Business London Press

Esin Akan’s 6-in-1 Bag Smashes 300% of Kickstarter Goal

News Desk

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30/10/2024

Esin Akan’s 6-in-1 Bag Smashes 300% of Kickstarter Goal

Esteemed handbag designer Esin Akan has unveiled her 6-in-1 Wimbledon Olive Leather Handbag on Kickstarter, surpassing 300% of its initial funding goal in just three days. This rapid success highlights significant demand for sustainable luxury bags that seamlessly blend versatility, style, and affordability. The Kickstarter campaign continues until Monday, 25 November, giving early backers the chance to secure this innovative bag at an exclusive launch price.

The Wimbledon Bag brings the appeal of luxury without the hefty price tag, crafted from eco-friendly olive leather that ensures superior quality and sustainability. Designed with the modern, environmentally aware woman in mind, this adaptable handbag is perfect for every occasion, from professional settings to casual days out.

Why the Wimbledon Bag is Changing the Game:

Six Ways to Wear: The 6-in-1 Wimbledon Bag stands out for its adaptability, allowing wearers to carry it in six different styles. Effortlessly transitioning between work, weekend, travel, or evening events, the bag’s interior is expertly organised with compartments for easy access to all essentials.
Sustainable Olive Leather: Made from olive leather, the Wimbledon Bag utilises plant-based materials sourced from olive oil production by-products. This eco-friendly leather is biodegradable, cruelty-free, and PVC-free, retaining the resilience and elegance of calf leather without the environmental cost.
Luxury Without Excessive Pricing: Esin Akan works closely with top-tier European bag manufacturers to ensure premium craftsmanship. However, unlike traditional luxury brands, her bags avoid inflated pricing, providing customers with exceptional quality at a fraction of the cost.
Built to Last: The Wimbledon Bag is designed for durability, featuring water- and scratch-resistant materials. The metal detailing is tarnish-resistant, and the edging will not peel, ensuring it maintains its elegant appearance over time.
Smartly Organised Interiors: With thoughtfully arranged pockets and compartments, the bag combines practicality with style, keeping essentials neatly in place.
Award-Winning Design: Esin Akan’s background includes roles at notable luxury brands like Burberry and Anya Hindmarch, and her expertise in sustainable fashion is reflected in this collection. Her designs are influenced by studies in Milan and an MBA from London Business School.

Esin Akan’s mission is to empower women with handbags that marry luxury, sustainability, and functionality. To secure the Wimbledon Bag at its special Kickstarter price, visit the Kickstarter page.

Hanna Longstaff Joins Orchardleigh Wellness Retreats

Lifestyle

News Desk

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29/10/2024

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Hanna Longstaff Joins Orchardleigh Wellness Retreats

Orchardleigh Estate Wellness Retreats is thrilled to announce that Hanna Longstaff, “The Eating Behaviour Expert”, will join their team from 1 November 2024.

Orchardleigh Wellness Retreats are grounded in holistic wellness and personal growth, offering a distinctive and transformative experience (Top Santé magazine – August 2024). Held at Elmhay Park, a peaceful and secluded location, these retreats blend gentle physical, mindful, and educational activities tailored to the individual. Guests are invited to escape daily stress and revitalise themselves in a calm, nurturing environment. “Where better to reconnect with yourself and emerge renewed, empowered and aligned with your goals?”

Guests enjoy top-quality, freshly prepared meals throughout each retreat, designed to be balanced and nutritious. Paired with mind-clearing activities and various relaxing experiences, Orchardleigh provides a comprehensive escape from the pressures of daily life. Emphasis is placed on stress reduction and relaxation, allowing guests to reset, nourish, and recharge.

Orchardleigh Wellness Retreats focus on sustainable, healthy living and long-term wellness through evidence-based strategies and individualised support. The next retreat will run from 8-10 November 2024, with additional retreats scheduled, each promoting health, fitness, and well-being.

Samantha Newby Vincent, Marketing Director at Orchardleigh Estate, explained: “We invited Hanna to join our retreat team of facilitators as we believe her unique skillset will complement what we offer brilliantly and we knew she would fit in well.”

Hanna, an experienced practitioner, holds numerous qualifications, including Holistic Life Coaching, Advanced Holistic Lifestyle & Nutrition, Functional Nutrition, Mind Body Practitioner certification, and hypnotherapy.

Hanna Longstaff said: “We hugely underestimate the power of food on our mental and physical health. Making healthier, educated food choices consistently can very quickly raise your energy levels, relieve anxiety, improve mental clarity and generally boost your mood and wellness. I’m really looking forward to sharing some delicious insights at the retreat.”

With attendance limited to 20, Orchardleigh Wellness Retreats offer an intimate and personalised experience. Guests can also book private consultations with members of the coaching team, including Hanna. Early booking is advised. For more details or to reserve a spot, visit www.orchardleighwellness.com.

Khalili Foundation Named Founder Member of King’s Commonwealth Fellowship

Environment

News Desk

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25/10/2024

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Khalili Foundation Named Founder Member of King’s Commonwealth Fellowship

The Khalili Foundation, a global leader in fostering peace through arts, culture, and education, has been appointed as the Founder Member of The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP). This announcement was made at the University of Samoa, in the presence of His Majesty King Charles III, Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili, and The Hon. Philip Davis, Prime Minister of the Bahamas.

The Commonwealth’s Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face significant challenges, including economic shocks, climate change, and talent shortages in public services. These pressures are further intensified by youth migration, presenting a serious risk to peace and stability.

Developed in response to these urgent issues, the fellowship programme will be managed by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). This multi-faceted programme will provide fellowships for mid-career professionals, undergraduate scholarships, and PhD placements, creating a layered impact for SIDS communities.

Inspired by The King and launched with support from The Khalili Foundation, alongside a generous personal donation from His Majesty, the programme has been developed with input from universities and stakeholders within SIDS and the broader Commonwealth.

Professor Sir Nasser David Khalili, Founder and Chairman of the Khalili Foundation, stated:

“We at the Khalili Foundation are honoured and proud to be the Founder Member of The King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme and to support the ACU in this quest to support Small Island Developing States combat climate change.

His Majesty has been at the forefront of promoting environmental sustainability and encouraging harmonious societies for many decades, issues and values that are closely aligned to our mission and priorities at the Foundation. I look forward to this being the beginning of a long and impactful partnership.”

SheerLuxe Founder to Continue AI Innovation

News Desk

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25/10/2024

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SheerLuxe Founder to Continue AI Innovation

Georgie Coleridge Cole, founder of SheerLuxe, has promised to continue advancing the company’s use of AI technology, following mixed reactions to its new AI-powered fashion and lifestyle editor, Reem.

Launched in 2007 as an online retailer directory, SheerLuxe has grown into the UK’s top digital fashion and lifestyle publisher. The company now operates with a base in the Middle East, featuring an editor-in-chief and a fashion editor in Dubai, as well as a London-based managing editor, who previously served as editor-in-chief at Grazia ME.

SheerLuxe produces a daily digital newsletter covering an array of topics including fashion, beauty, culture, home, and travel. Additionally, the publisher releases specialised supplements dedicated to various interests such as weddings, parenting, mature women, younger readers, modern men, and a newly launched business edition.

This year, SheerLuxe made its first foray into Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the introduction of Reem Bot, an AI-powered fashion and lifestyle editor, supported by the SheerLuxe editorial team. Reem has been featured on the SheerLuxe website where her insights into her fashion and the latest trends are shared regularly.

Like SheerLuxe’s other editors, Reem provides recommendations across fashion, beauty, and travel, tailored to the platform’s audience.

Georgie Coleridge Cole commented: “The idea of introducing AI came from our desire to be at the forefront of the industry, to continue to push barriers and try new things – as we have always done.

“TikTok was new when we started experimenting with the platform and our efforts with it have had a hugely positive impact on the business, and that came from getting out there, pushing ourselves and giving it a try. With AI, it’s the same.

“Reem caused a stir because of concerns people have about job security and AI replacing humans but, in fact, developing Reem had quite the opposite effect – the workload involved with running her has actually created jobs. Look at the number of roles the birth of e-commerce and social media created.”

Undeterred by the varied responses to Reem, Georgie plans to continue exploring AI at SheerLuxe.

She said: “We are a well-known consumer facing platform, so it is hard to experiment quietly but ultimately everyone can and should be using AI in their businesses somehow. Whether you see it as a positive or a negative, it’s not going away.”

For more information about SheerLuxe, visit sheerluxe.com.

Can AI Help the UK’s Housebuilding Shortage?

AI
Property

News Desk

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25/10/2024

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Can AI Help the UK’s Housebuilding Shortage?

The UK faces a severe housing shortage, with government targets set to deliver over 300,000 new homes annually.

Although policy changes have been proposed, the property sector has historically struggled to adopt the technology needed to support these aims—until now.

Searchland, a London-based PropTech firm, has developed the UK’s first AI-powered Land Sourcing Assistant, changing the way developers locate and evaluate land for housing projects.

Mitchell Fasanya, CEO and Founder of Searchland, believes AI has the power to transform the property industry:

“The property industry has always been slower in adopting new technologies, particularly in the planning and development stages. With land teams more stretched than ever, we recognised the need for a tool that could boost efficiency.

“An AI programmed specifically to support housebuilders and developers is crucial to streamlining the entire land assessment process and focus on delivering homes faster.”

Historically, land sourcing has been a labour-intensive task, with developers required to explore areas, liaise with landowners, and rely on insider information.

These manual processes lead to delays, hindering the speed of housebuilding. Searchland’s AI Land Sourcing Assistant, however, aims to change that.

With conversational commands, the AI handles simple queries like, “Find sites larger than 10 acres with no prior development,” as well as more specific ones such as, “Find 5,000 sqm sites, free from planning restrictions, within five miles of a settlement.”

Using Searchland’s extensive database of land and property data, the AI returns the most relevant land options in seconds.

“While Searchland has been a reliable tool for land sourcing for several years, setting the right search criteria has always required specific knowledge,” Fasanya explains. “Our AI assistant removes that barrier by using the vast amount of data in Searchland’s system to identify opportunities developers may not have even considered. It simplifies the search process and pinpoints ideal parcels of land.”

By automating the land-finding process, Searchland’s AI allows developers to identify opportunities faster, enabling a quicker transition from acquisition to construction.

“AI is more than just a tool; it’s a game-changer,” Fasanya asserts. “With our AI assistant, developers can discover land opportunities faster, meaning we can accelerate the housebuilding process. We aim to help the industry meet government targets and ensure more people can access homes.”

For more on Searchland and its AI Land Sourcing Assistant, visit https://searchland.co.uk/.

SMEs Must Act Before Autumn Budget Hits Hard

Business

News Desk

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24/10/2024

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SMEs Must Act Before Autumn Budget Hits Hard

With UK insolvency rates reaching a 20-year high, Clarke Bell, a prominent insolvency firm, has warned that the forthcoming Autumn Budget could lead to a rise in business liquidations. The Budget, set for 30th October 2024, is expected to introduce new tax measures and spending cuts, which could place even greater financial pressure on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Businesses are currently three times more likely to enter liquidation compared to pre-pandemic levels. Clarke Bell urges directors to consider Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) or Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) before their financial situation worsens.

With the Budget fast approaching, UK businesses are already facing growing uncertainty. Rising operational costs, high interest rates, and inflation are putting immense strain on owners, and business confidence has fallen by 1.7% this year.

The government is expected to introduce fiscal measures that could worsen the situation for businesses, including:

Changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT), potentially aligning it with income tax and reducing available reliefs.
Potential increases in Employer National Insurance contributions, adding to operational costs.

John Bell, Licensed Insolvency Practitioner, Fellow of the ICAEW, and Senior Partner at Clarke Bell, remarked:

“With insolvency rates at record levels, the combination of existing financial pressures and new measures from the Autumn Budget could lead to a significant rise in business closures. Directors need to act now to explore their options.”

For solvent companies looking to close, Clarke Bell’s Members’ Voluntary Liquidation (MVL) service offers a tax-efficient way to wind down. However, with expected changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR), business owners may face higher tax bills if they delay the process.

John Bell adds:

“Directors planning to close their solvent companies should act swiftly, particularly in light of expected changes to Capital Gains Tax and BADR. Our MVL service ensures they can extract maximum value in a tax-efficient manner before any potential tax increases are implemented.”

For companies burdened with unsustainable debt, Clarke Bell’s Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) service provides an organised and responsible way to wind down operations, allowing directors to protect themselves from legal consequences.

John Bell concludes:

“We’ve seen an increasing number of directors reaching out for advice on CVL. The process offers a solution for businesses that can no longer meet their financial obligations, helping directors close their companies in an orderly fashion.”

As the Autumn Budget approaches, Clarke Bell continues to provide expert advice to help businesses navigate these challenging times, offering both MVL and CVL solutions to meet the needs of solvent and struggling companies.

Tim Peake Headlines Adviser 3.0 in 2025

News Desk

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18/10/2024

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Timeline has announced its flagship event, Adviser 3.0, will return on 15th May 2025 at Magazine London. Designed to inspire financial planners, the conference will feature Major Tim Peake, the British astronaut, as the keynote speaker. He will be joined by other notable experts such as Dr Meghaan Lurtz, Abraham Okusanya, and Brett Davidson.

The conference will offer more than 20 sessions spread across five stages, allowing attendees to explore a variety of topics, including AI, technology, succession planning, client communications, and leadership. The focus will be on delivering practical advice that can be applied to everyday business challenges.

Timeline’s CEO Abraham Okusanya opens up the 2024 Adviser 3.0 conference

The day will also feature a Rio Carnival theme, adding a vibrant and energetic atmosphere to the proceedings. Alongside valuable insights, attendees can enjoy networking opportunities, excellent food, and an after-party that runs until 10:00 pm.

Abraham Okusanya, CEO of Timeline, shared his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to present such a rich and diverse line-up of speakers to the UK advice community. Major Tim Peake’s experiences are truly inspirational, and his insights will beautifully complement the practical sessions we have planned. After two years of learning and fine-tuning, we’re confident this year’s event will exceed all expectations. Tickets are on sale now – they won’t last, so don’t miss out on being part of something amazing.”

To learn more or secure tickets, visit the Adviser 3.0 website.

Doctors Secure £1.2M to Combat Educational Inequality

News Desk

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18/10/2024

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Doctors Secure £1.2M to Combat Educational Inequality

Two former NHS doctors have successfully raised £1.2 million in funding after leaving their medical careers to focus on solving educational inequality through technology.

Medly AI, co-founded in 2023 by doctors Paul Jung and Kavi Samra, was created with the mission of ensuring students from all backgrounds have equal access to personalised education. Having grown up in low-income families, both founders have personally experienced the widespread educational inequalities within the system.

Utilising cutting-edge AI, neuroscience, and established educational theories, Medly AI offers personalised, curriculum-based learning, positioning itself as the next generation of AI tutoring.

The app’s key features include AI-predicted exam papers tailored to specific exam boards, and the ability to take a photo of any exam question for immediate assistance and detailed explanations.

Since its initial launch, Medly AI has already helped over 10,000 students improve their GCSE results. Its adaptive learning technology provides tailored support, allowing students to address their individual needs and improve their academic outcomes.

Speaking about the company’s mission, co-founder Kavi Samra said: “At the heart of Medly AI is a mission to democratise education by making high-quality, personalised learning accessible to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background.”

Kavi also emphasised the significance of the institutional support they’ve received: “Our institutional partners include UCL, Innovate UK, Microsoft, and Google, all of whom have contributed £400,000 towards our operational costs. On top of that, we’ve raised £1.2 million, with Eka Ventures leading the funding round. They share our passion for transforming personalised learning.”

Kavi and Paul both come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and despite studying medicine at University College London, Kavi was often reminded of the significant disparities in the education system. His family couldn’t afford private tuition or the advantages many of his peers had.

Reflecting on his educational journey, Kavi added: “During my school years, I was acutely aware of the educational advantages that were out of reach for my family. I had to overcome these challenges through sheer determination and perseverance.”

“Our goal at Medly AI is to create a world where educational success is determined by passion and potential rather than socio-economic status.”

For more details about Medly AI, visit www.medlyai.com or visit its app store page.

NARMA Presents the Agal Collection

Fashion

News Desk

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18/10/2024

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NARMA, a design studio and atelier created by Nouf Al Rashed, unveiled its first capsule collection, the Agal Collection, during an exclusive showcase in London on Monday.

The name NARMA is a combination of two Arabic words – “Nar” (fire) and “Ma” (water) – representing the balance and harmony that underpin Nouf’s design approach. Her philosophy draws inspiration from a wide array of cultural and artistic influences, reflecting a rich blend of heritage and creativity.

Nouf’s work is marked by her passion for materials, with a keen interest in pushing boundaries through the use of unconventional elements. The Agal Collection, NARMA’s first womenswear line, is defined by the incorporation of the agal’s black cord, which features prominently throughout the designs. The collection is designed to be inclusive, moving away from traditional fashion and appealing to a modern, diverse audience.

A strong commitment to sustainability is at the heart of Nouf’s vision. Each garment in the Agal Collection is produced with environmental responsibility in mind, combining style and ethics seamlessly. Nouf’s passion for fashion, culture, and sustainability shines through in every piece.

Reflecting on the collection, Nouf Al Rashed said: “This collection embodies a woman who is in love with playful curiosity, and is a reflection of creativity, with both nature and nurture working together.”

She further explained: “Women were traditionally excluded from the Agal that is worn by men, so I wanted to bring in the idea of a woman’s crown. I have aimed to share this symbol of honour with a female audience, making it more inclusive and accessible to all. I hope for all women to become part of this exciting journey as The Agal Collection continues to make its mark across the globe.”

The collection was launched at Tristan Hoare, 6 Fitzroy Square, W1T 5HJ in London. Beyond fashion, it celebrates heritage, innovation, and a dedication to sustainability.

Liam Payne dies after balcony fall in Argentina

News

Helen Greaney

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17/10/2024

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Liam Payne dies after balcony fall in Argentina

Popstar Liam Payne has died after falling from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, yesterday.

The 31-year-old of former global boyband One Direction, had been on holiday with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy, and had been in Argentina earlier that month to watch his friend, Niall Horan, in concert.

Liam fell from the third floor balcony at Casa Sur where he was staying in Palermo.

Emergency crews said they had initially responded to a 911 report from the hotel manager of an “aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol”.

When they arrived at the hotel, emergency services found Liam in an interior courtyard with “very serious injuries incompatible with life”. An autopsy will take place.

Fans of the singer held a candlelit vigil at the hotel overnight.

Rise to fame

Payne rose to fame in 2010, while competing in the The X Factor. He was placed in a band with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson.

They went on to become one of the world’s most famous boybands, selling more than 70 million records worldwide.

Liam enjoyed some solo success with his solo singles Strip That Down and Both Ways, following the band’s split.

He had a son, Bear, with former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy, in 2017.

Tributes

Many celebrities have expressed their sadness on social media this morning, including Liam Gallagher who wrote on X, “Life is precious kids and you only get to do it ONCE, go easy LGx”.

Singer Olly Murrs, who appeared on The X Factor the year before Liam, said he was “lost for words” after describing the death as “devastating”.

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