National painting contractor Bagnalls has been named on the shortlist for the Employer of the Year category at the British Business Awards 2026 – one of the most competitive business awards in the UK. The announcement places Bagnalls among seven other shortlisted organisations in the Employer of the Year category, including Sodexo, Stagecoach and Highland Spring Group. The competition received a record number of more than 400 entries this year, with shortlisted companies independently evaluated across five core pillars: business performance, innovation, workforce and culture, customer impact, and contribution to society and the wider economy. The awards ceremony takes place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on 30 April 2026, with up to 2,000 business leaders expected to attend. This year's event features a fireside conversation with Oscar-winning actor and humanitarian George Clooney, a keynote address from Sir Bob Geldof, and co-hosting from Rob Brydon and Elaine C Smith. The ceremony will also raise funds for Social Bite, the UK homelessness charity. Shortlisted businesses also form the inaugural British Business Leaders List, published in partnership with The Times and The Sunday Times, recognising organisations setting the standard for modern enterprise across the UK. With over 150 years in the painting and decorating industry, Bagnalls has built a reputation that extends well beyond the quality of its paintwork. Last year, the company's Community Paintbrush scheme reached more than 49,000 people across the country through charitable painting projects and donations. Alongside this, Bagnalls runs one of the most highly regarded apprenticeship programmes in the sector, with a significant proportion of its current management team having begun their careers at Bagnalls as apprentices. That commitment to growing talent from within was formally recognised last year, when Bagnalls won the Aptem Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Award at the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2025 – beating household names including Tesco and Kier Group to take the national title. The company also received a prestigious Princess Royal Training Award in 2025, in recognition of its apprenticeship and Management Trainee schemes. The commitment to EDI was again recognised at this ceremony, with Bagnalls also taking home an EDI Commendation – one of only seven companies, out of a total 57, to be honoured in this way. Stephen Bagnall, Group Managing Director at Bagnalls, commented: "Being shortlisted for Employer of the Year at the British Business Awards is a huge honour – and one that belongs to every member of our team. Our people are what set Bagnalls apart, and this recognition reflects the culture we have worked hard to build: one that champions apprenticeships, values diversity, rewards hard work and gives individuals the opportunity to build long and rewarding careers." "To be shortlisted alongside businesses of this calibre, in a year that attracted more than 400 entries, tells us we are definitely doing something right! We look forward to representing the painting and decorating industry in Edinburgh on 30 April."

A significant step forward for Cranleigh’s international ambitions, with a new education partnership in Vietnam. We will be working closely with Sunshine Group, one of Vietnam’s biggest and most influential companies, with interests in education, finance, construction and technology. The partnership is the beginning of what we hope will be a long-term project in Vietnam and an exciting new chapter for Cranleigh. The collaboration brings together our heritage and international expertise with Sunshine Group’s local insight and commitment to improving educational outcomes for young people. This will be Cranleigh School’s fourth international venture, alongside those in China and the United Arab Emirates, demonstrating the School’s continued growth and global outlook. Sam Price, Cranleigh Schools Group Head, said: “We are delighted to be entering a new chapter by partnering with Sunshine Group in Vietnam. Our commitment to world-class education will be at the forefront of our partnership, combining our rich history, innovative thinking and our attitude towards education. Starting this journey with Sunshine Group is another opportunity to share Cranleigh’s culture across the world alongside our current schools in Abu Dhabi and China, giving pupils a global perspective and providing exciting opportunities.” Today’s signing sets the foundation for future growth, deeper collaboration and the potential for the development of multiple Cranleigh International schools across Vietnam. Together, we look forward to shaping a new generation of globally minded learners and establishing a lasting educational legacy in the region. Đỗ Văn Tuấn, Project Director, Sunshine Group, said: “This milestone signals the beginning of a broad educational vision for Vietnam. By combining Cranleigh School’s heritage and global expertise with strong local partnership, the ambition is to create a network of schools that will support families across the country and contribute meaningfully to the future of education in the region. We anticipate being able to announce the first school site in June this year.”

Aldi Scotland’s Supermarket Sweep is back for another year, giving shoppers in South Scotland the chance to raise vital funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). Inspired by the iconic game show, the high-energy challenge is set to bring a buzz to the aisles, offering one lucky DG or TD postcode holder the chance to race through their local Aldi store in South Scotland and fill the trolley with their favourite products. Now in its eleventh year, the initiative has raised over £60,000 for charities across Scotland. First launched in 2016, the Supermarket Sweep invites participants to take part in a five-minute trolley dash, collecting as many items as possible before the clock runs out. Once time is called, the winner takes home their haul, while Aldi matches the total value as a donation to CHAS. Each year, CHAS supports more than 500 babies, children and young people across Scotland with life-shortening conditions, along with their families. In 2026, every penny raised through Aldi’s Supermarket Sweep will go directly to the charity, with £10,000 pledged in support. This April, CHAS launched its £20 million More Than A Hospice appeal, a once in a generation opportunity to transform children’s palliative care across Scotland and redesign how the country cares for children with life shortening conditions and their families. The appeal will fund the crucial rebuilding and refreshing of CHAS’s hospices, alongside the expansion of care in homes, communities and hospitals, giving families real choice over where and how they are supported when they need it most. Residents in South Scotland can apply to take part in the Supermarket Sweep from Monday 27 April - Sunday 10 May. Sandy Mitchell, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “We are proud to once again be partnering with CHAS, following the success of last year’s Supermarket Sweep campaign. It is always a highlight to bring this initiative to communities across Scotland, and we’re looking forward to giving one lucky South Scotland resident the chance to enjoy a truly unique supermarket experience." “CHAS is a charity very close to our hearts, providing vital support to families across the country. As the Supermarket Sweep returns for 2026, we are pleased to once again raise important funds and awareness for the incredible work they do.” Iain McAndrew, Director of Income Generation and Engagement, CHAS said: “Last year’s partnership with Aldi Scotland was a huge success, with the team going above and beyond to raise vital funds and awareness through its Supermarket Sweep and a range of generous initiatives. That support has had a real impact on the families we care for and means so much to everyone involved." “This year, we have really ambitious plans. Our bold £20 million More Than A Hospice appeal comes at a critical time and will allow CHAS to meet rising pressure on children’s palliative care services by transforming how Scotland cares for its most vulnerable children and families. “Across Scotland, we support babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions, as well as their families, through a range of services including specialist palliative care, respite stays, emotional support and bereavement care. Every contribution makes a difference, and we are incredibly grateful to Aldi Scotland and everyone taking part for helping us reach more children and families across the country.” Entry is free and customers can apply by emailing their name and chosen store to supermarketsweep@aldi.co.uk before Sunday 10 May. Further details and full T&Cs can be found here. For more information about CHAS and how to support its work, visit here.

The founder of a charity that provides vital support to families with children admitted to hospital has thanked a Hampshire accountancy firm for its help. Charlotte Fairall said she was ‘deeply grateful’ that staff at chartered accountants and business advisors HWB have voted to make Sophie’s Legacy their charity of the year. Founded in memory of Charlotte’s daughter Sophie who died of cancer at age ten, the charity focuses on making the lived experience of hospital better for child patients and their visiting families. Among its activities is the provision of parent packs, containing items such as tea bags, toiletries, cosmetics and phone chargers, to help with bedside times and overnight stays. The charity currently distributes around 50 packs a week to each of 12 hospitals across the south including 13 wards at Southampton General Hospital. HWB will provide a range of support to Sophie’s Legacy this year. As well as hosting and participating in fundraising events, staff aim to gather donations of items and be hands-on by contributing to the making up and delivery of hospital packs. HWB Director Michaela Johns: “We’re keen to offer as much support as we can to such a deserving cause in the community. Sophie’s Legacy is all about helping families locally who have to spend time in hospital with their child.” Charlotte, a social worker and mum-of-three, said: “We are incredibly honoured that HWB has chosen Sophie’s Legacy as its Charity of the Year. Their help will make a real and meaningful difference to the children and their families we work tirelessly to support in hospital." “Sophie’s Legacy was founded in memory of my daughter, Sophie, with the mission of driving vital improvements in paediatric care in hospital. Having HWB stand alongside us in that mission is truly uplifting, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment.” Charlotte lost Sophie, her second of three daughters, to an aggressive childhood cancer in 2021, a year after an initial diagnosis that prompted intensive chemotherapy and weeks of radiotherapy. The experience prompted her to launch Sophie’s Legacy as a charity dedicated to fixing gaps in family support at hospital that Sophie herself had identified. As well as distributing packs, Sophie’s Legacy helps families with transport costs, funds therapeutic art sessions for children in hospital and campaigns to reshape hospital care and policy so it is more aligned with people’s lived experience. HWB’s previous charities of the year include Dementia Support Hampshire & Isle of Wight, Wessex Cancer Trust, Mountbatten Hampshire and Imagine This, previously the Murray Parish Trust. For more information on Sophie’s Legacy, visit here. Chartered accountants HWB, headquartered in Chandler’s Ford near Southampton, provides business and tax advice. Photo: From left: HWB colleagues Emma Kemp, Marketing Executive, Susan Wooding, Tax Compliance Manager and Liz Torkington, Office Administrator, with volunteers from Sophie’s Legacy Dennis Dawes and John Miller.

A leading Dorset funeral director has welcomed government plans to increase regulation of the industry. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said the Department of Health and Social Care will be ‘taking the lead’ in the changes. It follows several scandals including two in Hampshire and one in Hull that saw an unscrupulous funeral director hoard bodies and ashes. Nick Douch, managing director of Douch Family Funeral Directors that runs seven branches in Dorset, said he agreed that more should be done to stop ‘rip off providers’, as Streeting described them. Nick added: “The majority of funeral directors are honest and provide a professional service. But there are a minority who give everybody else a bad name and will rip people off and provide an extremely unprofessional service." “These behaviours are bad enough in other industries, but dealing with those mourning the loss of a loved one gives funeral directors a much bigger responsibility. People at this time are vulnerable and more easily taken advantage of and it is greatly upsetting to see funeral directors do exactly this." “Therefore I welcome any regulations that prevent it from happening – those of us who act professionally need have nothing to fear. It will be interesting to see what regulation is brought forward and how it will be enforced.” Streeting said funeral regulation in England had been ‘all over the place’ and ‘non-existent’ in some areas. He added: "We will be taking a lead in the Department of Health and Social Care of working across government to make sure we've got effective funeral legislation in place." It follows the case of Robert Bush in Hull who will be sentenced in July after he admitted hoarding 30 bodies, half a tonne of human ashes and fraudulently running his business. In Hampshire, two undertakers were jailed for four years for preventing a lawful and decent burial, causing a public nuisance by keeping bodies in unrefrigerated conditions and fraudulent trading. In Leeds, a funeral director was banned from NHS maternity wards and mortuaries after keeping babies' bodies at her home. Nick added: “We have already been working closely with local authorities in Dorset, having been selected as a pilot ‘champion’ to help shape what good inspection standards should look like." “That kind of collaboration is important. Any regulation needs to be practical, consistent and focused on maintaining dignity and proper care for the deceased, while giving families confidence in the services they receive." “Our family business has been operating for more than a century, our reputation is everything and we work incredibly hard to provide the best possible service.” Douch Family Funeral Directors runs branches in Wimborne, Ferndown, Corfe Mullen, Parkstone, Blandford, Wareham and Swanage. It also runs an award-winning funeral plan. Douch Family Funeral Directors have been helping families with funeral arrangements for over 100 years. Branches include Douch & Small, A E Jolliffe & Son, Albert Marsh, James Smith, Ives & Shand and Lesley Shand Funeral Service. They’re based in Wimborne, Ferndown, Wareham, Poole, Swanage, Blandford and Corfe Mullen.

A restaurant manager from a Lake District spa resort has turned his passion for the great outdoors into a new role, having successfully completed an intensive winter skills course. Pav Moskala from Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa travelled to the Cairngorms to take part in the specialist course thanks to the English Lakes Hotels Personal Development Fund, which helps the hotel group’s employees to develop new skills. The course has allowed Pav to take on an additional role as the spa resort’s new walking guide, sharing his love and knowledge of the Lakeland fells while taking guests on walks and helping them explore the spectacular landscapes surrounding the venue. Pav’s course with Glenmore Lodge was designed to teach him the essential techniques required for safer travel in the mountains. It provided in-depth and practical knowledge and experience of changing weather conditions in the fells and highlands. The training covered key skills including navigation techniques in low visibility conditions using a map and compass, equipment selection and route planning, avalanche awareness, ice-axe use and crampon techniques, and emergency procedures such as the use of group shelters. Pav, who helps run the Blue Smoke restaurant at the spa resort, explains: “The Cairngorms was the perfect base for developing the practical and safety skills I need for guiding walks, especially in terms of assessing conditions and planning accordingly. It’s strengthened my technical abilities and given me more confidence and knowledge." "It was also inspiring to be under the wing of some incredible instructors who showed the invaluable ability to stay calm in such harsh conditions while leading our group. It’s reinforced my enthusiasm for sharing the outdoors with others. The discipline required for such an intense 5-day course was also immensely rewarding." “I’m very grateful for the opportunity and excited to use what I’ve learned to help our guests discover the amazing walks around Low Wood Bay and Windermere.” Michael Kay, group operations director at English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues, says: “Our personal development fund actively supports our employees’ career progression and allows them to pursue training opportunities that enhance both their personal interests and their professional roles within the business." “Pav’s course was 95% funded after he provided a detailed business case to support his request for additional skills support. It’s opened a new door for Pav as our new Low Wood Bay walking guide, leading small groups on local walks so that they can better appreciate the fantastic surroundings and learn more about the Lake District National Park.” Subject to assessment and line manager agreement, training or courses underwritten by the English Lakes Hotels Personal Development Fund can be taken within most disciplines. Employees let their manager and the group operations director know what the course is, its cost and why they wish to complete it. Michael Kay adds: “We work with applicants to identify training programmes or courses across a wide range of disciplines. By investing in our teams’ development, we aim to help people reach their potential and move forward in their careers. The initiative also contributes to creating a stronger, more balanced working life for all employees." “We hope Pav’s passion for the outdoors and his new winter skills will help create memorable guided walking experiences for visitors to Low Wood Bay.” Pav’s walks take place on Thursday and Saturday mornings and are for guests at the spa resort who want to explore the fells with some guided company. For further information about new job roles at English Lakes Hotels, visit here.

Acclaimed broadcaster and bestselling author Lorraine Kelly will appear in Cobham for an exclusive author event to celebrate the release of her new novel, The Island Secret. Joining her on stage for a special “in conversation” event will be internationally bestselling author Adele Parks, promising an evening of lively discussion, insight, and inspiration. The Island Secret is Lorraine Kelly’s latest work of fiction, weaving an evocative story of love, identity, and hidden pasts set against a vividly drawn backdrop. With her trademark warmth and storytelling charm, Kelly brings to life a narrative that explores the complexities of relationships and the power of long-buried secrets. In this unique event, Adele Parks—renowned for her gripping and emotionally intelligent novels—will interview Lorraine Kelly about the creative process behind The Island Secret, her journey as a writer, and the themes that shape her work. The evening will also include an audience Q&A, offering attendees the chance to engage directly with both authors. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase copies of The Island Secret on the night, followed by a book signing. Event Details: Location: St Andrew’s Church Rooms, Church Street, Cobham, Surrey, KT11 3EJ Date: Monday 15th June 2026 Time: 6pm Tickets are expected to sell quickly, and early booking is strongly advised. Visit here. This special literary evening is set to be a highlight for readers, offering a rare chance to see two celebrated authors share the stage in an intimate and engaging setting. About the Authors Lorraine Kelly is one of the UK’s most beloved television presenters and a bestselling author whose novels have captivated readers with their warmth and emotional depth. Adele Parks is an internationally bestselling author known for her compelling contemporary fiction, exploring relationships, family dynamics, and psychological intrigue.

Three in 10 business owners do not have a pension independent of their business, according to Rathbones Group, one of the UK’s leading wealth and asset management firms, warning that millions may be taking unnecessary risks with their future finances. Rathbones polled 3,092 UK adults, including almost 10% business owners, and also found that 44% do not even hold an ISA of any kind. The vast majority (95%) have money in savings accounts and/or Premium Bonds, suggesting many are prioritising short term cash over long-term planning. Faye Church, Senior Financial Planning Director at Rathbones, based in Guildford, says: “We often meet owners of successful businesses who see their company as their retirement plan and prioritise reinvesting back into the business over pension saving. That’s often driven by a desire to grow the business, and the belief that a future sale will ultimately take care of retirement. But relying on a business alone to fund later life is a risky strategy." “The future is unpredictable. Small businesses can be hit by economic shocks, supply chain disruption, losing customers or a crisis no one sees coming. That makes it hard to know what your business will be worth when you eventually step back – or even whether you’ll be able to sell it at all." “Without a pension, you could end up with far less to live on than planned, and even a successful sale may still fall short of funding the lifestyle you want in retirement.” Looking specifically at entrepreneurs, almost a quarter (24%) of respondents said they do not have a pension. More than a third (36%) said they do not have an ISA, although 95% do hold savings and/or Premium Bonds. Gordon Lawrie, Senior Investment Director and Head of Edinburgh Office at Rathbones says: “From our dealings with early-stage businesses, there are often many competing financial pressures, from irregular cash flow and reinvesting in the company to paying down borrowing or covering personal expenses,” “But for limited company owners, contributing to a pension can be one of the most tax efficient ways to extract money from the business and invest for the future.” Why pensions are still powerful for business owners Faye Church says: It’s common for business owners to prioritise tax efficient income today, typically taking a small salary within the personal allowance and the rest as dividends. That approach can create the false impression that pensions aren’t worthwhile, particularly if your salary sits below the income tax threshold. In reality, pensions can be one of the most tax efficient ways for business owners to invest for the future. Tax relief on personal pension contributions When you make a personal contribution to a pension, the government automatically adds basic rate tax relief. For every £100 you contribute, HMRC tops it up by £25. Higher and additional rate taxpayers can also claim further tax relief through self-assessment. Employer contributions from your limited company Limited company owners can make employer pension contributions directly from the business rather than paying themselves and contributing personally. These payments are made from pre tax profits and do not attract National Insurance. With employer NI set at 15% from 2026/27, this can represent a significant saving compared with taking the same amount as salary. Reducing your corporation tax bill Employer pension contributions are treated as an allowable business expense and can be offset against a company’s Corporation Tax bill. Depending on the rate paid, this could reduce Corporation Tax by up to 25%, making pensions one of the most tax efficient ways to extract profits from a business. Higher limits and more flexibility Business owners can currently contribute up to £60,000 a year into a pension. The removal of the Lifetime Allowance also means it’s now possible to build a larger pension pot without the risk of additional tax charges. Where a spouse is involved in the business, making pension contributions for them can further improve household tax efficiency. Why professional advice matters Pensions can be highly tax efficient for business owners, but the rules are complex and what works best depends on income, profits and long-term goals. Allowances and tax treatments can change, and mistakes can be costly. Regulated financial advice can help ensure pension contributions are structured efficiently and support wider retirement and income plans.

Regional law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors has expanded its presence in Dorchester as it continues to grow its full-service offering for individuals and businesses across West Dorset. The firm now occupies four suites at Somerleigh Gate in Somerleigh Road, off Princes Street, its base since the end of 2024. Taking on extra office space is designed to underpin ongoing investment in Dorchester and support a growing client base in the county town and surrounding areas. The office is headed by Dorchester resident Chris Pemberton, a Partner in the firm’s Wills, Trusts & Probate team, who leads a dedicated team delivering a wide range of legal services locally. Chris said: "Our expansion at Somerleigh Gate reflects the growing local demand we are seeing for all of our legal services from our experts. This has been driven by the diverse mix of individuals, families and businesses of Dorchester requiring trusted legal advice.” The office gives access to Ellis Jones’ full-service expertise across areas including business services, dispute resolution, employment, family law, LGBTQ+, residential and commercial property, personal injury, intellectual property, insolvency and restructuring, criminal law, banking and finance, and wills, trusts and probate. As well as expanding its office footprint, the firm has been actively strengthening its links with the local community and business sector. The firm hosted a recent seminar on agricultural inheritance tax and succession planning at Coastland College’s Kingston Maurward campus just outside Dorchester. Organised in association with chartered accountants and tax advisers PKF Francis Clark and estate agents and surveyors Symonds & Sampson, the event provided farmers and rural landowners with guidance on current tax reliefs and changes. Ellis Jones was also among the sponsors of this year’s Dorchester Business Awards, held at the Corn Exchange, where the firm sponsored the Family Business category for the second consecutive year. Dorchester-born Managing Partner Nigel Smith was on stage to present the award to winners Halo Fine Art, Kooky Bloom and Nikki’s Little Play Café. Joined by Consultant Solicitor Malcolm Scott Walby, Nigel also networked with representatives from almost 70 local businesses at the evening celebration. Nigel said: “We pride ourselves on being at the heart of the community. By expanding our office in Dorchester and being involved in more local events and awards, we aim to build our network within the West Dorset community. Raising our profile means we can deliver value to more clients in need of specialist legal services.” Ellis Jones is a Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners ranked law firm with 187 staff including 23 partners. The Dorchester office is the firm’s eighth office, further strengthening its presence across Dorset, Hampshire and London. Ellis Jones also has offices in Bournemouth, Canford Cliffs (Poole), Ringwood, Swanage, Broadstone, Wimborne and Fleet Street in London. The firm’s continued investment in Dorchester follows its wider growth in the region, including the 2023 acquisition of Wimborne-based Scott Walby LLP. For more information about Ellis Jones Solicitors’ Dorchester office, visit here.

Property consultancy Vail Williams has successfully acquired new headquarters in Surrey for the UK’s leading supplier of world foods. Golden Acre Foods has relocated from Chertsey into 5,260 sq ft (489 sq m) premises at Waterfront, Waterman’s Business Park, Staines-upon-Thames due to expansion. Vail Williams partner Maria Hoadley and surveyor Natalie Furtado, both based in Woking, led the team conducting a comprehensive search to locate a property with the right attributes in an area where demand is high. Golden Acre subsequently signed a 15-year lease on part of Waterfront, a fully refurbished Grade A development situated on an established business park in a River Thames setting. Maria said: “Golden Acre looked at various locations before deciding Staines was the most suitable for staff retention, road and rail links, public transport and amenities. Also, the company’s preference was to be on the ground floor for operational reasons, required ample parking and would countenance only premises with good green credentials.” Natalie added: “We used our experience, local knowledge and contacts to source and secure Waterfront off-market and it proved ideal for Golden Acre. A key part of our remit was to find premises which could be futureproofed as their business demand continues to grow, which we did and so secured the deal.” Vail Williams associate Chris Bailey handled the pre-acquisition work for Golden Acre and the firm also acted on business rates, while associate Nicki Rought looked after dilapidations on the company’s former premises in Chertsey. The fit-out was completed by 3-Space. Waterfront landlord, real estate development, investment and management business London And Marlborough Group, was represented by director Paul Sexton. Golden Acre Foods is the UK’s leading supplier of world foods, supplying major multiples, wholesalers and foodservice customers across the UK and Ireland. The company was founded with the launch of Golden Acre yogurts more than 20 years ago and has since developed other brands such as Najma, Elsinore, Hungry Boar, Jaldee Eats and Acti-Shake. It also supplies food from Poland, Romania and South Asia, while also sourcing a wide variety of private label products. The company is B Corp™ Certified, meeting the highest standards of environmental and social performance, transparency and accountability. 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: Property consultancy Vail Williams has successfully acquired new headquarters in Surrey for Golden Acre Foods, the UK’s leading supplier of world foods

Global Brands, the drinks producer behind the likes of Hooch, VK and Franklin & Sons has announced the acquisition of the low-calorie, gluten-free beer and cider brand, Skinny Brands. The acquisition sees Skinny Lager, Skinny IPA and Skinny Fruit Cider brought into the Global Brands portfolio with immediate effect. Skinny Brands was originally founded in 2015 by entrepreneurs Tom Bell and Gary Conway, designed to offer "better-for-you" alcoholic alternatives without compromise, and a decade later the drinks are listed in major retailers including Tesco, Morrisons and B&M Bargains. The success of Skinny Brands aligns with evolving consumer attitudes towards healthier drinking habits. In United Kingdom approximately 41% of adults consider calorie content, with 26% actively seeking lower-calorie options. As a result of this changing consumer behaviour, sales of lower-calorie beers surged by more than 17% in 2024[1]. The acquisition of Skinny Brands follows Global Brands’ acquisition of Hooch, Hooper’s and Reef in 2023, and reflects the company’s continued focus on investing in brands that strengthen and diversify its portfolio, in line with consumer demand. Speaking on the acquisition, Steve Perez, founder and CEO of Global Brands explained: “I have long admired Skinny Brands – the shift towards low calorie, gluten-free options is something we have been actively monitoring for some time at Global Brands, and the team has done an impressive job at building a brand in what is a highly competitive and fast-evolving category." “We are always evaluating how we can strengthen our brand portfolio for our customers, and this acquisition marks another important milestone in that journey. Skinny Brands has built a strong position within the "better for you" drinks space, and we believe these drinks offer a great, natural fit for our business and for the customers we work alongside." “With Global Brands’ international reach, this acquisition means we are able to put the full strength of our business behind Skinny Brands – from distribution and logistics to our established customer network – accelerating its growth by introducing it to new markets, while also giving our customers access to a broader, more relevant portfolio within a high-growth category." “Ultimately our ambition is to take Skinny Brands from a strong challenger brand to a truly mainstream player, both in the UK and internationally.” To find out more about Global Brands, visit here.

One of Staffordshire’s oldest family pottery firms has wished JCB and Lord Bamford a happy 80th birthday – with the creation of a unique handmade vase. Stoke on Trent based Moorcroft, founded by William Moorcroft in 1913, is renowned worldwide for its rich colours and distinctive tube lining technique, in which raised outlines are applied by hand before painting and glazing. The company’s skilled team has now produced a four sided vase designed by Emma Bossons, one of Moorcroft’s most celebrated designers, who this year marks 30 years’ service with the pottery firm. She was also the youngest ever female member of the Royal Society of Arts, Emma’s design captures key moments in JCB’s history – from the Uttoxeter garage where the business began and the first tipping trailer built by Mr JCB, through to the hydrogen powered backhoe loader conceived by Lord Bamford. Moorcroft Director Will Moorcroft, grandson of the founder, said: “We wanted to honour JCB and Lord Bamford and say happy 80th birthday from one Staffordshire family company to another, with a vase created using the brilliant creative skills of our team.” Lord Bamford said: “The vase is absolutely beautiful. It captures wonderfully all the major moments in the history of our company. I’m overwhelmed by it.”