Author: News Room

A new novel set on the south coast of England has been published by Aberdeen-born author Richard Hood, focusing on wealth, identity and the possibility of personal reinvention. Filthy Rich centres on Oliver Wright, a financier forced to leave London after a serious health scare and relocate to Shoreham-by-Sea. The change of setting provides the backdrop for a period of reflection as he attempts to move beyond the pressures of his former career. “This book draws on my observations of ambition, risk and the human instinct to test boundaries. After facing serious health challenges, the idea of reinvention became…

A new novel set on the south coast of England has been published by Aberdeen-born author Richard Hood, focusing on wealth, identity and the possibility of personal reinvention. Filthy Rich centres on Oliver Wright, a financier forced to leave London after a serious health scare and relocate to Shoreham-by-Sea. The change of setting provides the backdrop for a period of reflection as he attempts to move beyond the pressures of his former career. “This book draws on my observations of ambition, risk and the human instinct to test boundaries. After facing serious health challenges, the idea of reinvention became…

New research from LandlordBuyer highlights mounting affordability pressures, with renters allocating a record share of their earnings to rent. Drawing on official data, the analysis shows that rental costs are rising faster than incomes, leaving households with less financial flexibility. The national average private rent now stands at £1,360 per month. Rents have increased by 5.0% in the past 12 months. Renters are paying 36.3% of their income towards housing. This has risen from 34.2% a year earlier. Spending above 30% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable. In areas of high demand, tenants are paying well above…

Northern Soul Dance Coach, a new digital tuition platform created by Lesley Ellen Gould, will launch in March with a focus on accessible dance instruction. The platform, hosted at northernsouldancecoach.com, offers pre-recorded lessons available for 12 months, alongside live Zoom classes for individuals and groups, allowing participants to choose how they learn. The project is rooted in Lesley’s long association with Northern Soul and aims to make structured teaching available regardless of location. Speaking about how the concept emerged, she said: “People asking for me to show them my dance moves is where the story began. The whole piece…

A new online psychotherapy programme spanning 52 weeks has been launched by EmotionalSkillsOnline.com, founded by Sonya Bell and Shane Lutkin. The course, developed over a two-year period, is intended to provide a structured and cost-effective approach to emotional wellbeing. Weekly sessions are delivered by video, allowing users to progress at their own pace. Flexible subscription plans are available, with the cost per session below £15. The online format builds on a long-running in-person course created by Lutkin in 2013 and reflects the shift towards remote mental health support after COVID. “We are now here, two-years later, we’ve co-written the…

A Littleport fitness business founded on a passion for pole training is expanding its offer with a dedicated Reformer Pilates space and plans for additional wellness services. Emma Wallman, owner of The Pole Shed, has introduced the new low-impact training area alongside the studio’s established aerial and pole sessions. The move follows a period of rapid growth and national recognition in the UK Small Business Awards, where the studio placed fifth in the gym category. “The current Reformer area is temporary while we are waiting for our new space to be available,” Emma said. “We are also going to…

MDA Business Coaching has launched a development model designed to help entrepreneurs build businesses that support both financial and personal objectives. Founder Michelle De Almeida is urging business leaders to reconsider the emphasis on rapid scaling and instead focus on sustainable growth and self-awareness. Michelle said: “As entrepreneurs face increasing pressures to scale their businesses, many find themselves caught in a cycle of burnout and stress, driven by metrics that focus solely on turnover,” she said. “This growth-first mentality, coupled with the relentless pounding of success narratives on social media, can lead to a negative experience for many founders.…

Your English Tutor is preparing for its next stage of development after reaching full capacity and gaining recognition for its tailored English teaching approach. The business is introducing a dedicated Revision Platform to support students preparing for GCSE examinations, responding to growing demand for structured revision resources. Founder Claire Fennelly said: “The Revision Platform is something I am bringing in ready for the GCSEs and will look to do that every year thereafter, although that is something my current cohort already gets for free as part of the service. But I am at the point that I have no…

A former prison physician has converted his private journals into a crime novel that examines life and medical practice inside UK correctional facilities. Written by Dr Matthieu Cornacle and issued by Maple Publishers, Thieves of Time: Book One begins a new fiction series grounded in his early service within the prison estate. Dr Cornacle, an MD, PhD and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, said the concept grew from diaries he kept during his time in post. “The inspiration to write the books came from my wife,” he said. “Reading my prison diaries was her favourite…

Evlo has formed a partnership with CreditLadder, the UK’s leading rent reporting platform, to help tenants strengthen their credit files by including their rent payment history. The agreement supports Evlo’s Financial Freedom for Everyone programme, which promotes changes aimed at making credit assessment fairer for people who rent. Through this collaboration, Evlo will offer its customers – especially those with limited borrowing history – a practical way to demonstrate reliable payment behaviour and build a more complete financial profile. Asif Nadeem, Chief Transformation Officer at Evlo said: “At Evlo, our mission is financial inclusion, helping people move back towards…