Author: Danielle Trigg

easyJet has continued its strong growth trajectory in Manchester, operating its largest-ever flying programme from the airport in FY25 — adding more than 300,000 seats year-on-year and carrying over 7 million passengers. The announcement comes as the airline reports 9% earnings growth for FY25, delivering a headline profit before tax of £665 million. easyJet holidays saw particularly strong demand from Manchester travellers, with beach packages to mainland Spain — especially Costa Blanca — and trips to Tenerife and Dalaman topping the list of favourites. For city breaks, Amsterdam, Paris and Prague proved most popular. The airline has now confirmed further…

In recent months, the global travel scene has felt like a restless organism—constantly shifting, occasionally stumbling, yet steadily regaining its strength. Industry analysts, who have spent years watching demand rise and fall like unpredictable tides, are now quietly suggesting that this year might deliver the most turbulent peak rush in over a decade. The idea sounds dramatic, but when you look closely at the forces swirling beneath the surface, the picture becomes exceptionally clear. During the past year, travellers have been returning to the skies with an enthusiasm that feels almost defiant, fueled by revived wanderlust and expanding access to…

Employers across Greater Manchester are being called upon to play an active role in shaping the region’s future talent pipeline as the Greater Manchester Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is relaunched. Jointly delivered by Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), the LSIP strengthens the voice of business in addressing skills shortages and developing clear pathways into good-quality employment. The plan also underpins inclusive growth across the city region’s six designated growth locations, identified as priority areas for investment and job creation. As part of Greater Manchester’s broader ambition to create a prosperous region where…

Onlayer has secured $8.2 million through a Series A round, giving the company the means to push ahead with ambitious plans for rapid international growth. The funding will support expansion throughout the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific, while allowing continued refinement of its AI-powered risk management platform. Operating from Türkiye, Onlayer serves banks, PSPs and enterprises with an end-to-end merchant management system. The newly obtained investment will help the company widen its global operations and strengthen its AI technologies that underpin risk evaluation, compliance frameworks and merchant performance management. New and existing investors The round was led by Oleka Capital,…

Clarion Wealth Planning Ltd, based in Alderley Edge, has announced the appointment of a new Managing Director, marking 40 years since the firm was founded by Ron Walker and one year on from a major management buyout. Business Development Director John Winstanley, who began his advisory career in 2007, will take up the role on 1 December. John has spent six successful years with the firm, during which he played a central role in the 60% management buyout completed in October 2024. “John is the ideal person to lead our team into the future, continuing the legacy and client-focused culture…

Myers La Roche, a specialist consultancy helping opticians to grow, acquire and sell independent practices, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Over the years, the firm has facilitated transactions exceeding £150 million and has recently expanded its services to support independent audiology and podiatry practices. Founded in 1985 by Patrick and Christina Myers, the Altrincham-based business operates across the UK and Ireland. The company’s name incorporates Christina’s maiden name, Roche. Today, the family-owned firm is led by their daughter Georgina, practice sales director, alongside business development director Dominic Watson. Georgina said: “The company began as a general business consultancy supporting local…

Two former senior leaders at Manchester-based AI company Peak AI have launched a new venture to help ambitious SMEs accelerate growth by implementing effective share option schemes. John Fraser, previously Peak’s finance director, and Rachel Westwell, its former head of legal, have founded equiCraft to design, manage and optimise equity-based reward structures for growing businesses. The pair oversaw Peak’s sale to US-listed AI software group UiPath earlier this year and previously built and operated the company’s equity schemes through $120m of investment rounds, including backing from SoftBank. Drawing on this experience, equiCraft will work with start-ups, scale-ups, C-suite leaders, founders,…

BioNet has confirmed that the European Medicines Agency’s CHMP has adopted a favourable opinion recommending EU marketing authorisation for VacPertagen, its standalone acellular pertussis vaccine. VacPertagen’s efficacy and benefits were shown across three clinical studies undertaken in adults, adolescents, and pregnant women. Expert perspectives on pertussis prevention “Receiving a positive CHMP opinion for VacPertagen reflects years of scientific innovation and clinical development with collaborative efforts across continents,” said Prof. Emeritus Stanley Plotkin, chairman of the BioNet Scientific Advisory Board and an eminent expert in vaccinology. “A pertussis-only vaccine is particularly valuable for use during pregnancy in countries where pertussis maternal…

Dubai’s blend of elegance, innovation, and unforgettable attractions feels even more impressive when viewed from the deck of a yacht. Whether drifting past iconic spots or adding excitement with a jet ski ride, luxury yacht rental Dubai operators provide a unique coastal experience. Seven Yachts has earned recognition for its dedication to luxury and precision. Their well-maintained vessels, expert crew, and personalised itineraries ensure guests enjoy a sophisticated and memorable maritime outing. Why Opt for a Luxury Yacht Rental in Dubai? Unmatched ViewsCruise by the world-famous Burj Al Arab, glide around the Palm Jumeirah, and take in the towering beauty…

A legacy of British scholarship stretching over 515 years is set to take root in Dubai as SPGS International School Dubai prepares for its opening in the city known for innovation and global influence. For the first time, the Middle East will host a campus of the United Kingdom’s number one ranked school. St Paul’s Girls’ School—celebrated for holding the top position in The Sunday Times rankings for twelve of the last thirteen years—will partner with Meraki Education to open a co-educational institution reflecting its academic excellence. Each year, more than 50% of SPGS students progress to elite universities, including…

In the heart of the Turkish Riviera, Dental Design Turkey is changing perceptions of dental tourism. With CE-certified European materials, AI-backed precision, and a comprehensive five-year worldwide warranty, the clinic is bridging the gap between medical excellence and unforgettable travel experiences. Located in Antalya, the city known as Türkiye’s capital of tourism, Dental Design Turkey is helping reshape how international patients view dental treatment abroad — merging design, technology, and trust into a single, patient-centred experience. “Using CE-certified European materials in all our treatments, we offer a 5-year guarantee on implants, crowns and veneers, a truly international guarantee,” says Cosmetic…

In the past, the art world was ruled by auction paddles, gallery openings, and whispered bids beneath chandeliers. Today, collectors are more likely to log in than walk in. The digital age has rewritten the rules of collecting, replacing dusty catalogues with sleek algorithms, AI-led curations, and immersive online experiences. Homes once filled with canvases now glow with high-definition screens looping rare digital artworks. This new landscape, powered by AI and blockchain, merges art, data, and technology into a single dynamic marketplace. Provenance is stored on the blockchain, while algorithms study tastes and trends with mathematical precision. The art of…