-
2 weeks ago | 
thebusinessdesk.com | Alex Turner
Home / South West / Markets / The Property Franchise Group doubles profits in ‘truly transformational year’ The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) doubled profits in a year dominated by its merger with Belvoir and acquisition of GPEA. The deals resulted in the Bournemouth-headquartered group having nearly 2,000 branches operating under 18 brands including Fine & Country, Hunters, and Mr and Mrs Clarke. It also manages more than 150,000 rental properties. TPFG chief executive Gareth Samples said...
-
2 weeks ago | 
thebusinessdesk.com | Alex Turner
Home / South West / Markets / Increasing number of 18-year-olds puts student developer on track to hit expected grades Student housing group Unite is “on track” to achieve its targets in what is expected to be a busier year for university applications. A growing population of 18-year-olds and “improving trends” in international student underpin Unite’s confidence despite a shift towards later bookings. Joe Lister, Unite Students chief executive, said: “Reservations have accelerated in recent...
-
3 weeks ago | 
thebusinessdesk.com | Alex Turner
Home / South West / Markets / Cornish Metals agrees land deal with Cornwall Council Cornish Metals has bought a 4.5-acre site from Cornwall Council as it looks to expand its South Crofty site.
-
3 weeks ago | 
thebusinessdesk.com | Alex Turner
An entrepreneurial team based at the University of Leeds won a pitch competition that recognised the huge commercial potential of their idea. Switchdye has created a scalable way to tackle sustainability challenges in textile dyeing which can use existing machinery and processes and so offers a highly-scalable solution to an industry challenge that is being accelerated by European legislation.
-
3 weeks ago | 
thebusinessdesk.com | Alex Turner
Home / West Midlands / Deals / Aston Martin to sell stake in Formula One team Aston Martin is to sell its £74m minority investment in the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One team as part of its plans to increase the luxury car maker’s liquidity. The consortium led by the group’s executive chairman Lawrence Stroll is to commit a further £52.5m into the business. The investment is priced at a 7% premium to Friday’s closing share price, and takes the consortium’s stake up to one-third of the...
-
3 weeks ago | 
thebusinessdesk.com | Alex Turner
Home / South West / Deals / WHSmith’s High Street stores to become TGJones in £76m deal WHSmith has sold its High Street business to Modella Capital in a £76m deal that will see the stores rebranded as TGJones. All 480 stores, its Swindon based Support Centre, and 5,000 employees will move over to Modella, which already owns Hobbycraft. WHSmith’s strategy has been to become a global travel retailer. It was already generating 75% of its revenue and 85% of its trading profits from sites in...
-
4 weeks ago | 
thebusinessdesk.com | Alex Turner
Home / East Midlands / Markets / Microlise drives results to record levels Transport technology provider Microlise drove its results to record levels in a year which it was able to avoid being damaged from a cyber security incident. Adjusted profits were up 16%, to £6.5m, while revenues rose 11% to £79.5m. Nadeem Raza, chief executive of Microlise, said: “Microlise delivered record performance in FY24, exceeding market expectations in cash levels and adjusted EBITDA which is reflective of our...
-
4 weeks ago | 
thebusinessdesk.com | Alex Turner
Home / Yorkshire / Financial Services / Digital and data investment results in dip in Shawbrook’s profits Shawbrook’s profits dipped last year as it committed “substantial investment in digital and data” to drive long-term growth. The specialist bank’s underlying pre-tax profits were 3% lower at £294m, although it built momentum with profitability improving during the second half of 2024. Shawbrook Group’s chief executive Marcelino Castrillo is confident there is “significant potential for...
-
4 weeks ago | 
thebusinessdesk.com | Alex Turner
Home / East Midlands / Latest News / Chancellor relies on defence as OBR cuts this year’s growth forecast Chancellor Rachel Reeves is backing the UK to become a “defence industrial superpower” as she balances the need to drive economic growth in a changing world. The importance of defence was weaved through her Spring Statement, which gave no ground but rarely sought to expand on previous positions. However the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has cut its forecast from 2% to 1% for the...
-
4 weeks ago | 
thebusinessdesk.com | Alex Turner
Home / West Midlands / Latest News / Chancellor relies on defence as OBR cuts this year’s growth forecast Chancellor Rachel Reeves is backing the UK to become a “defence industrial superpower” as she balances the need to drive economic growth in a changing world. The importance of defence was weaved through her Spring Statement, which gave no ground but rarely sought to expand on previous positions. However the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has cut its forecast from 2% to 1% for the...
