Solent Freeport is looking for small businesses in the maritime technology industry to support in attending the world's leading maritime industry event. The businesses, which must be in the Solent region and looking to start (or have recently started) exporting, can access professional backing and grants of up to £1,000 to help cover some of the costs associated with attending the event. Solent Freeport has partnered with Maritime Solent to assist four businesses to attend SMM Hamburg in September. Held biennially, Shipbuilding, Machinery & Marine Technology (SMM) Hamburg has more than 2,200 exhibitors and around 49,000 total attendees from 100 nations in 90,000 sq m of exhibition space across 12 halls. SMM provides a dynamic platform for showcasing innovation, driving collaboration, and shaping the future of the sector, covering the full spectrum of the maritime value chain, attracting shipowners, operators, shipyards, technology suppliers, classification societies and ports. Solent Freeport has secured a shared exhibition pod within the UK Pavilion, delivered through the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI), which will be staffed by Maritime Solent. Brian Johnson, chair of Solent Freeport, said: “This event provides direct access for Solent-based maritime technology businesses to international shipyards, suppliers and emerging technologies. It creates opportunities for export growth, collaboration and visibility in key global markets." “The role of Solent Freeport is very much to facilitate growth and boost regional economic prosperity – hence why we are looking to get some of our maritime businesses in front of worldwide high-level decision-makers." “This incredible opportunity is aimed at small maritime technology companies that are relatively new to exporting but have a clear export strategy and ambition to grow internationally.” To be eligible businesses must be based in the Solent region, operate in the maritime technology sector and have fewer than 50 employees, be relatively new to exporting but have a clear export strategy and export readiness and be able to attend SMM Hamburg in person from 1-3 September. The successful applicants will benefit from access to a shared Solent Freeport and Maritime Solent pod within the UK Pavilion, on-the-ground support from Maritime Solent, pre-mission briefing and coordination and grant support of up to £1000 contributing towards eligible costs. Applications will be assessed against a robust selection criteria including the mandatory ‘strength and clarity of export strategy’, plus the fit with the maritime tech market, the potential to generate measurable outcomes, readiness to export and commitment to mission activities and post-mission reporting. The SMI – the trade association for the UK’s maritime engineering, science and technology community – is hosting the SMI Showcase Stand to give budget-constrained companies the opportunity to be part of a smart, visible, and supported presence within the UK Pavilion. Maritime Solent is the industry-led representative body for the Solent's maritime sector and one of a small number of regional maritime bodies, recognised by Government. The deadline for applications for the Maritime Trade Mission is Friday 29 May. Please email info@solentfreeport.com for the application form. Photo: Major event - SMM Hamburg in September is the world's leading maritime industry event with 2,200 exhibitors and around 49,000 total attendees from 100 nations Picture: @ Hamburg Messe und Congress / Rene Zieger

Property consultancy Vail Williams has successfully acquired premises in Birmingham and Sheffield for leading intellectual property law firm Withers & Rogers. The firm is relocating from Warwick to brand new Grade A space in landmark 103 Colmore Row, the 26-storey tallest office building in Birmingham city core. Withers & Rogers is also relocating within Sheffield to prime city centre grade A office space on the second floor of centrally located 1 St Paul’s Place. Withers & Rogers is one of Europe’s largest dedicated intellectual property law firms, with offices across the UK and in Paris and Munich. Josh Laurence, Vail Williams Surveyor based in Birmingham, was tasked by long-term client Withers & Rogers to source premises best suited to their modern-day needs and commensurate with the firm’s standing in the business world. After a comprehensive search he sourced and secured the offices off-market and worked closely with his client to negotiate a deal for the fifth floor space at 103 Colmore Row on an eight-year lease with terms undisclosed. The state-of-the-art building with top ‘green’ credentials in Birmingham’s central business district, also occupied by the likes of Shoosmiths, Grant Thornton ,Arcadis, Knight Frank and Colliers includes an 18th floor terrace with exceptional views. Josh said: “We looked at all potential avenues and arrived at 103 Colmore Row, which is purpose-built, hugely efficient, has plenty of collaboration space and is currently being fitted out to their specifications." “The move into Birmingham showcases how the city’s legal sector continues to thrive and expand as more businesses see the benefit of relocating into such a bustling hub to take advantage of extensive regeneration projects and good employment opportunities.” In Sheffield, Vail Williams had to overcome a very tight supply situation in searching for suitable premises before 1 St Paul’s Place, which has been completely refurbished became the favoured location. At the heart of Sheffield city centre’s thriving business hub that has attracted esteemed occupants like Freeths, TES Global, ARUP and Handelsbanken, St Paul’s Place has become one of Sheffield’s most coveted office addresses. Vail Williams’ conducted a pre-acquisition survey through its Building Consultancy team, advised over business rates and is offering ongoing occupier advisory guidance during the office fit outs. Will Lawther, Vail Williams Partner acted for Withers & Rogers, advising them on their corporate real estate strategy. He said: “They wanted to align the two relocations with the best of their new look offices – in good locations and very good buildings – especially Bristol and London. It was key that we took the firm, and particularly the regional partners, on an extensive journey to see all possible outcomes." “They are a delightful client, loyal, detail orientated, welcoming of partner contact, happy to take on board professional advice and keen to work collaboratively.” Diego Black, Withers & Rogers Partner, said: “We are indebted to Vail Williams, not only for locating and acquiring properties for us in Birmingham and Sheffield, but also the ongoing specialist advice which enables us to make important property decisions with confidence.” Vail Williams also acted for Withers & Rogers to provide strategic property advice ahead of a rent review and lease break clause at their offices at 2 London Bridge, central London, enabling lease terms to be regeared beneficially Vail Williams’ full-service property advice includes commercial agency, investment and development advice, building consultancy, property valuation, planning, lease advisory, property asset management, business rates and occupier consultancy Photo: High Rise - Landmark Grade A 103 Colmore Row, the 26-storey tallest office building in Birmingham City Core where property consultancy Vail Williams has secured office space for intellectual property law firm Withers & Rogers

Flexible workplace rules have made it easier for employees to work anywhere, any time. This has created a “ghost shift” of workers on the job outside of the traditional 9-to-5. But new data from Freshworks shows that IT support isn’t keeping up. A new analysis of anonymised Freshservice customer data, including millions of IT service interactions between September 2025 and March 2026, found that nearly half of all IT tickets (47%) are submitted outside standard business hours. Weekend volume runs at about one-third (35%) of weekday daily levels with the same consistency. And though a response almost always comes, it typically takes at least an hour longer than during business hours. What was once considered late-night exceptions have become the norm, and this “ghost shift” is often at times when IT has moved to evening hours or on-call rotations. Even as workers are empowered with tools to work anywhere at any time, companies are setting up an employee experience showdown, leaving "ghost shift" workers to hunt their own Slack channels for faster answers. As workers wait for IT to respond to their after-hours requests, IT teams feel set up to fail, since they’re not in the office when the requests come in. This schedule disconnect isn't just a mutual annoyance, it reduces productivity and effectiveness, and increases security risks. When a critical security patch or login failure occurs at 8 p.m., an extra hour of delay isn't just a lag, it's actually a vulnerability window. After-hours tickets aren’t taking longer to resolve because they're harder. Mostly, they are password resets, MFA unlocks, and access requests, according to patterns in the Freshservice data. Even after hours, only 6–8% of these tickets are escalated, matching business-hours rates across every month in the dataset. The problems employees encounter at 9 p.m. are no more complex than the ones they encounter at 9 a.m., but they do need addressing. The data showed that resolution rates lagged, with SLA rates falling 2–5 percentage points after hours throughout the period, peaking at a 5-point gap in October. The disconnect shows up most clearly during certain business cycles, such as end of quarter, when many non-IT employees are often working extra hours to close deals. Freshservice trends showed a roughly 20% spike in daily ticket volume in the final days of March 2026 as more demand hit IT systems already running slower. December moved in the opposite direction, likely depressed by holiday patterns. When IT support lags, the effects rarely stay inside the IT department. At Carrefour Belgium, where 700,000 customers shop daily across hundreds of stores, CTO Stijn Stabel says an IT glitch doesn't just create a help desk ticket, it can cascade into empty shelves and disrupted store operations. Stijn Stabel, CTO at Carrefour Belgium, says: “An IT glitch can lead to certain shelves being empty." What companies are doing Some companies have begun tackling after-hours support with new tools and processes. At Katz Media Group, CTO Robert Lyons has approached after-hours IT support with expanded AI-powered self-service. "We're not promoting it as, 'we're never going to be here for you again.' It's just another way to provide another channel to get you assistance faster. We're also not a 24/7 shop, so we're able to market it as giving you options after business hours." The official workday isn’t expanding. But for employees who opt to work longer, automation gives companies a way to support them without asking IT to clock in.

A young Warwickshire entrepreneur has gone from replacing his mom’s dishwasher with a homemade 3D printer to becoming arguably the youngest ever recipient of two King’s Award for Enterprise. Mitchell Barnes, who is about to turn 30-years-old, founded RYSE 3D in 2017 after proving out the importance of additive manufacturing (AM) in future production techniques for university friends. Since then, he has created one of the UK’s biggest disruptors in AM, supplying high performance production parts to 23 of the world’s hypercar projects and delivering complex components to exciting new contracts in aerospace, defence and energy. These orders have taken the Shipston-on-Stour firm to nearly £5m in annual turnover, with nearly half of that emanating from international orders to the US, Denmark and Latvia. Global success has led to the business securing the King’s Award for International Trade, following its earlier success in the ‘Innovation’ category in 2024. Mitch, who runs the company with his brother Cameron. explains: “To win one King’s Award is special, to win a second for our efforts in growing the business overseas is mind-blowing, I still can’t quite believe it." “When I first started in additive manufacturing, I wanted to prove that we could go from prototyping into series production and that’s exactly what we’ve done…supplying the most complex automotive, aerospace and renewables components in batches of a few thousand and, in some cases, tens of thousands.” He continued: “Importantly, we wanted to demonstrate that we could take UK technology and export it as something international firms want. The last three years have proved this was the right approach, with global sales up 2,322% since 2023." “We have also expanded our reach. The US used to be our only destination and, whilst this will always be a primary market, we are now supplying clients in Denmark, France and Latvia.” The growth in exports for RYSE 3D has given it the confidence to reinvest more than £1m into new printers, R&D, lighter materials and the launch of its own UK-engineered 3D ‘LANDR’ printer. Its team has also expanded to 18, some of whom were coffee baristas transformed into 3D printing engineers. The combination of its own large format printers and industry-leading technology has boosted its capacity to confidently print four million components every year. Mitchell continued: “This is what makes all the hard work worthwhile. There is no greater sense of achievement, for our workforce and senior management team, than seeing a part carefully engineered in Shipston-on-Stour entering production overseas for a high-profile global brand." “To have two concurrent King’s Awards is the stuff of dreams and every member of our team needs to take time out to appreciate what they have helped us achieve. We’ve already won work in the US based on winning one award, I can’t wait to get back overseas and tell people we are a double winning King’s Award business!” RYSE 3D’s production process is highly scalable, requires no tooling investment and uses widely available engineering polymers. This makes it easy to adopt internationally and attractive to companies looking to derisk supply chains, reduce capital expenditure and lower environmental impact – three features that are increasingly important to meet ‘Net Zero’ challenges and address recent global supply chain uncertainty. Whilst automotive and motorsport offered it the initial market opportunity, the company is fast proving that 3D printing can also deliver production parts to aerospace, construction, energy generation, medical and defence. Adam Archer, who switched from making coffees in the market town to leading a team of 3D printing engineers, concluded: “The pace of evolution at RYSE is incredible and I still have to pinch myself when I think we’re making performance parts that are changing the way some of the most ambitious hypercars and technology are built." “Our second King’s Award is the icing on the cake, and we look forward to using the prestigious accolade to help us secure more work and orders that see additive manufacturing expertise in Shipston-on-Stour exported all over the world.” For further information, please visit here.

One of England’s top clay pigeon shooters is set to embark on his second summer of competitions with the backing of a property finance firm. Lender MSP Capital has renewed its partnership with Andover-based Chris Morgan after he described last season as his best in eleven years of participation in the sport. Under their sponsorship deal, ‘Team MSP’ supports Chris with contributions to the costs of competing. As part of the agreement, he runs coaching sessions and shoots at events in the autumn that the firm hosts with clients, suppliers and team members. Last year these included sessions at the Barbury Shooting School at Wroughton near Swindon and the Spitfire Shoot at Stockbridge in Hampshire. One event was held specifically for JP Morgan, the world’s largest bank and a major MSP Capital funding partner. Asked for the highlights of his first season with MSP Capital backing, Chris cited his performance at the sport’s World Championships and various wins across seven county and regional championships. “On the second day at the World Championships I was under tremendous pressure,” he said. “It was pouring, we’d been driven to the wrong first peg and I had to walk a quarter of a mile in heavy rain carrying kit. I thought, ‘I’m going to get soaking wet, just focus and give it everything I’ve got." "I made a fantastic score, finishing very high in the class and beating many professionals from across the world. You have to combine mindset and technique. That’s what makes the difference. Again, at the county and south east regionals, I won in my classes against fierce competition.” Chris competes in three shooting disciplines: Compak, English sporting and Sportrap. His first major event in the new season is the European Compak Championships in France at the end of May. The summer of competitions, including at county and regional levels, will culminate with the World Compak Championships in Italy in August. “It’s very fast-paced in France and Italy,” said Chris. “You have to elevate your game and be in the running from the very first shot if you want to compete at the highest possible level.” On his partnership with Poole-based MSP Capital, Chris said: “Any financial assistance in sport is welcomed but beyond that you know you are representing a professional business and brand. You always have to be switched on and get past the nerves when you are competing. It’s great to know you have a team behind you and who you can show your results to afterwards." "We’re building a community of interest in the sport. I’ve had extremely positive feedback from the corporate events hosted with MSP Capital. They went down so well.” Adam Tovey, MSP Capital’s Commercial Director, said: “Our partnership with Chris builds on our long-standing commitment to support competitors who begin as grassroots athletes and strive for the highest levels possible in their sport. Chris is not only a successful sportsman but his coaching and tuition at our events for customers and partners in the property sector are always fun and engaging. He gets participants to shoot well far quicker than they would otherwise.” Leigh Bartlett, Chief Executive of MSP Capital, said: “Congratulations to Chris on his amazing first season with our backing. We thank him for kindly sharing his expertise and advice at the coaching sessions we organise and we wish him every success for the coming summer of sport.” Top photo: Competitive shooter Chris Morgan with MSP Capital’s Commercial Director Adam Tovey at the property finance specialist’s Poole office.

Therapeutic classrooms in a Dorset school have radically improved attendance, engagement and behaviour, its headteacher has said. John Bagwell introduced the concept in January to two Year 3 classrooms and a ‘break-out space’ at Parley First School. It is based on work by childhood trauma specialist and founder of the ‘Therapeutic Classrooms’, Shahana Knight. The plastic tables and chairs have been replaced by solid wooden desks of varying shapes and comfortable leather seats. Sofas, heavy blankets and greenery have also been included in a bid to ‘bring the home into school’. John said: “The therapeutic approach to learning meets the needs of all children but additional benefit is to those children with more complex needs. We have been working towards this for two years - there has been an initial investment but the tables and chairs will last for generations." “On the walls are photos of the children and staff to give a sense of belonging and to see them as individuals. I have been working with Shahana Knight and she designed the classrooms and break-out space." “Since Christmas attendance and engagement have improved and behavioural incidents have dropped significantly with no incidents to report." “The change of environment has significantly improved the children’s engagement and focus. Each morning the children do mindfulness exercises and during the day they eat fresh fruit and are encouraged to keep hydrated." “The old plastic chairs that most people will remember sitting on when they were at school we hope to send to Africa through an education charity.”

With many new parents in Scotland experiencing a drop in contact with others just a few months after having a baby, a leading psychologist has shared her advice to help parents feel more connected during early parenthood. To mark Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (4th–10th May), Dr Caroline Boyd, clinical psychologist, author and ambassador for perinatal mental health charity PANDAS Foundation, has teamed up with Aldi to highlight the very real loneliness many parents can experience in the months after bringing their baby home, and to raise awareness of the help available. New research from Aldi found that 53% of parents in Scotland have experienced loneliness since having a baby, peaking at five months, when visits slow down and partners return to work. Many said loneliness was driven by the reality of life with a newborn setting in (34%), as well as a growing sense that their priorities no longer aligned with those of their friends (35%). More than half of mums (56%) and nearly a third (31%) of dads said they felt lonely even when they were with their baby. Worryingly, more than three quarters (76%) admitted they hid how they were feeling from others. The study also highlights how meaningful even small interactions can be, with nearly half of parents (47%) saying they feel relieved when a stranger speaks to them. To support, Aldi, Britain’s biggest discounter, is donating £20,000 from proceeds of Mamia baby wipe sales to PANDAS Foundation during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, helping to fund vital, free and confidential support for parents and caregivers across the UK. Support is also signposted directly on-pack across Aldi’s Mamia baby wipes, helping parents access mental health guidance when they need it most. Dr Caroline Boyd, clinical psychologist, author and PANDAS Ambassador, said: “These findings reflect a common but often hidden experience of early parenthood - a period where loneliness can intensify as support drops away and parents are still adjusting to their new identity." “In the context of this profound transition, feeling connected to trusted others is not a luxury but essential, particularly in a culture that places pressure on parents to cope alone." Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK, said: “Support is often strongest in those early weeks of parenthood – but it’s the months that follow where many parents can feel most alone. That’s why it’s so important we keep checking in, long after the initial excitement has passed." “Through our partnership with PANDAS Foundation, we want to help break the silence around perinatal mental health and ensure parents know support is there when they need it most.” Dr Caroline Boyd shares five simple ways to feel more connected during early parenthood: 1. Start small with connection Even a brief interaction when you’re out and about – at the coffee shop, in the supermarket, on the bus. Make eye contact, smile, exchange a few words. Even a short, positive interaction - just 30 seconds – can lift your mood. 2. Find one space that feels safe enough A group, a class, a walk, a local stay-and-play - spaces offering music, singing, yoga, art or nature-based activities can help you feel more connected to others. Try shifting the focus from supporting your baby’s development to enhancing your own sense of connection, even if you only stay a short while. 3. Give it 7 minutes Connecting with someone new can feel awkward at first. The “7-minute rule” suggests it can take a little time before a conversation starts to flow. Give it a chance. 4. Be intentional with your online time If doomscrolling is leaving you feeling worse, try shifting towards online spaces that feel more real and reciprocal - like a book club, writing group, or a forum for parents with shared experiences - where you can share, reflect, and feel part of something. 5. Share how you’re (really) feeling In a culture shaped by the myth of ‘Supermum’ it can feel risky to speak honestly about how we feel. But talking helps us make sense, even when the words don’t come easily. If you can, share a little of what’s going on with someone you trust, whether it’s a friend, partner or a support service like PANDAS. For more information or to access support, visit here. *Research carried out in April 2026 by OnePoll on a sample of 1,000 parents with children aged under five

50 per cent say money feels like a taboo subject in the UK, and an estimated 2.8 million adults would rather “do anything” than talk about it The impact is heightened during times of volatility as 29 per cent avoid conversations about finances even if it would help their situation These perceptions form at an early age – 59 per cent say how they learned about money as children shaped their financial behaviours today Achieving financial milestones in adulthood can overcome these barriers – paying off debt or starting to invest are shown to significantly boost long-term financial confidence To support consumers navigate the current geopolitical climate, Barclays is sharing practical ways to strengthen financial confidence during uncertain times New Barclays research shows that a long‑standing reluctance to talk about money continues to affect how confidently UK adults manage their household finances. While many avoid financial conversations – often reflecting attitudes shaped in childhood – there is growing recognition that being more open can make a real difference. With six in 10 UK adults (59 per cent) are concerned about the potential impact of the conflict in the Middle East on their household finances, greater confidence and openness around financial challenges could help people feel better supported and more able to navigate periods of volatility. Three in 10 (29 per cent) say they avoid talking about money even if they know it would help their situation, including four in 10 Gen Zs (39 per cent). Half of all adults (50 per cent) say it feels rude to discuss money, one in three (33 per cent) say talking about their finances makes them feel uncomfortable, and 5 per cent would rather “do anything” than talk about it, which equates to 2.8 million people. Money norms form in childhood Early experiences play a powerful role in shaping how comfortable we feel with money as adults. Analysis from Barclays’ and National Numeracy’s recent Nurturing number confidence report3 estimates that 2.1 million children in the UK have at least one parent with low number confidence, which shapes their relationship with numbers. Nearly six in 10 (59 per cent) say the way they learned about money as children has shaped their financial behaviours today. Almost a third of adults (31 per cent) say the children they know are already thinking about the lifestyle they want in the future and what they will need to do to financially achieve it – underlining the necessity of early education and support. The confidence to talk grows after positive financial moments The research also shows that achieving positive milestones or life events, such as buying a house or career changes, consistently strengthen financial confidence and encourage people to open up. Half (53 per cent) of those who experienced a positive event say it made them more willing to talk about money. Paying off a major debt boosted confidence for 70 per cent of people, while 56 per cent reported the same after starting to invest. Conversely, financial shocks, such as an unwanted reduction in working hours (44 per cent), a long-term illness or injury (43 per cent) and job loss or redundancy (41 per cent) are most frequently cited as having had a negative impact on financial confidence. Fraud concerns also persist, with 68 per cent saying that being scammed would significantly damage their confidence. Vim Maru, Chief Executive of Barclays UK, said: “Everyday conversations with friends and family can play an important role in shaping how we feel about our finances. Yet for many, a fear of judgement – or the sense that money is simply ‘not talked about’ – still holds them back." “During periods of volatility, household finances can come under real pressure, but clear and accessible support can help people feel more confident navigating these challenges. Our research shows that when people feel able to talk about their money and seek support, they are likely to make more informed choices. Over time, these benefits are felt not just by individuals, but, by the wider economy too.”

UK top 10 accountancy firm Azets has a new office in Kettering for the first time in more than 50 years. The firm has moved into purpose-built Orion House on Kettering Venture Park after vacating its long-term base at Thorpe House, Headlands. Orion House, known locally as the old Pegasus building, is a multi-let office building on Orion Way, south of the town centre. Office Managing Partner Paul Tyler said: “It was time for a change. We loved Thorpe House, but we had simply outgrown it and needed somewhere fit for a modern accountancy firm. It was essential we remained in Kettering to meet the needs of our valued clients. We had been looking for two years before Orion House became available and it proved to be the ideal solution." “Perfectly located for transport links and amenities, it very much gave us a blank canvas on which to design, fit out and future-proof an office to meet both our and our clients’ needs. We now have ample space to house our 28-strong team, with room to grow, and give them a little more breathing space than was available in our much loved Thorpe House." “Our meeting rooms can accommodate both small and large gatherings, plus we have a spacious reception area, training places, breakout spaces, the latest technology and plenty of parking. For us at Azets it is a new beginning – we look forward to welcoming clients old and new to Orion House.” Azets has taken a modern ground floor suite at Orion House which has excellent access to Junction 9 of the A14. Commercial property agent Berrys advised on the move. The estate is surrounded by other office and industrial parks with the likes of Kettering Retail Park, Tesco, McDonalds and the Kettering Park Hotel & Spa all within close proximity. Azets, the UK’s specialist business advisor to SMEs, has long had a presence in Kettering and is a full service accountancy practice including audit, accounting, business advisory and tax services. Paul Tyler has been with the firm, and its predecessor business Smith Hodge & Baxter, for 25 years in a few months’ time. However, he is not the longest-serving member of staff. That honour goes to Mark Bardshaw, Associate Director, who joined the firm in 1982 and is celebrating 44 years in 2026. Azets will be commemorating the move into Orion House with a drinks reception at a later date and staff are looking forward to continuing their charitable commitments for the local area, having raised more than £2,560 for Brest Friends in 2024 and £2,160 for Animals in Need in 2025. Top photo: New Boardroom - Azets’ Kettering Office Managing Partner Paul Tyler and Director Kathryn Walshaw in the boardroom at the firm’s new headquarters in the town at purpose-built Orion House on Kettering Venture Park Spacious Premises - Azets’ new office at purpose-built Orion House on Kettering Venture Park and, bottom, Office Managing Partner Paul Tyler with members of staff

Scottish food and drink businesses, including direct competitors, have been urged to work closer together to overcome growing barriers to international trade and strengthen the sector’s export resilience. The call came at a Scottish food and drink export roundtable held this week – just hours before the major news for whisky firms with the dropping of US tariffs. However, the announcement could have much wider and positive repercussions, by opening the door for increased trade across the whole sector. The roundtable event was hosted by Peel Ports Group in Glasgow and brought together producers and sector leaders, including Scotland Food & Drink, to examine how Scotland can improve routes to market, especially to North America. The discussion focused on the potential to aggregate exports to open up routes for growth, especially to the hundreds of small to medium businesses in Scotland’s food and drink sector that lack the scale to exploit export opportunities on their own. As Scotland’s biggest export, whisky could generate the scale and momentum required to make this a reality, especially with the tariffs news. The food and drink sector is one of Scotland’s most important economic contributors, supporting jobs across manufacturing, agriculture, seafood, whisky, logistics, ports and supply chain services. It also has a strong international reputation, with Scottish products recognised in major overseas markets for quality and provenance. Jim McSporran, Clydeport Port Director at Peel Ports Group, said: “The challenge, and the opportunity, that emerged strongly from today is whether the sector can act together in areas where collaboration makes commercial sense. Companies will always compete on product, brand and customers, but there is clear scope to work more collectively on the practical barriers that affect everyone, including cost, reliability, capacity and access to market." “In particular, it’s clear Scotland’s strongest export – whisky – could provide the baseload to make a direct service from Scotland to the States a viable option. That in turn could benefit the whole economy for existing and potential export businesses.” Stephen Currie, Managing Director of R&W Scott in Carluke, which makes premium bakery products, said: “One of the biggest barriers for businesses like ours is distribution. It’s not just about shipping the goods overseas to our customers. Sometimes our imported raw ingredients can be delayed for days at a time." "We need to work together in the sector, with honesty about our volumes and markets, if we want to achieve more export success. There’s huge potential to grow our business if we can get this right and I’m sure it will be the same for other Scottish companies.” Alastair Dobson, Managing Director of Arran Dairies and Taste of Arran, said: “The biggest threat is inertia and doing what has always been done. We’ve got the goods and we’ve got the markets. The challenge is the cost and time of the bit in-between. We need to collaborate better and join the dots between exporters and supply chain providers. That can be complex, which is where AI and digital platforms can play a very important role.” Figures from Scotland Food & Drink show it contributes £15 billion in economic value, with exports doubling over the past decade. However, industry leaders have previously warned that reputation and previous successes will not be enough to secure future growth if businesses cannot move products to market efficiently, reliably and competitively. Participants also identified the resilience, financial stability and sustainability benefits from a direct shipping service, allowing companies to increase revenue and profitability.

Demand for bicycles across Europe rises sharply within a small window each spring. For manufacturers and retailers alike, timely product availability is critical during this peak season. To reliably manage these seasonal surges, international children’s and youth bicycle manufacturer, woom relies on Gebrüder Weiss for its European logistics operations. Gebrüder Weiss transports woom bicycles and accessories such as helmets, baskets, and water bottles from production sites in Poland, Lithuania, and Romania to the Gebrüder Weiss logistics hub in Vienna. There, shipments are consolidated and subsequently distributed to retailers throughout Europe. Key sales markets include Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Tanja Stätter, Senior Manager Transport and Logistics at woom says: “Especially in spring, bicycles and accessories must be available across Europe within a very short time frame. This requires a logistics solution that is reliable and capable of handling peak volumes. With Gebrüder Weiss, we have a partner that understands our requirements precisely.” Gebrüder Weiss operates a Europe-wide logistics network with daily scheduled line services and has been working with companies in the bicycle industry for many years. This enables the company to handle increased volumes at short notice, even during peak season. Using the myGW customer portal, shipments can be tracked digitally at all times, with real-time status updates and estimated arrival times available to woom as well as its retail partners. About woom woom is an international manufacturer of children’s and youth bicycles headquartered in Vienna, Austria. Founded in 2013 by Christian Bezdeka and Marcus Ihlenfeld in a Vienna garage, the brand quickly evolved from an insider tip to market leader in Austria. Today, woom is recognized well beyond Austria’s borders, with children and teenagers riding woom bikes in more than 40 countries worldwide, including the United States, the Middle East, and China. In the 2025 financial year, woom achieved record results, generating revenue of 149 million euros and selling 392,000 bicycles.

Hendy Group continues to strengthen its position as one of the UK’s leading automotive retail businesses, combining significant scale with the enduring values of a fifth-generation, family-run organisation. Operating across the South Coast from Devon to Kent, the Group represents 26 different marques across over 70 sales and aftersales locations and employs more than 1,500 colleagues. Under the leadership of Paul Hendy, the company has expanded significantly, growing sixfold since 2016 through a combination of acquisitions and organic development. That sense of continuity is reflected not only in leadership but in the relationships the business builds over time. A recent example saw the Hendy family reunited with a pristine Ford Anglia originally sold by Percy Hendy Ltd in Chandler’s Ford more than 75 years ago. The vehicle has returned to the very area where the business remains based today. It is now displayed at Hendy Ford showrooms, offering customers a tangible link between the company’s past and present. Paul Hendy, CEO at Hendy Group, commented: “As a family business, we see ourselves as custodians of something that’s been built over generations. That comes with a responsibility, not just to grow the business, but to look after our people, support our communities and maintain the standards our name stands for.” This philosophy is reflected in Hendy’s continued investment in skills and development. The Group has secured a top 20 position in the national Family Business Apprentice Employers Report 2025, underscoring its continued commitment to nurturing future talent. Alongside its focus on developing local talent, Hendy Group has long embedded charitable giving into its culture, with a commitment that spans more than 165 years. As the business has expanded across the South Coast, so too has its ambition to deliver a more coordinated and meaningful social impact. This is delivered through Hendy Foundation, the Group’s dedicated charitable arm, which provides ongoing funding and support to a wide range of local charities and grassroots initiatives. Its work spans youth development, health and wellbeing, and wider community support, ensuring that Hendy’s growth translates into tangible benefits beyond the business. The Group’s impact has also been recognised internationally. Ford Motor Company recently honoured Paul Hendy at its global “Salute to Dealers” event for his leadership and dedication to community service, naming him as one of just eight recipients worldwide. Alongside this community focus, Hendy remains committed to delivering world-class customer service across its multi-brand, multi-site operation. By combining operational scale with a relationship-led approach, the business continues to build long-term connections with customers across the region. While the automotive sector continues to evolve, Hendy’s approach remains consistent: growth driven by strong foundations, with family values embedded at every level of the organisation. It is this combination of sustained growth and family-led values that defines Hendy Group today.