Category Archives: Business Investment

Leading Midlands growth consultancy announce Birmingham investment summit 

Midlands growth partner Champions (UK) plc have announced their latest business summit for November in Birmingham.

Following successful entrepreneurial events in London, the organisation have decided to host their next summit at Squire Patton Boggs in the city centre on Wednesday 20th November.

The Champions’ Entrepreneur Investment/Exit Summit will look to help business leaders and decision makers successfully navigate securing investment and organisational exits. Speakers will also be discussing the power and opportunity of AI and automation in order to deliver improved multiple.

Across the summit, speakers will include former Dragons’ Den investor and AI expert Piers Linney, former Olympian Derek Redmond, strategic advisor and business owner Emma Tolhurst, and global EDI advocate Jamie McAnsh, opened by Champions’ Managing Director Matthew Hayes.

The itinerary involves talks surrounding ‘growth to exit’, ‘high performance leadership’, ‘the importance of people in delivering capital value’, ‘overcoming adversity to reach your goals’ and ‘the power of AI’.

Speaking ahead of the event, Matthew Hayes commented: “I’m incredibly excited for our upcoming Entrepreneur Investment Summit, especially after the success of our previous events that have offered the expertise to help business owners thrive.

“This event’s focus on finding investments and capitalising on the potential of AI will provide entrepreneurs with the tools and insights they need to grow in today’s fast-paced market. We’re dedicated to helping businesses connect with the right investors and seize emerging opportunities in the tech landscape.

“A big thank you to the team Squire Patton Boggs for hosting this event and supporting our mission.”

The event will begin at 2pm with speakers continuing until 6pm, which will be followed by complimentary drinks and networking opportunities.

To register your interest in the free event, visit https://championsukplc.com/page/rsvp-summit-event

Speedy Freight Invests £2m In Speedy Fulfil

Knutsford-based national same day courier Speedy Freight has invested £2million in the launch of new fulfilment service Speedy Fulfil.

A complete fulfilment service offering flexible and tailored inventory and supply chain management for businesses of all sizes, Speedy Fulfil supports startups wishing to scale their operations quickly to more established retailers seeking to outsource or improve their current fulfilment process.

Powered by Speedy Freight’s self-developed in-house technology, the service allows customers to integrate their own webstores, including order data from multiple platforms such as Shopify and WooCommerce, into a central portal where orders are then picked, packed, labelled and despatched by Speedy Fulfil through leading carrier pathways such as Amazon, DPD, DHL, DX and Tuffnells.

Delivering cost and time efficiencies for businesses, Speedy Fulfil tailors solutions to meet individual needs, from small goods to consignments of irregular dimensions and weights, and provides comprehensive stock control and real-time status updates throughout the entire delivery process.

Chief operating officer at Speedy Freight, John Munnelly, commented: “We are delighted to announce the launch of Speedy Fulfil, a new service that allows us to help businesses effectively manage their ecommerce supply chain. Our revolutionary tech platform takes full care of logistics, offering a choice of multiple domestic and international carriers, and gives customers total visibility of their stock and delivery tracking, with the benefit of one relationship and one invoice for consistency and continuity.

“What sets Speedy apart is our commitment to service, having real people in place to understand our clients’ needs and be there to onboard and support throughout.  Speedy Fulfil has been extremely well received so far, and we’d urge any new or established businesses to get in touch to discuss their fulfilment needs with us, especially as we move into one of the busiest times of year for many.”

The introduction of Speedy Fulfil follows the recent successful launch of Speedy Parcels; a multi-carrier parcel solution that leverages an extensive partnership network to provide cost-effective, reliable, and flexible 24 and 48-hour parcel delivery services across the UK and internationally.

For further information, please visit www.speedyfreight.com or www.speedyfreight.com/fulfil/

About Speedy Freight

Founded in 2006, Speedy Freight was born from a desire to make logistics solutions simple. Over the last 18 years, the company has grown from a single regional office in 2009 to more than 60 branches covering every postcode in the UK and continues to expand with a presence in Spain and the USA.

At present, Speedy Freight has more than 15,000 customers across the UK, mainland Europe and the USA, with major contracts in multiple different industries.

Speedy Freight’s recent awards include BFA Franchisor of the Year (finalist), Highly Commended in the Bifa awards for Training, Road Freight Operator of the Year at the 2021 Multimodal awards and most recently shortlisted for the Customer Service award at the 2024 Motor Transport awards and Supply Chain Excellence Awards. What’s more, the brand boasts a 5-star rating on Trustpilot.

Cardiff Capital Region announces return to MIPIM 2025, the world’s leading property investment event

Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) officially launched its MIPIM 2025 Partnership Programme today at the Pyramid Suite, Sophia Gardens ahead of the international event in Cannes, France, 11-14 March 2025.

Hosted by CCR’s Chief Executive Kellie Beirne, with special guest Dame Nia Griffith, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Wales Office, the launch brought together private sector guests and public sector partners across the ten local councils that make up the Region.

Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, Chair, Cardiff Capital Region Committee, and Cllr Huw Thomas, Deputy Chair, Cardiff Capital Region both spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of attending MIPIM and how it enables the Region to showcase opportunities to investors and property developers from all over the world.

In 2025, CCR will be situated with other UK City Regions at La Croisette on the seafront, an important strategic move that sees the Region partner with other core UK destinations, whilst also retaining its own unique Welsh identity.

Dame Nia Griffith said:

“The UK Government’s key mission is economic growth and Cardiff and the surrounding area have a vital role to play in that mission. That is why we have invested in Cardiff Capital Region.

“Their attendance at this globally renowned exhibition is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of what our capital city has to offer to international investors. By working together we will encourage investment into Wales.”

Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, said:

I’m delighted to see South East Wales represented on the international stage of MIPIM once again. Our presence shows we are serious about our ambitions and the critical role that inward investment plays to drive inclusive growth and prosperity, in collaboration with the private sector.”

Cllr Huw Thomas, added:

“Our city is at our best when we work in partnership, and especially so when we are showcasing our businesses on the global stage, and we’re excited to be returning to MIPIM in 2025 to show what Cardiff, and the region, has to offer. On a number of measures, we’re growing faster than other cities across the UK, and we want to make sure that success continues, supporting more and better jobs for our communities across the city and the Cardiff Capital Region.”

 

Considered the world’s leading global real estate event, ‘Marche International des Professionals d’Immobilier’ (MIPIM) attracts more than 20,000 participants each year, including 5,000 investors, 4,800 developers, and 500 journalists.

You’ll Soon Be Able to Invest in Tokenized Property—Here’s How

Real estate has long been seen as a reliable way to build wealth, but high barriers to entry have kept many potential investors from participating. Tokenized property is about to change that, allowing anyone to own a piece of real estate by buying digital tokens representing fractional ownership. Project Nexus is leading the way in this space, making it easy for users to invest in tokenized real estate directly through its app.

The Project Nexus platform allows users to buy, sell, and trade tokenized real estate, stocks, and cryptocurrencies, all within a single app. By using blockchain technology, Project Nexus democratizes access to the real estate market. Instead of needing large amounts of capital to buy a property outright, users can purchase real estate tokens for as little as $5, gaining fractional ownership of high-value assets.

How It Works

Investing in tokenized property on the Project Nexus app is straightforward and user-friendly, making it an excellent option for beginners. Here’s how it works:

Beginner-Friendly Features

The app is designed to be user-friendly for beginners while offering advanced tools for more experienced investors. Whether you’re interested in long-term property investments, generating passive income, or building a diversified portfolio, the Project Nexus app simplifies the process. One KYC (Know Your Customer) verification gives you access to all markets within the app, meaning you can explore property, stocks, and crypto without needing to navigate multiple platforms.

Join the Movement

According to recent market data, real estate has a global market cap of $325 trillion, and thanks to tokenization, this massive market is now open to investors of all sizes. Project Nexus is at the forefront of this shift by offering a one-stop shop for investors to trade tokenized real estate, stocks, and crypto all within one platform. The app is designed to be simple enough for beginners while providing advanced tools for experienced traders. Project Nexus bridges traditional and decentralized finance, making investing more accessible than ever. To get in early and support the project, join the Telegram group here.

 

Maximizing Profits with Automated Forex Trading: The Future of Business Investment

Globalized business means dealing in foreign currencies, and exposure to fluctuating exchange rates that can cripple profit margins. Large financial institutions hedge this forex risk with automated algorithmic trading strategies executed by intelligent bots. Now, this powerful technology is also within reach for small and medium enterprises aiming to maximize profits.

Forex bots enable continuous hands-free trading, faster reaction times, and more advanced strategies than humans can replicate manually. While bots can seem intimidating at first, a prudent and selective approach unlocks formidable advantages for business investors savvy enough to harness them.

Surviving Volatile Currencies

With global business comes global currency risk. Fluctuating exchange rates affect competitiveness, supply costs, profit repatriation, and overall stability. Mitigating this starts with accepting continual manual oversight is unrealistic.

The Need for Speed

Volatile forex markets require split-second responsiveness no human can match. Bots, however, can execute trades in milliseconds when programmed conditions are met. This high-frequency automated forex trading captures fleeting opportunities impossible to grasp manually.

Ever-Vigilant Oversight

Rather than relying on staff to continually monitor markets across time zones, bots trade around the clock. Consistent execution minimizes volatility’s impact, as bots stick to defined strategies without distraction or exhaustion.

Pattern Recognition from Big Data

By continuously analyzing historical and live market data, trading algorithms detect and exploit patterns human analysts likely miss. This empowers superior forecasting and intelligent entry/exit timing.

Unleashing Next-Level Strategies

With superhuman speed and analytical capabilities, bots enable next-level trading strategies off-limits to manual traders. Sophisticated algorithms combine technical, fundamental, quantitative, and news data into dynamic decision-making.

Optimal Order Execution

Bots minimize trading costs by splitting large orders into small chunks executed incrementally to avoid signaling intentions and impacting price. More trades at better pricing fuels profitability.

Event-Driven Investing

By linking real-time news monitoring with trading execution, bots act rapidly on market-moving events before human traders even process the information. This news-based trading capitalizes on big geopolitical and economic developments.

Portfolio Protection

Bots enforce preprogrammed risk limits on individual trades and overall portfolio exposure. Once market conditions hit risk thresholds, bots automatically execute hedging strategies to protect assets.

Are Bots Right for Your Business?

While bots clearly enable strategies otherwise unfeasible for SME investors, they aren’t necessarily a good fit for every company. Before jumping in, consider a few key factors:

  • Assess internal trading expertise. Bots amplify human insight—they don’t replace it. Understand market fundamentals and risks before deploying bots.
  • Start with limited bots trialing specific strategies. Closely monitor performance and risk management. Scale bot usage only after gaining confidence.
  • Research providers thoroughly. Bot quality depends entirely on programming. Scrutinize track records and transparency.

Used judiciously, forex trading bots offer incredible opportunities to amplify profits and better manage currency risk amidst global expansion. But a measured approach based on realistic expectations remains prudent as automation accelerates into the future.

Conclusion

The blistering pace of technological change often leaves businesses uneasy about adopting new innovations too quickly. Yet as artificial intelligence and automated trading reshape global finance, the prudent path forward has become embracing change courageously rather than resisting progress reflexively.

With forex risk management now a competitive imperative, small and medium enterprises can ill afford to ignore algorithmic trading’s advantages out of caution or complacency. By judiciously implementing forex bots to maximize profits while minimizing risk, forward-thinking business leaders can secure a competitive edge for the volatile currencies and dynamic markets ahead.

Acuity Law launches My Digital Lawyer – a legal tech platform for businesses

Acuity Law has announced the launch of My Digital Lawyer, a brand-new legal tech platform for businesses aimed at saving them time and money.

My Digital Lawyer provides a range of digital tools and services, including cutting-edge automated document builder Document Assist, an extensive bank of legal know-how, and a growing library of exclusive articles and content.

“My Digital Lawyer will save our business clients time and money,” explains Acuity Law’s Managing Partner Claire Knowles.

“Using our custom-built tools, they can handle many legal tasks themselves, building their own contracts and basic documentation with Document Assist, or using our jargon-free Knowledge Bank guides to put together policies and compliance processes.

“Fundamentally, we want to help businesses improve efficiencies. But we’ve also got them covered for when they need specialist help or the reassurance of in-person advice – because My Digital Lawyer subscribers also benefit from direct access to specialist legal advice within the terms of their subscription.”

Uniquely among law firms, some of which offer client portals for document-sharing and communication, Acuity Law’s My Digital Lawyer is available to all businesses, not simply Acuity clients.

The platform delivers all that a client portal would – allowing clients to track their live matters and tasks – while also allowing non-client subscribers access to market-leading guidance and digital tools.

“We are confident that no other law firm can offer the 360-degree digital support that My Digital Lawyer provides,” says Claire.

“At the same time, no legal tech platform can offer the expert lawyer-led wraparound in-person support and added reassurance of My Digital Lawyer.”

The platform has been developed entirely in-house at Acuity Law, using the firm own development team and branding specialists.

“We are proud of the in-house teams we have developed at Acuity Law,” says Acuity Law Chairman Steve Berry. “We are committed to driving legal services forward and providing innovation-led services to both our clients and the wider business community. My Digital Lawyer subscribers can expect further tools and services in the months ahead, as Acuity Law further grows and develops the platform. So watch this space!”

Headquartered in Cardiff, Acuity Law is a fast-growing law firm with over 150 lawyers supporting business clients throughout the UK. The firm’s ambitious growth strategy has seen it open offices in Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool in recent years, adding to its presence in Bristol, London and Swansea.

Cardiff Capital Region’s £45m investment in Ogi to boost digital connectivity for South East Wales

The £45m investment from Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) into Ogi, Wales’ biggest alternative network provider, represents CCR’s largest single investment into a company since its formation in 2017. The debt-financing package aims to develop and transform digital capabilities in villages, towns and cities across the Cardiff Capital Region, helping to reduce digital disparities and offer local communities and businesses reliable services and ultrafast connectivity.

Businesses will be positively impacted by having better reliable broadband, enabling greater productivity, cloud computing, AI and data storage. The investment is also foundational to the development of CCR’s high-tech sectors and key to ongoing developments like the Investment Zone.

One of CCR’s key priority sectors, the creative industries has already benefited from Ogi’s data connectivity capabilities, with the recent 2024 Paralympics live produced remotely at The Broadcast Centre Cymru in central Cardiff.

Ogi’s new full fibre infrastructure is bypassing old, worn-out connections and giving people working and living in the Region a new level of connectivity. The package will bring many benefits including local employment, and with 100,000 premises already on the new fibre to the premise [FTTP] network, it’s Ogi’s ambition to reach many more.

 

Wales Office Minister Nia Griffith said:

“This is a significant investment by Cardiff Capital Region, backed by the UK Government, which will be transformational for many people and businesses in south east Wales. Good digital connectivity is vital for economic growth and to enable people to access services and enjoy their leisure time.

“I’m delighted that the investment is being put into a Welsh company, Ogi, demonstrating the benefits of working together to create jobs and prosperity.”

 

Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, Leader of Monmouthshire County Council and Chair of Cardiff Capital Region Committee, said:

“This investment on a practical level means so much for residents and businesses who may have previously struggled with broadband connectivity. Bringing our Region quite literally up to speed will enhance not only user experience, but also encourage further opportunities and economic growth that align with CCR’s vision for an inclusive, next generation digital infrastructure.”

 

Cllr Andrew Morgan, Leader Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
and Portfolio Holder for Infrastructure and Major Projects Delivery, said:

This major project is being delivered with the express aim of enabling our Region to compete on so many levels. I’m looking forward to the next stages of this Welsh company’s development and seeing even more of the Region benefit from the capabilities of full fibre today, in readiness for tomorrow.”

 

Ogi’s Chief Executive Officer, Ben Allwright, said:

“Right from the start, our ambition has been to become a leading Welsh telecoms company, and the last few years have certainly laid strong foundations for that goal.

“With key strategic sites like Aberthaw to the south and the heads of the valleys to the north, there’s massive potential across the capital region – and partnering with CCR at such an exciting time in their own development is the next logical step for Ogi’s growth in southeast Wales.”

Cardiff Capital Region invests £1.5m in Whisper Cymru

Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has invested £1.5m in broadcast production agency Whisper, enabling the purchase of specialist remote broadcasting equipment to deliver large scale live programming within its new Cymru Broadcast Centre facility in Cardiff, the first being the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

The ambition of this project goes beyond the Paralympics, with other international productions already planned; a commitment to boosting skills, training and employment opportunities for underrepresented groups will see this investment bring tangible benefits to the wider community and a lasting legacy.

With this new studio equipment in place, Whisper has been able to create one of the most accessible production facilities in Europe. The facilities include a changing spaces toilet, wide walkways, ramps, power-assisted doors and accessible signage. Attention has also been given to the Centre’s colour schemes and signage throughout to ensure the Cymru Broadcast Centre can be used by as wide a range of people as possible. In addition, Media Cymru and Channel 4 co-funded research and development around accessibility in live production in conjunction with The Ability People – with the hope of acting as a case study for other technical facilities to use as best practice and to share learnings.

As one of CCR’s key priority sectors, the Creative Industries will benefit from this investment, delivering Creative Bootcamps for up 100 people over five years, covering digital and broadcast skills. In addition, Whisper will deliver two outreach events across the Region each year – the aim is to introduce young individuals to the diverse career opportunities within the industry, and to foster inclusivity and diversity.

Wales Office Minister, Nia Griffith said:

“It’s wonderful to see the Cymru Broadcast Centre open and Whisper Cymru delivering live coverage of the Paralympics for Channel 4. The UK Government recognises the value of the creative industries for Wales and that is why we are proud to invest in the Cardiff Capital Region and see that funding used to support the sector.

“We, along with our partners, are helping to build a world-class reputation for Film and TV in the Cardiff region.”

Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby, Leader of Monmouthshire County Council and Chair of Cardiff Capital Region Committee, added:

“The Cymru Broadcast Centre shows the tremendous rewards of CCR working together with our partners at Welsh Government and Whisper Cymru. The wider economic benefits of job creation, retention of homegrown talent and attracting skilled individuals to Wales, as well as the highly accessible build of the facility opens employment opportunities to all, nurturing diversity and inclusion in our Region.

“I’m very excited about the growing creative industries sector in the Cardiff Capital Region and look forward to seeing it continue to grow and flourish.”

Win £5k* to kickstart your dream business

Competition entry form will close at 5pm on 30th August

*T&Cs apply

 Thousands of employees dream of quitting their 9-5 and starting a business of their own. With this in mind, garage door specialists Garolla has launched a new competition for aspiring business owners to kickstart or accelerate their dream venture.

For existing business owners working from home, it can also be a great way to free up the rest of your house by making more use of your garage space. Plus, many of the most successful businesses started out from a humble garage (including Apple, Google, and The Walt Disney Co., to name a few).

One lucky winner will win a garage fit out worth up to £5,000, plus a brand new Garolla garage door, to help their business idea become a reality, or grow an existing small business. The prize will also consist of furnishings to transform the garage into a usable business work space (e.g. storage, office equipment, lighting, heating, flooring, specialist equipment, etc), depending on which is most suitable for the winner’s business.

To win, budding business owners need to fill in a short entry form, including a top-level description of their business (including desired fit-out ideas), and upload a photo of their current garage set-up for consideration. The competition is open to prospective business owners, as well as existing small business owners with an at-home set up. To enter, visit: www.garolla.co.uk/win-home-business-fitout

Once the competition has closed, a shortlist of entries will be contacted to discuss their idea in further detail and to gather any additional eligibility information. On review of this additional information from the shortlisted entries, one final winner will be chosen via a random draw and announced.

Alastair Mayne, COO at Garolla commented: “We’re so excited to hear about the UK’s passions and entrepreneurial dreams. Whether you want to set up your own fitness or wellbeing business, hair and beauty salon, or even an ecommerce business (such as handmade crafts, like woodworking, fashion and accessories, jewellery, home décor, or personalised items) – there are no restrictions on the type of business that can enter our competition, providing it can be done from a properly fitted-out garage space on your property.

“Proper security measures are key to protect your new livelihood, and one key aspect to consider is your garage door. However, not all garage doors are made equal… Unless properly reinforced, older garage doors with an ‘up and over’ mechanism can be forced open, making these garages more vulnerable against intruders and the contents susceptible to burglary. These older doors can also let in draughts, aren’t watertight, and take up lots of valuable space, which can all impact the running of your business.

“As part of the prize, the winner will receive a new Garolla garage door (including installation) – Garolla’s electric roller garage doors are made from double-skinned aluminium and insulated with high-density polyurethane for added strength, as well as secure guide rails, auto locks (which ensure the door cannot be lifted manually), and anti-clone remote control technology. Our SafeGuard Plus system also features ‘KeeLoq’ – a rolling code technology to prevent remote control fob cloning by criminals”.

The competition opened at 09:00 (9am) on Tuesday 16th July 2024, and is open for over 6 weeks, with the entry form closing at 17:00 (5pm) on Friday 30th August 2024.

*Full competition terms and conditions can be found here: www.garolla.co.uk/terms-conditions

Our relocation is a testament to our commitment to Manchester’s growth, and our investment reflects this promise.

The managing-director of fashion giant Whispering Smith says the company’s move to a new Manchester headquarters is evidence of the business staying true to its roots.

Rohil Kumar said Whispering Smith, the UK’s largest importer, wholesaler and distributor of fashion clothing, is planning to write a new chapter in its legacy, and wants to expand their team at its new head office on 274 Deansgate.

Already a worldwide leader in design, production and delivery, the firm is a third generation global business which supplies top retail and ecommerce names.

Whispering Smith also has its own portfolio of brands, including Brave Soul, Good for Nothing and Night Addict. But having outgrown its original HQ on Great Ducie Street, the business is now trading from the heart of Manchester City Centre in a new five-storey, 23,688 sq ft Deansgate base which it acquired for £6.35 million.

Commenting on the move, Mr Kumar said: “After occupying our previous premises for almost 30 years, we realised that in order to keep up with Manchester’s ever-changing landscape, we needed to relocate to the heart of the city.  Our relocation is a testament to our commitment to Manchester’s growth, and our investment reflects this promise.

“This site offers many benefits, not least superb transport links for the buyers we work with couple with the buzz of a city-centre life which will help add to the vibrancy behind our brands.

“But, most importantly, we are now in the heart of Manchester, which remains at the centre of England’s textile industry, and which has played a vital role in the industrial revolution. With its strong foundations, we believe Manchester remains the epicentre of the UK fashion industry. And, crucially, Manchester is where our family’s legacy began and it’s why this great city will continue to be the base of our global operations.”

Currently employing about 70 members of staff, Mr Kumar confirmed Whispering Smith has aspirations of growing even further employees in the next two-to-five years.

“We see opportunities for growth in strategic partnerships for our brands, Mr Kumar said. “We plan to expand the team in HQ in the areas of marketing and branding to support this.

“The industry has undergone significant changes since Brexit and Covid. There have also been many disruptors that have either faded away or are still present. But I believe the market is slowly adjusting itself, and we continue to have a positive outlook for the future.”

Explaining what will be happening at their old site, Mr Kumar said plans were in place for the site to be developed as part of Manchester City Council’s wider scheme for the regeneration in and around the area.