Monthly Archives: August 2023

News

LiveMore’s new product solution creates a new wave of financial options for consumers

Equity Release Supermarket (ERS), the UK’s No.1 independent equity release advisory service, have partnered with later life mortgage experts, LiveMore, to provide a new, and first of its kind, solution for consumers.

LiveMore Property+ is a new lifetime mortgage that aims to broaden the accessibility of equity release for those that may not have been eligible previously due to specific features about their property, namely spray foam.

Frustratingly and for several years, the equity release underwriting process on property criteria has been restricted by lenders and their inflexible attitude compared to the mainstream mortgage market.

“Theoretically, spray foam insulation sounds like a great way to protect your home from the cold weather given that it’s a higher-end insulation option that’s been on the market for over 30 years. However, when it comes to financing a property, whether that’s for re-mortgaging purposes, buying a new home, or applying for equity release it can present a serious issue, and often a barrier to entry.

 

“This has greatly affected thousands of property owners in the UK, especially due to current household energy prices, whereby many homeowners have utilised spray foam to help with insulation in an attempt to reduce their fuel bills, only to result in wider financial support issues.” Commented Mark Gregory, Founder and CEO – Equity Release Supermarket.

 

It is estimated that over 250,000 homes in the UK have spray foam insulation according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). However, due to the risks it can pose to the structural integrity of the property, it can often be viewed as a risk for lenders when looking to secure loans on a property such as a mortgage.

Now, in partnership with LiveMore, who specialise in mortgages for those aged between 50 and 90, Equity Release Supermarket bring to consumers LiveMore Property+ – a new lifetime mortgage that aims to broaden the accessibility of equity release and break down the barriers to entry.

 

Mark added: “LiveMore started lending in 2020 and was one of the prominent Retirement Interest Only Mortgage (RIO) adversaries. Since then, LiveMore have added Term Interest Only (TIO) and Capital and Interest mortgages to their range, plus more recently launched into the Lifetime Mortgage market. Using their experience from the mainstream mortgage market they have adopted a more flexible underwriting approach to effectively disrupt the equity release industry. We’re delighted to work alongside them in bringing to market, and to our clients, the new LiveMore Property+ plan, offering a far more flexible underwriting approach than the standard lifetime mortgages currently available.”

The amount consumers can borrow through Livemore Property+ is based on the age of the youngest applicant and the property value, with the focal appeal being that it can accept applications from properties that currently have spray foam insulation in their roof. Where the LiveMore Property+ plan differs is stipulating the spray foam must be removed after the release of funds. Therefore, homeowners with insufficient savings to pay for the spray foam removal upfront, can have the work completed within 90 days after receiving their equity release money.

The product also covers many other areas that, until now, had made it impossible to release equity, with inclusions such as proximity to commercial property, flood zones, service charge and ground rents, and construction types for example.

 

“For those who may have previously been turned down for equity release due to features such as spray foam on their property, it is worth reengaging with an independent equity release adviser to explore options now available with this new solution.” said Mark.

LiveMore Property+ is available to consumers via Equity Release Supermarket.

Animals, News, Retirement, Travel

Unlock year-round adventures by becoming a home and pet sitter

Working flexibly as a homesitter is a great way to make the most of the warm summer months, as well as escape for some cosy winter getaways in a role that involves taking care of people’s homes and pets when they go away.

The UK’s leading home and pet sitting company, Homesitters Ltd is encouraging people to sign up to become homesitters as they are experiencing growing demand for their services as more people are travelling again and want someone to look after their home and pets.

 

Ben Irvine, Director of Operations at Homesitters Ltd said: “For retirees or those working part-time or flexibly from home, who want some adventures and to travel more, home and pet sitting can be the answer. It’s flexible, can fit around other commitments and allows people to visit new places without the cost of hotel or bed and breakfast accommodation.

“Our homesitters love the homesitting lifestyle with many choosing to spend the summer months taking on lots of assignments and making the most of the holiday season, whilst others choose to only do assignments in the winter as they enjoy holidaying themselves in the summer.

“Homesitters are paid a modest remuneration, reimbursed for mileage when they travel to and from an assignment, and receive a daily food allowance, so it can be an inexpensive way to see more of the UK while earning some extra money in the process. Those doing assignments in the winter can make savings on their home utilities bills too.”

 

Ellen Hart is a former orthopaedic nurse from Berkshire who has been enjoying homesitting since she retired. She has been providing top-notch care for homes and pets, and is a shining example of how homesitting can be a fulfilling and rewarding year-round role.

Ellen’s first assignment involved looking after a labradoodle puppy, a dog, a cat, five bantam hens, a cockerel and a rabbit – it was a great success and she hasn’t looked back since. She now has more than 60 assignments under her belt.

Explaining why the role appeals Ellen says, “I wanted to do something useful and interesting when I retired.  Since becoming a homesitter I have stayed in gorgeous properties ranging from beautiful townhouses to characterful thatched cottages and met some lovely people.

“The assignments are varied, sometimes there are animals and in other cases, the owners want someone to look after their home while they’re away for security reasons and to let in the cleaners and gardeners.

“I am lucky that I love driving which has meant that I have taken on assignments in many different locations including Kent, Hampshire and London. Looking after cats is my favourite thing.  I love making sure they are happy and we have great fun together.

“A real highlight is going back to repeat clients as it’s like a home from home, you know where everything is and the animals are so happy to see you again.  Some clients even leave little treats for me such as chocolates, special teas or nice cheeses – one lady even made me a ‘pamper bag’ which was really thoughtful.”

 

Ben Irvine adds: “Ellen’s experience shows how homesitting can be a fantastic way to spend the summer or winter months. Whether you’re a retiree like Ellen or someone seeking a rewarding seasonal opportunity, it’s the chance to have new experiences and create memories looking after beloved pets and homes. We’re currently recruiting so urge people who think they may be suitable to apply.”

 

To find out what it takes to be a homesitter and to apply, visit: www.homesitters.co.uk

Appointments, News, Property

My Future Living strengthens regional presence with three new property managers

Retirement living brand, My Future Living has recently appointed three new, highly experienced property managers in key regions: the South East; Midlands and North; and South West and Wales, as the firm continues to grow as people increasingly recognise the benefits of renting in retirement.

 

Frances Clarkson is the new Property Manager for the South East and brings a wealth of experience. She joins from Whitton & Laing where she was block and apartment manager, after relocating back to Devon from working in London for many years.

She worked at the Howard de Walden Estate, the freehold owner of 92 acres of Marylebone, in central London, as a residential manager, and also at Blenheims Estate and Asset Management Limited in Kensington.

 

In the South West and Wales, Melanie Mason is the new Property Manager, after four successful years in block management at Whitton & Laing. Prior to this Melanie had an 18-month break, to follow her dream of being a Chalet Host in the Alps.

Melanie began her career in the lettings industry in 2010 training as a negotiator, before passing her technical award with ARLA to become a lettings manager. Melanie is also a Cordon Bleu trained chef and a bookkeeper, and has owned hotels in Lyme Regis and Paignton before moving into property.

 

Matthew Thorne has been promoted to the new Property Manager for the Midlands and North, after working as Repairs and Maintenance Manager with My Future Living since 2021. Prior to this he worked for Girlings Retirement Rentals joining as Repairs and Maintenance Administrator, and quickly progressing to Manager, where he gained his ARLA technical award.

He also worked at Somerset County Council as a Community Support Worker for many years, which provided him with the skills required to empathise and support older customers, something of huge value for his future career in retirement property

 

Dominic Stead, Property Director at My Future Living said  “We’re thrilled to welcome Frances, Melanie and Matthew to the property management team at a key time for our retirement rental business which is expanding throughout the UK, as more older people are waking up to the benefits that renting in a friendly community later life can bring.

“All three are responsible for managing a growing portfolio of properties in their areas, and leading a small team focused on delivering positive outcomes for our customers. They all bring a huge amount of expertise, dedication and professionalism to their role and we wish them every success.”

 

My Future Living is dedicated to creating vibrant and friendly communities where residents can enjoy their retirement years to the fullest.  They offer rental apartments in retirement developments throughout the UK for over 55s to live independently. Apartments are available on an assured ‘lifetime’ tenancy, so people can stay as long as they wish, as long as they keep to the terms of their lease.

Developments benefit from landscaped gardens, a communal lounge to socialise in plus a 24-hour emergency alarm system in each apartment and an onsite manager on duty. Most organise activities and events so people can feel part of an active and sociable community.

To find out more visit www.myfutureliving.co.uk

Appointments, News, Tech

Frank Leymann is Named First WSO2 Technology Fellow

WSO2’s highest technical rank recognises Frank Leymann for his extensive software innovations and their global impact

WSO2, the leader in digital transformation technology, today announced that Prof. Dr Frank Leymann has been named the first WSO2 Technology Fellow, the highest technical rank in the company. The title recognises the global impact that Frank has made through his technical innovations and leadership in working with WSO2, software industry groups, governments, and universities, among others. To date, Frank has earned 43,000-plus technical citations, and he is the co-author of more than 500 peer-reviewed papers, some 70 patents, and several industry standards.

The WSO2 Technology Fellows Program was introduced in 2023 to honour individuals who have not only made exceptional technical contributions to WSO2 but also have earned recognition as a global-scale authority in a technical field of practice. Honourees are appointed by a committee of peers within WSO2 that includes the CEO, senior technical executives, and any current Technology Fellows.

“I have had the privilege of knowing Frank since we first began collaborating on web services standards in 1999. His contributions to software standards have helped to fundamentally change the way organisations create, integrate, and deliver applications,” said Dr Sanjiva Weerawarana, WSO2 founder and CEO. “Frank has also played a strategic role in evolving our software for developing and delivering digital experiences. As our first Technology Fellow, he is an exceptional candidate without parallel in WSO2.”

 

Prior to becoming a WSO2 Technology Fellow, Frank Leymann served as a consultant architect at WSO2 for nearly a decade. Additionally, Frank has been a full professor of computer science at the University of Stuttgart, Germany since 2004, where he is also the founder and director of the Institute of Architecture of Application Systems. His research interests include middleware, cloud computing and associated systems management aspects, quantum computing, and pattern languages.

Prior to joining the university, Frank served in software development roles at IBM for two decades where he was appointed an IBM distinguished engineer and became an elected member of the IBM Academy of Technology. During his tenure at IBM, he contributed to software products, such as DB2, WebSphere and the MQSeries. Frank also was the main co-inventor and chief software architect of IBM’s business process management and workflow products.

Frank has been recognised for his technical contributions by leading technical, scientific, academic and government organisations: He is an elected member of the Academy of Europe, as well as a fellow at both the Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association (AAIA) and Center of Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST). He also earned appointments as a member of the Expert Council for Quantum Computing of the German Government and a Kurt Gödel visiting professor for Quantum Computing at TU Wien.

 

“One of the things that has always attracted me to WSO2 is the team’s willingness to challenge established software practices and take a fresh approach to solving enterprises’ evolving requirements. So, it is a particular honour to be recognised as a WSO2 Technology Fellow,” said Frank. “In my new role, I am excited to continue working with my colleagues at WSO2 in re-evaluating and reshaping software for the needs of today and tomorrow.”

 

About WSO2

Founded in 2005, WSO2 enables thousands of enterprises, including hundreds of the world’s largest corporations, top universities, and governments, to drive their digital transformation journeys—executing more than 60 trillion transactions and managing over 1 billion identities annually. Using WSO2 for API management, integration, and customer identity and access management (CIAM), these organisations are harnessing the full power of their APIs to securely deliver their digital services and applications. Our open-source, API-first approach to software that runs on-premises and in the cloud helps developers and architects to be more productive and rapidly compose digital products to meet demand while remaining free from vendor lock-in. WSO2 has over 900 employees worldwide with offices in Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the UK, and the US. Visit https://wso2.com to learn more.

Trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

Appointments, News

Ecoserv Group Expands Executive Team

Stephen Jones and Jim Humphrey have joined the executive team of sustainable commercial cleaning specialist Ecoserv Group, as well as both becoming shareholders in the business. Stephen Jones will take on the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO), while Jim Humphrey will be responsible for key accounts and procurement as a Shareholding Director.

As COO, Stephen Jones will be responsible for overseeing the company’s operations and providing strategic direction for business activities, in line with the organisation’s growth and financial plans. He has gained extensive experience in housekeeping, industrial factory cleaning, and post-construction cleaning in the building sector having managed Ecoserv Group’s southwest region since 2021.

Jim Humphrey joined Ecocleen in 2016 as the Regional Director for the Southwest franchise, having had a 20-year career in the police service. He sold his business in 2021 but remained at the rebranded Ecoserv Group business in a client relationship and sales position. In his new role, he will continue to provide operational, HR, sales support to the southwest region in addition to his key accounts and procurement focus.

Jean-Henri Beukes, CEO of Ecoserv Group commented: “Stephen and Jim bring a wealth of contract cleaning experience, so we are delighted they have joined the executive team. They have both made considerable contributions to the business in the southwest region and their good practice expertise will add significant value to the wider group moving forward.”

News, Pensions

Smart Pension partners with Punter Southall to launch ‘Pension Potential’ annuity comparison tool to 1m plus members

Smart Pension, one of the UK’s leading workplace pension providers, has selected Punter Southall’s Pension Potential annuity comparison tool to help its million-plus members maximise their retirement savings and make informed decisions about researching, comparing and buying annuities.

Smart Pension, which manages more than £4bn in assets on behalf of more than one million UK savers and provides pensions to over 70,000 employers, now offers the tool to its members to guide them through every annuity on the market and understand what it means for them personally. The Pension Potential tool launched this week.

Punter Southall developed its Pension Potential tool in anticipation of the growing demand for online solutions. In a few clicks, it lays out every annuity on the market on an individualised basis. The news comes at a time when increased interest rates have shone a brighter focus on the rising value of annuities as part of retirement planning.

Smart Pension’s defined contribution master trust, has expanded by more than 2,000 per cent over the last four years. Its technology gives members a digital-first experience and makes it easier for employers to set up a workplace pension with automated steps.

 

Eve Read, Senior Director of Strategic Delivery at Smart Pension said: “The nature of retirement is changing and fast. We know people want to be in control of their finances, but rising interest rates and rising costs of living are changing the landscape for many savers approaching their retirement. We are continuing to build on our award-winning retirement proposition, Smart Retire, so our members have flexibility and control in retirement, and are helped in making important decisions to ensure they are using their money in the best way.

“Retirement is complex and people need help if they are to make the most of their savings. Annuities now play a more important role in retirees’ financial management and we believe it’s important to provide our members with a full market annuity broking service. We’re delighted to be partnering with Punter Southall to launch this new service to our members, so members can make the most of their well-earned retirement pots and maintain flexibility and control in retirement.”

 

Steve Butler, chief executive of Punter Southall’s Aspire business, said: “We’re delighted that Smart Pension has recognised what we’ve developed is in harmony with their approach, the needs of their clients and the aspirations of their members.

“For decades, we have strived to make pensions clearer and easier for everyone. In this case, savers can now see in seconds what a guaranteed income in retirement means for them. We are genuinely excited about sharing our know-how and creativity to help more people now and in future.”

 

He added that while Smart had adopted the annuity comparison tool, other features of Pension Potential took you through other retirement options such as drawdown or a hybrid approach in the same, personalised way.

The announcement comes after Punter Southall topped a competitive tender.

 

About Smart Pension

Launched in 2015, the Smart Pension Master Trust has grown AUM by more than 2,000% in four years and now serves over one million members and more than 70,000 employers. It is powered by Keystone, Smart’s global savings and investments technology platform.

Aquiline Capital Partners, Chrysalis Investments, J.P. Morgan, the Link Group,  Fidelity International Strategic Ventures, Barclays, DWS Group, Natixis Investment Managers and Legal & General Investment Management are all investors in Smart.

 

Punter Southall and Pension Potential

Punter Southall’s specialist advisory services embrace everything from financial planning and employee benefits to pension scheme solutions and analytical expertise, as well as fresh ventures in insurance and law.

Employee-owned and independent since 1988, it developed Pension Potential so savers could see in a few clicks what retirement income their pension could buy by comparing every annuity on the market, together with assessing other options such as drawdown, cash and a blended approach.

Logistics, News

Emma selects Metapack for shipping services in Europe

Metapack’s Delivery Manager to be implemented in DACH, UK and Italy 

Metapack, a leader in ecommerce delivery technology, today announces that it has been chosen by Emma, the world’s leading D2C sleep brand, to streamline its delivery operations in Europe. The partnership will see Metapack’s Delivery Manager solution implemented across DACH, UK and Italy, as Emma looks to automate its selection of delivery services and increase carrier coverage across key markets.

 

Delivery Manager: Access to 350+ carriers and 4,000+ delivery service

Metapack’s Delivery Manager provides Emma with easy access to its substantial carrier network, providing more delivery choice while removing the need for costly and complicated carrier onboarding processes. Leveraging Metapack’s technology, Emma is able to provide consumers with greater delivery contingency. Delivery Manager gives Emma the ability to quickly generate the right labels and custom documents for shipping. This not only speeds up warehouse operations but allows Emma to offer customers the best possible experience.

 

“As our business continues to grow rapidly across Europe, we need the right technology and partner in place to help support this growth,” said Xenia Matkares, Team Lead, Process Excellence at Emma. “Metapack’s Delivery Manager provides us with a scalable solution that has extensive carrier coverage across multiple regions. By reducing the complexities associated with setting up new integrations and services, we’re able to onboard carriers more efficiently. Alongside this we’re able to generate labels at a faster rate and reduce the manifesting speed of consignments. All of this allows us to strengthen our delivery proposition and provide our customers with exceptional delivery experiences,” finished Matkares.

 

“Emma is one of the most compelling global brands operating today, and we’re hugely excited that they have selected Metapack to streamline their shipping operations in Europe as they continue growing,” said Tom Forbes, SVP Enterprise Revenue at Auctane, Metapack’s operating brand. “Our Delivery Manager solution gives Emma fast and easy access to our vast carrier library while removing the difficulties that are often associated with onboarding, maintenance and management. Using our technology, Emma is able to automatically select the right delivery for every single order, ultimately enabling them to fulfil their delivery promise to their customers,” finished Forbes.

 

Find out more about Metapack’s Delivery Manager: https://www.metapack.com/software/shipping/

 

Marketing, News, PR and SEO, Tech

Global technology consultancy Thoughtworks selects Fight or Flight as UK PR agency of record

Leading global technology consultancy Thoughtworks has appointed B2B comms agency Fight or Flight as its UK PR agency of record after a three-way competitive pitch process.

Thoughtworks has spent over 30 years helping clients which include the likes of the ITV, Mercedes-Benz and the NHS solve complex problems, navigate disruption and software, and prides itself on its ability to connect strategy to practical execution.

Fight or Flight’s brief is to help Thoughtworks write and communicate the next chapter of its story, following an IPO on the Nasdaq and subsequent evolution of its brand and category positioning. The agency will provide strategic comms, thought leadership and media relations services.

 

“Thoughtworks is trusted by some of the world’s biggest and most consequential organizations – AI, cloud, customer experience and data strategy,” said Andrew Soane, Head of Marketing, Thoughtworks UK. “In partnership with Fight or Flight, their assignment is to significantly increase our visibility and share of voice in the conversations that matter to our clients.

 

The Fight or Flight team will be led by managing partner Joe Walton, supported by senior account manager Libby Barnes and associate director and broadcast specialist Jamie McNicholas.

 

Commenting on the new partnership Joe Walton, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Fight or Flight said: “Thoughtworks has an impressive track record of innovation in the technology consulting space and a team of experts with a compelling perspective on the intersection of business and technology. We love the hunger and ambition of the company’s leadership, marketing and comms teams, and are excited to be on board as their storytelling partners”

 

Thoughtworks is the latest addition to Fight or Flight’s growing client roster, which includes leading B2B brands AMEX GBT, Expedia Group, GitHub, LinkedIn, Nokia and Trainline. PRWeek named the agency the fourth fastest growing in the UK in 2022, and the first firm born this decade to reach its Top 150 table.

 

 

AboutThoughtworks
Thoughtworks is a global technology consultancy that integrates strategy, design and engineering to drive digital innovation. We are 11,500 people strong across 51 offices in 18 countries. For 30 years, we’ve delivered extraordinary impact together with our clients by helping them solve complex business problems with technology as the differentiator.

 

About Fight or Flight
Founded in 2020, Fight or Flight specializes in creative B2B campaigns that deliver both emotional and commercial impact. The agency’s global team of PR, social and branded content experts are on a mission to rid the world of tedious whitepapers, building earned, owned and social campaigns that turn heads and make headlines. For more information, visit https://fightorflight.com.

News, News from Wales

Flotek partners with legal case management software provider Hoowla in strategic move

 

Flotek, a leading provider of comprehensive managed IT services, is delighted to announce a strategic partnership with Hoowla, an innovative legal case management software solutions provider. This collaboration aims to deliver cloud-based technology and streamlined workflow solutions to the legal sector.

 

Hoowla is a cloud-based case management software platform very popular with conveyancers and property solicitors. With a base in Swansea, Hoowla serves clients all over the UK providing legal case management and document automation.

 

The partnership is a response to the demand for enhanced security around data management and efficient case management solutions. Recognising this growing need, Flotek and Hoowla have joined forces to offer a compelling suite of services that will empower clients to optimise their operations and achieve new levels of productivity.

 

Malcolm Holland, MD of Flotek Group, said: “We are excited about this strategic partnership with Hoowla. There is clear synergy realisation in combining our comprehensive IT services with their powerful case management software. The partnership will undoubtedly provide our clients with a competitive advantage in the legal sector.”

 

Adam Curtis, Managing Director of Hoowla, added: “Hoowla has built a loyal client base in the last 10 years because of our solution-based approach. The partnership will no doubt create value for our existing clients as well as attract new ones.”

 

The partnership with Hoowla is the first step of Flotek’s plan in growing a bigger market share in the legal sector. Flotek’s name is prominent within professional services, the partnership realises its goal of seeking new capabilities and access to new markets.

 

Malcolm added: “Our ambition for growth is well known in our sector after completing 8 acquisitions in the last 12 months. The acquisitions laid a foundation for scalability, and the partnership with Hoowla in a different sector, is the beginning of Flotek Group growing in scope as well as in scale.”

 

For more information about the partnership and the services offered, please visit https://flotek.io/  and https://www.hoowla.com/

Business Advice

Awesome Ways to Choose Your Next Business

Entrepreneurs are rarely satisfied with one successful business. Most of us are always on the lookout for new business ideas or ways to add income streams and diversity to our current projects. The hardest part of a new challenge is often coming up with the initial concept or narrowing down your thoughts to find the one you want to take forward. Here’s a look at some interesting, sometimes fun, ways to choose your next business.

Create a Mood Board

Whether you are short of ideas or have too many to choose from, a mood board can help you to organize your thoughts and spot patterns in your thinking. Use a mood board template and fill it with anything that inspires you, including colors, branding ideas, themes, articles, news stories, keywords, and quotes.

Brainstorm

Brainstorming is a great way to get your ideas down quickly and easily. You can keep adding to the brainstorm over time and use it to group ideas and spot patterns. You might start with one big idea brainstorm, and then use others to break those ideas or niches down until you settle on something.

Think of Things You Love

One of the best ways to think of a new business idea is to follow your passions. Write lists of things you love, things you love to do, your favorite business tasks, and the parts of your current businesses that bring you the most pleasure. If you can find a business in the things you love, you are more likely to be happy and successful, and it will feel less like adding more work to your already busy workload.

Think about Things That Frustrate You

Another option is looking at things that frustrate you about the world, your life, or your business. If something frustrates you, or there’s a process you think is much harder than it should be, other people might feel the same. If you can find ways to simplify operations and make things easier or less frustrating, you may have a very lucrative business idea.

Look to the Future

A common mistake business owners make is trying to copy what is on the market already or trying to solve a need that people have right now. The world is changing faster than ever, and only thinking of the here and now can mean that you end up with a business behind the times in a few years. Instead, think about the future. Look at growing trends and predictions, look at the technology being pioneered, and think about how your business ideas would fit into the world in 15 years.

Go for a Walk

Many of us find that we have our very best ideas when we’re out of the office and doing something completely different. Going for a walk can be a fantastic way to find inspiration.

Starting a new business can be a fantastic challenge and a great way to increase your income and build your reputation. If you are short on ideas or unsure which is the best, try some of these methods.