Two Lake District hotel managers have swapped respective job roles and venues to obtain more experience and develop their professional skills.   Adam Bujok from Wild Boar Estate and Gary Tennant from Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa have changed places on a mutual month long secondment to manage new teams and learn about the different ways each venue is run.   As part of English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues’ Leadership and Development programme, the rationale for the switch is to accelerate Adam and Gary’s continuous professional development and managerial skills.   The job swap has been designed to ensure each manager benefits from maximum exposure to distinctly new environments out of their usual comfort zone, especially as Low Wood Bay and Wild Boar Estate are two distinctly diverse venues in character and set-up.   For Adam, the secondment has provided a new challenge in managing ‘The Spa at Low Wood Bay’ and supporting the spa team in all that entails. “It’s been a real eye opener to look after a new team and a departure from the norm in that my responsibilities during the secondment have been specific to spa services and management,” he explains. “That’s been quite a different and varied challenge and I think the biggest take-away from the job swap has been getting into the intricacies of plant maintenance and equipment operations for both the spa facilities and the pools. There’s a lot of behind the scenes technical work that goes into ensuring spa equipment runs smoothly and safely.” Gary’s move from the spa to managing the day to day running of the entire Wild Boar Estate with its Grill and Smokehouse restaurant and on-site microbrewery has been highly motivational for him too. He says: “It’s a great venue with lots of subtle, charming and traditional touches from its previous life as an historic, traditional inn." “I’ve enjoyed the challenge of managing a full hotel operation, including rooms, food and beverage and leading a different team. The day-to-day revenue dynamics have reinforced how small operational decisions directly impact overall performance. It’s been a great opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and sharpen my leadership style in a different environment." “The experience has undoubtedly improved my skills and that will hopefully stand me in good stead for further managerial opportunities.”   English Lakes Hotels Group Operations Director Michael Kay adds: “We are always looking for opportunities to freshen up our management approaches. The aim has been to stretch and enhance Adam and Gary’s existing skills by swapping hotels and working with other teams under different circumstances. Both of them have benefitted from knowledge sharing and each has brought new ideas and innovations to the table too.” In partnership with Godfrey Owen Consulting, the English Lakes Hotels Leadership and Development programme is designed to develop management and employability skills, increase industry know-how and encourage innovation and new approaches.   For further information about new job roles at English Lakes Hotels, visit here .

Lovey (formerly Love Finance), the UK’s fastest-growing SME lender and broker, has announced the appointment of its new Chief Technology Officer, Mario Husha, to expand the company’s c-suite and support the next phase of the company’s growth. Mario brings to Lovey over 15 years of experience building, scaling, and securing platforms across fintech, regtech, payroll, and embedded finance, focusing on startup and growth-stage businesses operating in regulated environments. Most recently, Mario served as Chief Technology Officer at Level Financial Technology, where he led engineering, security, and supported the company’s expansion into embedded finance and enterprise partnerships within the Earned Wage Access market. Throughout his role, Mario will lead Lovey’s tech strategy, drive sprint-based delivery, and own data integrity across its lending platforms. Reporting directly to Alex O’Malley, Chief Commercial Officer of Lovey, he will be shaping the direction of both Lovey’s B2B and B2C tech products. His appointment further strengthens Lovey’s executive leadership team as the business scales its technology infrastructure. He has a proven track record of delivering resilient, high-growth platforms in complex, regulated sectors, expertise that will underpin Lovey’s next stage of innovation. Mario Husha, Chief Technology Officer at Lovey comments, “I’m excited to help drive Lovey’s continued growth, with a focus on advancing our technology, developing new solutions for SMEs, and strengthening our platform for long-term growth. Everything we do will be guided by Lovey’s mission to make business lending simple, fast, and tailored to our customers. Building technology that genuinely meets customer needs and keeps pace with market demands has always been a priority for me, and I’m looking forward to bringing that focus to Lovey.” Alex O’Malley, Chief Commercial Officer at Lovey comments, “Mario’s appointment is a pivotal step in taking our products and technology to the next level. We’re committed to innovating at pace while continuing to deliver the reliability and service our customers expect. His expertise will be crucial in helping us achieve our mission and support the growth of the thousands of SMEs we serve.” This new appointment compliments the company’s recent rename to Lovey and marks another important milestone in its mission to provide fast, flexible and tailored funding solutions to thousands of UK businesses. To learn more about the company or to apply for a fast, flexible business loan, visit here .

Property finance lender MSP Capital has appointed an experienced real estate professional as its new Senior Business Development Manager. Imogen Williams brings more than ten years’ experience across bridging, development and specialist property finance to the Poole, Dorset-based firm. Her previous employers in the sector include lenders such as Cynergy Bank, Capital Rise and West One. A key career focus has involved delivering loans from £1 million to £20 million for projects in London, the home counties, the Cotswolds and the M4 corridor. At MSP Capital, Imogen will be responsible for developing and managing broker relationships in order to drive new lending opportunities and support the firm’s aim of a loan book worth £750 million or more by 2030. Imogen said: “MSP Capital is known for building and maintaining strong and lasting partnerships with clients. Brokers and borrowers seeking development or bridging finance are drawn by the team’s experience and ability to operate on a relationship-led, solutions-driven footing." “I really value that approach and I’m keen to play my part in the firm’s ambitions and overall strategy for loan book growth.” Welcoming the appointment, MSP Capital’s Commercial Director Adam Tovey said: “Imogen is a highly experienced professional with a proven track record of originating, structuring and delivering high-value specialist lending. We’re thrilled she has joined us." “We plan to make further senior hires during 2026 to support our loan book ambitions.”

Emma Gross, Employment partner at law firm Spencer West LLP says: “The current situation involving employees who are stranded in the Middle East raises a number of important employment law and HR considerations. Employers will need to approach matters carefully, balancing legal obligations with operational realities and employee welfare." "The starting point is whether the employee is able to continue working remotely. If the employee can carry out their duties from abroad and is ready and willing to work, they should ordinarily continue to receive their normal pay. An employee who is prepared to work but prevented from physically returning due to circumstances outside their control will generally remain entitled to pay, subject to the terms of their contract." "Where the employee is unable to work at all, the position becomes more complex. Much will depend on the contractual terms and any applicable policies. In many cases, there is no express contractual right permitting an employer to withhold pay where the absence is involuntary and caused by external events (for example, airspace closures or conflict). Any unilateral decision to suspend pay could expose the employer to claims for unlawful deduction from wages or breach of contract." Employers should therefore consider practical and lawful alternatives, such as: Agreeing a temporary period of paid leave; Requiring or permitting the employee to take annual leave (subject to statutory notice requirements); Agreeing unpaid leave by mutual consent; or Considering whether any other form of leave under company policy may apply. "Each case will turn on its facts, including the reason for the employee being abroad, whether the travel was business-related or personal, and whether the employer required or authorised the travel." "Where the employee was travelling for work, additional considerations arise. Employers owe a duty of care to employees on business travel, which includes taking reasonable steps to safeguard their health and safety. In higher-risk regions, this may extend to maintaining regular contact, monitoring Foreign Office guidance, assisting with evacuation arrangements where appropriate, and ensuring suitable insurance and support mechanisms are in place." "Even where the travel was personal, employers should remain mindful of the implied duty of mutual trust and confidence. A rigid or punitive approach in circumstances involving conflict or emergency may carry employee relations and reputational risks, as well as potential legal exposure." There may also be practical HR considerations, including: Business continuity planning; Immigration implications if employees are stranded outside the UK for extended periods; Data protection and confidentiality risks if employees are working remotely from unfamiliar environments; Consistency of approach across the workforce to avoid grievances or discrimination allegations. "In short, employers should prioritise clear communication, consistency, and documented decision-making. Policies on business travel, emergency response, and remote working should be reviewed as a matter of urgency where necessary. Legal advice should be sought before taking any steps that could affect pay, employment status, or disciplinary action." "A measured and pragmatic response will be essential in navigating what is, ultimately, an evolving and fact-sensitive situation.”

Commenting, Faye Church, Senior Planning Director at Rathbones, says: “The Spring Statement offered little immediate relief for business owners already grappling with a heavy tax burden and persistently rising costs. For many SMEs, the issue isn’t just what was announced, but what remains unresolved - not least the absence of an extension to business rates relief." “Our research shows that tax and cost pressures have already forced more than one in five SME leaders to cut staff, with business rates, employer National Insurance and regulatory costs weighing heavily on confidence and investment." "Against that backdrop, the renewed spike in oil and gas prices following the escalation in Iran risks adding another layer of strain at a time when margins are already thin." “Higher oil and gas prices can feed quickly into transport, utilities and supply chains, pushing up day to day operating costs across the economy. For smaller firms with limited pricing power, these external shocks are particularly hard to absorb - especially when they come on top of an already rising business tax burden." “In this environment, stability and targeted support matter. Without meaningful action to ease the cumulative burden on SMEs, there is a real risk that higher costs - now compounded by geopolitics and global energy shocks - could further dampen investment, hiring and growth at a time when the UK economy can least afford it.”

RH Amar has completed the move into its new purpose-built headquarters in High Wycombe, marking a major milestone in the company’s 80-year history. The new home for the third-generation family business provides increased warehouse capacity, brand new office space, and plenty of personal touches - including Henry’s Place, a social hub named in honour of Chairman, Henry Amar. The new site also includes expansive kitchen facilities, along with wellness rooms and a games area for colleagues to enjoy.  Rob Amar, RH Amar Managing Director, said: “The move to our new headquarters is a special moment for our family business, and for me personally. It has been a long journey to get to this moment, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see colleagues’ excited reactions to our new home, which has been designed to support our expanding operations and long-term growth ambitions. " "It is a modern working environment for colleagues to enjoy and excel, and we look forward to welcoming our brand partners, customers and other visitors.” The move follows a period of significant expansion for RH Amar, which has achieved double-digit revenue growth in each of the past five years. Recent business wins have seen brands such as Branston, Dunkin’, Hermesetas and Weetabix join RH Amar’s portfolio and further strengthen the company’s position in the market. RH Amar is a full-service food distributor which partners with brand owners to drive growth across the UK market through distribution, sales, marketing and technical expertise. The new headquarters maintain the company’s excellent transport links, located less than a mile from M40 Junction 4 on the outskirts of High Wycombe. About RH Amar RH Amar is one of the UK’s leading full-service distributors and growth partners for ambient foods - providing sales, marketing and technical support to successfully grow brands across the UK market. The company is a family-run business, founded in 1945, and now in its third generation. It retains family values at its core and treats every brand as its own. RH Amar’s brand portfolio includes some of the UK’s best-loved food brands such as Branston, Del Monte, Dunkin’, Ella’s Kitchen, Kikkoman, Mutti and Weetabix alongside smaller specialist brands. The company also owns the Camp Coffee, Cooks&Co and Mary Berry’s Dressings brands. The company donates 10% of its profits each year to charity, with more than £3m donated to charitable causes since 2013. View the RH Amar brand portfolio here .

A Partner specialising in not-for-profit and charity sector work at UK top 10 accountancy firm Azets has been appointed as honorary treasurer at a hospice in north Kent. Siobhan Holmes, based in Azets’ Sidcup office, is the new Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committees at the Community Hospice, previously known as Greenwich and Bexley Hospice. For Siobhan, who has been with Azets for almost a year after 13 years with HaysMac in London, it is a labour of love as she lives in the Borough of Bexley and is a lifelong supporter of the hospice. She said: “I was honoured to have been appointed to this important role. The Community Hospice does an incredible job and with increasing funding pressures and rising costs, it is essential that trustees provide both support and constructive challenge to ensure the charity remains forward thinking and continues to lead the way in delivering palliative care." “This trusteeship is particularly close to my heart as I have been a loyal supporter for many years and during my earlier professional role, when I was part of the audit team looking after the hospice, it ignited my passion for specialising in the charity sector. It’s a real pleasure to have come full circle.” Siobhan, who was named as one of influential publication Accountancy Age’s ‘35 Under 35’ winners in 2024, has for more than a decade specialised in the NFP and charity sector. She was awarded the Diploma in Charity Accounting in 2015. She has extensive experience of working with a broad range of clients such as grant makers and benevolent funds, fundraising charities, arts and culture, membership charities, independent schools and academies. Although her work at Azets focuses on statutory audits and independent examinations, Siobhan also enjoys advising clients beyond complex audit and accounting issues and goes the extra mile for them. The hospice, in Bostall Hill, Abbey Wood, first opened its doors in February 1994 after a long fundraising campaign launched by friends Pat Jeavons and Don Sturrock, who were living with cancer. In 2010 services were expanded to support people in hospital, in care homes and in their own homes. Today, the hospice strives to ensure that everyone who is in need of palliative or terminal care in Greenwich and Bexley gets the support and care that they need to make their last days count. At any one time, the hospice is caring for around 750 people in the community who are living with a life-limiting illness – at home, in hospital or in a hospice bed, as well as supporting families to have those tough conversations, make difficult decisions, navigate reams of paperwork, and help manage physical and emotional pain. Photo: Hospice Role - Siobhan Holmes, Partner specialising in charities and not-for-profit organisations at UK top 10 accountancy firm Azets, has been appointed to the role of Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committees at the Community Hospice covering Greenwich and Bexley in north Kent

Responding to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement on Tuesday 3 March 2026, Ross McNally, Hampshire Chamber’s Chief Executive and Executive Chairman, said: “This was a missed opportunity to restore confidence. We wanted to see meaningful and practical measures to boost productivity, investment and demand and make the costs of doing business more bearable." “Instead, the Chancellor simply shared forecasts, locked down on previous announcements and signalled no new or significant policy tools such as tax cuts, incentives or structural reforms. That backdrop simply leaves firms feeling unsure about how, together, we can unlock the long-term private-sector growth that our region and country so badly need." “While we understand the focus on fiscal discipline, it was all far too government-centric rather than economy-centric. Whatever the headline growth forecasts, businesses want to see pro-growth levers actually being pulled or we risk stalling investment and job creation." “While Rachel Reeves reinforced the government’s commitment to support skills and apprenticeships, you need business confidence for that, reinforced by industrial strategy, but there was no mention of that." "We wanted to see far more practical support announced for firms facing cost pressures and e conomic headwinds to avoid a flatlining economy. Despite the fiscal responsibilities she updated Parliament on, the growth forecast doesn’t mean anything for businesses that are struggling." “They will be paying higher tax for the foreseeable future. The Statement hasn’t done anything to change that.”

Workers would prefer to earn less if they had guaranteed hours, a new major survey has discovered. When considering a job, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) is the least important factor, along with benefits and perks. The study was carried out by Berry Recruitment, a national recruiter with branches across the country. It employs mainly temporary workers in the hospitality, industrial, office/professional, driving, construction, rail and IT sectors. In the wide-ranging survey workers also said that the salary remains the most important reason for deciding whether they apply for a role – with benefits/perks and culture barely registering. When asked what the most valuable benefits an employer could offer were, training and funded courses were the most popular – with team events and activities deemed the least valuable. Lee Gamble, managing director of Berry Recruitment which is headquartered in St Albans, Herts, said: “We carried out the survey in order to help employers understand what workers want and value. Respondents said they would prefer to earn a little less in exchange for guaranteed hours." “In the survey, more than half of those questioned said their personal lives are regularly disrupted by last minute changes – it is a major driver of dissatisfaction and turnover. We go as far as saying that predictability is the new perk." “Results show that workers don’t feel valued because of grand gestures or flashy freebies, but by clarity, consistency, fairness and support. When asked about the most valued benefits, training and funded courses are most important, along with flexible working. Least important are team events and activities." “When deciding whether to apply for a job, the most important things are pay and work-life balance. DEI and benefits and perks are of very low importance. The results vary between sectors and age groups but there are some takeaways for employers." “Transparency, stability, more certainty of hours, better onboarding processes, improved communication, investment in training and progression opportunities are all things that can help improve retention and foster loyalty." “For many years we have had a candidate-driven market because of the lack of workers. But we are now seeing unemployment rise and this might be why the desire for guaranteed hours is so important. Choice of employment opportunities is narrowing so certainty becomes more important for workers.” The unemployment rate rose to a near five-year high of 5.2 per cent for the period of October to December 2025. The results of the survey that polled 444 workers across the country in December can be found here :

Three teams from the Southampton office of UK top 10 accountancy firm Azets took part in a gruelling physical challenge to raise vital funds for a regional charity supporting children with complex disabilities. Colleagues Chris Tate, Michael Wesley, Andrew Perkinson, Rohit Ghai, Harry Soper, Daniel Boh, Sophie Baxter-Clark and Ruby O’Mahoney participated in the Annual Corporate Team Triathlon in aid of the long-established Rose Road Association. Between them they had to swim 400 metres in an outdoor pool, cycle 15km on a static bike and run 4km on a treadmill at the David Lloyd Leisure Centre in Lordshill. The day of fitness, friendly competition, team building, and networking led to a total of £2,755 being raised for the charity through the 16 teams taking part. Sadly, the Azets teams didn’t challenge the winning time of just over 39 minutes, but did finish in respectable 7th, 12th and 14th positions Chris Tate, Insolvency & Restructuring Partner, said: “It was pretty hard work for all of us taking part but we knew we were raising funds for a fantastic charity that does so much for deserving children in the wider Southampton area." “We focussed on what we had to achieve to complete the swimming, cycling and running and who it would help and that too spurred us on to push through until the end was in sight.” Southampton-based Rose Road is a charity that provides a range of care services, including overnight short breaks, onsite and offsite outreach and day services, and telephone SEN advice services, for children and young people with complex disabilities and their families, across Southampton and surrounding areas. Chief Executive Officer Steve Swift said: “It was a brilliant effort by Azets and all the teams who took part in the corporate triathlon challenge. Our participants’ energy, determination and team spirit made the event truly special." “We are extremely grateful to every business who partners with Rose Road, helping make a positive difference to the lives of the disabled children and young people we support.” The Southampton office of Azets, the UK’s specialist business advisor to SMEs, is handily located near the M3 in Gateway House at Tollgate, Chandlers Ford. The full-service team supports nearly 3,000 clients in the Southampton, Winchester and Romsey areas, with particular specialisms in healthcare, property and construction and manufacturing. Photo: The Azets Southampton office teams taking part in the Annual Corporate Team Triathlon in aid of the long-established children’s charity Rose Road Association, included, back row from left, Chris Tate, Michael Wesley, Andrew Perkinson, Rohit Ghai, Harry Soper and Daniel Boh and, front, Sophie Baxter-Clark and Ruby O’Mahoney

A leading independent brewer has partnered with a student run microbrewery to produce 500 casks of the students’ popular stout for this year’s Wetherspoon Spring Beer Festival. Stu Brew - Europe’s first student-led brewery, based at Newcastle University – travelled to St Austell Brewery’s headquarters in Cornwall in February to scale up production of Exam Room Tears (5.5% ABV), its rich maple and pecan stout that has become a firm favourite in the North East. The collaboration was sparked by Stu Brew’s long-standing presence in the Students’ Union-run Wetherspoons on campus, where it operates a permanent keg line and frequently supplies guest cask lines. After Wetherspoons invited the student brewery to take part in its national festival, it requested 500 casks of Exam Room Tears - a volume that would have taken Stu Brew more than a year to produce on its own brewing kit. To help meet demand, Dr Chris O’Malley, Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering and Head Brewer at Stu Brew, approached St Austell Brewery’s Head Brewer, Georgina Young, after previously meeting her while judging together for the British Guild of Beer Writers. St Austell Brewery stepped in to support the students, hosting them at its historic Victorian brewery in Cornwall where its iconic beers including Tribute and Proper Job are brewed. Georgina Young, Head Brewer at St Austell Brewery, said: “Working with the Stu Brew team was a great experience. Exam Room Tears is a fantastic cask beer and helping them bring it to festival scale felt like a brilliant way to support the next generation of brewers.” In addition to brewing the stout, Stu Brew made the most of their visit by creating a brown ale on St Austell Brewery’s small-batch kit ‘just for fun’. For students Kypros Lakovou and Will Tyson, who travelled down with Dr O’Malley, the trip marked their first-ever visit to St Austell Brewery - and to Cornwall itself. Will said: “Every brewery is unique, but St Austell really stood out - it was this maze of history, with different layers of the site built up over generations. You could see the heritage all around you while still watching a modern brewery in action. It was a special environment to learn in, and really interesting to see how different brewing on a much larger scale was.” Exam Room Tears is available in Wetherspoons nationally across the beer festival, which takes place between March 4th-15th.

Solutions Driven was founded in Scotland in 1998 and supports over 150 clients worldwide in executive search and talent solutions across manufacturing, engineering and technology sectors. The deal accelerates Groupe Adéquat’s global expansion and marks its first UK acquisition. Scottish-founded recruitment business Solutions Driven has announced its acquisition by international firm Groupe Adéquat, significantly strengthening its position in the UK market and on the global stage. Groupe Adéquat is the 46th largest recruitment firm in the world, bringing incredible scale and depth to Solutions Driven, and allowing its people and clients to benefit from greater resources, knowledge sharing and international experience in executive search and talent solutions. The move brings together two family-owned companies that share a long-term vision built on expertise, close client relationships, and strong local leadership. Solutions Driven is a UK-based specialist operating globally in senior and executive recruitment and embedded talent solutions within engineering and STEM. Founded by 1998 by Walter Speirs and today operated by his son Gavin Speirs (CEO), Solutions Driven employs over 50 people worldwide, servicing more than 150 clients globally. It is a well-established, successful recruitment business with strong expertise in search services for critical and executive roles, embedded recruitment for longer-term projects, on-demand RPO, and bespoke talent solutions within the engineering sector worldwide. Solutions Driven will continue to operate under its own brand, with its management team remaining in place. Its retained recruitment approach, senior-level networks and specialist expertise, which delivers 97% ‘right first time’ hiring, will strengthen Groupe Adéquat’s executive recruitment offering and create opportunities for collaboration across the Group’s international footprint. Already established across France, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, UK and Canada, Groupe Adéquat continues to build its international presence through targeted acquisitions of expert-led staffing businesses. This strategy is guided by evolving client needs and the importance of geographic diversification, supporting the Group’s ambition to continue expanding internationally, with the objective of entering one new country per year. The acquisition follows the recent opening of Groupe Adéquat’s London office, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the UK market, and supports the firm’s ambitions to strengthen its position in senior-level recruitment in engineering and STEM. Gavin Speirs, CEO of Solutions Driven, said: “This is a really special moment for Solutions Driven. After 25 years of building the business around integrity, partnership and right-first-time outcomes, joining Groupe Adéquat marks an exciting new chapter. Their values, ethics and approach to partnership made this a natural fit, and I’m excited about what we can achieve together globally." “Both my dad and I remain fully committed to the business and will stay central to the operations and the leadership of our firm. Groupe Adéquat invest in and empower local teams, and this creates broader visibility and opportunity for our people over time. This is very much about strengthening Solutions Driven, not changing who we are.” Arnaud Brun, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Groupe Adéquat, said: “This acquisition reflects our long-term vision of building an international staffing group driven by expertise, specialisation and strong local leadership. Solutions Driven brings outstanding executive recruitment know-how in engineering and STEM, while offering new opportunities to develop our core staffing activities in the UK and beyond.” “The UK is a key market for our Group. Solutions Driven shares our values, our international outlook and our focus on specialist recruitment,” said Olivier Hémar, Chief International Operations Officer at Groupe Adéquat." Gaëlle Blake, Country Head of the UK for Groupe Adéquat, added: “This acquisition provides a strong foundation for our continued UK growth, and we intend to continue to welcome and pursue further acquisition opportunities.” For more information on Solutions Driven please visit here . For more information on Groupe Adéquat please visit here . Top photo: Image L-R - Arnaud Brun Groupe (Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Groupe Adéquat) - Gavin Speirs (CEO,) Solutions Driven)