Author: Scott Dylan

Independent property company Hortons has moved to new headquarters in Birmingham’s Colmore Business District. The firm has taken part of the first floor suite in Fifteen Colmore Row, a recently refurbished grade A office building which it also owns and manages.Hortons has relocated from Latham House, in Paradise Street, which it sold to Birmingham Voluntary Service Council last year. Fifteen Colmore Row has five floors of office space and amenities including a new business lounge, roof terrace and bicycle parking.New Beginnings in Colmore Business DistrictThe Birmingham property firm Hortons has recently moved its headquarters to the prestigious Colmore Business District,…

Next anticipates reaching a £1bn annual profit, with notable sales growth in Europe and premium fashion.The interim financial results report an 8% sales increase and a 7.1% rise in profit before tax, reaching £452m.Overseas sales exceeded expectations, contributing over £120m to the annual profit, particularly in Europe.The US market showed a 67% sales growth in childrenswear, with plans for further category expansion.Next continues to grow its premium segment, increasing its stake in Reiss and launching a new ecommerce platform.In the latest financial report covering the first half of 2024, Next achieved an 8% increase in sales, reaching £2.9 billion, and…

Energy firm RWE has presented plans for a wind farm in North Wales that could power thousands of homes. The project, comprising nine turbines, promises substantial contributions to renewable energy efforts. Located near the Alwen Reservoir, the Alwen Forest Wind Farm project challenges traditional energy paradigms. It is a step towards enhancing the community’s stake in a sustainable future through shared ownership schemes.RWE’s proposal highlights a 60-megawatt wind farm situated near the Alwen Reservoir. The site straddles the borders of Conwy County and Denbighshire, offering strategic advantages. The farm will feature turbines with a maximum blade height of 200 metres.…

September marked a troubling period for UK consumer confidence, highlighting growing economic anxieties among households.Particularly concerning is the decline across all confidence measures, including personal finances and economic outlook, as anticipation of the Autumn Budget looms.Plummeting Consumer ConfidenceIn September, a substantial decline was observed in key indicators of consumer confidence, as Britons speculated over the forthcoming policy announcements in the Autumn Budget. Notably, GfK’s consumer confidence index dropped to -20, reflecting decreasing confidence across measures such as personal finances, the economy, and purchase intentions.”Headline consumer confidence has regressed to levels reminiscent of early this year,” remarked Neil Bellamy, GfK’s consumer…

Louise Couch, previously with Peloton, joins Seasalt as CFO.She will steer the brand’s financial strategy and global growth.CEO Paul Hayes values her international market expertise.Couch’s pedigree includes roles at Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan.Seasalt experiences record growth with store expansions in the UK and Ireland.Louise Couch, a former executive from Peloton, has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer at Seasalt. Her responsibilities will include overseeing financial strategy, key business decisions, and guiding the Cornish fashion brand’s global expansion efforts.Couch’s professional background is notable, having served as the senior director of international financial planning and analysis at Peloton. Prior…

Zoopla, a prominent property website, has reported a return to profitability in its most recent financial year, achieving sales exceeding £90 million.The latest filings reveal that Zoopla transitioned from a pre-tax loss to a pre-tax profit of £18.7 million, marking a significant turnaround for the company.Financial TurnaroundIn the year 2023, Zoopla’s revenue rose from £87.2 million to £90.4 million, enabling it to report a pre-tax profit of £18.7 million compared to a pre-tax loss of £6.2 million in the previous year.The financial documents filed at Companies House illustrate the company’s effort to stabilise its fiscal position and build on its…

In the North East, businesses are strategically appointing and promoting key personnel. These changes are set to drive innovation and growth in the region.This week, companies such as RMT Technology, Muckle LLP, YoungsRPS, Miller UK, and Climb & Conquer are welcoming new talent and promoting experienced professionals to enhance their capabilities.Strengthening Leadership at YoungsRPSYoungsRPS, a North East property consultancy, has enhanced its senior leadership with four new board members. Harry Morshead, Tom Whitehead, Joanne Metcalfe, and Paul Fairlamb, previously associate directors, have joined the board alongside existing directors. This strategic move aims to develop the business further. Former director Michael…

The Labour party is set to introduce new rules requiring companies to offer zero-hours staff a regular contract after three months.This move is part of a wider reform initiative to address ‘one-sided flexibility’ in the workplace, a term used to describe the exploitative employment practices that have become increasingly common.The ProposalDeputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds have informed business leaders and unions that new legislation could compel employers to offer zero-hours staff a regular contract with guaranteed hours after 12 weeks.This proposal follows the example set by McDonald’s in 2017, which gave staff the option to…

A Birmingham-based PR agency, Rewired, has been appointed as the retained PR consultancy for Cewe UK, following a competitive pitch process. This new collaboration marks a significant step forward for both firms.Cewe UK, part of the international Cewe Group, operates from a production facility in Warwick and offers various photo-finishing products. Rewired’s new role will be to enhance brand awareness and support Cewe’s business ambitions across the UK.Rewired’s Recent GrowthRewired, based in the Jewellery Quarter, has experienced notable growth recently. The agency has successfully attracted clients from diverse sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education, financial, and professional services.…

Local MPs Melanie Onn and Martin Vickers inaugurated the new Catch Skills and Apprenticeships Centre in Stallingborough. The £1.5 million facility aims to bridge the skills gap as the Humber region transitions to green energy.Funded by various industrial sponsors, the centre will more than double its capacity, addressing key skills in trades essential for green energy projects.Inauguration of the Green Skills Training CentreThe newly established Catch Skills and Apprenticeships Centre in Stallingborough, valued at £1.5 million, was formally inaugurated by MPs Melanie Onn and Martin Vickers. The centre is designed to tackle the skills gap as the Humber region transitions…