To mark B Corp month, Edinburgh-based organic Lind & Lime Gin has announced it has achieved the globally recognised B Corp accreditation, solidifying its position as a leader in ethical business practices within the spirits industry. Founded in 2018, Lind & Lime joins only 19 gin distilleries worldwide that hold the title, becoming only the fourth Scottish gin distillery to attain the certification, alongside Botanist Gin, North Uist and The House of Botanicals. Ian Stirling, Co-Founder of Lind & Lime said: “The B Corp certification felt crucial for us. It validates our commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices but perhaps more importantly, it provides us with a credible and recognised framework to measure our social and environmental impact.. ‘Being a B Corp aligns with our core values and mission, serving as a guiding principle for everything we do". "It's not just about being a profitable business; it's about using our platform to drive meaningful change and contribute to a better future for all.” The accreditation bolsters Lind & Lime's ongoing commitment to sustainability and ethical standards, with the independent distillery always adhering to organic practices, becoming certified organic in April 2023. Samuel Travers, Head of Gin at Lind & Lime added: “B Corp certification has a significant impact on our day-to-day operations by embedding sustainability and social responsibility into every aspect of our business. It influences decision-making processes, from sourcing materials to interacting with stakeholders." "It guides our choices in selecting suppliers who share our values of ethical sourcing and responsible production. ‘It also affects our internal policies and practices, such as employee well-being initiatives and waste management strategies. Overall, being a B Corp shapes our organisational culture, driving us to continually improve and innovate in ways that benefit both people and the planet.” B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials. The company behind Lind & Lime, Muckle Brig, was founded by Edinburgh locals Ian Stirling and Paddy Fletcher, with the intention of restoring the rich history of distilling in Leith. The team are also behind the UK’s first vertical distillery, Port of Leith which opened in October 2023, designed by fellow B Corp, Threesixty Architecture.

Emily Wragg, CEO of children’s cancer charity Candlelighters, has been shortlisted for the Public and Third Sector Leader in the Yorkshire Leadership Awards. Candlelighters is a charity which for over 45 years has brought comfort to families affected by childhood cancer across Yorkshire, by providing emotional, practical, and financial support, as well as investing in vital research to save lives and reduce the suffering of children with cancer. Each year, over 150 children in Yorkshire are diagnosed with cancer. Emily has played a crucial role in Candlelighters’ expansion and success over the years. One of her early milestones was the opening of the Candlelighters Family Support Centre, The Square, providing families with a space close to the hospital to receive support including talking therapy, massage and other well-being services. Emily also spearheaded the establishment of The Candlelighters Cottage, a four-bedroom house that provides a home-from-home environment for families traveling to receive treatment for their child. She has expanded Candlelighters’ services to be accessible across the county by introducing a community model to widen support from the hospital to across Yorkshire. Last year, Emily led the creation of a £1 million Candlelighters Supportive Care Research Centre in collaboration with the University of York, which will focus on research tackling the potentially life-threatening side effects of cancer treatment for children. This will see internationally crucial research being led from Yorkshire to help save lives, reduce suffering, and bring hope for children diagnosed with cancer. Emily's leadership style is characterised by trust, flexibility, and empowerment. She believes in removing barriers to success, fostering a non-hierarchical structure that encourages collaboration and innovation. Every member of Candlelighters is encouraged to contribute their ideas, without fear of failure, making Candlelighters a safe and creative space for testing and learning. Emily's leadership was put to the test during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her decisive actions, transparent communication, and unwavering support for both staff and families ensured that Candlelighters not only weathered the storm but emerged stronger. Commenting on her nomination, Emily says, “I’m so grateful to have been shortlisted for such a prestigious award. I feel incredibly humbled to lead such an important charity and to be a part of both what we have achieved, and what we will achieve in the future." "Families are affected by childhood cancer, not only throughout treatment, but beyond – whether their child has long-term side effects, or the family are sadly bereaved. Being able to provide vital support for these families during an extremely traumatic journey is at the core of everything we do.” Georgia, mum to Albie says: “Candlelighters get people through the hardest of times; without them, many parents would break. Cancer literally tips your whole world upside down and Candlelighters holds your hand through it, and supports families in ways that you don't even think of.” The ceremony for Yorkshire’s Leadership Awards will be held on Thursday 21 March 2024 at The Queen's Hotel in Leeds city centre.

A porcupine family at the UK’s largest zoo has grown from three to four, with a spiky new baby joining the prickle – with the little one starting to venture outside just in time for Mother’s Day. Mum Kimya, gave birth to the baby, known as a porcupette, at 3.34AM on February 13 at Whipsnade Zoo. Zookeepers won’t know whether the porcupette is male and female until the tiny tots first health check with the veterinary team, so in the meantime keepers have named the three-week-old Dakari, which is a Zimbabwean name meaning rejoice. Porcupines are pregnant for 94 days, and this is Kimya’s second baby to be born in six months, with her last infant Oti, arriving in August 2023. Keeper Felicity Ball said: “Kimya should be awarded ‘Mother of the Year’, not only has she been caring for her six-month-old Oti, but she also now has a tiny new baby to care for as well. Thankfully Dad, Winga, has been helping with the young." In the wild Cape porcupines (Hysteix africaeauastralis) often live solitarily, before coming together to breed and rear their young, remaining monogamous for life. While porcupettes do have quills when they’re born, luckily for Kimya they’re soft at birth, but become hard and prickly a couple of hours after the baby is born. Felicity added: “It was an incredible surprise for the team to see Dakari curled up next to Mum, Dad and their older sibling Oti the next day.” “While Oti is quite shy, Dakari is very confident, pottering around the family's cosy indoor den following Mum everywhere she goes. They’ve been trying out new things each day, like nibbling on a bit of sweetcorn, one of the family's favourite snacks. While visitors may see the group having their ‘breakfast’ in our afternoon, they’re most active at night”. Felicity explains Cape porcupines are nocturnal rodents, native to central and southern Africa. They are the largest of all the porcupine species and Africa’s second largest rodent. “The Cape porcupines usually venture out when the sun starts to set, but thankfully our night vision cameras help us to monitor the prickle – which is a group of porcupines – when we’re not on the ground,” she said. As expert foragers and diggers, Cape porcupines are considered ‘ecosystem engineers’, however increasingly they can face threats of habitat destruction and hunting. As well as working to protect threatened species around the world, scientists and conservationists from ZSL, the conservation charity behind Whipsnade Zoo, work with communities to protect and preserve healthy ecosystems around the world.

The Tank Museum in Dorset has been playing a role in Ukraine’s war with Russia – by digging out old manuals and parts for Cold War-era vehicles. Both Ukraine and Russia are using ageing tanks that are suffering damage in the current fighting, often driving over mines and losing their tracks. As part of the Government’s support to Ukraine, companies have been asked to assist with replacement parts and upgrades to vehicles – and this included replacement tracks. However, the technical specifications have been hard to source and the Ukrainians are understandably busy. So when asked to support the project, David Willey, curator of the award-winning museum, looked in the extensive archive and found manuals and drawings for the tanks being used by President Zelenskyy’s forces. These have helped Cook Defence Systems re-engineer new tacks, some of which have just arrived in Ukraine and will help the country’s army keep fighting. With the war more than two years old there is a requirement to keep as much hardware as they can on the battlefield. The MTLB, BMP1 and T72 armoured vehicles were originally in service when Ukraine was part of the USSR, and it is these that are back in action. Mr Willey said: “When we were asked to help we immediately went and looked for anything that might be of assistance." “UK’s defence companies are very keen to assist but in some cases the people from the Cold War era are no longer around and the knowledge has gone in some areas. Details such as the angles, pitch and tension required for the new tracks were sought and our archive was able to provide them." “We also found examples of the actual items required such as T72 tracks and pins from one of the vehicles in the collection. The new parts could then be made accurately, some for the very first time in the UK." “Part of the museum’s role is to help retain corporate memory and it’s surprising how many issues for defence contractors, designers and of course the actual soldiers, come back again and again. We also have Ukrainian soldiers training here at Bovington and they visit the museum and just as with the current British Army, the collection is used for training." “This goes back to the beginnings of the museum which was created as a teaching collection for the first Tank Corps soldiers at the end of the First World War. It has been an honour to play a small part in helping our allies in their war against an aggressor." “And there are many other ongoing projects with UK companies and organisations that are all doing their bit too.” Cook Defence Systems, headquartered in Sheffield, can trace its history as the manufacturer of tracks for British armoured fighting vehicles back to 1941. It develops and makes a range of tracks, including those for the Challenger 2 tank. Major challenges to the project remained even after the museum’s plans were provided; these included the development of new steel alloys to match the original Russian specifications, and re-designing forged and welded components as castings to suit the new manufacturing process. About The Tank Museum The Tank Museum at Bovington in Dorset brings the story of tanks and tank crews to life. With over 300 tanks from 26 nations, The Tank Museum holds the finest and most historically significant collection of fighting armour in the world. These range from the world’s first ever tank, Little Willie, through to the British Army’s current Main Battle Tank, Challenger 2. Ten powerful exhibitions tell the story of armoured warfare spanning over 100 years of history. As you explore the Museum’s seven large halls, you come face with face to face with tanks and hear incredible true stories from the last century.

Commercial e-waste specialist Intelligent Waste Management Ltd (iWaste) has reported growing demand for a unique direct-to-customer service as consumers continue to seek environmentally-friendly ways of destroying sensitive data and disposing of unwanted small electricals. The popularity of the Arborfield Cross company’s Send & Destroy service comes as the domestic electronic waste mountain continues to grow and the UK is this year set to overtake Norway and become the world’s largest contributor to e-waste. It also coincides with new Government proposals which would see producers and retailers taking responsibility for financing the collection of old electronic goods from households, starting in 2026. The Send & Destroy scheme involves customers sending small electronic items – such as tablets, mobile phones, hard drives, memory cards, CDs and RAM sticks – to iWaste which destroys sensitive data, recycles components and returns a Certificate of Destruction to confirm the work has been carried out. iWaste Operations Director Sam Mountain said there had been a dramatic increase in demand for Send & Destroy, which he put down to a growing awareness of how e-waste affects the environment and of the dangers of valuable information getting into the wrong hands. He said: “Computing or data storage equipment is regularly being renewed as the requirement for more speed or storage evolves. Businesses and households have often paid very little or no thought to the end destination of old, broken or obsolete models." “That is very worrying because personal data, home and family videos, photos, friends’ names and numbers, banking information, internet information, website history and school/university work is all contained on domestic equipment." “For businesses, the list is endless and includes strategic business plans, financial information, customer lists, confidential contracts, pricing information, firewall configuration files and encryption keys." “Every email you have ever sent, every password to every system you use, every website ever visited and every document you have ever created are all easily available in today’s sophisticated world of cyber thieves." “Take the experts advice – the only way to ensure complete data destruction is to physically destroy these items.” Sam, whose company is certified by B Corp, known as the gold standard for sustainability, as well as off-setting its carbon emissions through a tree-planting partnership with Forest Carbon, said green issues were also behind the increasing demand for Send & Destroy. He added: “We have all seen the extremes of weather across the world brought on by climate change and more people are waking up to the fact that we must do something to save our planet." “Even if recycling valuable components from electrical items may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, all we can do is take one step at a time and ensure we are giving it our best shot – if everyone does the same we will see change.” Independent not-for-profit organisation Material Focus says more than half a billion small ‘FastTech’ electricals – everyday small electrical items, from headphones to cables, decorative lights to mini fans and even single-use vapes – were bought in the UK in 2022 with 471 million items binned. Material Focus’s mission is to stop electricals being hoarded and thrown away, and ensure they’re reused and recycled instead, especially precious materials contained in small electricals, including copper, lithium and stainless steel, through its UK-wide Recycle Your Electricals campaign. The London-based organisation says more than 100,000 tonnes of waste electricals are thrown away every year and 880 million electrical items (of all kinds) are lying unused in UK homes – that’s 30 items gathering dust in the average household. Material Focus estimates that 2.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions – equivalent to taking 1.3 million cars off the road – could be saved should all of the small electricals being hoarded or thrown away be returned to the economy. Online comparison and switching service Uswitch says the UK is set to overtake Norway and become the world’s largest contributor to e-waste this year, with current level at 23.9kg of e-waste per capita, just behind Norway’s 26kg. A study by the firm also reveals that IT and telecoms e-waste has nearly doubled in size since 2008, with projections suggesting that e-waste in the UK could rise as high as 55,000 tonnes by the year 2030. Government plans that would see producers and retailers taking responsibility for financing the collection of electronic goods from households, starting in 2026, is currently at the consultation stage. According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) the new plan will allow consumers to have the option to either schedule pickups for electrical waste (e-waste) from their homes or conveniently drop off items during their weekly shopping trips. The purpose of the consultation is to seek views on reforms to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2013, which are intended to drive up levels of separately collected WEEE for re-use and recycling. It also sets out detailed proposals for reforms relating to the provision of collection infrastructure for household WEEE, ensuring producers and distributors finance the full net cost of collection and proper treatment of products that end up as waste. iWaste, established in 2013, has invested heavily in infrastructure, vans, people and a new bespoke, cloud-based management portal which has driven an ambitious move to a paperless operation. Last year iWaste, which employs 35 people, also celebrated its 10th anniversary and moved to bigger premises outside Reading to facilitate strategic business growth.

Sports teams from Dundee’s two universities will go head-to-head in a series of matches and challenges as they battle to take home the Varsity cup. The University of Dundee, current holders of the Tay Varsity Challenge Trophy, will take on Abertay University, on March 20. More than 600 student athletes will compete in 24 sporting events at various venues across the city, and it is hoped that many more will join the crowds in support. Spectators armed with foam fingers, bang-bang sticks and red or blue t-shirts will be encouraged to cheer on their team – and everyone is welcome from current and former students, to members of the public. Sporting events range from football and rugby to tennis and archery, and are all free to attend. There will also be cheerleading and dance performances and the day will be topped off with an awards ceremony and free pizza. The University of Dundee Sports Union President, Alice Saville said, “Varsity is always a day packed full of fun, whether you are participating or a spectator. I’m looking forward to seeing both universities from Dundee compete and making some lasting memories.” This is the 15th time the sporting event has taken place and it is the biggest amateur sporting event in the city’s calendar. As the smaller university, Abertay has called themselves the ‘underdog’, but say that has not dampened their enthusiasm to win, adding that ‘everyone loves and underdog success story’. Michael Devlin, Sports Development Officer at Abertay University, said, “Varsity’s the highlight of the student calendar, marking the exciting culmination of both league and cup seasons." “Anticipation runs high as we eagerly await the potential for thrilling upsets throughout the event. We're looking forward to a bit of friendly rivalry and hoping to snatch the trophy from Dundee!” Sports include football, rugby and hockey games, all of which will be held at Riverside between 12pm and 5pm. Basketball, netball, volleyball, tennis and badminton matches will also take place, all at the University of Dundee’s Institute of Sport and Exercise (ISE), off Hawkhill, between 12pm and 6pm. An archery contest will also take place at ISE at 10am and there will be swimming galas between 2pm and 4pm at ISE’s swimming pool. Athletics events will be held at the Regional Performance Centre at Caird Park, Dundee, from 1pm to 4pm. Pool matches will start at 1pm at Shotz Pool and Snooker Dundee, Douglas Street, and golf will take place from 11am at Scotscraig Golf Club, in Tayport.

Process filter maker Amazon Filters is to host the inaugural meeting of a newly launched support network for Surrey manufacturers. The firm will welcome senior representatives of companies working in all aspects of engineering and manufacturing to its Camberley production centre in April 2024. It is the first event to be announced under a partnership between Surrey Heath Borough Council’s Economic Development team and Surrey Chambers of Commerce. The pair have launched their Surrey Heath Manufacturing Network with a mission to improve collaboration among manufacturing and engineering business, facilitate shared learning, create supply chain opportunities and offer business support. Founded in 1985, Amazon Filters manufactures filtration equipment that is widely used in critical processes across key industries worldwide such as municipal water, oil and gas, food and beverage, chemicals and coatings, and pharmaceuticals. Neil Pizzey, Managing Director, said: “This new network is all about elevating innovation and growth in Surrey. We look forward to sharing some of our challenges and working together to find solutions. We welcome other manufacturers to join us to create a vibrant, supportive network.” Councillor Kel Finan-Cooke, Portfolio Holder for Economic and Income Development at Surrey Heath Borough Council, said: “Surrey Heath is fortunate to be home to many manufacturing and engineering businesses and it is important the Council provides support to these industries." “Through sector-specific events, workshops and tailored support services, we aim to establish this network as a place where businesses can exchange knowledge, explore synergies and collectively address challenges." “We will also address the local skills gap, work with industry experts to support net zero objectives and look ahead at future technologies including AI to improve productivity within the sector.” Explaining the involvement of Surrey Chambers of Commerce, Chief Executive Louise Punter said: “Much of the work we do is around bringing businesses and other organisations together so that they can share challenges, best practice and business support opportunities.” The network has been set up under the Council’s five-year economic development strategy. This aims to ensure that opportunities for accelerated economic growth and resilience are identified and maximised.

Two British companies have collaborated to create an instant triage system for casualties on battlefields or in disaster zones. Leading Dorset-headquartered cyber-security company C3IA Solutions and Birmingham-based telemedicine pioneers Black Space Technology are already providing the life-saving tech across the world. The system allows the transmission of health and medical information immediately from a casualty to experts who can give instant advice. The first hour after an injury is called the ‘golden hour’ and 80 per cent of deaths occur in this period, so speed of diagnosis, treatment and care is vital. C3IA Solutions is a UK reseller of Silvus StreamCaster radios. They offer leading edge technology in a self-forming, self-healing robust mobile ad-hoc NETworking (MANET) system, which is resistant to interference and delivers high data throughput in a contested environment. Now allied to this is Black Space Technology’s software, meaning relevant information such as vital signs can be sent at once to medical professionals. Sensors placed on the patient mean information is transmitted constantly so any changes will be noticed and the right advice can be given. Other information and pictures can also be sent and the radios allow video calls so those on the ground can speak with medical professionals about the situation. Ash Williams from C3IA Solutions, which is based in Poole, said: “This collaboration is about saving lives. The Silvus radios are the best there are and enable communications in places where there is no other way of keeping in touch." “They are robust and powerful and create their own network on the ground. They also enable Black Space Technology’s software to be used to send and receive vital information. Already the interest from military, rescue and other services from around the world is strong.” David Morgan, a former NHS consultant surgeon and Royal Marines reserve medical officer for eight years, is the CEO and medical director of Black Space Technology. He said: “We provide point-of-injury monitoring solutions for battlefield and other remote or contested environments. Our software captures incremental data throughout any evacuation pathway which improves combat casualty care." “The first hour after injury is called the golden hour and there is also the initial ‘platinum 10 minutes." “Speed of reaction and care therefore is absolutely crucial and through the Silvus radios and utilising Bluetooth and other technology our software can make all the difference." “Sensors placed on the patient send a constant stream of data which are monitored by medical professionals either nearby in a command centre or further afield. Those on the ground can add extra data and receive instructions about what to do." “Real-time video conferencing is also possible meaning decisions taken are more likely to be the best ones. It is of use to the military but also to NGOs in disaster zones – or wherever there are casualties. “Our aim is to close the care gap and with C3IA Solutions we have a collaboration that will save lives.”

Lidl GB has announced the launch of a bottling plant in Derby, which has recently started supplying to Lidl stores across Great Britain. The facility will bottle water and produce a variety of soft drinks, with a production capacity of 380 million bottles per year. The plant called MEG Derby Ltd is part of Schwarz Produktion, the umbrella brand of the Schwarz Group’s production companies. MEG is one of Germany's leading mineral water and soft drink manufacturers, and this marks their first venture in Great Britain. By localising production, the move will simplify transport logistics and significantly reduce the distance the products travel to stores, thereby improving Lidl's carbon footprint and reducing costs. The plant will also provide a boost to the local economy with the creation of about 90 new jobs. Richard Bourns, Chief Commercial Officer, Lidl GB commented, "This new venture with MEG Derby Ltd. marks a significant milestone in our commitment to improving efficiency, reducing our impact on the environment and providing our customers with great quality products at the lowest possible prices." "Bringing production of this key product closer to home makes sense and aligns with Lidl GB's vision of contributing positively to the local community and economy.” Jörg Aldenkott, CEO at Schwarz Produktion, commented, "The inauguration of MEG Derby Ltd. represents a pivotal moment for Schwarz Produktion. As our first venture in Great Britain, it underscores our commitment to sustainable growth, and will allow us to serve Lidl stores across Great Britain. As one of the leading soft drink and mineral water manufacturers in Germany we know investments like these pay off, and I can’t think of a better place to do it than in Great Britain.”

Nova Motorsport, a new brand inspired by heritage and dedicated to technical excellence, which has acquired assets, including the brand licence, traditionally used in the manufacturing and sale of a broad range of motorsport tyres under the names ‘Avon Motorsport’ and ‘Avon Racing’, has signed an exclusive partnership with the RallyX Championship. Nova Motorsport’s five-year partnership commences with the 2024 season of the eight-round European-wide RallyX rallycross championship beginning in Sweden May 10-11. Comprised of six categories and headlined by the elite 600-horsepower four-wheel-drive Open 4WD class, RallyX represents the ultimate racing cauldron for Nova Motorsport to demonstrate the technical excellence and competitive superiority of its products. Nova Motorsport's acquisition of all residual stock from the Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and Avon Motorsport business, including the world-leading ACB11 rallycross tyre, will ensure uninterrupted, consistent service and supply, providing competitors and enthusiasts with an unrivalled racing experience. Underpinning Nova Motorsport’s offer is the exceptionally experienced team assembled by Nova Motorsport founder and managing director of the brand’s parent company, SPC Group, Paul Hallas. James Weekley, former General Manager at Avon Tyres Motorsport, leads Nova Motorsport as Commercial Director. Former Cooper Tire/Avon Motorsport General Manager Paul Coates joins as Contracts Manager, and former Cooper Tire /Avon Motorsport Product Technology Manager Matthew Vincent becomes Senior Product Category Manager. James Weekley, Commercial Director at Nova Motorsport, said: “Nova Motorsport is pleased to continue the relationship established by Avon Motorsport and Cooper Tire with rallycross in general and RallyX in particular." "Our technical team has dominated in this field for three decades, and we have a long and highly successful working relationship with RX Promotion, so this was the most natural place for Nova Motorsport to initiate its motorsport activities utilising the ultra-successful Avon Motorsport and Cooper Tire product range." "We look forward to developing Nova Motorsport on a global scale and offering competition tyres of the highest quality. Our commitment to research and development ensures that our products will remain at the forefront of technology and performance in the world of competition and rallycross tyres." With Matthew Vincent, Nova Motorsport has also brought on board a key figure in the world of rallycross. Matthew has been involved in various rallycross championships around the globe over the last 15 years and was instrumental in the development of the ACB11 rallycross tyre during that time. Matthew will continue to work closely with the RallyX Championship to provide the best product for the series. Matthew Vincent, Senior Product Category Manager at Nova Motorsport, commented: "I am excited to join Nova Motorsport and have the opportunity to build on the success of the ACB11 rallycross tyre with the RallyX Championship tyre supply agreement." "With Nova Motorsport's commitment to research and development and this new partnership, the ACB11 rallycross tyre will continue to be the leading product on the market, as Nova Motorsport develops further new products in the future." Andreas Eriksson, RallyX promoter, said: “We are delighted to welcome Nova Motorsport as our privileged partner for the next five seasons. This collaboration will enable RallyX to consolidate its presence and provide a solid platform for drivers who aspire to a promising future in rallycross." Nova Motorsport aims to quickly establish its presence in global motorsport and the racing community. By concentrating exclusively on the motorsport and specialist tyre sectors, the brand will leverage its deep domain knowledge and expertise to create tyres to deliver success in ultra-demanding racing conditions. The new company’s expertise will enable tailored tyre offerings to meet the specific needs of diverse racing categories. In addition, the brand is committed to substantial investments in research and development to ensure Nova Motorsport remains firmly at the forefront of tyre technology for competition cars and high-performance vehicles. About Nova Motorsport Nova Motorsport has been created to revolutionise the premium competition and specialist tyre industry. Headquartered in the UK, and bolstered by British heritage, global reach and unwavering dedication to craftsmanship, Nova Motorsport is dedicated to creating a range of superior premium competition and specialist tyres that create unforgettable experiences on the racetrack and beyond.

Opening its doors just four months ago, Craig Rogan at The Collective is launching its first lunch menu, focusing on small plates, packing big flavours. Following the success of the inaugural 8-course, fine dining evening experience, Chef Director, Craig Rogan has been recognised regionally and nationally for his creative culinary skills and turning his talents to lunch was the natural next step. The team behind The Collective Inc on Boar Lane, a unique restaurant, design and retail space, will open its doors to lunchtime diners looking for a relaxed and informal setting to enjoy Craig’s signature style of British classics with a modern-day twist. Craig Rogan at The Collective will officially open for lunch on Wednesday 6th March and guests can enjoy a selection of small plates made with locally sourced ingredients on Wednesday – Saturday from 12pm – 2.30pm. Now listed in the Michelin Guide 2024 and shortlisted in the Yorkshire Evening Post Oliver Awards for ‘Best Newcomer’, ‘Best Fine Dining’ and ‘Chef of the Year’, it is unsurprising that the venue has evolved and extended its dining options to meet the needs of its growing and loyal customer base. Co-founder at The Collective Inc, Ellen Pryce said. “We’ve been overwhelmed with the response from people who’ve dined with us at Craig Rogan at The Collective and the recent award’s we’ve been shortlisted for." “Offering lunch at The Collective Inc is part of our evolvement and ambition to create a space where people can dine in a relaxed atmosphere, whilst enjoying the retail experience the venue has to offer.” Craig Rogan added, “I’ve loved creating the lunch menu, which for me really encapsulates the ethos of relaxed dining that can be enjoyed alone, or with company." “We want diners to enjoy small plates of really tasty food that have been made with locally sourced ingredients that really pack a punch of flavour creating a memorable experience.”

British Airways has proudly marked a decade of serving the vibrant city of Austin, Texas, with non-stop flights to London Heathrow Airport. Since its inaugural service on March 3, 2014, British Airways has flown more than 1.25m customers to and from Austin and the United Kingdom. To commemorate this milestone, celebrations were held at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport ahead of the departure of BA190 to London Heathrow on March 3, 2024. Customers were treated to live music, giveaways, and speeches. Neil Chernoff, Chief Planning and Strategy Officer at British Airways, expressed his gratitude for the continued support from the community, stating, "Celebrating ten years of flying between Austin and London is a testament to the strong relationship we've built with this incredible city and its people. "Working together with the local community and institutions, combined with our joint business partnership with American Airlines, has allowed us to grow our capacity in the market by 50% since our first year of operations. This is through the deployment of one of our largest aircraft, the A350." “We’re proud to have played a role in connecting friends, families and businesses, and as we continue rolling out the biggest investment program in our 104-year history, we look forward to serving Austin over the next decade and beyond.” First Officer Austin, who shares a name with the vibrant Texan city he flew into on the anniversary flight, shared his enthusiasm, saying, "It's an honour to be part of this special milestone, connecting two incredible cities. Touching down in Austin on our anniversary is a moment I'll always remember." “As we celebrate a decade of partnership with British Airways, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is honored to acknowledge the enduring commitment that characterizes our journey together. Ten years ago, this first transatlantic flight helped put the Live Music Capital of the World exactly where we belong—on the world’s stage,” said Ghizlane Badawi, Interim AUS Chief Executive Officer. “My team and I value the long-term investment British Airways has made to strengthen our global connectivity, boost our economy, increase tourism, and provide a vital link for businesses. We look forward to many more decades of continued success in connecting Austinites and Central Texans to London and beyond.” The Lonestar State capital is renowned for celebrating local brands, so to mark the anniversary, the airline partnered with Austin’s renowned barbecue joint, Franklin Barbecue, to produce limited edition bottles of Franklin Barbecue’s Original BBQ sauce, aptly labelled BA-B-Q sauce, to gift premium customers flying from Austin to London throughout March. Customers flying from Austin during the anniversary month will also enjoy a Texas-inspired barbecue menu on board. The menu will showcase the rich and savoury taste of Austin's barbecue tradition, featuring options such as a lightly smoked beef brisket in Club World (business), and BBQ chicken in World Traveller (economy) - dishes that pay homage to the city's renowned barbecue culture. British Airways flies direct to London from 26 cities in the US, and first launched flights to Austin on March 3, 2014. Austin is served by the airline’s newest and most sustainable aircraft type, the Airbus A350, complete with the Club Suite business class cabin. The A350 is one of the largest aircraft in the British Airways fleet - with 331 seats including 56 Club Suites (business) and 56 Premium Economy seats.