The period between Christmas and New Year, lovingly dubbed “Twixmas,” is a delightful time to escape the holiday hustle and relax before the New Year’s celebrations. If you’re searching for a unique, rejuvenating destination, the Isle of Wight offers the perfect combination of tranquility, charm, and seasonal magic. Here’s why a Twixmas break on this enchanting island should be on your radar. 1. Escape the Mainland Crowds The Isle of Wight provides a peaceful retreat from the mainland frenzy. With fewer tourists compared to summer, you’ll have space to explore its natural beauty and attractions at a relaxed pace. The…
Author: Danielle Trigg
As the world moves towards more sustainable energy solutions, air source heat pumps (ASHPs) have gained significant attention as an energy-efficient, eco-friendly alternative to traditional heating systems. For homeowners, they offer a multitude of benefits, ranging from reduced energy bills to a lower carbon footprint. What Are Air Source Heat Pumps? Air source heat pumps are innovative heating systems that extract heat from the outside air, even in cold weather and use it to heat your home and provide hot water. They work on the principle of heat exchange, similar to a refrigerator, but in reverse. These systems can also…
Get Ahead, the award-winning virtual outsourcing agency, has appointed Nicola Wolverson as its new regional director for the West Midlands. With her extensive experience in recruitment and account management, Nicola will be responsible for expanding Get Ahead’s presence across the region, supporting businesses in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Telford, and beyond. With over 20 years of experience, Nicola brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. Her background in recruitment, coupled with her exceptional interpersonal and administrative skills, has made her well-suited to help small businesses optimise their operations with the support of Get Ahead’s team of virtual experts. Nicola first…
Wakefield Council is facing severe financial difficulties that could lead to job losses, with the GMB Union warning that the local community will suffer as a result. The council has issued a Section 188 notice, which signals the possibility of redundancies due to a budget crisis exacerbated by years of underfunding from central government. The GMB Union, which represents workers at Wakefield Council, is deeply concerned about the potential impact on staff and their families. In response to the crisis, the union has called on both the local authority and central government to take urgent action to protect jobs and…
Istanbul played host to the 8th INFLOW Global Summit 2024, which brought together 60 influencers from 30 countries, further establishing Türkiye’s reputation as a leader in digital innovation and cultural exchange. Sponsored by Turkish Airlines, the event celebrated Istanbul’s historical significance and modern vibrancy. From 1–4 December, influencers with a total following exceeding 250 million participated in the summit. Supported by Turkish Airlines, the event underscored Türkiye’s pivotal role in the influencer marketing industry and its efforts to promote global collaboration in the digital space. With 74.41 million internet users, 57.50 million social media users, and 80.69 million cellular connections…
Everyone faces financial stress at some point in their lives, whether it’s due to unexpected emergencies, irregular income, or rising household expenses. While dealing with tight finances can feel overwhelming, it’s important to remember that there are practical strategies and resources available to help you regain control. This guide will walk you through actionable steps to manage financial pressure, prioritize your needs, and access short-term financial support responsibly. 1. Assess Your Situation Take some time to review your current income, expenses, and any outstanding debts. Track Your Expenses Maintaining a detailed record of where your money is being spent is…
Entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses in the West Midlands were offered valuable advice on securing funding and building strong foundations at the region’s largest business funding event last week. Hosted in Birmingham, the Business Funding Summit attracted more than 160 delegates eager to explore investment opportunities and hear from industry experts. The event, organised by Oxford Innovation Advice as part of its Business Growth West Midlands Investment Readiness programme, brought together a host of investors, financial institutions, and business advisers. The summit aimed to help local entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of securing funding and scaling their operations. Business founders,…
ShipStation has launched a new service aimed at easing shipping operations for small businesses across the UK, providing discounted daily parcel collections through DPD, one of the world’s leading parcel delivery services. The move promises to make the once-costly service of daily pickups, typically reserved for high-volume shippers, more accessible and affordable for smaller enterprises. For many small businesses, the logistical challenge of shipping parcels quickly and efficiently can be daunting, especially when it comes to organising regular pickups. Previously, businesses that couldn’t meet high-volume shipping thresholds were often left out of daily collection services, which can be both costly…
Singapore-based boutique search agency Kepler Search has been recognised by W.Media, Asia’s largest data centre and cloud industry publisher, for its excellence in navigating the highly challenging talent markets of Northeast Asia, particularly Japan and Korea. The firm was awarded the prestigious Talent Acquisition and Management Team Award at a recent gala event, triumphing over some of the industry’s biggest names. The recognition highlights Kepler Search’s remarkable success in sourcing top-tier talent for data centres, with a particular emphasis on Japan. Known for its ageing population, conservative work culture, and limited English proficiency, Japan is widely regarded as one of…
Allianz has unveiled a set of ambitious financial targets for the period 2024-2027, aiming for sustained growth and value creation across its business divisions. The targets, revealed at Allianz’s Capital Markets Day 2024, include an earnings per share compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7-9%, a return on equity of at least 17%, and a commitment to generating €24-25 billion in Solvency II operating capital by 2027. In addition, Allianz has set a cumulative net cash remittance target of more than €27 billion between 2025 and 2027. The company is also focused on delivering an attractive payout to shareholders, with…