After obtaining regulatory approval, the merger between TrustQuay and Viewpoint has been successfully concluded, following its initial announcement in February this year. This strategic merger establishes a prominent technology provider based in the United Kingdom, specializing in wealth management, trust administration, corporate services, and fund solutions.

By combining their strengths, the unified organization now serves over 660 customers across Europe and Asia, marking the first time these two companies have come together. Their clientele includes corporate services providers, trust and fund administrators, PLCs, family offices, trust banks, lawyers, and accounting firms.

Customers will enjoy expanded capabilities and a broader range of products, along with increased coverage of regulatory environments and improved global customer service. This round-the-clock support encompasses a comprehensive suite of solutions, including entity management, client accounting, practice management, compliance, governance, and workflow tools. These services are now available to 46,000 operational users across more than 80 jurisdictions.

Furthermore, the merged business can drive greater product innovation, enhance its professional services, customer support, and business development, and accelerate growth across all major product areas. It is supported by 270 employees located in 12 office locations, including Jersey, Guernsey, the UK, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia.

Upon completion of the merger, Rolf Heemskerk, formerly the CEO of Viewpoint, has assumed the role of CIO in the combined group and has joined the board.

Keith Hale, Group CEO of TrustQuay and Viewpoint, remarks: “Our combined product capabilities, expanded development scale, and global customer service coverage enable us to offer our customers and the wider market an unparalleled range of solutions. Through this merger, our offerings now encompass entity management, practice management, regulatory compliance, workflow, and digital capabilities for corporate services providers, trust administrators, law firms, and trust banks. We are also expanding our product offerings for global corporates and fund administrators.”

Rolf Heemskerk, CIO of the Group, adds: “TrustQuay and Viewpoint are an excellent fit, with complementary product capabilities, geographic coverage, and organizational strength. I am excited to collaborate with Keith and our combined management teams to leverage the talents and strengths of both organizations. Our aim is to assist our customers in digitally transforming their businesses, supporting their future growth and profitability through our state-of-the-art cloud technology and associated services.”

The merged business is supported by Hg and BPEA EQT, leading shareholders who specialize in investing in European and transatlantic software and services businesses, as well as Asian private equity, respectively. These strategic partnerships contribute to the company’s growth and success.

For more information, please visit: https://trustquay.com/

Passport Waiting Time (PWT), a leading independent online passport service provider, has recently acquired We Jump Any Line (WeJump), an innovative online platform aimed at simplifying the process of waiting in line for customers.

PWT was founded by Andy Anderson with the vision of providing passport applicants with accurate information about the waiting time for their passports. Since its launch in the UK four years ago, PWT has become a trusted source of passport-related news and information in the UK media and beyond.

Over time, the company has expanded its services to include real-time updates on passport waiting times, comprehensive customer feedback and reviews, and an online forum for passport-related discussions. PWT has also ventured into the global market, successfully launching in the US and Canada within the past year. The goal is to offer valuable insights and data to customers waiting for passports in these regions, while also providing exclusive travel discounts to its user base.

WeJump, created by entrepreneur and Argella founder Amar Rajani, is a service designed to alleviate the inconvenience of waiting in any line. By offering real-time data, insights, and fast-track tips, WeJump helps individuals navigate queues efficiently. The concept for WeJump originated when Amar experienced the process of waiting in line for Her Majesty The Queen’s Lying-in-State in 2022. It was during this experience that Amar recognized the potential to leverage the combination of data, technology, and behavioral psychology to address the complexities of queuing.

Commenting on the acquisition, Amar stated, “As a previous user of Passport Waiting Time, I was fascinated by the level of data, visibility, and transparency they provided through crowd sourcing. I reached out to Andy to express my admiration for his platform and soon realized its broad applicability to various other travel services I frequently use, such as booking VIP fast-track services or understanding queue times when planning attractions abroad.”

This acquisition will enable PWT to offer its customers an even more comprehensive range of travel services, including valuable tips and opportunities to bypass long queues and legitimately jump ahead in line. It seamlessly complements PWT’s existing suite of services.

Andy expressed his excitement about the collaboration, saying, “We are delighted to welcome WeJump to the Passport Waiting Time family. This acquisition will allow us to provide our customers with an enhanced and seamless travel experience, from the moment they start planning their trip until they return home.”

With the integration of WeJump, Passport Waiting Time aims to solidify its position as the premier destination for all travel and passport application-related needs. The company remains committed to delivering the best possible travel experience to its customers.

About Passport Waiting Time

Passport Waiting Time collects data to offer real-time estimates of passport processing times across the UK, US, and Canada, with plans to expand to other countries soon.

For more information, please visit:
UK – passportwaitingtime.co.uk
US – passportwaitingtime.com
CA – passportwaitingtime.ca

About We Jump Any Line

We Jump Any Line eliminates the inconvenience of waiting in line by providing step-by-step guidance on how to legitimately bypass queues. It offers fast-track options, useful tips, live data, and a platform for users to share their experiences and ideas.

For more information, please visit: wejumpanyline.com

About Argella

Argella provides advisory support and expertise to businesses of all sizes, assisting with scaling up start-ups and enabling digital and data-led transformations.

For more information, please visit: argella.co.uk

London marks Oita’s fourth year!

Japan’s spa capital is Oita in the western prefecture. With more refreshing, lovely hot springs than anywhere else in Japan – perhaps even the world – it makes a perfect extension to any Japan vacation for holidaymakers looking for a totally refreshing experience.

Aside from its celebrated spas, Oita has plenty to offer in the form of art, history, exquisite cuisine, and natural beauty. Furthermore, you can expect a warm welcome when you arrive. To help travellers learn about our beloved prefecture, the Oita Prefectural Government established a tourist desk in London four years ago. We’ve held firm here in the UK and are even expanding our presence to France as well! If you’d like assistance while planning your trip – whether that be in French or English – don’t hesitate to get in touch. Now, let’s take a look at some of the amazing attractions that await you in Oita!

Beppu and Yufuin hot springs

Located on the idyllic western island of Kyushu, Oita Prefecture is known for its hot springs – onsen in Japanese. Oita pumps out hundreds of millions of litres of mineral-rich healing water each year to the people of Japan, who love a dip in a warm bath. You can treat aches, pains and many other ailments with it, as well as beauty and skincare treatments.

It’s a pleasure to visit the seaside city of Beppu, one of the largest in Oita. The mountains are right at the shoreline, and the city is built up into the hills where there is so much geothermal activity that steam billows out into the air from natural steam vents all around town. Onsen in Beppu specialize in a variety of styles, including the black sand bath, which clears your pores and leaves you feeling rejuvenated.

Yufuin, on the other hand, is Oita’s cultural heart. This is a charming town with art galleries, hip cafes, and trendy boutiques. As a result of its location at the foot of Mt Yufu, it is a great place to explore the wilderness and host several major art and literary festivals each year. The onsen culture in this region is also exquisite, and many people enjoy soaking in the minerals and the atmosphere for days!

Kyushu Tour

For the first time in October 2023, the Tour de Kyushu will take place as part of the UCI Asia Tour across the island. It is the third and final stage of the race that passes through Oita; the highlight of this section is a high-speed sprint down 700m before circling around the picturesque town centre of Hita.

Stay on a farm

A Farm Stay is a cosy night spent in the home of a welcoming host family on a range of charming working farms. This type of green tourism originated in Oita Prefecture, in the city of Usa.

Noson Mimpaku is a unique holiday philosophy which appeals to people of all ages and nationalities. Visitors have the opportunity to stay at the homes of local farmers and take in their authentic lifestyle, whilst also discovering a range of exciting destinations – from animal farms and fisheries to mushroom farms, tofu producers and more. Aside from these fascinating experiences, guests are even able to learn how to make delicious dishes using fresh ingredients! Oita is truly a special place that provides an unforgettable spiritual journey – whether it’s an exploration of the coast, a venture through rivers, hikes into the highlands or sojourns on remote islands.

Ferry to Osaka overnight

Flying to Oita Airport, taking a train from Hiroshima to Fukuoka, or taking an overnight ferry from Osaka or Kobe are all excellent ways to get to Oita from mainland Japan. There’s no better way to travel – and it doubles as one-night accommodation, too!

We recommend a cruise back to the mainland on an overnight voyage from Beppu to the lively city of Osaka. You will spend the night in a spacious, deluxe cabin, and wake up bright and early ready for your next adventure. In January, the Sunflower Kurenai – the first LNG-powered ferry to travel this route – set sail, and the Sunflower Murasaki set sail in April 2023.

We at the Oita desk in London would be only too glad to hear from you with any questions or requests, so please do not hesitate to contact us!

Queer Spirits is delighted to announce its triumph in a nationwide competition organized by Adobe and Enterprise Nation.

Queer Spirits, a drinks company owned by members of the LGBTQ+ community, is committed to crafting exceptional spirits while championing diversity and supporting their LGBTQ+ community. Among numerous entrants, they are one of the ten small businesses chosen to claim a coveted spot on Europe’s busiest shopping destination.

Oli Powell, who, alongside husband Jon Gronow, operates Queer Spirits as a passion project, expressed overwhelming joy at their competition victory. “We still can’t fathom that we’ve emerged victorious. It’s a dream come true and a testament to all the hard work we’ve invested. We’re just a pair of individuals from South Wales who aspired to create a magnificent gin to honour our community. Now, here we are, preparing to launch a store on the renowned Oxford Street.”

Jon added, “This competition has truly tested our resilience. Currently, we solely operate online and possess no prior experience with brick-and-mortar retail. To prepare everything within a two-week timeframe, we’ve had to think swiftly and confront challenges we’re unaccustomed to. We are immensely proud of our accomplishments.”

Queer Spirits’ distinctive gin, boasting an exquisite fusion of exotic botanicals and bold flavours, will prominently feature in a temporary retail space situated at 58 Oxford Street, promising an extravagant celebration of queerness.

“We acknowledge that we may be small players in a vast arena, but we genuinely believe that the more authentic queer brands flourish, pursuing their passions, the more vibrant and joyous our collective community will become,” expressed Oli.

During their two-day residency, commencing on May 24th, Queer Spirits will donate a portion of their proceeds to Kaleidoscope Trust, a UK-based charity dedicated to advocating for the human rights of LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide.

Alongside their collaboration with Kaleidoscope Trust, Queer Spirits has provided support to various LGBTQ+ organizations and events since its inception, including Blackstage, which highlights the achievements of queer pole dancers of colour, and Camden Bells, a grassroots football team that warmly welcomes women, trans individuals, and gender nonconforming people of all skill levels.

Sharing the pop-up shop with Queer Spirits will be fellow entrepreneur Elisabeth Ola, the visionary founder of TRU SKN, an innovative beauty company devoted to instilling confidence, empowerment, and inclusivity.

As part of the event, Queer Spirits will unveil their new bottle design, granting early access to shop visitors. However, the journey hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing, as Oli explains.

“Things haven’t unfolded precisely as we initially envisioned, which can be challenging to accept when your identity is deeply personal and close to your heart. Nevertheless, witnessing the growth of our brand amidst extraordinary circumstances has been an immensely enjoyable experience.”

In an exciting collaboration, Queer Spirits has partnered with Double Dutch, the award-winning mixer brand, to offer Gin & Tonic samples to attendees throughout the two-day affair. This joint effort aims to enhance the in-store experience for customers and tantalize their taste buds.

Exclusive merchandise, including t-shirts, tote bags, and candles, will also be on sale, proudly showcasing the brand’s name and signature pink color palette.

Join Queer Spirits at their pop-up shop located at 58 Oxford Street, where you can embrace authenticity, celebrate diversity, and relish in the fabulousness of Queer Spirits.

The highly anticipated Paseda360 National Coaching Awards 2023 is gearing up to acknowledge and commend the remarkable work of coaches throughout the United Kingdom.

This esteemed event serves as a platform to honour the finest coaching talent across various disciplines and proficiency levels, shining a spotlight on their accomplishments and significant contributions to the advancement of their clients and the industry as a whole.

Entries are currently open, welcoming nominations for categories such as Emerging Coach of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Wellbeing Coach of the Year, Trusted Advisor Award, Transformational Coach of the Year, and many more.

The National Coaching Awards, organized by Paseda360, Global Coach Training, in collaboration with ScoreApp, the quiz funnel marketing app, and a group of sponsors who share a mutual commitment to promoting coaching excellence, are set apart by their purpose-driven nature. The awards will allocate funds for bursaries, providing Blue Light Career Leavers with the opportunity to retrain as coaches through Paseda360.

The winners will be unveiled during the prestigious awards ceremony scheduled for February 8th, 2024, at the renowned venue of The Royal College of Surgeons in London. The event promises an evening brimming with celebration and acknowledgment.

Expressing her enthusiasm, Angela Cox, the Founder and Master Coach of Paseda360, remarked, “The National Coaching Awards are a testament to the incredible coaches who skillfully blend resilience and empathy to empower their clients to unleash their full potential. We are thrilled to celebrate their achievements and the positive impact they make on their clients and communities.”

To enter a category or nominate a deserving coach, please visit: https://thenationalcoachingawards.com/