Author: Scott Dylan

Harper James, a full-service law firm, reports a striking 25% revenue increase, marking significant growth in 2024. The firm attributes success to its unique remote-first model and subscription-based services. Strategic expansions in both team size and geographical presence played a pivotal role. Notable technological advancements have enhanced client services. Recognition for industry leadership highlighted its achievements.Harper James reports a 25% increase in revenue, reaching £12.2 million in the latest financial year. Founded in 2014 by Toby Harper, the firm has achieved an average annual growth of 33% over the past three years, aiming for a £27 million revenue target by…

JD Sports has successfully acquired the French retailer Courir for €520m (£452m), expanding its market reach.Courir operates 323 stores across several European countries, providing JD Sports with a strategic foothold.As part of the deal, some stores in France and Portugal will be transferred to Snipes by early 2026.The acquisition aims to diversify JD Sports’ customer base, focusing on a more female and fashion-oriented audience.Despite revenue growth, JD Sports anticipates lower profits due to milder than expected weather conditions.JD Sports has completed the acquisition of Courir, a well-known French sportswear and footwear retailer. The deal, valued at €520m (£452m), received the…

Frasers Group is on the brink of being removed from the FTSE 100 due to a significant drop in its share value.The retail giant has experienced a more than 10% decline in shares over three months, reducing its market cap to £3.3 billion.Frasers Group’s ongoing dispute with Boohoo Group has been a major factor in the decline of its shares.The company’s open letter urging Boohoo to replace its chair led to a 5% additional fall in share value.B&M, another retailer, is also facing FTSE 100 relegation following a similar drop in shares.Frasers Group, a prominent name in the retail sector,…

Quickline Communications has announced a new partnership with Hull City Football Club for the 2024/25 season.The collaboration begins with an offering of free drinks to fans at the Sheffield Wednesday match, highlighting their community engagement.Quickline plans to distribute free match tickets to schools and community groups, fostering wider access to football.Upcoming events include a ‘Day in the Life’ experience for grassroots teams, enhancing youth participation in sports.Quickline’s branding will feature prominently at the MKM Stadium, showcasing their commitment to local communities.Quickline Communications, known for providing broadband to rural areas, has formed a strategic partnership with Hull City Football Club. This…

Exciting Instruments, a Sheffield University spinout, has secured £4 million in funding to expand its groundbreaking health technology.The investment was led by Northern Gritstone, joined by Empirical Ventures and Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.The company has developed a cutting-edge platform for single-molecule detection, revolutionising molecular analysis.Initial applications of this technology are reshaping drug development and clinical diagnostics.Plans include expanding partnerships, enhancing team capacity, and evolving product offerings.Exciting Instruments, a spinout from Sheffield University, has successfully raised £4 million in seed funding. This financial boost was primarily led by Northern Gritstone, chaired by Lord Jim O’Neill, demonstrating significant confidence in the…

Phil Clark, former marketing head at Canada Goose, joins Rise at Seven as a managing partner.Clark will focus on performance and creativity, working from the London office and joining the board.Previously, he held influential marketing roles, including at SEG Music and Kinesso.The agency, based in Sheffield, is expanding rapidly and diversifying into paid media.Carrie Rose, CEO, aims to drive further growth with Clark’s strategic expertise.Phil Clark, a veteran in the digital marketing domain, has recently made a significant career move by joining Rise at Seven as a group managing partner. His new role, primarily located in the London office, places…

Unilever has announced its intention to sell The Vegetarian Butcher, a plant-based meat alternative brand, as part of its strategic efforts to streamline its brand portfolio. This decision surfaces six years after acquiring the company, which has been a successful player in the plant-based market.The company is collaborating with Piper Sandler to facilitate the sale, reaching out to potential buyers interested in acquiring the brand. The Vegetarian Butcher, established in 2007, has gained significant traction and is currently available in major retailers such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Ocado.Although the precise valuation of the sale remains undisclosed, sources indicate that The…

Cranswick, a major player in the UK food industry, is poised for a prosperous Christmas season, riding on the back of a robust first half performance this year.During the first half of the year, Cranswick’s financial figures demonstrated significant growth. The company’s adjusted profit reached £99.6 million for the 26 weeks ending on 28 September, marking a noteworthy increase of 16.5% from the previous year’s £85.5 million. Furthermore, pre-tax profits saw a modest rise of 3.8% to £90.2 million, with sales climbing 6.1% to a total of £1.32 billion. This growth was largely driven by the thriving performance of its…

In a strategic move to enhance its operations, Asda has appointed Allan Leighton as its new chair, succeeding Lord Stuart Rose. Leighton, who has a strong history with the supermarket giant, is tasked with revitalising the brand amidst declining sales.Allan Leighton, a former chief executive of Asda from 1996 to 2001, returns to the company with a clear mandate to restore its competitive edge. His immediate focus is on reinstating Asda’s core values, which involves improving pricing strategies, enhancing product availability, and recruiting a new chief executive officer. Leighton acknowledges that these changes may require a timeframe of three to…

Unilever has concluded a substantial £40 million transformation of its Burton food factory, now the hub for all UK condiment production.The five-year project at Unilever’s largest UK food factory has brought all of the company’s condiments, including well-known brands such as Marmite, Bovril, and Colman’s, under one roof. This move aims to enhance the growth of Unilever’s food business in Britain, with 99% of products made at the Burton site destined for UK retailers.By constructing a second factory adjacent to the existing one, the site has expanded by 50% to a total of 31,000 square metres. This expansion has effectively…