Valentine’s Day has been dubbed a waste of money with novelty mugs and cheap underwear amongst the worst presents.
More than half of the 2,015 adults polled, said their partner should make more effort, rather than splurge on presents they don’t even want.
Respondents reported the rubbish gifts they had received included ‘wrong’ perfume, socks, candles and even, a car mat.
But while most said the day of lovers is a waste of time, one in three said they’d be gutted if their better half did nothing to celebrate.
Travel together
The research by Railcard.co.uk, found that one in five said a trip away would be the best romantic gesture with the Lake District top destination in the UK.
Relationship expert and coach, Sarah Louise Ryan, said: “Couples who travel together often end up more fulfilled and happier in their relationship.
“There are many reasons for this; inclusive of the fact it encourages communication and can deepen feelings of commitment as they plan their trips ahead of time, looking towards the future.
“Travel allows more opportunities for romance and time outside of the day-to-day routine, meaning romantic sparks can be reignited.
“Where flowers and chocolates can play a part, this Valentine’s Day I’d encourage all couples to carve out some time to book and experience a romantic getaway, whether for a day trip or a long weekend.”
The study also found 36% had considered a trip together as a way to rekindle a floundering relationship.
Friend of Dorothy Wellness, a sexual wellness brand built around the needs of gay men, has launched what it describes as the UK’s first digital pharmacy designed specifically for this community.
The company was founded nearly three years ago and has grown a following in both the UK and the United States. Its existing product range covers supplements aimed at stamina, sexual performance, prostate health and general sexual wellbeing.
The new online clinic gives men access to treatments including erectile dysfunction medication, hair loss treatment and weight management support. Patients can consult with doctors and receive prescriptions through the platform without attending a physical appointment.
Founder Oliver James said the service was built to address a gap that he sees repeatedly in how gay men access healthcare.
Oliver said: “Many gay men, particularly outside major cities, feel uncomfortable discussing sexual health issues with a local doctor or pharmacist they’ve known for years. Some simply avoid getting help altogether.
“Our digital clinic aims to remove those barriers by offering private, judgement-free healthcare designed specifically with gay men in mind.”
The launch comes as wider attention is being paid to healthcare access for LGBTQ+ communities in the UK. The NHS launched what it described as its first ever review into LGBTQ+ health inequalities in July 2025.
Oliver James added: “We’re seeing a much wider conversation happening across the UK about LGBTQ+ health inequalities, and that’s incredibly positive, but conversations need to translate into real, accessible services. These communities often have very specific health concerns and experiences that aren’t always reflected in mainstream healthcare services.
“We believe there’s real value in creating services that understand those nuances. Our aim isn’t to replace traditional healthcare, but to complement it by offering support that feels relevant, informed and built with gay men in mind.”
iFAST Global Bank has introduced a Commercial Banking Suite aimed at small and medium-sized food and beverage businesses that handle international payments and cross-border supply chains.
The bank holds a UK banking licence and is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by both the PRA and the Financial Conduct Authority. It developed the suite in response to the operational and financial challenges that food manufacturers, distributors and retailers frequently encounter when working across international supply chains.
Food and beverage SMEs often rely on overseas suppliers, international logistics partners and export markets, and regularly need to make and receive payments in more than one currency. Conventional banking arrangements can require businesses to maintain separate currency accounts, accept automatic foreign exchange conversions and work with limited visibility over how their currencies are being managed. This creates additional administration and unpredictable costs.
The Commercial Banking Suite provides a multi-currency business current account that allows businesses to hold and manage nine major currencies under a single account number. These are GBP, USD, EUR, HKD, SGD, CNY, JPY, AED and CHF.
Through a partnership with Standard Chartered Bank, iFAST Global Bank has extended its international payment capabilities. Businesses can now send payments from those nine currencies to recipients in 52 currencies around the world, making it possible to pay global suppliers in their local currency.
Eligible deposits of up to £120,000 are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
The suite includes interest-bearing current accounts with variable rates of up to 2.40% AER on GBP balances. Fixed-term GBP deposits are available at up to 3.75% AER, and certain notice deposit accounts offer just over 3% AER.
A Visa Business Debit Card is available to UK-registered entities. It works across more than 200 countries and territories and supports real-time foreign exchange conversion for international purchases and operational spending.
The bank says the suite is intended to give food and beverage SMEs more flexibility when paying overseas suppliers, collecting export revenues and managing working capital across different markets, without the need to maintain several separate banking relationships.
The bank notes that demand for cross-border banking services has grown as more UK food and beverage businesses expand their sourcing networks and export channels, and look for greater control over their foreign currency exposure.
As a licensed UK bank, iFAST Global Bank operates its own payment infrastructure and participates directly in the Bank of England Faster Payment Scheme, CHAPS and SWIFT. This allows businesses to move money both domestically and internationally through established payment networks.
Inayat Kashif, CEO of iFAST Global Bank, said: “We believe that every business starts small, and we are committed to providing the same consistent relationship management and service to all businesses regardless of their size.”
The launch follows a period of industry recognition for the bank. It was named Highly Commended App-Only Savings Provider of the Year 2025 and received a Commended award for Best Customer Service at the Moneyfacts Awards. The bank was also named Best Newcomer at the British Bank Awards 2025, run by financial review platform Smart Money People, and received the Best Consumer’s Choice Highly Commended award at the Moneyfactscompare.co.uk Awards 2026.
About iFAST Global Bank
iFAST Global Bank is a licensed UK bank providing digital banking services designed to support individuals and businesses engaged in international finance. The Bank forms part of iFAST Corporation, a global digital banking and wealth management platform operating in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, China and the United Kingdom.
iFAST Corporation (SGX: “AIY”) has been publicly listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Exchange since December 2014 and provides a range of investment, wealth management and banking solutions to clients across multiple markets.
The Bank stated that continued investment in digital banking capabilities forms part of its long-term strategy to support internationally active SMEs across specialised industry sectors. Find out more about iFAST Global Bank on their website www.ifastgb.com.
Disclaimers
Fixed Term Deposits are subject to a fixed deposit term. Early withdrawal before maturity is not permitted unless under exceptional circumstances and may result in loss of all accrued interest. A 14-day cooling-off period applies from the date of application, during which you may cancel your fixed term deposit without penalty. More details can be found on our website at www.ifastgb.com. Deposits up to £120,000 are fully protected by FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme). More details: https://www.fscs.org.uk/. T&Cs apply.
Notice Deposits are subject to a 14-day cooling-off period, after which, withdrawals will not be permitted before the end of the 95-days unless in exceptional circumstances. Early terminations will result in the loss of all accrued interest; however, your original deposit (principal) will be returned in full without penalty. T&Cs Apply.
Selecting the appropriate professional scissor lift table is crucial for UK businesses aiming to enhance workplace safety and operational efficiency.
These lifting devices reduce manual handling risks, minimise operator strain, and help prevent accidents in various industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing. Key considerations when choosing a lift table include load capacity, lifting height, safety certifications, and adherence to UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations.
Prioritising models compliant with standards like BS EN1570, CE marking, and regulations such as LOLER 1998 and PUWER 1998 ensures equipment reliability and legal conformity.
Understanding types and specifications of scissor lift tables
Scissor lift tables come in varied designs and capacities, tailored to different workplace needs. For light to medium loads, single scissor models typically support 250-300kg with lift heights up to 910mm, ideal for workshop or assembly tasks.
Professional single or double scissor tables offer higher capacities around 1200kg and lift heights up to 2100mm, equipped with electro-hydraulic controls, emergency lowering, and safety locks. Heavy-duty single scissor tables can handle loads up to 3000kg and are suited for pallet handling and industrial environments, helping reduce bending injuries.
Platform sizes generally range from 500-800mm wide and 800-1350mm long, with extendable options for added versatility.
Double or triple scissor lift tables provide higher lifts (up to 4 metres) and additional features such as tilt or turn functions.
Ensuring compliance with UK safety and regulatory standards
UK HSE regulations require site-specific risk assessments and strict control of mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) hazards. Essential safety features include automatic safety locking, height limit switches, audible warnings, and emergency lowering mechanisms.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) like helmets and gloves are recommended, and harnesses are advised near fall hazards. Regular inspections under LOLER and PUWER regulations must be conducted by competent persons to ensure ongoing equipment safety and stability. Though no formal licence is required to operate scissor lift tables, certifications such as the IPAF PAL Card or NPORS demonstrate operator competence and promote safe usage.
Boosting efficiency and ergonomics with the right lift table
Implementing the correct scissor lift table enhances productivity by positioning loads at ergonomic heights, reducing the need for stretching and bending. Features such as two-speed lifting, removable controls, and steerable handles support smooth daily operations.
Mobile models with heavy-duty rollers and durable finishes are ideal for workshop environments, combining flexibility with longevity. These ergonomic benefits not only improve worker comfort but also contribute to safer, more efficient workflows.
Key steps to selecting and implementing a scissor lift table
Choosing the right lift table involves a systematic approach:
Assess your specific needs, including maximum load, desired lift height, usage frequency, and working environment.
Verify essential certifications such as BS EN1570, CE marking, and ISO 9001 to ensure quality and compliance.
Provide operator training with recognised qualifications like IPAF or NPORS and conduct thorough risk assessments before use.
Implement scheduled maintenance and inspections following manufacturer guidelines to maintain safety standards.
Consult reputable suppliers who offer expert advice, installation support, and options for customisation or leasing.
For businesses in England seeking reliable and compliant lifting solutions, investing in a professional scissor lift table from trusted manufacturers like Saxlift guarantees safety, efficiency, and ergonomic benefits tailored to diverse industrial needs.
Equixly, an agentic AI-powered offensive security platform designed for modern applications and APIs, has announced a new integration with Checkmarx, a global provider of agentic application security solutions. The collaboration enables continuous API penetration testing and business logic validation to be delivered directly within Checkmarx environments.
Through the integration, customers using Checkmarx One can extend their current static application security testing and software composition analysis (SAST and SCA) processes with automated, AI-driven testing of APIs and application workflows. This additional layer of analysis allows organisations to enhance their security testing by incorporating autonomous simulations of real-world attack scenarios.
By combining traditional secure code analysis with continuous offensive validation techniques, organisations gain broader visibility into exploitable risks within their systems. This includes identifying vulnerabilities and attack pathways that may be overlooked by standard security tools or periodic penetration testing exercises.
Equixly’s Agentic AI hacker continuously assesses applications and APIs by emulating the behaviour of real attackers. The system is designed to identify sophisticated multi-step exploit chains and potential abuse of business logic that can occur across complex application environments.
Together, the companies provide:
Continuous API penetration testing within the Checkmarx One platform
Detection of business logic vulnerabilities
Validated, exploit-driven findings to reduce false positives
A unified view of code-level risk
Centralized visibility through a single pane of glass
As APIs become the backbone of modern digital infrastructure, risk increasingly emerges not just from individual coding flaws, but from how APIs authenticate, authorize, and orchestrate business processes. These risks are often invisible to static testing tools and only surface when exploited in production.
“Application security programs are evolving beyond code analysis alone,” said Alessio Dalla Piazza, CTO and Co-Founder of Equixly. “Checkmarx has long helped organizations build secure software from the inside out. With this integration, we extend that protection, continuously attacking APIs and workflows the way real adversaries do. This gives security teams a far more complete understanding of their true attack surface.”
For Checkmarx customers, the integration delivers enhanced assurance across the full application lifecycle. Security leaders can correlate findings from source code to live exploitation paths, enabling more accurate prioritization and faster remediation.
“Modern application security requires continuous security across the agentic development lifecycle tapping into all signals, not only source code.,” said Ori Bendet, VP of product at Checkmarx. “By integrating with Equixly, our customers gain enhanced continuous offensive validation of their APIs and application logic. This strengthens their ability to identify exploitable risk and maintain confidence as applications evolve.”
The integration reflects a broader industry shift toward proactive, continuous offensive security, where organizations attack their own systems with the same automation and consistency used by modern adversaries.
By combining Checkmarx’s deep code intelligence and agentic expertise with Equixly’s autonomous penetration testing, customers can:
Identify exploitable API vulnerabilities earlier and validate them continuously
Reduce reliance on periodic, point-in-time penetration tests
Gain greater visibility across distributed, API-driven environments
Improve remediation efficiency through high-confidence, exploit-backed findings
The integration is available immediately to joint customers.
About Equixly
Equixly is an agentic offensive security platform built for the continuous penetration testing of modern applications and APIs in constantly evolving environments.
In an era where AI-powered attacks operate Persistently, Equixly’s
proprietary Agentic AI hacker acts like a real adversary, continuously uncovering exploitable risk across APIs, workflows, and business logic, and providing actionable insight so security and engineering teams can fix issues faster and innovate with confidence.
Already trusted by leading European banks, insurers, and payment giants, Equixly was founded by Mattia and Alessio Dalla Piazza, and backed by 33N Ventures, Alpha Intelligence Capital, JME Ventures, 360 Capital and the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze. Learn more at www.equixly.com
About Checkmarx
Checkmarx is the leader in agentic application security, delivering enterprise-grade protection while lowering engineering costs and accelerating development velocity. The Checkmarx One platform scans trillions of lines of code each year for companies, cutting vulnerability density by more than half. Its autonomous security agents detect and counter AI-driven threats across the SDLC, providing prevention-first protection for legacy, modern, and AI-generated code at enterprise scale. Follow Checkmarx on LinkedIn, YouTube, and X.
Gogetop Marketing, a London-based marketing and communications agency specialising in digital campaigns that connect China with international markets, has released a new briefing aimed at helping global brands navigate China’s unique social media environment.
The report, titled Why China’s Social Media Ecosystem Demands a Different Strategy from Global Brands, explains why companies that are accustomed to operating on Western social media platforms often encounter operational, regulatory and compliance obstacles when attempting to build an official presence on China’s leading digital platforms.
The release comes as China’s online ecosystem continues to grow at remarkable scale. According to DataReportal, China recorded around 1.28 billion active social media user identities in October 2025. Meanwhile, figures referenced by Chinese state media indicate that the country had approximately 1.125 billion internet users by the end of 2025.
The briefing highlights that international companies frequently overlook the structural differences between China’s digital platforms and those commonly used in Western markets. Instead of a single dominant network, China’s digital landscape consists of multiple platform types including messaging, short-form video, lifestyle discovery, community discussion, long-form content and integrated commerce services. Each operates with its own rules for account verification, content governance and user engagement.
Recent statistics illustrate the scale of these platforms. Tencent reported that Weixin and WeChat together surpassed 1.3 billion monthly active users as of March 2024, while Weibo recorded 591 million monthly active users and 261 million daily active users in March 2025.
Bilibili disclosed 366 million monthly active users and 113 million daily active users in the fourth quarter of 2025. Kuaishou reported an average of 731.1 million monthly active users and 416.2 million daily active users during the third quarter of 2025.
Meanwhile, market reports suggest that Xiaohongshu, also referred to internationally as RedNote, has reached roughly 300 million monthly active users.
“International brands often assume they can approach China’s platforms in the same way they approach Western social media,” said Micky Liu of Gogetop Marketing. “In reality, account verification, compliance processes, content moderation and platform functionality can vary significantly across China’s domestic ecosystem. A successful strategy needs to be designed around how these platforms actually operate.”
The briefing notes that one of the most common mistakes made by overseas companies is to treat Chinese social media as simply a localisation task. Gogetop Marketing argues that decisions around platform selection, account structures, documentation requirements, content production workflows and commercial goals should be established far earlier during market entry planning.
According to the agency, the publication is designed for founders, marketing executives and communications professionals who are evaluating the initial stages of entering the Chinese market. The document provides an overview of major domestic platforms alongside a practical planning guide that covers platform selection, account registration processes, verification requirements, content strategy and compliance-focused execution.
“China social media is not just a translation task or a channel adaptation exercise,” Liu added. “It is an ecosystem with its own logic, its own platform hierarchies and its own operational requirements. This briefing is designed to help decision-makers understand that before they commit budget, timelines and internal resources.”
Zutec, a prominent provider of ConTech and PropTech SaaS platforms across the UK and Ireland, has announced that DFM Systems will now operate under the Zutec brand.
The rebranding follows Zutec’s acquisition of DFM Systems in December 2024 and represents an important step in combining the two organisations into a single identity. The change also highlights Zutec’s long-term commitment to strengthening its presence in the Irish market.
Ireland has been a key market for both companies for over 20 years. During that time, DFM Systems and Zutec have supported the construction and property sectors with solutions covering digital handover, document control, quality assurance and asset management. DFM Systems has established strong relationships with leading architects, contractors, developers and building owners across the country. Bringing the businesses together under one brand aims to create a more cohesive organisation with a clearer value proposition and a shared goal of delivering a connected digital environment across the entire building lifecycle.
Operating under the Zutec brand will allow the company to expand integration between its solutions, accelerate product innovation and provide stronger support for customers managing building data. The approach is designed to help organisations handle information more efficiently from the construction handover stage through to building operations and regulatory compliance.
“By bringing both companies together, we are providing a bigger future with better benefits across our joint business, but with the same trusted team, expertise, and commitment to customers we’ve always had,” said Gustave Geisendorf [pictured], CEO at Zutec.
“Operating as one enables greater scale, investment, and innovation, which ultimately delivers enhanced capabilities and greater value to our joint customer base. Additionally, with Zutec’s dedicated AI strategy including the recent launch of Building AI – Powered by Zutec, the timing is right to unify as we accelerate intelligent ways for our customers to manage building data, reduce risk, and unlock more valuable information from their building assets. Ireland is, and will remain a strategic important market for us, and we stay committed to deepening our relationship with our customers.”
“DFM Systems has been a trusted partner to Walls Construction for many years, supporting our teams with digital solutions that help manage building information more effectively,” said Brendan D’Arcy, Quality Manager at Walls Construction.
“We look forward to continuing that partnership with Zutec and to benefiting from the expanded capabilities and innovation that the unified team will bring to the industry.”
Stronger Together
The combined business serves a broad and growing customer base of over 500 companies across the UK and Ireland. Close to 200 customers are in Ireland across the technological ecosystem, from architects, consultants, and subcontractors to main contractors and asset owners. Customers include organisations such as Walls Construction, Jones Engineering, John Sisk, Evara, Marlet and Oaklee Housing. This combination ensures customers benefit from a stronger, more scalable partner with deeper expertise and broader capabilities across the built environment.
Irish Team Leads Mark McCormack, Head of Operations and one of the founders of DFM Systems, and Mike White, CTO and one of the founders of Zutec, shared a joint statement: “Combining DFM Systems and Zutec under one brand marks an exciting step forward for our customers and our team in Ireland. Both organisations have been instrumental in helping the construction and property sectors manage building information more effectively, and this is the next step in our evolution. As a unified business, we can combine our expertise, technology and local knowledge to deliver even greater value to customers. Importantly, while the brand evolves, the team, relationships, and dedication to the Irish market remain the same.”
While the DFM name and visual identity will transition to Zutec, the core strengths that made DFM successful remain firmly in place, including its team, customer relationships, and expertise in digital safety files, building digitisation and handover. Customers will continue working with the same trusted teams and receive the same high level of service they expect today.
Response to Industry Transformation
The construction and property industries are rapidly adopting digital technologies and AI-enabled solutions as they respond to evolving data requirements, regulatory change, and increasing demands for efficiency and transparency. With a strong focus on compliance and building data management, as one brand Zutec will support customers in addressing critical challenges across safety, regulation, and operational performance throughout the asset lifecycle with digital and AI-enabled solutions.
Stellanor has appointed industry veteran Howard Pheby as Chief Commercial Officer, strengthening its leadership team as the business accelerates its growth across the UK and Nordic region. Backed by DWS, the urban data centre specialist is rapidly expanding its footprint, and Pheby arrives with more than 30 years of experience spanning hyperscale, wholesale and retail colocation markets throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.
“Howard’s appointment reflects our conviction in Stellanor’s commercial potential,” said Michael Tobin, Chair of the Board at Stellanor. “As we scale from two to ten facilities and establish the UK’s leading urban colocation platform, proven commercial leadership becomes critical. Howard brings three decades of customer relationships, market expertise, and revenue growth experience across enterprise and hyperscale segments. We see significant long-term value in combining Stellanor’s urban infrastructure capabilities with the commercial excellence needed to capture market share in a rapidly evolving sector.”
Pheby joins the company after nearly ten years with Pure Data Centres Group, where he worked as Business Development Director and played a key role in shaping the organisation’s commercial approach across the UK, European and Middle Eastern markets. His earlier career includes senior positions such as Sales Director at Telehouse Europe, Business Development Director at Rack Centre – one of West Africa’s leading colocation providers – and leadership roles at COLT Telecom, where he served both as Sales Director and European Business Unit Director for Data Centre Services.
“Two to ten facilities in six months tells you everything about execution capability,” said Howard Pheby, Chief Commercial Officer of Stellanor. “This Stellanor team has extensive experience in building, integrating, and scaling datacenter platforms. I’m here to help turn that infrastructure momentum into commercial success.
Stellanor is building something different: urban colocation that serves enterprises where they actually operate, backed by institutional capital to do it at scale. That combination – proximity, capability, and financial strength – creates compelling value for customers navigating hybrid cloud strategies and AI infrastructure requirements.”
The leadership appointment follows a period of rapid growth for the company. Since launching in September 2025 with the purchase of two London-based facilities from Colt Technology Services, Stellanor has expanded significantly by acquiring eight additional UK data centres from Redcentric. The platform now encompasses ten facilities with 36 MVA of secured grid capacity, reinforcing its ambition to become the UK’s foremost urban enterprise colocation provider.
As Chief Commercial Officer, Pheby will be responsible for directing Stellanor’s commercial strategy, leading sales and business development teams, and strengthening customer relationships across the company’s growing UK operations.
Mums are brilliant… and also brilliantly awkward to buy for.
Ask them what they want for Mother’s Day and you’ll usually get something like “Oh, I don’t need anything” or “Buy yourself something” – which is lovely, but utterly useless when you want to treat her.
Whether your mum loves a cosy night in, a good brew, something stylish or just a little moment of peace, there’s always a thoughtful way to show her how much she means to you.
To save you the stress, we’ve pulled together a friendly, fuss-free guide packed with ideas she’ll actually enjoy…
Mum’s time to chill – Noble Sauvignon Blanc
Treat her to a beautifully elegant dessert wine that feels like spring in a bottle. This luscious Ned Noble Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc brings delicate notes of orange blossom, ripe peach and gentle honey for a luxurious, soothing sip.
Its silky sweetness and fresh citrus lift make it perfect with lemon tarts, hot cross buns or her favourite cheese board. A gorgeous choice for mums who deserve a moment to unwind.
For mums who are always juggling ten things at once, this Thermos™ food flask is the perfect practical treat. It keeps meals hot for up to 8 hours or cold for 18, making it ideal for commutes, workdays, school runs or adventures.
With a foldaway spoon, wide opening and durable stainless steel finish, it’s built for real life. A clever, everyday essential she’ll actually use.
This sweet ceramic mug brings a little touch of Disney warmth to her daily brew. Featuring delicate sketch-style illustrations of Pooh and Piglet with gold detailing, it’s as pretty as it is comforting and the perfect way to celebrate 100 years of the delightful characters.
Its rounded shape and metallic gold handle make it lovely to hold whether she’s starting the morning or winding down. A charming little gift for any tea-loving mum.
Handmade in Prestwich using Yorkshire wheat, The Heatpack Company’s microwave heatpacks make a simple but wonderfully comforting Mother’s Day treat. They’re ideal for easing aches, helping with stress or period pain, or simply giving her something warm to cuddle after a long day.
Available in different colours and both scented and unscented options, there’s one to suit every mum’s style. A thoughtful gift that brings instant, cosy relief.
Biscuit-loving mums – Farmhouse biscuits tube and tin
This delightful duo features English Garden fruit crumble biscuits in a pretty, collectible tube alongside honey & oat biscuits in a charming keepsake tin. Each bite brings classic British flavours, from jammy berry notes to golden honey sweetness with a satisfying crunch.
It’s the perfect tea‑time treat or easy gifting option for mums who love a good biscuit moment. A sweet, thoughtful pick that looks just as good as it tastes.
Give mum the gift of comfort with a stylish bean bag chair that adds instant relaxation to any room. Designed for luxurious sink‑in softness, it’s perfect for reading, sipping a morning coffee or simply taking five minutes of well‑earned peace.
The premium fabric and chic design make it a surprisingly fashionable addition to her favourite spot. A standout Mother’s Day gift that creates a little sanctuary just for her. Available: £49.90 from www.bigberthaoriginal.co.uk
Afternoon Tea at Carden Park
For a Mother’s Day outing she’ll remember, Carden Park serves a beautifully classic afternoon tea in either the elegant Goldie’s Lounge or the relaxed Morgan’s Bar overlooking the golf course.
With freshly made sandwiches, cakes crafted by the in‑house pastry chef and warm homemade scones, it’s indulgence done right. You can keep it traditional with premium tea or upgrade to the sparkling option for a bubbly twist. A lovely way to spend quality time together. Available: From £35 at Carden Park
Treat-loving mum
Lily O’Brien’s Luxury Collection offers a beautiful mix of premium chocolates featuring flavours like caramelised biscuit, sea‑salted caramel, raspberry ganache and zesty lemon.
Each chocolate is crafted with care, free from artificial colours and flavours, and suitable for vegetarians. It’s a luxurious little moment of indulgence that feels special without being over the top. Perfect for mums who appreciate a sweet treat. Available: £12.50 from Sainsbury’s
Natural beauty boost
For mums who love their skincare, Neal’s Yard Frankincense Intense age-defying kit offers three travel‑sized formulas designed to smooth, plump and refresh the skin.
Made with certified organic ingredients and cruelty‑free, it’s a thoughtful, premium gift that feels both luxurious and kind. The frankincense essential oil brings a calming, spa‑like touch to her routine. A great pick for mums who enjoy a bit of pampering. Available: £62 from Neal’s Yard Remedies
Something sentimental
This gorgeous necklace blends recycled sterling silver with warm 18k gold plating for a timeless, heartfelt gift.
The garnet‑red heart zirconia adds a romantic touch, complemented by two sparkling white stones for subtle shine. With an adjustable chain, it’s perfect for everyday wear or special occasions. A beautiful way to show love in jewellery form. Available: £275 from Thomas Sabo
Book lover mum
Let her discover the secret of a mystery read!
The mystery book box for adults is a great gift for mum, each includes a gift-wrapped mystery book, and paired with six special gifts to make her experience more enjoyable. Simply choose your book genre, then Junie’s does the rest.
Drawing on nearly a decade of experience in driving tuition through PassMeFast, CAPSIL has launched Instruct Me, a new marketplace designed to help ease the ongoing DVSA backlogs and modernise how people learn to drive.
Now live in London, Instruct Me will expand across the UK later this year.
The launch comes at a crucial time for the industry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, driving tests were suspended across the UK, leading to severe delays. This created unprecedented demand for driving instructors, with a national survey last year finding that: * 56.4% of instructors have a wait list * 63.4% of instructors have no availability for lessons * More than 70% of instructors in Scotland, the North East and North West have no availability for lessons * 15% of all instructors with wait lists said they won’t be available for over a year.
With more learner drivers waiting than ever, the DVSA are actively recruiting driving instructors. However, limited availability for driving instructor tests has resulted in just a 3.46 % increase of ADIs since in the last year.
Instruct Me connects learner drivers with Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) in their area, offering tools to compare and choose the right fit. Each instructor profile is verified by Instruct Me, and only DVSA-approved ADIs can list on the platform.
Each profile includes verified learner reviews, a photo, biography and a transparent hourly rate. This helps learners to make an informed choice based on what matters to them. This could be price, reputation, vehicle or teaching style.
A centralised marketplace displaying available driving instructors is a key part of reducing the bottleneck. The DVSA’s public driving instructor register is optional to join and only displays the instructor’s name, contact details and ADI grade.
For learners, making an informed decision is critical, yet comparing driving instructors is challenging when the most important information isn’t available.
One of Instruct Me’s first learner drivers, Moreen Horsfield, said: “Due to long wait times for tests near Liphook where I’m from, I booked my practical test in Leeds. I didn’t know anyone there, so Instruct Me was the perfect platform to find a credible instructor for lessons before my test. My instructor explained things clearly, helped me feel confident—and I’m pleased to say I passed!”
The platform also brings a digital edge to a traditionally offline industry. According to the DVSA’s 2024 survey of driving instructors, 68.2% of instructors still take cash payments, 4% accept cheques, and only 8.8% use payment apps.
Instruct Me offers digital payments, in-app messaging and online scheduling that today’s learner drivers expect, whilst easing the administrative burden on driving instructors.
By bridging this gap, Instruct Me is helping modernise the experience for both learners and instructors, making driving lessons simpler, smarter and more connected.
Nicholas Dear, CEO of CAPSIL, said: “Learner drivers have waited years for a more modern and transparent way to book driving lessons. The shortage of instructors with lack of availability often means learners choose the first person they find and overlook the importance of choosing the right instructor – a decision that can cost them time, confidence, and even test success.
“Instruct Me is designed to ease pressure on the system by helping learners make informed choices from the start, with tools to compare instructors and find the best fit first time. This launch is part of CAPSIL’s ongoing commitment to modernise the driving tuition industry and creating smarter, more connected solutions for learners and instructors.”
Upperton has submitted its application to the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for approval of a new 7,000 sq. ft sterile manufacturing facility. The submission follows the successful completion of aseptic process simulation (APS) validation batches conducted in accordance with the updated EU GMP Annex 1 (2023) standards.
Constructed in compliance with the latest Eudralex Volume 4 Annex 1 requirements, the new facility incorporates advanced contamination control measures and containment systems. It will operate alongside Upperton’s existing 50,000 sq. ft development and manufacturing site in Nottingham, supporting the development and production of aseptic and terminally sterilised medicines for parenteral, nasal and pulmonary drug delivery.
The facility has been designed to support emerging biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies from pre-clinical development through phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials. Services will include formulation development, clinical manufacturing and analytical testing, with initial batch sizes of up to 2,000 units.
“The team has worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome, particularly given the challenging landscape shaped by the updated Annex 1 guidelines. Everyone involved, across every department, has contributed to building an outstanding sterile manufacturing capability that meets the highest global standards. We are extremely proud of what has been achieved.” said Nikki Whitfield, Chief Executive Officer at Upperton.
Construction, commissioning and validation activities have taken place during a period of regulatory transition following the revision of EU GMP Annex 1. The updated framework sets more demanding requirements for hygienic facility design and strengthens expectations around contamination prevention and monitoring.
The facility features two Grade C cleanroom manufacturing areas together with specialised equipment including an Envair Technology Solid Wall VHP Three-Chamber Isolator, a LAST Technology Dry Heat Sterilizer Depyrogenation Oven and an LTE Scientific Autoclave for terminal sterilisation. Additional systems include Flexicon aseptic filling technology, advanced HVAC infrastructure for precise air management, and PUPSIT (Pre-Use Post Sterilisation Integrity Testing).
Jon Austwick, Director of Quality & Compliance, said: “The facility has been built with a Quality by Design approach, embedding the highest contamination control strategies throughout.”
As regulatory expectations for sterile manufacturing increase under the revised Annex 1 guidelines, Upperton is among the early UK CDMOs to introduce a facility designed specifically to comply with the updated framework.
For organisations developing sterile manufacturing capacity, the revised regulations create both new opportunities and operational challenges. Upperton addressed these demands by investing in advanced facility design while introducing new aseptic manufacturing processes tailored to meet Annex 1 requirements. This work included developing detailed contamination control strategies, designing new sterilisation and decontamination procedures, implementing enhanced environmental monitoring technologies and strengthening training programmes for manufacturing personnel.
Paul Kelsall, Director of Clinical Manufacturing, said: “Working with key partners we’ve been able to qualify our facility with expert decision-making and the highest quality at the forefront of our design and processes. I’m excited to see the facility ready for the next steps”.
The £7 million investment responds to a widely recognised constraint in the sterile CDMO sector, where limited small-scale aseptic manufacturing capacity can delay projects for emerging biopharmaceutical companies by 12 to 18 months. Upperton’s facility is intended to alleviate these constraints by offering flexible manufacturing options tailored to early-stage clinical development.
Nikki Whitfield adds: “We want to give small and mid-sized biotech companies faster access to the high-quality sterile formulation development and manufacturing capacity they need to progress into clinical trials without unnecessary delays. This facility is a major part of that commitment.”
In addition to sterile filling operations, the new site includes a dedicated Grade C cleanroom space designed to accommodate a second isolator for future aseptic spray drying activities. This expansion will build on Upperton’s expertise in spray-dried particle engineering and support sterile dry powder formulation development and manufacturing, expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Upperton Pharma Solutions operates as a contract development and manufacturing organisation specialising in formulation development and clinical trial manufacturing across multiple dosage forms, including oral solids, liquids, semi-solids and inhalation products from its headquarters in Nottingham, UK.
