Author: Sam Allcock

Senior representatives from Heathrow Airport visited the Black Country this week to strengthen connections with the region’s business community. Organised by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, the visit included discussions on sustainability and Heathrow’s growth plans as well as direct engagement with local companies in its supply chain. Heathrow’s Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, Nigel Milton, and External Affairs Lead, Sarah Ralphs, joined local business leaders at Himley Hall, where they provided insights on Heathrow’s vision for future growth and sustainability. Heathrow’s focus on minimising its environmental impact aligns with a broader mission to support UK regions like the…

Integrated Global Services (IGS), a prominent provider of asset integrity and environmental technologies, has acquired the engineered coatings and materials arm of Liquidmetal Industrial Solutions, expanding its capabilities in high-performance thermal spray services. Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the newly acquired Coatings and Materials Business specialises in advanced thermal spray coatings and materials technology. With operations spanning six continents, IGS offers a wide range of surface enhancement solutions to a diverse customer base across multiple industries. The acquisition of Liquidmetal’s Coatings and Materials Business enables IGS to broaden its offerings in asset integrity technology, allowing them to deliver tailored thermal spray…

Students Gain Valuable Insights on Visit to Aico Students from Coleg Cambria’s Yale campus in Wrexham recently had the opportunity to visit Aico, a prominent leader in the Internet of Things (IoT) and home life safety solutions. The trip, which included 18 BTEC Enterprise and Entrepreneurship learners, aimed to provide practical insights into the world of business and innovation. Aico, based in Oswestry, is recognised as the European market leader in home safety products, including smoke alarms, sensors, and the IoT platform HomeLINK. The students were warmly welcomed by Aico’s Community Liaison team, consisting of Laura Opechowska and Jane Pritchard,…

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…