Family Business United is delighted to celebrate the success of family-owned dairy producer Tims Dairy, which has secured new accolades at the 2026 Great Taste Awards, further cementing its reputation for producing exceptional Greek-style dairy products. Tims Dairy has been awarded a prestigious 2 Star Great Taste Award for its Greek Family Vanilla Kefir, one of the highest honours presented by the internationally recognised Great Taste Awards. Organised by the Guild of Fine Food, the Great Taste Awards are regarded as the world's most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme. Products are judged solely on taste by a panel of more than 500 expert chefs, buyers, food writers and food critics, making a two-star award a significant endorsement of quality and flavour. The latest success means that both of Tims Dairy's Greek Family Kefirs have now achieved 2 Star Great Taste Awards, highlighting the family's commitment to producing premium kefir with a rich, creamy texture, a gentle cultured flavour and the added benefit of being naturally lactose free. Adding to the celebrations, the company's popular Greek Family Blackcurrant Yogurt has also received a 1 Star Great Taste Award, recognising its outstanding taste and further demonstrating the consistency of quality across the Tims Dairy range. Founded on family values and generations of dairy expertise, Tims Dairy continues to champion traditional methods alongside innovation, using fresh British milk and family recipes to create products that are both delicious and nutritious. Commenting on the awards, the team at Tims Dairy said: "We are absolutely thrilled that our products have once again been recognised by the Great Taste Awards. To see both of our Greek Family Kefirs achieve two-star status, alongside a one-star award for our Blackcurrant Yogurt, is a fantastic achievement and a tribute to the passion and care that goes into everything we make. We would like to thank everyone who chooses Tims Dairy and the Great Taste judges for recognising what matters most – outstanding taste." Paul Andrews, Founder and CEO of Family Business United, added: "Family businesses are renowned for their commitment to quality, craftsmanship and consistency, and Tims Dairy is a wonderful example of that ethos in action. These awards are thoroughly deserved and reflect the passion, dedication and attention to detail that family-owned businesses bring to everything they produce. Congratulations to the entire team on this fantastic achievement." The latest awards reinforce Tims Dairy's position as one of the UK's leading producers of premium Greek-style yogurt and kefir, with products that continue to win over consumers and industry experts alike through exceptional flavour and quality.

An expanding property finance firm has appointed an experienced commercial performance specialist to strengthen its growth journey and support services for brokers and developers. Charlotte Downing has joined Poole, Dorset-based MSP Capital as the 45-year-old principal lender takes forward a strategy to build a loan book worth £750 million by 2030. As Head of Commercial Performance, Charlotte will help drive the firm’s growth ambitions by applying data and insight to support decision-making, advise on effective sales activities and identify business opportunities. In more than a decade of work across asset finance and alternative lending, Charlotte has held senior roles at providers Simply Asset Finance and Triple Point. Among her responsibilities, she has led operational transformation, technology change and commercial improvement initiatives. An active contributor to the wider finance industry, Charlotte sits on the Leasing Foundation Board and co-leads The Network, a community supporting women across the asset finance and alternative lending sectors. Adam Tovey, MSP Capital’s Commercial Director, said: “Charlotte brings extensive experience in improving broker and customer growth journeys through building the processes and infrastructure needed to support businesses as they scale." “Her knowledge of business performance, how to drive operational efficiencies and how to use data and technology to support sustainable growth will be of huge benefit to us and our customers.” Charlotte said: “I look forward to applying my industry experience to strengthen MSP Capital’s commercial performance. “It’s an ideal opportunity to use data and insight to underpin and benefit decision-making, enhance sales effectiveness and identify opportunities for growth.” Charlotte’s appointment follows the recent arrivals of fellow industry professionals, Michael Halsey, Business Development Manager, and Richard Cargill, IT & Transformation Director, both tasked with helping to drive growth. A decision by MSP Capital to cut rates on bridging and development loan products in the past few months was enabled by a ‘game-changing’ facility of £350 million agreed with investment partners J.P. J.P. Morgan, the world’s largest bank, and Pollen Street Capital in a bid to generate more flexibility for competitive lending. Alongside MSP Capital’s ongoing retained lines with Pollen Street Capital and Shawbrook Bank, the agreement has increased total funding capacity to £485 million. And J.P. Morgan has the potential to provide additional funds giving scope to achieve the £750 million loan book ambition over the next four years.

Leading independent UK accountancy and business advisory firm Johnston Carmichael has appointed Graeme Bain as Head of Restructuring. Graeme, who takes up the role with immediate effect, will lead the firm’s restructuring business line, supported by partners Donald McNaught and Richard Bathgate. Donald, who previously led the team, will continue to play an important senior role, focusing on a targeted portfolio of strategic work. Richard will maintain a strong focus on business development and external engagement, helping to further strengthen the team’s profile in the market. The transition also follows the recent progression of Sarah Bedford to an appointment-taking director, adding further depth to Johnston Carmichael’s experienced restructuring team across Scotland. The move comes as businesses and individuals continue to face significant headwinds across a range of sectors, with many seeking clear, commercial and practical advice when navigating financial distress, turnaround options and formal restructuring processes. Graeme Bain said: “I am extremely proud to lead Johnston Carmichael’s restructuring team at a time when the importance of clear, practical and commercial advice really can’t be underestimated. Our team has great strength and depth across a range of sectors. It’s exciting to be stepping into this role as we continue to support directors, creditors and other stakeholders through a range of complex and often challenging scenarios." “The restructuring market continues to evolve, and our focus remains on giving clients the clarity and confidence they need to make informed decisions at critical moments.” Mark Houston, Chair and Senior Partner at Johnston Carmichael, said: “At a time when many businesses are having to make important decisions in challenging conditions, the role of experienced, trusted advisers is more important than ever." “Graeme has built an excellent reputation with clients and colleagues alike, and his leadership will help ensure we continue to provide the depth of support businesses need as they respond to changing conditions.” Lynne Walker, CEO of Johnston Carmichael, said: “Graeme’s appointment reflects both the strength of our restructuring team and the importance we place on long-term succession planning across the firm." “He brings considerable experience, technical expertise and a clear understanding of the challenges facing businesses and individuals in the current market. Under his leadership, and with the continued support of Donald, Richard and the wider team, our restructuring practice is well placed to continue delivering the practical, commercial advice our clients need and value.” Johnston Carmichael’s restructuring team advises businesses, directors, creditors and individuals across solvent and distressed situations, providing support on turnaround, contingency planning, formal insolvency and restructuring options.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published its latest statistics on workplace pension participation and savings trends. Commenting, Rebecca Williams, Financial Planning Divisional Lead at Rathbones, one of the UK's leading wealth and asset management groups, says: “The latest workplace pension figures are a timely reminder that automatic enrolment has been one of the UK's most successful pension reforms. Since its introduction in 2012, it has helped millions more people start saving for retirement while benefiting from valuable employer contributions that might otherwise have been missed." “The fact that around nine in 10 eligible employees are now saving into a workplace pension is a significant achievement. With employers accounting for more than 60% of workplace pension saving, automatic enrolment continues to play a vital role in improving long-term financial security." “However, the conversation now needs to move beyond participation and focus on pension adequacy. Getting people into pensions was only the first step. The bigger challenge is ensuring they are saving enough to achieve the retirement they want." “Our research suggests today's Generation Z could require pension wealth of more than £3 million for a comfortable retirement, or around £2.4 million when applying the 4% withdrawal rule. While these figures may seem daunting, they reflect the reality of longer life expectancy, inflation and rising living costs over time." “It's also notable that opt-out rates have edged higher. Cost-of-living pressures continue to squeeze household finances, making long-term saving harder for some people to prioritise. Meanwhile, lower participation among some groups and employees working for the smallest businesses shows there is still work to do to make retirement saving truly universal." “Too many people still treat pensions as a 'set and forget' product, despite them often being among their most valuable financial assets. Automatic enrolment has normalised pension saving. The next step is to normalise pension engagement, helping people understand whether they are on track, review contributions regularly and make informed decisions throughout their working lives. Otherwise, too many risk reaching retirement only to discover they have saved too little, too late.”

Emirates Engineering has launched Material Futures Studio, a six-week programme that challenges university students to reimagine retired aircraft materials and transform them into new products. Led by the Upcycling department within Emirates Engineering, the Material Futures Studio brings students together with aviation professionals to work on real-world industry challenges, encouraging fresh thinking while helping develop the next generation of aviation talent. The first edition brought together 23 students representing Khalifa University, Emirates Aviation University and the University of Sharjah. The programme began with an orientation and tour of Emirates Engineering's facilities, where students engaged with senior leaders and gained first-hand insight into maintenance operations like A-check and C-checks being carried out on the Emirates fleet as well as the upcycling shop where materials are being repurposed today. Over the next six weeks, students will use their learnings to come up with new concepts and ideas to upcycle and reuse aircraft materials into innovative products. They will be closely guided by team members from Emirates Engineering during the ideation and concept development stages. The programme will conclude with a final showcase, where students will present their concepts and prototypes for upcycled materials. By blending academia with industry, the initiative aims to equip students with practical skills and deepen their understanding of the engineering eco-system. It also provides the airline with an opportunity to engage with young talent while uncovering fresh ideas and driving innovation. Emirates has undertaken one of the industry's largest fleet retrofit programmes, a multi-billion-dollar investment to fully refurbish 219 Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft and elevate the customer experience across its fleet. As part of this ambitious project, materials retrieved from retrofit aircraft are being repurposed through upcycling initiatives led entirely in-house by Emirates Engineering in Dubai. The dedicated team is transforming retired aircraft materials into handcrafted, artisanal products that aim to reduce waste. Material Futures Studio builds on the airline’s broader upcycling efforts, such as the Aircrafted by Emirates collection of limited-edition lifestyle pieces featuring a range of luggage, bags and accessories, all crafted from reclaimed aircraft materials. It also includes the Aircrafted KIDS initiative, which transforms fabrics and other materials recovered during the retrofit programme into handmade backpacks for children. To date, more than 4,000 backpacks have been donated to children across 11 countries. Click here to learn more about Emirates' retrofit programme.

A South Lanarkshire-based facilities management company has restructured its operations after reaching a record £4 million turnover, with support from Business Gateway helping to position the business for its next phase of growth. Strachan & Kemp Commercial Services Ltd, founded by Steven Smernicki in 2014, was established with the goal of providing a single point of contact for all facility-related needs. The business delivers a wide range of services including maintenance, refurbishment, cleaning, landscaping, waste management and emergency repairs. Drawing on his industry experience, Steven set out to offer a more straightforward and cost-effective alternative to larger facilities management companies, while delivering a broader and more reliable service than typical multi-trade contractors. Operating 24/7, 365 days a year, the business supports clients across the UK with a responsive and hands-on approach. Following a period of sustained growth, the business has introduced a new group structure, splitting into multiple entities under a single parent company. This change is designed to strengthen day-to-day operations, improve efficiency and support continued expansion. The business has been supported through one-to-one guidance from Senior Business Gateway adviser Jim Fagan, who has played a key role in advising on business strategy, growth planning and restructuring. This has included supporting the move to a group model, helping to shape future leadership plans and providing procurement guidance to enable the business to begin tendering for public sector contracts through Public Contracts Scotland. Additional support in signposting routes to funding from Business Gateway also helped the company secure £5,000 from South Lanarkshire Council’s Growth Grant Fund. The funding was used to invest in specialist high-pressure cleaning equipment, allowing Strachan & Kemp to expand its service offering and deliver more specialised solutions to clients. Steven Smernicki, founder and managing director of Strachan & Kemp Commercial Services Ltd, said: “We’ve seen strong growth in recent years, and it became clear that we needed to evolve how the business is structured to support that and prepare for what comes next." “The support from Business Gateway, and particularly the one-to-one guidance from Jim, has been incredibly valuable. It has helped us take a step back, strengthen our approach and make the right decisions to support the long-term development of the business.” Jim Fagan, Senior Business Gateway adviser, said: "Reaching this stage of growth is a significant achievement, and it’s clear the business has built a strong foundation. The focus now is on making sure the structure, strategy and leadership are in place to support continued progress." “By taking the time to refine how the business operates and plans for the future, Steven and the team are putting themselves in a strong position to build on their success in a sustainable way.” To find out more about how Business Gateway can help your business, visit here.

OHS (Online Home Shop Limited), the family-owned e-commerce homeware retailer based in Worsley, Greater Manchester, has reported record gross sales of £100 million for 2026. The milestone is a 68% year-on-year increase to 31 January 2026 and helped triple operating profit from £5m to £15.3m over the same period. This second consecutive record-breaking year is attributable to the growth of the OHS website, increasing customer base and repeat purchases and continued growth in key marketplaces. The company continues to grow its core business in home textiles and is continuing its expansion across recent new product categories, including garden, furniture, soft furnishings, and clothing. This growth journey is supported by the recent announcement of opening a new 327,000 sq. ft fulfilment centre in Trafford Park, Manchester. This will continue to help OHS enhance stock management, improve distribution efficiency, and better serve customers as demand continues to grow significantly. The company now employs more than 200 staff and with the continued expansion and new fulfilment centre, headcount is expected to double to over 400 staff in the current financial year. During the first half of the current financial year sales are up over 50% year-on-year, and this growth is forecast to continue for the remainder of the year. Moshe Cohen, CEO of Online Home Shop, said: "We are delighted to announce another strong set of results, reflecting the exceptional talent, commitment and hard work of everyone across OHS." "Our continued investment in our people and infrastructure has strengthened the business and positioned us for sustainable long-term growth. By attracting and developing the very best people, we continue to deliver high-quality, trend-led homeware products at unbeatable prices, while providing an outstanding shopping experience for our customers." "As we look ahead, we remain focused on building on this momentum and delivering the next phase of our growth.” Photo credit: B8RE.

Yorkshire Baking Co. has unveiled its fresh new look ahead of Yorkshire Day on 1st August 2026, aiming to both strengthen its presence and support the exciting next phase of the cake brand’s growth. Rolling out across the ever-popular MEGA Loaf Cake range, the refreshed packaging celebrates Yorkshire Baking Co.‘s heritage while creating a stronger, more contemporary presence on shelf. The new design features an illustrated landscape, a prominent “Yorkshire’s Finest Cakes” seal of approval and the new brand strapline, “Good Honest Cake,” reinforcing the company’s commitment to quality baking which will appeal strongly to shoppers nationwide. The re-brand has also been extended to one of Yorkshire Baking Co.‘s most loved varieties, Yorkshire Parkin, with a distinctive identity across the MEGA Loaf Cake, cakes slices and smaller formats. Heritage-inspired colours and messaging, including “Rooted in Tradition,” will inspire cake lovers to try one of Yorkshire’s finest. The new look MEGA Loaf Cake ranging comprises of Classic Madeira, Lemon Crunch, Double Choc Chunk, Deliciously Cherry, Juicy Sultana, Jam & Coconut, Sticky Toffee, and Yorkshire Parkin - with an exciting array of NPD on the horizon to further drive brand appeal. The new packaging has been developed to provide greater shelf impact while creating a flexible platform for exciting future product development, seasonal launches and collaborative brand partnerships. Arainn Cleland, Sales Director at Yorkshire Baking Co., said: “This is an important milestone for Yorkshire Baking Co. as we continue to invest in our much-loved and rapidly growing cake brand. Our new identity reflects our heritage, our values and delivers quality consumers expect from our products, ultimately appealing strongly to all shoppers seeking “good honest cake’’ “Our MEGA Loaf Cakes are already a firm favourite with shoppers nationwide, and we are confident that our fresh new look will strengthen engagement with existing consumers, attract new shoppers to the brand and create further opportunities for growth with our retail partners.”

One million tins of baked beans will be produced for people facing food insecurity this summer through an innovative partnership between Princes, Waitrose, Alliance Food Sourcing (AFS), and Felix (formerly The Felix Project and FareShare). The collaboration will see cans of Branston Baked Beans distributed through Felix's network of over 8,000 community organisations, schools, food banks and community kitchens, providing thousands of meals for people who need them most. Inspired by the legacy of The King’s Coronation Food Project, the project forms part of the wider work of Alliance Food Sourcing (AFS), a coalition that brings together leading UK food businesses to unlock surplus food and factory capabilities and turn it into meals for charities. Unlike traditional food redistribution programmes that rely solely on surplus items, the donation of baked beans has brought together manufacturing, retail and charity partners to start donating the British store cupboard staple over the coming months. By unlocking surplus factory capacity and supply-chain resources, the partnership has created a new way of getting more nutritious food to communities facing hunger. Princes is optimising its state-of-the-art facilities to produce additional volumes of beans during quieter periods throughout the year. The move represents a shift in how the food industry addresses food insecurity. With standard retail surplus donations being inconsistent, the project gives a vital boost to the food supplies distributed by charities. Waitrose is also currently trialling similar initiatives with its pasta supplier, Daybreak, and its fresh fruit supplier, Primafruit. Combined, the three initiatives are on track to divert the equivalent of over 1.9 million meals to Felix, the UK’s largest food rescue charity, by the end of the year. David McDiarmid, Corporate Relations Director at Princes Group, said: "Baked beans have been a cornerstone of the British kitchen for decades thanks to their versatility and long shelf life. We are delighted that our first successful venture with Alliance Food Sourcing is on Branston Baked Beans, as they provide an accessible and nutritious meal option, with one can containing over 24 grams of fibre." "We have partnered with FareShare for over a decade and donations of stock is a matter of routine and something all our colleagues are passionate about, so we are proud to go ’beyond surplus’ food and instead use our manufacturing capability to actively produce food for people who need it." Marija Rompani, Director of Ethics and Sustainability at Waitrose said: "This isn't just about donating surplus food; it's about exploring how we can work closely with our suppliers to rewrite the rules in our supply chain and unlock surplus that can make a real difference to our communities." Nicky Robinson, Director of Alliance Food Sourcing, said: "We're delighted to see Waitrose, Princes, Daybreak and Primafruit showing what can be achieved by working together. By adapting their supply chains, food businesses can redirect factory capacity or rescue edible food to help tackle UK hunger. Innovations like these mean millions more meals are already reaching people who need them - often through relatively simple changes." Charlotte Hill OBE, CEO of Felix said: "Unfortunately the demand for food amongst the charities and organisations Felix supplies keeps rising. That is why projects like this are vital, it not only shows what partnerships and innovative thinking can achieve, it ensures Felix, which is the new name for merged charities FareShare and The Felix Project, receives a steady supply of a much sought after family favourite."

First Minister John Swinney joined community representatives from Kelso, including His Grace the Duke of Roxburghe, and conservation specialists from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) this afternoon (Friday 24 July) to celebrate the reopening of Kelso Abbey. The abbey has re-opened after five years following the completion of essential conservation work by HES, which manages the site. Kelso will celebrate its 900th anniversary in 2028, and HES is currently developing plans for anniversary celebrations in collaboration with stakeholders and local community groups. First Minister John Swinney said: "Kelso Abbey is one of Scotland’s most impressive historic buildings. To see it reopen its doors before its 900th anniversary in 2028 was a moment to savour. The abbey will draw thousands of visitors into the Borders, supporting jobs and benefiting businesses by boosting visitor spend throughout the region." "The Scottish Government’s Grant in Aid funding of Historic Environment Scotland enables their work to protect and conserve Scotland’s historic environment and Kelso Abbey shows exactly what that investment means in practice – not just for visitors, but for the communities who live alongside these remarkable places.” Kelso Abbey will be open daily from 9.30am to 5pm. Visitors can find out more about the abbey and plan their visit at historicenvironment.scot. Please check the website for the latest information before travelling. Photo: First Minister John Swinney Marks Re-opening of Kelso Abbey: His Grace The Duke of Roxburghe, First Minister John Swinney, Historic Environment Scotland CEO Katerina Brown, and Kelso Provost Gavin Horsburgh

Scotland's hospitality industry has rallied behind The Drinks Trust Chair Neil Barker as he embarks on his SIXTREME challenge, with senior figures and colleagues joining him on the road for the first stages of his epic six-day fundraising run. To mark the charity's 140th anniversary, Neil set off this morning from the Hendrick's Gin Palace in Girvan to begin six ultramarathons in six days, covering more than 170 miles across Scotland to raise vital funds and awareness for hospitality workers facing financial hardship, mental health and wellbeing challenges, and barriers to employment. Throughout the week, supporters from some of the country’s best-known businesses – including Turnberry, Buzzworks, Tennent's, Inverarity Morton, Scottish Rugby, Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts and Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - will run alongside Neil on different sections of the route, demonstrating the industry's united commitment to supporting hospitality workers across Scotland. As he sets off to run approximately 28 miles each day, Neil said: "I couldn't think of a better way to bring together colleagues, partners and friends from across the industry than through a unique endurance challenge that showcases some of Scotland's most beautiful scenery and iconic locations." "I believe that hospitality is one of the greatest industries and is one that I have had the pleasure of working in for nearly 40 years but the people who power it need support. This SIXTREME challenge is about giving something back." Beginning at the Hendrick's Gin Palace in Girvan, Neil will head north along the spectacular Ayrshire Coastal Path on the first two days of the challenge, taking in some of Scotland's most iconic coastal scenery, including Turnberry Lighthouse, before finishing day one in Troon and continuing on to Largs. The route then joins the John Muir Way, travelling from Helensburgh through Strathblane and on to Falkirk, before an epic fifth day sees Neil run from Falkirk to Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, where supporters from Scottish Rugby will welcome him as he nears the finish of the day's challenge. The final leg will take Neil along the East Lothian coastline to North Berwick, where he will cross the finish line at Fringe by the Sea, bringing six ultramarathons in six days to a close after more than 170 miles on foot. For more information or to support the campaign, visit here. Luxury stays at Gleneagles and Turnberry, VIP sporting experiences and other exclusive prizes are also up for grabs as part of The Drinks Trust’s SIXTREME charity auction. The auction is open and will close at 23:59 on Monday 3rd August. More information can be found here.

Property consultancy Vail Williams has welcomed the Government's announcement of a 20% reduction in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues from next April, but says the latest relief highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the business rates system. The new measures, announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, are expected to benefit around 32,000 venues across England, with the Government estimating that the average pub will save around £1,100 a year. The changes form part of a wider £100 million package designed to support high streets and community venues, with further details expected ahead of the Autumn Budget. The Government has also confirmed that wider business rates reform will return to the agenda later this year. Adam Barnfield, Head of Business Rates at Vail Williams, said: "Any reduction in operating costs will be welcomed by businesses that have faced sustained financial pressure over recent years. Pubs, clubs and live music venues play a vital role in our town centres and local communities, so targeted support for those sectors is undoubtedly positive." "However, announcement inevitably raises questions for the wider hospitality sector. Hotels, restaurants, cafés and many other businesses continue to face the same cost pressures, yet at this stage remain outside the scope of the proposed relief." “Until we see the detailed eligibility criteria, many businesses will be wondering where they stand." While welcoming the immediate support, Adam believes the announcement reinforces the need for more fundamental reform rather than further sector-specific reliefs." He added: "Business rates have become increasingly reliant on temporary discounts, exemptions and relief schemes to address shortcomings in the system. While these measures provide welcome short-term support, they don't solve the underlying problem." "The business rates system has become overly complex, difficult for occupiers to understand and increasingly disconnected from the realities of today's economy. Every Budget seems to introduce another layer of relief rather than addressing the root cause." "What businesses need is certainty. A simpler, fairer and more transparent system would give occupiers the confidence to invest, plan for the future and grow, rather than waiting to see whether their sector qualifies for the latest relief." Adam added that the Autumn Budget now presents an important opportunity for Government to deliver on its commitment to wider reform. "The announcement is a positive first step, but it shouldn't be the end of the conversation. Businesses across all sectors will now be looking to the Autumn Budget for clarity on the future of business rates and, hopefully, the beginning of meaningful structural reform rather than another series of temporary fixes." Vail Williams' Business Rates team advises occupiers, investors, developers and public sector organisations across the UK, helping clients manage liabilities, challenge assessments and navigate an increasingly complex rating landscape.