Author: Scott Dylan

UK car production dropped 20.6% in September 2024, driven by a shift to electric vehicles and a decline in export volumes.Domestic market production declined by 20.8%, while exports decreased by 20.6% compared to a robust September 2022.However, overall year-to-date production is down by 10.2%, with significant declines in shipments to key markets like China and the EU.Demand in the US market increased, offsetting some losses, with exports rising by 24.6% in September.Automakers are retooling for electric vehicle production to align with the UK’s 2030 zero-emission target.According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), UK car production saw a…

Pensionbee, a London-based fintech firm, is embarking on a strategic expansion into the US market, supported by a £20m funding boost, as it targets the substantial US defined contribution pension market.The company reported a 41% increase in assets under administration, reaching £5.5bn by the end of September.Pensionbee’s revenue for the third quarter surged to £9m, with positive adjusted EBITDA reported for the second consecutive quarter.The firm aims to capture a significant share of the UK’s pensions market while expanding its presence in the US.Chief executive Romi Savova highlights the transformative potential of this expansion for Pensionbee’s growth over the next…

Foxtons experiences strong growth as the UK property market rebounds, achieving its third consecutive quarter of increased revenue.The company’s revenue surged 8% to £47.4 million in the latest quarter, compared to the same period last year, highlighting its continued recovery.A 34% increase in transaction volumes has driven sales revenue up by more than a third, reaching £13.5 million, marking a peak since 2015.With the property sales revenue at £35.1 million for the year, Foxtons is outperforming the broader market, which grew 13% from 2023 lows.CEO Guy Gittins attributes this growth to strong lettings performance, expressing optimism for the future with…

A recent burglary has left a young East London tailoring business reeling.Thieves broke into Batch LDN’s Spitalfields store, stealing £6,000 worth of goods.The criminals were described as two men on bicycles, who also damaged the property.Co-founder Julian Osborne reflects on the challenges faced by start-ups.Batch LDN appeals for witnesses to help with the investigation.In the early hours of 24 October, the East London-based tailoring business, Batch LDN, fell victim to a significant burglary. Located in Spitalfields, the store was broken into by intruders who made off with items valued at £6,000, profoundly affecting the young business.The incident occurred when two…

The House of Lords has issued a report stating that mandatory regulation is now essential in the UK’s food and drink sector to combat obesity effectively.The Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee has emphasised the necessity for a substantial overhaul of the food industry in the United Kingdom, citing the failure of voluntary initiatives to promote healthier eating habits. The report highlights that England is among the high-income nations with the most significant obesity rates, with two-thirds of adults classified as overweight or obese.The report draws attention to the successes of initiatives like the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, which has…

The lack of AI training among UK employees is causing concern, with significant implications for productivity and competitiveness.According to recent research, 19% of UK workers have not received any proper training in AI, equating to 6.31 million employees.Despite the widespread use of AI, many workers feel they lack the necessary human skills to collaborate effectively with AI technologies.Industry experts warn that without swift action to upskill employees, UK businesses risk falling behind globally.AI tools are proven to enhance productivity, yet the full potential is not being realised owing to a skills gap.Recent findings indicate that one in five UK employees,…

Sick days in UK businesses have surged 41% over the last three years, signalling deeper issues within workplace environments.Mental health conditions like stress and burnout are leading contributors to this increased absenteeism.Over half of HR leaders cite deteriorating workplace culture as a significant factor in rising sick leave numbers.A large portion of the UK workforce lacks access to basic health services, exacerbating the issue.Leadership and strategic management of workloads are critical to addressing the cycle of absenteeism.A recent report has indicated a significant rise in sick days across UK businesses, with an increase of 41% noted over the past three…

Whisper North is set to bring the beloved Pictionary gameshow to UK audiences, building on its success in the US.MediaCity-based Whisper North creates a new Pictionary gameshow for ITV1 and ITVX, fronted by Mel Giedroyc.The series, comprising 25 episodes of 30 minutes each, premieres in December.A Christmas special will kick off the series, featuring celebrity team captains.The show’s production is led by an esteemed team, promising engaging entertainment for families.MediaCity-based Whisper North is embarking on an exciting venture by creating a new Pictionary gameshow for ITV1 and ITVX. This series is inspired by the popular Mattel game and will be…

In the third quarter of 2024, Unilever reported a substantial increase in demand for its core brands, while maintaining flat turnover.Unilever, the prominent London-listed consumer goods company, reported a strong performance in its third quarter of 2024, driven largely by its enduring power brands. These brands, including Dove, Hellmann’s, and Magnum, saw significant demand increases, contributing to an underlying sales growth of 4.5% compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the company recorded a 3.6% rise in volume growth, indicating robust consumer interest.Although Unilever’s overall sales for the nine months leading to September rose modestly by 1.3% to £12.7 billion, the…

In a significant development in the realm of healthy eating, Mindful Chef has collaborated with Zoe, a science and nutrition company, to introduce a new range of gut-friendly recipes set to feature in Mindful Chef’s menu this November.The collaboration sees the introduction of recipes that emphasise diversity in plant consumption, aligning with core nutritional principles aimed at enhancing gut health. Notable dishes include a smoky hake, artichoke and sundried tomato stew, aubergine parmigiana, sweetcorn and spinach dhal with curried cashews, and a gochujang bean bowl with eggs and kimchi.Each recipe has been meticulously selected by Zoe’s co-founder, Tim Spector, from…