logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2024
34m 18s

Broking Bad

The Observer
About this episode

Modern brokerage firms in the City are an echo of another age. Not just because they still rely on people - rather than technology - to facilitate trade, but also because they have never shaken off the reputation of a culture of excess and bad behaviour. 


The City regulator, the FCA, has been aware for years that there’s an issue with some broking firms. 


This is the story of what happens behind closed doors in one company.


To find out more about Tortoise:


Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists


Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content


Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more


If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com




Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Oct 6
Gaza's Deadly Aid
Since May, almost 900 Palestinians are reported to have been killed in the vicinity of aid checkpoints. So what exactly has happened at these aid sites?Reporter: Ruth MichaelsonProducer: Madeleine ParrArtwork: Jon Jones & Lola WilliamsSound design: Dominic DelargyEditors: Jasper ... Show More
39m 16s
Sep 30
An uncivil war inside Unite
Unite was once the biggest trade union in Britain, and the largest funder of the Labour Party. In the past its reputation has come under scrutiny. Four years after its first female leader was elected on a promise of restoring trust… it remains mired by in-fighting.Reporter: Jon U ... Show More
31m 58s
Sep 25
Introducing ... We Have Notes
The week in culture, annotated. Writer and journalist Liv Little and Observer critic Miranda Sawyer get notes from editors all the time - now it’s their turn to hand them out. Every Wednesday morning, Liv and Miranda weigh in on the latest cultural happenings, from reality TV mel ... Show More
4m 41s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2023
Sliding doors | Ep 1
Kirat is a successful marketer and radio presenter. Online, she’s contacted by a man she vaguely knows called Bobby, and they start chatting. Slowly, they become close… and she’s reeled in to a scam of epic proportions.All 6 episodes are available to listen now. To get exclusive ... Show More
31m 2s
Jun 2023
Ep 622: Greece's migrant boat disaster
Hundreds are still missing a week after a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Greece. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tortoise audio app. For early and ad-free access, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcas ... Show More
7m 8s
Feb 2023
Ep 530: The hundred billion dollar drop
How a small investment firm is taking on one of the world’s richest men. Tortoise is a news start-up devoted to slow journalism. To access more of our journalism and get invites to exclusive events you can join Tortoise as a member. Visit www.tortoisemedia.com/friend and use the ... Show More
6m 42s
Oct 2021
Sliding doors | Sweet Bobby Ep 1
Kirat is a successful marketer and radio presenter. Online, she’s contacted by a man she vaguely knows called Bobby, and they start chatting. Slowly, they become close… and she’s reeled in to a scam of epic proportions. All 6 episodes are available to listen now. To get exclusive ... Show More
31m 11s
Aug 2023
Introducing: Sweet Bobby
How much do you know about the person you love? Sweet Bobby is the #1 chart-topping, award-winning investigative series in search of the world's most sophisticated catfishers.All 6 episodes are available to listen now.To get exclusive access to the bonus episode, subscribe to Tor ... Show More
1m 21s
Sep 2023
Secrets and lies | Hoaxed Ep 1
Two young children make horrific allegations in a London police station, lighting the fuse on the most serious British conspiracy theories in decades. Listen to the full series today. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the free Tor ... Show More
36m 32s
Sep 2023
The real scandal | The Tavistock Ep 6
Polly Curtis investigates why NHS England accelerated the closure of GIDS and what the future of the service could look like for children and young people.  Listen to the full series today. For the premium Tortoise listening experience, curated by our journalists, download the fr ... Show More
40m 10s
Sep 2023
A verdict | The Tavistock Ep 1
In the summer of 2022 the NHS announced it was winding up the Gender Identity Development Service for children and young people at the Tavistock. Critics of the service celebrated, its supporters were left in despair. Journalist Polly Curtis has spent months trying to understand ... Show More
39m 9s
Sep 2023
Confession | Ep 3
Bobby is now closer than ever – and yet he keeps slipping through Kirat's grasp. After being pushed to breaking point, she makes the life changing decision to confront him – and discovers the truth...All 6 episodes are available to listen now. To get exclusive access to the bonus ... Show More
43m 5s
Sep 2023
Thin ice | The Tavistock Ep 3
As the increase in referrals to the Gender Identity Development Service increases, the profile of the young people seeking treatment changes too. There are now two natal girls for every natal boy, a complete reversal of what it had been a decade before. Polly Curtis tries to make ... Show More
35m 38s