Author: Chris Maguire

Javed Huq has announced his exit from UK tech investment bank GP Bullhound after nearly a decade.

Manchester-based Huq worked as managing director, specialising in technology advisory and investment.

Huq, who previously worked at Rothschild and Deloitte, joined GP Bullhound in August 2016.

Writing on LinkedIn he said: “After the best part of a decade, it is with huge excitement (and some sadness) that I have decided to leave GP Bullhound and explore new opportunities.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to Hugh Campbell for giving me the opportunity to take over the running of the Manchester office, lead our engagements on behalf of so many fantastic clients and host the Northern Tech Awards.

“The firm has come such a long way since I joined 10 years ago and it has been a fantastic experience helping contribute towards its growth.

“Turning towards the future, I look forward to remaining heavily involved across the Northern tech community and hope to catch with as many people as possible over the coming months. Watch this space.”

 

Author: Chris Maguire

THG CEO Matt Moulding has warned of a ‘tsunami impact’ coming from AI.

The entrepreneur was speaking out after Twitter founder Jack Dorsey announced 40 per cent job cuts at his tech company Block, as a result of AI.

Moulding said: “Make no mistake, the key players in the US are moving fast around AI, and we all need to take note.

“Anyone still asleep about the tsunami impact coming from AI, then today’s news is another wakeup call.

“Jack Dorsey, founder and chair of Block, the US group behind Square and Cash App, has announced he’s cutting 40 per cent of his workforce, by rolling out mass adoption of AI.

“4,000 highly paid global jobs will be gone by this weekend, adding to the near 30,000 head office job losses announced by Amazon in the past five months alone.

“Most of the US tech giants are making dramatic changes to their business models and people teams, because they clearly see something coming.

“Dorsey is no mug. He founded Twitter, sold it to Elon Musk, and has gone on to be serious player in the global payments market.”

Author: Chris Maguire

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey is cutting the workforce of his new technology firm Block by almost half because of the impact of artificial intelligence.

The US FinTech, which owns Square, Cash App and Tidal, is cutting the number of staff from just over 10,000 to under 6,000.

The company’s share price spiked by more than 20 per cent on the back of the announcement

Dorsey predicted ‘the majority of companies will reach the same conclusion and make similar structural changes’ in the next year.

In a letter to shareholders, he said: “Intelligence tools have changed what it means to build and run a company. We’re already seeing it internally.

“A significantly smaller team, using the tools we’re building, can do more and do it better. And intelligence tool capabilities are compounding faster every week.

“I don’t think we’re early to this realisation. I think most companies are late.

“I’d rather get there honestly and on our own terms than be forced into it reactively. And this isn’t just about efficiency.”

Vanessa Tetteh-Squire was the sixth candidate to be fired by Lord Sugar in The Apprentice after her team lost a task described as ‘turning petals into profits’.

The North Londoner is the founder of Ayorkoh, a contemporary swimwear for fuller-busted women.

She was shown the exit door in week five after being on the losing team.

The candidates were tasked with selling flowers to the public and creating a floral installation for corporate clients.

Tetteh-Squire was the losing project manager in the task.

There are now 14 candidates vying for Lord Sugar’s £250k investment and mentorship.

 

Author: Jonathan Symcox

Amid the quiet hum of a coffee shop in Liverpool, a group of people sheltering from the bitter cold outside are chatting away.

Jack Brewitt, founder of 92 Degrees Coffee – which has grown from this shop on Hardman Street to 22 locations nationwide – peels away from the group.

Later we will discuss the “long play” of connecting up brand recognition from his coffee shops to products in retail stores. Everything begins with that comfortable experience – and, of course, the taste of a delicious coffee.

“We serve 1-2 million customers a year and so you hope that the majority of their visits are good, happy and tasty,” says Jack when we met a fortnight ago. “Then when they go to their local supermarket, they might go: ‘I’ve had a coffee from there. I’ll take a bag of that home.”

Jack has grand plans for 92 Degrees, which you can read about. But let’s start at the beginning: even before he and four co-founders had the idea of turning this space into their first store.

Neilson, an ‘active holiday’ provider, has announced the appointment of entrepreneur and TV presenter Sara Davies MBE as its new chief customer ambassador.

The ex-BBC Dragon will work closely with Neilson on marketing and growth opportunities, leveraging her passion for fitness and extensive business experience.

Neilson’s handpicked resorts contain 25 activities and kids’ clubs.

Davies is kicking off this week with a family holiday to Neilson’s latest ski hotel in Val D’Isere, which opened in December 2025. Two new ski hotels opened in Val D’Isere this winter, and a further two new Beach Clubs will open in Sicily and Mauritius for the summer 2026 season.

The CEO of recruitment giant Hays plc is stepping down.

Dirk Hahn is leaving for personal reasons and will be replaced by Mark Dearnley, chief digital and technology officer, on an interim basis.

Michael Findlay, non-executive chair, will work closely with the leadership team while a permanent successor is found.

Real-time clearing bank ClearBank has opened its new London headquarters at Broadgate Tower in the City.

The FinTech has also revealed that it now holds £18bn in customer deposits – more than Monzo and Starling – as it continues to scale and expand its footprint.

ClearBank employs 700 people and powers major brands such as Revolut, Coinbase and Wealthify. The HQ move builds on a pivotal 12 months for the bank, after it launched its embedded banking, payments and clearing services to corporate businesses as well as appointing new senior leaders Tristan Kirchner (CEO of ClearBank Europe), Neil Drennan (CTO) and David Samper (group CFO).

The new headquarters was opened by Lucy Rigby KC MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury.

Revenue and profits have jumped at online property portal Rightmove.

The firm reported £425.1m revenue for 2025, a 9% increase on the prior year.

Operating profit climbed 12% to £287.9m.

Author: Chris Maguire

Co-founders Jack Malin and Dave Rushton have announced their joint exit from gym software firm Membr.

The duo initially launched the business to help personal trainers manage their clients, payments, and fitness programmes all in one place.

Their joint departure comes two years after Manchester-based Membr was acquired by US global platform Xplor Technologies for an undisclosed sum.

Malin said: “There were defiantly some highs and lows but the journey took me to places I never expected to go and allowed me to experience things I never imagined I would – I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved together.  Now I’m excited to see what comes next.”

Rushton added: “After nearly 15 years, this is where the Membr and Xplor chapter ends for me.”

Author: Jonathan Symcox

A dating app with a difference was pitched on Dragons’ Den tonight – and bagged an investor in Steven Bartlett despite being pre-revenue.

hati is a dating app launched in 2025 by Zaahirah Adam, who told the Dragons she founded the startup after a bad experience with being ghosted.

Bartlett – who knows the founders of the world’s highest-profile dating apps – said there was a market for hati.

Author: Chris Maguire

Online bathroom retailer Victorian Plumbing Group has announced that founder Mark Radcliffe will relinquish the CEO role from March 31^st but will remain on the board as a non-executive founder director.

He’ll be succeeded by Stephnie Judge, currently the group’s managing director.

Judge joined North West-based Victorian Plumbing in 2013 and, following a number of promotions, was appointed group MD in 2020.

Her leadership has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and delivering key strategic initiatives, the acquisitions of Victoria Plum and Sovereign Transport Services and numerous technology and customer proposition improvements.

Radcliffe founded Victorian Plumbing in 2000 and has grown the business into the UK’s leading bathroom retailer.

Philip Bowcock, chair of Victorian Plumbing Group plc, commented: “I am delighted that Stephnie has agreed to step up as CEO of Victorian Plumbing.”

Thanks for joining us. You can see previous investments from the permanent Dragons here:

Peter Jones CBE

Steven Bartlett

Deborah Meaden

Touker Suleyman

“I didn’t expect to get one Dragon, never mind two!” Sam says in the lift. “Amazing.”

“We’re in business together!” Peter tells Jenna.

Deborah says she doesn’t like the share arrangement.

It doesn’t float Steven’s boat – “maybe because I don’t have kids” – and he’s out.

Touker says Sam is credible but it needs a lot of money and he’s out.

Peter agrees and Jenna asks if she’s missed something on why it’s not got commercial legs. He says £40 is too expensive for parents to spend.

Jenna says he has something special and offers all of the money (£65k) for 15%!

Peter says Jenna has made him a good offer. “You’re going to need a lot of money.”

Jenna asks Peter whether he would consider sharing. He surprisingly agrees and offers either the £65k for 20%; or half the money for 10%, with the same deal for Jenna.

Sam accepts the deal with both Dragons!

Steven asks about the quality. Sam says the goal isn’t to compete with the big boys.

Touker says he cannot imagine these products in a high street toy shop and cost too much.

Jenna asks about social impact and Sam says it is mostly reels and pictures of the product.

Sam says 39% of the business is owned by Batch.Works; 20% by the design agency; 8% by a web developer and brand agency; and 33% by him.

People or kids can build these headphones, which don’t have glue or screws.

If a part breaks, they can simply replace that part.

All parts are 3D-printed in 30 minutes at their partner’s facility and made from recycled plastic made from corn and other products.

They are asking for £65k for 10% of the business.

Sam Beaney enters the Den with Kibu.

Sam has support from design consultancy Morrama and 3D printing company Batch.Works.

Its sustainable, modular headphones for children between the ages of 5-11 are easily taken apart, repaired and recycled.

They also have a STEM angle by teaching kids hands-on skills in building and assembling.

The problem is that they only own 56% of the business, she says.

“I don’t like the pattern.” They need money but are too diluted already.

They tell Deborah that they’ll make back their losses in two years.

“I really really want to invest in this,” she says. “Actually, I’m going to be quiet…”

Jenna is out.

Touker is also out.

Steven says his fridge is full of these products but isn’t a fan of the branding as it isn’t authentic enough i.e. looks like a Korean product.

Deborah disagrees. She’s having an internal dialogue on making an offer.