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Small changes to policies and processes could help SMEs improve their cashflow levels, a senior finance professional has said.   Matthew Grant, Yorkshire Head of Accountancy and Business Advisory at international accountancy and business advisory group Azets, is encouraging business owners to think strategically about their terms of trade and customer relationships, and review their debtor days, and payment processes and policies.   His five key tips are:   1. Implement robust terms of trade: clearly setting out terms and conditions at the start of a new working relationship puts everyone on the same page and gives the business protection if a client fails to pay or becomes insolvent. These documents should be reviewed by a commercial lawyer and updated as the business grows and evolves so they cover any new ways of working and changes in processes.   2. Have a process for ending relationships with clients who don’t pay you: a clear policy setting out when and why a client will cease to be a client allows a business to professionally walk away from relationships that aren’t working as soon as it can. This should be part of a business’s terms of trade, and firms should have a process for alerting clients that they haven’t met their payment deadline and informing them about the steps they’ll take if their invoices aren’t paid within a certain timeframe.   3. Be proactive with your debtor days: many businesses set debtor days, but they should be treated as the start of a process rather than a figure to be monitored. Keep a strict eye on them, and take action if people go over them – it’s a very easy way for a firm to improve its cashflow and its ability to pay its own bills more comfortably.   4. Use payment gateways and direct debits: payment gateways provide an easy way of settling an invoice via a link or QR code which makes it quicker and easier for clients to pay, while agreeing payment via direct debit guarantees the payment date and takes away some of the hesitation around paying that’s typically associated with cash or BACs transactions.   5. Consider early payment discounts: offering early payment discounts to carefully selected customers can help boost cashflow, save money on warehousing and storage costs, and potentially free up time during busy periods by allowing certain goods and services to be shipped or delivered earlier in the year. This is best offered on products and services with a high margin and only when doing so benefits the supplier.   Matthew Grant says: “Cash is king in business, and keeping a close eye on who owes you money, how you tackle your debtors, and how you can make it as easy as possible for your customers to pay can have real tangible benefits – for your business and your bank balance. “A lot of these ideas may seem like common sense, but we find they aren’t typically common practice and at a time like this when costs are rising and many firms are concerned about paying their bills, implementing them could lead to a better financial position and less worry for the business’s owners, directors and staff.”

A Winchester farm shop marks its first anniversary with celebration of local produce and community support. Westlands Farm Shop in Winchester is celebrating its first anniversary on Winchester High Street this weekend, marking twelve months of bringing premium local produce to the heart of the city. Since opening its doors in November 2024, the farm shop has become a destination for conscious shoppers seeking local meat, fresh produce, and artisan products from Hampshire and the surrounding counties. The milestone comes as independent retailers continue to prove their worth on Britain's high streets, with Westlands Winchester demonstrating strong community support for specialist food retailers that prioritise provenance and quality. Over the past twelve months, Westlands Winchester has processed more than 56,000 customer transactions, becoming an integral part of the local food scene. The shop has sold: More than 5600 loaves of bread More than 3000 boxes of eggs More than 4100 steaks from the butchery counter More than 2300 bottles of milk 3578 kg of strawberries The shop's butchery counter, featuring meat from Westlands' own herd in Bishop's Waltham, has proven particularly popular with customers seeking traceable, high-quality meat cut to their specifications by skilled butchers. To mark the occasion, Westlands Winchester is hosting a birthday celebration this weekend, inviting customers to enjoy complimentary birthday cake and a free hot drink on a first-come, first-served basis on Saturday 8th November. Kayleigh Collett, co-owner of Westlands Farm Shop said: "We're overwhelmed by the support we've received from the Winchester community over our first year. From day one, our mission has been to connect local producers with local customers, and it's been incredible to see how much appetite there is for quality, local food on the high street." As Westlands Winchester enters its second year, the shop continues to expand its range of local suppliers and specialty products. Christmas meat orders are now open, with customers able to pre-order everything from Norfolk Bronze turkeys to award-winning pies and carefully selected wines. The farm shop specialises in locally-sourced meat, seasonal vegetables, artisan cheeses, fresh bread, and a curated selection of Hampshire produce, all available at 154 High Street, Winchester.

A British process filter manufacturer has taken on nearly 2,800 sq m of purpose-built production, warehouse and office space in Poland to bolster its European and global expansion plans. Surrey-based Amazon Filters’ Polish subsidiary is the first tenant at the newly unveiled CTPark Nowy Konik industrial park near Warsaw. The lease deal with the owner, developer and operator of the complex, CTP, will enable significantly increased manufacturing capacity and better transport connections into markets across the continent and beyond. The new production centre replaces a smaller Amazon Filters facility which has been operating in a mainly residential area of the Polish capital since 2014 and employs more than 30 team members. Jan Gradoń, President of the Management Board of subsidiary Amazon Filters Sp. z o.o., said: “The new plant will significantly increase our production and storage capacity, resulting in a faster and more flexible service for customers in Poland and across Europe." “This investment directly supports our ‘quick and able’ manufacturing ethos: to deliver filtration solutions when and where they are most needed, helping our partners avoid costly downtime. The move will enable us to maintain the highest standards of quality and timeliness, which are the foundation of our brand." “Moreover, energy-efficient rooms and the planned installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof will help reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, supporting our ESG strategy.” Amazon Filters’ 2,776 sq m of space on the park comprises 1,175 sq m of production space, 1,092 sq m of warehousing and 509 sq m of offices. As a strategic move to serve European markets, the hub will complement an already well-established sales and distribution hub in Germany where ten managers and staff are based, and the 40-year-old firm’s main global production centre in Camberley, Surrey, UK, which has more than 270 employees. Together the facilities will support the continuing manufacture and supply of process filtration cartridges and housings for essential industrial sectors such as water treatment, energy, automotive, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, chemicals and coatings, and construction. Among its specific activities, the Nowy Konik plant will produce key lines of filtration cartridges made through a meltblown polymer process. These include the ranges SupaGard, SupaSpun, Contour, VisClear, and Kilbac, all featured in solutions that reach customers worldwide through a network of direct sales and specialist distributors. The site will also build on Amazon Filters’ long-standing research and development programmes with the nearby Warsaw University of Technology. Operating 13.5 million sq m of floor space across ten countries, CTP is Europe’s largest listed owner, developer and operator of logistics and industrial real estate. Ewelina Sowa, Regional Business Development Manager at CTP Poland, said the Nowy Konik premises included adaptations specifically made to fit Amazon Filters’ production requirements. “The new warehouse, production space and comfortable offices will support Amazon Filters’ further growth in the coming years," she said. The transaction was brokered by advisory agency Axi Immo whose Associate Director for Industrial & Development, Karol Osiecki, said: “The client chose the site because it best met their expectations for the new space. An additional advantage was the proximity to the previous location, which allowed the same team of employees to be retained. It’s a modern building of high standard, providing comfort and space conducive to further development.” As well as the move to new facilities in Warsaw, Amazon Filters’ 40th anniversary year also saw the firm exhibit at the Polish capital’s FiltraTEC international trade fair. Colleagues from both Warsaw and Camberley attended to exhibit filtration products and solutions to decision makers from core industries across Europe. The May 2025 FiltraTEC was the continent’s largest industrial filtration fair, attracting around 7,000 representatives of manufacturing companies as well as production managers, process engineers, service technicians, biotechnologists, food production directors and many other industry specialists.

Next week, Hendy Group, one of the UK’s largest independent family-run dealer groups, is celebrating a remarkable anniversary: representing Ford Motor Company in Britain for 115 years. The business became the country’s first retailer for Ford back in 1910 after Southampton-based Percy Hendy, already by then a sales agent for some of the world’s earliest automobiles, heard about the Model T and dashed to Southampton Docks to see if he could meet Henry Ford, who had travelled by ship from America to announce a new factory in Trafford Park, Manchester. The meeting was a success, and on 7 November 1910 at Southampton docks, Hendy and Ford penned the first official agreement for the sale of Ford vehicles in Britain, initially from a shop in East Street, Southampton. The British-produced Model T quickly became a best-seller and business boomed for the company, prompting the company bearing his name to secure additional premises in Vincents Walk, Pound Tree Road, and Chandlers Ford, Southampton and expand into Boscombe in Bournemouth, paving the way for the prodigious south coast footprint for which Hendy Group is renowned to this day. Ford vans, also sold by Hendy, would go on to dominate their own portion of a burgeoning UK automotive market, as well as Fordson tractors in the early 20th century. At times of national crisis, Hendy’s relationship with Ford went far beyond the humble car; during the Second World War, Hendy’s Vincent’s Walk and Chandler Ford’s premises were used to build Spitfire planes. Today, the Hendy Group operates eight Ford dealerships across Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, and West Sussex. Ford is now only one part of the story for Hendy Group, as it currently represents 25 different manufacturers at over 60 locations and recently celebrated its 165th anniversary. The Hendy business has always been run by members of the Hendy family, and its current CEO, Paul Hendy, has steered the business to new heights. It now sits in the top 20 of the UK’s biggest dealer groups, has a turnover exceeding £1bn and employs over 1,500 people. All three of Paul Hendy’s children are progressing through the business as sixth-generation Hendy employees, and the passion for all things automotive – and Ford – still runs deep. Just this year, the Hendy family were reunited with a pristine 1949 Ford Anglia EA94A, which was originally sold by Percy Hendy Ltd at Hendy’s Chandler’s Ford site in Hampshire. Lisa Brankin, Chair and Managing Director at Ford of Britain and Ireland, commented: “Hendy Group has been part of the Ford story in the UK from its beginning. From that very first agreement with Henry Ford in 1910 to today’s world of electric and connected vehicles, Hendy has been on that journey with us. We’re proud to celebrate this 115-year milestone together and look forward to continuing our journey into the future of mobility.” Paul Hendy, Chief Executive at Hendy Group, adds: “The Hendy family were trailblazers for Ford in Britain and it’s a privilege to have represented the brand for so long. Ford has always been a vital part of the Hendy Group's history, and we are excited about supporting the business in a new era of electrified mobility.”

A new publican has taken on one of Cornwall’s most cherished village pubs, the Polgooth Inn.   Andrew Milburn has worked for St Austell Brewery for over a decade, most recently heading up the Hicks Bar at the company’s visitor centre. This is his first time running a pub in St Austell Brewery’s leased and tenanted estate, as an independent licensee.   Nestled in the Pentewan Valley - between St Austell and Mevagissey - the Polgooth Inn is a 16th century pub and a popular destination for locals, walkers, food lovers and holidaymakers alike. With acres of land, glamping pods and a thriving garden, it has long held a special place in Andrew’s heart.   “My parents-in-law live on the Roseland and whenever we had the opportunity to go to a pub, we used to ask each other where to go; the Polgooth was always at the top of our list as we knew it would always be great,” Andrew said. “I remember my first visit about ten years ago - standing in the garden, seeing everything growing, the pond, the animals. It was a real ‘wow’ moment. I knew it was something special.” The opportunity to take on the pub came earlier this year, following 15 successful years under the stewardship of outgoing tenants, Alex and Tanya Williams.   Having started his journey with St Austell Brewery 11 years ago at the Old Success Inn in Sennen, Andrew went on to join the central food team before taking the reins at the brewery’s Hicks Bar and Visitor Centre. Now, he has relocated to The Polgooth with his wife and two young sons and is excited to bring his own flavour to the pub’s food and atmosphere.   Andrew Added: “Being able to run a pub and put a stamp on the food offering is something that means a lot to me. Guests can expect traditional British cuisine, elevated - the kind of dishes that give you that warm, nostalgic feeling and make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.” The Polgooth Inn - which forms part of St Austell Brewery’s 120-strong leased and tenanted pub estate - has four and a half acres of land with pigs, cows, sheep, bee hives, glamping pods, polytunnels, and a herb garden. Andrew plans to hero the produce grown on-site across the Polgooth menu and within the community, continuing traditions such as the annual pumpkin-growing competition. Inside the pub, events like quizzes and live music will remain a staple.   The existing team at the Polgooth has stayed on, and Andrew is looking forward to starting this next chapter with them. “The team here is fantastic, and I’m excited to highlight what they’re already doing so well. Everyone’s open, energised and ready for the future.” Tags: Food & Drink South St Austell Brewery News

Award-winning fifth-generation British bedmaker since 1840, Harrison Spinks, has announced its debut in Indonesia, launching its renowned British Luxury Collection into one of the country’s leading retailers, Duta Abadi Primantara (DAP). Following the signing of a Distribution and License Agreement, the handcrafted range will initially be available across five of DAP’s premium stores, strengthening the UK company’s presence in Southeast Asia. The venture is part of the bedmaker’s ambitious international growth strategy, with Harrison Spinks beds and mattresses currently being sold in 21 countries worldwide. Indonesia represents the latest addition to its expanding global portfolio. As market leaders in Indonesia and across Southeast Asia, DAP has built a reputation for offering innovative, premium products, including some of the world’s best mattress brands. Crafted to the highest standards in the UK, Harrison Spinks mattresses reflect the company’s 185+ years of bedmaking experience and commitment to quality and innovation – recognised with multiple King’s and Queen’s awards for Sustainable Development, Innovation, and International Trade. Nick Booth, Managing Director at Harrison Spinks, commented: “Introducing our bespoke luxury beds and mattresses to Indonesia marks an exciting milestone in our international journey. Partnering with DAP, the market leader in Indonesia and a company that truly appreciates the quality and heritage of British luxury, gives us the perfect opportunity to share the care and passion behind our craftmanship with even more customers across Southeast Asia." “Our recent King’s Award for International Trade recognises our exceptional overseas growth and underlines our position among the UK’s leading exporters in the bedding sector. We’re proud to see the growing global demand for authentic British design, and this partnership signifies another step forward in our mission to bring responsibly made comfort and luxury sleep to consumers worldwide.” A selection of five luxury models and one mattress enhancer from the Harrison Spinks British Luxury Collection will now be available to DAP customers. Each mattress is handmade in the UK using carefully sourced British natural fibres – including British wool and linen flax – combined with unique in-house designed micro pocket spring layers for unparalleled comfort and support. Mr. Anthony Setiawan, President Director of DAP, comments: “This launch is our commitment to elevating Indonesia's luxury standard, a new benchmark for natural quality, sustainability and ethical sourcing." “The Indonesian luxury market has a refined and sophisticated appreciation for authenticity and unrivalled quality in every aspect of their lives. We are bringing Harrison Spinks not merely to sell mattresses, but to offer a statement: beyond sleep, a timeless legacy of extraordinary life. With the ‘farm to bed’ of real homegrown luxury philosophy, we are presenting the very best of British feel and craftsmanship that has combined with proprietary technology designed for sophisticated healthy sleep. We deliver not just luxury, but peace of mind – that they are sleeping on the most ethical and the most superior product in the world." Mattresses from the British Luxury Collection will be available at select DAP stores in Indonesia from November 2025. Photo: Left to Right: Mr. Hendry Setiawan (Commissioner & Co-Founder of DAP), Mr. Anthony Setiawan (President Director of DAP), Mr. Lee Hinshaw (Business Development Director of Harrison Spinks UK), Mr. Andreas Wihardja (Founder & Commissioner of DAP)

A top south coast lawyer has been appointed to a professional panel that helps and protects vulnerable people. Carla Brown, Partner and Head of Wills, Trusts & Probate at Ringwood-headquartered Ellis Jones Solicitors, has joined the Panel of Deputies, an official body that safeguards individuals who lack mental capacity and have no-one else to act for them. The appointment was made by the Office of the Public Guardian, an executive agency of the government in England and Wales that supports people without capacity to manage their property and affairs. As an official ‘Panel Deputy’, Carla joins an approved list of legal professionals who can be chosen by the Court of Protection to work with a vulnerable person as and when help is needed. To be approved by the Court, panel members have to be experienced legal professionals who can be trusted for their knowledge, insight and understanding. A Panel Deputy is appointed to a specific case by the Court when no other suitable person is available, willing or able to take on the role. Carla said: “This is all about safeguarding the interests of people who, for a variety of potential reasons, are simply not able to make certain decisions for themselves and otherwise have no-one to manage their affairs.” Congratulating Carla on her appointment, Nigel Smith, Ellis Jones Managing Partner, said: “In joining the Panel of Deputies, Carla is being recognised personally and professionally as an ideal lawyer to act on behalf of vulnerable adults who lack mental capacity. It reflects her extensive experience and commitment to many individuals in her legal work.” Carla is among several Ellis Jones colleagues who have recently been referenced in the prestigious Legal 500 directory of the UK’s top law firms and solicitors for 2026. She is also ranked in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide as a ‘Leading Individual’ in the top ‘Band One for Private Wealth Law in Southampton and Surrounds’. Ellis Jones, with 189 staff including 24 partners, has eight offices across the south coast in Bournemouth, Canford Cliffs (Poole), Dorchester, Ringwood, Swanage and Wimborne as well as London.

New research has revealed the scale of personal risk facing the UK’s entrepreneurs. One in three SME loans has a personal guarantee (PG) in place. With 36% of these loans for working capital to keep the business afloat, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is being urged to avoid any further measures that would raise operating costs and increase the burden on owners who have pledged personal assets as security. Small business owners are also facing larger risks than ever before. In particular, early-stage firms, face the steepest Personal Guarantee requirements relative to their resources. The research commissioned by Purbeck Insurance Services, the UK’s only provider of personal guarantee insurance, shows that the average personal guarantee-backed loan now stands at nearly £180,000, up 16% year-on-year. In young businesses under two years old, the average loan value has risen 52% to £165k in the past year. With 5.5 million SMEs forming the backbone of the UK economy, employing 16.6 million people and generating £2.8 trillion in turnover, the findings underline the need for greater awareness and protection when directors sign personal guarantees. A Growing Risk to Growth The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned that harsh personal guarantee requirements are stifling growth ambitions, as many firms decline finance opportunities for fear of personal loss . However, post-COVID lending patterns have only deepened the requirement for PGs, with challenger banks and non-bank lenders more likely to require PGs as standard practice. The Role of Personal Guarantee Insurance (PGI) Purbeck, the UK’s only specialist provider of Personal Guarantee Insurance, has seen record demand as business owners seek to mitigate these risks. PGI protects directors if a lender calls in their guarantee, safeguarding their personal assets while allowing them to access the finance needed to grow. Todd Davison, Managing Director of Purbeck Insurance Services, said: “Personal guarantees are now a structural feature of SME lending. When a loan is primarily to keep a business ticking over, the director who has given that guarantee faces heightened risk—especially as the cost of doing business continues to rise. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has a clear responsibility to protect the nation’s entrepreneurs." “Personal guarantees can also hold back investment and confidence. In some cases, firms opt for more expensive funding rather than sign a PG." “Personal Guarantee Insurance (PGI) offers peace of mind, enabling SMEs to borrow for growth without putting everything on the line. Just as many people take out life and buildings insurance when securing a mortgage, PGI applies the same principle to business borrowing—protecting personal assets if the worst happens. It’s not the only way to reduce risk, which is why seeking professional advice before accepting or rejecting a PG is essential.” Call for Action The UK Government has pledged to help businesses better understand personal guarantees. Purbeck Insurance Services calls for: Clear, practical education for SMEs on PG risks and alternatives. Fair and proportionate PG requirements from lenders. Plain-language disclosures so directors fully understand their obligations. Mainstream awareness of PGI as a legitimate protective option.

Hendy Group, which operates multiple showrooms across Surrey and is the UK’s largest family-run car dealer business, has been named the UK’s top ‘New Car Retailer’ at this year’s prestigious Autotrader Retailer Awards. Now in their 18th year, the awards put a spotlight on those dealers that put customers first and are fit to be viewed as ‘the very best in automotive retailing’.   Announced at a ceremony held at London’s iconic Leadenhall Building (aka The Cheesegrater) last week, the annual Autotrader awards programme is widely regarded as one of the most respected independent assessments of excellence in motor retail. Hendy Group’s achievement is underscored by the fact that less than 1% of Autotrader’s circa 14,000 retailer partners across the UK become winners or finalists. Hendy came out top in the highly competitive ‘New Car Retailer’ category based on results from a comprehensive mystery shopping programme – one of the largest of its kind in automotive retail – plus a rigorous judging process conducted by an independent panel.   Commenting on the awards and the elite group of winners, Nathan Coe, Chief Executive Officer at Autotrader, commented: “It’s a unique and privileged opportunity for us to recognise and to celebrate the very best in automotive retailing. Winning a Retailer Award is tough. Our judging process is completely independent, it’s unbiased, and it’s data- and fact-based. So, to be a finalist, let alone one of just a small handful of winners, is a huge achievement, and thoroughly well-deserved by all of this year’s exceptional retailers.” Duncan McPhee, Chief Operating Officer at Hendy Group, added: “We are thrilled to be named Autotrader’s New Car Retailer of the Year 2025. This award is a testament to the dedication, innovation, and customer-first mindset of every colleague across Hendy Group. It reflects our commitment to delivering an exceptional car buying experience, and we’re incredibly proud to be recognised by such a respected name in the industry.” Hendy Group has 68 sites along the south coast of England, offering new and used car and van sales as well as servicing, MOT testing, parts, fleet management and much more. The Group has been providing a premium experience to customers for over 165 years, and now represents 25 different vehicle brands.

LEST WE FORGET: a team of JCB employees has unveiled a poignant Remembrance Day memorial which they hope will help raise funds for two charities.   The team of seven engineers and manufacturing specialists at JCB Earthmovers in Cheadle have designed and made the 5ft tall steel silhouette of a soldier standing before the grave of a fallen colleague, all mounted on a plinth bearing a poppy and the words ‘lest we forget’.   Now, they plan to make limited edition miniature versions of the memorial to sell to JCB colleagues – with funds raised being split between the Royal British Legion and the NSPCC.   Driving force behind the project, Manufacturing Engineer, Henry Poole, 23, said: “My girlfriend’s brother is a serving soldier and her dad was in the Armed Forces so after talking to them I thought it would be great to do something at work that really shows our appreciation in the run up to Remembrance Day - especially as it’s 80 years since the end of World War II.” Henry, of Cheadle, who joined JCB as an apprentice straight from school, said: “I knew we had the people and tools to make something special so I talked to my manager Craig Caddy and he was keen to support it." “It’s been a big team effort: I designed the silhouette, Craig organised the making and the painting, Fabrication Planners Richard Curran and Edward Capewell managed the laser cutting, Christopher Frost and Steven Forster did the welding and assembly and Kieran Edgerton painted it. I’m grateful to JCB for supporting the idea and I feel really proud to see our work standing in reception. It also feels great to be able to raise funds for two deserving charities as well.” The memorial will be displayed in JCB Earthmovers’ Cheadle reception area until Remembrance weekend, when it is hoped to move it to the town’s cenotaph as part of the Royal British Legion Remembrance Day service. Photo: Henry Poole, Edward Capewell, Craig Caddy, Richard Curran and Emily Thompson are pictured from left to right with the silhouette.

A top competitive shooter has acknowledged the ‘tremendous’ backing of a property finance firm as he celebrates the end of his most successful season. Under a rolling one-year contract begun earlier this year, MSP Capital agreed to support Chris Morgan financially on his busy programme of clay pigeon shoots. Over the summer, the Andover-based sportsman achieved success at seven county and regional championships. He won all his classes in five: the South of England Sportrap; Surrey County English Sporting; Buckingham County Compak; Dorset County Sportrap; and South West of England English Sporting. And he was second in class at both the South East of England English Sporting and the Hampshire County Compak, with placings decided by the smallest of margins. Chris was also well ranked at the sport’s World Championships in July 2025, coming 25th in his class out of 790 competitors. Having completed his eleventh year of competitive shooting, Chris said: “This has been my best ever season at county and regional level, surpassing my goals by a clear margin. I’ve had great competitive practice and really high scores. It has been a great season.” Chris described the support from MSP Capital as ‘tremendous’, adding: “When you have a backer who believes in you and is part of your journey, it’s huge. It’s that feeling of being on the same team, a relationship that works in a positive way." “MSP Capital gives me tremendous support. It leaves me excited and enthusiastic for the future. “And unlike other sponsors, MSP Capital is not from within the shooting industry, so that has created a buzz.” Discussing the preparation and mindset needed for competitive shooting, Chris said: “You have to prepare professionally, and to perform and win, you must aim to stay ‘in the zone’ in all aspects." “Initially, it’s natural to be aware of your responsibility to represent not just you but everyone who backs you, including being a brand ambassador for MSP Capital. But to be professional and finish the job, you have to get past that and just focus." “The mental side, the mindset, is vital as you establish your shooting technique and step up to compete. It includes how to build momentum from the beginning, how to breathe and how to relax while staying focused on the task of winning. You have to find a routine that works for you." “How to respond to pressure is another essential element. You can’t let your focus break, so you have to know how to deal with the situation if something’s not going well or you make a mistake. You learn ways of addressing that and moving on." “Strong mental preparation and fortitude is what helps you continually get better, and it’s what carries you over the line in the furnace of competition, being calm and putting in a lot of work in practice. At elite level, there are fine margins between winning and not winning. You have to work out what to do to push the odds in your favour.” When the season ended, Chris ran a series of clay pigeon shoots attended by more than 30 MSP Capital clients and suppliers. They included three coaching sessions at the Barbury Shooting School at Wroughton near Swindon with a fourth at the Spitfire Shoot, Stockbridge, Hampshire. Adam Tovey, MSP Capital’s Commercial Director, said: “Chris is not only a total professional when it comes to competitions but he is an amazing coach too. His sessions appealed to a mix of representatives from our customers and partners in the property sector. With his talent and help, every participant improved their level of shooting.” Adam’s comments were echoed by Leigh Bartlett, Chief Executive of MSP Capital, who added: “Our support for Chris is the latest example of our long-standing commitment to partner with people who begin as grassroots athletes and aim to thrive at the highest levels. We congratulate Chris on his amazing season, thank him for kindly sharing some of his expertise at the coaching sessions and wish him every success for next year.” Asked about his aims for next season, which begins in April 2026, Chris said: “I’m looking at major level competitions such as the GB and World Championships and more Compak championships. All are definitely within range, but it takes backing and so it’s great to have MSP Capital on board. I’m really looking forward to next season.”

Urban Pubs & Bars, London’s largest independent pub group, has announced the acquisition of Albion & East, a collection of distinctive all-day venues in some of the capital’s most vibrant neighbourhoods. The Albion & East business comprises four London venues: Teatro Hall in Ealing, Canova Hall in Brixton, Botanica Hall in Clapham Junction, and Serata Hall in the City of London. This announcement comes hot on the heels of several other openings and acquisitions since May 2025, including St. John’s Tavern in Archway, The Marlborough Head in Covent Garden, The Bald Faced Stag in East Finchley, The Highbury Barn Tavern and Bat and Ball in Covent Garden. Urban Pubs and Bars previously acquired Martello Hall from Albion and East in January 2025, investing into the site to launch The London Fields in February. All existing Albion & East team members will join the Urban Pubs and Bars family. The group will take on the business as a whole, supporting the teams and continuing to develop these unique venues as part of its expanding London portfolio. Speaking on the acquisition, Chris Hill, Managing Director of Urban Pubs & Bars, said: “Albion & East is a business we’ve long admired. Their venues share our passion for great design, fresh, high-quality food and drink, and genuine neighbourhood hospitality. We’re delighted to welcome their teams into the Urban family and look forward to supporting these outstanding venues through their next chapter.” Alongside this exciting acquisition, Urban is pleased to report that trading across its business remains materially ahead of the market with LFL sales of 8.7% since the start of the financial year (May), with sales approaching £100m in the last twelve months. About Urban Pubs & Bars Founded by Malc Heap and Nick Pring, Urban Pubs & Bars is backed by Davidson Kempner and Global Mutual. Known for its innovative and customer-focused approach, Urban Pubs and Bars is dedicated to creating distinctive venues that celebrate London’s diverse food, drink, and social culture.