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Skyscanner, one of Scotland’s biggest tech success stories, is the founding partner of an innovative new pilot, combining computer science initial teacher education and a career in the tech industry. The ‘braided career’ approach aims to encourage software engineers to earn a teaching qualification and inspire the next generation of coders, while still building their careers outside the classroom. Skyscanner has recruited a mix of existing and new employees specifically for the programme, all four of whom will take on part-time positions at the travel search giant, enabling them to study for PDGE Diplomas at the University of Glasgow while also taking on teaching placements at Glasgow University partnership schools. The new programme, thought to be the first of its kind in Scotland, has been developed by computing science and teacher education experts at the University of Glasgow, in partnership with KPE4 Charitable Trust. The programme is setting out to address the shortfall in computing science teachers in Scotland’s secondary schools, helping pupils to find rewarding careers in the future and providing a pipeline of talent to help support the Scottish tech sector in the years to come. Figures from the annual census of Scotland’s teachers show there are now only 550 computing studies teachers - a loss of 28 teachers since 2023, adding to the overall loss of 45 Scottish computing teachers since 2020. The braided career programme has been designed to allow experienced industry professionals to apply their skills, passion and knowledge to the classroom and inspire the next generation of Computing students. The braided career students will undertake the full PDGE including a two year-probation teaching in schools, part time. Once qualified, they will be supported by Skyscanner to continue their hybrid careers, should they wish to do so. Skyscanner’s Chief Technology Officer Andrew Phillips said: “We would not be the hugely successful business we are today, a global leader in the travel search field, without the grassroots talent who built this company in our early years in Scotland. Unfortunately, one in eight secondary pupils in Scotland now attend a school with no qualified computer science teacher." “The future growth of Scotland’s tech industry will be dramatically constrained if the systematic challenge of a narrow local talent pipeline is not addressed. That starts at school level, so when we were approached to pilot the same kind of big-picture thinking we use for our product in supporting a solution to the Computer Science teacher shortage, it made total sense.” The programme is the result of a collaboration between teacher education senior lecturers at the University of Glasgow’s School of Education and School of Computing Science. The University’s Centre for Computing Science Education is working to support coherent progression of the subject in schools from early years education through to graduate level and beyond. While the first year of the programme will focus on establishing the programme with the support of Skyscanner, the team are working to involve other employers to broaden the scope of the programme in the years to come. Mary Lappin, Deputy Head of the UofG’s School of Education, said: “Scotland is home to some of the world’s leading universities and an ever-expanding science and tech sector. Together, they are producing remarkable breakthroughs in research and development, all backed by cutting-edge computing science." “Nurturing home-grown talent from an early age is key to maintaining that growth in the years ahead, and ensuring that high-quality computing science education is offered in schools will help us do that." “We’ve developed this braided careers approach to help tap into the expertise of Scotland’s tech sector. We’re delighted to be partnering with Skyscanner in this initial pilot phase, helping pupils to benefit from direct access to current industry experience. We’re looking forward to building on the foundations we’re laying here in the years to come.” Skyscanner’s braided career professionals will join the University of Glasgow’s PDGE course this month, with Skyscanner paying a salary across both their PGDE studies and industry roles. On completing their PGDE, they’ll undertake a two-year braided career/teaching probation, working 60% of the time in industry and spending 40% of their time teaching. Myra Fulton, VP of Engineering at Skyscanner, commented: “As a teen, I chose a Computer Science degree over my original pick of hospitality because a teacher had lit up the subject for me – and that changed the course of my life." “If enough industry partners adopt this approach, this could be an innovative solution to something that has long been a problem. It’s our hope that in launching this pilot, we can pave the way for others to adopt similar braided career offerings, with software engineers using their skills to inspire the next generation. It’s a fantastic way to invest in your staff, offer attractive alternatives and normalise part-time working. The unique skills teachers build are hugely valuable in our industry too – so it is a win-win for everyone.”

British Cycling can announce the 11-strong squad that will represent Great Britain at the 2025 UCI MTB World Championships in Valais, Switzerland from Tuesday 2- Sunday 14 September. At the multi-discipline, two-week event the mountain-bike XCO and XCC events will kick off from Monday 8 September, with European silver medallists Evie Richards and Charlie Aldridge leading the talented squad of British riders contesting that coveted rainbow jersey. Having enjoyed a stormer of a season so far with five world cup top 10s overall, before picking up a silver medal in a GB 1-2 at last month’s European championships, Charlie Aldrige will look to leverage this form to make his way onto another podium. Leading the elite women will be Evie Richards who also picked up a European silver medal earlier in the season and has proven herself to be on fine form time and time again. Having taken the XCC title last year, Richards will be looking to make it a double whammy and pick up more silverware to add to her impressive collection. Joining her will be three-time and current XCO national champion Isla Short who will be taking the confidence of a top-10 finish at last month’s UEC European MTB Championships, onto the world stage. After concussion prevented her from competing at the Europeans, under-23 rider Ella Maclean-Howell will be back firing on all cylinders and keen to achieve her first world champion jersey, having taken nine top-10 world cup finishes this season. Experienced riders Corran Carrick-Anderson and Max Greensill will be looking for any opportunity to take the edge in an increasingly competitive under-23 men’s field, with rainbows on their mind in both the short-track and cross-country races. Evie Strachan will lead the junior women’s squad, with a fourth-place finish in March’s Junior World Series race, and European Championships short-track 10th place under her belt so far this season, putting her in a good position ahead of these world championships. She will be joined by up-and-coming riders Zoe Roche, who has been developing her skills in cyclo-cross and on the road, and Freya Mowbray, who both make their MTB world championship debuts in Valais. Having just come off the back of his season’s best result, a second place at last weekend’s Junior World Series event in France, Max Standen will be taking that form forward in a bid to make his mark at world championship level. Having taken a fantastic fifth place at the Junior World Series round in June in Lons le Saunier, Innes McDonald will also contest the junior men’s title. Performance Director for the Great Britain Cycling Team, Stephen Park CBE, said: “This is a team that is going from strength to strength, both in terms of podium results and individual development markers. Across the board there are high-quality performances being regularly delivered and I know the riders have been motivated by the trio of medal wins at the recent European Championships." “Being able to provide medal-hunting opportunities for our experienced riders, to showcase their skills and continue to build their names and achievements in the sport is obviously one of our clear focuses. But being able to do that and incorporate learning and development opportunities for our young riders who are taking their first steps into elite sport, and may well become the stars of Brisbane 2032 and beyond, is just as vital to the ongoing success of this programme.” The Great Britain Cycling Team squad for the 2025 UCI MTB World Championships: Elite men Charlie Aldridge Elite women Evie Richards Isla Short Under-23 women Ella Maclean-Howell Under-23 men Corran Carrick-Anderson Max Greensill Junior women Freya Mowbray Zoe Roche Evie Strachan Junior men Innes McDonald Max Standen Photo credit: Rodrigo Rodrigues

One of Cornwall’s biggest and most popular charitable beer festivals is back and this year, there’s even more to raise a glass to. St Austell Brewery has announced the return of its iconic Celtic Beer Festival taking place on Saturday 22nd November 2025. For the first time ever, festivalgoers can enjoy a special preview night on Friday 21st November, offering a behind-the-scenes experience at the historic brewery. For over two decades, thousands of people from across Cornwall and beyond have gathered at the brewery for a day of great beer, live music, and community spirit - all in aid of charity. The 2025 festival will feature more than a hundred beers from breweries across the South West and further afield. From hoppy IPAs to rich stouts, there’ll be something for every palate as well as a lively line-up of musical performances throughout the day. All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust, which supports local charities, good causes, and individuals in need across the region. Last year’s festival raised over £12,000, with more than 1,300 attendees enjoying a day of beer discovery and entertainment. New for 2025, the preview night on Friday 21st November offers a relaxed evening for beer enthusiasts to beat the crowds, sample exclusive brews, and meet the brewery’s talented brewing team. Early Bird Saturday tickets - the lowest priced and limited in number - go on sale at 11am on Friday 5th September. All remaining tickets, including for Friday’s preview night, will be available from 11am on Friday 19th September. A limited number of tickets may be available on the door, but advance booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment. Thanks to the generosity of individuals, communities, pubs, and organisations, the Charitable Trust raised over £145,000 last year with every penny going back into local communities where it’s needed most. With the addition of the new preview evening, this year’s festival aims to raise more than ever for this vital cause.

Small changes could help SMEs lessen the pressure on their finances, staff and management, a senior accounting professional has said. Jeremy Gardner, Head of Accounts and Business Advisory Services South at international accountancy and business advisory group Azets, is encouraging directors and owners of SMEs to explore their options around technology, tax planning, rewards, retention and operational planning to see where they can free up time and potentially reduce their outgoings. His six suggestions are: 1. Where appropriate , use technology to automate tasks, free up time, and reduce the strain caused by staff shortages and heavy workloads. Automating the manual aspects of tasks like logging invoices, reconciling bank accounts, and spreadsheet-based accounting work can free up a tremendous amount of time across the business – especially for senior staff. 2. Reconsider how you reward your staff by introducing performance-linked incentives. Offering staff bonuses based on specific income targets sets clear performance goals, motivates employees to deliver by linking their rewards to the business’s success and shows that you as an employer want to reward those who help you grow. 3. Explore your tax planning options and use tax efficient benefits to keep staff motivated if the business can’t afford to raise salaries. Benefits like share options cost very little now, but reward staff for their contribution and their loyalty as the business grows, while salary sacrifices for pensions can reduce employer costs and increase staff’s take-home pay. Other incentives like salary sacrifice electric vehicle schemes also benefit staff by allowing access to new vehicles, reducing their tax payments, significantly reducing the cost of leasing a vehicle, and increasing their take-home pay, and can also help the business save money by reducing its NI costs for employees who take part in the initiative. 4. Incentivise your team to bring in new hires by rewarding referrals rather than relying solely on agencies. Offering referral payments for new hires allows you to reward staff who help with recruitment and also saves on the commission you would pay an agency. It can also reduce the time spent on the recruitment process as your employees will know why someone from their network is potentially a good fit for a role you're looking to fill. 5. Focus on staff retention – improving your culture, development programmes and flexibility cost less than losing talent – both financially and in terms of productivity. This can take the form of basic steps like making sure staff understand how they will evolve with the business and know how their specific role supports the delivery of a company’s business plan, to investing time and money in employee training and development. According to PayFit, the average cost of replacing member of staff is £25,000 – investing a small percentage of that in developing your team can help reduce employee turnover and the costs associated with it. 6. Refine your planning and forecasting – align shifts, overtime and roles to match the demand and ensure capacity is highest during your busiest periods. At its most detailed, this can take the form of planning the shape and structure of your team alongside your business plans and milestones 18 months to two years in advance, or at its simplest can take the form of introducing policies around how much time can be taken off by how many people during parts of the year where capacity is tightest and workloads are highest. Jeremy Gardner said: “At the moment, SMEs are being affected by a number of issues that include rising costs, wage pressures, skills shortages and retention challenges, and hidden costs relating to staff turnover – all of which hit productivity, morale and the bottom line." “There is no silver bullet for any of these, but I’d encourage SME owners to think about areas where they can make small changes to lighten the load on them and their staff, free them up to think about how they can grow their businesses, and ease some of the financial pressures they face." “It isn’t a road they have to travel alone – the right third-party advisor can help them identify which areas need to be improved in the short and long-term so their business can survive, thrive and prepare for the next stage of its growth.”

Sheffield Hallam University academic Dr Chris Kirk has been awarded a prestigious fellowship for his passion and commitment to sport and exercise sciences. Chris, a senior lecturer in sport and exercise physiology, was awarded the Fellowship by the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES). He is one of five professional members who have been awarded CASES Fellowship this year. Chris began teaching and lecturing in 2006, firstly further education colleges and then at the University of Derby before joining Sheffield Hallam University in 2020. He teaches across a range of sport courses at the university including leading the Masters in Applied Sport and Exercise Science, and is Exercise Physiology Lab Director. He is also an active researcher with a focus on the performance and health of combat sports athletes, with MMA being his main area of interest. He has also provided strength and conditioning coaching and physiological interventions for a wide range of sports including rugby, American football, taekwondo, MMA, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, para-swimming, athletics and Olympic weightlifting. Chris said: “I’m honoured and humbled to have been awarded a CASES Fellowship. I have spent the last 20 years dedicating my working life to education, research and practice in sport and exercise science and it’s wonderful for that to be recognised by our field’s professional association." “My focus has always been to be a ‘pracademic’ so I can help athletes to improve in their sports, whilst also passing on my experiences to our students so they can become the next generation of sport and exercise scientists.” CASES Fellowship is awarded to academics and practitioners who have demonstrated esteemed professional achievement, skills and service to the field of sport and exercise sciences encourages continued service to CASES in leadership and ambassadorial roles. The new CASES Fellows will be formally acknowledged at the 2025 CASES Annual General Meeting which takes place in November.

Two leading British pub businesses have joined forces to raise money for a charity dedicated to helping people break the cycle of homelessness.   Nicholson’s Pubs are partnering with St Austell Brewery, a leading independent brewing, hospitality, and drinks wholesale business on a new initiative to support Social Bite, a charity and social business working to end homelessness across the UK.   Throughout September, 5p from every pint of Nicholson’s Pale Ale - which is brewed by St Austell Brewery and sold exclusively in all 82 Nicholson’s pubs nationwide - will be donated to Social Bite. The initiative is expected to raise money to help fund the charity’s mission to provide homes, jobs, food, and support to people throughout the UK.   Nicholson’s, part of Mitchells & Butlers, has proudly supported Social Bite since 2020. Each year, Social Bite distributes over 140,000 items of food and drink, supports people into employment through its Jobs First programme and delivers safe accommodation through projects including The Social Bite Village.   Sara Rees, Director of Fundraising and Partnerships at Social Bite, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Mitchells & Butlers, Nicholson’s, St Austell Brewery, and all the customers who’ll help to raise funds by buying a pint of Nicholson’s Pale Ale." “Their support comes at a crucial time for people experiencing homelessness. For example, in England, 45,840 households were assessed as homeless in the first three months of 2025, with record numbers in temporary accommodation. As well as boosting projects that help people out of situations of homelessness, through safe places to call home, real jobs, and free food, these funds will go towards providing wraparound support for long-lasting change. We hope this ‘Pints with Purpose’ initiative not only helps to raise vital finds but also creates conversations and drives awareness around homelessness.”   The Pints with Purpose fundraising campaign also coincides with Cask Ale Week (19th–29th September) - an annual celebration of cask beer, championing the heritage, quality, and craftsmanship of the unique British brewing tradition.   Andrew Turner, Chief Operations Officer for St Austell Brewery, said: “We’ve taken great pride in being the chosen brewer of Nicholson’s Pale Ale for the past 12 years, with almost 175 years of brewing heritage behind us. It’s brilliant to see the beer taking on an even greater purpose this September, helping to support people in need." “This initiative not only amplifies the incredible work of Social Bite but also highlights the unique role that cask ale continues to play in British pub culture. Cask was the original drink of the pub - our communal gathering spaces where people sought warmth, connection, support, and conversation - making this partnership the perfect fit.”   Will Prideaux, Operations Director for Nicholson’s Pubs, added: “At Nicholson’s, we’re proud to be partnering with St Austell Brewery to support Social Bite during Cask Ale Week. Our pubs have long been places of community and connection, so it’s fitting that every pint of Nicholson’s Pale Ale poured this September will help make a real difference to those affected by homelessness. It’s a simple way for our guests to enjoy great cask ale while supporting a powerful cause.” Find your nearest Nicholson’s pub to here .

Business Gateway, Scotland’s national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland’s entrepreneurial spirit. Running throughout September, the campaign is designed to inspire and support anyone with a business idea to take their first step. Business Gateway is encouraging aspiring Scottish entrepreneurs who are looking to start a business, or take their side-hustle further, to explore the wide range of free support available. This support includes one-to-one guidance from experienced local business advisers, webinars, online resources, reviews of business plans as well as access to market research reports. Business Gateway’s services are available to businesses in Scotland at every stage in their journey. One of Business Gateway’s key resources is its Planning To Start tool - an online questionnaire designed to help individuals assess their readiness to start a business. By answering a few quick questions, users can access a start-up toolkit filled with resources, advice, webinars and specific support for their business. It also connects them directly with relevant Business Gateway services and local advisers, making it easier to access tailored support from day one. Scottish start-up month is backed by Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes and is supported by a group of hero ambassadors - Gemma Stuart, founder of Gut Wealth; Nicola Johnston, director of Island Larder; Gary Claase, co-founder of Gecko Glazing; Dr Poonam Gupta OBE, CEO of PG Paper and Coinneach MacLeod, Hebridean Baker. Along with a number of other early pledgers, each of the hero ambassadors has pledged their backing for the campaign to inspire the next generation of Scottish business owners. The campaign also features the support of small business owners from across Scotland who are lending their voices and experiences, including Louise McMahon of Edinburgh Dyslexic Services and Kasia McGavigan of Blue Bee Mike. Business Gateway is now calling on other established businesses and organisations across Scotland to pledge their support by using their own platforms to encourage emerging start-up businesses. Hugh Lightbody, Chief Officer at Business Gateway, said: “Scotland has no shortage of ambition, creativity and drive, but taking that first step can often feel overwhelming. With Scottish Start-Up Month, we want to show that help is not only available but easy to access." “Whether you’re starting a side project or planning your next big idea, we’re here to help turn that into something real. This collective backing will help spotlight the power of local enterprise and build a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem across the country.” Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Entrepreneurs and start-up companies are the backbone of our economy and it has been very encouraging to see a number of different sources indicating a significant increase in Scottish start-up companies being created. This indicates a confidence in the business environment and conditions being created to encourage any business-minded person who wants to start or develop their business idea to do so." “Business founders of course need the right support at the right time to help ensure they can develop, grow and prosper. I would encourage anyone who is considering starting or scaling-up a business to get in touch with Business Gateway and the other organisations supporting Scotland’s entrepreneurial talent up and down the country to start a conversation, find out more and get the right help to ensure your business can start, scale and thrive.” Hero ambassador and founder of Gut Wealth, Gemma Stuart, said: “Starting a business can be incredibly exciting, but it can also be isolating and overwhelming. Having access to advice, community and resources through Business Gateway made all the difference to me and my business and I’d encourage any small business owner to reach out for support. I’m proud to be part of a campaign that helps others see that they don’t have to do it alone.” Businesses interested in pledging support for Scottish Start-Up Month can visit here. for more information.

Senior living developer Charterpoint has received a resolution to grant planning permission for a 72-bedroom care home scheme at Markfield to the west of Leicester after demonstrating a growing need for elderly care in the area. The specialist developer identified that Charnwood Borough faced a severe shortage of care beds and that the local area also had a significantly higher proportion of older residents compared to other parts of the borough, making it a priority location for new care home provision. To be situated on land to the north of Leicester Road, the mainly two-storey, modern care home will feature en-suite bathrooms, residents’ lounge and dining areas, a café/bar, plus activity areas. The development also includes 34 car parking spaces, along with terraces, patios and landscaped gardens. It is the latest in a number of care home schemes that specialist developer Charterpoint has secured planning consent for in recent years in Leicestershire, including projects in Thurnby and New Lubbesthorpe. MD of Charterpoint Giles Nursey said: “We are very pleased to have received a resolution to grant planning permission for this Charterpoint scheme in Markfield. We had identified that the area needed a new care home development to cater for a growing shortfall in care provision. Charnwood Borough Council has recognised a five-year need for 420 bed spaces and data projects that by 2037, the borough expects a 50% increase in older people living with dementia." “This development will create a high quality care home for older people from the neighbouring community, with safe access, on-site car parking, an adjacent bus stop, and on-site biodiversity net gain. It will create 35 new jobs, providing a boost to the local job market, and will also free up existing family homes when older residents move into the care home." “As a specialist developer of care homes and senior living schemes, based in the East Midlands, we are proud to be providing much-needed, best-in-class care accommodation in this location.” The care home will be highly insulated, exceeding current building regulation requirements. It will feature photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps to reduce its carbon footprint and energy consumption. The development, which straddles the borders of two council areas, was approved by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council in June, with a resolution to grant approval being given by Charnwood Borough Council on 14th August. It was designed by architects Edmund Williams. Charterpoint, which is based at Edwalton near Nottingham, specialises in developing first-class senior living accommodation, mixed-use and sustainable housing schemes, and primary care premises.

Fin Graham made it a fourth consecutive C3 road race world title on a fantastic final day for the Great Britain Cycling Team at the UCI Para-Cycling World Championships in Ronse, Belgium. Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl (WB), Archie Atkinson (C4) and Morgan Newberry (C5) all took home bronze medals to round off a successful event for the British team, who will bring home one gold, two silver and six bronze medals overall. In one of the final races of the day, Fin Graham defended his men’s C3 road race title with aplomb after a sensational attack inside the closing kilometre to take it to the rest of the field and show he remains the best in the world. The C3 race was a tight affair with a large bunch of riders sticking with each other throughout, with lots of tactical moves made which built up the tension ahead of a thrilling conclusion. With eight riders still in contention with a kilometre to go, Graham made his move, pulling away from his opponents to open up a small margin which would continue to grow. France’s Thomas Peyroton Dartet tried his best to reel him back in, but it was to no avail as Graham sealed the gold medal. He said afterwards: “To win a first world title back in 2022 was a dream come true, so to now be retaining that for the fourth year in a row, is something that I could never have imagined. To do it here in Belgium, with that crowd, was phenomenal. I was made to work for it; it was such a hard race." “It has finished off a really good week for our squad. Retaining this title, as Paralympic champion, is very special. To race in the rainbow stripes for another year is still a pinch me moment. I’ll never get tired of looking down and seeing the rainbow bands.” Elsewhere in the race, debutant Jacob Smith was also part of the last burn up for the line, and would take fifth position after a battling display, while Ben Watson was next home for the GBCT contingent in ninth position. After securing silver in the time-trial on Friday, Sophie Unwin (piloted by Jenny Holl) put in a ride of grit and determination to seal the bronze medal in the women’s tandem B road race. The pair were made to work hard for their place on the podium after an eventful contest. They went hard to stay with the group during early attacks, tracking the eventual gold-medal-winning Irish pair of Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly on the opening two laps, but they couldn't match the pace at the front as Ireland and Poland moved away. Despite a close battle with an Italian pair over the last laps, Unwin and Holl would pull away to claim bronze and leave Ronse with a double medal haul. Lizzi Jordan (piloted by Danni Khan) won the tight run in with tandems from Sweden and Poland to grab sixth place, while Amelia Robertson (piloted by Corrine Hall) came tenth overall in her world championships debut with the veteran pilot. Morgan Newberry contended with the worsening rainy conditions of the morning session to secure a brilliant bronze in the women’s C5 road race, coming through a lonely last lap to ensure she would take more silverware back home from the championships in Belgium, following her TT silver on Friday. With multiple women’s classification races ongoing simultaneously, there different groups forming throughout with Newberry, last year’s silver medallist, tracking her rivals in the opening laps. As the race unfolded though, Australia’s Alana Forster stole a march on her C5 opponents, with Poland’s Anna Harkowska going with her as the nearest challenger. The gap back to Newberry widened as the laps wound down but regardless, she eventually settled for a well-deserved bronze. Her teammate and debutant Rebecca Newark was another five minutes back in sixth place overall. More medal success came from Archie Atkinson as he secured men’s C4 road race bronze after a superb ride on Sunday afternoon. From the very early stages of the contest, a clear top three of Atkinson, and France’s Kevin Le Cunff and Mattis Lebeau moved away from the rest of the field, such was the trio's quality, and they worked together to consolidate their advantage. The tension ramped up as the laps counted down as all three were side by side, exchanging positions at the front. However, a move from Lebeau made around and hour and 20 minutes into racing, up a hilly section of the course, proved decisive with Le Cunff also seizing the initiative to move away from the Briton with just over two laps remaining. And this order remained for the rest of the race, with Atkinson upgrading from fourth place last year to reach the podium with Lebeau taking gold and Le Cunff with bronze. In a tough contest for Chris McDonald (piloted by Adam Duggleby) in the men’s tandem B road race, they would ultimately finish in 10th position, over eight minutes behind Andreoli and Di Felice of Italy who took the gold. The British riders were embroiled in a battle for eighth in the closing stages, just nipped to the line by teams for Poland and Colombia. In the men’s C2 road race, Matt Robertson pushed hard throughout the contest to make his way into the top ten with a ninth-place finish overall in a race won by another Frenchman, Alexandre Leaute. Photo credit: SWPix.

New research from the Barclays Business Prosperity Index reveals the majority of UK-based tech companies consider their home market as a more favourable destination for growth than other core international hubs. Research among 500 technology business leaders1 reveals that 62 per cent consider the UK a more attractive location to grow and scale a tech business than mainland Europe, with 61 per cent favouring the UK over the Asia-Pacific region and 60 per cent preferring it to the United States. The UK’s strong market opportunities and customer base, access to a skilled and diverse talent pool, and faster-growing consumer take-up of technology products were the three key differentiators cited compared to other markets. Interest in the technology sector continues to surge, with half of tech businesses (50 per cent) planning at least a 20 per cent increase in AI investment over the next 12 months and 95 per cent reporting increasing demand from clients for AI products and services. This is supported by wider confidence in the economic outlook. More than three quarters (76 per cent) of tech firms report that the UK macroeconomic climate is giving their business a boost and a similar share (75 per cent) believe the political landscape will help support growth over the next three years. Tech firms are taking action but call for support to address remaining barriers More broadly, tech firms are committed to ongoing investment in their business. Seven in 10 (70 per cent) expect to commit more capital this year compared to last and by an average increase of 8.9 per cent. Barclays’ anonymised client data comparing Q1 2024 and Q1 2025 also indicates strong investment intentions: Cash inflows into technology businesses rose by 1.7 per cent, while overall cash balances in current accounts declined by 9.6 per cent However, the tech sector had the highest increase in savings account balances, up 21.5 per cent, suggesting tech businesses are holding onto cash ready to deploy to support their investment plans Meanwhile overdraft usage fell by 26.2 per cent, despite borrowing remaining relatively flat over the same timeframe These figures reflects stronger short-term liquidity and a shift away from flexible, high-cost borrowing towards more structured financing, while also signalling greater confidence in cash flow stability and long-term planning. The sector also remains highly outward-facing, with 95 per cent of tech leaders surveyed stating they engaged in exports during the period. Despite plans for growth, some barriers to sourcing funding and investment remain. The most pressing challenges were cited as: high costs associated with the fundraising process (40 per cent, excessive regulatory requirements and compliance costs (36 per cent) and limited government funding and grants (33 per cent), resulting in hurdles for companies looking to scale and innovate in the UK. To ensure the UK retains its position as one of the global leaders in technology innovation, 72 per cent of companies in the sector believe that government backing is crucial to support their long-term business growth. Namely, 44 per cent of respondents are calling for specialised funding programmes for the technology sector and 37 per cent believe the government should provide more robust support for businesses looking to attract international investors. An additional 36 per cent would like to see enhanced tax incentives for equity investments to help stimulate greater private investment and innovation, alongside a further 36 per cent calling for government grants for start-ups and small businesses. Helena Sans, Head of Technology, Media & Telecoms & Innovation Banking at Barclays UK Corporate Bank, said: “There’s a clear sense that the UK is holding its own on the global tech stage, with founders and leaders increasingly seeing the UK as one of the best places in the world to grow and scale." “To keep up this momentum, we’ve got to break down the remaining roadblocks – including access to funding, attracting global investors, and building a stronger appetite for risk." “That’s why at Barclays we recently launched the Innovation Banking team along with a bespoke £250m Growth Lending Fund, designed to support fast-growing tech businesses with the capital they need to scale confidently.” Sheetal Shinh, Head of Innovation Banking at Barclays Business Banking said: “Access to finance is a key issue for tech businesses looking to scale. At Barclays, we’re backing these ambitions through our £22bn Business Prosperity Fund and tailored support for early-stage innovators. Whether it’s helping founders navigate their first funding round or connecting them to specialist advice, our Innovation Banking teams are here to unlock growth at every stage of the journey.” To support business to invest for growth, The Barclays Business Prosperity Fund3 is available for new and existing Business Banking customers and UK Corporate Banking clients across the UK to apply for lending and refinancing on existing projects. Tech businesses can register with the Barclays Innovation Banking team who provide a continuum of support for the UK’s critical innovation businesses to scale from Idea to IPO visit here .

An estranged British couple’s dispute over the care of their two-year-old son has prompted a warning over international child abduction rules from experts at a regional law firm. Ellis Jones Solicitors, with offices in London, Hampshire and Dorset, acted for the mother after she retained the child in England during a holiday from Australia, where the family had been living with working visa rights, without the father’s consent. When he applied to the Australian authorities to force them to return, she claimed going back there would pose a ‘grave risk’ of physical or psychological harm to her and the boy. She said the couple’s relationship deteriorated after the father had lost his job and they had separated when she witnessed him misusing illegal drugs in the boy’s presence. She also cited ‘verbal, emotional and financial abuse’. The case, heard in the Family Division of the High Court in London, centred on Article 13(b) of the 1980 Hague Convention, a treaty designed to protect children from the harmful effects of wrongful removal or retention across borders. As respondent in the case, the mother cited the potential risk of domestic abuse by the father and deterioration of her own mental health if required to return. But the unique part of her case was the uncertainty over her visa and immigration status in Australia, which she said could result in separation from her son, placing him in an ‘intolerable situation’. While the court accepted these were ‘serious issues’, it found that the legal test of ‘grave risk’ under Article 13(b) was not met and therefore ordered the child’s return to Australia. The return order was made subject to rigorous protective measures, including independent accommodation for the mother and child, financial support and private medical cover. The judge also found that the mother’s concerns over her immigration position could be appropriately dealt with in Australia before her working visa there expires in 2029. Georgina Emerson, London-based Senior Associate Solicitor in Ellis Jones’ Family Law Department, who acted on a pro bono basis, said: “The courts do take a strict approach to abide by the Convention, and the bar for an Article 13(b) defence is very high, but nevertheless this case was interesting due to its unique set of facts and immigration issues. I have never had a case where all parties are UK nationals being returned to a country they only have a temporary right to reside in. The mother’s right was reliant on a visa that was at risk of cancellation due to the parties no longer being in a de facto relationship. The judge had a lot to grapple with. The court clearly took the view that the risks posed to the mother could be safely managed through protective measures.” Georgina added: “It is a cautionary reminder of the importance of taking legal advice before removing a child out of a country. Any parents in similar cross-border disputes absolutely need to understand the law and rules around relocating a child to a different country and the stability of their immigration status in each jurisdiction." “We now live in an age, post-Brexit, where some families are increasingly reliant on visas, and immigration uncertainty may rear its head more frequently in cases involving child abduction. If any parent wishes to relocate their children to another country, I strongly urge them to seek expert legal advice prior to any move, as this case is a reminder of the court’s strict adherence to the Hague Convention. The UK court takes its obligations under the convention very seriously and, rightly or wrongly, will return children who have been wrongfully removed from their home country provided sufficient protective measures are in place.”

A popular Hampshire community carnival that raises thousands of pounds for charities each year has received a boost after a regional law firm renewed its long-standing support. Ellis Jones Solicitors is once again a Gold Sponsor of the Ringwood Carnival which this year takes place on Saturday, 20 September. The colourful extravaganza features afternoon and evening processions through the heart of the New Forest town alongside competitions, displays, entertainment, stalls, rides and fireworks. As well as providing financial support, Ellis Jones is celebrating its involvement by joining forces with carnival affiliate charity Ringwood Actions for Climate Emergency (RACE) for the second year running. Team members from the 183-strong firm, with its head office at Monmouth Court in Ringwood town centre, will join RACE volunteers in September for a half-day of nature conservation on a local green space in a bid to help the environment and champion biodiversity. Last year, six Ellis Jones colleagues helped cut back brambles and planted wildflowers at RACE’s Jack Wright Field at Crow Hill. Nigel Smith, Managing Partner at Ellis Jones Solicitors, said: “It’s a pleasure and privilege to continue our partnership with Ringwood Carnival, an association that goes back nearly 20 years, and do our bit for the environment at the same time." “We’re always keen to give back to the community and are looking forward to another fabulous carnival this year.” Kathryn Card, Sponsorship Officer for Ringwood Carnival, said: “Ellis Jones’ ongoing generosity and support is very much appreciated by the whole Carnival team.” Photo: Ellis Jones colleagues Luke Hunt, Associate Conveyancing Executive, and Rosemary Drew, Associate Chartered Legal Executive, present a giant sponsorship