XPO, a leading provider of innovative and sustainable end-to-end logistics solutions across Europe, has enhanced its maternity benefits for soon-to-be and new parents, boosting the company’s leadership position in family policies in the transportation and logistics sector. Currently, in the UK, XPO employees – or those adopting children – are entitled to Enhanced Maternity Pay after one year of service. Now, after two years of service, employees are entitled to the following additional pay benefits: The first six weeks of maternity leave are paid at 90% of their weekly average earnings. The following 20 weeks are paid at 80% of their basic pay + allowances (including statutory maternity pay). The remaining 13 weeks will be paid at the government statutory rate, or 90% of their average weekly earnings, whichever is lower. This means that employees receive a higher amount than the Government’s Statutory Maternity Pay for a significantly extended period, which will help new parents worry less about their finances during this critical time. UK advocacy organisations Unison and Maternity Action have called for increasing the current Statutory Maternity Pay to £364.70. Lynn Brown, vice-president of human resources – UK and Ireland, XPO Logistics, said: “We are proud to be leading the way in our industry on maternity and adoption pay, in addition to other family-friendly policies we have recently implemented and enhanced. This further demonstrates our desire to create a truly inclusive workforce that supports employees during key times in their lives.” XPO Logistics is a leading innovative supply chain company in Europe, offering end-to-end logistics solutions that combine full-truckload, less-than-truckload, pallet distribution, last-mile delivery, global freight forwarding, and warehousing services. The company tailors its solutions to the specific needs of its customers in a wide range of industrial and consumer sectors.

The Bradford Bulls believe in the power of diversity and the importance of creating environments where everyone feels valued, respected and appreciated. They have received support and guidance from Muslim Friendly Employers’ CEO Humayun Islam BEM BCAc in recent weeks, with a number of exciting developments still to come from this partnership. Humayun Islam BEM BCAc, Muslim Friendly Employers’ CEO said: “It’s great to have Bradford Bulls on board as a Muslim Friendly Employer. Embracing diversity isn’t about tolerance, it’s about genuine inclusion. As CEO of Muslim Friendly Employers, I’m proud to see Bradford Bulls step forward, not just welcoming, but personally embracing diversity. I am excited to collaborate with Ian Stafford and the Bulls, empowering them to become a beacon of inclusivity in sports and beyond.” Bradford Bulls’ Commercial Manager Ian Stafford said: “We are delighted to be working with Humayun and become the first UK Rugby League club to sign up as Muslim Friendly Employers." “In recent years, the club has made clear its commitment to create an inclusive, welcoming environment at Bartercard Odsal Stadium and this exciting partnership is another positive step forward." “While 2023 saw us hold the first Iftar at a Rugby League stadium in this country, which we repeated again in March of this year, we also held the Bradford Hindu Awards for the first time later in the year. 2023 also saw us host a Diwali celebration." “On behalf of the club I’d like to thank Humayun for his guidance and continued support, and we look forward to developing this partnership in the weeks and months to come.”

A high-quality complex of modern office suites situated in the historic city of York is close to achieving full occupancy after Grand Central Rail announced it would be relocating to the premises. Set within York’s famous medieval walls, the 23,091 sq. ft Grade-II listed building at 20 George Hudson Street is home to the likes of First Bus, Jacobs, RotaCloud and Simpson Associates. Grand Central is due to complete its move from Northern House at the start of May, taking up a 2,740 sq. ft second-floor suite with open-plan accommodation, two part-glazed meeting rooms, fitted kitchen and staff areas plus comfort cooling and heating. Formerly the home of York City Council, the building has been extensively refurbished, retaining many of the original features such as exposed brick walls and steelwork, complemented by modern toilets and kitchen facilities. Owned by Boultbee Brooks, this established office location provides convenient access to both the main shopping area and railway station, while the Tanner Row multi-storey car park is directly opposite and buses serving Park & Ride sites, the city centre and surrounding areas are available close by. On-site car parking facilities are also available for residents, while a range of hotels such as The Grand Hotel & Spa, Hampton by Hilton, Park Inn by Radisson, Travelodge and Malmaison are also situated nearby. Train operator Grand Central runs direct rail routes between the North East, West Yorkshire and London, with six return services a day between York and the capital. Chris Brandon, Head of Business Development at Grand Central, said: “Grand Central is pleased to be relocating its York head office to 20 George Hudson Street in York. We have been based in York since we began operations and the move to George Hudson Street allows us to retain our city centre location, with great local and national transport links whilst better reflecting our current office space requirements.” The Grand Central agreement follows the recent arrival of Simpson Associates which took up a third-floor suite at 20 George Hudson Street last year, and leaves the complex with only one remaining unit available to be let. Suite 3A offers contemporary offices, a fitted kitchenette, staff area and showers, while gas and electricity prices are fixed until 2025 and 2027. On-site car parking is also available. Chris Winn, property asset manager at Boultbee Brooks said: “In Grand Central, we are delighted to welcome yet another major business name to our modern office facility at 20 George Hudson Street." “Its location in the heart of historic York really does make this a special place to work, with ideal transport connections, high-spec office solutions and also the opportunity for additional on-site car parking to be provided." “With Grand Central’s arrival, we now have one last suite remaining, offering 2,325 sq. ft of prime office space on the third floor, offering all the amenities you would expect from a modern office space.” With over 30 years of experience investing in and managing property in the UK and beyond, Boultbee Brooks works with leading architects, planners, contractors, landscapers, interior and brand designers to create state-of-the-art commercial spaces.

Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust is proud to provide a donation of £1,000 to Glasgow Rugby League, a volunteer-led community rugby league club with a strong commitment to inclusivity and development. This funding is earmarked specifically for the training and development of the club's Wheelchair Rugby League team, supporting their growth and enhancing their capabilities with new equipment and playing strips. Glasgow Rugby League stands out for its comprehensive approach to the sport, supporting men’s 'Standard' and 'Wheelchair' clubs, with plans to launch 'Underage', and 'Women’s' teams—the latter two being unique initiatives in Scotland. With high operational costs for their facilities, this grant comes at a crucial time, enabling the club to not only maintain its operations but also to host events that promote the sport among young players and support charitable causes. Kris Hendrie, Men's Head Coach at Glasgow Rugby League, expressed his gratitude, stating, "We at Glasgow Rugby League are so grateful for the support from Allied Vehicles. These funds will greatly assist our current setup and significantly boost the wheelchair team in a critical development year. With this grant, we can purchase essential equipment and playing strips for the squad. We are very grateful once again for the support from the team at Allied Vehicles." The contribution from the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust underscores the Trust's dedication to fostering inclusivity and participation in society for those with disabilities. By supporting Glasgow Rugby League, the Trust aims to encourage more people, regardless of ability, to engage in and enjoy the camaraderie and benefits of sporting activities. David Facenna, Corporate Culture Director at Allied Vehicles, highlighted the alignment of this initiative with the company's core values, saying, "Supporting the Glasgow Rugby League’s wheelchair team, resonates deeply with us at Allied Vehicles." “A huge part of our business is manufacturing wheelchair accessible vehicles which make a real difference to people’s lives, and this donation continues to show our commitment to promoting accessibility and inclusivity in all areas of life, including sports. We're proud to support the development of wheelchair rugby in Glasgow and look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on the team and the community.”

Two breweries have teamed up to make a ‘supercharged’ version of one of St Austell Brewery’s most famous beers – Proper Job. Sauvin so Good was an idea brewed up by Mark Tranter of Burning Sky Brewery and Georgina Young, brewing director at St Austell Brewery. The pair got chatting about a collaboration at a beer event last year, with Mark heading down to Cornwall from East Sussex to bring the beer to life as part of St Austell Brewery’s Cask Club series. Having thrown a few ideas around about beer styles, they settled on brewing a punchier, super-hoppy version of Proper Job, thanks to Mark’s love of the flagship IPA. Georgina said: “I did think we might be brewing a funky cask sour, but Mark’s admiration for Proper Job ended up being the inspiration for this beer. We have experimented with the classic recipe though." “We have brewed the version of the beer we do for bottle and can and then pepped it up with some Nelson Sauvin, Motueka and lashings of more Chinook. If you love extremely hoppy beers, this is one for you.” “I’m a huge Burning Sky fan. I enjoy Arise and Aurora to name but a few of their cracking beers. It’s exciting to be collaborating with them for our Cask Club series.” Sauvin so Good, a 5.5% ABV New Zealand IPA will have big, punchy tropical fruit flavours including lychees and grapefruit. Burning Sky brewery in East Sussex was a dream made reality by head brewer, Mark, who has a love of punchy hop-forward pale ales and the Belgian beer tradition. Mark said: “Knowing my fondness for Proper Job, George shared a few bits of the recipe with me, and we were both keen to brew a slant on it using New Zealand hops, which we both love. We also used malted spelt, which we use a lot at Burning Sky, and a proper big dry hop." “Having a day at St Austell Brewery was great. Being able to see around the whole brewery and how it was modernised to meet with new marketplace demands was a real treat.” St Austell Brewery’s Cask Club sees a variety of experimental beers brewed in its small batch brewery each year, giving brewers the freedom to innovate. As a result, an exciting programme of limited-edition beers in cask are available in select pubs and its Visitor Centre.

Virgin Atlantic is delighted to add a second daily flight to Mumbai, signalling its continued commitment to the region. The new flight is the airline’s fifth daily service to India and complements its double daily services to Delhi and recently launched flights to Bengaluru. From 2025, Virgin Atlantic will offer over one million seats to the country, a 350% capacity growth since 2019, cementing India’s position as a key strategic market for the airline and marking its largest area of growth outside the United States. Alongside options for customers, the increase in flying is also a huge boost for cargo operations with additional capacity to support the movement of goods from the fashion, pharmaceuticals and tech sectors. With five daily services, Virgin Atlantic Cargo will offer over 40 million kg of space to and from India, a 336% increase in capacity versus 2019. Commencing on the 27 October 2024 and on sale from Wednesday 10th April 2024, the services will operate on the airline’s state of the art Airbus A350-1000, offering customers the option of Upper Class, Premium and Economy Delight, Classic and Light as well as the airline’s signature Upper Class social space. It will also offer seamless connectivity and a premium long-haul experience for those customers connecting via London Heathrow from destinations throughout North America including Seattle, San Francisco and New York JFK, with Virgin Atlantic and transatlantic joint venture partner, Delta Air Lines. Virgin Atlantic is also pleased to quadruple the number of Indian based cabin crew operating on our India routes this summer. Through GSA partner InterGlobe Air Transport, the airline will now average four Indian cabin crew on each flight in order to deliver a more personalised service to Indian customers. In addition to offering three direct destinations in India from London Heathrow, Virgin Atlantic has a strategic partnership with IndiGo, India’s leading airline. Customers can book one ticket which allows them to connect seamlessly to other popular destinations in India such as Ahmedabad, Goa and Hyderabad through Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. In total the partnership offers 36 additional destinations and has so far connected over 80,000 customers. Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, Virgin Atlantic, commented; “There is a huge opportunity for us in India, it has a dynamic, fast-growing economy and we’re anticipating a huge growth in demand for international travel from the region. We know both our customers and people love travelling to India and we have a rich history in the destination. Next year marks 25 years of operations and the first time that we’ll offer more than one million seats from London Heathrow." "The doubling of our Mumbai services reaffirms our strong commitment and will allow our customers to travel seamlessly throughout India and beyond, flying on one of the youngest fleets in the skies, with our signature personalised service, delivered by our amazing people.”

McLaren Automotive has announced the appointment of Jochen Schnez as the company’s new Chief Quality Officer, taking up the role from April 1, 2024. Based at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, Jochen will lead the company’s quality initiatives, ensuring that products meet the highest standard of excellence and reliability. Jochen Schnez joins McLaren from Mercedes-Benz overseeing the Bremen facility, leading a team of over 300 people across two production plants, one manufacturing plant, a press and a paint shop, covering both high and low volume product lines. Prior to his time with Mercedes-Benz, Jochen was an Officer in the Naval Armed Forces and graduated from the University of Armed Forces with a Bachelor Degree in Industrial Engineering. Jochen Schnez will report directly to Michael Leiters, McLaren Automotive Chief Executive Officer, who addss that: “We are delighted to welcome Jochen to the team as our new Chief Quality Officer." "With his proven experience in driving excellence and ensuring the highest product quality, Jochen’s leadership of the McLaren Corporate Quality function will help embed and maintain the highest quality standards right across our organisation.”

In a survey of large defined benefit (DB) pension schemes, 53% of respondents are planning to implement a buy-in or buyout, according to new research by Legal & General in partnership with the Centre of Economics and Business Research (Cebr). With an average scheme size of £9 billion, the schemes surveyed are amongst the largest in the UK. 38% of the respondents are aiming for full buyout which was the most common long-term objective identified in the survey, and a further 15% of respondents are planning to implement a buy-in as part of their de-risking objectives. This marks a notable increase from a previous study led by Legal & General in 2015 when only 11% of large schemes were aiming for full buyout. The time horizon for schemes looking to implement an insurance arrangement is also accelerating. 46% of respondents said their time horizon is shorter than a year ago by an average of over two and a half years. All the schemes that cited buyout as their long-term objective are aiming to complete a transaction within the next 3 years. 46% of respondents said that they had either already implemented or were currently investigating an investment strategy to target buyout, with a further 15% considering it as a potential future strategy. 76% of the schemes surveyed are monitoring their buyout funding level on a quarterly basis. Andrew Kail, CEO, Legal & General Retirement Institutional (LGRI): “This research provides a valuable window into a moment of great change and opportunity for the largest pension schemes in the UK as they look to the future of providing security in retirement for their members. The findings underscore the recognition of the stability and security that insurance offers. When we conducted our previous survey in 2015, the market had completed only seven transactions over £1 billion, and since then there have been more than forty." "There are around £1.4 trillion of DB pension scheme assets sitting on UK company balance sheets. Securing these pension promises will be a long-term process and we expect to see a healthy buy-in and buyout market for many years to come." "Invariably the best outcomes are achieved through schemes engaging early with advisers and insurers so that they are well prepared and transaction ready.” Mark Johnson, Head of Institutional Clients, Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM): “Higher interest rates have led to dramatically improved scheme funding levels, with 67% of schemes fully funded." "This L&G research shines a light on the significant increase in those exploring full buyout, as certain schemes are better placed to lock in their current positions." "The notable improvement in scheme funding, coupled with progress for DB scheme regulation, has driven a seismic shift in strategy. Endgame solutions are now front and centre of scheme agendas and the trustees we speak to are considering how they bridge to buyout, run-on or both." "All schemes have their own challenges, whether it is managing illiquid assets and scheme surplus or constructing endgame ready portfolios. LGIM and our partners in LGRI are well placed to share both investment and insurance expertise to help trustees construct the way forward to an optimal, endgame outcome.”

Tesco, the UK’s leading supermarket and NatWest, the largest UK bank for business and one of the largest for the farming sector, have today launched a new discounted climate and sustainable finance scheme for 1,500 of the retailer’s farmers, providing them with preferential rates on finance to help them switch to sustainable farming methods, including installing renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines, and fossil fuel-free heating or cooling systems, such as heat pumps. The voluntary programme, which has been designed with farmers’ input, will see farmers who are part of Tesco’s Sustainable Farming Groups for beef, lamb and dairy able to take part in the scheme, and gain access to Tesco preferred suppliers, with potential volume discounts offered on renewable energy assets. Research shows that more than 50% of Tesco farmers want to make changes, but need help accessing finance to support them to make the investment. Moving to more sustainable farming practices often requires up-front investments in equipment which can create an obstacle. Through Lombard, the UK’s largest asset funder and part of NatWest, Tesco farmers will have access to attractive funding solutions, and will also benefit from Lombard’s strong asset knowledge and sector expertise, to help support a move to decarbonising their farms. Assets which are included through the new partnership cover solar panels, wind turbines, biomass boilers, LED lighting, battery storage and combined heat and power systems. Tesco has set up a series of Sustainable Farming Groups so far, including for milk, cheese, beef and lamb. The first group was set up in 2007 to support dairy farmers during periods of economic uncertainty. Led by its suppliers, farmers and Tesco colleagues, the groups drive improvements in efficiency, environmental performance, including carbon foot-printing, and farm animal welfare. Should the scheme prove popular, there is potential for it to be made available to more of Tesco’s farmers in the future. Ashwin Prasad, Tesco Group Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We have long-term, trusted relationships with our farmers and suppliers and are proud supporters of British agriculture. We know a lot of our farmers are looking at ways to reduce costs on farm and move to renewable sources of energy at the same time, which is why we’re delighted to be partnering with NatWest in offering our green finance initiative." "The food industry has a clear role to play in ensuring we maintain food security while also helping to protect the environment, and we hope innovative programmes like this will play a crucial part in achieving this." “The initiative will provide our farmers with the confidence to invest in sustainable farming methods and infrastructure, while also helping us meet our target of reaching net zero across our supply chain by 2050.” This announcement builds on the NatWest’s strong commitment to the UK agricultural sector. The bank has previously confirmed an additional £1.25 billion lending package for farmers, taking its total lending capacity to the agricultural sector to £6.7 billion. Dave Jones, the Chairman of Tesco’s Sustainable Dairy Group said access to finance is the biggest barrier when trying to install green technology: “As TSDG Chairman, it’s great to see so many fellow dairy farmers considering more sustainable production methods like installing renewable energy technology on farm. However, accessing financial support for significant projects like this remains a barrier for many farmers." “That’s why it’s great to see Tesco and NatWest joining forces to offer financial assistance that could help us install the new technology we need, and reduce farm emissions in the process.” Peter Huish, Head of Consumer Industries at NatWest Group, said: “At NatWest, we recognise the multiple challenges faced today by farmers, including the cost of transitioning to lower emissions practices. This is why we are excited to be launching Lombard’s partnership with Tesco and its farmers." “This initiative further contributes to the UK’s climate goals and food security, as well as to NatWest’s pledge to provide £100 billion of climate and sustainable funding and financing by the end of 2025. We strongly believe that to deliver a more sustainable future, partnering with leading UK consumer companies such as Tesco, and their supply chains, will be critical.”

Leicester City Football Club publishes its financial accounts for the year ending 30 June 2023. The accounting period corresponded with a season which saw Leicester City’s relegation from the Premier League. The Club’s investment in its First Team playing squad – a strategy reflected in eight previous seasons of high performance in the top flight – was, for the first time, not matched by on-pitch results. The consequences of this disappointment, combined with the costs arising from the Club’s long-term commitment to maintaining a strong squad of players, were the primary factors behind a pre-tax loss of £89.7M (2022: £92.5M loss). While turnover for the year decreased to £177.3M (2022: £214.6M), commercial revenues increased, with gate receipts up £1.4M, sponsorship revenue up £1.3M and commercial turnover up by £1M. The fall in turnover was primarily due to a reduction in Premier League merit payments and broadcast revenues, and the Club’s absence from European competition for the first time in three seasons. The Club realised a net profit on player trading of £74.8M in the accounting period (£9.2M in 2022), though this increase was offset by a significantly lower-than-budgeted league position and a costly change in First Team management structure. The Club’s commitment to the growth of women’s football in Leicestershire continued, with further investment in players, staff and facilities to aid the development of LCFC Women. The team’s second season in the Women’s Super League saw them improve on both their points total and finishing position from the previous campaign, securing a third successive season of top-flight football. Over recent years, the Club's financial results have reflected necessary levels of investment in the men’s playing squad that allowed LCFC to compete with the most established clubs in the Premier League. The underlying security to pursue those ambitions has been, and continues to be, provided by the Club’s parent company, King Power International (KPI), under the leadership of Chairman Khun Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha. His and his family’s support for the Club remains as strong as it has ever been. Indeed, the 2022/23 accounting period records Khun Aiyawatt’s conversion of £194M of loans and related interest owed to KPI into equity, relieving the Club of significant outstanding debt to its parent company. LCFC remains engaged in a confidential process with the Premier League and the English Football League, regarding the Club’s Profitability and Sustainability calculations. The Club is determined to ensure that any charges against it are properly and proportionately resolved, in accordance with the applicable rules, by the right bodies, and at the right time. Leicester City Chief Executive Susan Whelan said: “After a sustained period of growth and success for the Club during the last decade, the 2022/23 season was a significant setback, the consequences of which will be felt for some time. We must now focus on rebuilding and seeking to return to and re-establishing ourselves in the Premier League." "Having achieved finishing positions in the Premier League of fifth, fifth and eighth in the three preceding seasons, our targets and associated budgets for 2022/23 were entirely reasonable. However, for a club such as ours, whose sustained sporting achievements have justified the levels of investment required to compete with the most established clubs and pursue our ambition, a season of such significant under-performance on the pitch presents financial challenges, particularly from the perspective of the game’s current Profitability and Sustainability rules." “The long-term and ongoing financial security and commitment provided by Khun Aiyawatt, the Srivaddhanaprabha family and King Power International, enables the Club to rebuild with certainty and confidence. We’re infinitely grateful for the faith and support of our fans, whose commitment and loyalty continue to inspire our mission to restore Leicester City to the level at which we all want it to compete.”

Aldi has extended its fundraising target for Teenage Cancer Trust to £15 million by 2027 after already hitting its £10 million goal ahead of schedule. In July 2020, the UK’s fourth largest supermarket pledged to raise £10 million by 2027 after reaching its initial £5 million target over 18 months early. However, after also hitting the £10 million milestone sooner than anticipated, Aldi has now pledged to raise a further £5 million by 2027. With more than 1,000 stores and 11 regional distribution centres, colleagues across the UK have come together to help raise funds, from bake sales and marathons to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, boosted by the generosity of Aldi shoppers. Since partnering with the charity in 2017, the money raised so far by Aldi has supported the funding of 30 specialist nurses, 15 youth support coordinators and four multi-disciplinary team coordinators for five years, helping to ensure young people receive age-appropriate specialist care and support. Liz Fox, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said: “We are incredibly proud of our partnership with Teenage Cancer Trust and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the incredible Aldi colleagues and shoppers who have supported the charity’s vital work." “We couldn’t have reached this milestone without their help, and we’re now looking forward to raising the bar even further with a new target of £15 million by 2027.” Kate Collins, Chief Executive at Teenage Cancer Trust, added: “It is remarkable that Aldi colleagues and shoppers have raised a phenomenal £10 million for Teenage Cancer Trust. Not only this, but we are so grateful that they have pledged to raise another £5 million. Their commitment to making sure young people do not face cancer alone is hugely appreciated – and so needed." “These vital funds help us to make sure that young people with cancer have the best possible care and support that they need and deserve. Thank you to Aldi colleagues and customers for your ongoing loyal support – you are making our work possible across the UK.”

Aldi has pledged to cut more prices than ever before in 2024 as it reinforces its commitment to never be beaten on price. The UK’s lowest-priced supermarket* has already invested more than £125 million to reduce prices on around 500 products since the start of the year, representing around a quarter of its range and around a third of its fruit and veg. And it is planning to continue cutting prices across a wide range of products wherever possible throughout the rest of the year – beating the £380m invested in price cuts during 2023. Last month, consumer group Which? named Aldi the Cheapest Supermarket for February, with a basket of goods costing over £20 less at Aldi than at the average traditional Big Four supermarket. Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “We know that shoppers remain under pressure from the cost of living, which is why we remain laser focused on offering the lowest possible prices." “We are investing more than ever before in lowering prices, and we will continue to do whatever it takes to keep grocery prices as low as possible for the millions of customers that shop with us.” Aldi’s latest investment in price follows on from news last week that it will open 35 new stores across the UK this year as it looks to bring its low prices to even more shoppers. Its continued growth means it is also creating 5,500 new jobs during 2024, while it spent an additional £1.3bn with British suppliers during 2023.