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The H&H Group Plc Announces Returns to Sponsor the Agribusiness Category at the North West Family Business Awards in 2023.

H&H Group PLC continues to offer sponsorship and staff expertise to help judge the Agribusiness Category at The North West Family Business Awards 2023.

Harrison & Hetherington has a long and distinguished history, dating back to the 1870s and is now the UK’s leading and most acclaimed livestock auctioneering business with eight sales centres across the North. The H&H Group PLC’s farm stock enterprise holds a renowned reputation amongst pedigree and commercial farmers across the globe, reflecting its unrivalled expertise in the industry.

Alongside their livestock trading portfolio, H&H Group PLC has four additional businesses operating under their umbrella, namely auction rooms, insurance brokers, land and estate agencies, and a commercial printers with a digital marketing agency, demonstrating their diverse business acumen and commitment to delivering exceptional service.

Laura Millar, Head of Communication & Marketing of Harrison & Hetherington, has expressed her enthusiasm for the company’s decision to support the NWFBAs for a second year which has given her the unique opportunity to meet the finalists firsthand and submerge herself in the family businesses who were shortlisted finalists for the Agribusiness category.

The agricultural industry is a cornerstone of the UK economy, generating an impressive £24 billion and counting – a testament to the hard work and dedication of those involved in farming and agricultural-related activities. The Family Business Awards is a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the inspiring individuals who are making a real difference within the industry.

The families behind many farms are the driving force of their success, their commitment and hard work spanning generations enable a business to flourish and stand the test of time. I was looking for businesses that have a strong, shared vision for the future and have a clear structure of responsibilities to support it and this year’s finalists did not disappoint.”

Co-founders of the Family Business Community, Dave Clarkson & Sue Howorth said:

 “We’re thrilled to have the continued support of H&H Group, and having Laura return to judge the Argibusiness Category once again this year. With her own Agribusiness background, Laura has a wealth of expertise within the field.

We are proud to be representing and celebrating all our Family Businesses finalists and we hope you will join us in May in the celebration of their incredible achievements.”

The shortlisted finalists Cheshire Farm Chips of Frodsham Cheshire, R.G. and M. Falshaw Nabbs Farm – Falshaw’s Farm Shop of Bury, Burns Farm of Keswick, A.J Forster Ltd of Penrith and Hoof Count of Preston will now be invited to the awards ceremony, an event which is becoming one of the most popular dates on the Business Awards calendar.

The North West Family Business Award Ceremony will soar to new heights on 19th May 2023 at the unique Concorde Conference Centre, Manchester. You don’t need to be a finalist to join the celebrations as tickets for the prestigious awards ceremony are now on sale via the North West Family Business Awards website. As well as meeting the most exceptional family businesses from across the North West, you’ll enjoy a fun and vibrant evening of celebration and awards.

To find out more about how you or your brand can be involved in supporting and promoting family business across the North West, please visit the North West Family Business Awards website https://www.northwestfamilybusinessawards.co.uk

To find out more about the H&H Group, visit: https://hhgroupplc.co.uk/about-us/

Beyond Meat® Responds to Growing Demand for Plant-Based Meat in the UK with New Chicken-Style Products

Beyond Meat, a leading plant-based meat producer, is expanding its UK portfolio with the launch of Beyond Burger Chicken-Style, Beyond Fillet, and Beyond Nuggets. These chicken-style products, designed to look, cook, and taste like their animal counterparts, are made from plant-based ingredients and are suitable for carnivores, flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans alike. They are crispy on the outside thanks to their golden breading, and incredibly tender and juicy on the inside. These tasty innovations are available in select Waitrose stores, with all three products set to be available in select Sainsbury’s branches from early May.

With the UK celebrating the Coronation, Beyond Meat’s new range of chicken-style products provides a plant-based version of one of the nation’s most-loved and versatile street party foods, Coronation Chicken. The launch comes just in time to help the UK celebrate, and a host of recipes to inspire creativity in the kitchen for the Coronation and beyond are available on the Beyond Meat website, including a special Beyond Coronation Chic-King Sarnie created by plant-based guru Sam Jones of No Meat Disco.

The plant-based meat market in Europe is experiencing tremendous growth, with sales growing by 21% from 2020 to 2022, according to a recent study by GFI. Sustainability, animal welfare, and a balanced lifestyle all play a role in the shift towards plant-based proteins. Beyond Meat is responding to this increased demand by introducing new products to the market, adapting and refining its portfolio to meet different European taste preferences.

Steve Dalby, Regional Sales Manager UK at Beyond Meat, said, “In our quest to make plant-based meat more accessible, we’re constantly adapting and refining our portfolio to meet different European taste preferences. After launching beef- and pork-style products in the UK over the past years, we’re delighted to be introducing Brits to our tasty new Chicken-Style range. Innovation is at the heart of Beyond Meat, and our delicious new plant-based burger, fillet, and nuggets will allow people to continue eating what they love, no sacrifice required.”

The Beyond Burger Chicken-Style, Beyond Fillet, and Beyond Nuggets complement the existing Beyond Meat portfolio in the UK, which includes Beyond Burger, Beyond Sausage, Beyond Mince, and Beyond Meatballs. Beyond Meat’s research, innovation, and culinary teams are focused on creating plant-based meat that delivers in taste. With competitors often adding soy and mycoprotein as their dominant ingredient, the new Beyond Chicken-Style range has taken a different direction to provide a texture and taste as close as possible to its animal-meat counterpart. The protein in the new Beyond Chicken-Style products comes in part from wheat gluten and the fava bean, a nutrient-packed legume crop with unique qualities that make it the optimal ingredient for replicating the taste and texture of traditional chicken. After popularizing pea protein with the iconic and award-winning Beyond Burger, Beyond Meat continues to unlock the potential of new plant protein sources.

Popular UK payment solutions for online players

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Traditionally, funding your online casino account has been difficult. Finding a bank or credit card willing to send and accept funds to internet-based operators used to require a bit of trial and error. As the number of gamblers continues to grow, however, that is changing. Today, there are numerous options available for players all around the world. Which ones are especially popular among UK gamblers? This article will explore some of the common online casino payment methods in the UK along with their pros and cons.

How do you evaluate payment methods?

Before we discuss some of the UK’s most popular payment methods and where we think they excel or need some improvement, let’s talk about what we look for in payment providers. First, we want to see attention given to player security. Is their personal information safe, or is it prone to leaks in data breaches? Next, we want to see how quickly transactions are completed so that players know exactly how long they’ll wait for their deposit to appear in their casino account and payouts to appear in their bank account (or wallet of choice). Finally, what are players saying? Our goal is to recommend popular payment methods UK players actually use, so we pay attention to reviews and comments online.

Here are our reviews of some of the most popular payment methods used by players in the UK.

Debit cards

The first method we’re discussing is perhaps the most common of them all: debit cards. In the past, it was notoriously difficult to pay via debit card at online casinos. Today, most casinos accept them, and most banks accept the transactions. This makes it an easy payment solution that requires little in the way of preparation. Simply input your debit information, pick how much money to deposit or withdraw, and wait for the funds to hit.

There are a few pros and cons to consider when using debit cards at online casinos. They are very quick when making deposits, and most casinos are able to process these transactions instantly. This is important if you are in the middle of a game and want to make a quick deposit, but it’s also a good option for players who don’t want to spend ages waiting on their account to update. Withdrawing funds is a different story, however. Many players report waiting several business days before their funds arrive in their bank accounts, and even more comment on the sometimes significant transaction fees their bank levies on them.

If you want an easy and no-fuss payment solution, debit cards might be your best bet. Just keep the pros in cons in mind and make sure you are willing to live with the consequences of your choice.

E-wallets

An e-wallet, also known as an electronic wallet, is a digital wallet where your funds can be stored, spent, and withdrawn. You are likely already familiar with one of the biggest of them – PayPal, which is one of the most popular payment solutions in the world. It makes the process of spending and receiving money incredibly simple, as do its counterparts such as Skrill and Neteller.

E-wallets is another area where the evolution of the online gambling industry is clear. A few decades ago, the thought of using an e-wallet to pay for online gambling would have been absurd. Even a decade ago, the option was fairly limited. Today, e-wallets are some of the most popular payment methods available to UK players.

As with debit cards, e-wallet transactions are typically processed instantly for deposits and take a bit longer for withdrawals. Players tend to wait less for e-wallet withdrawals than they do for debit card withdrawals, however, with most reporting a processing time of a few business days at most. Note that e-wallets also typically charge fees on transactions. PayPal’s can be especially steep, with cryptocurrency users experiencing fees up to 1.8% of their total transaction and donations subject to fees of nearly 3%. Remember that these fee rates are only applicable to domestic transactions, with international transactions experiencing even higher costs.

If you are willing to pay the fees, e-wallets are a simple way to fund your account and claim your winnings.

Prepaid cards

Prepaid cards are one of the most popular gambling payment options in the UK, and for good reason. Prepaid cards refer to replenishable cards that players can purchase in stores or online and load with a set amount of funds. Some players might opt for a prepaid card of $25, for example, to keep their budget in check. Once that $25 has been spent, the card is worth nothing until the user tops it up again.

There are a few reasons why using prepaid cards is a good option for UK players. First, players can keep their personal information safe with this kind of payment. Because they can purchase cards for cash, a user’s bank account details are not linked with it. If an account is compromised, their private banking information is safe thanks to this distance. Debit cards, on the other hand, are especially vulnerable to being compromised.

There are a few different prepaid card options to consider. The most popular of these are:

  • EntroPay
  • EcoCard
  • Paysafecard

Of these, the latter is the most common and the easiest to find in retail stores.

Cryptocurrency

Similar to prepaid cards, cryptocurrencies do not require users to provide their personal information when buying and selling, keeping their private data safe. This payment solution is also typically the fastest of all that we have listed, typically posting deposits instantly and withdrawals either instantly or within a few hours of the transaction approval.

One of the only downsides to cryptocurrency payments is that not all UK casinos accept them. You’ll need to do a bit of digging before you try to pay.

Are you ready to get started with one of these popular UK casino payment options? Pick one of the providers in our article and you’ll be ready to play in no time.

15 Essential Questions to Ask a Business Owner for Valuable Insights

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As a budding entrepreneur, investor, or consultant, gaining valuable insights from owners of enterprises can be critical for making the right calls and navigating the competitive business landscape. One of the most effective ways to gather this information is by asking the right questions. This is a great pathway to gain a clear understanding of a company owner’s mindset, approach, and experiences.

You could get answers that effectively help you succeed in your venture. The most successful brands often thrive to offer the best services and Pafbet lv is a perfect example of a well-run organisation. Every operation on the platform demonstrates what a reliable and efficient bookmaker should look like. There, you will find gambling reviews, strategy recommendations and several things to aid gamblers.

Alright, so let’s get into it. Here are 15 important questions you need to ask to discover necessary information about the business world.

What motivated you to start this enterprise?

Understanding the founder’s motivation and vision behind the business help you understand their passion, commitment, and long-term goals.

What challenges did you face at the beginning, and how did you overcome them?

Learning about the challenges the proprietor faced in the initial stages can shed light on their problem-solving skills and resilience.

What sets your company apart from the competition?

This question reveals the unique value proposition of the business and how it differentiates itself in the market.

How do you acquire and retain customers?

You want to ensure you have a solid idea on the company’s customer acquisition and retention strategies. That way, you can discover their marketing and sales efforts.

What is your growth strategy?

Asking about the entrepreneur’s growth plans can reveal their vision ahead and their strategic approach to scaling the business.

How do you manage your team and ensure their productivity?

Having a precise idea of the owner’s leadership style and team management practices gives you insights into their ability to build and manage a successful team.

What are the key metrics you track to measure your business’ success?

Do not hesitate to find out about the key performance indicators (KPIs). This will reveal their focus on data-driven actions and their understanding of the business’s financial health.

How do you handle competition and market changes?

This question will unravel the adaptability and strategic thinking necessary in response to changing market dynamics.

What is your approach to innovation and staying relevant in the market?

The answer to this question could shed light on the owner’s mindset towards innovation and keeping up with industry trends.

How do you manage risk and ensure long term sustainability?

You’ll be able to find out several risk management strategies that helps mitigate risks and ensure the long-term sustainability of the business.

What are the key lessons you’ve learned from running this business?

This key question about the founder’s past experiences and lessons learned could offer helpful information and wisdom gained from their entrepreneurial journey.

How do you make decisions for your enterprise?

The answer to this takes you through the decision-making process and the factors that influence them. A successful business is often predicated on the proprietor’s decision-making style, critical thinking skills, and ability to make informed choices.

How do you handle customer feedback and complaints?

This question explains the company’s customer service approach and their commitment to addressing customer needs and concerns.

How do you stay updated with industry trends and changes?

Asking about the business owner’s approach to staying knowledgeable about industry trends and changes can reveal their commitment to continuous learning and adaptation.

What are your future plans and goals for the business?

Every entrepreneur naturally has long-term plans and goals. You can use this information to gauge their strategic vision and aspirations for the future.

Final Words

These 15 essential questions should help you gain a deeper knowledge several things such as:

  • Motivations
  • Experiences
  • Challenges
  • Plans

So, the next time you have an opportunity to speak with a business owner, don’t hesitate to ask these questions and uncover key insights that can help you succeed in your entrepreneurial endeavours.

How Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations Can help grow your Business in 2023?

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As per current market scenarios, we have reached a level of technological advancement where it is impossible to survive in this fierce competition and changing market conditions without any impactful business solution. You might be thinking that you can do business using traditional methods that we used to follow 20 years ago. But at what cost?

The way of doing business has changed, and we can witness it. There are several business solutions supporting the modern way of doing business, consisting of different CRM or ERP systems.

Among different CRM and ERP providers, Microsoft is the one that is dominating the market with its best, most flexible, and most powerful business solutions. One such solution is Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, which is capable of streamlining complex processes in finance, operations, and supply chain management.

Formerly known as Microsoft Dynamics AX, it offers complete visibility into processes, maximises profitability, and opens up endless possibilities for growth. Also, with the cloud-based deployment option, it offers global connectivity, complies with current government regulations, and accelerates growth towards the planned objective.

What is Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations?

The best way to modernise your financial and inventory processes is with Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations.

It is an ERP system that runs in the cloud and provides a centralised data platform for managing crucial financial data, streamlining supply chain operations, and easily automating time-consuming manual as well as recurring tasks.

With this solution, you can manage inventory operations, boost internal collaboration, create sustainable scalability, and drive growth.

After the major update released in 2016, Dynamics 365 Finance and Operation comes in two different licencing plans.

Based on the specific needs of your organisation, you can choose the best licencing option. 

Top Benefits of D365 F&O

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations offers numerous benefits to both new and growing organisations. It helps such organisations make smarter decisions regardless of complexity, lower inventory costs, maximise customer satisfaction, and enhance the overall ROI. Some of the top D365 Finance and Operations benefits are:

  • Make Informed Decisions

D365 for F&O offers real-time insights using cloud servers that enable the organisation to keep track of each activity during any phase of business operations. In cases of need, employees can make actionable decisions to enhance quality and efficiency.

  • Optimise Supply Chain

You can easily optimise the supply chain to fully utilise the resources, lower operational costs, and enhance the delivery cycle. Optimising the supply chain is one of the crucial tasks to follow, as it can maximise the ROI using the same resources.

  • Ensure Data Security

Take advantage of strong data privacy and security in all processes and procedures to protect your company from unlawful access. With this powerful ERP business application, your sensitive information remains safe and secured due to its robust infrastructure.

  • Better User Experience 

Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations offers a simple-to-access user interface that makes it responsive for your team members across all platforms. Also, in cases of specific needs, you can customise the solution to align it with special business demands.

  • Seamless Integrations

D365 FO is a flexible solution capable of integrating native as well as third-party applications to enhance overall performance based on specific needs. You can integrate Power BI, Power Platforms, Dynamics CRM, and more such applications. 

How Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations Can Help You Grow?

Based on the above-listed benefits, there are numerous ways you can use Dynamics 365 for F&O to help your business grow. With this solution, you can streamline almost all departments of your business, including finance, logistics, supply chain, manufacturing, and more.

As per the ERP Technology Matrix Report 2020, Microsoft is considered a leader in Dynamics Finance and Operations business solutions. Microsoft has become successful in building an ecosystem that can supercharge entire businesses with its different business applications. 

Regardless of the complexity of your business, Microsoft business applications are always available to help you sustain market trends, reduce the overall cost, gain flexibility in your business, get real-time analytics, and accelerate growth.

How can Dynamics Square help you achieve planned Business Goals?

We have been providing seamless implementation, support, and upgrade services to businesses with complex business operations. Being a prominent Microsoft Gold Partner with over 250+ worldwide clients and supported by a team of 135+ skilled consultants, we have been providing customised Microsoft Cloud Technology solutions for over 11+ years.

Our motto is to prioritise building strong relationships with our clients by providing cost-effective, scalable, and flexible solutions to supercharge your business.

Our unique approach has helped SMBs and large enterprises grow and scale through simplified, best-in-class Microsoft cloud technology. Whether you need help with cloud migration, implementation, or ongoing support, Dynamics Square is here to help you navigate the complexities of digital transformation.

Optima: North-West Ethical Property Developer Embarks on Phase Two of Modern Bradford Student Development 

Northwest-based ethical property developer, Integritas Property Group (IPG), has launched its second phase of the highly successful project, Bijou. Following the completion of the first phase, Optima has been designed to capitalise on its superb location in the heart of Bradford city centre.

Designed for student accommodation, Optima will host a total of 54 student pods and 4 accessible studios — with the location of the development in high demand for the student population due to its proximity to the city centre, nightlife, and the university.

Speaking on its investment in Bradford city centre, Integritas Property Group Founder and Managing Director Mitchell Walsh said, “Bradford is the tenth largest city economy in England, worth an estimated £11.6 billion, so it’s a great area to concentrate on regenerating. It’s a well-connected city with direct rail access to London and has been awarded the UK City of Culture for 2025.

“Over the coming few years, the city will see a whole host of redevelopment with the local authority planning to improve large areas of the centre, following a £20 million grant from the UK Levelling Up fund. The rental yield in Bradford also sits at 6%, which is 2.4% higher than the national average, making it a great time to invest in the area.”

This high-spec property will see each unit at Optima exquisitely finished, complete with furniture, an ensuite bathroom, stylish interiors and modern appliances, ensuring the most optimum living experience for residents. There will also be shared access to a fully fitted kitchen, a laundry room and direct access to a large open-plan living space for student socialising. Optima, and the rest of the Bijou development, also feature a secure main entrance, CCTV throughout the premises, secure parking and WIFI.

Offering a great opportunity to investors, construction of the new Optima site will start in June 2023, with the expected first completion in June 2024. Each unit will be sold with a 999-year lease, priced from £78,000, with a 7% NET Rental Assurance for 12 months. All will come fully furnished and managed.

Junk Food Redefined: Manchester Brothers Revolutionise Sweet Treats with Cookies Launch, Listing and Awards

Launch of Manchester bakery, Jnck, is set to make waves in the desserts and sweet treats market, with their range of cookies containing 90% less sugar than competitors.

Alex and Sean Brassill launched Jnck Bakery to target the sweet snacking and fresh bakery markets with the launch of their range of delicious cookies, which have 90% less sugar, 50% less saturated fat, 3x protein and 5x fibre compared to existing products.

Rated non-HFSS, the range does not include any palm oil, and is sold in fully recyclable packaging. It has been recognised for its outstanding taste and texture; receiving Gold Award for Product Innovation at LUNCH!, earning the Food and Drink Award at the Entrepreneur Show, and awarded 2x finalist places in the World Food Innovation Awards this month, in the Low or No and Chilled / Frozen product categories. It has now gained a listing with food delivery company GoPuff and Alex and Sean have secured talks with a number of retailers and foodservice operators as they look to pursue their vision of making the UK – and the world – a healthier and happier place.

Almost two years of research went into the development of the cookies, led by Alex, a biomedical scientist. Alex was head of the Nutritional Division at The Hut Group before setting up Jnck with his brother, who has spent the last five years at Javelin Group (part of Accenture) as a Strategy Manager, working with high profile companies such as Warner Bros., Sainsbury’s and Holland & Barrett. Jnck Bakery successfully completed a seed funding round earlier this year, with an investor group including the Global Partnerships Director at Gymshark, an international sportsperson, previous Managing Director from Accenture and Strategic Partnerships Director at Krispy Kreme.

Comments Alex: “The growth of the protein snacks market shows there is a demand for a much healthier approach to grab and go food, but we felt strongly that we could create products that still tasted, felt and looked like indulgent treats, as opposed to high-protein gym products. Our cutting-edge sweetness modulation means Jnck Bakery products deliver without all the sugar and fat: no mean feat, as these elements bring so much more than just taste and texture. We have used a range of techniques to develop the desired high quality, sweet, chewy, crunchy, cookie. And by tripling the protein and adding prebiotic fibre, we have enhanced the nutrition and looked after gut health. The results have to be tasted to be believed, and we are delighted to bring these products to market.”

Brother and co-founder Sean adds: “We believe the food industry has to take more accountability for improving the nutrition of the nation – but that doesn’t mean people should be denied tasty treats. Market-leaders in other sectors such as crisps and doughnuts are all making great strides in healthier eating – but the cookies sector has remained relatively stagnant. Jnck Bakery will change this: we believe we can remove 800 tonnes of sugar from the UK supply chain over the next three years – and that’s just the start!”

What business leaders can learn from sport

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The defining values of sport and business are similar in several ways. Striving for success is a common goal in both settings and getting to that point requires many of the same contributing factors.

Business leaders can learn a lot from athletes and teams, both through participating and spectating. What are some of the main areas they can focus on?

Leadership

Much like sports teams need a capable leader, businesses require much the same to function properly. A leader isn’t just someone who orchestrates the people around them and makes big decisions, they often take responsibility for outcomes without hesitation.

Team members must be able to look to leaders for advice and support. Setting an example should be a significant consideration if you’re in charge because you set the tone for others to follow. Managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson, players such as Virgil van Dijk, and captains such as Ben Stokes all encompass the many great qualities of a leader.

Strategy

Sports teams rely heavily on strategies and plans to reach their objectives. Whether that’s trying to win a fixture or be crowned champions over the course of a season, strategy must drive everything being carried out.

It’s no different in business. Without strategy and organisation, operations are likely to be ineffective, inefficient and incohesive. Planning should be comprehensive across all areas of your business. This includes recruitment, sales, marketing, finance and operations – each needs specific direction and aims to contribute to the overall effort.

Communication

Teamwork is all about communication. When it comes to problem-solving and adapting to changing circumstances, communication ensures that everyone is on the same page to execute the strategy being set out.

Overcoming conflicts is also a significant process in both settings. Divisions within a team can absorb energy making it more difficult to achieve objectives. Cohesion and chemistry, on the other hand, can accelerate production and success. The key is effective communication and understanding between team members.

Physical and mental health

One of the more shrouded lessons that business leaders can learn from sports is the importance of mental and physical health. This can be the wellbeing of yourself and other individuals or systems within your business.

In professional sports, you wouldn’t let any of your athletes continue to play with an injury because it may cause them and the team more harm in the future. The common approach is to withdraw them, identify what’s wrong and take action to correct the issues and prevent issues from happening again.

This can be applied to any area of business. If your equipment needs repair but you insist on continuing production, you’re opening yourself to greater loss and disruption down the line. If one of your employees is struggling with their mental health, ignoring the situation is likely to increase absenteeism and reduce productivity. Identify issues and take action to improve your business before they’re more challenging or damaging down the line.

BLK Prime to Stream Exclusive Suge Knight TV Series on Life and Legacy

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BLK Prime, the leading streaming service for diverse and inclusive content, has announced the launch of a groundbreaking TV series exploring the life and legacy of hip-hop icon Suge Knight. Produced by BLK Prime, the highly anticipated show will offer unique insight into one of the most iconic figures in the music industry. Suge Knight is widely credited with transforming the West Coast hip-hop scene and introducing a distinctive sound of rap music. His collaborations with Tupac Shakur left a lasting imprint on the music industry, and his success as a businessman is a testament to his vision and drive.

Despite his legal issues and media scrutiny, Suge Knight has continued to give back to the community through philanthropy, and his musical collaborations have resonated with millions of fans and critics. The new show, which will be narrated by Suge Knight himself, promises to uncover untold stories from his life and career, offer insight into his relationships with prominent figures in the industry, and reveal hidden aspects of the music business.

By honouring the incredible journey of Suge Knight and exploring the history of hip-hop, BLK Prime is committed to inspiring and educating the next generation of artists and enthusiasts, ensuring that the legacy of hip-hop will live on for many years to come. The show will begin filming this summer and will be available to stream exclusively on BLK Prime in the autumn.

BLK Prime is the fastest growing subscription video on demand service in the US, offering multicultural content to a diverse audience worldwide. To learn more about BLK Prime, visit their website at https://watchnow.blkprime.com/. You can also follow them on Instagram @blkprime and Facebook @BLKPRIMEMEDIA, using the hashtag #BLKPrime on social media.

Unique Bluewater Rainwater Harvesting and Purification Tech by Innovative EV Charging Hub Brings Drivers the Purest Drinking Water, Without Single-Use Plastics

The Scottish city of Dundee will be the first to gain access to innovative new state-of-the-art rainwater filtration systems for drivers, using a new EV charging station. The first-of-its-kind system was developed by Bluewater, a global leader in innovating healthy and sustainable water purification and beverage solutions for home, HORECA, and public dispensing applications.

The new charging hub at Clepington Road, central Dundee, features an on-site solar canopy that can provide power for both the electric vehicle charge points and the Bluewater system.  Rainwater that falls on the canopy is collected and processed using multiple stages of advanced water filtration and purification technologies to create chilled and purified drinking water vended from the two on-site Bluewater dispensers.
“The new EV Hub with Bluewater hydration solutions in Dundee is a game changer because it will provide clean water for the city’s residents and visitors for free, while reducing pressure on municipal resources and helping to build greater water resilience,” said Bluewater founder and CEO Bengt Rittri, one of Sweden’s foremost environmental entrepreneurs.  Rittri added, “In the past, drivers went to a petrol station, filled up the car and often at the same time ended up purchasing a beverage in a single-use plastic bottle.  The Dundee project represents the future of the service station, in being not only zero-emission but also zero-single-use-plastic.”
Rittri believes the global problem of environmental pollution by plastics and chemicals – increasingly apparent in both marine and freshwater ecosystems – can be fixed using human ingenuity, which is why he is building a purpose-driven beverage organisation focused on innovating creative approaches to using water sustainably.  Bluewater represents the world’s most sustainable drinking water solution that ends the need for environmentally damaging single-use plastic bottles, and their associated high-carbon production and transportation.
Bluewater UK Events and Venues Managing Director, Philip Russell, noted that Bluewater purification solutions have been verified in independent testing to efficiently remove PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ from tap water, providing peace of mind to consumers by removing up to 99.99% of health-threatening microplastics and chemicals such as toxic PFAS from tap water.  The tests were carried out by Bluewater and verified by the independent worldwide bio-analytical testing group Eurofins.  Russell added, “Fear of what is in tap water has driven millions of people worldwide to use bottled water, but research continues to show the potential health concerns associated with frequent use of bottled water.”  A study published in the journal Water Research and led by Johns Hopkins University researchers detected PFAS substances in 39 out of more than 100 bottled waters tested.  And in 2022, a French study showed that 78 percent of French bottled mineral water tested by the environmental group Agir pour l’Environnnement contained microplastics.
The combination of low-carbon and sustainable technology solutions being deployed at the new public EV charging hub in Dundee resulted from a unique collaboration between Bluewater, Dundee City Council, and traffic technology group SWARCO.  The new hub features as the latest instalment of Dundee’s efforts to become the greenest city in Europe by investing in sustainable EV structures with 3.9 public EV charge points per square mile. The Bluewater Rainwater harvesting system integrates rainwater storage, controls, pumps, and mains water backup and was developed in close partnership with GRAF – a global market leader in rainwater harvesting technologies.
In other innovations, the Bluewater system also includes an integrated digital signage solution with weatherproof 55-inch high-resolution video screens, allowing the EV charging hub operator to share information with users filling their reusable water bottles.  The media platform enables enhanced customer experience and the dissemination of high-value business and public service information, which can be used to give advice on how to avoid plastic and live a more sustainable lifestyle.  The screens operate using a built-in secure and stable cloud-based digital signage software developed by Bluewater partner Visual Art, an international leader in digital signage solutions.  The platform gives users complete control of a digital fleet no matter how many screens or where in the world they are located.