Author: Sam Allcock

Lidl is celebrating its bakery’s popularity with a London Fashion Week pop-up.The event, ‘Patisserie Lidl’, is set for 13 and 14 September at Dean Street.Visitors can expect sweet pastries and exclusive Croissant Handbags.These handbags, designed by Nikolas Bentel, quickly sold out previously.Proceeds from the event’s sales will benefit the NSPCC charity.Lidl is preparing to mark its bakery’s esteemed status by launching a unique pop-up event during London Fashion Week. Scheduled for 13 and 14 September, ‘Patisserie Lidl’ will open its doors at 55A Dean Street, London, offering a range of sweet pastry treats to its visitors. This initiative celebrates Lidl’s…

A startup focused on overcoming workplace disadvantages for women has secured a significant investment.HeyFlow, a Bristol-based company, has received £235k from Aer Venture Studios to enhance their platform.This investment highlights the growing support for female-led initiatives in tech.Research shows substantial reproductive health challenges affecting women’s careers.HeyFlow aims to create equitable workplaces, retaining and promoting talent.The female workplace health platform HeyFlow, based in Bristol, has successfully secured £235,000 in funding from Aer Venture Studios. This investment is intended to bolster the development and architecture of HeyFlow’s technology platform and its employee insight product. The aim is to reach a broader range…

PrettyLittleThing founder Umar Kamani re-joins the company, signalling significant changes ahead. His return marks a strategic move towards prioritising customer needs and overcoming recent challenges.Kamani has pledged to revamp the brand’s operations to meet customer expectations better.Free returns for loyalty members will be reinstated, indicating immediate changes under his leadership.The brand aims to reclaim its position amidst competition and economic pressures that have impacted profits.Kamani shares a personal commitment to addressing past missteps and guiding the brand forward.PrettyLittleThing founder Umar Kamani is making a return to the helm of the fashion retailer, a move that indicates a fresh direction for…

Nepotism and networking are increasingly influential in today’s job market, with a significant number of individuals relying on personal connections to secure employment.Vast majority use personal connections to find jobs, surpassing traditional application methods.Many feel little remorse exploiting networks for career advancement.Family ties often lead to direct hires, influencing workplace dynamics.The majority see nepotism rising, impacting ethics and workplace harmony.Nepotism and networking have emerged as pivotal factors in career advancement, with a recent survey revealing 91.3% of respondents willing to use their personal network to secure their dream job. This trend suggests a shift from conventional job application processes to…

A potential £9bn tax on staff pensions is being proposed to balance government spending.The proposal is driven by a desire to eliminate ‘unnecessary’ tax relief on pension contributions.Concerns have been raised about the impact of this tax on employer contributions.Critics argue such a tax could harm the generosity of employer pension schemes.The debate is part of broader discussions within Labour on pension tax reform.A left-leaning think tank has recommended that Labour should introduce a £9bn tax on staff pensions as part of strategies to manage government spending more effectively. This suggestion involves requiring companies to pay National Insurance on contributions…

IQE has reported significant revenue growth, marking progress towards a Taiwan IPO.The semiconductor firm experienced a 26.7% rise in sales for the first half of the year.Investor engagement for the IPO in Taiwan has been notably positive.CEO Americo Lemos highlighted strong wireless technology sales as a key growth driver.Although photonics sales dipped slightly, IQE remains optimistic about market recovery.IQE, a leading player in the semiconductor industry, has announced a notable increase in revenues, aligned with its strategic move towards an initial public offering (IPO) of its Taiwan subsidiary. The Cardiff-based company reported a 26.7% sales increase to £66 million for…

As the number of electric vehicles (EVs) increases, so does the need for robust charging infrastructure.Over one million fully electric cars are now on UK roads, highlighting the demand for better charging solutions.Supermarkets and grocery sites are emerging as prime locations for EV charging hubs, benefiting both customers and landowners.A European company, Mer, offers a resource guide for landowners looking to install these hubs, providing valuable insights and advice.Integrating charging hubs at strategic locations is essential for supporting current EV drivers and encouraging market growth.In response to the rapid rise in the number of electric vehicles, more than 1,000,000 all-electric…

Harrowells Solicitors has announced significant leadership changes with the promotion of Matthew Hayward and Matt Rowley to directors.Matthew Hayward, with expertise in acquisitions and disposals, will lead the commercial property sector.Matt Rowley, known for advising on corporate matters, will continue his role in enhancing business and client relations.The pair will collaborate closely with Managing Director Robert Onyett to drive the firm’s strategic vision.Managing Director Robert Onyett praised the appointments as recognition of hard work and a boost for future firm growth.Harrowells Solicitors has marked a pivotal moment in its leadership by promoting Matthew Hayward and Matt Rowley to the roles…

Entain has reported encouraging progress following a challenging period, marking a positive start for new CEO Gavin Isaacs.The company’s online net gaming revenue has surpassed expectations, driven by sports events such as Euro 2024 and the Olympics.Entain’s shares have shown a notable recovery, increasing by 5.3% post-announcement, indicating restored investor confidence.With a diverse brand portfolio, Entain benefits from geographical expansion, particularly in central and eastern Europe.Ricky Sandler’s collaborative stance on the BetMGM stake is geared towards creating long-term shareholder value.Entain plc, a leading sports betting and gaming group, has delivered promising financial results after a period of instability. This rebound…

The UK government is nearing a major financial intervention for Tata Steel’s Port Talbot plant to facilitate a transition to greener steel manufacturing.A financing strategy was previously initiated to replace coal-powered operations with eco-friendly electric arc furnaces.Tata Steel intends to invest an additional £750 million towards establishing new furnace infrastructure and offering support to potentially redundant staff.Anticipated job losses amount to approximately 2,800 roles as part of the plant’s transformation, with the first blast furnace ceasing operations in July.The government remains in negotiations, with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds expected to address Parliament soon about the rescue package.The UK government is…