Author: Sam Allcock

Colwyn Bay Print Business Takes on Schools Uniform Contract A local printing company in Colwyn Bay has secured a significant contract to supply school uniforms for over 20 schools in Conwy county, marking a new chapter in the business’s expansion. PersonaliseMe Print Ltd, which recently moved to larger premises on Erw Wen Road, will fill the gap left by the closure of the beloved retail outlet Boppers, which has served the community for more than 47 years. The closure of Boppers, a cherished institution in Colwyn Bay, was announced by its owner Joan Rossington, who expressed her deep sense of…

Pigment, a leading business planning platform, has unveiled a series of product updates aimed at transforming how companies such as Unilever, DeepL, Europcar, and Merck Pharmaceuticals approach strategic planning. In the past year, the platform has introduced over 150 new features, including native AI capabilities, seamless integrations with enterprise technology, application testing for secure modelling changes, and customisable planning templates. These enhancements solidify Pigment’s role as a cross-functional platform while improving usability and performance for integrated planning at scale. “With the increasing complexity businesses face, the necessity for truly integrated planning has never been more essential,” said Romain Niccoli, co-CEO…

As the global energy landscape evolves amid a growing climate crisis, brands focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are becoming increasingly pivotal in fostering a sustainable future. A recent report from Thomson Reuters highlights that 53% of 600 middle-market CFOs have either integrated or are in the process of integrating sustainability principles into their core business strategies. Authentic sustainability disclosure is essential for the long-term development of corporations, with recent assessments from Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) spotlighting companies like Sungrow, which has achieved an impressive ‘AA’ ESG rating for its steadfast commitment to sustainability. Sungrow, a renowned…

A recent report from Swoop Funding has spotlighted Europe’s most influential celebrity investors, underscoring their impact on the entrepreneurial landscape. In 2021, Europe witnessed the formation of 3.4 million new companies, indicating a vibrant startup scene where securing funding is crucial for success. The report highlights a select group of celebrities who have made notable contributions to the investment world, leveraging their fame and resources to support emerging businesses. The rankings, based on publicly disclosed investments sourced from Crunchbase, reveal that Nico Rosberg, Gerard Pique, and Paul Hewson, better known as Bono, are the top three celebrity investors in Europe.…

New research reveals that ineffective talent acquisition strategies are stunting business growth, with one in four business leaders admitting their company’s expansion is being held back by flawed recruitment processes. The findings, from a survey conducted by enterprise hiring software provider SmartRecruiters, show the growing concern among businesses in the UK, US, and Australia over how they acquire talent. The report highlights that 34% of leaders are uncertain if they have hired the right people, and more than half believe their current strategies are insufficient. The survey, which interviewed 500 mid-sized companies, found that despite significant investments in talent acquisition,…

As the UK faces a 20-year high in insolvency rates, Clarke Bell, a leading insolvency firm, warns that the forthcoming Autumn Budget could exacerbate the financial challenges confronting many businesses. Scheduled for 30th October 2024, the Budget is expected to unveil tax changes and spending cuts that could further strain small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), potentially leading to a wave of liquidations. The current landscape is grim, with businesses now three times more likely to enter liquidation than they were before the pandemic. Clarke Bell urges company directors to take prompt action by considering options such as Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation…

In an era where workplace stress is rampant, the wellbeing of C-Suite executives is increasingly jeopardised. A recent study by Deloitte reveals that a staggering 70% of C-Suite leaders are at risk of burnout and contemplating a move to companies that provide better workplace cultures. This alarming statistic raises urgent questions about how businesses can enhance their support for employee wellbeing and mitigate burnout. David Banaghan, Interim CEO at recruitment software company Occupop, highlighted the pressing issue, stating that burnout accounts for 20% to 50% of employee turnover. He suggests that implementing sabbaticals could be a significant step towards improving…

At IBM’s annual TechXchange event, the company unveiled its latest and most advanced family of AI models, Granite 3.0. This third-generation flagship language model line is designed to outperform or match similarly sized models from leading providers on various academic and industry benchmarks, showcasing strong performance, transparency, and safety. IBM’s commitment to open-source AI is evident in the Granite models, which are released under the permissive Apache 2.0 license. This unique approach combines performance, flexibility, and autonomy, catering to enterprise clients and the broader community. Granite 3.0 Models Overview The Granite 3.0 family includes a variety of models tailored for…

New data from Purbeck Insurance Services reveals a notable decline in the value of personal guarantee-backed loans for small businesses in the UK during the third quarter of 2024. As firms navigate an increasingly uncertain economic landscape, borrowing habits are shifting in response to rising energy prices and impending budget announcements. The latest Personal Guarantee Insurance Monitor highlights that the average loan amount for start-ups—businesses under two years old—has fallen by a staggering 38% year-on-year, now standing at £94,265. This represents the lowest recorded value to date for loans issued to start-ups. Overall, the average value of personal guarantee-backed small…

Lionel Hitchen, a prominent supplier of natural flavours and flavour ingredients to the food and beverage industry, has been honoured as one of the Top 200 Women-Powered Businesses in the UK for 2024. This prestigious recognition comes from a detailed analysis of the women-powered ecosystem in the UK, a joint initiative by J.P. Morgan Private Bank and Beauhurst. This accolade highlights the remarkable progress Lionel Hitchen has made since Eva Agnew took the helm as CEO in 2012. Under her leadership, the company has experienced significant growth, primarily due to a steadfast commitment to manufacturing excellence and the implementation of a…