Author: Scott Dylan

Revolution Bars has announced that seasoned investor Luke Johnson will assume the role of non-executive chairman, replacing Keith Edelman, who has served in the position for nearly a decade.Luke Johnson, who holds a 20% stake in the company, is set to succeed Keith Edelman in a significant leadership change for the pub and bar operator. Known for his past success with ventures such as Pizza Express and Gail’s Bakery, Johnson brings with him a wealth of experience and a robust portfolio of prior achievements in the hospitality sector.Rob Pitcher, CEO of Revolution Bars, praised Edelman’s leadership, acknowledging the pivotal role…

Delegates at the Green Party conference in Manchester have cast a decisive vote in favour of completing the HS2 project in its entirety. This critical decision marks a shift in policy and supports the completion of the entire Eastern leg and an underground through station at Manchester Piccadilly.The Green Party’s updated stance highlights the importance of addressing capacity issues on the railways and tackling regional inequalities. Additionally, the conference has shown strong support for the Northern Powerhouse Rail project, aiming to enhance connectivity across the North of England.Revised Policy on HS2The Green Party has resolved to support the completion of…

A sustainability-focused logistics company has marked its 50th year by relocating to a carbon-neutral headquarters.The John K Philips Group, an established logistics firm, has transitioned from its St Helens base to a 135,000-square-foot warehouse and office building in Warrington. This new headquarters, named Solar 120, has received an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating, acknowledging its environmentally friendly features. The facility is fully equipped with solar panels, LED lighting, heat pumps, and new electric forklift trucks, allowing the company to offer carbon-neutral warehousing services.Originally a BT call centre, the building was acquired in 2022 by CBRE Investment Management and transformed into a modern…

Mayors from across the North have announced plans to unite under the banner of Great North, setting out a new vision to champion their regions and unleash the potential of the North.Seven mayors gathered on Saturday in Newcastle at an event brought together by North East mayor Kim McGuinness and Sir Brendan Foster, Olympic medallist and founder of the Great North Run, to pledge a new era of Northern cooperation. The new Great North banner will give voice to the ambitions of an area spanning the Pennines, from Yorkshire and Lancashire up to the Scottish border, with a combined population…

Mercia Ventures’ Northern Venture Capital Trusts have made a notable exit from Gentronix, a specialist in predictive toxicology based in Cheshire. The stake was sold for £14.8 million, resulting in a 4.5x return on investment.This remarkable financial achievement coincides with the acquisition of Gentronix by Denmark’s Scantox Group. The deal, although undisclosed in its entirety, marks a significant milestone for both parties involved.Overview of GentronixGentronix is a Cheshire-based expert in predictive toxicology services. Established in 1999 by Prof Richard Walmsley, the company provides essential toxicology services to the global pharmaceutical and chemical industries. This facilitates the early identification of genotoxic…

The Eric Wright Group, based in Lancashire, has reported a significant increase in turnover over the past year. With several key projects and stable income from its diverse portfolio, the company remains optimistic despite some challenges.In the financial year ending December 2023, the Eric Wright Group reported a turnover increase from £168 million to £232 million. Despite this substantial rise in revenue, pre-tax profits experienced a dip, falling from £7 million to £5.8 million. However, the company emphasized a ‘strong underlying trading profit’ of £7.5 million, reflecting a decrease from £11.9 million in the previous year.The group’s diverse activities and…

Revolution Bars Group, based in Ashton-under-Lyne and operating 65 premium bars and gastro pubs, has announced the appointment of entrepreneur Luke Johnson as its non-executive chairman. This follows the retirement of Keith Edelman, who served as chairman since 2015. Earlier this month, the group completed a restructuring plan involving new share subscriptions, including a £12.5 million placement with shareholders such as Johnson, turnaround investor Rebus, and three existing shareholders.Luke Johnson, known for his significant impact on the hospitality sector, will now hold 300,000,000 ordinary shares, representing 20% of the company’s ordinary shares. Johnson’s storied career includes his role as chairman…

Australian technology company has secured an £85 million funding round, propelling its valuation to £1.3 billion. This significant investment will drive innovation, accelerate AI adoption, and reward long-term employees, amid a challenging fundraising environment.In the UK, the company’s workplace operations platform is already utilised by over 25,000 businesses, including the NHS, National Grid, British Airways, and Transport for London. The Manchester office, housing the growing EMEA team, is set to expand its headcount following a successful A$34 million capital raise earlier this year.Two senior executives inaugurated the new 9,000 sq ft office in a refurbished 19th-century bank building on Mosley…

Over a million low-paid workers in the UK are set to receive a significant wage increase next year, as the government pledges to increase the national living wage to £12.10 an hour. The Low Pay Commission, following Labour’s directive to ensure a ‘genuine living wage,’ has outlined plans for the increase and may recommend a higher figure before the upcoming budget. Currently, the national living wage stands at £11.44 an hour, and the proposed rise is part of Labour’s commitment to raise the floor on wages, according to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. She, along with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds,…

Small businesses are significantly contributing to tax evasion in the UK, according to a new report by the National Audit Office (NAO). The report revealed that small companies exploit weaknesses in government systems, contributing to 81% of the £5.5 billion lost to deliberate tax evasion in the 2022-23 financial year. Despite the overall tax gap—the difference between tax owed and paid—reducing from 7.4% in 2006 to 4.8% in 2022-23, the share attributed to small businesses has increased sharply over the past five years, rising from 44% in 2018-19 to 60% in the latest figures. The NAO report criticised HM Revenue…