Author: Sam Allcock

Burford Capital has taken a decisive step in promoting diversity within the legal field by committing an additional $150m (£115m) towards cases led by women and ethnic minority lawyers. This initiative underscores Burford’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusivity and addressing the imbalance in legal representation.This latest funding brings the total allocated to Burford’s Equity Project to over $300m. Since the project’s inception in 2018, almost $170m has been committed to 19 cases. The cases funded by this initiative have been strategically chosen, with all 19 representing large, complex litigation and arbitration matters.Of the cases supported, 14 were led by female…

In a significant ruling, a barrister has been disbarred for falsely claiming to have practised from a prestigious London set, despite never completing pupillage.Yasser Mahmood, who was called to the Bar in 2010 but remains unregistered, has been formally disbarred following revelations that he misrepresented his professional history on his CV. This decision highlights ongoing discussions about when barristers should be officially called to the Bar, suggesting a potential shift in regulations.In 2021, Mahmood applied for a position as an external examiner at Arden University. His CV misleadingly stated that he had been employed as an employment barrister at Tooks…

eBay has forayed into the beauty advent calendar market, setting its mark alongside established calendars from Liberty and Boots.This inaugural calendar is curated in collaboration with This is Beauty, featuring products redirected from surplus stocks to prevent wastage.Strategically priced at £49.99, the calendar promises a value exceeding £250, featuring 25 premium products from renowned beauty brands.All proceeds from the sales are earmarked for The Hygiene Bank, a charitable organisation committed to alleviating hygiene poverty in the UK.This initiative coincides with eBay’s strategic move to eliminate selling fees for private sellers, intensifying competition with platforms like Depop and Vinted.eBay has ventured…

Fast fashion retailer Shein sees significant growth in the UK.Shein’s UK sales surged by 38%, reaching £1.55bn in 2023, compared to £1.12bn in the previous 16-month period.The UK division’s pre-tax profit doubled to £24.4m, with major milestones including pop-up shops and a new Manchester office.The company ended the year with over £16m in cash, signalling robust financial health amidst expansion plans.Founder Sky Xu’s visit to London indicates potential investor interest ahead of a planned IPO.Shein, the fast fashion giant, has reported a notable increase in its UK sales. In 2023, sales rose by 38% to reach £1.55 billion compared to…

Lakeland experiences widened losses amidst tough economic conditions, impacting sales and strategies.Pre-tax losses at Lakeland increased to nearly £2 million, compared to over £1.1 million the previous year.Sales slightly declined from £154 million to nearly £153 million, highlighting a challenging market.High inflation led to reduced demand in traditional categories, prompting a ‘spend smart’ campaign.Despite easing inflation, Lakeland navigated a difficult second half due to a persistent cost-of-living crisis.In the face of increasingly difficult economic conditions, Lakeland, a well-known kitchenware chain, reported a significant widening of losses. Pre-tax losses for the year ending 31 December rose to nearly £2 million, a…

A proposed £129m grant to BioNTech sparks a review by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).The UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) suggests the subsidy to encourage BioNTech’s £1 billion investment.BioNTech plans to create 460 jobs and enhance R&D and AI capabilities in the UK.Focus areas include oncology, regenerative medicine, and AI-driven drug discovery.London and Cambridge to host new BioNTech centres, promoting health resilience and economic growth.The UK’s competition regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), is set to review a proposed £129 million grant to be awarded to BioNTech. The review will be conducted by the CMA’s…

Frasers Group, owned by Mike Ashley, is investing heavily in physical retail with the acquisition of over one million square feet of retail space.The shopping centres in Exeter, Maidstone, and Gloucester attract nearly 17 million visitors annually.The purchase includes Exeter’s 600,000-sq-ft Princesshay Shopping Centre, acquired from Nuveen and the Crown Estate.Michael Murray, Frasers’ CEO, emphasizes the importance of brick-and-mortar investment as a strategic priority.Retail footfall has shown signs of recovery, with a notable increase in September, boosting confidence in high street shopping.Frasers Group, under the ownership of Mike Ashley, has made a significant move in the retail sector through the…

THG has announced Amy Fisher as its new CEO of Beauty Brands, marking a significant leadership shift.Amy Fisher brings a wealth of experience, having held top positions in prominent beauty and fashion companies.Fisher will report directly to THG Beauty CEO Lucy Gorman, reinforcing a collaborative leadership approach.THG’s Lookfantastic recently established its first permanent store in Greater Manchester, enhancing its retail footprint.The new Manchester store aims to provide customers with an enriched brand experience and access to exclusive products.THG, the company behind renowned brands such as Cult Beauty and Lookfantastic, has appointed Amy Fisher as CEO of Beauty Brands. This appointment…

Plant-based alternatives continue to rise in popularity across the United Kingdom as Dell’Ugo and This unveil new ravioli products in Morrisons.The collaboration features two innovative ravioli options, catering to the growing demand for vegetarian and vegan foods.Products include ‘Isn’t Bacon & Cheese Ravioli’ and ‘Isn’t Chicken & Pesto Ravioli’, enhancing the supermarket’s vegan offerings.Sophia Cooke, CEO of Dell’Ugo, highlights the company’s history with vegan pasta and praises their partnership with This.Both brands express optimism, anticipating strong sales and future collaborations to further expand the plant-based market.The launch of new plant-based ravioli by Dell’Ugo in collaboration with This marks a significant…

Sainsbury’s has introduced a festive opportunity for Nectar users to earn additional points this Christmas season.Participants can engage in the ‘Count up to Christmas’ challenge, available from 9 October to 15 December.Nectar users will receive five personalised shopping tasks that they can complete in-store or online.Each completed task rewards users with bonus Nectar points, enhancing their usual shopping experience.Sainsbury’s also plans to hire 20,000 new seasonal workers to manage increased demand over Christmas.Sainsbury’s has launched an engaging initiative for Nectar cardholders, offering them a seasonal chance to earn extra rewards. Through the ‘Count up to Christmas’ challenge, customers can collect…