at the previous day’s close. 

Episode posted on 11/10/2026

The Seaworthy Test is a series of discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson invites a castaway to the desert island to discuss one of the holdings from their portfolio.

In this episode Mark is joined by Nathan Sturgess

Created by Mark Atkinson | Produced by Tom Atkinson | SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peace...
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.

Episode posted on 05/10/2026

Market Tides and Trade Winds is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson takes a direct look at recent news headlines shaping the world of investing. 

Created and Produced by Mark Atkinson |  SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peace...
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.

Episode posted on 28/09/2026

Market Tides and Trade Winds is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson takes a direct look at recent news headlines shaping the world of investing. 

Created and Produced by Mark Atkinson |  SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peace...
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.

Episode posted on 21/09/2026

Although executives hold a controlling position, private investors are still part-owners of the businesses in which they have shares. As such it is reasonable to expect those companies to answer questions when a shareholder has some concerns. Mark's experience of getting answers to questions has been mixed at best, so in this episode he discusses the problems and calls out the worst offenders. To defend the honour of Investor Relations managers worldwide we are joined by special guest castaway Andrew Hanson who has over 20 years experience on the other side of the fence as an IR professional.   

Desert Island Discord is a series of podcasts where private investor Mark Atkinson talks about the aspects of investing that really grinds his gears. 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 SFX: 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.

Episode posted on 15/09/2026

Market Tides and Trade Winds is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson takes a direct look at recent news headlines shaping the world of investing. 

Created and Produced by Mark Atkinson |  SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peace...
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.

Episode posted on 07/09/2026

Market Tides and Trade Winds is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson takes a direct look at recent news headlines shaping the world of investing. 

Created and Produced by Mark Atkinson |  SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/peace...
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.

Episode posted on 31/08/2026

Market Tides and Trade Winds is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson takes a direct look at recent news headlines shaping the world of investing.


The Desert Island Investor is 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 and Produced by Mark Atkinson  | SFX from Freesound (CC-BY): Waves: juskiddink.

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.

Episode posted on 26/08/2026

Focusrite PLC (ticker symbol TUNE) is an audio products business based in High Wycombe in England. The company manufactures digital audio processing hardware and software for use in professional and home recording studios. Mark has reviewed this stock before in a previous podcast, but he has recently added to his holding. Listen to this episode to find out why and to see if his opinion of Focusrite has changed in any way.

Links

Focusrite: https://www.focusrite.com

The Desert Island Investor is 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): Waves: juskiddink.

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.

Episode posted on 18/08/2026

Market Tides and Trade Winds is a series of short discussions where private investor Mark Atkinson takes a direct look at recent news headlines shaping the world of investing.


The Desert Island Investor is 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): Waves: juskiddink.

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.

Episode posted on 29/07/2026

Mark is an investor in sustainable palm oil producer M.P. Evans. M.P. Evans is allowed to use the term 'sustainable palm oil' because it adheres to strict rules and regulations set out by the industry’s leading certifier of ethical producers The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The CEO of the RSPO Joseph D'Cruz recently washed up on our beach and Mark took the opportunity to interview him about the challenges of increasing the number of certified palm oil producers and how he is tackling misinformation about the industry in general.

Links:

RSPO: https://www.rspo.org

Related podcasts:

M.P. Evans and Palm Oil - Part 1

M.P. Evans and Palm Oil - Part 2 (my plantation visit)

My interview with Peter Hadsley Chaplin the M.P. Evans non-executive chair


The Desert Island Investor is 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): Waves: juskiddink.

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.

Episode posted on 15/07/2026

Many PLCs are vocal about their achievements in employing a diverse workforce, but they are often less vocal when it comes to providing evidence of how (or if) it has actually improved anything. In this episode of the podcast Mark takes issue with DEI policies, the cost of maintaining them and how they can turn into a preoccupation that overpowers the core objectives of a business.

Desert Island Discord is a series of podcasts where private investor Mark Atkinson talks about the aspects of investing that really grinds his gears. 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 SFX: 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.

Episode posted on 27/06/2026

In this episode of the podcast Mark talks about his new investment in Diageo plc, one of the largest alcoholic beverage companies in the world. The company sells into more than 180 countries and owns over 200 premium brands such as Johnny Walker, Smirnoff, Baileys and Guinness. Mark reveals the results of his recent trip to Ireland on a Guinness 'fact finding tour' and not to be beaten Paul undertakes his own research by bringing a few of the parrots to a bar on the mainland.

Links

Diageo: https://www.diageo.com/en

The Desert Island Investor is 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): Waves: juskiddink. Pool bar ambiance: pogotron. Toilet flush: InspectorJ. Door closing: wjtaylor.

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.