Property consultancy Vail Williams has successfully negotiated the rapid letting of an industrial unit near to Birmingham city centre. Acting for a private landlord, the firm completed a deal for 51 Runcorn Road in the Balsall Heath area of the city in just six weeks. “We were particularly pleased to get this one over the line in a matter of weeks after the previous tenant moved out. We had extremely strong interest in this property, which demonstrates that there remains good regional demand for industrial/warehouse premises with offices.” The warehouse, constructed in around 2001 with part brick and part profile metal clad elevations, has three roller shutter doors and 6.8m eaves, with secure yard areas to the front and rear. Internally the accommodation comprises, ground and first floor office accommodation, warehouse, toilets, kitchenette and a small first floor mezzanine. Runcorn Road provides direct access to the main Alcester Road/Moseley Road (A435), which in turn provides direct access to the middle ring road (A4540) and is within close proximity of J6 of the M6. Birmingham city centre is approximately two miles away. Vail Williams has been based in the Midlands for 15 years, during which time the team in Birmingham has tripled in size. The firm works with a variety of public and private sector occupiers, landlords and investors right across the Midlands, and also the North through its base in Leeds. 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.

Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce the appointment of England international Amy Hardcastle as Women’s Development Manager. Hardcastle played an integral role in our Women’s team following the adoption of the Bulls’ moniker in 2016 – featuring heavily in the treble winning, undefeated 2017 season. Two years at Leeds Rhinos was sandwiched by spells in the ‘Red V’ at St Helens, where she currently plies her trade – having also made 29 appearances for her country, scoring 29 tries. Amy Hardcastle, who is Available for Sponsorship, said: “I’m incredibly excited to be starting my new role at the Bradford Bulls. With my years of experience, passion, and determination, I’m committed to playing my part in helping to grow, support, and strengthen the women’s programme." “I’m really looking forward to working alongside Rebecca and Noah to develop a strong culture, a professional environment, and continued growth within the team. It’s an honour to be appointed Women’s Development Manager at the Bradford Bulls, and with the club’s vision, values, support, and investment, I’m excited to see what this season holds for the women." “With a busy year ahead for myself, it’s great to have the club fully behind me and supporting me every step of this journey. I’m looking forward to this new challenge and meeting the team, roll on this season.” Women’s Head of Rugby Rebecca Ball-Knight, who is Available for Sponsorship, said: “I am extremely excited to announce our newest member of staff. Amy plays at the highest level and the career she has had so far exemplifies her commitment to the game. Amy joins us as Women’s Rugby Development Manager and we are thrilled to have her on board." "Her experience of the game, her passion for developing the game and her commitment to leaving a legacy behind make her a perfect match for our Womens/Girls programme. We are over the moon to have her on board and can’t wait to get started.” Jason Hirst, CEO, said: "We are delighted to welcome Amy on board as our Women’s Rugby Development Manager. For me, there’s no bigger name in UK Women’s Rugby League, than Amy. Her record speaks for itself and given that she was an integral part of our all-conquering, unbeaten, treble winning side of 2017, it’s fitting that she’s chosen to return to our club." "I can think of no one better, to inspire and develop the next generation of young female talent in Bradford. By doing so, she will support us in our aim of achieving a Super League return for our Women’s team.”

Anthropic and Atlassian Williams F1 Team announce a multi-year partnership, making Claude the team’s Official Thinking Partner. Claude will be integrated across the entire Williams organisation—working alongside engineers and team strategists to support how the team thinks, plans, and performs across race strategy, car development, and operations. With Formula 1 entering its biggest regulatory change in a generation, Claude will support the team’s ability to make the improvements that count. Claude is Anthropic’s frontier AI — the industry leader in reasoning and safety, trusted by the world’s top enterprises. Teams use Claude to debug reams of code, analyse dense research, and build entirely new products — helping them ask better questions, challenge assumptions, and make clearer decisions under pressure. Williams has built nine Constructors’ Championships on ingenuity and innovation—finding crucial milliseconds that deliver results on track. Like Anthropic, they started as outsiders who believe thinking differently is the key to winning. As one of F1’s few remaining independent teams, that resourcefulness remains central to how they compete. Under Team Principal James Vowles, with drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, Williams finished fifth last season. Now, Atlassian Williams F1 Team is thinking with Claude as the team enters 2026 with clear ambition: to take the next step towards returning to the front of the grid. Claude branding will appear on Atlassian Williams F1 Team’s FW48 cars, drivers, and team kit starting with the 2026 livery reveal on February 3, ahead of the season opener in Melbourne. This will be the first chapter in a multi-year partnership that both organizations hope will prove the value of thoughtful AI in high-stakes environments. James Vowles, Team Principal, Atlassian Williams F1 Team: “We are thrilled to welcome Anthropic to Atlassian Williams F1 Team and Claude as our Official Thinking Partner. At a time when our team is on a journey to the front, this partnership is an opportunity for us to show what’s possible when you combine elite human talent with the right frontier models. We know that there are no shortcuts to success and look forward to working with Anthropic to continue building long-lasting performance.” Mike Krieger, Co-Lead of Anthropic Labs: “Formula 1 is ultimately about the pairing of human endeavour and technical excellence. I’ve watched Atlassian Williams F1 Team find ways to punch above their weight for years, that’s exactly the kind of team Claude is built for.” Andrew Stirk, Head of Brand Marketing at Anthropic: “We chose Atlassian Williams F1 Team because they’re one of F1’s last truly independent teams - they compete on the quality of their thinking and their attention to detail. When we met James and his team, we recognized that immediately." "They are world class problem solvers, focused on the smallest details, that’s the same drive that animates Anthropic. It’s why this partnership felt right from the first conversation.”

A team of cricketers swapped bats and balls for treble 20s and bullseyes as they staged a darts marathon for charity. The players from Addington Village Cricket Club Adders darts team in West Malling, Kent took to the oche for almost 10 hours and scored 250,000 points. They have so far raised £1,600 for Macmillan Cancer Support, a particularly personal cause as family members of a number of the team have been affected by the disease. One of Britain’s largest charities, Macmillan Cancer Support provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer. The Adders were led by skipper Alex Pollington, Accounts and Business Advisory Services senior in the Maidstone office of UK top 10 accountancy firm Azets. He said: “We originally set out to raise £500 and score 100,000 points, but we thankfully managed to massively exceed that for this worthwhile and vital cause. Hitting 250,000 points – equivalent to around 500 legs of 501 – was a mammoth effort but so worth it." “Many thanks to everyone who took part, those who helped organise the event, Addington Village CC for hosting us and, especially, our very generous supporters who gave willingly for the cause." “It was a great team achievement, and we are very proud to have contributed to such a fantastic cause through the Macmillan Cancer Support Darts Marathon, which has so far raised more than £1.15 million nationally.” The Adders team included Alex, Evan Hutchins, Rhys Derbyshire, James Cornford, Ryan Lucas, James Conway, Reese Thwaites, Liam Burnop, Andrew Montgomerie and Liam Budd. Liam Budd hit five maximum 180s, with Alex, Reese and Liam Burnop achieving one each in the event which ran from 10.15am until finishing on a double at 8pm. Reese also hit the lowest score of zero from three darts – the first two darts fell out of the board and he threw the third on the floor in frustration. They were supported by upcoming 15-year-old Kent junior darts star Teddy Acott who staged a ‘beat the pro’ challenge and was defeated only by Reese Thwaites in an exhibition hour full of 180s and a maximum 170 finish. There are almost 3.5 million people living with cancer in the UK with the number expected to reach four million by 2030. In 2024 Macmillan Cancer Support helped 2.4 million people affected by cancer and supporters raised £239.7 million – 98% of the charity’s total income. Alex added: “On a personal note, several members of my family have had cancer recently including my nan who sadly passed away in 2022 after a short battle with stage four bowel cancer, and other family members also had lung cancer, oesophageal cancer, liver cancer and one had Ewing Sarcoma at a young age which is a very rare form of bone cancer in the face.” James Cornford said: “‘My nan had lung cancer and watching someone you love go through cancer is incredibly hard. It’s not just the illness itself but the uncertainty, the fear, and the emotional toll it takes on the whole family". “During that time, Macmillan was there – offering support, guidance, and reassurance when it was needed most. Macmillan doesn’t just help people medically; they help people cope. So, this fundraiser is my way of giving back and honouring my nan. If my efforts can help even one person feel less alone during their cancer journey, then it’s worth it.” Evan Hutchins added: “My nan has battled two rounds of cancer (Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) and is unfortunately now receiving palliative care. The Macmillan nurses have always been a source of positivity and provided good advice for her and have been cheerful and friendly even in the face of grief they see every day. They are a fantastic organisation, and I am really proud to have helped in a small way.” Reese Thwaites said: “My nan had lung cancer that spread to the spine. This was an important event for me as I wanted to raise money to help find a cure that took someone so special from us.” In his day job at Azets, the UK’s specialist business advisor to SMEs, Alex, who has been with the firm for more than six years, works with clients on strategic planning, compliance assistance and business advisory services. Azets is an international advisory, outsourcing and compliance Group, employing 8,200 people and supporting 100,000-plus clients through its network of 189 offices across Europe. In the UK, Azets is a top ten accountancy and business advisory Group and employs 3,800 people, with more than 70 offices nationwide. Donations are still open click here . Photo: On The Oche - The Addington Village CC Adders darts team, from left, Evan Hutchins, Rhys Derbyshire, Alex Pollington, James Cornford, Ryan Lucas, James Conway, Reese Thwaites, Liam Burnop and Andrew Montgomerie with Kent junior darts star Teddy Acott (front, centre). Liam Budd is not pictured

Rising tax and cost pressures forced more than one in five (21%) SME bosses to lay off staff last year, according to a survey commissioned by Rathbones, one of the UK’s largest wealth and asset management groups.   A targeted poll of more than 1,000 SME founders, owners and senior executives reveals a challenging landscape for business leaders, with cost pressures - including business rates and national insurance contributions - weighing heavily on firms and contributing to redundancies. Nearly six in ten (58%) say rising taxation or regulatory burdens now pose one of the biggest threats to their business, second only to overall rising costs, which are cited by 70% of respondents.   With more than one in four SME leaders reporting that over 25% of their personal wealth is tied up in their business, escalating operational costs are increasingly spilling over into their personal finances.   This pressure is intensified by a sharply rising personal tax burden, they say. Frozen thresholds continue to push more individuals into higher tax bands, while cuts to capital gains and dividend allowances - combined with higher CGT and dividend tax rates - are further squeezing returns. For many SME owners who take profits via dividends, these changes have materially eroded post tax income and are forcing a rethink of longstanding profit extraction strategies.   Faye Church, Senior Financial Planning Director at Rathbones, says: “We consistently hear from business owner clients across the UK that they are determined to grow, hire and contribute to the wider economy. But heightened tax pressures are increasingly stifling those ambitions. Entrepreneurs are being squeezed from both sides — higher taxes at the business level and rising personal tax bills. This double whammy makes it extremely difficult to plan, invest and build for the future."  “For most entrepreneurs, the line between business and personal finances is incredibly thin. Tax changes at either level can have an immediate impact on household income, retirement planning and long-term investment goals. That’s why it’s essential to consider business planning and personal financial planning together, rather than in isolation - particularly in a tax environment that is becoming more complex and less predictable.”   Other key findings include: Flexible capacity is on the rise: 9% have increased their use of freelancers or contractors, and 9% have shifted towards more parttime or flexible roles. More than three in five SME leaders (62%) believe the government does not understand the needs of entrepreneurs. Demand for targeted relief: Over half (51%) say that measures such as business rates relief or adjustments to employer National Insurance contributions would directly support growth and investment.   Hospitality SMEs feeling the sharpest squeeze The tax and cost burden is proving particularly acute in hospitality. More than 35% of hospitality SMEs say they have been forced to make redundancies - significantly above the overall SME average - while 69% say increased taxation or regulatory burden is now one of the biggest threats to their business.   This comes as the sector intensifies its calls for further business rates support. In last year’s Budget, the Chancellor reduced pandemic era business rates relief from 75% to 40%, with the measure due to expire entirely this April. While the government has announced support for pubs, no comparable guarantees have been extended to the wider hospitality industry.   Faye Church adds: “Calls from the hospitality sector for targeted relief highlight the increasingly painful pressures facing these businesses. Without action, the mounting tax and cost burden risks stifling the very growth, innovation and local regeneration the UK economy urgently needs - particularly from a sector that employs so many and contributes so much to communities nationwide.”

Scotland’s largest furniture retailer, Sterling Home, has announced a new collaboration with broadcaster and personality Vogue Williams for an exclusive furniture collection available only through its stores in Scotland. The broadcaster is swapping the studio for sumptuous settees, bringing her expert eye for design and effortlessly blending comfort with style. The collection reflects Williams’ signature style, Irish heritage, and approachable sense of luxury. Euan Graham, Director and 3rd-Generation Family Member at Sterling Home commented: “This partnership brings together Vogue’s creative energy with our commitment to accessible, quality design. Her warmth, authenticity, and enthusiasm for home styling align with our brand values and customer expectations. The resulting range is a considered blend of comfort, colour, and craftsmanship.” Williams shared her excitement about the collaboration. "I've always loved interiors. It's where I get to be creative, there's no right or wrong - it’s just about what brings you joy. It's been so much fun blending striking looks with a collection made for everyday living. It has to work for you and your family, not just look gorgeous! Seeing it land in Sterling Home stores across Scotland was a real 'wow' moment!" The Vogue Williams furniture collection is available now at Sterling Home . Sterling Home, formerly Sterling Furniture, is Scotland's largest furniture retail powerhouse, founded in 1974 by George Knowles in a repurposed Tillicoultry mill that pioneered out-of-town shopping north of the border. Bringing together a curated offering of furniture, accessories, flooring and interiors ensures customers can find everything for their homes under one roof – a concept that makes for a truly unique and forward-thinking shopping experience.  Today, that pioneering vision continues as Sterling Home offers premium sofas, beds, dining sets, and homewares blending timeless craftsmanship with modern style for every budget. Known for Dougie Donnelly’s cheeky TV ads shouting “Tillicoultry, near Stirling,” Sterling Home are respected for delivering quality, exceptional service, and inspiring designs that have furnished Scottish homes for over 50 years.

St Austell Brewery is proud to announce Children’s Hospice South West as its Charity of the Year. The company - which is marking its 175th anniversary this year - has committed to raising vital funds over the next two years for the only children’s hospice charity in its region.   For more than 30 years, Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) has supported babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, providing specialist care and compassionate, professional support for the whole family. Across its three hospices in Cornwall, Devon and North Somerset, CHSW offers far more than medical and nursing care. Every stay is designed to enrich lives, creating precious moments, easing emotional and practical pressures, and helping families make the very most of their time together.   One of St Austell Brewery’s key fundraising initiatives will be donating 25p from every portion of fish and chips sold across its 45 managed pubs, expected to generate a significant contribution to the charity. Alongside this, teams across the company’s head offices, breweries, pubs and depots will be taking part in events and fundraising activities throughout the year.   Kevin Georgel, Chief Executive of St Austell Brewery said: “We’re incredibly proud to announce Children’s Hospice South West as our Charity of the Year. It was chosen by people from every part of our business, which shows just how close this cause is to all our hearts." “It costs more than £14 million each year for the charity to run its three hospices and provide vital care for children and families during unimaginably difficult times. The fact that these hospices span the South West - near our pubs, breweries and depots across the region - gives us a real opportunity to raise as much as we can for the communities we operate in and make a meaningful difference.”   Phil Morris, Chief Executive of Children’s Hospice South West, added: “We are absolutely delighted that St Austell Brewery has chosen Children’s Hospice South West as their charity partner for the next two years. Their commitment and support will help us provide vital services to children with life-limiting conditions and their families who are travelling the most unimaginable journeys.” St Austell Brewery and Children’s Hospice South West are united in their commitment to supporting communities and creating a positive impact across the region, making the new partnership a natural fit. Alongside its Charity of the Year, St Austell Brewery also raises funds for its Charitable Trust, which has donated more than £1 million to local causes - in the places it operates pubs and breweries - since 2003.   For more information about Children’s Hospice South West visit here .

A Lake District hospitality venue is manufacturing its own home-made, flavoured crisps for guests to enjoy in its bar, restaurant and microbrewery.   Wild Boar Estate is producing the crisps which can be served hot or cold with different toppings and sauces as a tasty pre-dinner snack, as well as for bar nibbles and an ideal accompaniment to the craft ales it produces on site.   Head chef Dylan Evans has been developing his crisp making technique with the addition of a special crisp fryer in the Grill and Smokehouse restaurant kitchen at the hotel.   The idea behind the crisp making initiative came from a visit home to Ostrava in the eastern Czech Republic by English Lakes Hotels general manager Adam Bujok, when he happened upon a popular venue which produced its own potato based snacks.   Adam and Dylan discussed and developed the idea before purchasing the crisp making equipment and devising a number of flavours for the venue.  The crisp flavours include black truffle and smoked salt with a classic garlic ketchup, rosemary salt and cider vinegar with a lemon and confit garlic aioli, and smoked paprika and Mexican oregano with a chilli jam.   The restaurant team at Wild Boar Estate cooks up the freshly made crisps to order and is raising its stock levels of potatoes in anticipation of increasing customer demand and interest in the new snacks.  There is also the potential for the venue to produce other types of crisps using alternative root vegetables such as beetroot, carrots, parsnips and sweet potatoes.   Adam explains: “When you open a really good bag of crisps, you often take for granted that wonderful crunch of the first mouthful – and of course we all have our favourite flavours." “On my visit home to Ostrava, I visited a venue where they made their own crisps in a range of flavours and they were great with a beer before dinner.    I thought it’s not something you experience much in the UK and that we could easily do the same and come up with a tasty snack in-house to be paired with our craft ales and become a talking point for our guests.”   Dylan adds: “There’s no special secret ingredients or mysterious techniques in making your own crisps, other than ensuring that that they get cut to the optimum shape and size.  Slicing them as thinly as possible gets the best results.  We leave the skins on and dry the sliced potatoes to get rid of excess starch, before seasoning the crisps using the fryer and associated equipment."  “And there’s really no limit to the number of flavours you can try, so we’re already experimenting with other ingredients and tastes for guests to sample and savour.  No doubt everyone will have their own favourite.”   Photo: Dylan Evans and Adam Bujok from Wild Boar Estate with the venue's new home-made crisps.

Croxsons, a 150-year-old family business that manufactures premium glass packaging for the food and drink sector, has developed the country’s first British-made sparkling wine bottle. The Sovereign bottle has been designed to elevate and support the burgeoning English and Welsh wine-making industry closing the provenance loop from vineyard to bottle. Winemakers have until now relied entirely on imported bottles transported across Europe. The English and Welsh wine industry is one of the fastest growing agricultural sectors in the country with over 1000 vineyards (WineGB July 2024) and is estimated to be worth £422m in 2025 growing at a CAGR of 3.5% over the last five years (IBISWorld November 2025). Sales of sparkling wine have risen 187% since 2018, from 2.2m bottles to 6.2m in 2023 (WineGB), making this the perfect time to bring sparkling wine bottle production home. The Sovereign bottle will be produced in England and rather than the traditional green colour of European sparkling wine bottles, the British bottle will be made using a distinctive amber glass. This will give the bottle a strong shelf standout and clear British provenance. Tim Croxson, CEO of Croxsons commented on the launch; “We are incredibly proud to launch Sovereign, the UK’s first British made sparkling wine bottle, delivering improved sustainability while ensuring British drinkers enjoy wine that is British through and through." “Six generations of our family have been involved in the wine trade, beginning as a bottle supplier to the London wine trade 150 years ago, so it feels particularly fitting that we are now helping the English and Welsh winemaking industry deliver a truly British sparkling wine bottle.” The Sovereign bottle uses 77% recycled content which improves its sustainability credentials and with a shorter journey from factory to vineyard, it will reduce road-miles for millions of bottles traditionally transported from France, Germany and Italy. This launch builds on Croxsons’ wine expertise working alongside English wine brands including Lyme Bay and Ridgeview Wines. Matt Gayler, Operations Director at Ridgeview Wine said: “Seeing a UK-made sparkling wine bottle available to producers is a great milestone - it shows just how far the industry has come." “As we continue to build the reputation of English wine both at home and internationally, having domestically manufactured, high-quality packaging supports our identity, sustainability and ambitions."   “It’s a positive step forward and we’re grateful to those who’ve worked hard to make it happen.” The Sovereign bottle will be produced in March 2025 and can be ordered direct from Croxsons .

The UK’s most inspirational summer festival - combining ideas, music, comedy, food, wellness and nature - has announced the first wave of speakers, performers and experiences for its upcoming 13th edition: ALSO26. Taking place between 10th - 12th July 2026 at Park Farm, Compton Verney, Warwickshire, ALSO is one the country’s most family friendly festivals with activities and experiences for all age groups. Growing in visitor numbers year on year, the unique festival attracts thousands of visitors across the three days. The theme for the 13th edition is Oh Fortuna, playfully exploring luck and chance - asking how much fortune is already written and how much is down to luck. Heading up the impressive line-up is writer and BBC Radio 4 presenter, Claudia Hammond who will present the psychological toolkit for anyone feeling overwhelmed, tech commentator Jamie Bartlett will explain how to talk to AI and investigative journalist Oliver Bullough will take a deep dive into the global economy of money laundering. Curious, clever and creative, ALSO Festival collaborates with celebrated best-selling authors, revolutionary scientists and impassioned experts, allowing ideas to run wild and truly reconnect with nature via a sublime 17th century setting designed by Capability Brown. Festival goers can lose themselves in talks, tours, workshops, experiences and activities such as: - journey into the world of the Tyrannosaurus rex with Mark P. Witton look at the flavour of quantum physics with Prof. Ben Allanach explore the history of hand reading with award-winning historian Alison Bashford take a glimpse into the divine beauty of space with Prof. David Tong consider how mathematics shapes creativity with Marcus du Sautoy. be part of the Saturday Night Spectacular, exploring the O Fortuna theme with lights, lanterns, and a heavenly headdress masterclass take on friends in the Space Hopper Championships join the ALSO Art Club for a state of flow learn the Charleston with Fiona Ring Diccon Towns, ALSO Festival CEO and co-founder said; "ALSO25 throws open its gates this July for visitors to dive in and choose their own adventure. They can journey to the edge of human understanding at a Big SciTech session, get to grips with the inner workings of the human mind at a Psych+ talk, delve into the written word at one of our Great Literary talks, discover their new favourite band at a Future Music set or enhance their Blue Mind with time spent in, on or by the water." “This is a hand-built, next generation festival like no other in the UK. Who else offers the chance to have your ribs tickled at a super-smart comedy show, get to explore mythological forest installations inspired by Fortuna, the Roman goddess of fate or learn a new skill at a workshop.” Festival goers can enjoy the genre-defying sounds of Sheep, Dog & Wolf (Daniel McBride), whose avant-pop compositions mix experimentalism, folk and electronica. Tribo will bring their high-energy samba drumming. The return of ALSO’s Future Music Programme will offer the best way to discover up and coming musicians, while exceptional DJs will keep guests dancing from the lakeside Rum Bar to the straw-bale Bunker 54 before closing the weekend with Hoolla Music’s Ecstatic Dance. Dishing out the laughs will be multi-award-winning political comedian and activist Mark Thomas and lyrical wit from poet Luke Wright in Later Life Letter. Robin Ince returns to the Woods Stage and for a touch of French flair, Marcel Lucont presents his legendary show Cabaret Fantastique and hosts a panel reflecting on 10 Years of Brexit. ALSO26 delivers its most ambitious wellness programme to date, centred around the all-new lakeside Sanctuary Sessions. Numinity (founded by sisters Melissa and Holly) bring a curated series of transformative experiences designed to explore the festival's theme. There will be Neural Reprogramming Meditation to rewire limiting beliefs, a Manifestation Lab to map out your future, and Fortuitous Breathwork. Guests can also try Rasa Fire Yoga, Scented Yoga or go on a guided Scented Walk. Revellers can immerse themselves in the Blue Mind theory with the return of the ALSO Sauna - now upgraded with Ice Baths and Cold Plunges; Take to the water for SUP Yoga, enjoy Wild Swimming at its most magical with guided Dusk, Dawn, and Moonlight sessions under the stars. Families can choose from a Bat Walk in the Far-Out Forest or learn circus skills with Patches Circus School. Award-winning Warwickshire theatre group, Playbox will bring high energy musical theatre workshops and evening storytelling. There will be a Mini Beasties Safari, a Tiny Dancers Family Rave or kids can build a den with ex-Marine Dave Hamblett. And due to popular demand, the Festival Nannies are back to give parents some free time to enjoy themselves. There is plenty to entice foodies. Syrian-born chef, Imad Alarnab brings his Somerset House-based restaurant Aram to the fields for a special Sunday Long Table Lunch, as well as the Aram by Imad Deli which will be serving up incredible food throughout the weekend. River Cottage is putting on a legendary Woodland Long Table Lunch, Georgia Hearn hosts a demo and tasting with her book The Brunch Club and cooks up a Saturday night Feast of Fortunes and Award-winning chef James Whetlor returns to ALSO to for Friday night’s French Bistro. Tickets are available visit here .

A Hampshire accountancy firm has promoted a long-standing specialist as it gears up for an expected rise in tax-related enquiries from this April. Chandler’s Ford-based HWB has made Lyndon Howes an Assistant Tax Compliance Manager, the latest step on an in-house career that began straight from college in 2011. The promotion comes as HMRC prepares to extend its Making Tax Digital (MTD) scheme to cover self-employed and private rental income from April 2026. Southampton-born Lyndon, who was previously a Tax Senior, said the forthcoming MTD changes will impact individuals who are self-employed or rely on proceeds from private rent and have a qualifying income over £50,000. Lyndon Howes commented: “We anticipate quite a few clients will be affected. They will have to make sure they are registered for MTD and start reporting income on electronic quarterly returns with a final end-of-year submission after the fourth quarter. The aim of MTD is to give HMRC more of a real-time view of tax liability with those registered being required to use compatible software.” Lyndon joined HWB straight from Southampton’s Taunton’s College, since renamed Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, and initially worked in both tax and payroll. He is now a full-time member of the eleven-strong tax department which handles a variety of compliance and advisory activities for clients including individuals, trusts, partnerships and limited companies. On his promotion, Lyndon said: “It’s great news, lovely to be recognised and have the career progression. As always, I aim to play my part and help the team flourish.” Lyndon reports to Tax Compliance Manager Martin Back, who said: “Lyndon deserves the recognition for his hard work. He is an experienced tax professional and well-liked by our clients and team. Part of his new role will include responding to new client queries and helping to oversee the MTD for IT process, which I know he will do excellently.” As well as Lyndon’s promotion, the team is celebrating career success for colleagues George Vass and Danny Hockin who have both passed recent exams set by the Association of Taxation Technicians. The pair are now progressing to achieve the coveted status of Chartered Tax Adviser, the UK’s highest tax qualification, via the Chartered Institute of Taxation. Chartered accountants HWB, based at Chandler’s Ford, near Southampton, provides business and tax advice. Photo: Members of HWB’s tax compliance team, from left: Lyndon Howes, George Vass and Danny Hockin.

Atlassian Williams F1 Team and Kraken are pleased to announce that they have renewed their long-term partnership, in a mark of the brands’ continued commitment to extraordinary fan experiences online, on-track, and in their world-leading Fan Zones. Kraken, one of the world’s longest-standing crypto platforms trusted by millions of clients globally, first joined Williams as Official Crypto and Web3 partner in 2023. As partners, Williams and Kraken have harnessed the technology that powers cryptocurrencies to deliver some of the grid’s most engaging fan activations – including the Grid Pass digital collectible programme which unlocks perks and rewards for registered Williams fans, and with Kraken acting as Presenting Partner for Fan Zones around the world to give supporters the chance to meet drivers, race sims and see cars up close without needing to attend races. Since 2023, Kraken has also put the design of its rear wing branding location into the hands of fans via annual Rear Wing Takeovers – including the 2025 memecoin showdown that put Pengu on the car in Singapore. For 2026, onwards Kraken will take up a new position on the car, being at the leading edge of the FW48 with striking branding on the front wing. Heading into 2026, the two brands will build on this momentum through Fan Zones and a host of other crypto and web3 collaborations, as Kraken drives forward its mission to accelerate the adoption of crypto. Kraken is the latest global company to renew with Williams as the team builds a reputation for long-lasting commercial partnerships that are helping the team to transform on and off track in pursuit of World Championship success. Over the past two seasons the team has announced major renewals or extensions with leading global brands including Duracell, Gulf Oil International, VAST Data, and Keeper Security. James Vowles, Team Principal, Atlassian Williams F1 Team: “It’s fantastic that Kraken has chosen to renew its partnership with Atlassian Williams F1 Team. Kraken has been instrumental in helping Williams bring our passionate fans closer to the team, and Kraken’s long-term support for our mission to return to the front of the grid gives us further momentum as we enter F1’s new regulations era.” Mayur Gupta, Chief Growth & Marketing Officer, Kraken: “We first partnered with Atlassian Williams F1 Team in 2023, and as we now enter our fourth year together, the partnership has become an important touchpoint in our shared success across our respective industries. Kraken has grown and evolved significantly since the partnership began, mirroring Williams’ achievements on the track." “At its core, this partnership is built on a shared belief that technical excellence and high-performance systems in service of the mission are the keys to success. Just as Formula 1 necessitates engineering the right foundations to compete at the highest level, Kraken is focused on building a secure, resilient, and scalable infrastructure to enable the future of open finance." "Together, Kraken and Williams share the same mindset: investing in the fundamentals, continuously improving performance, and striving for perfection. This shared approach lays the groundwork for success and enables Kraken’s clients and Williams’ drivers to win.”