Northcote Equity (‘Northcote’), a newly established private equity firm, announces the first and final close of its maiden fund, ‘Northcote Fund I’, at its hard cap of £160 million, only 16 weeks after launching the fundraise. Northcote specialises in technology and services investments in the UK and Ireland. Taking a high-conviction and flexible approach, the team can support both minority and majority structures, investing up to £30m of equity in buyout and growth capital investments. Prior to founding Northcote, its founding partners, Matthew Charman, Scott Fairlie and Charles Dale spent nearly a decade together at one of Europe’s best-performing private equity funds. The Fund has attracted commitments from leading institutions, university endowments and family offices based in the US and Europe. On the successful close of the maiden fund Matthew Charman, Co-Founder at Northcote Equity, said: “Our vision for Northcote has been clear from day one – create the leading boutique manager for ambitious founders and management teams seeking a first-time partner. The time came to leave the comfort of our jobs, take the entrepreneurial leap and refocus on the part of the market we’re most passionate about and believe can generate the highest returns. Ultimately that message resonated very strongly with the investor community, which translated into demand in excess of £300m for the Fund.” “Our ethos is to keep investing simple and focused,” said Scott Fairlie, Co-Founder at Northcote Equity. “For us, the simplicity comes through supporting the founders we find truly exciting, and the focus is in sticking to what we know. Today, we’re humbled and proud to be backed by the founders we’ve backed in the past who are investing their own hard-earned capital and are now on hand to guide the next generation of entrepreneurs.” Charles Dale, Co-Founder at Northcote Equity concluded “We’re incredibly proud of the trust that has been placed in us by such prestigious investors, who share our vision for committing to this part of the market over the long term. We’re well progressed in building an exceptional team at Northcote, alongside our Executives in Residence, and we can’t wait to begin partnering with some of the brightest and boldest company founders in the UK and Irish markets.” For more information, please visit Northcote Equity's website here

Leading Scottish hospitality group, Buzzworks, has announced an exciting new venture with trailblazing whisky company Against The Grain, as it continues to elevate its hospitality offering across its venues. Founded by Scottish rugby sensations Duhan van Der Merwe and Pierre Schoeman, Buzzworks will be stocking their stunning 12-year-old Speyside single malt, Hirundine, in each of its 21 venues across Scotland. The announcement comes as Scotland’s Six Nations campaign gets underway, with the national side’s first game resulting in a 31-19 victory against Italy at the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday (February 1, 2025). David Howie, Company Bar Manager at Buzzworks said: “We are thrilled to be working with Against The Grain by bringing the brand’s exceptional 12-year-old Speyside single malt to all of our venues across Scotland."" “Hirundine is a fantastic addition to our whisky collection and reflects our dedication to bringing our guests some of the most exciting and memorable food and drink experiences." “Working with Duhan and Pierre, who share our passion for excellence and innovation, has been an absolute privilege so far, and we’re excited for our customers to enjoy this outstanding tipple at Buzzworks venues." “We have lots of exciting plans up our sleeve with Against The Grain, which we can’t wait to share more details about in the coming months.” Pierre Schoeman, co-founder of Against The Grain, said: "We're thrilled to blend our passion for rugby and whisky, creating a unique experience that celebrates Scottish heritage. Our partnership with Buzzworks and Against The Grain exemplifies our commitment to excellence and innovation, offering fans and guests a taste of Scotland that’s as rich as our game." Duhan van Der Merwe, co-founder of Against The Grain, added: "Teaming up with Buzzworks and Against The Grain is a dream come true, combining my love for rugby and fine whisky." “This partnership not only showcases the spirit of Scotland but also brings our fans and patrons together to celebrate our culture. We can't wait for everyone to enjoy Hirundine and experience the excitement of the Six Nations with us!" Hirundine 12-year-old single malt is now available for guests to enjoy at all Buzzworks venues across Scotland. What’s more Buzzworks venues across Scotland will be showing Six Nations Games live, including at Vic’s, T-Bar, The Fox, The Coach House, The Corner House, The Mill House, The Bridge Inn and Thirty Knots.

Bitcoin, a decentralised digital currency, has captured the world’s attention since its inception in 2008. Its creator, known by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, envisioned a system that would operate outside the control of central banks and government institutions, offering a new way to transfer value and store wealth. Over the past decade, Bitcoin has grown from a niche technological curiosity to a major financial asset, sparking debates about its potential to reshape the global financial landscape. The Origins of Bitcoin The journey of Bitcoin began with the publication of Nakamoto’s whitepaper, Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System. In this document, Nakamoto outlined a system for transferring funds securely and anonymously over the internet, using a decentralised ledger known as the blockchain. The innovation behind Bitcoin was its use of cryptographic techniques to validate transactions, eliminating the need for intermediaries such as banks or payment processors. In January 2009, Nakamoto released the first version of the Bitcoin software, and the network went live with the mining of its genesis block (the first block in the blockchain). This marked the beginning of the cryptocurrency era, as Bitcoin began its journey from concept to a functioning digital currency. Bitcoin's Unique Features Bitcoin stands out from traditional currencies and financial systems in several key ways. First, it is decentralised, meaning that no single entity, government, or financial institution controls it. Instead, Bitcoin transactions are validated by a global network of computers, known as miners, which verify and record transactions on the blockchain. This decentralised structure offers a level of transparency and security that is absent in traditional financial systems. Second, Bitcoin operates on a fixed supply model. Unlike fiat currencies, which can be printed by governments at will, Bitcoin has a total supply limit of 21 million coins. This scarcity has led some to describe Bitcoin as 'digital gold', suggesting that it could serve as a store of value similar to precious metals. The controlled supply is also a key feature that differentiates Bitcoin from inflationary currencies, making it an attractive option for those seeking to protect their wealth from inflation. Third, Bitcoin offers pseudonymous transactions. While Bitcoin transactions are public and can be viewed on the blockchain, the identities of the parties involved are not directly tied to the transactions. This level of privacy, combined with the global accessibility of the network, has made Bitcoin particularly appealing to individuals in countries with unstable economies or authoritarian governments. Bitcoin as a Store of Value One of the most widely debated aspects of Bitcoin is its potential as a store of value. Traditional investors often rely on assets like gold, real estate, or government bonds to preserve their wealth over time. Bitcoin, with its scarcity and decentralised nature, has attracted attention as a digital alternative to these traditional stores of value. Over the years, Bitcoin’s price has experienced extreme volatility, which has raised questions about its long-term stability. Early adopters who invested in Bitcoin in its formative years saw significant returns, but the currency has also experienced dramatic crashes, leading some to label it as a speculative asset. However, many proponents argue that Bitcoin’s volatility is a natural consequence of its youth and growing adoption, and that its long-term potential lies in its ability to offer an alternative to traditional financial systems. During times of economic uncertainty or currency devaluation, Bitcoin has been seen as a safe haven asset, akin to gold. In countries facing hyperinflation, like Venezuela, Bitcoin has provided an escape for individuals looking to protect their wealth from a collapsing national currency. Moreover, Bitcoin’s decentralised nature ensures that it cannot be manipulated by central banks or governments, making it a hedge against political and economic instability. Bitcoin’s Role in the Financial Ecosystem Bitcoin’s impact extends beyond its potential as a store of value. It has catalysed the development of an entire ecosystem of cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based technologies. Bitcoin was the first to demonstrate the feasibility of a decentralised, digital currency, and its success has inspired the creation of thousands of altcoins—alternative cryptocurrencies that aim to address Bitcoin’s limitations or serve niche purposes. Moreover, the blockchain technology that underpins Bitcoin has found applications in a wide range of industries, including supply chain management, healthcare, and voting systems. The promise of secure, transparent, and tamper-proof record-keeping has led to widespread experimentation and innovation in various sectors, all thanks to the pioneering work done by Bitcoin’s network. Bitcoin has also paved the way for decentralized finance (DeFi), a movement that aims to create a more open and inclusive financial system. Through smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps), DeFi protocols allow users to borrow, lend, trade, and earn interest on their assets without relying on traditional financial intermediaries. While still in its infancy, the DeFi space is rapidly evolving, and Bitcoin remains a central pillar of this new financial ecosystem. Challenges and Criticisms Despite its potential, Bitcoin faces several challenges that could impact its future growth and adoption. One of the primary criticisms is its environmental impact. Bitcoin mining, the process by which new bitcoins are created and transactions are validated, requires vast amounts of computational power. This has led to concerns about its energy consumption and carbon footprint, particularly as the price of Bitcoin rises and mining activity intensifies. Another challenge is the regulatory uncertainty surrounding Bitcoin. Governments and regulators around the world are grappling with how to classify and regulate Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. In some countries, like China, Bitcoin has been banned outright, while others, like the United States, are still determining how to approach taxation and anti-money laundering regulations. As Bitcoin becomes more mainstream, its relationship with governments and regulators will likely evolve, which could either support or hinder its growth. Bitcoin also faces scalability issues. As the number of transactions on the Bitcoin network grows, the system has struggled to process large volumes of transactions quickly and cheaply. Efforts to address this challenge, such as the implementation of the Lightning Network, aim to improve Bitcoin’s scalability and make it more practical for everyday use. However, the resolution of these issues remains a work in progress. The Future of Bitcoin The future of Bitcoin is uncertain, but its role in the financial landscape is undeniable. As more institutional investors, corporations, and even governments begin to engage with Bitcoin, its adoption and value may continue to grow. Whether it will achieve its potential as a global reserve currency or remain a speculative asset is yet to be determined. What is clear, however, is that Bitcoin has fundamentally changed the way we think about money, value, and trust in financial systems. It has sparked a global conversation about the need for financial decentralisation, privacy, and the future of money. Bitcoin may not yet be the universal currency that Nakamoto envisioned, but its impact on the world of finance is profound, and its legacy will continue to shape the future of digital assets for years to come.

Frozen food distributor Central Foods has unveiled a new flavour in its range of Menuserve meringue roulades for the food service sector. The Menuserve Peach Bellini Meringue Roulade is hand-rolled and finished, and is filled with peach curd and Prosecco-infused dairy cream, topped with honeycomb pieces. Just like the other meringue roulades in the Menuserve range, it is gluten-free and suitable for coeliacs and vegetarians. MD of Central Foods Oli Sampson said: “Our Menuserve meringue roulades are one of the most popular desserts sold by Central Foods. If all the meringue roulades we sold last year were laid end to end, they would be the equivalent of 100 times the height of the Eiffel Tower." “This new Peach Bellini Meringue Roulade is perfect for spring and summer menus, as well as special occasions, giving our customers a delicious addition to their dessert menus which is sure to go down well with their own customers.” Offering great plate coverage, an appealing artisan look, and with excellent holding ability, each meringue roulade contains ten portions and takes four hours to defrost at 4 degrees. There are two meringue roulades in each pack which, once defrosted, can be stored in the fridge and served for up to 48 hours to help reduce wastage. The Menuserve meringue roulades are sold exclusively via Central Foods through wholesalers across the country. Other flavours include Black Forest, banoffee, lemon, strawberry and Prosecco, raspberry and hazelnut, and raspberry and white chocolate, meaning there is a flavour to suit all occasions and all seasons. Central Foods is one of the UK’s leading frozen food distributors, offering a range of sweet and savoury products to the food service industry. The company currently sells to over 200 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. Based in Northamptonshire, Central Foods is proud to be a catering partner across the whole food service sector, supplying to hotels, restaurants, bars, universities, schools, pubs, care homes, garden centres, leisure outlets and more here.

A third-generation egg producer has welcomed some aspects of Defra secretary Steve Reed’s so-called “new deal for farmers.” However, managing director of Farmlay Iain Chapman, stopped short of giving his wholehearted support to the Secretary of State’s speech at last month's Oxford Farming Conference because of the cloud of controversial changes to Inheritance Tax (IHT) hanging over the industry and worries about whether all the new initiatives will see the light of day in his home nation of Scotland. Mr Chapman picked out the following positives from Mr Reed’s new vision for the farming sector: Making it easier for British farmers to get business from selling into the £5billion spent on public service catering contracts. Confirmed by Defra as an England-only policy at this stage. Improving opportunities for farmers to make money from selling surplus energy back from solar panels and wind turbines; a UK-wide initiative. New supply chain rules, ensuring contracts are set out clearly and that changes can only be made if agreed by all parties. UK-wide. “These would all be great news and - in some cases such as improving access to public service catering contracts - something that the industry has been banging on about for years,” said Mr Chapman. “But my initial enthusiasm will be kept in check by the proposed farm IHT changes. In my opinion, the Government’s plans will stifle all farming businesses from expanding." “On a personal note, although we have started on succession we have not completed and I am - along with many thousands of others - worried about IHT impact if the worst was to happen to any generation of a family farm.” The Chapman family, whose Farmlay business is Scotland’s second largest egg producer, farm almost 3,000 acres of land near Strichen, in Aberdeenshire.   “My dad started out at 15 on his parents 130-acre farm. He had a dream of owning 100,000 hens and 1,000 acres of farmland. Farmlay as a business now owns more than 450,000 hens, with a further 550,000 owned by contract farmers." “Although my father is an amazing man, it’s hard to imagine that sort of growth being possible if there had been the dark cloud of IHT hanging over him and other farmers.” Reflecting on the aspects of Steve Reed’s OFC speech that caught his eye, Mr Chapman said in theory the issue of public sector procurement - monitoring where food is bought with the aim of making it easier for British farmers to access opportunities to sell produce into public service catering contracts - was “great news if it happens”. With agriculture devolved in Scotland, ScotGov now has control over how the agricultural portion of the overarching budget is spent, although Westminster can steer direction of travel. A spokesperson for Defra has confirmed that the procurement policy is England only at this stage, rather than a national directive.  “NFUS has been talking about this for years but yet it always seems to come back to what’s cheapest,” said Mr Chapman. “It was disappointing to learn that at this stage Scotland isn’t included. If it had been, it could have been brilliant news for the whole farming sector.” However, Defra has confirmed that the plans highlighted by the Minister to make it easier for farmers to make money from selling surplus energy back from solar panels and wind turbines will include Scotland. “I am unsure how this would work, so will be following developments closely. It will be really interested to hear how Mr Reed will actually achieve this.” Finally, Farmlay has been at the forefront of securing what has become widely known as a “golden age” for egg producers with fixed five-year rolling contracts with many major supermarkets. So Defra’s fair supply chain guidelines, confirmed as UK-wide, caught Mr Chapman’s eye. New rules are due to come in for the pig industry in the spring, with the promise of other sectors such as eggs and fresh produce to follow. "Yes, we personally have long term supermarket deals, but nobody can afford to get complacent. Food security is too serious an issue to leave to chance and hardly a day goes by in the news when this isn’t highlighted." “Any new supply chain guidelines to support the UK farming industry’s world-leading field to fork story and help give us and other farmers security to expand is to be welcomed.” Commenting after Steve Reed’s 25-year roadmap for farming Oxford speech, NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “Many are worried about making it to the end of 2025, never mind what happens 25 years down the line.” Changes to IHT relief for farms are due to take effect from April 2026.

A tech entrepreneur who experienced long-term medical issues as a child says there are massive gains to be made from better home care. This follows news that the government will tell health and social care bosses to spend money to keep more elderly patients at home, rather than in hospital. Josh Hough, founder and CEO of CareLineLive, said it’s in the interests of everyone for there to be more home care provision. He also said this is a key part of reducing bed blocking in NHS hospitals. Hough said: “People are spending too long in hospital and it would be in the interests of everyone if they were to return home far sooner.” The government’s new plan comes from changes to the Better Care Fund, a £9bn funding pot created in 2015 to integrate health and social care. Hough said the size of this fund demonstrates just what huge savings are on offer if health and home care systems worked together efficiently. “Taxpayers will definitely benefit from this and it will make life better for patients, carers and the NHS as a whole,” he said. “The fact that the government is providing £9bn worth of funding to improve home care shows just what an extraordinary amount of savings could be made within the NHS if patients spent less time in hospital and more time at home." “A lot of what is taking place in hospitals could be done at a patient’s home. However, information necessary for good care isn’t being shared. People delivering care in the community need access to patient data currently held at hospitals." “Similarly, doctors would greatly benefit from a clear record of the patient, showing what has happened when they were at home. The reason we have bed blocking is because so many people are unnecessarily delayed in hospital." “I’ve experienced these types of issues first hand. When I was a child and needed regular medical attention I had to repeatedly tell medical professionals and carers about my condition." “It opened my eyes to what patients have to go through, endlessly repeating themselves while carers and health care staff spend an insane amount of time going through paperwork. “In the 21st century we really need to do better." Hough added that his company has worked with health care bosses to help free up thousands of beds in NHS hospitals. “At CareLineLive we've been working with Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust for a number of years and we've helped them free up over 22,000 beds in a 12 month period, equating to more than 60 freed up NHS beds per day,” he said. “Technology can speed up the triage between hospital discharge and community based care. It’s that space where the bottle necks can occur. We can unblock these beds and the way to do that is by using technology that enables the safe and rapid sharing of data between the relevant people.” About Josh Hough Josh Hough is the founder and CEO of homecare software company CareLineLive. The business has over 600 home care clients in seven countries, produces revenues of over £3.5m and has 42 staff. Josh was born with the rare muscle weakening condition Minicore Myopathy and spent much of his early life in a wheelchair. He set up CareLineLive in 2014 after his family struggled to get information about his grandfather’s care. CareLineLive is one of the few companies to meet the NHSx requirements to be on the approved supplier list for Digital Social Care Records. It also integrates with GPConnect, enabling access to GP records.

Luxury homebuilder Mulberry Homes is looking back on the work it has done to support and connect with the communities it builds in, to mark New Homes Week (Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th February). New Homes Week is an annual campaign delivered by the Home Builders Federation to provide a positive platform for the homebuilding industry, new build homeowners and potential homebuyers to celebrate the benefits of new build homes. Each campaign follows a different theme and this year the theme is ‘community’. To mark the occasion, Mulberry Homes is looking back on some of the ways it engaged with local communities over the past year. Over the course of 2024, the housebuilder supported 23 different charities, local sports teams and clubs, community groups and schools across all of the regions it operates in, including some based in the county. Across Leicestershire, the work was mainly with John Wycliffe Primary School. The housebuilder donated mental health books to a primary school in Lutterworth to highlight Youth Mental Health Day on 19th September. Youth Mental Health Day aims to encourage an open dialogue between young people about their mental health and any struggles they may be facing. The awareness day aims to break down the stigma surrounding mental health. John Wycliffe Primary School, which is just under one mile away from Mulberry Homes’ Kingsbury Park development, received a bundle of books that tackle sensitive subjects including emotions and grief. Imogen Baynes, Teacher at John Wycliffe Primary School, said: “We were very happy when we received this donation from Mulberry Homes. The focus on breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health is important, and these books act as a gateway for children to do that.” Mulberry Homes also donated gardening kits to the same primary school, to celebrate National Children’s Gardening Week, which ran from Saturday 25th May to Sunday 2nd June. Imogen Bayne, said: “National Children’s Gardening Week is a fun and engaging way for us to inspire a love of gardening amongst our pupils. The kits from Mulberry Homes will be a great help in us teaching the children new skills.” Sophie Leathley, Senior Brand and Marketing Manager at Mulberry Homes, said: “We are incredibly proud of the work we have done with charities, sports teams, schools and local groups over 2024. Supporting local communities is incredibly important to us at Mulberry Homes and we are delighted that New Homes Week has afforded us the opportunity to look back on some of the great work we have done, and we look forward to supporting more groups and organisations in 2025.” Mulberry Homes has a range of homes available across Leicestershire. To find out more, visit here. Established in 2011 and based in Warwickshire, Mulberry Homes is a medium housebuilder that provides quality properties across the wider midlands and southern counties. It specialises in individual and exclusive developments with their own looks and personalities and builds traditional homes with modern layouts. Above Photo: An example of the book bundle donated by Mulberry Homes

A start-up business in Dorset has trumped the world by developing the first CBD gel that has gained NSF certification – enabling professional athletes and the military to safely use it. Farard Darver, a former boyband star and commando, created HEMPE after being injured in Afghanistan, and the brand has boomed. The new certification is operated by NSF - a global organisation active in 170 countries – and ensures that products meet the highest safety standards. Professional sportsmen and women around the globe, as well as ordinary people, are now using the topical gel HEMPE to alleviate muscle and joint pain. Premiership and Czech international footballer Tomáš Souček is the latest convert and brand ambassador who applies it to help recover after games. He said: “We have to be very careful as professional athletes in using products because many contain substances that are illegal. With HEMPE I know it is absolutely fine to use and importantly it works very quickly; I can use it before and after training and games to make sure I recover as fast as possible." “There are hot and cold versions and as sportspeople will tell you, this is extremely useful.” Becoming the first CBD topical gel product to be ‘NSF Certified for Sport’ followed almost two years of rigorous testing and evaluation. It also means the product can be safely used by the military, which also has strict rules about what can be consumed or applied by its personnel. Farard, who lives in Lymington, Hants, and whose company Healthcare International Research, is based in Wimborne, said: “This certification is a real first. No other company in the world has managed to gain topical CBD gel certification." “It means we have been able to enter the world of professional sport; we are already in talks with Premiership and Major League sports teams around the world." “Many CBD products contain traces of THC – the active ingredient in cannabis – or the CBD is mixed with other substances that would fail a drugs test. Our new certification provides athletes with confidence in knowing the gels comply with stringent testing for banned substances." “We have pro athletes in many fields – from football and cricket, to rugby, motor sport, strongman and MMA – using it. HEMPE provides safe, effective, and scientifically-backed alternatives for managing muscle, joint, and skin complaints." After my injury in Afghanistan I was using ibuprofen and paracetamol too much and really wanted an alternative. After discovering the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD I left the military and invested everything I had in developing and launching HEMPE." “Tomáš Souček of West Ham United is just one of many pro athletes using it around the world and his endorsement is typical of the feedback we hear all the time.” Above Photo: Farard Darver and Premiership footballer Tomáš Souček

Jason Davenport has been promoted to director of traffic and transportation at East Midlands-based civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting. He takes over from one of the founding directors of BSP Consulting, Mark Rayers, who is stepping back to become a part-time consultant to the business. Jason, who was previously associate director of transportation at BSP Consulting, joined the company as a transport engineer just a month after it was founded in 1999 and has been a key member of the team ever since. His expertise includes transport planning, travel plans, transport assessment, access strategy, noise assessments and safety audits. Jason’s experience ranges across all sectors, having worked on schemes at airports and universities through to supermarkets and housing developments. BSP MD Carl Hilton said: “We are very pleased to announce the promotion of Jason Davenport to director of traffic and transportation at BSP Consulting." “Our ethos is to promote from within wherever possible, which provides our team with opportunities to progress their careers and also enables smooth succession planning for the business." “Jason has been a loyal, experienced, and valued part of the team at BSP right from the start and his promotion is very well deserved." “As one of the founding directors of BSP Consulting, Mark has played a pivotal role in the success of BSP - helping the company to grow to become one of the largest independent civil and structural engineering businesses in the East Midlands." “We are very pleased that he is staying with us as a part-time consultant and continuing to support the extensive network of clients that we have built up since the business began more than 25 years ago.” Throughout his time at BSP, Jason has held positions as transport engineer, senior transport engineer, associate and associate director. His appointment as director of traffic and transportation began on 1st February 2025. He said: “Under Mark Rayers, the traffic and transportation department at BSP Consulting has earned an excellent reputation as a professional and skilled team that provides outstanding service to clients." “I have worked with Mark for 28 years in total, having met him before he became a founding director at BSP, and I am proud to have been appointed to head up the team going forward and to continue the good work that BSP has become renowned for.” Jason, who lives in Gedling, Nottingham, is based in BSP’s head office in Nottingham but heads up the traffic and transportation team across the group. Mark Rayers is one of the original four founders of BSP Consulting, which was launched in Oxford Street, Nottingham in 1999. The company has since expanded with offices in Pride Park, Derby and De Montfort Street, Leicester, as well as an office in South Yorkshire, on Smithy Wood Crescent, Sheffield. He has stepped down in his role as a director but will remain a part-time consultant to BSP Consulting, working one day a week. BSP is an award-winning firm that operates across the UK, offering civil engineering, structural engineering, transport engineering, geotechnical, and environmental engineering. BSP works across all sectors including housing, student accommodation, commercial, industrial, health, education, senior living, retail and heritage. For more information about BSP Consulting visit here .

The UK’s first and only fully solar-powered tea factory. 100% Carbon Neutral. Biodegradable tea bags. Supporting African conservation and community programmes. Birchall Tea, passionate pioneers of the tea industry for over 150 years, have always taken their responsibilities to the environment very seriously and are committed to continually reducing the impact of the company’s trading activities upon it. As part of this ongoing commitment, they are a long standing member of the Ethical Tea Partnership and have offered both Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance Certified Teas within their product range for nearly 10 years. Supporting Conservation & Community in Africa Birchall has been committed to conservation in Africa for over a decade, where all of their black teas are exclusively sourced from. The Birchall Community programme has supported Virunga National Park for around 12 years, helping to protect the park and its inhabitants. Beyond conservation, Birchall has been commended for providing excellent housing and social amenities for workers, fostering strong community relations, supporting local schools and water projects, and engaging in conservation education initiatives such as tree planting. In 2024 they announced a partnership with Tusk, an esteemed African wildlife conservation charity that accelerates the impact of African-driven wildlife conservation. The latest step in this collaboration is the launch of Birchall’s new ‘Serengeti’ tea, with 5p from every pack going directly to Tusk. This initiative underscores Birchall Tea's commitment to sustainable and ethical practices while supporting Tusk’s vital African wildlife conservation efforts. Solar Powered Tea The Birchall Tea Factory in Amesbury, Wiltshire is the UK’s first fully solar-powered tea factory. Its roof-top solar installation features more than 460 solar panels, which are capable of generating all the clean renewable electricity for their on-site operations. The factory generates twice the electricity it needs – putting power back into the National Grid. In 2020, Birchall achieved the Carbon Neutral International Standard, which means that all Birchall Tea products are now 100% Carbon Neutral. Biodegradable Bags All of Birchall’s award-winning teas are available in plant-based Prism™ Tea Bags, made from a biodegradable plant starch called “SoilOn”, which originates from plants. This means that they will break down under certain environmental conditions and degrade most quickly (within 12 weeks) when disposed of through an industrial food waste system. The Everyday Tea Bags are now made from a newly-developed plant-based tissue that is 100% renewable and entirely free from oil-based plastic. They are now fully compostable and, like the Prism™ Tea Bags, will biodegrade, as long as you dispose of them through your food waste. The popular String & Tag Tea Bags are also made from a blend of Abaca and other cellulosic fibres and are therefore plastic free.

Young people in the West of Scotland facing a cancer diagnosis will receive vital emotional support, thanks to the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Youth Empowerment Programme. The programme ensures young people undergoing cancer treatment have access to specialist Youth Support Coordinators who provide essential emotional and practical assistance at a critical time in their lives. Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer. Through its dedicated units in the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, the charity ensures young people receive age-appropriate care and access to trained professionals who understand their unique needs. Every year, around 248 young people in Scotland aged 13-24 are diagnosed with cancer, and many struggle to access the support they need to navigate their diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. The Youth Empowerment Programme provides tailored support to young people living with cancer. They offer guidance on managing treatment side effects, assist in maintaining social connections, and create opportunities to meet others going through similar experiences. Through individual and group activities, the programme reduces feelings of isolation and helps young people maintain their mental health and wellbeing throughout and beyond their treatment. The programme’s impact has been strengthened with a £2,000 donation from Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust. This funding will provide 80 hours of emotional support, ensuring more young people can access the care they need at a time of immense challenge. With no government or NHS Scotland funding, the Teenage Cancer Trust relies entirely on donations like these to continue its important work. Joanne Clark, Trusts and Foundations Executive at the Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “Thank you to the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust for their incredibly kind support of our work. This generous donation will make a lasting impact on the lives of young people with cancer, making sure they get the best possible care and emotional support they need and deserve.” Gerry Facenna, founder and owner of Allied Vehicles Group, said: “Cancer touches every family, including my own, and a cancer diagnosis is something nobody should have to face alone at any age, especially as young as just 13. The work of the Teenage Cancer Trust provides essential support at a time when it is needed most, and we’re proud to contribute to this wonderful programme.” This funding will ensure that young people in the West of Scotland facing cancer are not alone. By providing vital emotional support, the Teenage Cancer Trust makes a profound difference in the lives of Scotland’s young people who are undergoing cancer treatment, giving them the confidence, care, and connections they need at a crucial time.

JCB celebrated a major machine milestone with the production of its one millionth backhoe loader. The first JCB backhoe rolled off the production line in Rocester, Staffordshire in 1953. Called the Mark One, it brought the new wonder of hydraulic power to construction equipment for the first time. In the first full year of production in 1954 just 35 of the machines were built and it took more than 20 years for the first 50,000 to be made. It took 59 years for the first half million JCB backhoes to be manufactured – but less than 13 years for the next half million to be produced, culminating in celebrations. JCB now manufactures backhoe loaders in the UK, India, Brazil and it remains of the most versatile and productive machines in the world. Despite the maturity of the versatile backhoe loader, it is still one of the biggest selling pieces of construction machinery and it remains the world’s 4th most popular machine in the construction equipment sales league table. Hundreds of backhoe loader employees lined the road outside JCB’s World HQ, joining company Chairman Anthony Bamford to watch a cavalcade of 16 backhoes from down the ages. These spanned a 1954 Mark I through to a 2025 3CX model. Also joining in the celebrations today was retired JCB welder Ken Harrison, aged 100, who joined JCB as a welder in 1952 when only 29 people worked on the shop floor. Ken, one of the last known survivors of the production team that built the first JCB backhoes, retired 36 years later in 1988. Lord Bamford said: “I am the only person in the business now who can remember the early days when we first started to make backhoes in what was a former cheese factory in Rocester. Looking back at that time, I could never have imagined that we would make one million of these diggers after such humble beginnings. Looking back is a fun thing to do but it’s always been JCB’s way to look forward and I’m looking forward to the production of the next one million backhoes.” JCB has always invested heavily in its backhoe loader range and an early catalyst for growth was in 1980 which saw the £24 million launch of the technologically advanced 3CX. Customers then went on to reap the fuel saving benefits of the launch of JCB backhoes powered by the JCB Dieselmax, a development which saves up to 11% in fuel costs. 3CX Pro is the fastest backhoe loader in the world, capable of speeds up to 50kph, reducing travel time between sites. As well as backhoes, JCB also manufactures Loadall telescopic handers, tracked and wheeled excavators, wheeled loading shovels, mini and micro excavators, skid steer loaders, track loaders, compaction equipment, rough terrain forklifts and Fastrac tractors. JCB backhoes are manufactured in the UK, India and Brazil and the company sells the product in 120 different countries. The business unit which manufactures the machines has previously won six Queen’s Awards. Royalty, Prime Ministers, politicians and TV stars have all been photographed in the cab of JCB backhoes over the years. The JCB backhoe was even the subject of a song which made the top of the UK charts. And it was a JCB backhoe which robbers used in a failed attempt to steal £350 million worth of diamonds from the Millennium Dome in 2000. The one millionth JCB backhoe to be produced was a 3CX model, which has been decorated in graffiti art and presented to Lord Bamford at today’s celebrations.