In the first episode of the Independent's "Lessons from No 10" series, former Downing Street business director Jimmy McLoughlin discusses what politicians really need to understand about business leaders. Speaking under Theresa May's premiership, McLoughlin's role involved fostering productive relationships between the prime minister and some of the world's most influential chief executives, offering insight into how business and government interact at the highest level.

McLoughlin recounts a visit from Apple's Tim Cook, who paused to admire David Bailey's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II at No 10, revealing an unexpected shared interest in Netflix's drama The Crown during an impromptu tour. He argues that ministers do not need direct experience running companies, but must understand those who do, and joins Helen MacNamara and Cleo Watson in the episode to explore this dynamic. McLoughlin now hosts the podcast Jimmy's Jobs of the Future.