Author: Sam Allcock

Homeowners seeking to refresh their living spaces are being urged to embrace bold shades of blue by eco paint specialists Victory Colours. According to Victoria Yardley, Managing Director of the eco-conscious paint company, blue is a versatile colour capable of transforming any room and creating a range of moods to suit different spaces. “Blue is more than just a colour; it’s a feeling,” Yardley said. “Different shades of blue can evoke various moods, making it an impactful choice for any home décor scheme.” Victory Colours, known for its water-based paints with near-zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs), offers a range of…

Drama Kids, a leading provider of performing arts education for children, has unveiled a new initiative aimed at nurturing young entrepreneurs under 25. The “Franchise Graduate Scheme” offers a structured pathway to franchise ownership, providing recent graduates and young professionals the tools and support necessary to launch their own business in the performing arts sector. Launched earlier this year, the scheme has already attracted interest from a number of young entrepreneurs. Amber Jellet, a 24-year-old from Bromley, is one of the first to take advantage of the opportunity. With a background in musical theatre, Jellet has recently established her Drama…

Haiti, a country renowned for its vibrant culture and rich history, has been grappling with severe food insecurity, a challenge exacerbated by natural disasters and socio-economic struggles. A significant portion of the Haitian population continues to face difficulties accessing sufficient and nutritious food, with many relying on aid to meet their basic needs. In response to this urgent crisis, the Damabiah Foundation is stepping up its efforts to provide essential food aid, clean water, and other vital resources to affected communities across Haiti. The foundation, known for its long-standing commitment to supporting the country, has launched several initiatives aimed at…

Melissa Snover, the award-winning entrepreneur behind Birmingham-based Rem3dy Health and Nourished, has been named among the top 10 winners in the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) inaugural Female Founders initiative. The programme, run by the DBT’s Venture Capital Unit, aims to identify and support promising female-led businesses across the UK, giving them a platform to scale up and access funding. The Female Founders initiative was launched to address the long-standing imbalance in venture capital investment for women-led businesses. In the UK, all-female founder teams have received only around 2% of total equity capital investment over the past decade. The…

The 2024 Yidan Prize, regarded as the world’s top accolade in education, has been awarded to Professor Wolfgang Lutz and the team behind War Child Alliance’s ‘Can’t Wait to Learn’ initiative, for their groundbreaking contributions to global education. The Yidan Prize Foundation, based in Hong Kong, has awarded a total of HK$480 million (approximately £50 million) to innovators in education, half of which supports further development of their work. Professor Wolfgang Lutz, an expert in demography and sustainable development, received the Yidan Prize for Education Research. His work demonstrates the long-term benefits of investing in universal primary and secondary education,…

A new study has revealed the most popular autumn-themed baby names in the United States, with the traditionally masculine name “Jack” topping the list as a surprisingly unisex option. The research, conducted by Hennessey Digital, analysed data from the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to identify the names most frequently chosen by parents for babies born during the autumn season. “Jack” ranked first with 8,696 babies receiving the name in 2023, including 13 girls, marking a shift towards the name’s newfound unisex appeal. The name is commonly associated with jack-o’-lanterns, a well-known symbol of Halloween, which may explain its autumnal…

Luxury homeware brand J.J. Textile has launched its 2024 Christmas Gift Guide, featuring a collection of stylish and functional soft furnishings designed to bring warmth and luxury to any home. The guide, curated by the brand’s founder, Jurate Jakstaite, highlights a selection of throws, blankets, and cushions intended to complement festive décor while also serving as year-round interior accents. Jurate Jakstaite, known for her attention to detail and commitment to quality, has handpicked each item in the collection with a focus on both aesthetic appeal and functionality. She said: “Each piece in this gift guide will be cherished for years…

Stanford Graduate School of Business has once again been named the top institution in the world for MBA programmes, according to the latest rankings by QS Quacquarelli Symonds. The 2025 Global MBA Rankings, released on 25 September, place Stanford in the number one spot for the fifth consecutive year. The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania follows in second place, while Harvard Business School rounds out the top three. The QS rankings, which analyse 340 MBA programmes across 58 countries and territories, offer insights into the most prestigious business schools globally. They also include high-demand Business Master’s programmes, such…

As university term begins, students across the country are settling into new routines. While adjusting to university life can be exciting, balancing late-night socialising, assignments, and lectures often comes at the expense of something crucial: sleep. Good quality sleep is vital for both physical and mental well-being, and it plays an important role in academic success. Sleep specialists from BedKingdom.co.uk have shared expert advice to help students get the rest they need during the academic year. One surprising tip? Eating a kiwi before bed may improve sleep. Kiwi: A Sleep-Boosting Superfood Recent research suggests that kiwifruit could be the key to…

Artlist, a global creative technology company, has launched its latest initiative to empower creators by offering a unique opportunity for one visionary artist to bring their most ambitious project to life. The Artlist $100K Fund will award $100,000 to one creator with an innovative idea that encapsulates authentic storytelling and represents the diversity of the modern world. Artlist, known for providing a vast catalogue of royalty-free digital assets and creative tools, aims to inspire creators worldwide through this grant, which could prove life-changing for the winning project. The competition seeks submissions that push creative boundaries and capture audiences on a…