Author: Sam Allcock

The Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) renewal deadline on 1 October has once again sparked a wave of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) among law firms across the United Kingdom.Fletchers Group, under the ownership of Sun European Partners, has expanded by acquiring the personal injury division of the Leeds firm Emsleys. This move resulted in the transfer of all 28 staff members, including fee-earners and support staff, to Fletchers’ newly opened Leeds office. According to Peter Haden, the CEO of Fletchers Group, this acquisition aligns with their strategy of growth and enhancement of services, extending their regional reach and client base.In the…

Richard Etherington joins Lupton Fawcett, enhancing their Regulatory and Corporate Defence team.Etherington, a seasoned defence specialist, brings over a decade of experience in regulatory and criminal defence.His expertise covers cases from road traffic offences to serious crimes including fraud and murder.Etherington is recognised for his adept defence of university students and military personnel in Courts Martial.The team at Lupton Fawcett recently achieved finalist status in the Yorkshire Legal Awards for regulatory excellence.Yorkshire law firm Lupton Fawcett has taken a significant step by appointing defence specialist Richard Etherington to its Regulatory and Corporate Defence team. Etherington joins as an associate solicitor,…

Gordons has embarked on an ambitious journey to nurture new legal talent.The firm has recently appointed four trainee solicitors and two apprentices.Two of the new trainees, Jonathan Wu and Tosif Bashir, were former legal assistants.Gordons’ apprenticeship programme, running for over a decade, supports academic and hands-on training.The firm’s high standards ensure only exceptional candidates are recruited.Gordons has taken significant strides in fostering the development of emerging legal professionals. The firm’s recent appointments include four trainee solicitors and two apprentices, reflecting Gordons’ ongoing commitment to nurturing talent within the legal sector.Among the newly appointed trainees are Jonathan Wu and Tosif Bashir,…

Alo Yoga, a prominent US athleisure brand, targets Regent Street in London for its next retail expansion.The Los Angeles-based company is reportedly nearing a significant deal for the space at 150 Regent Street.Currently, this location houses Abercrombie & Fitch, which has been there since September 2021.Alo Yoga plans to broaden its presence in the UK, aligning with their recent lease on King’s Road.Established in 2007, Alo has grown its repertoire from yoga wear to a diverse product range.Alo Yoga, a respected name in the athleisure market, is actively pursuing a location on Regent Street, one of London’s prime retail destinations.…

Unconscious bias significantly impacts the UK’s approach to handling workplace sexual harassment allegations, perpetuating issues of believability and fairness.Statistics reveal a troubling prevalence of sexual harassment in workplaces, with a staggering 45% of women and 27% of men affected.Research highlights that 85% of women feel their harassment claims are not taken seriously, exacerbated by unconscious biases.Attractive individuals, particularly young and feminine women, are often believed over those from marginalised groups.The need is urgent for businesses to adopt comprehensive frameworks to mitigate bias during investigations.Unconscious bias is a critical factor influencing the handling of sexual harassment claims in UK workplaces, creating…

Since its launch last year, the Iceland Food Club has made a significant impact by assisting over 23,000 families through innovative financial support.This ethical credit initiative provides interest-free microloans, allowing customers to manage financial challenges effectively.The scheme is a part of Iceland’s broader strategy to foster community welfare and support vulnerable families.A robust partnership between Iceland Foods and Fair for You has been pivotal in delivering this financial aid efficiently.Survey results highlight a substantial decrease in food bank reliance and financial stress among participants.Iceland’s loan scheme, known as the Iceland Food Club, has offered vital assistance to over 23,000 families…

Waitrose staff are at risk of unemployment, facing a mandate for more flexible working hours.The retailer has initiated a consultation for contract changes via the “Simpler Shops” project.Waitrose aims to achieve significant productivity savings to counter financial losses.There is a legal requirement for employee consent before any changes to contracts can occur.Market share and sales figures indicate a downward trend, contributing to these strategic shifts.Waitrose employees on the shop floor may face job losses if they do not consent to more flexible working hours. This move is part of the retailer’s broader strategy to reduce operational costs in response to…

BP has unveiled a loyalty scheme providing exclusive in-store discounts.Customers can enjoy automatic savings at the checkout across 300 UK sites.Discounted products from M&S Food and Wild Bean Cafe are featured.Current offers include wine, breakfast baps, and Lucozade Sport discounts.Personalised promotions continue via the BPme app, enhancing customer value.BP has introduced an innovative loyalty pricing programme aimed at delivering exclusive discounts on selected retail store items. This initiative is designed to reward customers with automatic savings at the checkout counter whenever they shop at any of the 300 BP-owned retail sites across the United Kingdom.The programme offers a diverse range…

In response to escalating retail crime, Morrisons joins the movement to equip employees with body cameras, aligning with Tesco’s recent initiative.Morrisons is trialling these devices in 25 stores, with a potential nationwide rollout if successful.Tesco has also adopted similar measures following increasing assaults on its staff.The British Retail Consortium highlights doubled abuse rates against retail workers since pre-Covid times.Different retailers are employing varied strategies to combat shoplifting and protect employees.In response to the rising incidents of retail crime, Morrisons has initiated the use of body cameras for employees in 25 select stores. This move is part of a trial phase,…

Aldi is taking notable steps towards sustainability by trialling four new lines of loose fruit and vegetables, aiming to reduce plastic use.The new trial includes garlic, limes, lemons, and oranges, initially available in select stores across various regions in the UK.If successful, the initiative could cut 94 tonnes of plastic packaging annually, broadening Aldi’s existing loose produce line.Aldi’s sustainability efforts also include recent price reductions in fruit and vegetable ranges as part of its Everyday Essentials and Super 6 promotions.Aldi stands as the UK’s most affordable supermarket for the fifteenth consecutive month, underscoring its commitment to cost-effective, sustainable practices.Aldi has…