Tiny swimmers across Bucks & Beds are making a big splash for a good cause this week – and they’re doing it dressed as pirates and sea creatures! From 23rd June to 6th July, Water Babies Bucks & Beds classes have been transformed into a swashbuckling scene for this year’s Splashathon, a charity fundraiser in support of Tommy’s and Children’s Alliance. With pirate hats on and tails trailing, little ones are being sponsored to take on swimming challenges like chasing a fish across the pool, a sunken treasure hunt and rescuing their shipmates – all while having a whale of…
Author: Lucy Contrino
New data shows late payments still crippling UK SMEs As the UK marks Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day on 27 June, Novuna Business Cash Flow – a leader in SME and corporate cash flow finance – is spotlighting one of the biggest threats to SME survival: late payments. With the average small business losing £22,000 a year to overdue invoices – and 50,000 SMEs shutting down annually – the scale of the issue is growing. Recent data reveals that: Even though UK law sets a 30-day payment term (unless otherwise agreed), actual payment times are extending well beyond that, with Days…
JournoLink has today launched VOLT, a new AI-powered engine embedded in its PR platform, built to help agencies streamline their workflows, enhance media outreach, and deliver faster, insight-led strategies for their clients. VOLT is now live across all JournoLink agency plans and is designed to reduce the time spent on core tasks such as research, client management, press release writing, journalist targeting and strategic reporting. The goal is to free up agency teams to focus on creative storytelling, client relationships, and campaign impact without the manual grind. The launch comes at a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping the communications…
Jennings Brewery has reopened its doors, bringing back historic, award-winning beers, two new beers, and launching a new on-site taproom on 4th July. The brewery hopes to attract both tourists and locals, as well as supply beer to pubs across Cumbria. Jennings was established nearly 200 years ago, but its Cockermouth brewery was closed by Carlsberg Marston’s in 2022. It returned to local, independent, family ownership in February this year after being acquired by local business owners Kurt and Rebecca Canfield. The brewery has pledged to return Jennings to its roots, reviving old favourites like Sneck Lifter and Cocker Hoop,…
Key points covered: Joe Phelan, money.co.uk business bank accounts expert says: “Small business owners face a growing challenge: the “infinite workday” is stretching hours and draining productivity. To protect teams from burnout and sustain creativity, leaders must set clear boundaries, rethink workflows, and prioritise wellbeing. For many small business owners and their teams, the modern workday no longer starts at 9 or ends at 5. Instead, it can stretch from dawn to dusk – sometimes even beyond. According to research conducted by Microsoft,[1] the “infinite workday” is now a defining feature of knowledge work globally. Early-morning email checking, a deluge of daytime messages…
Global livestream invites millions to walk in unity with the world’s rainforests, raising awareness and action for conservation. Rainforest Partnership will launch a global livestream event on June 22 to mark World Rainforest Day, inviting millions of participants worldwide to take part in “Planet Walkers: A Global Livestream and Call to Breathe With the Forest.” The broadcast will feature guided forest walks streamed from biodiversity hotspots, encouraging individuals to walk in solidarity with nature, whether in their communities or online, to raise awareness about the importance of the world’s rainforests. The livestream will be broadcast across major social media and streaming…
Visiting Angels – the carer-centric home care provider – has been recognised for its outstanding commitment to supporting people living with dementia, winning Dementia Employer (Community) of the Year at the 2025 Dementia Care Awards. The ceremony, held at Hilton London Bankside on 19th June and hosted by television icon Angela Rippon, brought together some of the most passionate and dedicated people and organisations in the care sector. Described as a “joy-filled celebration” by attendees, the awards honoured those going above and beyond to improve the lives of people affected by dementia. Visiting Angels’ award recognises the work done across…
SAMY Alliance has rebranded as SAMY, bringing together its network of agencies into a single, unified identity. The new positioning reflects the group’s commitment to delivering integrated, end-to-end social media marketing solutions, powered by intelligence-fuelled creativity and proprietary technology, designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s global brands. The new configuration of the global agency group brand will drive its ambitious growth plans. Recently announced personnel changes are also part of this new chapter, including Alex Hill and Nathan Townsend moving out of their existing roles to become Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Partnerships Officer, respectively. In 2024, SAMY…
Entrepreneurs Circle backs ‘Vetrepreneurs Circle’ as part of Armed Forces Covenant commitment UK — As Armed Forces Week shines a national spotlight on the military community, a new initiative is helping ex-service personnel turn their discipline and determination into business success — and it’s already gaining high-level backing. The Vetrepreneurs Circle, co-founded by Royal Marine veteran Mick Betteridge and former Paratrooper Shaun West, is a fast-growing business community built exclusively for veterans, service leavers, and military spouses. With a strong focus on “clarity, cashflow, and comradeship,” it’s helping those from military backgrounds launch and grow their own businesses — and…
£150 million creative industries fund prioritises regional growth The Government’s 2025 Industrial Strategy will provide much needed financial support to the UK’s creative sector and prioritises regional growth, say leading audit, tax and business advisory firm, Blick Rothenberg. Mandy Girder, a Partner and Media Lead at the firm, said: “The strategy offers vital fiscal support for the UK’s creative sector in the form of a £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund. The fund prioritises regional growth in the North-West, West Midlands, North-East, Cardiff, creating major opportunities for businesses beyond London.” She added: “The aim of the fund is to help…