Gateshead Firm Targets 50% Growth After Contract Wins
BCE Northern Ltd, a Gateshead family-run civil engineering firm, expects 50% growth this year following new contracts and framework agreements, aiming for £12m turnover by end of 2026.
Category : Business Investments
Villa's Garnacho Gamble: High Reward or Risk?
Aston Villa's move for Alejandro Garnacho carries huge upside, with Unai Emery's stable environment and tactical support key to unlocking his potential, despite past struggles.
Greenhouse OS secures £900k for property platform expansion
York-based property tech firm Greenhouse OS has secured a £900,000 investment to scale its AI-powered estate agency platform, aiming to attract multi-office agencies.
Mitie Agrees £3.1bn Takeover by OCS
Mitie accepts a £3.1bn cash takeover from OCS, offering a 44.7% premium. The deal is recommended by Mitie's board and reflects a trend of London-listed firms being acquired.
Wholebake Invests £3m in New Production Lines
Wholebake, a healthy snack bar manufacturer, is investing £3m in new high-speed production lines in North Wales, tripling output to 360 bars per minute and creating 15 jobs.
Great North Calls for Devolution Alliance with New PM
Northern mayors urge PM Andy Burnham to forge a new devolution-first partnership, placing the North as a strategic partner in UK governance to drive growth and prosperity.
Talbots Law advises BCC on acquisition delivering 53 homes
Birmingham City Council acquired a landmark site with legal advice from Talbots Law, securing 53 new affordable homes in a major housing boost.
Juventus Final Push for Emi Martinez Transfer
Juventus are reportedly ready to make a final attempt to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, despite Villa's firm stance that he is not for sale.
Frasers Group Raises Hugo Boss Stake to 30%
Frasers Group has increased its Hugo Boss stake to 30.28%, triggering a mandatory bid under German rules. The £1.7bn offer expires on 27 July, but Hugo Boss recommends rejection.
Burnham Announces £45 Cost-of-Living Bonus for All Households
New PM Andy Burnham cuts VAT on electricity bills, saving households £45 a year from October, in immediate cost-of-living action.
DWP benefits cheat rumbled by partner's cars on driveway
Laura Cunningham, 34, claimed £32,000 in Universal Credit as a single mother while living with her partner, exposed by vehicles in her driveway.
WMCA Urges Sharper Delivery of Major West Midlands Projects
WMCA Investment Board approves £8m for Kingshurst regeneration but warns delays in big projects must be addressed to ensure timely delivery and efficient use of funds.
Succession Planning: Key for Welsh SMEs
Only 16% of Welsh SMEs have considered succession planning, risking jobs and local ownership. Development Bank CEO urges early action to protect businesses.
Shabana Mahmood Set for Chancellor; Greens Plan Attack; Rogers to Chelsea
Shabana Mahmood is widely tipped to become chancellor under Andy Burnham, prompting the Greens to plan attacks. Meanwhile, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers is transferred to Chelsea for a record £117 million.
Lloyds Reopens Bristol Cabot Circus Branch After £1m Investment
Lloyds Bank has reopened its Bristol Cabot Circus branch following a £1 million investment, featuring upgraded facilities and 17 staff members.
Villa Target Leao as Milan Set €50m Price Tag
Aston Villa are reportedly interested in AC Milan winger Rafa Leao, with the Italian club open to offers around €50 million. The 27-year-old Portuguese international could replace Morgan Rogers, who is nearing a record £117m move to Chelsea.
Xentra Secures £2.7m Investment for Growth
Yorkshire cyber security firm Xentra has secured £2.7m investment from Maven VCTs and NPIF II to accelerate growth, create jobs, and expand its customer base in education and SME markets.
Welsh wound care firm Hybrisan acquired by Eumar Technology
Port Talbot-based chronic wound care company Hybrisan has been acquired by Eumar Technology, creating a UK CDMO powerhouse in advanced wound care.
Bristol Waste MD Gets £120k Exit Payoff
Richard Williams, former managing director of Bristol Waste, received a £119,461 severance payment on top of a £146,106 salary, bringing his total 2025/26 package to £280,661 amid a cycle of leadership changes.
Middlesbrough to Earn £20.2m from Rogers' £117m Chelsea Move
Middlesbrough will receive around £20.2m from a 20% sell-on clause when Morgan Rogers completes his £117m transfer from Aston Villa to Chelsea.
Villa Face Hurdles in £15m Moriba Move
Aston Villa's £15m bid for Celta Vigo midfielder Iliax Moriba is reportedly too low, with the Spanish club uninterested and the player wary of a squad role at Villa Park.
Gareth Barry: Morgan Rogers Worth More Than £116m Anderson
Gareth Barry claims Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers should be valued higher than Manchester City's £116m signing Elliot Anderson, citing his age, talent, and unique playmaking abilities.
Aston Villa's £117m Rogers Sale: No Player Bigger Than Club
Aston Villa's decision to sell Morgan Rogers for £117m is a logical business move, reinforcing that no player is bigger than the club. Despite fan concerns, the club's strategy is sound.
North East appointments and promotions this week (18.07.2026)
Naylors promotes three senior staff, Muckle LLP hires Roland Fairlamb, Tyne Housing appoints Rachel McPeake, Mincoffs adds two solicitors, and John N Dunn Group brings back Darren McCallum.
Report Empty Homes for £3,000: Earn Rewards
Households in England and Wales can earn up to £3,000 by reporting empty properties to YouSpotProperty.com. Water meter reader Ben Thompson shares how he funded a family holiday through the scheme.
Octopus: Burnham PM Could Cut Energy Bills by £200
Octopus Energy says households could save £190 a year if incoming PM Andy Burnham reforms electricity market, with total savings of £83bn by 2050.
Igloo starts Sunderland Home of 2030 sustainable homes
Igloo has started building 16 sustainable homes in Sunderland city centre, part of the Home of 2030 concept, with completion expected autumn 2026.
NatWest relocates Welsh HQ to One Central Square
NatWest is moving its Welsh headquarters to One Central Square in Cardiff, bringing its Coutts private bank and accelerator hub under one roof in a 7,000 sq ft office.
JW Lees boss demands Burnham support as revenue hits £105.6m
JW Lees managing director William Lees-Jones calls for incoming PM Andy Burnham to support hospitality as the family brewer reports record £105.6m turnover and £8.8m profit.
Wales Needs a Productivity Investment Loan Fund
A new £5m farm loan scheme from the Welsh Government offers 3% fixed-rate loans, prompting calls to extend affordable patient capital across all sectors via a productivity investment loan from the Development Bank of Wales.
Page 4 of 17