Business

Royal Mail has announced it will double its apprenticeship support for small businesses, gifting another £1 million of its levy to help SMEs upskill their workforce. The move follows the success of its first £1m funding round, which was oversubscribed earlier this year. The new funding is open to SMEs with up to 250 employees that sell products online. It …

PPE Medpro has been ordered to repay nearly £122 million to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) after losing its High Court case over the supply of sterile gowns during the Covid-19 pandemic. The company’s principal backer, Doug Barrowman, has responded with a blistering statement accusing the government of political scapegoating and the court of delivering a “travesty …

Cash from the £1.5 Billion government-backed commercial loan to support Jaguar Land Rover’s supply chain is not reaching smaller suppliers quickly enough, raising fears that many SMEs could collapse before funds filter through. The warning came during a webinar hosted by audit and advisory firm Crowe, where participants highlighted the growing crisis facing UK automotive. ‘Worse than COVID-19’ for many …

British brands are failing to unlock an estimated $10 billion in value by relying too heavily on short-term marketing tactics and struggling to differentiate themselves, according to the latest Kantar BrandZ Top 75 Most Valuable UK Brands report. Globally, brand contributes 33% of company value on average, but in the UK that figure slips to 29%, highlighting a significant gap …

London’s business community is facing a new and costly challenge. A recent surge in bed bug infestations has created significant headaches for landlords, property managers and small business owners across the capital. From rental flats to serviced apartments and boutique hotels, infestations are spreading faster than many can contain — and the financial consequences are mounting. Reports of bed bugs …

Imagine a holiday where breathtaking scenery, dramatic coastlines, and timeless traditions come together in perfect harmony. Few destinations bring this vision to life like the Norwegian Fjords. With their towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and tranquil villages, the fjords stand among the most awe-inspiring natural wonders on Earth. MSC Cruises offers a unique opportunity to explore these magnificent waterways in style. …

Justin Knox, pest control expert, has spent his life immersed in the world of pest management, carrying forward a family tradition that now spans four generations. His first experience came at the age of 12, when he spent school holidays working in the family business. From helping with termite treatments to maintaining the office grounds, he quickly learnt the value …

When you meet Jacobo Husny Hanono, the first thing you notice is his energy. Born in Mexico City, Jacobo has spent his life testing limits, whether on the racecourse or in business. “I ran many international marathons, and I also did Ironman competitions,” he recalls. “Those experiences taught me that consistency is everything.” For Jacobo, discipline in sports shaped discipline …

Sean Knox is a fourth-generation leader in the pest control industry, carrying forward a family tradition that began in Atlanta in the 1920s. What started as a small venture has grown into Knox Pest Control, a regional company with 18 offices across the Southeast, serving more than 90,000 customers and employing over 225 team members. Sean’s journey began early, working …

Rumour has it that Rachel Reeves is limbering up for November with a Budget that will make the taxman’s quill squeak like a stuck pig. Property, pensions, profits, pasties — all grist to the Exchequer’s mill. The Treasury is leaving no stone unturned, no pocket unpicked, no cupboard unopened. The only thing, one suspects, that remains miraculously safe from her …