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Modern Honeymoons Are Moving Beyond the Traditional Island Escape

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Modern Honeymoons Are Moving Beyond the Traditional Island Escape

The idea of the perfect honeymoon is evolving. While peaceful beaches and luxurious villas remain part of the dream, many couples now want their getaway to include new experiences, different dining options and the flexibility to enjoy more than one side of paradise without sacrificing comfort.

For many years, honeymoon travel centred on one simple concept.

A private island. A luxurious villa. An infinity pool. Days spent completely disconnected.

Although relaxing, that style of holiday can begin to feel repetitive after a few days.

Today’s luxury travellers are embracing destinations that combine tranquillity with opportunities to explore. One day might be devoted to water sports and marine life, while the evening could end with live entertainment or dinner somewhere entirely different. Privacy is still appreciated, but variety has become part of the luxury experience.

That trend is helping redefine holidays in the Maldives.

Guests at SAii Lagoon Maldives, located within CROSSROADS Maldives, can enjoy a connected destination that makes changing the pace of their holiday simple and effortless.

Mornings may begin with breakfast by the sea before kayaking or snorkelling in crystal-clear waters. As the day unfolds, couples can head to The Marina @ CROSSROADS to shop, enjoy waterfront dining or experience a lively social atmosphere that stands apart from the traditional island retreat.

The recently introduced 1Journey, 3 Vibes concept offers even more flexibility. Guests can experience SAii Lagoon Maldives, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and SO/ Maldives within a single holiday, discovering three unique resort styles without complicated transfers or repacking luggage.

The focus is not on travelling between islands but on enjoying a different experience whenever the mood changes.

Located just a short 15-minute speedboat journey from Velana International Airport, CROSSROADS also saves guests from lengthy domestic flights and seaplane connections.

Adding to the experience is SAii Lagoon Maldives’ Just the Two of Us package, created for honeymooners and couples celebrating anniversaries.

The experience includes a romantic villa welcome with chilled wine, gourmet breakfasts accompanied by sparkling wine, complimentary snorkelling, kayaking and pedal boating, plus a candlelit beach dinner for stays of five nights or longer. Early arrivals and late departures provide extra flexibility, while relaxing at SAii Spa or spending time at The Marina ensures every day feels fresh and memorable.

The Maldives remain a dream honeymoon destination. The difference today is that couples are looking for experiences that offer both serenity and variety.

More households are being drawn into Inheritance Tax

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More households are being drawn into Inheritance Tax

Beaumont Wealth is urging individuals and families to review their estate planning, as increasing property prices and long-standing frozen Inheritance Tax thresholds mean that many estates which previously fell outside the rules could now face an unexpected tax liability.

Why are more families paying Inheritance Tax?

Many people believe Inheritance Tax is only an issue for the wealthiest households. However, with the nil-rate band remaining unchanged until 2030 and house prices continuing to rise, more estates are now exceeding the available allowances.

For many families, this only becomes clear once they receive professional financial advice.

Why planning ahead matters

There are several ways to reduce a potential Inheritance Tax bill. These may include making use of gifting exemptions, considering trusts where suitable, and reviewing pensions and investment arrangements.

Some of these strategies require time before they become fully effective, making early planning an important part of protecting family wealth.

More than a financial consideration

Inheritance Tax is not simply about tax. It also affects how much wealth can be passed to future generations and whether loved ones receive the inheritance intended for them.

Without careful planning, beneficiaries could face significant tax charges, which may result in difficult choices involving the family home, investments or other valuable assets.

Clearing up common myths

A common misunderstanding is that Inheritance Tax only affects wealthy individuals. In reality, a combination of property, savings, investments, pensions and life insurance can quickly take an estate above the available thresholds.

Another misconception is that writing a will is enough to solve any Inheritance Tax issues. While having a will is vital, it does not automatically reduce the amount of tax that could become payable.

Mark Evans, Managing Director at Beaumont Wealth, said: “Many people are surprised to discover that their estate may be liable for Inheritance Tax. The good news is that planning opportunities are available. Taking professional advice can help ensure more of your wealth passes to the people you care about most.”

Helping secure your family’s future

Inheritance Tax planning is about more than reducing tax. It provides reassurance that your savings and assets are protected and that future generations benefit from the wealth you have built.

A financial adviser can explain the options available and help develop a plan that reflects your family’s circumstances and long-term objectives, increasing the amount that can be passed on.

Regular reviews are also important to ensure estate plans continue to reflect changes in legislation, family situations and property values.

For tailored advice on protecting your family’s wealth, contact Beaumont Wealth today at www.beaumontwealth.co.uk or call 0330 124 7860.

How outsourced finance helps Manchester SMEs make better decisions

Helen Greaney
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How outsourced finance helps Manchester SMEs make better decisions

SMEs account for 99% of Manchester’s business base, and employ 71% of its workforce. The city’s tremendous growth, productivity, and attractiveness to foreign investment all come from this strong base of independent tech, finance, manufacturing, and creative industries. Despite these promising prospects and Manchester’s heavy investment in the infrastructure that links them, many SMEs are still struggling. 

Labour is expensive, and highly-skilled labour is in short supply. Operating costs for commercial property and energy continue to rise, and digitisation is proving difficult for some to adapt to. Though local councils and private capital groups have expanded their funding options, these complexities require strategic thinking across the business and are not necessarily fixed by an injection of cash. Outsourced finance teams offer the Manchester SMEs the resources and expertise they need to navigate the turbulent economic landscape. 

All decisions are financial decisions 

The ever-accelerating pace of technological innovation and the gradual lowering of entry barriers to commerce mean that SMEs face more competition than ever before. 

In fast-paced markets like Manchester, business leaders are pressured to make the big decisions much earlier in their company’s journey than they otherwise would. They have to consider how the company structure will change with growth, funding options, which software they should invest in, and make calls on cash flow management before they even have a solid idea of how their performance compares, just to stay ahead of the curve. 

Each decision, whether made at these early stages or well into a business’s lifecycle, carries hidden costs, and relying on guesswork makes them much more difficult to predict. A professional hand at the wheel can offer informed guidance through regular reporting and an in-depth understanding of both the company’s current position and broader market conditions. 

Compliance is only a baseline 

Most SMEs handle bookkeeping and payroll but treat them as required periodic processes, ultimately divorced from the day-to-day running of the company. As discussed, many industries within the city are moving at breakneck speed, and while understanding last year’s performance is useful, it lacks the adaptability and utility of real-time data. 

Manchester accountants take a more active role in monitoring and reporting key metrics. Any founder can learn to navigate the UK’s Make Tax Digital framework and meet their mandatory commitments, but these are only the beginning. The active decision-making support provided by forecasts, debtor tracking, and scenario planning requires some form of external guidance. 

Every SME faces its own obstacles 

Some of the best-performing sectors in Manchester include digital creative agencies, hospitality, and life-science startups. The diverse nature of the city’s commercial ecosystem is at once a great source of strength and somewhat of a liability, as it means the core struggles each industry faces cannot be fixed with easily transferable information. 

The sheer number of variables at play, including SME size, location within Greater Manchester, and liquid assets, means that while one start-up may need runway modelling aligned with its hyper-growth mindset, another would benefit from a triage of its stock and supplier portfolio. Companies in high-turnover markets, like hospitality, may need scenario modelling to account for peaks and troughs in available labour, meaning there is no single, all-encompassing solution a founder can turn to. 

Navigating these industry-specific obstacles alongside broader economic forces often proves too much for SMEs and is indeed a reason many end up closing shop before they reach profitability. Outsourced finance and fractional CFOs offer an adaptable solution to Manchester’s small businesses, combining focused expertise with global insight on trade and geopolitics to predict roadblocks in advance. Leaders can make contextually aware decisions with greater comfort, knowing they have decades of experience in their corner. 

Clarity that supports growth 

SME leaders make important decisions every day, whether they realise it or not. Though adopting a new piece of software or leveraging an existing client to make up for a lack of new prospects may seem insubstantial and offer some immediate benefit, they can lock a company into a costly-to-recover-from trajectory. 

Outsourced finance teams support decision-making by tackling problems from every angle, identifying inefficiencies and bottlenecks that act as invisible drains on profitability. They give leaders the clarity they need to price, hire, scale and invest at the right time, so that each step in their journey is taken with confidence and knowledge of what comes next. 

 

Graduate scheme’s police detective results beat national average for seventh year

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Graduate scheme’s police detective results beat national average for seventh year
A scheme aimed at gaining graduates access to careers in the Police Force is celebrating best-ever results from its detective programme.
Police Now, a registered charity that’s helped thousands of graduates find roles nationwide, had 146 participants take the National Investigators’ Exam (NIE) earlier this month.
The national pass rate was 67% but 86.3% of the Police Now trainee detectives achieved the required standard.
The results continue a long-standing trend for Police Now, with its participants exceeding the national benchmark in each of the last seven years – by an average of 15.5 percentage points.
They also include 4% of participants who received exceptional grades – double the national average.
Millie Tanner (pictured), head of Programme Delivery at Police Now, said: “These results are a testament to the dedication of our participants and the quality of our training.
“We’ve grown our programme significantly since our early years, and yet our pass rate remains impressively high.
“That doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects the commitment of our recruits and the rigour of our programme. When your cohort once again outperforms the national average, and your exceptional grade rate is double that of the wider field, you know something is working.
“Ultimately, these results represent detectives who are ready to make a real difference to victims and communities.”
Founded in 2015, Police Now recruits, trains and develops graduates with leadership potential to become exceptional police officers and detectives via its two-year National Graduate Programme.
Since launching the programme, it has recruited more than 1,200 detectives, with 67% of those identifying as female, ensuring diverse representation in investigative policing.
Josie Baldwin, 26, left her job as a secondary school teacher to join Police Now’s programme and is one of those who received an exceptional grade.
She said: “I studied a lot, but it helped that I found much of the exam content on criminal law and reading the case law genuinely interesting, which made it more enjoyable.
“Police Now also funded a revision course, and a couple of us went on a two-day course led by Paul Connor, who writes Blackstone’s Police Investigators’ Manual, and Julianna Mitchell, both of whom were incredible.
“There are genuinely so many opportunities in policing, and now that I’ve passed the NIE, I feel really excited about the different directions my career can take me.”
Fellow Police Now participant Faith Bryant, 23, also received an exceptional grade.
She said: “I’m really excited about my future and want to experience everything policing has to offer. If you find something you love and are passionate about it, you can give your best to it, which is what I plan to do.”
Millie said: “As we look to expand our programme, our focus remains on recruiting exceptional graduates who reflect the communities they serve. We’re equipping them with the tools needed to make a lasting difference.”

Why your ads are showing to everyone except the people ready to buy

Helen Greaney
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Why your ads are showing to everyone except the people ready to buy

Have you ever experienced the frustration of investing so much in your ads and still struggling to get conversions?

Yes, you can still rely on many other achievements, like impressions and leads, but what about sales? You’re paying for every click and every visit. The question is, are you paying to reach buyers, or just to be seen? The truth is that your ad is not reaching the right people, those already interested in buying your products.

To have a better understanding of what’s happening here, let’s imagine the existence of a readiness spectrum where you have two different extremes. On the one hand, there’s someone who isn’t interested in making an immediate purchase and has never heard of your brand.

On the other hand, there is a potential buyer who has been looking for your product for some time and is now ready to purchase. Ads perform at their best with this last one. A common mistake, though, is to invest in campaigns that are way too broad to convert, reaching people who are far from buying.

The result? Waste of money and time. What are the most common mistakes when targeting the wrong audience?

Wrong targeting: why does it happen?

Targeting can be tough at times. Interest-based ads, or treating your customers the same way, aim to attract visitors to your website. This is not the wrong approach; it is if you aim to get conversions. Here are some common mistakes you usually make when targeting your potential buyer.

  • Interest-based targeting tools: Meta, for example, lets you target people by interest. However, interests don’t provide precise data, as they’re not up to date and come from habit-driven scrollers.
  • Similar audience: This group also includes those who made a stand-alone purchase and never bought again, mainly because it was a gift for someone else or because they regretted it. Hence, not accurate.
  • Search-intent ignored: Broad match keywords usually target any search query. Precision is key; when a user types a query, the Search engine can understand what they type, not what their intent is. Broad match keywords give Google control over what to show. With exact or phrase match, the advertiser controls it.
  • Targeting your audience equally: website users are not necessarily alike. Someone who landed on your homepage and bounced in a few seconds is not the same as someone who spent four minutes on your pricing page, compared two plans, and cross-referenced your offer against a competitor’s. Assessing the user intent as the same is a waste of budget and time on visitors who barely reached the awareness stage; they know you exist, nothing else. In contrast, most interested visitors are most likely to convert.

The secret to succeeding in Google Shopping management lies in matching the user’s search intent in your Google Ads. It means shifting from reach to relevance by aligning your message and budget with where your audience is in their buying journey. The strategy of high-intent targeting is a go-to approach for connecting your brand with realistic potential customers.

How high-intent targeting works

The rule for reaching the right person at the right moment lies in how you use your ad keywords. In this case, for selling purposes, your keyword should include conversion-focused terms. Words like “buy,” “pricing,” “alternatives,” “reviews,” and “near me” are flags that someone is close to a decision. Website visitors are the most obvious customer audience, but most advertisers treat them all the same.

Someone who visited your homepage and left is fundamentally different from someone who navigated to your pricing page, clicked through to your case studies, and then bounced. Both are “website visitors.” Only one of them is close to a decision. The most common mistake, in fact, is treating customers as a social media audience.

The correct strategy is to change your perspective by thinking of yourself as a buyer. The goal of advertising is not to be seen by as many people as possible. The goal is to be seen, at the right moment, by the people who are ready to make a decision. When they’re ready to buy, your brand should be an obvious answer.

Clicks are not customers. It’s not the metric we should focus on when the purpose is selling. Every pound spent reaching an uninterested audience in your product is a pound not spent accelerating the journey of someone ready to buy your products. Choose your targeting carefully: find some transactional and commercial keywords, pick exact-match ones for your ad, and give your budget a strict purpose.

Northern business formation rebounds as new analysis shows strong business resilience in Manchester

Helen Greaney
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Northern business formation rebounds as new analysis shows strong business resilience in Manchester

New analysis by Your Company Formations suggests the UK’s entrepreneurial economy remains remarkably resilient, with business formation recovering following regulatory changes while business closures continue to decline.

Although UK company incorporations slowed following Companies House reforms and higher statutory fees, the latest data indicates that entrepreneurial activity is already strengthening across the North, suggesting the earlier decline reflected a period of market adjustment rather than weakening business confidence.

Your Company Formations analysed data from Companies House, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and other official business datasets to assess the outlook for UK entrepreneurship heading into 2026.

Companies House recorded 801,864 new company incorporations during the financial year ending 31 March 2025, approximately 10% lower than the previous year. The reduction coincided with increased incorporation fees and reforms introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, which strengthened identity verification and corporate transparency requirements.

However, incorporation activity recovered quickly.

During Quarter 3 of 2025, Companies House recorded 215,982 new incorporations, representing a 12.68% increase compared with the same quarter in 2024. Business
creation also increased across 15 of the UK’s 16 major industrial groups during Quarter
4 2025, with the strongest growth recorded in the transport and storage, and information
and communication sectors.

When looking at their own regional data from Your Company Formations, they found
Manchester remains the entrepreneurial powerhouse of the North West, generating
more new business activity than any other Greater Manchester borough during the first
half of 2026.

Professional, creative, technology and property-related businesses continue to feature prominently in Manchester business registrations, reflecting the increasingly diverse nature of Greater Manchester’s economy.

The findings suggest that entrepreneurs have adapted rapidly to the new regulatory environment, with incorporation activity returning to growth despite higher compliance
expectations. The analysis also points to improving business resilience.

According to the Office for National Statistics, 65,750 businesses closed during Quarter
4 of 2025, representing a 3.6% decrease compared with the same period a year earlier.
Nine of the UK’s sixteen principal industrial sectors reported fewer closures, with the largest improvements recorded in transport and storage, together with business administration and support services.

The combination of increasing business creation alongside falling closure rates
suggests that the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem remains healthy despite continued
economic uncertainty.

Robert Engeham (pictured), founder and CEO of Your Company Formations, said: “The latest figures present a far more encouraging picture than many people might expect. While regulatory changes temporarily slowed incorporation volumes, we are already seeing formation activity recover alongside fewer business closures.

“One of the most encouraging findings is the geographical spread of new businesses. Entrepreneurial activity isn’t confined to Manchester itself; we’re seeing founders establishing companies across Bolton, Salford, Stockport, Bury, Rochdale, Wigan and many other communities throughout Greater Manchester.”

International demand for UK company formation also remains positive.

Companies House recorded 14,574 overseas companies with a UK establishment at the end of the financial year ending March 2025, representing 1.9% annual growth and reinforcing the UK’s continuing appeal as a destination for international entrepreneurs and globally focused businesses.

The findings support a broader trend emerging across the UK business landscape. While regulatory expectations surrounding identity verification, corporate transparency and governance continue to increase, entrepreneurial confidence appears to be strengthening rather than weakening.

Founders are increasingly establishing businesses with greater emphasis on compliance, operational resilience and long-term sustainability.

About Your Company Formations

Your Company Formations is one of the UK’s leading company formation and business
compliance specialists, having supported more than a million entrepreneurs. The
business provides company registration, registered office services, identity verification,
compliance support and business administration services for founders in the UK and
internationally.

New creative production house and studio space launches to meet growing demand for food and drink content

Helen Greaney
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New creative production house and studio space launches to meet growing demand for food and drink content

Glass Productions, a premium end-to-end creative production agency, and Glass Studio, its purpose-built dual kitchen studio space, are launching this month, bringing an ambitious new creative offering to food and drink brands seeking standout visual content.

Founded by experienced photographer Georgie Glass (pictured), Glass Productions offers a one-stop shop creative service spanning photography, videography, art direction, styling, project management and visual storytelling. The new agency is built to deliver campaigns for food, drink and FMCG brands large and small,  with the personal touch and flexibility of a boutique studio.

A renowned photographer with over 13 years’ experience in the food and drink industry, Georgie Glass has built an impressive portfolio, working with clients including HarperCollins, TransPennine, La Lorraine Bakery and PepsiCo brands including Snack a Jacks and Quaker Oats.

At the heart of the launch is Glass Studio (pictured below), a stunning, fully equipped dual-kitchen studio in Cheshire. Designed for brands, agencies, creative teams and content creators, the space features adaptive sets, interchangeable backdrops and a treasure trove of props, making it a one-of-a-kind destination for the region’s creative community.

Glass Studio Interior Photography April 2026 03
All images © 2010-2026 Georgie Glass.

Georgie Glass, founder of Glass Productions and Glass Studio, said: “It’s such an exciting time for creative content in food and drink, the appetite for brilliant storytelling has never been greater, and we’ve built Glass Productions to meet that moment with care, creativity and commitment. We look after everything from the very first conversation through to final delivery, so our clients can relax and focus on what they do best.

“I see Glass Studio as an inclusive space where creativity thrives, and everyone feels welcome.  I’m incredibly proud to be bringing both Glass Productions and Glass Studio to the North West. This region’s food and drink scene is something special, and we can’t wait to help the brands and creators within it shine.”

The launch comes at a significant moment for the sector. The North West leads England in food and drink manufacturing output, generating £3.56 billion in economic value (UK Government, 2022). Nationally, demand for high-quality visual content continues to grow rapidly, as brands compete for attention across an increasingly crowded digital landscape.

Glass Studio is now open and available to book for commercial shoots, brand content days, and creative hire. Glass Productions is actively welcoming enquiries from brands, agencies and publishers looking for a trusted creative production partner.

More details can be found: www.glassproductions.uk

International hiring is no longer just about securing visas

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International hiring is no longer just about securing visas

For many employers, recruiting overseas talent has traditionally focused on obtaining the correct visa and meeting immigration requirements. Once sponsorship is approved and the necessary documentation is complete, it is easy to assume the most difficult stage has passed. However, businesses are increasingly discovering that helping new employees establish themselves after arriving in the UK can be just as challenging. One of the biggest barriers is often finding suitable accommodation, an issue that can delay start dates and complicate the relocation process.

International recruitment continues to support UK employers

Although immigration policies have tightened in recent years, overseas recruitment remains essential for organisations looking to address ongoing skills shortages across the UK.

Latest government statistics show there were approximately 734,000 job vacancies across the UK at the end of 2025. During the same period, the number of payrolled non-EU workers rose by 6% compared with the previous year, underlining the continuing contribution international employees make to many industries.

For organisations investing significant time and money into attracting overseas professionals, obtaining a visa represents only one stage of a much wider relocation journey.

Helping new recruits establish themselves successfully in the UK is becoming equally important.

The housing challenge many employers fail to anticipate

Relocating to another country involves far more than accepting a job offer. New arrivals may have stable employment, a competitive salary and legal permission to work, yet still face unexpected obstacles when trying to rent a home.

Many international employees arrive without a UK credit history, previous rental references or a family member or friend who can act as a guarantor.

From a landlord’s perspective, these applications can be difficult to assess using traditional referencing methods, even when applicants have secure employment with reputable businesses.

As a result, some overseas recruits spend several weeks searching for suitable accommodation after arriving in Britain. This can postpone start dates, increase relocation costs and create unnecessary stress for both employees and employers.

Employers are expanding their approach to relocation

Historically, relocation packages often covered visa support, travel arrangements and temporary accommodation.

That approach is beginning to change.

Many employers are now recognising that helping international staff navigate the UK rental market is becoming an important part of the onboarding experience, particularly in locations where rental demand remains high.

The introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act has also altered the way some landlords evaluate new tenants. While the legislation provides tenants with greater protection, it also limits landlords from requesting large sums of rent upfront. This means many overseas workers can no longer strengthen their applications by offering several months’ rent in advance.

Instead, landlords are relying more heavily on affordability assessments, references and guarantors before approving tenancies.

Marco Laurence, founder at professional rent guarantor service Rentmigo, commented:

“We often speak to international workers who have done everything right. They’ve secured a good job in the UK, got a visa and are ready to start work, but they quickly find out that renting a property can be one of the hardest parts of moving to the UK.

“With the new Renters’ Rights Act preventing landlords from asking for big upfront rent payments, they now need new ways to manage their risk. Many international renters have excellent salaries, but no UK credit history or someone locally who can act as a guarantor. For many landlords, that’s enough to refuse the application.

“The knock-on effect is that businesses can end up waiting weeks for new employees to find somewhere to live, delaying start dates and creating unnecessary disruption. As more employers look overseas to fill skills shortages, helping international recruits overcome those rental barriers will become an increasingly important part of the relocation process.”

Why housing has become a business concern

The impact extends beyond the employee.

When overseas recruits struggle to secure accommodation, organisations can experience delayed onboarding, postponed projects and additional pressure on HR teams that must help new staff understand an unfamiliar rental system before they can fully settle into their role.

As competition for international talent continues to increase, the overall relocation experience is becoming an important factor in attracting skilled candidates.

Businesses that remove practical barriers to moving to the UK are often in a stronger position to recruit and retain overseas professionals.

Looking ahead

Companies have invested years refining how they attract skilled workers from overseas.

Increasingly, the next advantage may come from supporting those employees after they arrive rather than simply helping them obtain a visa.

In today’s competitive labour market, recruiting international talent is only part of the challenge. Ensuring those employees can settle quickly and confidently into life in the UK could be just as valuable.

SME Finance Demand Climbs 63% in Q2 2026 as Businesses Navigate Higher Costs

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SME Finance Demand Climbs 63% in Q2 2026 as Businesses Navigate Higher Costs

Fresh figures show working capital borrowing has nearly doubled over the past two years, while start-ups are now taking out larger loans than established firms for the first time in more than a year.

New research from Purbeck Insurance Services, the UK’s only provider of personal guarantee insurance for SME owners, shows a sharp increase in demand for business finance during Q2 2026. Applications for personal guarantee-backed lending rose by 63% compared with the same period last year, highlighting the continued need for funding among SMEs. As every application involves a director providing a personal guarantee, the level of personal financial commitment is also increasing. Purbeck’s latest data shows the average loan value reached £317,000, remaining above £300,000 for a second consecutive quarter.

Highlights

  • 63% year-on-year increase in Personal Guarantee Insurance applications in Q2 2026
  • Average loan value reached £317,000, staying above £300,000 for the second consecutive quarter
  • Start-ups are now borrowing more than established businesses, with average loans of £345,000 for the first time in over a year
  • Working capital represents 36.2% of all borrowing, equating to more than one in three applications
  • Working capital borrowing has almost doubled over the past two years
  • Growth investment accounts for 20% of all applications despite ongoing economic challenges
  • Asset purchases, development and acquisitions make up almost one quarter of applications

Working capital remains the biggest borrowing priority

Working capital continues to be the main reason SMEs seek personal guarantee-backed finance, representing 36.2% of all applications in Q2 2026. Demand for this type of borrowing has nearly doubled over the last two years, underlining the pressure many businesses face in managing day-to-day cashflow. According to the ONS Business Insights and Conditions Survey, 40% of trading businesses reported higher input costs in April 2026, the highest level recorded since December 2022.

At the same time, businesses are not focusing solely on immediate financial pressures. Borrowing to support business growth accounted for 20% of applications, making it the second most common reason for seeking finance. Funding for asset purchases, development projects and acquisitions together represented almost one in four applications. This demonstrates that many SME owners continue to invest for the future while managing today’s financial challenges.

SAVVY Collective unveils refreshed identity and broader business offering for independent hospitality operators

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SAVVY Collective unveils refreshed identity and broader business offering for independent hospitality operators

SAVVY Collective has introduced a refreshed brand and a wider strategic direction as it strengthens its support for independent hotels, leisure businesses and lifestyle ventures. The new positioning reflects the company’s ambition to become the preferred partner for owner-led businesses seeking hands-on operational expertise, commercial guidance and investment support, while preserving the individuality that defines their brands.

Created by award-winning hotelier Steven Hesketh, SAVVY Collective brings together management, consultancy, education, events and investment into one integrated business. Its approach is grounded in real operational experience, having been built by professionals who have managed and grown hospitality businesses themselves.

“We want SAVVY Collective to become the trusted choice for owners who need support without sacrificing what makes their business unique,” said Hesketh. “The best partnerships are built on practical support, shared ambition and genuine collaboration. We have seen first-hand what happens when independent operators are left without the right support. Good businesses struggle, great teams leave, and the character that made those places special gets lost. That is exactly what SAVVY exists to prevent.”

An operator-led business with family values

SAVVY’s foundation is rooted in the realities of running independent family-owned hospitality businesses. From managing rising costs and staffing challenges to maintaining strong community relationships, the collective understands the day-to-day pressures owners face because its team has experienced them first-hand.

That philosophy also shapes the organisation itself. Hesketh’s wife and three children all contribute to the business, reinforcing the family-led values and collaborative approach that SAVVY promotes with its clients.

The company is built around a clear set of principles that include practical thinking, people-focused leadership, family experience, local engagement, partnership working, adaptability and commercially driven decision-making.

Supporting its continued expansion, SAVVY has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Marcus Magee as Operations Director and Stephen Miles as Development Director.

Rather than delivering theoretical recommendations, SAVVY works directly alongside business owners to implement practical improvements. Its services include operational recovery, revenue optimisation, leadership development, cash flow assistance, asset enhancement, repositioning, rebranding, community engagement and long-term business growth.

The collective supports hospitality businesses of up to around 100 rooms, units or equivalent capacity across hotels, food and beverage venues, attractions, social spaces, events and lifestyle destinations.

Its portfolio includes The Chester Townhouse, The Richmond Hotel, The Annex, The Old Registry, Hotel Wrexham, The Savvy Fox, Queens Square Social, DevaFest, and the Cheshire and North Wales Food and Drink Festival.

Education has become another important part of the business. Bee Our Guest, a children’s book created by Hesketh for readers aged seven to ten, introduces young people to careers in hospitality through storytelling. The book became an Amazon bestseller and has since been translated into Welsh to encourage greater engagement with the sector across Wales and neighbouring regions.

Five specialist divisions

SAVVY delivers its services through five dedicated business areas.

SAVVY Management supports independent hotels with complete operational services, including commercial performance, hotel representation, people-focused leadership and financial management, while allowing owners to retain control of their businesses.

SAVVY Consultancy offers everything from intensive three-day operational reviews to ongoing strategic partnerships, repositioning programmes and pre-opening advice.

SAVVY Education helps develop hospitality professionals throughout their careers through industry-led learning initiatives, the Bee Our Guest programme and The Art of Hospitality conference series.

SAVVY Investment provides flexible funding solutions including cash flow assistance, bridge finance, refinancing support and asset protection. Its recent investments include award-winning low-alcohol producer Chance Clean Cider.

SAVVY Events creates and manages hospitality experiences that combine commercial success with community engagement. These include DevaFest, the annual family music festival at Cholmondeley Castle that attracts around 30,000 visitors every August, alongside the Cheshire and North Wales Food and Drink Festival.

Launching at a pivotal time for hospitality

SAVVY’s expanded proposition comes as many independent hospitality businesses face increasing operational challenges. Rising costs, recruitment difficulties and growing commercial pressures have created demand for experienced support, while many owners remain determined to retain control of their businesses rather than hand them over to large corporate operators.

Industry data highlights the opportunity. According to Cushman & Wakefield, UK hotel transaction volumes reached £1.6 billion during the first quarter of 2026, more than twice the level recorded during the same period in 2025 and 53 per cent above the five-year average. Owner-operators and private investors represented 89 per cent of all buyers during the quarter.

Trading conditions also remain positive. UK hotel demand increased by 0.9 per cent year-on-year during Q1 2026, while supply rose by only 0.7 per cent, with the gap expected to widen throughout the remainder of the year.

The North West continues to demonstrate particularly strong momentum. Manchester and Liverpool both entered the top ten of the Colliers UK Hotel Development Index 2026 for the first time, supported by strong RevPAR performance and relatively competitive development costs. Colliers described the region’s rise as a lasting change in investment patterns rather than a temporary trend. Chester also recorded a two per cent increase in licensed hospitality venues, making it the strongest-performing city in the North West and second nationally behind Newcastle.

“Our aim is simple, but bold,” added Hesketh. “We want to help hospitality businesses build stronger teams, deliver exceptional service, improve operational resilience and create sustainable long-term profitability.”

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