Lancashire group hails ‘commitment to strengthening the UK’s power infrastructure’

Utilities engineering specialist Ipsum Group has acquired a high-voltage specialist in the North East and a drainage and sewerage specialist in the Midlands as it continues its national expansion.

Chorley-based Ipsum has acquired Gateshead’s Rosh Engineering to expand its power engineering capability, and has also completed a deal for Warwickshire’s Wilkinson Environmental to grow its Midlands division and particularly its water division.

Rosh Engineering was founded in 1981 and specialises in power transformer and high-voltage services, working across the power, water, infrastructure and telecoms sectors.

Ipsum Group’s chief executive, Andrew Cowan, said: “I’m delighted to welcome the whole team at Rosh Engineering to Ipsum. Adding to our rapidly expanding business, they bring a depth of transformer and high voltage engineering expertise that is highly complementary alongside our existing capabilities. Their technical precision, strong safety culture and proven track record in complex operational environments align closely with our own standards.

“This acquisition further enhances our ability to provide our customers with specialist support across critical high voltage assets, reinforcing our commitment to strengthening the UK’s power infrastructure.”

Ian Dormer, managing director at Blaydon-based Rosh Engineering, added: “For more than four decades, Rosh has been built on technical excellence and a commitment to delivering specialist transformer services to the highest standard. Joining Ipsum provides a strong platform for sustainable growth, broader project opportunities and continued investment in our people and facilities. We are excited about the opportunities this creates for our team and our customers.”

Atherstone-based Wilkinson Environmental specialises in civil engineering, drainage and sewer work. Ipsum CEO Mr Cowan, said: “The strong technical expertise, operational capability and commitment to service excellence of the Wilkinson team make them a perfect fit for Ipsum. I am delighted to welcome them into the Ipsum family.

“They join our rapidly expanding business which will now have an even stronger presence in the Midlands, and an enhanced civil engineering and infrastructure service offering to customers in complex and regulated environments.”

Wilkinson Environmental owner and MD, Mike Moss, added: “We’ve worked closely with Ipsum in the past and it’s a huge complement to all of us here at Wilkinson to be held in such high esteem. I’m certain this move will be extremely beneficial for my colleagues in terms of job security, training and development opportunities and investment in resources locally.

“We go forward with confidence, and a commitment to continue to offer supply chain partners the quality and reliability of service we are renowned for. ”

Ipsum now employs more than 1,000 across the UK.

Efforts to develop domestic rare-earth resources are gaining momentum in Texas as policymakers and industry leaders push to reduce U.S. reliance on China for minerals critical to defense and advanced-technology supply chains.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham joined FOX Business’ Maria Bartiromo on “Mornings with Maria,” Monday to discuss how development of the Round Top rare-earth deposit could help strengthen U.S. national security while generating billions of dollars in revenue for Texas public schools.

Round Top, located in West Texas, is considered one of the richest known deposits of heavy rare-earth minerals in North America. These materials are essential for defense systems, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. The project has drawn increasing attention as the U.S. looks to challenge China’s long-standing dominance of the global rare-earth supply chain.

TRUMP TO BEGIN STOCKPILING CRITICAL MINERALS WITH $12 BILLION IN SEED MONEY

Worker holding a soil sample of rare-earth minerals. (Victor Moriyama/Bloomberg  / Getty Images)

Buckingham said the state’s mineral resources could play a key role in reshaping that balance while delivering economic benefits in Texas.

“There are 17 rare-earth minerals. We have 15… We’re heavy in the heavies. Those are the really important ones,” Buckingham said, “It’s going to be billions of dollars into public education… We’re breaking China’s stronghold on this market. We are making Texas safer.”

As exploration expands across the region, officials are also focusing on the infrastructure needed to process the minerals domestically.

“We have lots of rare-earth minerals all over the region. We are looking at those deposits right now,” Buckingham said, “It’s going to be billions of dollars to the schoolchildren of Texas, and it’s going to make the United States and the whole world safer.”

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Britain’s largest car park operator, National Car Parks (NCP), has taken the first formal step toward administration, putting more than 1,000 jobs at risk and raising fresh questions about the future of hundreds of parking facilities across the UK.

Documents lodged at the High Court in London show that the company has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators. The filing, made at 10.01am, provides the business with temporary legal protection from creditor actions while it attempts to stabilise its financial position or explore restructuring options.

The move signals deep financial strain at a company that operates more than 800 parking sites nationwide, serving millions of drivers each year and working with a range of private landowners, councils and commercial clients.

An intention to appoint administrators is typically used by businesses facing mounting financial pressure, granting them a short window, usually around ten days, to negotiate with lenders, explore refinancing options or prepare for a formal administration process.

If the company ultimately enters administration, the outcome could threaten the future of more than 1,000 jobs across its operations and potentially disrupt services at hundreds of car parks across the country.

The development is likely to send shockwaves through local authorities and commercial partners that rely on the operator to manage public and private parking facilities.

Financial pressures have been mounting in recent years. Accounts show the company generated revenues of £187 million in the financial year ending 2023, representing a decline of more than 7 per cent compared with the previous year.

The company has also faced public scrutiny and criticism over its parking enforcement practices. Private parking operators across the UK have dramatically increased the number of penalty notices issued to motorists, with figures showing that drivers are now receiving nearly 40,000 parking charges a day.

Data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) revealed that private parking firms requested vehicle ownership details a record 14.37 million times during the 2024–25 financial year. That equates to an average of around 39,375 requests per day, allowing companies to issue parking charge notices of up to £100 for alleged violations such as overstaying time limits.

Parking operators must obtain vehicle ownership information from the DVLA in order to send fines by post, paying £2.50 per request for access to the database.

NCP itself has faced several high-profile controversies relating to fines in recent years. In February last year the company apologised after incorrectly issuing a £100 penalty to a grandfather who had parked for just 14 minutes in a car park in Darlington, County Durham, despite signage stating that customers were entitled to 90 minutes of free parking. The fine was later cancelled.

The company has also faced financial disputes with local authorities. In 2024, Bolton Council wrote off nearly £1.5 million in debts owed by the firm dating back to the pandemic period.

Legal representatives from the law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain, which is acting for the company, said a statement would be issued later regarding the situation.

Industry observers say the potential collapse of such a large operator reflects broader challenges in the parking sector, including rising operational costs, tighter regulation and increasing scrutiny of private parking enforcement.

For motorists, private parking charges have become increasingly common across locations such as supermarkets, shopping centres, business parks, motorway service areas and restaurant sites.

While the notice filed in court does not guarantee that the company will enter administration, it indicates that its financial position has become severe enough to require urgent restructuring discussions.

If a rescue deal cannot be secured during the protection period, administrators could be formally appointed within days, placing the future of Britain’s largest car park operator in doubt.

Jamie Young

Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.

When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.

Prime Video’s acclaimed adult animated superhero series *Invincible* returns with Season 4 on March 18, 2026, marking the latest chapter in Robert Kirkman’s brutal, emotionally charged adaptation of his Image Comics series. The eight-episode season launches with a stacked premiere of the first three episodes, followed by weekly drops through April 22, building anticipation for high-stakes Viltrumite conflicts and new villains.

The release schedule, confirmed by Prime Video in February 2026, aligns with the show’s established pattern of front-loading episodes to hook viewers before shifting to weekly installments. Episodes 1-3 arrive Wednesday, March 18, at midnight Pacific Time (3 a.m. Eastern, 7 a.m. GMT), with subsequent chapters premiering each Wednesday: Episode 4 on March 25, Episode 5 on April 1, Episode 6 on April 8, Episode 7 on April 15 and the finale on April 22.

The premiere date follows Season 3’s conclusion in March 2025, after which production ramped up quickly. Prime Video first announced the March 2026 window at New York Comic Con in October 2025, later pinpointing March 18 in January 2026 alongside an official trailer showcasing intense action, family reunions and the debut of Lee Pace as the formidable Viltrumite leader Thragg.

Season 4 picks up after the dramatic events of Season 3, thrusting Mark Grayson — voiced by Steven Yeun — deeper into interstellar threats. With Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons) back in the picture, Mark faces escalating dangers from the Viltrumite Empire. New antagonists include Thragg, portrayed by Pace, alongside Dinosaurus and Universa, promising even bloodier confrontations than previous seasons. The series continues its signature blend of visceral superhero violence, heartfelt character development and subversive takes on the genre.

The voice cast remains a powerhouse. Returning stars include Sandra Oh as Debbie Grayson, Gillian Jacobs as Atom Eve, Walton Goggins as Cecil Stedman, Zachary Quinto as Angstrom Levy and Zazie Beetz in recurring roles. New additions like Pace elevate the stakes, with the trailer highlighting his imposing presence as the Viltrumite Grand Regent.

*Invincible* has earned widespread praise since its 2021 debut for its mature storytelling, graphic action sequences and exploration of heroism’s personal costs. The show quickly became one of Prime Video’s flagship animated titles, rivaling live-action superhero fare in cultural impact. Seasons 1 and 2 set high bars with critical acclaim and strong viewership, while Season 3 maintained momentum despite longer production gaps attributed to animation demands and voice recording schedules.

Kirkman, who serves as creator, showrunner and executive producer alongside Simon Racioppa, has teased that Season 4 adapts key comic arcs involving the Viltrumite War, space battles and moral dilemmas for Mark. In interviews, he emphasized the season’s focus on consequences, with Mark grappling with his heritage and the galaxy’s power dynamics. The animation, handled by Wind Sun Sky Entertainment and Stellar Creative Lab, delivers fluid, cinematic fight scenes that push boundaries in the medium.

The trailer, released January 22, 2026, generated immediate buzz with its glimpses of massive-scale destruction, emotional reunions and Thragg’s intimidating arrival. Fans on platforms like Reddit and X praised the ramped-up intensity, with many noting how the series continues to subvert expectations.

Prime Video’s strategy of dropping three episodes upfront aims to recapture binge-watching momentum while sustaining weekly discussion. This hybrid model proved successful in prior seasons, fostering online communities dissecting plot twists and character arcs.

As the premiere approaches, excitement builds amid a crowded superhero landscape. *Invincible* stands out for its grounded take on powers and family, contrasting with more polished Marvel and DC offerings. Its success has spurred comic sales resurgence and positioned it as a cornerstone of Prime Video’s original programming.

Viewers can stream Seasons 1-3 on Prime Video ahead of the new installment, with no additional subscription required beyond the platform’s standard access. The series remains available in more than 240 countries and territories.

With Season 5 already announced — a rarity for animated shows — *Invincible* cements its long-term future. Kirkman has hinted at adapting the full comic run, which spans 144 issues, ensuring multiple seasons ahead.

As March 18 nears, fans prepare for another round of shocking twists and emotional gut-punches. Whether through brutal Viltrumite clashes or Mark’s personal growth, Season 4 promises to deliver the high-octane drama that has defined the series.