One of Scotland's leading family-run hotel and leisure groups is celebrating three decades of award-winning success on the Ayrshire coast this month. The Irvine-based Simpson family is the driving force behind SimpsInns, which now owns and operates a collection of top hotels, restaurants, bars, spa, golf, and leisure activities, including The Waterside Hotel & Spa in West Kilbride, The Gailes Hotel & Spa in Irvine, and The Loans Inn at Troon. Established in June 1996 by Malcolm and Karen Simpson, The Loans Inn (formerly The Bruce Inn) was the first hotel in the SimpsInns portfolio. The Gailes in Irvine opened in 2002, followed by the group’s third hotel, The Waterside, in 2011. Golf and gym facilities were added to the collection in 2014. SimpsInns' debut spa opened at The Gailes in 2021, followed by The Waterside five years later in 2026. The family-owned firm has gone from strength to strength over the thirty years, thanks to an ongoing programme of investment and a dedicated team of over 300 hospitality professionals. Today, the next generation of the Simpson family are supporting their parents, Malcolm and Karen, with the next chapter of the SimpsInns success story. Jack Simpson (32) was just two years old and Lee Simpson (30) wasn’t born when the company was founded in the mid 1990s, but they’re now part of the senior management team, leading some of the most ambitious investment projects in the company’s history. As part of its 30th anniversary year, SimpsInns has just launched Scotland’s ultimate new spa break destination, just 40 minutes south of Glasgow. Boasting commanding sea views over the Firth of Clyde towards the Isle of Arran, The Waterside Hotel at West Kilbride now offers a stunning new sea-view spa and restaurant following a major £3 million development. The opening of Si! Spa at The Waterside is part of SimpsInns’ wider ambition to enhance its reputation for offering the best spa and leisure experiences across the Ayrshire coast region. Looking back on the last 30 years, Malcolm Simpson from SimpsInns, said: “While much has changed over the last thirty years, our commitment to great food, warm hospitality and exceptional service remains at the heart of everything we do." “Looking back at where we started and seeing where we are today, we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come. Our success is very much owed to our dedicated team and a constant focus on ongoing investment across each of our venues." “We’d like to thank all our entire team, guests, suppliers and friends who have continued to support SimpsInns over the last three decades." “We look forward to what the next thirty years has to bring as we celebrate our special anniversary year and the launch of Scotland’s ultimate new spa break destination at The Waterside in 2026.” Malcolm’s son, Jack Simpson, is part of the senior management team at SimpsInns. He added: “As we look to the future, our focus remains on continued development across the business. We want to maximise the opportunities ahead of us, while never losing sight of what got us here in the first place - delivering great experiences and maintaining the high standards our guests expect." “Equally important is continuing to invest in our people, developing our team and creating opportunities for them to grow alongside the business. After 30 years, we're as ambitious as ever and excited about what the next chapter holds for SimpsInns.” Many famous faces have walked through the doors of SimpsInns’ venues over the last three decades, including actors James Nisbet and Robson Green; musician, Pete Docherty; TV personalities, Mark Wright and Jean Johanson; news presenter, Naga Munchetty; footballer, Ally McCoist; and Swedish professional golfer, Alexander Norén. A motion was recently passed in the Scottish Parliament to recognise Simpsinns for the Best Spa Hotel in Scotland accolade at the Scottish Hotel Awards 2026 and in recognition of SimpsInns’ achievements as one of Scotland’s leading hospitality businesses over the last 30 years. For more information on the SimpsInns Group, visit here. Photo: Credit SimpsInns

Bank of Scotland Business Barometer paints an interesting picture of Scotland’s relationship with AI. More than half (54%) of Scottish businesses plan to increase investment in AI skills, and 47% believe that failing to adopt AI within three years will put them at a competitive disadvantage. Yet only 48% currently use AI, compared with 61% across the UK – and among those already using it, lack of understanding (25%) is the biggest barrier to getting more value from the technology. Lindsay Ratcliffe, chief innovation and transformation officer at Edinburgh-headquartered AI-native digital transformation organisation CreateFuture, argues that the answer isn’t simply more AI investment or making more specialist hires. Businesses need to get much clearer about what they actually want to achieve with AI. Commenting on the findings, Lindsay said: “Scotland doesn’t have an AI ambition problem. Businesses clearly recognise the opportunity and are prepared to invest. The bigger risk is that companies spend heavily on AI skills and technology without having clear strategic goals about where AI can accelerate to create real business advantage." “Lack of progress can often be attributed to lack of ownership. Who owns the AI agenda?" “The organisations taking the lead are those who recognise AI is not a technology problem - it's a cross-functional opportunity that sits all across the executive functions. AI capability isn’t just about having specialists in the building. It’s about people across a business understanding where AI can genuinely make something better – whether that’s the customer experience, a product or an internal process – and where it can’t." “My advice to Scottish business leaders is simple: don’t start with an AI strategy, start by identifying the problems holding your business back. Then ask where AI could make a measurable difference, put the right people around those problems and prove the value. Then scale what works." “Scotland already understands that AI will matter to its competitiveness. The priority now should be turning that intent and investment into something tangible. Otherwise, we risk spending more on AI without closing the gap between adoption and achieving actual business value.”

Bath Rugby and St Austell Brewery have entered the next phase of their long-standing partnership, marked by major bar refurbishments across the Tribute Stand to elevate the matchday experience as the club enters the final quarter of the 2025/26 season. St Austell Brewery - Bath Rugby’s official beer partner since 2022 - has worked closely with the club to refresh key fan areas at their stadium known as The Rec, including redesigning two fully branded bars and updating wayfinding throughout the stand. The improvements give greater prominence to the St Austell Brewery’s award winning line up, featuring Tribute Pale Ale, korev lager, and Bath Rugby Stout - a new addition poured at the stadium from late 2025. The partnership continues a long-standing connection between Bath Rugby and the St Austell Brewery family, building on a relationship first established through Bath Ales’ sponsorship of the club in 2014. Since Bath Ales joined St Austell Brewery in 2016, that shared commitment to the South West and its rugby community has continued to grow. The bar upgrades form part of a wider investment from St Austell Brewery across The Rec which includes new digital screens in the Swift Half, boosting brand visibility and allowing for more dynamic content on matchdays. St Austell Brewery also remains the exclusive supplier of draught and bottled beer, lager and cider throughout the stadium. Dan Crabb, Sales and Distribution Director, St Austell Brewery, said: “We’re proud to continue building on our partnership with Bath Rugby. The Tribute Stand is an important space for both the club and supporters - the revamped bars give us a brilliant platform to showcase our beer brands whilst also backing local sport. With the season heading into its final stages, we’re excited to bring even more energy and great experiences to The Rec.” James Bibby, Commercial Director, Bath Rugby added: “St Austell Brewery has been a committed partner for many years, and their investment in the Tribute Stand and the Swift Half will make a noticeable difference to fans on matchdays. We’re delighted to take this next step together and further our shared ambition to keep improving the supporter experience at Bath Rugby.”

The Islay Spirits Company, producer of The Original Islay Rum and the island's first dedicated rum distillery, has agreed a distribution partnership with Kirsch Import, one of Germany's leading premium spirits importers. Under the agreement, Kirsch Import will take the brand’s core portfolio of rums into new accounts across Germany, building on the distillery's direct-to-consumer sales, which already ship domestically in the UK from its website. The core range comprises three expressions: The Original Islay Rum Barrel Aged rested in ex-peated Islay whisky casks; The Original Islay Rum Geal pure single white rum; and The Original Islay Rum Peat Spiced smoked over a peat fire. Islay is famous globally for its whisky, but rum has been made at The Islay Rum Distillery since production began in January 2022 in the restored Old Lemonade Factory in Port Ellen, led by head distiller and distillery manager Ben Inglis. In May this year, the distillery released its first single cask expression, The Original Islay Rum Sherry Wood, limited to 390 bottles. The German deal follows a run of international recognition for the business. The Original Islay Rum Barrel Aged took Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2026, scoring 98 points, won Gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2025, and was awarded 3-stars at Great Taste 2026, the world's largest food and drink awards, judged by more than 500 food and drink experts. Kirsch Import was founded in 1976 by Dieter Kirsch and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The family business, based near Bremen, is now run by second-generation Christoph Kirsch and supplies retailers and the hospitality trade across Germany with more than 4,500 spirits, including one of the country's most extensive whisky portfolios. Andrew Crook, Director at The Islay Spirits Company, said: “As a family-owned, independent business, we feel very closely aligned with the Kirsch Import team. They share our values in good, honest business and they have seen the magic of The Original Islay Rum." “Germany is one of the most knowledgeable spirits markets in the world, and its drinkers already have a deep affection for Islay whisky. Kirsch has spent 50 years earning the trust of that audience, and there's no better partner to introduce our rum to it.” Christoph Kirsch, Managing Director at Kirsch Import, said: "Fifty years in this business makes you careful about what you take on. We get offered a lot of rum and say no to most of it, but this is their own spirit, distilled in Port Ellen, not bought in and dressed up. Islay is home ground for us. We have sold whisky from that island to German drinkers for decades, so we know the audience will be curious about this one." For further information about The Original Islay Rum, visit here.

ScottishPower Renewables and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar have completed a major construction milestone at the £4 billion East Anglia THREE offshore windfarm, with all 95 foundations now installed off the Suffolk coast. Weighing in at 1,200-1,800 tonnes, standing 67-84 metres tall and with a diameter of up to 10.6 metres, the monopiles are the largest to be installed from a jack-up vessel in Europe. The installation of all 95 transition pieces – 20 metres in height, 8 metres in diameter and weighing more than 400 tonnes – has also been completed. With turbine installation already under way, offshore and onshore construction will continue at pace over the coming months, clearing the way for East Anglia THREE to become fully operational by the end of 2026, delivering 1.4GW of home-grown clean power to the UK. Charlie Jordan, ScottishPower Renewables CEO, said: “East Anglia THREE is our biggest windfarm ever and the completion of the foundation installation is a true engineering triumph. You only have to look at the numbers – more than 200,000 tonnes of steel anchored spot on into a seabed area the size of almost 43,000 football pitches – to get a sense of what we’ve achieved so far. It’s mind-blowing." “And there’s more to come as the installation of the 95 turbines, with huge 115-metre blades – the biggest built and used here in the UK ­– crosses the halfway mark and we move ever closer to bringing the windfarm’s 1.4GW of clean energy to life." “ScottishPower Renewables and Masdar are not just powering millions of homes with homegrown renewable electricity, we’re energising a cleaner, greener and more prosperous future for us all with almost £2 billion invested in the domestic supply chain, thousands of jobs supported during construction and around 100 jobs delivered during the windfarm’s lifetime. That’s not just delivering a positive impact, it’s creating a powerful legacy.” Husain Al Meer, Executive Director, Global Offshore Wind and UK at Masdar said: “The completion of foundation installation at East Anglia THREE is a significant milestone and a remarkable engineering achievement. It reflects the strength of our partnership with ScottishPower and the expertise of the project team and contractors, particularly Seaway7, who are working together to deliver one of the UK’s largest offshore windfarms." “East Anglia THREE is Masdar’s first 50:50 offshore wind joint venture in the UK and forms an important part of our long-term commitment to the UK offshore wind industry. With electricity demand accelerating, offshore wind will be essential to delivering affordable, home-grown power at scale. Once operational, East Anglia THREE will provide 1.4GW of clean energy, helping to meet rising demand and strengthen the UK’s energy security.” The foundation installation was delivered by Seaway7, with East Anglia THREE the first foundation installation campaign completed by its jack-up vessel, Seaway Ventus. Lloyd Duthie, CEO Seaway7 said: “We are proud to have supported ScottishPower Renewables and Masdar in reaching this important milestone for East Anglia THREE. The completion of the foundation installation campaign reflects the strength of collaboration and demonstrates what can be achieved when experienced teams work together with a shared commitment to delivering the energy transition." "With the foundations now in place, Seaway7 continues to progress the installation of inter-array cables to bring East Anglia THREE another step closer to delivering clean, reliable power to more than one million UK homes.” East Anglia THREE is the second project to be developed as part of Masdar and Iberdrola’s €15 billion strategic partnership and the first with ScottishPower in the UK. The almost £2 billion invested in the UK supply chain includes foundation design by Wood Thilsted, the manufacturing of the turbine blades at Siemens Gamesa’s factory in Hull, vessel charters from Norfolk-based NR Marine Services and OEG, and support from metocean and seabed consultants Partrac. East Anglia THREE is supporting 2,300 jobs during construction and will create around a hundred long-term roles in the East of England. Its 1.4GW capacity will produce enough homegrown clean power for more than 1.3 million homes, providing greater energy security for the UK.

PE-backed corporate restructuring firm Leonard Curtis has appointed Mark Hickford as Director in its London office, further strengthening the firm's restructuring and insolvency capability as it continues to grow its presence in the mid-market. Mark joins from EY-Parthenon, and brings over 15 years of experience advising boards, management teams and wider stakeholders, from mid-market businesses through to larger national and international organisations. A qualified accountant and an appointment taking Insolvency Practitioner, Mark’s experience spans a broad range of restructuring matters, including cash flow and liquidity reviews, insolvency options analysis, contingency planning, accelerated M&A and formal insolvency appointments. He has experience across a range of sectors including retail, higher education, real estate and automotive, and is also well versed in creditor-side roles, including law of property act (LPA) and fixed charge receiverships. Having worked closely throughout his career with lawyers, banks and asset-based lenders, these relationships will be central to his focus at Leonard Curtis. The appointment builds on a period of strong growth and reflects the firm’s continued ambition to attract senior talent, following the investment by PE house Pollen Street Capital last year. Alex Cadwallader, Director, said: " We are delighted that Mark has joined us. His approach and drive will be a great addition to our expanding restructuring team in London and across the group. In recent times we have delivered some significant and positive outcomes for our clients in this growing space and Mark will only add to our skillset and experience." Mark Hickford said: "Leonard Curtis is on a clear positive growth trajectory and is becoming increasingly prominent in the mid-market restructuring and insolvency space - I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of it." “After meeting with the team, I felt the business was a great fit for me. It was clear this was somewhere I could make a difference and help continue the momentum the business has built in recent years. I am looking forward to leading engagements and working with great clients on interesting situations."

eCapital UK, one of the UK's leading independent providers of invoice finance and asset-based lending solutions for growing SMEs, has appointed Camilla Woodrow as its new Head of HR, strengthening its focus on people and talent as the business grows. In her new role, Camilla will lead the HR function across the UK, partnering with the Senior Leadership Team to align the company’s people strategy and plans with its commercial objectives. She will have responsibility for the full employee lifecycle, with a focus on supporting business growth, and creating an exceptional colleague experience. Camilla brings 25 years of experience in Human Resources, including two decades in senior HR leadership roles where she has developed and delivered people strategies to support organisational success. Having worked with organisations including Glide UK and The HR Dept, she has extensive experience shaping and delivering people strategies that support business growth and performance. She has led cultural change, developed talent, and built high-performing teams. The appointment follows a period of sustained growth and success for eCapital UK. Over the past three years, the business has increased funds advanced to clients by 46%, grown its client base by more than 32%, and expanded into larger, more sophisticated funding facilities of up to £6 million, helping more small and mid-sized businesses access the flexible working capital they need to invest, expand and build resilience. As the business has grown, so has the importance of attracting, developing and retaining the talent needed to support its ambitions. Commenting on her appointment, Camilla Woodrow, Head of HR at eCapital UK, said: “eCapital UK is an ambitious and growing business with a strong focus on its people and its future. I’m delighted to be joining the team at such an exciting time and look forward to working with colleagues across the business to build on the great foundations already in place. My focus will be on ensuring our people strategy continues to support our commercial ambitions, while creating an environment where colleagues can thrive and deliver their best work.” Lisa Cleaver, Chief Operating Officer at eCapital Commercial Finance UK, said: “We are delighted to welcome Camilla to eCapital UK at a pivotal stage in our growth journey. Her breadth of HR leadership experience and proven ability to develop effective people strategies will be invaluable as we continue to scale our business." "Camilla’s appointment reinforces our commitment to investing in our people and ensuring we have the right culture, capabilities and support in place to achieve our ambitions.”

“Community Routes is removing barriers and opening doors, and I’m proud to support that mission.” – Nikki Tapper MBE Helping emerging artists get a foothold in the creative industries is something former award-winning BBC radio presenter Nikki Tapper MBE is passionate about. Tapper has been announced as one of the mentors for Birmingham’s Community Routes programme, commencing next week. Now a successful presenter, events host and podcaster, she will be bringing a lifetime of experience in broadcasting and education, to inspire young creatives, many from diverse backgrounds as part of the multi-platform residency. Community Routes is also designed to remove barriers that stop young people entering creative careers - particularly those who are developing their craft outside mainstream pathways. Organised by Punch Records, the intensive week-long programme offers a new FREE programme packed with workshops, mentorship and a residency dedicated to equip the next generation of young creative professionals in the West Midlands with the skills and support that they need to thrive in the Creative Industries. It is particularly supporting the next wave of DJs, vocalists, broadcasters, photographers and digital artists. A familiar voice on local radio for more than two decades, Nikki has fronted a host of regional shows, including Gospel Lounge, Chat Back and, more recently, Sunday Night With Nikki Tapper. She is now continuing to make a name for herself as an established events and awards host, trainer and facilitator through her company Nikki Tapper Ltd. Last year she received an MBE for Services to Broadcasting and the Community of the West Midlands, recognising more than a quarter of a century working in both the broadcasting and teaching fields. Nikki said: “I'm really excited to be a mentor and part of CR 2026. Young people are being given the opportunity to develop their creative skills while exploring entrepreneurship, enterprise, and the professional etiquette that helps them thrive — all alongside vital support around wellbeing and resilience." “As someone who has worked for many years as a radio presenter, broadcaster and interviewer, I know how powerful it is when young people from diverse, global majority backgrounds are given space to grow. Too often, they don’t get the same access to opportunities within the creative industries - opportunities to build their own businesses, understand the professional landscape and develop at the same level, or even higher, than their peers." “If I can come alongside a young person who can benefit from my experience and help them step confidently into their future, then I’m truly blessed to play a part. Community Routes is removing barriers and opening doors, and I’m proud to support that mission.” Nikki will be delivering three one-to-one, teaching presenting, interviewing, and storytelling techniques while getting them hands-on with studio equipment. The sessions will provide guidance on soft skills essential for gaining a foothold in the radio broadcast industry and help them to build their professional, networking techniques, taking first steps towards building a strong professional network. She will also support the development of young artists' resilience, self-reliance, and industry understanding. The programme, which is supported by The National Lottery Fund, culminates, in Northampton on August 29th, with The Shambala Festival. Bradley Morrison, Head of Marketing and Communications at Punch Records, said: “Community Routes is a huge opportunity for aspiring creatives in Birmingham. The residency - if you’re one of the chosen ones on this year’s programme - is a chance to fast track your skills, learn from the best and hottest creatives in the industry and get noticed within your chosen industry. It is a major springboard for your career.” For 2026, Community Routes participants will have the opportunity to take their work onto a major independent festival platform, with a paid performance opportunity at Shambala Festival 2026. Find out more about Community Routes visit here.

From smartphone navigation to climate research, the demand for fast, high-quality satellite data continues to grow. A new facility for this future technology is now being developed in Berlin: German-American space company Planet Labs is building a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for satellite components and telescopes in Berlin-Charlottenburg. Drees & Sommer, a global consulting company specializing in real estate, infrastructure, and industry, is providing project management services for the ambitious project. The new site will comprise approximately 5,000 square meters of laboratory, cleanroom and office space for the assembly, integration and testing of next-generation satellites. At the heart of the facility are highly specialized ISO Class 6 and Class 7 cleanrooms. Here, Planet Labs will manufacture and test high-tech components for its new Pelican satellites. The technology delivers high-resolution imagery at short intervals, providing users with near real-time access to critical data. This makes changes on Earth visible much faster – whether in the case of natural disasters, environmental developments or infrastructure projects. The level of detail enables users to detect damage to bridges, dams and energy infrastructure, for example. The data also helps document marine pollution and assess the impacts of climate change, wildfires and flooding. Martin Polak, Managing Director of Planet Labs Germany commented: “The expansion of our European headquarters through the creation of our new European Space Hub in Berlin marks an important milestone in Planet’s European growth strategy. Our European Space Hub brings together satellite manufacturing, engineering, mission operations and business operations under one roof. This will help us turn innovation into operational capabilities more quickly while strengthening Europe’s long-term technological and industrial capabilities in space.” Teamwork across continents The project is highly complex. To create the new manufacturing and laboratory environment, international project teams in Germany and the United States are working closely together across multiple time zones. Drees & Sommer is responsible for overall project management, including cost, schedule and quality management throughout all project phases. Its services also include technical consulting, coordination of all planning and construction stakeholders, and interface management to ensure optimal alignment of the laboratory, cleanroom and production requirements. Rojda Emre, Team Lead at Drees & Sommer said: “With highly specialized facilities and ambitious timelines, success depends on the precise coordination of all parties involved. Our experience with laboratory, cleanroom and high-tech manufacturing projects ensures that ambitious quality targets, project schedules and technical requirements are brought together successfully.” A good example is the cleanroom environment: Drees & Sommer coordinates all trades to ensure that factors such as humidity, temperature and particle concentration consistently meet the stringent requirements of satellite manufacturing. This enables Planet Labs to assemble and test components such as sensors, electronics and optical systems, including telescopes and cameras, under tightly controlled conditions before they begin their journey into space. Berlin as a hub for the European space industry Founded in 2010 in San Francisco by three former NASA scientists, Planet Labs is now listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The company has maintained its European headquarters on Berlin’s Kurfürstendamm for more than a decade. It is now expanding its workforce in the German capital from around 150 employees by adding up to 70 new positions. In 2025, Planet Labs signed a €240 million satellite intelligence contract with the German federal government. Planet Labs operates the world’s largest Earth observation satellite fleet. Applications range from monitoring supply chains and agricultural land to analyzing refugee movements during humanitarian crises. The satellite data can also support civil security and defense applications, including the identification of military installations. One notable example dates back to August 2022, when Planet Labs’ satellite data helped identify the causes of the massive fish die-off in the Oder River. Using the data, experts discovered elevated chlorophyll concentrations near the Polish city of Opole as early as the previous month. “The earlier environmental changes are detected, the sooner appropriate countermeasures can be taken,” emphasizes Martin Polak. “Our satellites provide the critical information needed to make that possible.” New markets: The race for space Planet Labs’ project in Berlin reflects a broader global trend. As demand grows for satellites, launch systems and robotics for space missions, the New Space economy is emerging as a major growth market. According to a recent Roland Berger study, the global space market is expected to quadruple by 2040, growing from around €500 billion today to €2 trillion. The study identifies investments in highly specialized facilities such as the one in Berlin as a prerequisite for Europe to secure its long-term position in the market. It argues that Germany will need a new mindset and greater enthusiasm for the opportunities offered by New Space if it is to compete successfully with the United States and China. “The New Space industry requires highly specialized facilities, including cleanrooms and laboratories that meet the industry's most demanding standards,” says Rojda Emre. “With our expertise, we are committed to helping shape these future-ready environments – from site analysis and concept development through to implementation and commissioning.” Photo: From wildfires to marine pollution: Planet Labs will manufacture satellites in Berlin-Charlottenburg that make global changes visible in near real time. © Planet Labs Germany GmbH

Lidl GB has announced a £500 million sourcing investment in the British berry industry, pledging to increase the volume of UK-grown berries amid rising demand for healthy, home-grown produce. The investment reflects the value of sourcing contracts with British-based berry suppliers over the next five years, with the discounter signing new five-year agreements to give its suppliers greater certainty to invest and expand at a time of rising costs and unpredictable weather. With Lidl GB now the UK’s fifth largest supermarket, announcement underscores its continued focus on building long-term partnerships with British suppliers to offer its customers the quality locally sourced products they demand. It also reflects the discounter's significant over index in the category after reporting the largest year-on-year increase in berry sales last year and being recognised at the British Berry Retailer of the Year. According to the supermarket, there is a growing demand for fresh, healthy foods among shoppers. Blueberries in particular are becoming one of Britain’s fastest-growing fruit categories, with Lidl seeing sales of British blueberries surge by more than 200% over the last three years. Blackberries are also seeing strong growth, increasing by almost 93% over the same period, while Lidl GB’s Deluxe Blush Strawberries saw a 50% volume increase last year. Richard Bourns, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl GB, said: "We are backing British farming with a £500million vote of confidence in our British berry growers. By extending our long-term agreements, we’re providing the security suppliers need to build a resilient future." “It is our clear ambition to be the first-choice partner for British growers. By building a framework providing long-term security, we enable our growers to confidently invest, innovate and scale alongside us. And by investing in these partnerships we are making fresh, healthy produce more accessible to our customers - offering the best British berries at unbeatable prices.” Commenting on the announcement, Tom Busby, Director from Dearnsdale Farm said: “We have been farming Dearnsdale Farm in Staffordshire for 100 years, producing quality British produce to feed the nation. Dearnsdale Fruit is proud to have a strong, open, collaborative relationship with Lidl GB with a focus to provide Lidl’s customers the best quality, affordable, sustainable berries in the market today." "Now we have a long-term agreement with Lidl GB, this will give us as a British grower the opportunity and confidence to continue to invest and adapt in the everchanging world of berries into the next century.” British Berry Growers Chair, Nick Marston, said: “Over the last three years, we have been impressed by the increase in Lidl’s British berry volumes, from around 11,500 tonnes in 2023 to more than 15,700 tonnes in 2025 – an increase of more than 36% in just two seasons. Across strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, Lidl now accounts for around 12.6% of all British berry tonnage sold through British Berry Growers members." “This kind of retailer investment and commitment to British berries is exactly what our growers need and, as we head into another British berry season, that continued support for homegrown produce is more important than ever.” This long-term sourcing builds on Lidl GB's landmark £30 billion sourcing commitment to the British food and farming industry by 2030, to back a resilient, ethical, sustainable British supply chain.

eCapital UK, one of the UK's leading independent providers of invoice finance and asset-based lending solutions for growing SMEs, has appointed John Nelson as Managing Director, UK, as it continues to expand the business. The appointment follows a period of sustained growth and success for eCapital UK. Over the past three years, the business has increased funds advanced to clients by 46%, grown its client base by more than 32%, and expanded into larger, more sophisticated funding facilities of up to £6 million, helping more businesses access the flexible working capital they need to invest, expand and build resilience. John joins eCapital with almost four decades’ experience in financial services, having held senior leadership roles across Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Investec. This includes almost two decades specialising in receivables finance and asset-based lending. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership positions spanning corporate banking, risk, portfolio management and commercial leadership, building a strong reputation for delivering sustainable growth and leading high-performing teams. John will assume the role of Managing Director, UK, working alongside David Tilling, who will transition from CEO to become Executive Chair over the coming months. The planned transition will ensure continuity of leadership, with David focusing on the long-term strategic direction of the business, its culture and its partnership with eCapital’s US parent company. John will lead the day-to-day operations of the UK business, working with the executive team to deliver the company's growth ambitions, enhance client experience and drive continued growth across its specialist funding solutions. As part of the leadership transition, John will also join the UK Board. The appointment comes at a time when many SMEs face a widening funding gap, with traditional lenders retrenching from parts of the market and businesses increasingly seeking more flexible sources of working capital. David Tilling, Executive Chair at eCapital UK, commented: "John is an exceptional leader with extensive experience across financial services and a deep understanding of the receivables finance and asset-based lending market. His strategic insight, commercial expertise and collaborative leadership style make him the ideal person to lead the UK business through its next chapter. His appointment reflects continuity rather than change. Our strategy, commitment to the market and focus on delivering exceptional outcomes for clients and introducers remain firmly in place." “We’ve built tremendous momentum in recent years by supporting more businesses and expanding the scale and sophistication of the funding solutions we provide. As I transition into the role of Executive Chair, I do so with complete confidence that John and the leadership team will build on this success and deliver the next stage of our growth strategy." John Nelson, Managing Director at eCapital UK added: "I am delighted to be joining eCapital UK at such an exciting point in its journey. The business has established an excellent reputation in the market, underpinned by a talented team, strong client relationships and the backing of a strong parent." "There is a significant opportunity to continue growing our presence in the UK by helping more businesses access the flexible funding they need to thrive. Developing relationships with valued introducers will also remain a key focus as the business continues to expand. I look forward to working with colleagues across the business to build on the company's success and deliver the next phase of growth."

Working collaboratively with their very own design team, Vogue Williams has launched her own 6-rug collection with one of the UK and Ireland’s leading online homeware brands, Kukoon. After viewing hundreds of rugs, Vogue personally narrowed down her collection to just six, choosing a combination of both classic and trending styles with an aim to suit every type of home. Four of the rugs are even washable, making them perfect for pets, kids and busy lifestyles. The Kukoon x Vogue Williams collection launches at 9am on Friday 14th August, with prices starting from as little as just £30. Speaking on her own home style and the collection, Vogue says: “I keep coming back to one thing that just ties a room together... A rug. Genuinely. Get the rug right and the whole room just lands.” “I’ve created a collection of 6 rugs with Kukoon that will transform your space. Honestly? I am so proud of them. Every single one brings something different to your home.” Kukoon is a family-run brand led by co-founder Clare Vallely, who, alongside her brother Paul, transformed their father’s rug market business into one of the UK and Ireland’s leading online homeware brands. Speaking on the collaboration, Vallely shares: “I have always admired Vogue’s interior design taste. After organically coming across images of Vogue’s gorgeous revamped Irish home I knew I had to reach out and see if there was a chance to collaborate." "Vogue has an incredibly keen eye for home interiors and that really shone through in her choices for this collection. We’re so proud of this Kukoon X Vogue Williams launch and can’t wait to share it with our customers.”