Jonathan Moyes, Head of Investment Research, Wealth Club said:
“The UK economy continues to beat gloomy expectations. Led by the dominant services sector, GDP growth of 0.3% was stronger than the 0.1% expected. This follows stronger than expected performance in 2022.
It may take a great deal more expectation beating data to shift the bleak expectations for the UK economy. However, a quiet, more optimistic, consensus does appear to be forming. The economic outlook is much improved, energy prices are falling sharply, China is reopening, and interest rate expectations have eased significantly.
All eyes will now turn to Jeremy Hunt and the spring budget next week. With a chorus of voices calling for some relief from the highest tax burden in living memory, will the Treasury spend this unexpected growth windfall?.”
Responding to the GDP monthly estimate, Muniya Barua, Deputy Chief Executive at BusinessLDN, said:
“The date released today show that the economy is still stuck in the slow lane. The Chancellor needs to use next week’s Budget as the catalyst for sustainable economic growth. There are several low-cost measures that could provide an immediate boost, including reforming the apprenticeship levy to encourage greater take up and further devolution of regional pots of government funding so spending can be targeted where needed locally. The decision to end tax-free shopping, which is vital to attracting big spending international tourists, should also be reviewed.
“With strikes on the Tube and rail due to wipe out much of the working week, businesses and Londoners will also be hoping that both sides are edging closer to resolving this long-running industrial action which will inflict further damage on the economy .”
Innovative Biovate Hygienics is set to launch of one of the world’s first plastic free paper bottles for commercial cleaning products at a major London trade show.
The fast-growing start-up was co-founded last year by experienced environmental entrepreneur Nick Winstone with a mission to drive sustainable change in all markets that use cleaning products.
Their game-changing ‘Zero Compromise’ range – in which Biovate Hygienics has committed over £100,000 – features 500 ml ultra concentrates of floor and wall degreasers and washroom and multi-purpose cleaners.
The eagerly anticipated range will be officially unveiled by the company at The Cleaning Show. Biovate Hygienics is exhibiting on Stand D18 at the show, which is being held at ExCeL London from March 14 to 16.
The new products are all multi-tasking, taking care of 99% of cleaning tasks within a cleaning environment and they also use naturally derived bacteria, enzymes and plant-based actives for their primary cleaning power.
Although highly concentrated, the concentrates cleaning products are not corrosive and do not contain any petroleum derived ingredients. In their diluted form the products are not an irritant or classified in anyway.
Another UK first by ensuring only natural actives have been used, Biovate Hygienics is intending to submit the range to organic certification organisation, Ecocert, to be classified as natural eco detergents. The carbon footprint of Biovate Hygienics and its products are also undergoing certification by Neutral Carbon Zone using their gold standard. This ensures that the integrity of the products and their impact on the environment are externally validated by credible third parties.
Nick Winstone enthused: “In a time of economic hardship, we have ensured that the range is incredibly cost effective, amounting to just a few pence per spray bottle. Our multi-purpose cleaner concentrate 500 ml makes up to 250 spray bottles.
“Commercial cleaning products tend to have traditional fragrances, so we’ve launched the range with contemporary and sustainable perfumes such as Rhubarb Multi-Purpose Cleaner, Mandarin Floor & Wall Degreaser and our Rhubarb Washroom Cleaner.
“Our plastic-free bottle is made in the UK using sustainably sourced vegetable waste fibre paper pulp. This makes the bottle not only plastic free but it’s also created using materials that would otherwise be discarded. This sustainable sourcing also means that no trees were cut down in the production of our new bottles, helping to reduce waste and decrease our carbon footprint”.
The bottle’s interior features a bio liner that protects the inside, preventing contact with Biovate’s liquid cleaning products. This coating is made from natural pure plant sap latex while the outer case is infused with natural seaweed extract for added water resistance and helping to break down the paper fibres quicker, if composted.
Nick added: “Paper is more easily recycled than plastic and breaks down naturally when composted without creating harmful micro plastics. In contrast to plastic that can only be recycled up to six times in most cases, our unique plant-based paper bottle can be recycled indefinitely or composted, allowing two alternative means of disposal.
“With 91% of UK waste plastic not currently recycled but over 75% of paper waste recycled effectively, this is a ground-breaking”.
The paper can be easily pulped in most recycling centres and the natural coating comes away and is used within the organic waste stream for composting back to nature. The bottle has been designed to be recyclable or compostable, while its screw neck and cap are made of Moso Bamboo that breaks down easily and can also be recycled.
“Being a pioneer of biological products 15 years ago and having been out of the FM sector for three years, we wanted to ensure that our new range for the Cleaning & Hygiene sector was as pioneering as bacteria-based cleaning was all those years ago,” stressed Nick. “We spoke to cleaning operatives, managers in cleaning businesses and distributors and we kept on hearing the same thing, namely that the industry wants to eliminate chemicals and plastic from their cleaning practises. However, it was also clear that the products still needed to smell good, work better and cost no more than the chemicals they were replacing. After this extensive feedback we are delighted to unveil our Zero Compromise range”.
Biovate Hygienics, which is based near Towcester, Northamptonshire, has recently completed a successful first year of trading with more than £2 million in sales achieved. The company primarily focuses on providing bio products to housekeeping, hospitality, care and general cleaning sectors.
The South London Partnership (SLP) is launching a campaign to find apprentices and tutors to help boost the construction trade across South London, as UK labour vacancies reached a record 48,000 in 2021.
Supported by the Mayor of London, the SLP has created the initiative after research showed the construction industry has a shortage of apprentices and tutors. The campaign includes two virtual information events, which are taking place later this month.
Last month the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) released its annual Construction Skills Network (CSN) report which shows that Greater London needs 22,800 extra workers by 2027 – that means an annual recruitment boost of 4,560.
The SLP is a sub-regional collaboration of five London boroughs: Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames and Sutton. The SLP will work alongside Wandsworth Council, South London businesses and colleges to deliver this campaign.
Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council and Chair of the South London Partnership said:
“South London is a great place to live, but like other parts of London, provision of good quality, affordable and sustainable homes is a priority. Whether this is building new homes or retrofitting existing housing stock, we are predicting an even greater demand on the construction workforce.
“There is a wide range of apprenticeships on offer locally, which give young people a pathway to good quality careers in the industry. And for those further on in their career, tutoring provides a great opportunity to take those years of knowledge and experience and put their skills to use in a different way and help nurture the next generation of the workforce.”
A survey of 1,000 people conducted by UK Construction Week (2022) noted several barriers to young people pursuing a career in the industry. This included it being seen as a ‘dirty job’ (23 per cent), a lack of careers advice (19 per cent), and the sector being seen as male-dominated (15 per cent).
Shakir Kikomeko, 21-years-old, is an apprentice site manager working on one of South London’s biggest projects while studying one day a week at college.
“Most of my friends have gone to university, but I felt it wasn’t for me as I was keen to earn money and get started in a career. Sometimes you can feel unsure about asking questions, but you soon learn that there’s no such thing as a stupid question. When doing an apprenticeship you are surrounded by people that have been in the construction business for 20 or 30 years and there isn’t anything they don’t know.”
A recent study by The Financial Times on behalf of the Association of Colleges found that 85 per cent of colleges across the UK were understaffed for construction courses, with the lack of tutors contributing to a sector-wide shortage of construction workers.
Kevin Williams, 54, worked as a self-employed plumber for 20 years before becoming a lecturer and assessor at South Thames College. Kevin, who himself was an apprentice, said:
“It’s seeing the students grow and learn that really drives me. You can literally see the passion and determination in their faces to learn and succeed.”
St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most lively and entertaining festivities in the calendar, and an opportune time to celebrate everything Irish. However, the cost of living crisis means that we are all as eager as ever to save our money.
During this time, saving your money while out celebrating St. Paddy’s Day doesn’t have to be a complicated process. A large price difference can be found simply in the different areas, pubs and bars where you can get a pint of Guinness. As a result, just changing the place or pub you choose to party at can save you a fortune.
We’ve done the research so you don’t have to. With our interactive maps and convenient table, we have put together easy-to-understand data to show you the cheapest places where you can get a Guinness from across the country.
If you’re looking for the best value places to get a pint of the black stuff, check out this guide from Love Discount Vouchers, the home of discount, voucher and promo codes.
In our research, we have taken the time to put together the prices at which several different bars and pubs within an area serve their Guinness and have used this to create an average per region. In total, we asked over 250 pubs how much their Guinness costs for a fully in-depth survey.
As a result, you can take a look at how Greater London compares to other regions within its average Guinness price. We think the result is particularly interesting!
If you take a look at our full article, you’ll be able to see some fascinating results. You’ll be astounded to hear that the cheapest pint of Guinness you can find in the country is in Halifax in the Barum Top Inn. Alternatively, the most expensive we found was in Rutland at The Olive Branch.
From this result, you may have predicted that there is a particular trend you can notice when it comes to the north and south of England. Generally, the north of England boasted the counties with the best Guinness prices with County Durham, Staffordshire and Merseyside being the cheapest. On the costlier side, East Sussex, Hampshire and Greater London further south were the areas you could find the most expensive Guinness.
However, you can find exemptions to the rule. In Llandudno, The King’s Head had a particularly eye-watering price for an otherwise cheaper UK region. On the other hand, The Royal Oak in Didcot had a fairly reasonable price in a region where otherwise it can be hard to find a cheaper pint.
As well as the previously mentioned Barum Top Inn, these were some other pubs in the UK that caught our eye with their fantastic low-cost Guinesses:
The Kings Arms – Barrow-In-Furness
The Stag and Monkey – Hartlepool
The Bull Rugby – Rugby
Gleesons – Holyhead
Molly Malone’s – Glasgow
To find out in further detail about the cost of Guinness across the UK and see the prices for yourself, take a look at our article to find out more.
Adrian Yearwood, Director at Love Discount Vouchers,said: “As such a wonderful celebration, St. Patrick’s Day shouldn’t be a day where you end up spending a fortune. Using our research, save your hard-earned money by choosing the best value pubs and bars with us!”
Wealth Club today announces the launch of its new service: the Quality Shares Portfolio, a discretionary portfolio of global shares managed by Charlie Huggins.
Charlie previously managed the £300+ million HL Select UK Growth Shares Fund, which generated a total return of 64.7%, versus 38.7% for the peer group (ranking the fund 26th out of 209 funds in the sector) in his five-year tenure (from launch to Dec 2021).
The Quality Shares Portfolio is not a fund, so there are no constraints, quarterly performance targets nor imperatives not to stray too far from a benchmark. Charlie’s decisions are solely driven by where he sees the very best long-term growth opportunities, in the UK, North America and Europe.
The result is something markedly different from anything else an investor might hold: a high-conviction, global portfolio of 15-20 exceptional businesses picked for their resilient business models, deep competitive advantages, exceptional cash generation and strong culture.
Charlie Huggins, Head of Equities at Wealth Club said: “We’ve called this the Quality Shares Portfolio because that’s exactly what investors get. A small number of exceptional-quality shares chosen and managed by me, with a significant portion of my own money invested alongside theirs.”
“The companies I’ll invest in provide critical goods and services such as chemicals for premium skin creams, data that insurers and lawyers rely on every day to make decisions, and even employee card/badge readers. They’re the type of businesses where you can bury the share certificate, dig it out 10 years later, and find the profits and cash flows are materially higher. Or at least that’s what I hope. Companies like this are few and far between. I’ve rejected hundreds of good ideas, to focus on the very best. And I’ve been totally uncompromising – fewer than 20 have made it into the portfolio.”
“The Quality Shares Portfolio will deliver an unrivalled level of transparency and service to clients. I’ll communicate with investors regularly, discussing what’s worked and what hasn’t. They will see every share in the portfolio and I’ll explain why I invested.”
Alex Davies, CEO and Founder of Wealth Club said: “Charlie is one of the most talented fund managers I’ve come across. I have known him for 12 years: I gave him his first job at HL fresh out of Oxford University and have been waiting for an opportune time to work with him again. After a year of behind-the-scenes work, I’m delighted the portfolio is now ready and I am investing a significant amount of my own money.”
“In an investment landscape dominated by closet trackers, often too focused on what’s trendy right now or what might make the fund look good at the next quarterly review, Charlie’s approach is a breath of fresh air.”
His style embraces patience, common sense and simplicity, cutting out market noise and focusing on the culture of an organisation. Rather than drowning out the performance with a typical 50 or so companies, Charlie will be concentrating on 15 to 20 truly exceptional ones which could provide equally exceptional long term returns. The result is something unlike any other investment you own.”
About the Wealth Club Quality Shares Portfolio
The Wealth Club Quality Shares Portfolio is a high-conviction portfolio of 15 to 20 shares chosen by Charlie Huggins, Wealth Club’s Head of Equities, to deliver long-term capital growth. The portfolio will invest in North America, the UK and Europe.
The portfolio won’t look like a typical fund – and that is by design. The table below outlines the key differences:
What you get with most funds
What you get with this portfolio
Excessive diversification (50+ positions)
High conviction (15-20 positions)
Short-term decision making
A patient, long-term approach
Same names – e.g. Amazon, Alphabet, Unilever
Many niche, under-the-radar market leaders
Benchmark and liquidity constraints
Very few restrictions
Top 10 holdings with limited commentary
Every holding, regular communication
Units in a unit trust or OEIC
Individual shares
The Quality Shares Portfolio can be held in an ISA and General Investment Account, and is exclusively available through Wealth Club. Clients can invest lump sums or make transfers from other providers. The minimum investment is £10,000.
The details
Type:
Discretionary Share Portfolio
Minimum investment:
£10,000
Geography:
Global
Initial charge:
Nil
Annual custody charge:
0.25%
Annual management charge:
1%
Next deadline:
22 Mar 2023
About Charlie Huggins
Charlie joined Wealth Club in April 2022, after working for over 10 years at Hargreaves Lansdown, including five years as a fund manager. He was the lead-manager on the HL Select UK Growth Shares Fund and co-manager on HL Select UK Income Shares (from launch to December 2021).
Under his tenure, HL Select UK Growth Shares delivered a total return of 64.7%, versus 38.7% for the IA UK All Companies sector, ranking the fund 26th out of 209 funds in the sector.
Prior to managing funds, Charlie worked as a Fund Research Analyst. He is a CFA Charterholder as well as holding the Investment Management Certificate (IMC) and a diploma in regulated financial planning. Charlie studied Biochemistry at Oxford University, gaining a First Class Master’s Degree.
Annual Performance Growth
01/12/2016-01/12/2017
01/12/2017-01/12/2018
01/12/2018-01/12/2019
01/12/2019-01/12/2020
01/12/2020-01/12/2021
HL Select UK Growth Shares (Acc)
22.0%
2.2%
15.6%
1.7%
12.2%
IA UK All Companies
15.3%
-3.2%
12.4%
-6.3%
18.0%
Past performance is not a guide to the future. Performance is shown net of fees on a bid-to-bid basis, with dividends reinvested. Source: Morningstar, 01/12/2016 to 01/12/2021. Charlie managed the fund from launch until he resigned in the latter part of 2021.
“Equitus’ expertise in this area is second to none and we’re pleased to announce that we will continue to work with them.
Equitus Design Engineering and Innovations has strengthened its grip in the sustainable transport sector after landing a renewed contract with Luxfer Gas Cylinders Division of Luxfer Holdings PLC (NYSE:LXFR).
The company is supporting Luxfer Gas Cylinders with the design of numerous systems it is currently developing for sustainable transport sector clients.
HVS, Van Hool, Iveco and Tevva Electric are among Luxfer Gas Cylinders’ client base.
Equitus, a London headquartered design, engineering and innovation company with bases in Manchester and Bangalore, is continuing its 3D modelling, CAD Design and Finite Element Methods based structural mechanics assessments to support Luxfer Gas Cylinders on this growth trajectory.
Kevin Gilbert, Design Manager at Luxfer Gas Cylinders, said: “Equitus’ expertise in this area is second to none and we’re pleased to announce that we will continue to work with them.
“A greener world for future generations is part of Luxfer’s core objectives during what is an exciting period for sustainable transport.”
Luxfer Gas Cylinders works with multiple commercial vehicle manufacturers around the world to supply industry leading hydrogen cylinders while also designing hydrogen fuel systems.
It has an 80-year legacy in gas containment, has manufacturing facilities in California, Canada and China and boasts a specialist and expanding alternative fuel facility at its Colwick, Nottingham operation.
Raam Shankar, Equitus CEO and Founder, said: “We’re delighted, after a successful start to our partnership, to have agreed a renewal with such a reputable organisation.
“Luxfer Gas Cylinders is dedicated to bringing forward a brighter future for sustainable transport and mobility and Equitus is committed to helping them achieve this.
“Our work aligns with five United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and we look forward to closely working with the amazing people at Luxfer Gas Cylinders and their excellent client base.”
Raam Shankar is available for comment on topics including;
Bilt Renovation, a leading London home builder, has revealed the launch of its innovative new way to design, build and manage construction projects. Customers benefit from a new level of transparency and collaboration, enabling them to track project progress and budget in real-time and make informed decisions.
Co-Founders Owen Drury & James Brett began discussions in 2021, where they discussed the problems in the construction industry, before deciding that they needed to take action.
James, a third-generation builder, and Owen a construction consultant had both run successful construction businesses where they were at the forefront of both their colleague’s and client’s frustrations:
· An outdated process
· Reluctance to modernise and incorporate technology,
· A lack of transparency and collaboration
· Uneducated and inexperienced clients
These problems, combined with labour shortages and a climate crisis, paved the way for Bilt.
Bilt’s vision is to disrupt and revolutionise the home renovation market, an industry both Owen and James felt passionate about.
Starting with the customer experience, they are in the process of developing a streamlined design and build process. By utilising a core software stack, homeowners can plan and manage their entire project from the initial vision through to construction.
“The current process of designing and building your home is fragmented. You have to contact a designer who then advises you to appoint someone else. They then tell you to appoint another person, and by the time you are ready to build, you’ve spent thousands and made very little progress. When you finally get to the site, you face a battle with your builder who has excluded half of the design, and the costs keep rising” said James, Bilt Renovation’s co-founder.
Once on site, their digital project management platform allows homeowners to scrap the emails, text messages, phone calls, site visits and stacks of paper. 3D project tracking means homeowners can watch their projects from the other side of the world and keep tabs on how the builders perform.
“We understand that building a home can be a stressful experience, and we wanted to create a platform that puts customers at ease,” said Owen, Bilt Renovation’s co-founder. “With our project hub, customers can easily stay informed and confident about their project.”
Customers can access detailed information about their project’s progress, financials, and other details via a user-friendly dashboard. Customers can easily communicate with their project team, track milestones, and stay informed about the status of their project.
Bilt also plans to tackle social problems such as low productivity and an ageing workforce: “Stalling productivity, an ageing workforce and a future generation totally uninterested in construction mean we need to make our industry more attractive and more productive, and that’s what we’re planning to do” – claimed Owen, “By infusing technology and fostering a culture of innovation, we hope to attract the next generation to our industry”.
Bilt Renovation’s mission is to provide high-quality, affordable homes that are environmentally friendly and sustainable. Project planning, design, construction, and management from design to construction are among the services provided by the company.
For more information about Bilt Renovation and their project hub, visit their website at www.biltrenovation.co.uk or follow them on Instagram at @biltrenovation.
100ASA, the unique photography platform that emphasises quality over quantity, has introduced its professional photo critique service online. This service is the first to be provided online, enabling photographers of all skill levels to receive constructive feedback from industry professionals.
As personal photo coaches, 100ASA’s professional photo critique team provides detailed feedback to improve your photography regardless of skill level. With the launch of the Pro photo critique version, users can chat directly with the senior critic, giving them an even more personalized experience.
“We are excited to launch our professional photo critique service online. This game-changer for photographers looking to improve their craft and receive valuable feedback from experienced professionals,” said Massimiliano Peluso, Co-Founder of 100ASA.
Professional Photo Critique is open to all levels of photographers, from beginners to professionals. The team at 100ASA believes everyone can benefit from constructive feedback and the opportunity to learn and grow as photographers.
The professional photo critique service is just one of the unique features that 100ASA offers to its community of photographers. With its emphasis on quality, community curation, tokens and rewards system, and more, 100ASA quickly becomes the go-to destination for photography enthusiasts and professionals.
For more information on 100ASA and its professional photo critique service, please visit the 100ASA website.
Brace yourself for April price hikes as the government, NHS, Royal Mail, and many other businesses jump on the incremental price increase bandwagon for everyday items, services, utilities, and events.
Occasionally, the price hikes are minuscule and go unnoticed by consumers. However, at other times, they can substantially impact household budgets, like the upcoming 4.99% rise in council tax which will impact millions or the whopping 14.4% surge in broadband costs this year, from providers including BT, EE, Vodafone, and Plusnet.
The cost of living crisis is hitting households hard because everyday expenses are increasing much faster than incomes. Between 2016 and 2023, the median annual earnings for full-time employees in the UK increased by just 17% in seven years, from £28,195 to £33,000.
The team at mycommunityfinance.co.uk has delved deeper into April price hikes, alongside a snapshot of popular items that have gone up in price over the past seven years, identifying the top culprits of incremental increases that surpass the median annual earnings increase of a UK full-time worker.
The average household energy bill – a 120% increase
2016 – £1,134.00
2023 – £2,500.00 (Without government assistance, £2,100 with)
The average price of a block of butter per 250g – a 67% increase
2016 – £1.40p
2023 – £2.34p
A first-class stamp – a 72% increase
2016 – 64p
2023 – £1.10p
The average retail price of a used car – a 70% increase
2016 – £10,736
2023 – £18,268
The average price of a pint of milk – a 64% increase
2016 – 42p
2023 – 69p
A Glastonbury ticket – a 47% increase
2016 – £228
2023 – £335
The average price per litre of petrol – a 43% increase
2016 – 103.9p
2023 – 148.73p
Annual BT line rental – a 39% increase
2016 – £18.99
2023 – £26.35
The average price of a house – a 36% increase
2016 – £207,780
2023 – £281,684
An annual season rail ticket from Basingstoke to London – a 26% increase
2016 – £4,196
2023 – £5,292
The average cost of 50 hours a week of childcare for a child under two – a 24% increase
2016 – £217 per week
2023 – £270 per week
The average cost of a pint of lager – a 22% increase
“Inflation has been an alarming and ongoing crisis over the past seven years, causing significant financial hardships for individuals and families. With the rising cost of necessities, coupled with stagnant wages, many people need help to make ends meet.
“Urgent action and effective policies are needed to address this pressing issue and alleviate the burden on the most vulnerable of its devastating effects. It’s time for leaders to prioritise this issue and work towards a more stable and sustainable economic future for all.”
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