New independent research by health technology consultancy, nuom , has found that while the UK public is largely open to innovative uses of technology in healthcare, trust drops significantly when AI is involved in more personal aspects of care. The survey of 2,000 UK adults which was conducted in February of this year has found that: 67% are happy for technology to be used more widely in healthcare if it frees up professionals to treat those who need it most Half (50%) of respondents are comfortable with AI being used for managing appointments and only 29% would trust AI to provide basic health advice Just 15% would trust AI to assist with mental health support through well-being tools and apps The growing acceptance of the use of technology in healthcare could be linked to the growing popularity of wearable devices and apps. The research found that more than two-thirds (67%) believe they can help people take responsibility for their health and wellness. However, the results show a change in sentiment when respondents were asked about AI. While over half (53%) believe AI could help relieve pressure on the UK health system, 61% feel there is not enough evidence yet to determine if AI in healthcare is trustworthy or reliable, and only 29% would trust AI to provide basic health advice. Sentiments were split when it came to confidence levels towards even administrative tasks, with only half (50%) of respondents feeling comfortable with AI booking and managing medical appointments. Trust in AI’s ability to provide personalised care also remains low. When asked about which healthcare activities they would trust AI to do, only 19% of respondents said they would feel confident relying on AI to deliver personalised health advice based on their medical history. Meanwhile, just 14% of people said they would trust AI to replace a doctor’s appointment for minor health issues through tools like chatbots. Only 15% would trust AI to assist with mental health support through well-being tools and apps – one of the lowest trust levels recorded across all AI healthcare applications. Martin Sandhu, Managing Partner at nuom said, “People are becoming increasingly engaged in the maintenance of their own health, with technology like wearables and apps now part of everyday life. There’s a growing recognition that these tools can help individuals manage their well-being while also easing pressure on healthcare services. Yet, when it comes to AI, that same openness hasn’t fully taken hold – trust remains a major hurdle." “The truth is, AI has a bit of a PR problem. To many, it still suggests images of impersonal robots, overly complex systems, or sci-fi hype. However, it’s not about replacing human care; it’s about enhancing it. Whether it’s managing appointments or supporting personalised health advice, AI can play a major role in making healthcare more efficient and accessible. The challenge? Without clear communication, these benefits often get lost in the noise. “As AI becomes more common in healthcare, building public trust will be important. Tech providers need to be clear about how their technology works and how it complements the care people already rely on and communicate this in a transparent way." "Just as we’ve seen with other health technologies, once people understand the real value AI can bring – especially in helping to ease the strain on the health service – they’re far more likely to embrace it.”

The 2025 BH Area Hospitality Association (BAHA) Recognition Awards were launched at a lavish event at Bournemouth’s Riviera Hotel and Apartments in Alum Chine. Despite the hospitality sector facing particular challenges, it was an occasion that embraced optimism. Rosie Radwell, chair of BAHA and owner of the Marsham Court Hotel, said that Brexit, Covid lockdowns, rising costs, inflation and the cost-of-living crisis had all hit the sector. But she added that it had led to the those within the hospitality sector coming together in order to support each other. She said: “The awards are a way of celebrating excellence, thanking those within hospitality and creating a buzz about our super location on the coast. BAHA continues to work closely with the Destination Management Board, BCP council, Dorset council and Dorset Tourism Association to help market the area." “We are working now with partners across Dorset to promote the entire county and collaborate better together. We have also seen over the last couple of years a lot more collaboration with all the Business Improvement Districts; Bournemouth Coastal BID, the Town Centre BID, Poole BID and Christchurch BID." “I am proud of what the BAHA committee has achieved over the last year and we continue to strive to do what we can for our industry. Along with Coastal BID, we supported the Air Festival and hope that the event will come back in the future." “NFU Mutual last year agreed to be our sole headline sponsor for three years for the awards, and we are grateful to them. The awards celebrate the loyalty and hard work of all our staff members across the industry from every level." “This year we have 24 categories and are thrilled to announce that even through these difficult times we have full sponsorship.” The awards night will be held at the Hilton Bournemouth on Sunday 5th October.

City life leaves urbanites 50% more likely to feel drained by a lack of greenery. Almost half (47%) only venture outdoors for errands and just 22% for sports. To help city dwellers reconnect with nature, Nestlé transformed a space in London into a farm for the day taking people to the heart of the rural countryside of Ayrshire and Cumbria. The relentless pace of urban life is leaving city dwellers feeling disconnected from nature. New research commissioned by Nestlé UK and Ireland reveals how one in five (19%) city residents feel out of touch with nature – increasing to 22% for Londoners – compared with just 9% of rural residents. The study of 1,000 respondents – including those who live in cities and rural areas – highlights the biggest frustrations of missing nature in city life. For those living in the city, more than a third complain about the constant hum of traffic (36%), littered-strewn pavements (35%) and crowded streets (34%). For many city dwellers, nature can feel like a distant memory. A fifth (19%) of those living in city centres admit that it’s been as long as six months since they last ventured into the countryside, despite acknowledging the positive impact the great outdoors has on their wellbeing. Urbanites are also more than half as likely (17% vs 11%) to say lack of greenery takes a toll on their mood. While a fifth (20%) say they can’t remember the last time they saw a farm animal. Worryingly, the research found that nearly half (47%) of urbanites say they only step outside for essentials like walking to a shop, commuting to work (33%) or playing sports (22%). To help city dwellers reconnect with nature, Nestlé UK and Ireland, in partnership with First Milk, the regenerative dairy co-operative, transformed a space in London into a farm for the day. The immersive ‘Farm Drop’ experience offered the ultimate dose of nature, bringing the serene farmland of Cumbria and Ayrshire – home to the cows that produce the milk for some of Nestlé products – straight to the heart of the city. At the Farm Drop, visitors were invited to step into the sights, sounds and tranquillity of rural farm life. The sensory-enhanced space offered a condensed version of First Milk’s farmlands, and featured a guided mini farm experience, to learn about the farming practices which help create the perfect milk for Nestlé products, made here in the UK. The journey culminated on a sweet and satisfying note, with guests enjoying a KitKat and Nescafé Frothy Coffee made with 100% British milk sourced from First Milk farms. Outside shot of a building in Shoreditch, London, featuring windows with a printed out cow on them. Dr Emma Keller, Head of Sustainability at Nestlé UK & Ireland, said: "It's a sad reality that so many people in the city feel disconnected from nature, especially when we all understand the benefits it offers both mentally and physically. We know how important the British countryside is, not just for our mental wellbeing but also how much we depend on it for the food and drink we produce here. For many city dwellers, getting out to the countryside to learn about agriculture can be difficult. That’s why we wanted to bring a piece of the great British farmland to the city for a respite from urban life.” The research reveals that almost seven in 10 (68%) urban residents say being outdoors lifts their mood, while 64% find it helps them relax and feel physically healthier (53%). As a result, 45% of urbanites long for more natural beauty where they live. The desire for a closer connection to nature extends to the choices people make, including their food. Nearly half (47%) of Brits care about where ingredients for their food are sourced, and the same number feel food producers should adopt practices that protect nature and the countryside. For some, the connection goes beyond this. More than a third (34%) say they are more likely to buy a product if they know it is helping to protect the natural world, and one in four (25%) city residents express a desire to visit a farm to better understand where their food comes from. Mark Booking, Chief Impact Officer at First Milk, commented: “At its heart, regenerative agriculture is about farming with nature to improve soil health and restore biodiversity. Inspired by the beautiful countryside in Cumbria and Ayrshire, which is home to the family farms that partner with Nestlé, we hope the Farm Drop gave visitors a sense of what rural life has to offer.” Dr Emma Keller, Head of Sustainability at Nestlé UK & Ireland, added: “The Farm Drop immersive event wasn’t just about bringing a dose of nature to city dwellers to help them feel better connected to nature. It was also to share our passion for farms and farmers and the amazing work they do every day. We want to show people how their morning coffee or sweet treat can support the future of British farming." “We’ve been partnering with First Milk for more than 20 years and use millions of litres of fresh milk each year in Britain’s favourite brands. Through the partnership, we work hand-in-hand with dairy farmers, blending modern and traditional farming methods to produce delicious milk used in Nestlé’s chocolate bars and Nescafé Frothy Coffee.” The launch of the Farm Drop marked the celebration of First Milk’s 21-year partnership with Nestlé. Through this partnership, 80 farmers are incentivised and supported to work on specific initiatives to reduce emissions, capture carbon and protect and enhance the natural assets on their land. Man in the middle of an event focused around regenerative farming, surrounding a cow cut-out and an infographic with information on it. Information * New research of 1,000 adults, with UK city and rural dwellers (50:50 split) conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Nestlé between 7th – 14th October 2024. The research was commissioned by Nestlé UK & Ireland in partnership with First Milk, a dairy co-operative of more than 700 members across the UK. About First Milk First Milk is a British farmer-owned co-operative that is a Certified B Corporation, with a vision of enriching life every day to secure the future. Owned by around 700 farming families spread across Britain, First Milk is passionate about the power of dairy to make a difference, whether that’s providing tasty, nutritious and affordable food, building strong rural communities or leaving the world a better place. First Milk members are committed to high standards of animal welfare, with cows given access to grazing when the weather allows. More than 96% of members’ milk volume is signed up to a regenerative farming programme, demonstrating members’ commitment to delivering First Milk’s sustainability goals. Through this, farms will sequester carbon in soil, enhance biodiversity and improve soil and water health. First Milk believes dairy can be part of the climate solution and has committed to net zero by 2040 at the latest, with a target to reduce carbon at farm level by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero in milk processing and distribution by 2035.

London Gatwick is preparing to deliver new capacity and resilience by building a £140m extension to its mid-airfield pier (Pier 6). When complete in 2027, eight new aircraft gates adjacent to the airport’s runways will enable seven and a half million passengers to alight and depart directly onto aircraft each year.    These new gates will also remove the need to coach over 500,000 passengers to remote stands, saving 12,000 bus journeys a year.  Minimising the airport’s environmental footprint is a key priority for London Gatwick and an innovative approach to design and construction has put the project on track to achieve BREEAM ratings of “Excellent” (Overall) and “Outstanding” (Energy and water).   Design revisions saw the width of the building reduced, while relocating a service road facilitated a two-storey building, rather than three. These changes will deliver an approximate 40% saving in embodied carbon from the original design, by moving to a hybrid steel and timber frame structure, re-designing ventilation systems to use less ductwork and plant, and changing finishes will deliver another 20% saving.  Global delivery construction experts Mace are building the extension to London Gatwick’s Pier 6. Mace built the airport’s pioneering 197m airbridge and original Pier 6 in 2005 and will once again lead a challenging build in the middle of one of world’s busiest airfields. Mace worked with WSP and Pascall & Watson to complete the engineering and architectural design. Enabling works are being carried out by PJ Hegarty.  The announcement forms part of an ambitious programme to develop and grow the airport, as London Gatwick stands ready to deliver its Northern Runway plans following the announcement that the Government is ‘minded to approve’ the project.  Cedric Laurier, Chief Technical Officer, London Gatwick said: “This build is complex as it’s right in the heart of our airfield, but we’re experienced in delivering major projects in challenging environments at London Gatwick. The partnership and experience from Mace will be invaluable. Our teams are already working side-by-side to deliver what we think is a cutting-edge design for an airport building in terms of embodied carbon savings."   “Once complete, more than seven million passengers will have a seamless airport experience, and our airlines will benefit from improved airfield efficiency as the extended pier is located conveniently beside the airport’s runway.”  Nigel Cole, Managing Director, Infrastructure, Mace Construct, said: “Using the latest sustainable construction techniques, this extension project will add much needed capacity to London Gatwick and benefit not just the wider economy but also the local community. "   “Having built the original Pier 6 and link bridge, we know that working in a busy operating environment takes thorough planning and specialist experience, and this latest appointment sits alongside our existing projects within the baggage halls to provide new employment opportunities throughout the supply chain. This will include work experience placements, apprenticeships, and roles for local people not in education, employment or training.”

Nescafé is thrilled to reveal its latest launch, Nescafé Iced Latte. For the first time ever, you can now find ready-to-drink iced coffees in the ambient coffee aisle (where you usually find your regular hot coffee products) in a brand-new multi-serve format! From March, consumers in the UK will be able to enjoy refreshing iced coffee moments in two delicious flavours: Iced Latte and Iced Caramel Flavour Latte. These truly indulgent tasting lattes were specifically designed to be enjoyed cold and could not be easier to prepare. Simply shake the carton well to mix, prepare your chosen glass with ice and pour 250ml over it, then sip and enjoy! Each carton contains 3 servings, making it easier than ever to enjoy a delicious and refreshing iced coffee at home, any day of the week. Ingrid Hayes, Marketing Director for Nescafé UK and Ireland, said: “We are so excited to be introducing the new Nescafé Iced Lattes to coffee lovers in the UK. Whether you’re enjoying a well-deserved break or catching up with friends and loved ones, it’s never been easier to enjoy the sweet taste and creamy texture of a perfect iced latte." “Nescafé is dedicated to meeting the evolving preferences of consumers and we are delighted to showcase this commitment by providing even more ways for coffee drinkers to enjoy the exceptional taste of Nescafé in the comfort of their homes." “We’re thrilled to be bringing more unique and indulgent experiences to coffee enthusiasts in the UK.” Both products contain 92 calories per 250ml serve, are a source of calcium and high protein, contain no artificial flavours and are suitable for vegetarians. Nescafé Iced Latte is made using 100% responsibly sourced coffee, supporting coffee farmers to improve their lands and livelihoods. You can learn more here. Nescafé Iced Latte and Ice Caramel Flavour Latte will both be available nationwide from early March.

A village pub in Warwickshire has proved once again when it comes to pies it knows the recipe for success after scooping a string of awards last week. Three of five of the Fleur de Lys shortlisted recipes have been selected from hundreds of entries in the prestigious British Pie Awards. The pub’s Special Spicy Pork and Basil Pie took Silver while Bronze was awarded for both their Steak and Ale and Wild Mushroom and Asparagus Pies. They were among the ‘hot favourites’ singled out by a panel made up of over 160 leading experts from the retail, baking and butchery sectors as part of British Pie Week. Co-owner Emma Woodhouse said: “We’re so delighted that our historic pies have been recognised once again at the British Pie Awards. A lot of love and hard work goes into producing these pies and it’s really rewarding to have a silver as well as two bronze awards this year." “It always feels like a long shot when there are 900 entries and with little old us going up against giants of the food industry, but it’s a wonderful celebration of British cuisine and we feel really proud to have received these accolades." “For us, our priority is always ensuring that our customers at the Fleur De Lys receive a perfect pie but of course it’s so exciting when we get a certificate from the Pie Awards to affirm that we are continuing to honour the pie legacy that started here in the 1950’s.” Emma added: “To coincide with British Pie Week last week, we’ve also launched our Pie Club Loyalty Card for the first time. You can pick one up at the bar on your next visit, so you can start collecting stamps to get your 10th pie for free!” It wasn’t until the early 20th century when The Fleur de Lys first opened as a tavern, later going on to introduce the ‘pioneering’ idea of serving food and giving rise to the now famous Fleur De Lys pies. The pub first began serving pies through the infamous kitchen hatch during the 1950s, drawing crowds from all over the Midlands to sample Mr Brookes’ finest steak and kidney or chicken and mushroom pies. The inn was mainly frequented by farmers who'd come in for a pie and a pint after they'd finished harvesting. The licensee at the time bought Emscote Mill in Warwick, from where they distributed nationwide but eventually the original pie recipe and company was sold to Pukka Pies. But, under the auspices of current landlords Emma and Nick Woodhouse, in 2018 The Lowsonford Pie Company was born and all 11 flavours of pie are now handmade and served directly from the Fleur De Lys kitchen. It is not the first accolade for the Fleur de Lys, whose pie making team have a real appetite for awards success.

British Gas is piloting the use of a hydrogen-powered van to help decarbonise their fleet, marking a significant step in their commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.* The partnership with Ryze Power, the suppliers of clean hydrogen and alternative fuels and energy, will provide British Gas with access to the green hydrogen to power the Vauxhall Vivaro van over the two-month trial. The van is being put through its paces by a British Gas engineer in Birmingham, accessing Ryze’s refueling station at Tyseley during their working day. The journey to Centrica, parent company of British Gas, reaching its 2040 net zero target includes achieving a net zero fleet by 2030, which is where this initiative supports the business in its vital next steps. Water vapour is the only emissions from the hydrogen vans, which include a battery a fraction of the size of that in an EV, meaning less requirement for mining precious metals. Rob Simister, Director of Fleet said: “When fully available and with the refuelling network to support it, operating hydrogen vans is much the same as a diesel, allowing our engineers to fill up in minutes and spend their time where it matters most, helping our customers.” Rob Simister, Director of Fleet, comments on Centrica’s commitment to the roll out of hydrogen-powered vans: “We are fully committed to the electrification of our fleet and we continue to invest in battery electric vehicles, as they will always be part of our net zero fleet mix. However, we see a time when hydrogen could play a role too, especially for engineers who don’t have easy access to charging options. When fully available and with the refuelling network to support it, operating hydrogen vans is much the same as a diesel, allowing our engineers to fill up in minutes and spend their time where it matters most, helping our customers.” Alex Webster, Sales Director at Ryze, comments on the partnership between Ryze and Centrica during the trial: “The hydrogen network is still in its infancy, but facilities like our Tyseley refueling station provide a blueprint for local green hydrogen production. We are already powering local buses in Birmingham, so there is no reason why we can’t support British Gas and other operators of large fleets on their journey to electrification, vital to the delivery of net zero.”

Ahead of the first race of the 2025 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, which kicks off this weekend in Melbourne, Atlassian Williams Racing is pleased to announce a major multi-year partnership with Brillio, the global technology consulting and service company. Atlassian Williams Racing, the British-based F1 team with 9 Constructors’ Championships and 7 Drivers’ Championships is joining forces with US-headquartered technology consulting and service leader Brillio, bringing together two companies that share the values of speed, precision and innovation. Under the partnership, Brillio becomes the Official Digital Transformation Partner of Atlassian Williams Racing and will work exclusively to support digital transformation initiatives within the team. Brillio has a proven approach to helping customers adapt, compete and win by applying its expertise in data, AI, platform engineering, cloud and infrastructure services. Brillio will also become an Official Data and AI services partner to Williams. Over the term of the agreement Williams will be looking to utilise this expertise in its pursuit of future World Championship success. The Brillio brand will adorn the FW47 race cars of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz from this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix. The partnership will also look to leave a legacy by elevating Brillio’s global Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, Bringing Smiles, which is focused on fostering STEM education and career development among underserved children to prepare them for a digital-first and disruptive world. STEM education is also a major focus for Atlassian Williams Racing, which runs a schools outreach programme that will bring more than 10,000 8- to 15-year-olds to its Grove HQ free of charge this year to introduce them to careers in science, technology, engineering and maths through the lens of motorsport. The latest commercial signing for Williams underpins the team’s momentum in this area as it continues to strengthen on and off track. This weekend will see the team race for the first time as Atlassian Williams Racing following the winter announcement of its title partnership. Ahead of the 2025 season the team has also announced new partnerships with Santander, Super Group and Reviva and extended partnerships with Duracell, Gulf Oil International and Kraken. James Vowles, Team Principal, Atlassian Williams Racing: “We’re thrilled to welcome Brillio as a partner to Atlassian Williams Racing at such an exciting time for this iconic team. Brillio’s expertise in harnessing cutting-edge technologies to unleash potential and performance align perfectly with our vision for the future as we transform in all areas to return to winning ways. Brillio joins a growing roster of major global companies who believe in our destination and want to contribute on our journey.” Sorin Cheran, Chief Information and Analytics Officer, Atlassian Williams Racing: “Brillio will play a pivotal role in accelerating the transformation of Atlassian Williams Racing. Their agility, focus on excellence and challenger mindset make them the ideal partner for Williams, and their expertise in high-performance data engineering will be crucial to us gaining a competitive advantage on and off track.” Raj Mamodia, Founder & CEO of Brillio: "Brillio is excited to be part of Atlassian Williams Racing as it continues its journey back to the top. We have a track record of providing competitive advantage to the companies we work with. At Brillio, we believe high-performance engineering, data and AI are the keys to unlocking the next era of motorsport excellence. Our partnership with Atlassian Williams Racing goes beyond technology, it’s about a relentless challenger mindset to push boundaries, redefine speed, and accelerate innovation.”

The UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) has teamed up with the Royal Academy of Engineering and Generation Logistics to promote warehousing as an exciting career option for talented young engineers. The rise of automation is continuing to drive changes in the workforce requirements for the warehousing sector. Specifically, there is a growing demand for more technical skills and expertise. Despite this, a career in warehousing is often not on the radar of young engineers, according to UKWA CEO Clare Bottle, yet tools like cobots and exoskeletons are likely to appeal most to those individuals who are tech-savvy and relish a futuristic working environment. Accordingly, UKWA is working with GEEP – the award-winning Graduate Engineering Engagement Programme run by the Royal Academy of Engineering - which partners with engineering employers to increase the transition of engineering graduates from under-represented backgrounds into engineering employment, to close this gap. Alongside GEEP and Generation Logistics, UKWA is facilitating a series of visits by UK students and recent graduates to member warehouses at the forefront of technical innovation, who are best placed to showcase automation, robotics and other technologies. The campaign runs from January to March 2025, with the first of the visits hosted by Jungheinrich. Other hosts have included Amazon, DP World, Dexory, GXO, John Lewis Partnership and Wincanton. Commenting on the initiative, Clare Bottle said, “Attracting young engineering talent into warehousing is vital. Amazon, for example, is always looking for the next generation of software development engineers to help invent and use technology to continue to deliver on their uncompromising commitment to customer service." "As the leading trade organisation for the sector, it is important that the UKWA helps address this need, advocating careers in warehousing to talented young people and ensuring that they fully appreciate the many existing and emerging opportunities on offer.” Visiting students agreed that seeing warehouse operations at first hand was a valuable experience, providing practical insights and enhancing their learning experience. “Overall, it was an impactful, informative and insightful experience, especially for students with no background in procurement, logistics or supply chain management,” student Esther Tibila remarked. From the host warehouse perspective, HR Partner at DP World Seema Mistry reported, “There were excellent questions and enthusiasm from students regarding the world of logistics.” Clare concluded, “The benefit to engineering students is clear, but UKWA members and the wider sector will benefit from this campaign too." "We are promoting the industry – and UKWA members - to potential engineering recruits, and supply chain and logistics students via Generation Logistics, putting warehousing firmly front of mind for young people looking for fulfilling graduate career opportunities and inspiring the top engineers of the future to join our sector.”

Leicestershire CCC is delighted to announce the appointment of Peter Handscomb as Club captain. The Australian international will take over duties from Lewis Hill, who stepped down from the role at the end of the 2024 season. Having led Leicestershire on 15 occasions in the Vitality Blast across the previous two campaigns, Handscomb’s updated role will now see him captain the Foxes in first-class and List A cricket, with a new T20 skipper to be announced in due course. The 33-year-old holds extensive leadership experience, captaining hometown club Victoria on 97 occasions, as well as leading Australia A, Durham, Hobart Hurricanes, and Middlesex prior to his time at Uptonsteel County Ground. Since arriving in the East Midlands in 2023, Handscomb has enjoyed successive run-laden years with the bat, scoring 2,872 runs across formats. His returns include 1,575 runs at an average of 58.33 in first-class cricket, and 940 runs at 62.66 in List A matches. The Melbourne-born batter heads into his third season with Leicestershire on the back of a remarkable 2024 campaign. He finished top of the Club’s run-scoring charts in Division Two with 894 runs at 74.5, while his 539 runs at 67.37 in the Metro Bank One Day Cup saw him end as the competition’s outright leading run-scorer. Discussing his appointment, Handscomb said: “It’s a huge honour to be named Club captain of Leicestershire. To be able to lead these boys will be something very special and I’m confident we can have a successful year ahead." “The Club has made some incredible steps in fighting for promotion and winning trophies in the past couple of years. A lot of that is down to Lewis [Hill] and the coaching staff for giving players freedom and letting them know they’re backed in all situations. We’ll continue that approach." “My time as T20 captain gave me a better understanding of the boys and a chance to find out what makes them tick. Hopefully that means I can get the most out of them and I’ll certainly give as much support as possible to help guys thrive." “The support from the fans has been incredible from day one. They’ve made me and my family feel extremely welcome, hopefully I can lead from the front and continue to repay that support.” Director of Cricket, Claude Henderson, said: “Pete is a proven leader within the game and possesses all the necessary qualities we require of a captain." “He adds a calmness to the team on and off the field, while he is an extremely popular and well-respected member of our changing room. We’re excited to see the value he’ll add in his new role.”

Metro Bank has appointed Paul Gaynor and Louise Molloy as Commercial Lending Directors within the North-West region. Paul Gaynor has 36 years of banking experience and has spent the last two decades working in Corporate and Commercial lending, most recently at NatWest. Paul’s new role at Metro Bank will see him based out of the Bank’s Manchester store where he will cover most of the North-West. Paul will work with new and existing business customers with a turnover of £2-£25 million looking to borrow between £0.5-£5 million. Louise Molloy brings over 15 years’ lending and relationship management experience from a successful career at NatWest. Louise will be responsible for supporting SMEs in all sectors across the North-West with debt requirements over £500,000 to achieve their growth ambitions. Louise will also help drive forward Metro Bank’s ambitions as a signatory to the Investing in Women Code. Both roles will support the continued growth of Metro Bank’s commercial lending in the North-West. Mark Davies, Director Commercial Banking at Metro Bank commented: “I’m thrilled to welcome Louise and Paul to Metro Bank. They are joining at a particularly exciting time in the Bank’s journey as we look to grow further and lend to more businesses in the North-West and ahead of us opening two new stores in the North-West this year.” Paul Gaynor, Commercial Lending Director at Metro Bank commented: “Metro Bank’s relationship banking ethos really resonated with me and I’m excited to get started. The North-West is full of inspirational businesses entrepreneurs and with two new stores opening this year in Chester and Salford, I know we will be able to help and support many local businesses in their growth journey.” Louise Molloy, Commercial Lending Director at Metro Bank added: “I’m so happy to work for a lender which truly lives and breathes its relationship banking values particularly in the great work it does to support female entrepreneurs and female-led businesses. As a signatory of the Investing in Women Code, Metro Bank actively supports women in business and is committed to supporting women with access to tools, resources and finance and supporting them in the three key areas they struggle with namely networking, funding and mentoring.” Above Photo: Paul Gaynor and Louise Molloy join as Commercial Lending Directors within the North-West region.

Consumer card spending grew 1.0 per cent year-on-year in February – lower than January’s 1.9 per cent increase and less than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.9 per cent. In anticipation of higher bills, consumers are cutting back on essential outgoings, but still prioritising discretionary purchases, contributing to an uptick in optimism in the health of personal and household finances. Key Findings Essential spending contracted in anticipation of higher outgoings while discretionary categories held strong. Prudent budgeting contributed to consumers feeling more confident in their household finances despite persistent concerns about inflation. The retail sector saw marginal gains, propped up by a surge in electronics sales, as shoppers upgraded lockdown purchases. Subscription spending marked two years of consistent growth – owing to ‘streamflation’ and popular new series ‘The White Lotus’ and ‘Severance. The Barclays Consumer Spend report combines hundreds of millions of customer transactions with consumer research to provide an in-depth view of UK spending. All four consumer confidence measures improved in February. Confidence in household finances reached the highest level Barclays has seen since it started tracking this measure in 2015, at 75 per cent (up from 70 per cent in January). This is perhaps in part due to prudent money management, as 40 per cent say they are finding ways to save money amidst increasing costs. Confidence in consumers’ ability to spend more on non-essential items rose to 59 per cent (from 56 per cent), while discretionary spending remained in growth at 2.1 per cent. This was offset, however, by a dip in essential spending (-1.0 per cent), suggesting shoppers are finding ways to prioritise lifestyle purchases while making savings. Economic confidence also climbed in February, after a slump at the start of the year. Consumers are feeling more optimistic about the strength of the global, European and UK economy, with the latter reaching 25 per cent – up four percentage points month-on-month. Despite these improvements, nine in 10 (89 per cent, up from 86 per cent in January) say they are concerned about rising household bills, with water, energy and council tax amongst the essential costs set to increase in April. Concerns about inflation also persist, reaching their highest level since September 2023, at 88 per cent. A mixed bag for retail The retail sector saw marginal growth of 0.6 per cent, down from 1.2 per cent in January. Electronics, however, bucked this trend and enjoyed its greatest increase since 2021, up 6.7 per cent. This is potentially due to upgrades to home-entertainment and technology purchased between 2020-2021, given the typical lifecycle of these products, as well as new launches in February, such as the iPhone 16E. More shoppers (67 per cent, up from 64 per cent in January) said they are actively looking for ways to get better value from their weekly shop. Of these cost-conscious shoppers, three in five (57 per cent) are looking out for loyalty scheme discounts and deals, while 52 per cent are buying more items on offer, and 49 per cent are shopping at discount supermarkets. ‘Streamflation’ returns Almost nine in 10 (88 per cent) UK adults are signed up to at least one subscription service. The most popular subscriptions are film and TV streaming platforms (67 per cent), with consumers spending £175 on average a year each year on these services. This is followed by household essentials (61 per cent) and premium and prime delivery options (48 per cent). Barclays data showed spending on digital content and subscriptions increased 5.1 per cent in February – marking two years of consistent growth for the category. One in 10 (9 per cent) say they have, or plan to sign up to a subscription service so they could watch a popular new series such as ‘The White Lotus’ or ‘Severance’. However, rising prices remain front of mind as three in five (61 per cent) are concerned about the cost of digital content and subscriptions – otherwise known as ‘streamflation’. To avoid overspending, three in 10 (28 per cent) have reviewed their subscriptions to make sure they are only paying for what they use, and one fifth (20 per cent) have cancelled or are planning to cancel a subscription because it has become too expensive. Arrival of spring inspires healthy habits Over a quarter (27 per cent) of UK adults plan to focus more on healthy eating as the warmer weather approaches. One in three (30 per cent) say they are paying closer attention to ingredient and nutrition labels and a fifth (22 per cent) have considered, or are already growing, their own fruit and vegetables at home. This comes as 27 per cent say they’re more likely to visit shops and restaurants that offer “healthier” options, increasing to 45 per cent for those aged 18-24. Sought after alternatives include zero-sugar treats (33 per cent), organic or whole foods (29 per cent) and low or no alcohol drinks (24 per cent). The approaching season is also inspiring two fifths (40 per cent) of consumers to ‘spring clean’ their finances by reviewing their budgets and finding ways to cut back. A fifth (21 per cent) plan to track their spending to spot areas where they can save money, and the same number (21 per cent) plan to review their service and utility providers to ensure they’re getting the best deals. Karen Johnson, Head of Retail at Barclays, said: “It’s encouraging to see confidence in household finances reaching a record high as consumers are making conscious adjustments to their essential spending, by reviewing their budgets and setting financial goals." “Shoppers are clearly seeking more bang for their buck, while prioritising healthy habits, and finding a balance between caution and comfort ahead of the upcoming increases to household bills.” Will Hobbs, Head of UK Multi-Asset Wealth at Barclays, said: “The outlook for the UK economy remains better than widely anticipated. Much of the prospective uncertainty continues to rest uneasily on assumptions that the decade past must be prologue. Aggregate household financial strength allied to positive real wage growth and a gathering industrial revolution are all reasons to think that the path ahead may be a little brighter.”